Dani and Jon life

Have you heard of a knitting machine?

2011-09-05T08:56:00.002-05:00

First of all, this is a crocheted hat I made the other day. (crappy picture, taken with my computer)

Up close! I love the buttons, of course.

If anyone wants to know how to make a crochet hat, let me know because I've gotten to the point where I don't need a pattern anymore for the simple beanie. And I'd love to make one for you, too!

On to the knitting machine!!!!!

Check out this page if you've never seen one before---http://www.knitter.biz/p49.html

The knitting machine is a new discovery for me, and a friend of mine had one! So, thanks to a lady I'll call M, because she let me borrow it. Sweet. Action. First of all we made a bunch of Harry Potter scarves for the premiere. Then when I had it all to myself my first project was a simple scarf with a braided detail.

Here's a close up!

And this is the whole thing, it looks like a picture from the seventies, but it was just bad lighting and my computer camera.

And my biggest yarn project, probably ever, was so easy thanks to the knitting machine. It's a lap blanket and it's made out of really soft Caron yarn. The swirl pattern is cute, I think, and I got to learn some new stitches and things from this project.

And I can't knit. At all. I tried once, and didn't really practice enough, so I totally forgot everything that I had been taught. Knitting seems so much harder to me than crocheting. But the machine makes it super fast and uniform, and awesome. There were a few kinks that I had to work out just from being new to it. So, like any craft I've gotten in to, the projects get better over time. I hope to have more soon....

La Florida

2011-07-22T07:35:00.000-05:00

I have been wishing lately that we were back there.

Don't know why it took me forever to post this on here.

Some crafty posts to follow shortly.

Dinah - the Hyundai Santa Fe

2011-07-04T18:22:00.003-05:00

New Car!!

So we finally did it. We replaced Tauri the Ford Taurus. Actually we bought it a couple weeks ago, I just couldn't find my camera cord. But, for recording history's sake, here's our new baby.

Joplin, Missouri 2011

2011-06-19T23:01:00.015-05:00

In May a humongous tornado tore through the small town, Joplin, in Southwestern Missouri. Some friends and I recently volunteered with cleanup through AmeriCorps.

It was an amazing experience, and a really hard one.

The power of nature can be so surprising. A tornado, basically a strong, whirling wind, picked up so much debris and ripped down so many things in such a large area in such a short amount of time. 154 people have died as a result. Many of those people died during the tornado itself, and quite a few died after-the-fact due to injuries.

And when we left, I feel like nothing had changed. 5 straight hours of work, and there was still so much left to be done.

And as soon as we left Joplin, I started feeling very ill. Nausea. Fatigue. It kept getting worse. Although I had drunk at least 20 bottles of water, I had not rested and it was not enough. I had heat exhaustion. I hardly ate anything for 4 days while I force-fed myself water. It was horrific, but I gotta say it was worth it.

Picture Post-UniversalStudios

2011-06-13T10:52:00.005-05:00

Universal Studios was magic

Turkey leg plus a ride on the Hulk=fun day for Jon

The Hogwarts train engineer and I are best buds :-)

Hogwarts Hogwarts Hogwarts Hogwarts Hogwarts!!

HONEYDUKES! So much candy! I wanted to buy a chocolate frog, but they was kind of 'spensive.

Jon, with his Butterbeer, in front of The Three Broomsticks.

HOGWARTS HOGWARTS HOGWARTS HOGWARTS HOGWARTS!

It really was delicious.

Seuss Landing was just like being in a Dr. Seuss book

Picture Post-NewOrleans and DaytonaBeach

2011-06-13T09:38:00.003-05:00

Daytona Beach, Florida, Shoreline Suites

Our CUTE cabana

Our last night on the beach we celebrated with some Fre Wine

Sunrise! Gorgeous!

We toured Whetstone Chocolate Factory in St. Augustine, FL. Yum

Oldest Church in America in New Orleans

The only Mint to be used by both the Confederacy and the Union (located in New Orleans). We're such geeks, we really love going to museums and historical sites like this.

What I've been up to??

2011-06-04T12:53:00.003-05:00

I thought I had written recently...but I guess I just thought about writing.

I have been trying to upload pictures, but it won't let me!

So I've just been busy with work. File Clerkage 40 hrs / week. Chyah.

And a little bit of hangin' out with my girls. ::Linda, Doride, Lauren, & Becky::

Also, I've been missing my *Parkville* peeps. Like a lot.

And of course chillin' with my husband. After work and on nights we aren't busy elsewhere.

Weekends have been pretty great. We went #camping# for Memorial Day weekend! 'Twas super sweet.

I have one or two more crafts to share. I will once I can upload pics.

But first I'll probably try to upload some vacation pics!! Grrr I wish I could upload pics!!

:) <3 (:

Easter Saturday

2011-04-23T17:22:00.004-05:00

Easter Egg Hunt!

First of all, my niece and nephew (well, first cousins once removed) are adorable.

Second of all, my friends can throw some fun shindigs.

ABCDEFGHI.......

2011-04-21T21:17:00.002-05:00

Sing the alphabet in your head. Now repeat it. Start at L. Then again at A. Again. Again. LMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ.

That's what I do for a living. It's a good living. Not all that exciting. Pays well enough. Keeps me busy. The people are super nice. Well, the person. I work pretty secluded in the file room. I'm full time and the other 'filer' is part time. So, I go to work earlier than I'm used to waking up (which is good for me) and I organize and file and stand a lot (ooh and I get to listen to my iPod!), then I leave somewhere between 5 and 6. I come home and just relax, 'cause it's more tiring than it sounds. This is my life. And it is good.

Karen (my co-worker/other 'filer') said she wanted to put up a banner in the file room with the alphabet, you know like those colorful ones in grade school classrooms. I think we should cause it needs more color in there. But she was worried that other people would come in and think we were complete crazies and we didn't know the alphabet. Lol. We kinda are crazies.

I would like some more classical music on my iPod!

I did just buy some Selena Gomez and the Scene! I know, I know, I'm too cool

So, who wants to come yoga with me? Or jog. So long as you don't mind that I'm a slow jogger who has to stop a lot and has a bad knee. Well, two bad knees. Maybe I'd better stick to yoga...

Remember: you are beautiful!! Jesus loves you! Satan is jealous of you!! Actually, lots of people are probably jealous of you for some reason or another...so be jealous of yourself. Yeah.

10 things US

2011-04-12T19:04:00.012-05:00

Ten things that remind me of 'us'

Fishing. I catch 'em, he cooks 'em. We make a good team.

Ghost hunting. It's kind of why we first started hanging out. And it's fun and kinda philosophical. And scary.

Italy. We occasionally try to learn Italian. We both want to go there, for the history, for the beauty, for the food, for the experience. We WILL make it there some day.

Park University. We met there. That is part of why I love it.

Manchester Orchestra. He introduced me to them, and it may have taken me a few listens, but I do believe they are one of my favorite bands, and his. We love talking about their lyrics and seeing them in concert.

Kitties! Cause we have 'em and we love 'em, and there are lots of cute and funny pictures of kitties online.

Plaid. I don't know why. It's just so, 'us'.

House, M.D. It's one of our favorite shows, we own all the seasons on DVD.

The beach, more specifically, Florida. We went there with school twice before we were married, and then it was where we went on our honeymoon. AND we're going there in a month!!

Disney VHS! We collect them and watch them over and over. Yes, we have a VHS player. Yes it's in our room. Yes it's amazing.

Linda has some cute kids

2011-03-20T19:37:00.003-05:00

We went with my cousin and her family to the St. Louis temple. I had some fun with the camera and her adorable kids.

Oh and my other cousin, Bekah, was in the car with us. Isn't she gorgeous? Even when she's sleeping, lol.

Craft Post

2011-03-20T18:44:00.009-05:00

I have been thinking we need more artwork in our bedroom, so I made a little sumthin. And I actually took before, during, and after pictures for once so I can walk everyone through what I did, just for fun.

First, I gathered all my supplies. That's pretty much just a little bit of everything from my craft room.

I wanted to be able to frame it, so I marked some fabric to 8x10. I wanted it to be pretty and peaceful so I thought for a minute about what it should abstractly look like...and I looked over and saw my book of Mexican vacations. I opened it to a page with a gorgeous picture of an ocean. So I decided to make it some strange abstract tribute to the ocean and one of our favorite vacation spots-Daytona Florida.

So I started by finger-painting (somehow I don't own any brushes...) a shoreline type shape.

I picked out some blue ribbon....

Then kept adding ribbon....

I had made some flowers last summer out of a beige fabric and still had some leftover, so I decided they were close enough to sand color and arranged them on the 'beach'.

Oh, you might also notice that I added some embroidery around the edge of the blue ribbon and in spots on the ribbon and paint.

Then I decided it needed buttons. Most things need buttons. This blog needs more buttons.

Lastly I found an old frame, popped out the glass, and hung it up.

And there it hangs beautifully on our bedroom wall. Lol. The picture doesn't really do it justice. But I assure you, I love the way it ended up.

NEW BAG!

I made a new bag out of some fabric I had. It ended up smaller than I thought, I'm used to having pretty big bags. It was going to be a temple bag, but came out a little too small. And I even made it twice as big as the pattern said to. Next time I'll double it again and add a flap instead of a button.

I cut out the pieces...

Did some pinning, sewing, and ironing...

Once I sewed it actually in to a bag shape I added some bias tape to the raw edges and sewed on the strap (which I made twice as long as the pattern said cause I like it better that way)

Oh wait, and then of course I added a button closure. :-)

I may add a flap instead of the button later on. It'd be easier to open and close that way. And I'm all about what's easier. Then maybe I'll add some decorative buttons. Cause everything needs buttons.

Trying to fill my time

2011-03-06T21:07:00.002-06:00

Hmm, it's been a while since I wrote. I haven't exactly had a lot going on, so a post probably would have been kinda depressing and/or boring, even for me to read.

I only worked once last month. Yeah, the whole MONTH. I desperately need a new job. Or a full time hobby. Or something to help me feel USEFUL or distract me from the awfulness of life. What in the world do people do with their time when they don't work? I, personally, have never had the desire to work full time because I never had any career ambition or goal. I knew I wanted to finish high school: done. I knew I wanted to finish college: done. I knew I wanted to get married: done. I knew I wanted to be a mom: ....I'm not pregnant so don't ask....

I have been trying to fill my time with my favorite hobbies: exercise, sewing, crocheting, reading, and right now I'm cross stitching. When I get a little further on the dress I'm making and the Thomas Kincaide I'm stitching I will try and put pictures up. I would also like to paint something soon, although I don't know what.

At any rate, so far 2011 has not been very fun or promising.

OH HOW COULD I FORGET?! We booked two nights in New Orleans and five nights in Daytona Beach in May of this year! This vacation is well deserved and is only possible due to our wonderful tax refund. Although, it probably should have been spent on more pressing and responsible matters, who cares? I need a vacation. It should be loads of fun and hopefully very relaxing. Daytona is where we went on our honeymoon, but neither of us have been to New Orleans which I'm looking forward to.

It's good to have something to look forward to.

Nutshell

2011-02-13T21:47:00.002-06:00

All the soldiers say
“It’ll be alright,
We may make it through the war
If we make it through the night.”

--Portugal. The Man. "People Say"

Yay Insurance

2011-01-08T01:13:00.002-06:00

This January marks the first time we've had REAL health insurance in a while. And just in time, too, because I super needed to go to the doctor! I don't think there's anyone who reads this that doesn't know, but I take levothyroxin for hypothyroidism, have since I was like ... 12? It's just a daily pill to help my thyroid produce stuff, no big deal. But I've been needing to renew my prescription for a while now, I've been on the same dosage for 3 years (and I do believe I need to up it). Anywho, none of that is interesting, I was just so super excited to be able to go to the doctor again. So I went, talked to her about issues (thyroid and otherwise) and had some blood drawn. So hopefully by next week I'll know if I get a higher dosage and see if that solves some problems. So, while health insurance does take a good chunk of change from Jon's paychecks (we get it through his work) it feels good to know that we don't have to avoid the doctor or the emergency room if need be.

We still haven't taken down our Christmas decorations...I could be doing that now instead of being on the internet and watching Sonny with a Chance...but nah. We're classy like that. At least they're indoor, not outdoor.

Didn't think I had this much to say

2011-01-03T01:30:00.003-06:00

Just realize how blessed you are. That's something I'm working on at least.

If I had known what it would be like after college, I probably would have stayed in for a few more years.

I feel like my next phase of life hasn't started yet. I just don't know what to do with myself. I'm so in-between things it's frustrating, stressful, and boring all at once.

So, I just keep telling myself to find something to enjoy in life. Because I really am blessed.

On a happier note, we had an amazing Christmas and New Year. We had parties for both at our house, and we couldn't ask for better friends. Soooooooo much good food and a lot of guys playing video games. I'll hopefully put pictures up soon. We haven't had internet for the past week because whoever we steal it from hadn't paid their bill or something. But it's back now!

I like old movies. Like really old, and kinda old. Anyone have a favorite old movie I should watch? Some of the ones we've watched recently include Freaks (1932), The Wizard of Oz (1925, silent film), and of course It's a Wonderful Life (1946) and Miracle on 34th Street (1947). But I've never actually gotten to finish Miracle on 34th Street...

I am always reminded of how freakin lucky I am to have Jon. So I thought I'd remind you, lol. He is the BEST husband, friend, and company I could ever ask for. No one else would treat me as well and get along with me as well as he does. (although, it's not all perfect -- I wouldn't have it any other way). And I know he will some day be as awesome of a dad as he is a husband.

Jon got to use his Priesthood today to bless the baby of a friend. The baby girl's name is Aiden, the friend's name is Heather. He kind of down plays the experience a little, but I know he was excited/nervous for it and he did so well and did such a great thing for Heather and Aiden. I was glad to loan my Priesthood holder out for the occasion (lol, Heather's words, not mine). Heather asked me first if she could borrow my Priesthood holder, she was so sweet. We are also the proud Godparents of said child. She's a keeper.

hoot

2010-12-09T11:22:00.002-06:00

newest hat

2010-12-03T18:52:00.004-06:00

whatcha think?

and one with a funny face. just cause.

I made these on request from a friend who's gonna buy them.

This one's a little crazier, I like it but I can't help but wonder if anyone else will...It's a beanie with earflaps and a strung down poof ball.

And now I have to start all my Christmas presents. ;-)

I got a ton of patterns I want to do and I just bought bunches of yarn. Hopefully I'll have the time

What I should have learned in high school

2010-11-27T00:02:00.002-06:00

There are a few simple life lessons I always wished they would teach in high school. Instead of...you know...statistics and physics. It would have been a little more practical for everyone involved.

~Taxes! (never even knew the first thing about them until college, my fault? maybe. oops)

~Dealing with people who aren't easy to deal with.

~Relationships.

~Self-esteem. I know they had some random junk about this in mini-lectures and health classes, but nothing stuck. Nothing that came out and said "YOU'RE AWESOME JUST THE WAY YOU ARE!"

~How to get what you need from administration. In any capacity.

~There are other opinions besides your own, your parents, and your teacher's. Don't be threatened by it!

~Textbooks can NOT contain anywhere near all the information on any subject.

~Car maintenance and repair. Seriously would come in handy for EVERYBODY

~There are basically 5 big companies that rule the world with their subsidiaries.

~Life after school is still life, but you should probably learn a little more self motivation.

~How to plan out plan B.

chiquita

2010-11-17T09:45:00.002-06:00

November 16

You learn something new: Day 25

Yesterday I learned that bananas have much more calories in them than I thought at first. They are also high in dietary fiber, but then again they also have a higher sugar content. That's probably why they're one of my favorite fruits :-P. One large banana can have around 125 calories and 32 carbs.

Clear, mobile internet

2010-11-15T21:03:00.002-06:00

You learn something new: Day 24

I helped my dad today set up his very own kiosk at the Great Mall. He's been working on this for a while now. It's a cart for Clear, mobile internet. It's been a learning experience for everyone to get together, even the contact at the Great Mall because my dad is his first client since he's new to the job. Dad and someone from maintenance took the cart/kiosk thing that was already there and carted it off (I didn't know they moved so easily) and brought a better one in. We set everything up, realized we hadn't setup the router yet and couldn't do it where we were with what we had, so we decided that was a good dry run. On our way out we saw that someone else in the mall had mysteriously become a Clear Authorized Dealer. So my dad had to go figure that out. He explained to me that there's the Clear company that has independent salesmen and the New West company that is the wholesale manufacturer and they authorize retailers. This store in particular was NOT supposed to have Clear products. They're still trying to figure out what exactly to do, since the Great Mall isn't that popular it would not make sense to have more than one dealer and there is quite possibly one guy that works for New West (that my dad has had run-ins with before) that authorized this store to spite dad and the guy working at the mall. That's another long story that I won't get in to.

Well yay, that was a fun and productive day.

This is for yesterday

2010-11-13T10:18:00.002-06:00

I didn't have time to get online at all yesterday. I went to my parent's pretty early then spent the day there and then went to Jon's show! Jon's show was amazing by the way, I had no idea my husband could rap...lol. Then after the show Jon realized our tire had gone flat so we had to change it, I had already gone back to my parent's to wait for Jon to get done so my dad and I had to come back to the school to help. So that took another little while. And then straight to bed.

You learn something new: Day 23-~-

I guess yesterday I learned that my husband's a better gangster than jock. Just comparing his roles as Troy in High School Musical and Trae in Godspell. :-)

What a short post for such a long day.

2010-11-11T21:36:00.002-06:00

You learn something new: Day 23-~_~_~

In order to play Wii Sports Resort you need the Wii Motion + for all controllers.

Not a very deep lesson today. I also learned about the process of plasma donation, but that's something I'd really rather not talk about. (At the same time I learned my anemia is not just in my head).

Learning and Journaling (that wasn't supposed to rhyme)

2010-11-10T23:30:00.004-06:00

You learn something new: Day 22?
I learned today that in order to donate plasma you have to get there early and have three forms of identification. They won't be very cooperative, but it's worth it. We still have yet to donate because of finding time and because of the donation center's setup and restrictions, but we'll get it in someday. Both to help those that need plasma and to help ourselves get some moolah.

So for the journaling/venting portion-
I thought I'd wait until I got home to write on here, but I haven't heard a thing from Jon and I'm just waiting for him at my parent's house until he gets done with rehearsal. I can NOT wait until this show is over. Not that life would get all that much better afterward, we'd just get to sit in misery together. Although, he will get to go back to work for more hours so maybe it won't be so bad. But then I feel guilty because I can't get another job or more hours at my current job. I swear I'm applying places, maybe I should be trying harder. But I don't WANT to work full time, but then again, who does? I don't know what to do. Our Landlord SUCKS SO MUCH. We have had nothing but bad luck and horrible memories being made since we moved in to this place. I thought it was meant to be and an answer to prayers because of how quickly and easily we made it in to these townhomes, but I Just Don't Like It Here! And I don't like being on my own. I know that I'm 22 now and should just grow up and get over it, but this grown-up thing is kinda a lousy gig. I'm either completely bored and lonely or overwhelmed and frustrated. One minute our landlord's making us get rid of our cats, the next I'm calculating a SAD looking budget, and the very next I'm sitting at home alone, waiting for Jon to get home because I live too far away from any of my friends to actually go out and have a good time more than once every other week.

If this post sounds at all like I'm blaming Jon for my unhappiness, you couldn't be more wrong. This is just life, and I couldn't imagine myself going through it with anyone else. He is my rock. And he is doing everything he is doing for me and for us. I could not ask for a better husband and best friend. I just miss him is all. Today, my family was talking about the person we would pick, dead or alive, to spend an entire day with. My first thought was Jon. I didn't say that because I knew that's not the kind of answer they were looking for. But that is what I really think. I am such an introvert that I think meeting a bunch of other people would be interesting, but there is no one on this earth that I can imagine myself wanting to spend an entire 24 hours with more than my Jon.

So, I guess this time of my life is that time that I'll look back on and think "Thank you, God, for letting me get through that in one piece." Because right now I am putting all my faith in Him that "This too shall pass" and all of my emotions on Jon knowing that he can support me through anything.

Radio listenin

2010-11-09T17:26:00.002-06:00

You learn something new: Day 21

John Tesh on the radio told me that in order to remember what we need to do better, we should write it down with pen and paper. Writing things down makes it easier to remember. I always suspected this-It's sometimes how I studied for tests. Also, when writing, write in CURSIVE because that connects the memories even better.

He also mentioned something about how certain spices burn fat. I had heard before that spicy food helps metabolism, but apparently spices like cinnamon and ginger also boost fat burning. :-)

So thank you, John Tesh.

Polygamy

2010-11-08T21:53:00.002-06:00

You learn something new: Day 20-~-

Whew almost to day 30. Blogging every day can be difficult.

What did I learn today? ... 1862 was the year polygamy was outlawed in America. I learned that because my little sister, Jenna's, textbook for 7th grade Social Studies claimed that Mormons were illegally practicing polygamy in the 1830s through the 40s, and I didn't think that was right. So I looked it up, and sure enough it was wrong. Go figure, a textbook being wrong :/. While the Mormon's polygamy may have been frowned upon by its neighbors (they were just scared of a group of people who were different, this fear caused all of the friction that existed) they were not breaking a law of the time. It is common knowledge among Mormons that when the laws came in to play, the practice stopped.

I think it's important to realize ourselves and teach the children that vaguely learning a bunch of stuff from teachers and textbooks (or even television and internet) does not mean you are getting the whole story. There may not be blatant inaccuracies, but there is UNDOUBTEDLY going to be something missing from that knowledge, thus making it probably not a good idea to form opinions based on a small section in a textbook (or TV special, or website). It really makes me wonder about everything I've learned from my schooling and how much I need to take what I learned with a grain of salt and if I want to form an opinion or really know the truth then much deeper research is probably needed.

Skipping Saturdays

2010-11-07T20:23:00.002-06:00

You learn something new: Day 19_#)@(

Today I learned that Hannah Montana IS Miley Stewart!!

Ok just kidding, I already knew that.

Possibly a very important life lesson:-: when hemming pants ALWAYS wear shoes to get measurements. Long story short, I tried to help my brother but it didn't end well. And now I have to do it all over again.

Poor Passport

2010-11-05T23:13:00.004-05:00

(not my cat)

You learn something new: Day 18*&^%$

I got schooled today. I learned that to cats, there isn't a big difference between litter box and file box. :(

This morning we found that there had been a mix-up when Jon smelled the grossness coming from the second bedroom. Our file box, where we keep old bills, birth certificates, manuals, taxes, and other junk like that had been mistaken for a litter box. Or maybe they did it on purpose since we just bought them a new litter box last week and it has a cover, they don't seem to like it.

So there was cat presents on Jon's birth certificate, my passport, and a few other things. Most of it we could clean up pretty well or throw away. It was NOT a pleasant experience, though.

So, from now on we've learned to keep all important boxes out of reach.

What do you do...

2010-11-05T00:07:00.002-05:00

When your director tells you that you are the best person in the cast, that you are really good at one liners and that you are doing a really good job... then the next night tells you to be a better actor, to enunciate and have better diction and to not upstage yourself, then the next night completely back tracks and tells you your doing a great job again.

I've worked with picky directors before, but come on.

I love this show, and I love the cast, but some nights when I come home I want to cry myself to sleep at night because of how exhausted I am. I've been in professional shows that I didn't work this hard in, and had a great show week. Lately I've been hating myself and really rude to others because I'm tired and sleep deprived. Classes are kicking my butt and I feel like I never see my wife or my family.

Don't get me wrong, I knew all of this would happen before I auditioned, but I didn't think it would get this bad. All this and I'm starting to feel like crap. Judas (in the show) has strep. I don't think I'm that bad off, but I've been wrong before.

Maybe all I need is a day where I can sleep for 14 hours straight and not worry about rehearsal or money or my parents problems or school or church or car problems or anything. I can just lay down and relax and meditate, and remember who Christ is and what he did for me, and that if he endured all things, maybe I truly can handle my full plate.

-Jonathan-

Mental delusions

2010-11-04T21:45:00.004-05:00

You learn something new: Day 17~^-^~

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/2heaU1/www.accuterm.com/15-truly-bizarre-mental-delusions.html

Check out these ---^ bizarre mental delusions. Do you have any?

5. Cotard's syndrome

6. Derealization

8. Depersonalization

Those are the ones that kind of caught my eye. I feel like I can relate to them...dullness and separation from the real world. Minus Cotard's crawling maggots. Depersonalization says, "Life feels like a movie or a dream, and some people even chase this feeling through the use of illicit drugs." I think that describes moments in my life, and although I do not chase that feeling with drugs, I can see the rationalization for doing that.

7. Wendigo Psychosis

Disgusting. I hope I never have or meet someone who has this. Eating human flesh, no thank you.

1. Capgras Delusion

I think I saw Capgras Delusion on an episode of Scrubs once...

Someone told me once that I suffer from

15. Erotomania

but Shia LaBeouf really does love me. We're running away together.

Fried Chicken

2010-11-04T01:02:00.006-05:00

You learn something new: Day 16-~-

Tonight our friend Danny came over after Jon was done with rehearsal (so keep in mind this is past 11pm, hence the late night post) and he and Jon decide to make some food.

Delicious fried chicken and bread with goat cheese and cheddar, homemade ranch sauce and some hot sauce.

And this next picture is the lesson.

That's our smoke detector. And the lesson learned was that you should always air out the smoke from frying things, especially if it's midnight and your neighbors can hear.

But the food was delicious, and we had fun times. :-P Right, Danny?

Fast Food Republicans

2010-11-02T21:14:00.003-05:00

You learn something new: Day 14 & 15

Day 14: http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1KrAqx/www.buzzfeed.com/gavon/fast-food-items-not-available-in-the-us-that-sho

Look at it, seriously. I had number 11 (das nurnburger) in Germany, but not from a fast food joint.

And for day 15, I learned that Republicans are taking over! (That's a good thing in my book)

Rated what

2010-10-31T22:54:00.002-05:00

You learn something new: Day 13-~-

Hmm, how cool is that, Day 13 = Halloween. Couldn't have planned that better :-).

Today we got up early, were still late for church, taught our class of 2 (it's usually at least 4), then headed to my parents' for some Halloween fun. Pretty much lots of eating and scary movie watching. Jon went and did something with my dad and brother but he can tell you about that if he wants. I'm not quite sure what they did.

Anywho, what I learned is that the PG-13 rating did not come around until 1984. I'm surprised I didn't know this before, cause I like to watch old movies. Apparently RED DAWN (with Patrick Swayze) was the first movie to be rated PG-13. Parents were complaining that PG rated movies were not suitable for their kids that they were taking to see what was supposed to be a kid-friendly show. But, companies were complaining that their movies were not bad enough for the R rating and did not want to limit their audience. Thus, the new age limit was born. So what we do for pre-80s movies is check them out on IMDB.com and there's a section that explains in good detail why the movie was rated what it was. And then we decide if it's appropriate for us.

I know to some this may be splitting hairs, and some may say you should just avoid anything that's even remotely questionable, but I think that's for each person to decide for themselves. I do, however, think that our movie, TV, and music selections will probably change a little once we start a family. At least what we listen to/watch at home.

glass

2010-10-30T23:15:00.002-05:00

Trunk-or-treat was today! It was fun, but quick. I don't have the pictures uploaded yet, but I should be able to do that tomorrow. Jon and I were hobos. :-)

My parents also finished their move today. They didn't move far from their old home, but it does change their ward. Same schools though, so that's good for Easton and Jenna. Their new home is nice, although it is much smaller than anything they've had for quite a while. They are, after all, down to 2 kids living at home when Travis leaves for his mission in December.

You learn something new: Day 12-~-

Cats like cups of water. Cats and GLASS cups of water don't mix.

hats!

2010-10-29T22:37:00.004-05:00

I like hats. I don't wear them that often, but I should change that.

You learn something new: Day 11-~-

I learned today how to make a hood/hat. I took the basic idea of this pattern...

http://www.instructables.com/id/Sew-a-Where-the-Wild-Things-Are-hat-pattern/

...and just stopped short of the ears.

but THEN I added a BUTTON! lol. I think buttons are cute. so sue me.

Sorry about the crappy pictures, I know the hood is brown and so is my hair (at the moment) so it might be hard to see.

Anywho, I've been making crochet hats for a while now and I've actually tried to sew hats before but they turned out HORRIBLE. So I'm super happy with how this one turned out and I think I finally got it down. I think this will be part of my Halloween costume. Not quite sure how yet, though...

Congrats

2010-10-28T21:39:00.002-05:00

You learn something new: Day 10-~-

Learned today that I am one of three women on this planet that is either not pregnant or a mom already. lol. Congrats Bekah and Kenan! Little upset that I had to learn it through Kenan's Facebook, but it's not their fault, it's our cell phones. :P

Do you have a cell phone?

2010-10-27T23:07:00.004-05:00

(I await the day we will have a good wi-fi connection that isn't a neighbor's stolen linksys)

You learn something new: Day 9-~-

Today was one stinkin big humongous lesson on communication: How important it is and how much we take it for granted now-a-days. First of all, take a second to think about the last time you had to meet up with someone. You probably used cell phones to keep in contact until you saw each other. OR the last time you wanted to get a hold of somebody, and you called them, and they were at the store, or driving, or just somewhere random, but you STILL got to talk to them RIGHT when you wanted to. Today Jon and I had to try to coordinate our already unsure schedules without cell phones and only one car. And we kind of failed miserably. Usually we can text or call no matter what time or where we are and always know where that person is and what needs to happen next. That's how we take our easy communication for granted. Before cell phones you couldn't always count on getting a hold of someone when you needed to. Come to think of it, before phones at all how crappy would that have been to have to wait to correspond with someone? And not to mention how much I rely on just the comfort of having a cell phone when I'm driving or going somewhere new or stuff like that.

Health

2010-10-26T22:42:00.000-05:00

You learn something new: Day 8-~-

I guess I learned stuff about myself today. Like when I'm sick I am really cranky (and apparently I yell at Jon a lot) and when I haven't eaten all day cause I had to work but I go ahead and take headache medicine (which has caffeine) and drink Dr. Pepper (which also has caffeine), I talk a lot and get shaky. Now I can't decide if I'm exhausted or full of energy. So lesson learned- I need to take better care of myself, possibly take vitamins, eat regularly, and skip the caffeine. Well, Jon's finally home from rehearsal, so I'll leave it at that. :-)

Airplane Secrets

2010-10-25T22:07:00.000-05:00

You Learn Something New: Day 7-~-

Reader's Digest has an article about 17 interviewed pilots and what they know that you don't. You can find it at...

http://www.rd.com/home-garden/50-secrets-your-pilot-wont-tell-you/article186583.html

My favorite one is

“I’m constantly under pressure to carry less fuel than I’m comfortable with. Airlines are always looking at the bottom line, and you burn fuel carrying fuel. Sometimes if you carry just enough fuel and you hit thunderstorms or delays, then suddenly you’re running out of gas and you have to go to an alternate airport.”

and

“Cabin air is not as dirty as people think. A portion of the air is recirculated because that helps to reduce humidity. But it’s run through hospital-quality HEPA filters, and it’s actually cleaner than the air found in most public buildings.”

Well, they may say it's cleaner than we think, but you're still getting cooped up with a bunch of people with who knows what kind of germs for who knows how long. That is ALWAYS a recipe for sickness. Especially for me, I get sick pretty easily. Most people don't realize that that's why you get sick in winter, not because it's cold outside but because that cold makes you stay inside more often and you get more contact with germy people and things while inside.

They also have a link to 13 Things Your Flight Attendant Won't Tell You that's pretty funny.

YouTube, and I've been tagged

2010-10-24T21:02:00.001-05:00

I missed a day...
Oh well, I knew it would happen sooner or later. But I won't let that derail me. We'll just count this as day six.

You learn something new: Day 6-~-

I learned that on YouTube when a video is loading and has that little dotted circle going on in the middle, you can play Snake. Seriously. Try it. If a video is loading and you see this:

just press the directional buttons and play away.

Now on to more important matters. I was tagged on one of those questionnaire thingies by Alaina. Yay. Here goes.

1. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Holiday tradition...I love that my parents get all of their kids chocolates on Valentine's Day. I think that is the reason why I didn't grow up hating the holiday like most people I know. It made me see the holiday as just a fun day to show your love for anyone and everyone, instead of being exclusively romantic. It's something I will definitely continue with my kids.

2. Who is your biggest role model and why?
My grandparents. I can't actually say I know them incredibly well, but what I do know, I like. So I'm probably idealizing them, but that doesn't make them any less great...right? They grew up super hard workers, grandpa became a rancher and land owner. They couldn't have kids so they adopted all four of their children and raised them well. They served a mission recently in Ethiopia, which in itself is amazing. And I could listen to either one of them talk for hours. I can't wait to see them this holiday season!

3. What is your favorite thing to do with your husband and why?
Travel. The long car ride plus seeing new things plus figuring out stuff together is just about the best thing I can think of. It always gives us new topics to talk about and new adventures. However, on a daily basis I'd say I really like to just cuddle while watching TV and talking. Yes, simultaneously.

4. What is one place you want to travel to, when, why?
I want to go everywhere! But if I had to choose one place I'd say Italy. Jon and I both would like to visit there and eat all of the Italian food and see all of the beautiful-ness that is Italy. We even started learning Italian a while back...we should start that up again.

5. What is your all time favorite band?
Very good question...hmm...most people know that I used to be obsessed with Evanescence. While I still do love them and especially the lead singer Amy Lee, I haven't been listening to them much lately (nothing new out for a while). I lately have been in love with two bands, Mumford & Sons and Manchester Orchestra. Great great bands.

6. What is your favorite book?
I just love reading. I don't really have a book that I could read over and over again.

7. Who is your closest friend and why?
Besides Jon (because that's what I always say and then people say that doesn't count) probably a tie between Bekah and Linda. I connect with them both in different ways.

8. What is your favorite trait about yourself?
I'm gonna stay away from the physical stuff here. I like that I can roll with the punches. I may get easily stressed and notice details that never matter, but I feel like all in all I handle life pretty well.

9. Tagged:
Who reads this...Heidi? and ... that's about it?

Blessed

2010-10-22T18:13:00.000-05:00

Jon and I have been working hard all day, and I am proud to say that our little townhome is no longer an embarrassment. It isn't quite 100% where I want it, but it's more than presentable. :-) Here's the tour.-.-.-

Welcome. teehee.

I guess we'll start upstairs, cause that's the order in which Blogger put the pictures.
This is the bedroom. If I panned to the left there would be an unmade bed, so we won't do that. But we did put up a curtain and some pictures and I organized my jewelry.

And this is Guppy trying to cuddle with me while I'm trying to take pictures.

My little craft space! I am so ticked that I can't find the last knob for the drawer, I know it's somewhere. And I think it's such a cute little desk. Oh, and of course, Amy Lee watching over me.

The rest of the second bedroom

Upstairs bathroom. We totally have a black & white traveling theme going. And I think toilets are gross so I tried not to make the picture about that.

The living room! Truthfully, I meant to put that white box away and move the little black rug upstairs before I took this picture. Oh well. Oh and the couch will soon be covered in a brown cloth. So it won't be that blue. Notice the Halloween decor? It's about to get better.

Kitchen! With bat lights! And Halloween lanterns!

Downstairs bathroom. There's a picture hanging on the other side, and the rest of it is kind of meant to be Florida themed. But you really don't get any of that from this wonderful picture.

My Jon next to just a small percentage of the pictures he hung. If it weren't for him this whole house never would have gotten done today. I would have started and then gotten frustrated and procrastinated again.

So, I spent all day inside, at home, but still got sooooo much done. And it needed it.

But did I learn anything?

You learn something new: Day 5-~-

Blessing a home really does make a difference. For some reason, I really struggled with this move. Be it that I did not want to move away from my parents AGAIN, I didn't want to have to worry about BILLS again, or I was just annoyed with everything else in life, who knows. When we moved, this just didn't feel like home. So last night, Jonathan, my wonderful wonderful priesthood holding husband, finally got around to blessing these four walls. The difference today has been amazing. Almost immediately we noticed that it smelled, looked, and felt more like US. And this was BEFORE we started the major organizing project today. It is still not very familiar, and it's still kind of lonely to not be surrounded by either roommates from college or siblings from home, but I feel relaxed, comfortable, and like we belong here. This place has been such a blessing and I can't wait to see what memories we make here.

Also, I think that the guy who lived here before us might still be here. He seems friendly. And I probably sound crazy to some of you, but that's okay. He was an 86 year old Russian guy, and he died. My dad says he died in the living room, my dad picks up dead people for a living so he says he can tell.

I Heart Hugh Laurie

2010-10-21T22:17:00.000-05:00

1st thing, Allie Einstein did not make it. She was just too sick. At least now we know she is not sick or in pain anymore. Rest in peace, Allie, you were the cutest guinea pig I have ever seen. And your daddy wants you to know he loved you very much.

You learn something new: Day 4-~-

I learned that Hugh Laurie had a sketch comedy show! A Bit of Fry & Laurie started in 1989, we just watched it on Netflix today. The first season was six episodes of sketches involving just them, Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry. I read that later on they added more gimmicks and guest stars. It was some of the funniest sketches I have ever seen.

You can read the article I read at suite101.com. Or if you have Netflix you can watch it there!

Eternity for Animals?

2010-10-20T23:25:00.000-05:00

You learn something new: Day 3-~-

I have always been an animal lover. I love having pets, I enjoy watching nature, and I get probably overly emotionally connected to animals that I've owned. But, where do animals fit in the eternal plan of things? That's the question that I had today. So, I went to LDS.org which gave me Gerald E. Jones' talk from an Ensign way back in 1977.

“love of nature is akin to the love of God”

Do animals have spirits and are they resurrected? "Yes. The Prophet Joseph Smith received information concerning the eternal status of animals. Answers to questions he posed are in the Doctrine and Covenants, section 77. He also spoke about the resurrection of animals in a sermon but did not expand on the subject. (History of the Church, 5:343.)"

Where do animals go when they die? "The scriptures speak only of animals being in the celestial kingdom." Although, Elder Joseph Fielding Smith said once that it is probable that there are animals distributed throughout all three glories.

Can animals be with their owners in the hereafter? There is no clear answer to this. They give an example of a rancher or farmer not necessarily finding it useful or smart to have all of the cattle he owned with him in heaven. But, an animal to which a person has emotional ties may well be restored to their owners in the hereafter. "Elder Orson F. Whitney wrote that Joseph Smith expected to have his favorite horse in eternity."

So, what I learned is that there are animals in the celestial kingdom. Men are children of God. Animals are for the benefit of man. Therefore, I have a new-found belief that our pets that we wish to have with us and believe will benefit us will most likely stay with us in the eternities.

Growing brain

2010-10-19T21:14:00.000-05:00

You learn something new: Day 2-~-

I learned so much today! Relief Society's Enrichment night invited a very intelligent lady in to speak to us about brain development in the early years of life. It was so informative and I love how she was also a Christ follower and kept relating the knowledge of the human physiology and the perfection of God.

There were some things she went over that were just a good refresher for me from college courses, so I'll concentrate on the things that I actually learned, the things that clicked as important and interesting and new to me. Bear with me, I want to write it all down so I remember it.

The brain is the only organ not fully developed at birth. Makes sense, right? 95% of your brain develops from birth to age 3. 95%! Although, it is also one of the earliest things that develops, because at just 2 weeks gestation the brain stem is attaching to the spine. Wow.

She spent a good amount of time talking about consistent caregiving at an early age. I used to think that babies learning to self soothe meant not always answering to their cries. SO wrong, well at least for the first few months. Consistent caregiving (meaning consistently answering to their cries and giving them what they need) leads to trust. The baby stresses about a need, cries, you come and calm them, they calm down. Soon enough they calm just by your sight. Then they learn to trust you. Only THEN can the baby become a self soother because they have learned to stabilize their stress levels through trust that everything will be okay. And babies learn to self soothe at about 8 months.

Use it or lose it. Babies at birth have 100 billion neurons, and 50 trillion synaptic connections (that means they've been learning even in the womb). At year 1 they have 1000 trillion synapses. That means all of their new experiences have made their brain a learning machine. Ages 0-3 and 3-5 are critical for new experiences and interactions. At 20 years old, we are down to a mere 500 trillion synapses (that means we are experiencing less learning). That window of opportunity from 0-5 is there for us to grow in leaps and bounds.

Myelin, which insulates brain cells, make brain cells more efficient. Myelin is the same compound that is found in breast milk.

By age 18 months a child has cemented in their emotional capacities. They have learned how they will react emotionally for the rest of their lives.

The number one predictor for self-esteem in children is seeing a good relationship between their parents. The second most important predictor is their relationship with their dad.

TV=flashes of color=trauma in a child's brain. Too much TV (1 hour daily or more) in young children leads to lower test scores, being a 'snacker', and ADD. And although she didn't say this outright, I inferred it also leads to lesser social skills.

She had a very interesting way of explaining the development of emotions, it involved strengthening certain parts of your brain. If you are constantly having to go from brainstem (which controls basic survival instincts) to Diencephalon (which regulates things like appetite/sleep) and can not feel comfortable in these areas (situations of extreme neglect) then you are exercising these two areas of your brain more and therefore rely on this part of your brain more as you grow older. This shows up in extreme behavioral disorders and inability to think about problems rather than react instinctively and emotionally.

So, that was my night in a nut shell. I'm really glad that I went. Even though I don't have kids, I love understanding why and how.

You learn something new every day...for at least 30 days

2010-10-18T19:31:00.000-05:00

Start off with a crappy little picture of my messy little home we just moved in to. Still a work in progress, but coming along nicely. Thanks mostly to my wonderful husband who actually stays on top of things.

I've decided to work on a new project. I've been looking for something to keep my spirits up a little, something fun and positive. Without boring you with too many details, I've been off my medication for hypothyroidism for just over a month now (money) and although I'll hopefully be on it soon again it hasn't been easy for me. I've been super tired, and depressed, and gaining weight, along with other fun symptoms. With a lot of stuff going on in the past month (job hunting, moving, etc.) I'm hoping for a much better month to come.

So, anyway, for my new project "You learn something new every day" I want to blog for the next 30 days about something I learn every day. I often use this phrase and I really like the thought of it. You never stop growing, education doesn't just happen in the classroom, and there is always more for you to learn. The more you learn, the less you know. And other cliches. :-) The things I learn may be silly or serious, intellectual or functional, boring or sassy, but they will nonetheless be something that I find interesting and new. So, I hope you enjoy some part of this little experiment and maybe learn something along with me. I hope you are all doing well!!

Day 1-~-Guinea Pigs

I learned how much I rely on Google. Our pet guinea pig, Allie Einstein, seemed a little under the weather. We're still pretty worried about her. After "Googling" her symptoms I came to the conclusion it was either stress from the move or a cold. Hoping it's stress. She was a little stressed when we first brought her home a few months ago, she didn't drink for days and was really skittish (like most guinea pigs). We weren't too worried. But these new symptoms caused us to look up more-she had really runny eyes and stuff coming from her nose, she also wasn't reacting to noises like she usually does or squeaking and she looked really tired. I never knew how sensitive guinea pigs could be. Several sites said that guinea pigs, since they are natural prey, tend to hide any symptoms of illness for a very long time because these signs of weakness make them targets. Once it's bad there's no going back. I gave her an apple slice, one of her favorite treats, and made sure she drank some water (which she hasn't been doing), and I really hope that she comes out of this soon.

Here's Allie, you can see how tired she looks.

Today was a horrible day.

2010-10-06T19:22:00.001-05:00

I don't like confrontation. I don't like technology breaking down. No matter what I did to try and make the day better, it bit me in the butt. What am I doing wrong?

What we've been up to.

2010-09-28T22:37:00.000-05:00

Guppy had to have a bath. hehe.

I found this interesting dress at a thrift store.

and turned it into this.

totally emo picture of me in my new dress

awkwardly close close-up of the detail on the chest. sidenote-super cute owl necklace that I got at Forever 21

Travis' papers are in and he'll be going on a mission soon!

Alice had a baby! He's/She's about twice that size now, with a pudgy little belly.

and of course, we signed some paperwork to live in these townhomes!!! we will hopefully be moving in next week! it all happened so fast that we're kind of expecting something to go wrong, but so far so good. :-).

it's almost time for fall

2010-09-08T16:28:00.000-05:00

so I start making hats and things! just one for now, but I found some new patterns and I'm so excited for the cold weather to wear them in. :-)

this particular pattern is slightly altered from www.crochetpatterncentral.com

Things are happening

2010-09-07T00:06:00.000-05:00

Hmm, let's see, since I wrote last I believe quite a few things have happened.

Numero Uno- I got a job! I work part-time at a law office doing scanning and answering phones and such. It's really a nice job and a great opportunity and pays well. It's just as boring as you would expect an office job to be I suppose, but I am always busy so it goes by fast and the people are great.

Jon started school and has been keeping very busy with that and work. He will be cutting back his work hours soon to concentrate more on school. And last week he went through a rigorous audition process for JCCC's theater program and got a role in November's production of Godspell! I am so incredibly proud of him and not only his talents but the guts it takes to do what he did.

I think I love baking. I have never been a chef like Jon, he can throw anything together and make a masterpiece. But give me some flour, sugar, chocolate, and vanilla and I am more than happy to whip something up. So I made cupcakes recently, two different kinds with two different kinds of icings. I have never made these recipes and never made icing from scratch so it was really fun. I will definitely be making some more cupcakes soon. If you have any recipes for any desserts or pastries I would loooove to have them and try them out.

We went to the lake last weekend with our friend Danny. Despite certain factors being a downer, it was a fantastic weekend where we went sea-dooing, baked, cooked, fished, and met some of Danny's relatives who are from Rhodesia (currently Zimbabwe).

yay for tons of time on my hands

2010-08-09T12:41:00.000-05:00

the makings of this skirt

it even has a zipper :-P

and I'm in the process of making Scrabble pillows, these are the felt letters

and this is a blanket that I made out of scrap fabric, it's pretty small so it's just decorative for now

the back's lime green :-)

and another blanket, this one crocheted, I'm thinking of finishing it off with purple

shrug I made out of an old turtle neck, it looks much cuter when it's on

hmm, I'm sure there's something I'm missing, but that's a lot of pics already, so I'll add stuff another time if I feel like it .. .. .. Oh I'm working right now on a crocheted stuffed doll, I think they call that Amigurumi

stay completely still

2010-07-19T11:10:00.001-05:00

Oh finding a job isn't that much fun, but house hunting is! We're not sure we'll get it, but we're applying for Overland Park Estates townhomes. It's the most exciting thing since Glee. lol. If that doesn't work out then as soon as I get a job we're probably gonna be searching for another place. We love being at the Fackrell house, we have our own life our own section of the house, it's almost like renting a place, but not quite the same. Especially after having our own apartment for 2 years, it'll be good to be completely independent again. But, the fact that Jon is still in school makes that a little harder. And we're not that great at saving money, but we're trying.

Linda had a baby, Sean got a mission call! It was an exciting week. Little Charlie is so cute, he looks a lot like his daddy. We spent as much time as we could with them while in the hospital, but haven't seen him since :-(. We figured we'd let them settle in before we came over and made it crazy. Well, crazier than usual since they're renovating the baby room. And Sean's going to Nevada! I'm so excited for him, it will be a great experience for sure.

It rains every other freakin day here, I swear rain is the only good thing about summer. I love thunderstorms. But I am definitely craving some winter, it's my favorite season and the clothes are so much more comfortable and stuff.

Go Royals

venting

2010-06-28T01:22:00.000-05:00

Just putting this out there, like therapy but cheaper.

I can't sleep. And usually that happens because I have too many things going on in my head. I wish that I had a full day or future plans to think about, but instead it's slightly more depressing thoughts. I need something to distract me. I have job searching, web surfing, tv watching, craft making (sewing has taken up quite a bit of my time lately, as well as crocheting), but even all of those keep reminding me of what I don't have.

I wish someone would have told me that this past year was going to be one of the hardest of my life. It's been great, don't get me wrong. I mean I've got my second year of marriage nearly over, I graduated from COLLEGE (while I am proud of that accomplishment, I always loved school so it is sad to be done), I'm happy with who I am and what I've done. But the hard times have been overwhelming. I guess that just shows my weakness. We've been strained, we've been busy, we've been penniless, we've been desperate, we've been disappointed time after time, but we've also been growing.

I guess the problem is the gaping vacant hole that is in front of me. Nothing is in my hands. I hate to admit this, but lately I am becoming envious of things that other people have. Is there such a thing as righteous envy? Because I don't want anything out of the realm of basic happiness. I know I'm kind of being vague, but I suppose I just don't want the specifics of my depression to affect what people think of me. Like I'm being over anxious or selfish.

So now instead of venting the horribleness, I will choose to look at the positive. I love Jon more than dessert and mint combined, our kittens are ADORABLE, we're surrounded by amazing family, Jon has a job, we have shelter and food, I enjoy the company of everyone I'm surrounded by, I have time to spend on my hobbies and myself, Jon's in school, and everyone's healthy. So who cares if not everything is perfect and/or controllable. Right?...

D is for Danger

2010-06-06T13:17:00.000-05:00

Sometimes...

In the crazy and confusion, I get lost, but it's not one of those bad lost feelings you know. It's the kind that makes you grateful to be alive. Makes you aware that the world continues to rotate even though you aren't worrying that it will. There's a song lyric that i like to dwell on by my favorite bands mewithoutyou... it goes like such.

And if I didn't have You as my guide, I'd still wander lost in Sinai
Or down by the tracks watching trains go by
To remind me: there are places that aren't here.

It gets to me every time i hear it. That was one thing I liked about living in Parkville, the river front, the train tracks. We had our privacy, we had our own life. Not to say now is bad or anything. It's different.

I'm indifferent about a lot of things. Pondering is a wonderful word... i've never really pondered in my life, thoughts just come into my head, and then they leave.

Life is crazy.... just wish i had a crystal ball with all the answers.

I sort of have a one up on a lot of my friends at least. I know what's going to happen in the eternities.

Love you all.

Jonathan

I would like...

2010-06-02T20:05:00.000-05:00

~an amethyst cameo (I bought an amethyst gem ring today, it's my birthstone and an absolutely beautiful gem anyway) :-) oh and I collect cameos so that's why I want a combination of both
~to find a job that I love.

~to work for myself.

~to have something to do with my days so I don't feel worthless.

~Cricket and TMobile to cooperate and just give me my old phone number already!

~Glee to never end.

~concert tickets to be free.

~to be a mom. I haven't really told too many people that, but I want it more than anything.

~a nice enough camera to be professional.

~a real closet (with unlimited supply of amazing clothes while you're at it).

~to start indexing for familysearch.

~my siblings to all be happy in whatever path they choose.

I almost feel stuck in a rut. I didn't expect it to be such a hard transition out of school and in to...pretty much nothing. Life goes on, I have my amazing husband and selfless family, but as for myself there is just...just kind of nothing. I'm redefining myself. Yeah, that's a good way to look at it. It's an exciting time I suppose. My life is changing in almost every way, and I can choose where I want to be in the next couple of years. While day to day life may sometimes be boring, there's certainly nothing boring about life in general at this point in time.

Enjoy your life, it's too short!

C is for Change

2010-05-14T11:12:00.000-05:00

I've been thinking a lot about that word.

It doesn't scare me as much as it used to.

In the back of my mind, I think i've always known that no matter what happens, no matter where I go, no matter who I meet, God will always be there. The Spirit will always be there, and family, they'll always be there.

So why do I feel the way I do, still my stomach seems to be tangled each way in knots, my body seems to be constantly aching, and my minds continues to wonder to horrible places. In words I can't explain the places my mind travels. I think I'm unique in many ways, but sometimes its a down right curse. Me being the philosophical man I am, I see the world in many different ways, and lately I've been more scared than anything.

Death

Decay

Fear

Horror

Unknown

I wish I knew what was wrong with me, I wish I knew that everything was going to be okay. Don't get me wrong, I think I know what's wrong with me, I think I know everything is going to be okay, but there is a difference, between knowing and thinking.

Maybe I'm somewhere in the middle.

Jonathan

Graduation becoming a reality

2010-04-22T16:02:00.000-05:00

For anyone who has been in or soon will be in the position of "almost there, so close but so far, I can almost smell it, all this hard work and they still want just that much more from me"

Two weekends from now will be the graduation ceremony that I have worked four years for. :::yay::: And then on to getting a job, starting a family, trying to keep old friends, waiting to see if new friends come along. Right now, though, I'm having trouble convincing myself that these last couple of weeks aren't gonna BLOW. I don't have that many classes right now, technically, but they are not my favorite classes ever and they are requiring constant trips to the study room, combine that with Senioritis and you have my current mood.

The past four years have been amazing! I can't imagine having had a better college experience. My roommates were the best from the beginning, I've had so many opportunities in education, work, traveling, and everything!, and of course I found and married my amazing husband. It has not been easy, but every step has been worth it.

Things I will miss about P University

-amazing people

-beautiful buildings and landscape

-small town friendly atmosphere

-always having a quiet nook to hide in with my laptop

-always having something to do if I choose to

-opportunities to learn everywhere (about business, the world, people, life, etc.)

-the constant changing and up-to-date atmosphere that is a college campus

Things I will NOT miss about it

-hills

-caf food

-no dishwasher

-homework :-)

And while I'm doing lists---

Things I want to do this SUMMER!

-save money

-visit Colorado

-go on some fun outdoor dates with Jon

-go to the lake

-get a job? ...hopefully one I like

-plan for our future

-get totally wrapped up in projects like building, sewing, crafting...

-garden

-see people in OP that I have neglected over the past 4 years

Last night I got an award sash for going abroad to Germany last semester, and I believe I get to wear it at graduation. That made me excited, since I wasn't going to be able to wear the cord for cum laude :-( I missed that honor by .01 GPA :-( :-(

So much is going to change real soon, and I'm excited.

Craftiness

2010-04-04T20:04:00.000-05:00

Lots of people have been talking about their craftiness lately, and chance would have it that I've been working on quite a few projects myself. So I'm gonna post pictures of them! I'll probably add a few now and come back and add some later. Sweet, so here's a few things I've been up to these past couple of months.

I mostly did crochet, if you want to learn how to crochet there are some amazing videos on youtube, I recommend watching Threadbanger for good craft ideas.

So it was actually super cold here this winter and I made a ton of these hats and other types. This one was for a friend, okay well almost all of them were for friends. The all blue one was for my sister-in-law, and I made muchos others in many colors and patterns.

I made these pidge scarves that I think are so cute and good alternative to a long dangly scarf. I made three, one red one for myself, and a black one and a blue one for friends.

And I made this long scarf for another friend, it was the first time making a scarf with this kind of pattern and I loved the way it turned out.

Well, I did some sewing too but apparently haven't taken pictures of those things yet. I've done several stuffed dolls and a skirt as well as changing up old shirts. Right now I'm working on a Grecian style dress for an upcoming school dance (and hopefully I'll like it enough for other occasions too).

So that's all for now, like I said I'll have to continue to post what I do. If anyone sees what I do and has any questions I'd love to tell you how I did it, it's so much fun to do your own stuff and so much cheaper (usually).

Allee Cuisine

2010-03-14T17:58:00.000-05:00

Jon's starting a catering business as a side job to Office Depot, working currently on getting business cards. He's already had a gig, and it went amazing. Tons of great feedback. He does the food and I do the dessert, stickin with our strong suits. So let us know if you or a friend could use a good caterer!

Maybe after Spring Break I'll have a social life again?

2010-03-06T14:04:00.000-06:00

I don't know if many people read this, but I read a lot of other people's blogs. It's fun. And I'm procrastinating writing a 14 page paper that will probably end up being way too short.

I've been trying to live healthier for a few months now. Well, in January and part of February that plan kinda didn't work so well what with being absolutely broke and completely busy with online classes. But I've been working out and we've both decided to eat better and with way less fast food. I like to think that I'll always feel good about the way I feel and look. We also both want to be able to run around and play with our future chillens without being tired or lazy. So I'm pretty excited about this life change, working out feels good and I like not feeling guilty after a meal.

This next week is Spring Break, which marks the last quarter of school for me! Things may or may not work out like I hope afterward, but I'll have the education I've always wanted and an amazing husband so I know it'll be great. Here's hoping that the job market starts getting better and other specific prayers are answered.

I'm so excited for Alaina D. :-) I've been waiting for the day you'd be a mom and I think you should come see me this summer with your big belly.

Maybe after Spring Break I'll have a social life again.

Life is pretty steady paced...

2010-02-06T15:14:00.001-06:00

and a little boring. But that's much better than chaotic and horrible. School's keeping me busy, work is keeping me super busy. Jon's job hunting is keeping him busy. There is a promising lead, but I don't want to jinx it.

My birthday is on Monday. :-) I'll be a ripe old 22.

I don't mean to be pessimistic...

2010-01-09T18:39:00.001-06:00

That was the worst break ever. I wasn't continually upset or anything, but things certainly kept going wrong. Jon lost his job, we were brooooke, several people in Jon's family got in car wrecks which resulted in drama and a current stay at the hospital, the head of residence life hypocritically kicked our cats out of our apartment and it will never feel like home again, Jon hurt his back sledding and couldn't move for days, he fell down the stairs and hurt it again, he fell down the stairs and hurt his ankle, poor guy I think he's handling everything better than I am.

School starts Monday. Still haven't bought my books yet. Because I can't. I need $150 magical dollars to appear. Well, while we're asking for magical money it may as well be $500,000.

I just need to get through this next semester, graduate, and move on.

On the other hand, I have an amazing husband and family that I can always depend on, and because of them I know I will never be left alone or without what I need. And God has definitely blessed us with what we need so far, so I will have to put my trust in Him from now on. That is what trials are for.

I fear the worst is yet to come

2010-01-06T15:45:00.001-06:00

Don't give up on me quite yet

Halo. Sprechen sie English?

2009-10-29T23:15:00.000-05:00

In case you didn't know already, I went to Germany for a couple of weeks.

It's been almost 2 weeks since I got back, so it's about time to write about it. I ate lots of sausage and pretzels, saw lots of new things, experienced a lot of fun stuff and a lot of surreal/depressing stuff. It was a completely amazing trip.

So the pictures start out on the depressing side. We went to Dachau, a concentration camp near Munich. This is the Krematorium X. It's one of those things you turn your head and see and feel a shock run down your spine. And it still smells horrible. It's nothing that can be captured in words or picture, and nothing like what you'd expect. There's no immediate presence of strange feelings when you're inside, just sporadic feelings of surreality.

Germany has absolutely beautiful landscapes. Especially when you see the Alps!

Me and a friend at Neuschwanstein castle. It was never finished but King Ludwig lived in it for about 100 days. It already had flushing toilets and running water and electricity. Fancy King.

Silly marionette museum

Just me over the city of SALZBURG, Austria!

In Salzburg they have painted cows. And it's where they filmed Sound of Music. Amazing.

Me and buddies at Nymphenberg Palace. One of the many palaces we toured.

This was my favorite palace. It was actually kind of a mini palace in the back of Nymphenberg palace. There was silver detail all over the walls in one room and the rest had China (that blue and white pattern) all over.

Me at Zeppelinfeld. That's where Hitler stood and spoke at the biggest rallies in Nuremberg.

Nurnberger! And to think I almost didn't buy you. That would've been sad. Three tiny sausages and one hard roll with mustard equals deliciousness.

There's at least 700 more pictures where those came from.

Busy Busy Busy

2009-09-24T16:24:00.000-05:00

Fighting to keep up with things. Lots of work, lots of school, lots of seeing people I haven't seen/talked to in a long time. I'm writing a script for a dinner theatre show we're doing at The Iron Horse (that's the restaurant I work at) and it's been kicking my but. I haven't transcribed or created a script in a long time.... so a lot procrastination has been occurring in my life. But seriously, if anyone wants to come to the show, let me know. Couples 100 dollars, 60 dollars for individuals.... it's a 7 course meal and a show and it's on Halloween. So for those of you who don't have tiny kids, or want something else to do on Halloween come to the Iron Horse and see my show!

Anywho... sorry it's been a long time since i've written anything, and I'm sorry this isn't any longer.

-Jonathan-

I need a life

2009-09-07T17:18:00.000-05:00

Worst 3 day weekend ever. Friday (meh). Saturday was full of house cleaning and uneventful hanging out.

I don't look forward to Sundays because I have to watch the Nursery kids {in a format that I don't believe in.} These are 18 month olds to 3 year olds and all of the other nursery teachers expect them to follow structure and schedule and listen to lessons and get in lines while they switch between THREE different rooms within 2 hours. It makes the kids CRAZY which makes me ANGRY. If it were up to me we would just let the kids be themselves, stay in ONE room, have times for snack combined with lesson and then play with them. That would be so much better. You can't expect much more out of a group of 20 babies. Also this Sunday Jon couldn't go with me (for, what, the 3rd week in a row?) to my parent's house because he had to work.

Last night I went to bed after midnight and woke up at 4, couldn't get back to sleep after that. Great start to my "holiday." All today I've been trying to work on homework while Jon's at the lake with his family and my family's at a Royals' game. Homework is coming verrrry slowly.

I just need a nice stormy night and a life.

But my 1 year anniversary is coming up this weekend. And I love him more than ever.

So lately...

2009-08-21T17:27:00.000-05:00

my senior year. I love learning. I have no career goals or motivations. Jon does. He started school again this semester, he still has a while to go but he's going to be a teacher and I'm so proud of him.

Dear life, stop being overwhelming. Thanks.

Dear Dani, you only have to live it one day at a time. You're welcome.

So, I'm open for suggestions on a part time job. Anyone?

Arizona trippin

2009-07-29T16:22:00.001-05:00

We got back from Arizona Monday night. There was lots of family to visit and an actual family reunion where we actually camped. Here's some pictures!

Jenna (my sister) and Emily (my second cousin) dressed up for the luai dinner

Jon's covered in wet sand from diving in volleyball. Our family (my mom's side) has a volleyball tournament (as well as horseshoes) at reunions and we got 2nd place this year. We're so hardcore we played through the thunderstorms.

That's our little tent there behind the boy's cabin

Jenna and me lookin pretty at the family reunion

This is the White Mountains in Arizona where the family reunion was held. The family owns land up there with cabins and a nice setup perfect for a large get together.

While we were there my mom, dad, Jon and I went to the Mesa temple. So pretty.

Harry Potter!!

2009-07-15T13:52:00.000-05:00

Kate Naylor/Hermione Granger

Sean Jon, lol

Yay so excited can't wait to get in the theater, isn't Laura cute?

That's Nathan, James, and Linda with the corner of Ruth's face, still waiting (we were there from 10pm til they let us in our seats at around 11, the movie started at 12:10)

Heidi was also taking pictures, which you know already if you're Facebook friends or read her blog

We saw Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince last night at 12:10am. We didn't get home until 3:30 ... and then I went to work at 9am. It was fun, the movie was awesome, and the friends were all there. Some people have been complaining that the movie could've been better or more like the book like they always say, but I thought it was a funny, good representation of the book plot. Harry on the luck potion was so hilarious, and it was fun saying "ooooh" every time Ginny and Harry looked at each other. lol.

I <3 Luna Lovegood

jon-ology.... because Dani said so

2009-07-03T11:56:00.000-05:00

***********FOODOLOGY***************
What is your salad dressing of choice?
thousand-island... but only when i make it from scratch.

What is your favorite sit-down restaurant?
probably skies or pepper-corn duck club... someplace fancy like that.

What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of?
probably pizza... but maybe even a hamburger from work. but only if Mury makes it.

What are your pizza toppings of choice?
artichokes and peps probably

What do you like to put on your toast?
butter and cinnamon

***********TECHNOLOGY***************

How many televisions are in your house?
3, that includes the one in the 2nd bedroom that is an old 50's style tv... which is awesome!

What color is your cell phone?
I had a cool green one, but it's busted so I'm using this blue and grey one.

Do you have an iPod?
yes, iPod nano. But I got it for the Dani

***************BIOLOGY******************

Are you right-handed or left-handed?
Right Handed

Have you ever had anything removed from your body?
teeth, and a B-B

What is the last heavy item you lifted?
firewood for the smoker at work

Have you ever been knocked unconscious?
yes, on purpose though

************BULLOLOGY**************

If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?
I really wouldn't mind it.

If you could change your name, what would you change it to?

Zander... I really like my name though

Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000?

I've done worse for less.

**************FAVORITOLOGY****************

Season?
Summer

Holiday?
Christmas, and Thanksgiving.. spending time with family is fun

Day of the week?

Sunday

Month?
February (Dani's Birthday)

***********CURRENTOLOGY*****************

Missing someone?
My Mom and Dad, I haven't seen them in awhile, but I get to see Mom tomorrow. YAY!

Mood?
Sleepy

What are you listening to?
Mewithoutyou, it's always playing in my head.

Current worry?

If my Guppy Puppy is okay or not. He's been really lazy.

***************RANDOMOLOGY*****************

First place you went this morning?
The Shower

What's the last movie you saw?
Year One

***************OTHER-OLOGY*****************

How many pairs of flip flops do you own?
One, but they are called sandals

Last time you had a run-in with the cops?
run-in? ooh we did get caught and yelled at walking in the Parkville Nature Sanctuary after hours

Last person you talked to?

(on the phone) Mike from work... telling me not to come in until 3

(in person) Dani, She's right next to me

Last person you hugged?
Dani

Do you always answer your phone?
Depends on who it is

It's four in the morning and you get a text message, who is it?
Well about 2 or 3 years ago it was drunk friends, but now it's Dani... if she's not here already.

If you could change your eye color what would it be?
I would never change my big brown eyes

What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic?
Dead babies... no not really. I don't really get flavors added to drinks, unless you count Cherry or Strawberry to a Limeade.

Do you own a digital camera?
Yes.

Have you ever had a pet fish
Yes.. His name was Frank... He lived for over a year

Favorite Christmas song(s)

Mary Did You Know & O Little Town of Bethlehem

What's on your wish list for your birthday?
I really don't care

Can you do push ups?
yes

Can you do the Splits?
NO

Does the future make you more nervous or excited?

excited, especially for the upcoming future

Do you have any saved texts?
Yeah, they are on my old phone I still have some of the very first texts from when Dani and I started dating.

Have you ever been in a car accident?
Yeah, with a friend in a parking lot. I wasn't driving. Funny story actually. I had just got done saying Buckle your seat belts in a joking matter.

Do you have an accent?
No, everyone else does though

What is the last movie to make you cry?
Probably Good Will Hunting, I cry all the time during the part when Robin Williams character looks at Matt Damon's character and tells him about his wife's battle with cancer. It's moving.

Plans tonight?
Work, then I think games with other couples from our Ward.

Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom?
Oh yes, I've been there.

Name 3 things you bought yesterday?
I didn't buy anything yesterday.

Have you ever been given roses?
No :(

Met someone who changed your life?
Everyday

How will you bring in the New Year?
just hanging out

What song represents you?
Cattail Down by mewithoutYou (A life on the road is what I always longed for.)

Name two people who might complete this?
I don't have any friends

Would you go back in time if you were given the chance?

Everything that has happened has happened for a reason and has made me the man I am today.

Have you ever dated someone longer than a year?
Almost every person I've really dated has been that long.

Do you have any tattoos/piercings?
Not really for me. In the tattoo department I just don't like the idea of having something forever.

Does anyone love you?
Yes, or at least I would hope so

Would you be a pirate?
Like I said, A life on the road (or on the sea) is a life for me... I just wanna kinda be a vagabond.

What songs do you sing in the shower?
New York New York is a fun one... anything Frank Sinatra or something I can just belt.

Ever had someone sing to you?
I can only remember two times... one time Dani and I had a big fight when we first were married and I came home from work and she had learned our wedding song on guitar. Another was when I was like 5 and my Dad sang this song at church, It was about how he wanted to be just like Heavenly Father because he knew I wanted to be like him.

When did you last cry?
Last night, from pain. I'm a puss I know.

Do you like to cuddle?
Sometimes, I've gotta be in the mood.

Have you held hands with anyone today?
Yes, when I woke up

Who was the last person you took a picture of?
Some random people last night, walking around at the fair, they asked me to take it... don't get any idea's of me being a stalker or something... DANI

Are most of the friends in your life new or old?
New, including family

Do you like pulpy orange juice?
I LOVE PULPY ORANGE JUICE!!!

What is something your friends make fun of you for?
being Mormon, and not drinking anymore.

dani-ology

2009-06-30T19:30:00.000-05:00

***********FOODOLOGY***************
What is your salad dressing of choice?
buttermilk ranch baby

What is your favorite sit-down restaurant?
ummmmm, um um, probably Buca Di Beppo on the plaza or Frank's Italian restaurant in downtown Parkville

What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of?
While Heidi's right -"Food fatigue would set in after three days."- if I had to choose a food it would be chicken and rice casserole

What are your pizza toppings of choice?
italian sausage, artichokes

What do you like to put on your toast?
butter and strawberry jelly, num num

***********TECHNOLOGY***************

How many televisions are in your house?
3, that includes the one in the bedroom that I swore I'd never put there

What color is your cell phone?
dark blue. my only other choice was pink

Do you have an iPod?
yes, iPod nano. cat chewed up my headphones though so I haven't used it in a while

***************BIOLOGY******************

Are you right-handed or left-handed?
Right Handed

Have you ever had anything removed from your body?
can't say I have... except teeth

What is the last heavy item you lifted?
oh I think it would have to be the rubbermaid thing at work full of pirate regalia

Have you ever been knocked unconscious?
nope, just awake and asleep

************BULLOLOGY**************

If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?
no. I try to remember that life is short without knowing the imminence

If you could change your name, what would you change it to?
Dani California, lol that takes me back to high school

Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000?
heck yeah, I'd do a lot of crazy stuff for money right about now

**************FAVORITOLOGY****************

Season?
Fall/Winter (I like warm, covering clothes)

Holiday?
that's a hard one, I like to celebrate everything, why not find every possible reason to celebrate life?

Day of the week?
Thursday. no reason?

Month?
February (my birthday:)

***********CURRENTOLOGY*****************

Missing someone?
yes ma'am, my jon jon's at work, lindsey's in CO, and I haven't seen several school friends all summer

Mood?
creative

What are you listening to?
Legally Blonde

Current worry?
having moneys for our Arizona trip

***************RANDOMOLOGY*****************

First place you went this morning?
I have been in my glorious apartment all day. Well needed day of rest and cleaning and craft project looking up

What's the last movie you saw?
The Proposal

***************OTHER-OLOGY*****************

How many pairs of flip flops do you own?
Not enough!

Last time you had a run-in with the cops?
run-in? ooh we did get caught and yelled at walking in the Parkville Nature Sanctuary after hours

Last person you talked to?
texted Wendy my mom-in-law

Last person you hugged?
Jon!

Do you always answer your phone?
I do if I'm not busy

It's four in the morning and you get a text message, who is it?
if I'm away from home it's Jon, if I'm at home it's probably a drunk friend

If you could change your eye color what would it be?
bright green! I've always wanted green eyes

What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic?
vanilla. I try not to drink caffeine if I can, but when I need it my favorite drink is Dr. Pepper with vanilla.

Do you own a digital camera?
Yes. it's a battery eater.

Have you ever had a pet fish
No, never saw the draw. I had birds once

Favorite Christmas song(s)
Silver Bells & Mary Did You Know & Away In a Manger

What's on your wish list for your birthday?
A clean house and car for 2 weeks

Can you do push ups?
not so much

Can you do the Splits?
splits just remind me of when I was in cheerleading and the coach would SIT ON US to push us all the way down. owe!

Does the future make you more nervous or excited?
excited! I'm trying my best to love the present, but the future seems so much better

Do you have any saved texts?
oh yes, and when I have to empty my phone or get a new phone I write down all my saved texts in my journal

Have you ever been in a car accident?
Yeah, no injury wrecks though

Do you have an accent?
Kansas y'all

What is the last movie to make you cry?
I cry at most movies a little bit. I'm a sap.

Plans tonight?
chillaxin

Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom?
rock bottom? there were a few bad years there. I hope that's the worst of it.

Name 3 things you bought yesterday?
A soda, swiffer wet mop replacements, cat food

Have you ever been given roses?
Yes. mostly from Jon. :D

Met someone who changed your life?
most definitely

How will you bring in the New Year?
Probably the same as the last two, sittin at my parents house with my hubby watchin tv

What song represents you?
I'm gonna have to steal Heidi's answer here and say "I Am a Child of God" because that was just a good answer

Name two people who might complete this?
I might make Jon do it...

Would you go back in time if you were given the chance?

Yeah, but not to specifically change anything, more to see things first hand or see things better that have been clouded by memory

Have you ever dated someone longer than a year?
Yeah. My first real relationship was 1 1/2 years long. My second real relationship was 3 months. My third real boyfriend lasted exactly 1 year long before we became fiances and the engagement was 9 months long and the marriage so far has lasted 9 months

Do you have any tattoos/piercings?
I have one hole in each ear, I used to have gauges plus a second hole in each ear and an eyebrow piercing

Does anyone love you?
Yes. And I love them. (that includes you Heidi)

Would you be a pirate?
I am a Pirate! (Go Park!)

What songs do you sing in the shower?
Whatever's on the shower radio

Ever had someone sing to you?
Yeah. silly memories.

When did you last cry?
Oh I dunno

Do you like to cuddle?
Yes!

Have you held hands with anyone today?
Not that I can think of

Who was the last person you took a picture of?
Guppypuppy

Are most of the friends in your life new or old?
New. The only one more than 3 years old is family.

Do you like pulpy orange juice?
Never! Not a big fan of orange juice to begin with though

What is something your friends make fun of you for?
being Mormon?

A chandelier

2009-06-16T15:51:00.000-05:00

After going to a housewarming party for some friends who recently moved into an apartment close by, a few of us went to Tomfooleries for food. When we ordered desert I got the "Dump Truck" something or other. I wasn't aware that it would actually come IN a toy truck.

It was good, the brownie part was hard, but there was good ice cream and oreos and stuff.

Then we got a ride back to our car, then we started for home. It was POURING down rain and we could hardly see, our defrost wasn't working very well (first sign of trouble). We then saw a car coming straight at us on 9hwy, I almost freaked but it turned out that there were a couple of fallen down trees on the road. Jon got out and helped moved one, then I got out and tried to help move a second one, but it wasn't budging. We helped other people find a way around and then we ourselves found a way around. By this time though, the headlights on our car had stopped working and the power steering went out. :-0 We got home, it wasn't far from where we were. For a while we thought the car would need a new alternator, but after looking at it and talking to my dad we think we just need to finagle a belt. Bad timing though.

Smile Beta!

Joe and his grandbaby, pic taken with my cell.

Also with phone, HEIDI AND CELESTE! so cute aren't they?

أنا لا وجود لها... إلا أنت موجودة

2009-06-16T11:50:00.000-05:00

"I do not exist, only You exist"

I've been thinking a lot lately about the future. We've been looking at houses. I've been looking at schools to teach at. We've been talking about travel, where to go, where to live, where to grow old at.

I've come to the conclusion, just by myself of course, to go where the wind takes me. Don't get me wrong, I have a plan. I just want to make sure that I don't get my feelings hurt when my plans don't go as I would like them to.

I'm wanting to try and get published. I'm not really going out of my way to do so, but i've been looking around. I can't really think of many people who can relate to my poetry, or my prose at that matter, but to be frank... I don't do it for other people. I guess thats the mentality thats not going to get me published, but the more I think about it I don't really care.

Keep telling myself

2009-06-12T09:46:00.000-05:00

You see that light at the end of the tunnel? No? Well it's there I promise...

-Dani

I saw my Grandmother last night...

2009-06-10T11:52:00.000-05:00

She's not been with us for several years. I never really believed in personal revelation like this before I joined the church, and still had questions about it. But whatever doubt was in my mind is completely gone now.

It happened like this, from what I can remember.

Dani left for work this mourning and I do what I normally do after she leaves, fall back asleep. I was having a rough time doing so, but as I was fading in and out my mind drifted to the subject of my high school days. That was the last thing I remember until I saw a remote place, dark and barren. I heard my name called in a ever to familiar voice, a gentle yet demanding voice (I don't know if those were the best adjectives to use but the only ones I can really put to it). The voice of my beloved Grandmother.

(I think I should give a little back round on my Grandmother, for those of you who don't know my Testimony and how I started looking for the church and who my Grandmother was to me.)

My Grandma was everything to me, she herself battled Breast Cancer for over 21 years before it took her life in August of 2005. She was a wonderful woman, and her visitation and funeral were full of people whose lives she had affected. She worked as a secretary at the Midwest Baptist Seminary off of North Oak Trff in Kansas City. She helped a lot of Baptist pastors receive their certifications as well as helped a lot of people (including myself) understand scripture.

Unfortunately for me, my last memory (until now) of my Grandmother is of her wasting away in a hospital bed. Under a "jungle of tubes and wires" as I would later recount in a poem I wrote. The woman I saw in that bed was not my Grandmother. The cancer had finally took it's toll, and about a week after we checked her into Saint Lukes in Liberty it had won completely.

But, I know now that that wasn't the end. And I am proud to say that she now knows that isn't the end.

As I came face to face with the one calling my name in the dream I saw my Grandmother, pain free. She told me how proud she was of me, and how she had been beside me from the beginning. She told me that her work needed to be done, that there were many people on the other side who told her about this place called Paradise. I told her that I knew of it too, and that I missed her so much. She said that she would be there, that she would never leave. She said she had been teaching others the happiness she has felt. She described this place called Paradise, and I saw it! I can't describe how or why the Lord allowed me to see it, but I honestly believe it to be the place we will reside when we die brothers and sisters.

We bid our goodbyes, and I awoke with tears in my eyes. I ran to my phone and called Dani, and now here I am trying to preserve my "vision" "dream" (I don't know really what it was).

No matter what it was I know that this church is true and I know that our families will be together forever if we keep our commandments and covenants we made in the temple. I know that the work for the dead allows those who have gone on before us to receive the same blessings you and I have in this last dispensation. I know that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God and that he gave his life for the church. I know that Jesus is the Christ the son of a living God and that through him alone we will return to our Father in heaven. I know all of these things are true and seal them up in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

-Jonathan

My stomach's always been a liar....

2009-06-05T21:19:00.000-05:00

...I'll believe it's lies again.

The Temple is calling my name....

"Come ye heavy laden and I will give thee rest."

T-Minus 13 hours till the drive to Winter Quarters Nebraska.

I just really need to free my spirit from Telestial things.

-Jonathan

Our Parents Made so many mistakes...

2009-06-01T12:19:00.000-05:00

May we forgive them and forgive ourselves.

This Thursday, my parents will be walking into the Platte City Courthouse and calling it quits. It was through this I learned that there is a difference between "legal separation" and a "divorce".

My creative juices have been a flowing though, I'm not really surprised this is happening. It's been in the works a long time. My Dad really wasn't one for sticking up for himself and my Mom can be a bit pushy sometimes, but something I've learned the past oh almost 10 months I've been married to my beautiful bride is that you must be willing to work on things. You can't just give up when things get hard. I don't know, my Dad says he's happy now that he's not been with my Mom. But what is true happiness? To me it's knowing that I'm going to be with Dani forever. To me it's knowing that the church is true. To me, HAPPINESS is love, it's charity. I don't understand how some people say they can fall out of love with someone. To me that's not what love is. If you "fall out of love" with someone chances are you never were in love with them to begin with.

Take my In-Laws for example, or take any devout LDS couple. We have our hard times, just like everyone else, but we fight through them and become a stronger couple through it.

Maybe I'm ranting, in fact glancing through this it makes my parents out to be bad people, and I don't want that to come across that way. Heck, if it wasn't for them I wouldn't be here right, well my sprit would be here, so I would be here, but just not the man that I am today. That's kinda deep.

Well here it goes.... I'm gonna try and humor some of you people with a poem.

Untitled

Forgiveness

Finding myself perplexed looking through a door with no hinges

Banging on and on for what seems like an eternity

Caged, Enraged

Alarming how frigid we've become

A wise man once told me

"You don't know where you came from

You don't know where you're going

You think you're you

You don't know who you are

You're not you

You're everyone else

In the forgetting of yourself"

I took it with a grain of salt

But as I sit here

Cold, Dark, Alone

In front of this door with absent hinges

I found the answer is in you

Don't forget where you came from

Don't forget where you're going

Because when you find yourself

You begin to lose

Everyone else

Crazy twists!

2009-05-30T13:07:00.000-05:00

Crazy twists! I just finished reading a book called Family Tree by Barbara Delinsky. Good book. I think it was really good at illustrating the importance of family and knowing your roots and also had a lot to do with peoples thoughts and actions on race. I also just started reading The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory, so far so good. Look em up.

As far as crazy twists in real life...not much to talk about. I finally switched my schedule for work from 8am to 11:30. Yay! no more waking up early. Yesterday I paid my partial deposit for my trip to GERMANY! So it's official, no turning back now. I just have to get my passport and wait for Fall Break. YAY

A week or two ago I took Celeste to the park and took some pictures of her. You may have already seen some of these, but I'll give you a few to look at again.

Another Day

2009-05-18T10:11:00.000-05:00

It's my birthday, and as I look back on the past 21 years of my life I don't really know what to say. I know I wasn't always the best kid, friend, son, boyfriend, student. I know I did a lot of stupid stuff. I know I'll probably still do some stupid stuff. But I do know that I have a strong testimony. I also know that I have a wife who loves me, and I have friends who love me, even though on the latter sometimes It doesn't feel like it. I know even though my parents are splitting up, they love me and care for me.

I guess this is also time for me to rant.

I happened upon this website, a "christian" condemning certain religious/brotherhood groups to hell. Of course I had to read it, because I'm stupid and always happen upon anti material. But for some reason, I don't know if it's because my testimony is so strong already lately or what, but it actually helped me. I know what I know, and I know that it is truth. I know the Masons are wonderful people, I know that us Latter-day Saints are loving people. That's what Christ wanted. He didn't want us to go around shoving religion down other peoples esophagus'. He didn't want us to scream/show hatred to other people. He taught the higher law, to love God and to love people. Not to condemn them to hell.

Anyhow, I know that's not what you want to read. I've been tired recently. Dani thinks it's sleep apnea. I don't know what I think it is. Probably stress.

I'll leave you with this. I love you all, even those of you that I don't personally know. Keep me in your prayers please, keep us both in your prayers.

Sincerely,

Jonathan

Buca, 80s garb, and fish pictures!

2009-04-20T13:11:00.000-05:00

really old picture from my birthday in February at Buca Di Beppo

me and my old roommates at the 80s dance a couple weeks ago. we called our suite the fort, hence the sign language Fs

guppy puppy and beta baby :-)

Detailed movie ratings

2009-04-16T15:12:00.001-05:00

I don't really have much to say today, but the weather's been nice and I've been at work and school and everything's been going all right. I have to perform a monologue for a final in one class and that makes me uber nervous. In another class I have to write a 10 page paper on a minority group and in another a 15 page paper on a social problem. Hopefully I'll get those drafts done Saturday.

We finally got wedding pictures printed yesterday and took some around to show people and to give away a few. They turned out pretty nice. Never do pictures at Wal-mart. Never.

I saw Hannah Montana-very good. And we saw Haunting in Connecticut-very great. I kinda wanna see the new Dragonball movie but I don't know if I would understand what's going on...

I'll edit this later and maybe put some pictures up from my birthday (2 months ago) and other fun stuff.

I Drive an Ice Cream Truck

2009-04-09T07:45:00.000-05:00

... and I hate it.

It's not that I hate the kids, or the giving money, or even the back breaking work it is to be hunched over like the Hunch Back of Notre Dom. It's that I work with a bunch of pig headed, stuck up, hateful people. Every mourning (except for today, because I'm not going in, 60% Chance of T-Storms, Thank YOU) I get up at 7:00, roll out of bed, take a shower. Then I drive 27 minutes, depending on traffic, to the middle of the ghetto. Seriously, how bad is it when every day you go to work you feel like you're going to get shot? And not just by random people might I add, your own co-workers. I'm sure half the people that drive trucks smoke weed in them.

So I get to work, spend 25 mins. digging through a freezer doing inventory on the ice cream in my truck. Make my orders for the day of things I'm low on. Then, the best part of my day begins, I get to leave the hell-on-earth compound.

I have the Gladstone/Claycomo area, so that's a lot of fun. There is a lot of kids in that area, so i'm constantly bringing home over 150 dollars in sales. I only get 40% of that, but it's still more I would be making at other places.

If you were to ask me how long you think I would be doing this, I would have to say not very long. The hours are crazy, I hardly get to see my wife. I already have a previous back injury from heavy lifting, so the constant bending over and sitting all day isn't very good. And lastly, I just can't work somewhere with people like that, constantly yelling and cursing.

Anyway, I love my life. The Church is true, I was having some issues with that, but this months conference helped out a lot.

I love you all, and thanks for listening to the ranting.

Sincerely and Truly Yours,

Jonathan B Allee

does this thing work?

2009-04-01T12:49:00.000-05:00

I had a long post and it didn't let me publish it...but that was a while ago.

Jon got a new job, I'll let him tell you about that :-)

I only have slightly more than a year left of school !! I've signed up for summer classes and also started signing up for Fall, one of which is a literature class about the holocaust and I get to go to Germany on Fall break!!! My first time out of the country :-)))

Spring Fling is this week so it's been kinda crazy, spring fling means CAB has an event every day ending with a huge dance on Saturday night. The theme is 80s VOGUE and that means I get to wear some awesomely eighties attire. If I get some good pictures I'll put those up.

Things are going well, I hope it's the same for all of you. Mwah.

--Dani

Update....

2009-02-23T10:10:00.000-06:00

This last weekend was kinda fun. I went to the play on campus, "Smell of the Kill", it was awesome and my friend Sarah was amazing as the comedic relief. Then Jon and I went with everyone out to Chubby's diner for some late night foods.

Saturday was uber fun, I did homework and cleaned while Jon was at work and when he got off, his mom took us out to chinese and a movie. We saw Bolt! It was cuuute. After we took her to get some $5 movies at Wal-mart we took her home then went home and watched House (which we've been watching a ton of since we bought the 2nd season on dvd. Just have to finish off our collection, we have the first 2 seasons)

Sunday we went to church and Jon got released from Nursery :-( :-( Then we went to my parent's house for dinner and laundry. It was a good lazy Sunday.

Get today over with

2009-02-07T09:51:00.000-06:00

I turn 21 tomorrow :-) But for today I have to finish all my homework and take care of Jon. He actually brought me breakfast in bed this morning for an early birthday thing. Sausage biscuits and apples and oranges and a vitamin c pill. It's kinda funny cause I've been wanting to take more vitamins and especially eat more citrus because he's been sick and I really don't wanna get it. He had the upper respiratory infection that's going around over here and found out this morning that it turned into bronchitis.

salhg- that was Beta wanting to say something or get my attention or something.

25 Things... Dani

2009-01-27T16:49:00.000-06:00

25 things people don't know, or want to know about me.

1. Being married doesn't feel much different from being single.
2. My favorite thing in the world is when Jon hugs me.
3. I want to travel around the world more than anything.
4. Although I'm waiting for the right time, I want to be a mom really bad.
5. I miss my Kody
6. My journal is a mix of writing, random sayings, scrapbooking, and random inserts.
7. Dr. Pepper is my weakness.
8. I can't stand to see Jon or my family in pain. It hurts me too.
9. My worst fear is losing a loved one, closely followed by going insane.
10. I'm kind of bummed about my 21st birthday plans. I'm not a very good party planner.
11. I don't like money.
12. I'm already planning my future home decor. It's gonna be sweet.
13. I think my brother Travis is one of the funniest people on Earth. And he plays guitar way too much.
14. I wish I were more creative. I pretty much think I'm the least creative person ever.
15. I hate having a dirty house but I hate cleaning. But I love the feeling after you clean and everything looks much more livable.
16. If I skip church I don't necessarily feel guilty, I just feel like I'm missing something in my week.
17. I hate dreaming.
18. I try to read the Bible and the Book of Mormon every day, the Bible by myself and the BOM with Jon.
19. People I admire just for being themselves-my mom, my dad, my cousin Linda, my Aunt Heidi, my Jon, my Bekah, and all four of my grandparents.
20. I'm love my fish more than anyone should ever love fish. I don't know what I'd do if something happened to them.
21. I like bag fries.
22. I count as high as I can when I'm bored and waiting for something.
23. In order to assess the need for anything I think about whether or not nomads in the olden days needed it. Life was simple back then.
24. I like looking through coupons more than I like shopping.
25. People's lives are good entertainment.

25 Things... Jonathan

2009-01-27T16:48:00.000-06:00

25 things people don't know about me, or would like to know about me.

1. I love being married.
2. I think I would be a great father, but the thought of it kind of makes me scared.
3. I love food. Making food, eating food, trying different types of food.
4. I don't really like chocolate, i have to be in the mood for it.
5. I used to want to be an Astronaut, then a Lawyer, then a Music Teacher, now I want to do everything, and more.
6. I love to sing, especially to my wife.
7. I am a Mormon, who just happens to be a Liberal.
8. I love the water.
9. I like to cuddle, with a lot of blankets.
10. My fish make me happy.
11. I love my family more than anything, and would do anything for them.
12. I love to Golf, especially with my Father and my Father-in-Law
13. I wish I could fly, either in a plane or like Superman
14. I cry sometimes for no reason, other than self pity
15. I am deathly afraid of spiders
16. I love reading the scriptures, I love to learn about our Heavenly Father and the plan he has for us.
17. My Brother-in-Law is the craziest person I know
18. I have a lot more friends than I think I do.
19. My best friend lives in chicago and i miss him terribly.
20. My mom and dad are going through a legal separation and I'm scared for them.
21. I love to go to the temple, the feeling of peace and serenity I feel there is beyond what words can describe.
22. I'm a closet star wars fanatic, well i guess i was once, not really anymore
23. I love music, especially music on vinyl, I think it just sounds better, more raw and uncut.
24. I write poetry, some say I'm good at it, I just write.
25. I've had several nick names thru my life. and they are: John D, Swarley, JB, Brown Bear, Johnny and Right Wing.

Called in...

2009-01-27T14:54:00.000-06:00

woke up with chills all over my body and a horrible head ache. Normally when I wake up the head ache is at it's lowest pain level. It seems like each day they just get more powerful. The pain is weird, it's unlike any pain i've had before. It's just strange.

Sick

2009-01-25T18:26:00.000-06:00

I go to the neurologist tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. I'm a little freaked out, but i know whatever comes my way that i must endure to the end. Heavenly Father has a plan, we must never forget that. We've been called to be Nursery workers. The kids are great, but I just kind of fell out of place there. I've never seen myself as a nursery worker. I really thought I would have a calling in Elders Quorum or even in Young Mens. But never in the Nursery. I'm relatively a recent convert, just over a year. It just stinks not having the spiritual talks or brotherhood you get in Elders Quorum. But no matter where you are, the spirit is there. And there really isn't any better way to feel the spirit than with little children. It's a great feeling. Please keep me in your prayers.

Sincerely,

Jonathan

Work And A New President

2009-01-20T13:28:00.000-06:00

So I'm stuck at work and Jon's stuck at work. I kinda like my new position here. I work the front desk in the Student Life office and answer phones and direct people who come in with questions. I also do errands and hang up university posters that need approval that come through here. Along with anything else that my boss, Eric, wants me to do.

Jon may be switching schedules soon!!! He put in to change to ten hour days four days a week and I believe he would be working earlier. So if that goes through he'll get off around 6 or 7 and have Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays off :-) I would see him so much more than I get to now. And he might get to hang out with friends more than once a week which would be good for him. I'm not sure exactly how all of that works but oh well I'm excited for some change.

Speaking of change... the inauguration was today. Jon and I watched it together, he was excited. I just have faith in the system. I like that he brings hope to America and unites everyone. I know I disagree with some of his politics but I am behind him because he is my president and I hope he continues to give hope to America and doesn't go too far with his more socialist views. Oh well.

Back to work.

Not looking forward to tomorrow

2009-01-11T14:51:00.000-06:00

School starts tomorrow. This might possibly be worse than last semester. Which sucked. I can only pray that my teachers are nicer this time. But if I can get through this semester and summer and two more semesters...I'll be graduated hopefully. More than halfway there.

I've been sick this week. Last week I had lots of neck and back pain and this week I have a bad cold. Good thing Jon is amazing and could give my talk for me today in church and watch the nursery kids on his own.

Hey Alaina, do you have a blog?

I'm trying to find something to talk about that isn't complaining... Jon and I made falafel last night and played Yahtzee. That was fun times. And I learned how to knit the other day. That was exciting.

Well hopefully this semester will be a good lesson in stress management and not just one big stress. I'm actually looking forward to CAB this semester, we have some fun stuff planned :-)

So much to do. Okay not right now.

2009-01-02T13:24:00.000-06:00

I don't really have much to write about. I never did write about my trip to Yuma, CO. My mom and sisters and Easton and I went to my Aunt's to see my cousin get baptized and my grandparents get back from their mission in Ethiopia.

Cousin Sabin, he's getting so big!
Grandpa fresh from Africa and Cousin Clint fresh from Oklahoma. Background is Uncle Nate's dad. I like pizza night :-)
Aunt Amber, gracious hostess of the large family and apparently lover of pizza
Jenna and the awesome gingerbread houses we made

That's about it. Jon didn't go with me but it was only a couple days. It was fun and the last day was very blizzardy. The town of Yuma has...pretty much nothing. Very small town, a few gas stations and a few stores I've never heard of. It's kinda hard to find too. I could never see myself living there, but I guess some people like that thing.

So now I spend almost every day holed up in my apartment, cleaning and watching tv and playing on the computer. I really am not looking forward to this semester but at least it'll get me up and out of this place every day.

I'm hungry.

*Dani*

2008-12-23T11:48:00.000-06:00

Gotta finish my shopping today! Holy canoli this past week has been stressful.

ooh we finally got cable! It was supposed to be included in our rent from the beginning, but Time Warner fails miserably.

Jon and I decided we wanna go to Morocco. But I don't think I like cous cous.

Merry Christmas Eve Eve :-)

*Dani*

Where we go from here.

2008-12-17T09:42:00.001-06:00

I find it hard to breath around you

It's as if time stands still

Come what may

Your voice haunts me

intrigues, excites

Find yourself in me

Just to lose yourself all over again

How can one life be so precious

Be so obtuse

Words, misunderstandings

Don't mistake this poor boy

To be the stripling warrior you wish to see before you

I am not that man

But if you long for...

a safe-haven

a watch-post

a partner

... a friend

If you are looking for...

someone to wake up to

someone to laugh with

someone to come home to

.... someone to hold your hand

I'll be right here waiting

To dry your tears

And wipe away all your fears

Give me that chance

Love me

I'm yours

(hook, line and sinker)

Forever...

For Dani

Linda's girl

2008-12-15T14:47:00.000-06:00

that's Celeste. my first cousin once removed. I stole the pic from Heidi.

Find it

2008-12-14T10:27:00.000-06:00

Tonight

with my head in the clouds

and my feet on the earth

I've lost it

Spinning chaos

Entraps me

Can't find the exit

Help me

.... (title here)

Cats

2008-12-11T14:14:00.000-06:00

I (jonathan) had to give our babies shots today. Not the best thing i've ever done. I think Beta hates me. But i'm sure she will get over it. I love my babies, they complete me. This mourning they woke me up, all up in my face. I hope my children are as cute and adorable as these two.

Dani's still my favorite. She had a bad day today, so We're going to have a fun night. I can't wait.

Sincerely,

Jonathan

Today

2008-12-09T09:44:00.000-06:00

THE DARK KNIGHT COMES OUT ON DVD

YAY!!!

Sometimes it's hard to find yourself, But where i've lost myself, I found you.

It's been awhile

2008-12-08T11:27:00.000-06:00

So I thought I'd do some writing. For those who read, i love to write. Poetry, Prose, Short Stories, Thoughts, Ideas, Prayers, Quips. But I guess most of all would be that first one. I feel without poetry, life would just be dull and pointless. So here goes, just a little free verse.

Sometimes I feel like a plane in free fall

The world spinning aimlessly down around me

Forgetting places

faces

Till i land in an upright position

Head towards the sky

Praying that life can't just end this way

There's gotta be more

There must be more

Flight is a scary thing

Pure obsession another

Find your calling

Give up on all else

God is the answer

Find yourself

In him

I guess if it doesn't make sense thats okay right. Don't lose yourself in the ways of the world. Heavenly Father and love are all you need.

May God have mercy on us

Jonathan

What I'm thankful for.

2008-12-08T10:15:00.000-06:00

I've been thinking a lot about how blessed I am, and since it's that time of year it's only been making me think about it more. There's so many things that keep me going. I want to explain them and have everyone read them because it just seems so important, but it's probably just important to me. Therefore, this post is probably mostly for my sake. To see it all written down and to get it all sorted out. Too many thoughts and not enough action. I should find ways to thank God and the other important people in my life more often.

First of all I'm thankful for my parents. My mom is the practical type, and I'm told I'm a lot like her. Recently I've been getting to know her better, I've seen the sensitive, funny, thoughtful, scrap booking side. She's a great example of hard work, love, and sensibility and always has been. My dad is a big goofball with a humongous sensitive side and has always been the one to keep me thinking (rather abstractly). I got his bad knees and sensitive stomach, but I also like to think that I got his huge heart. Both of my parents have always worked extremely hard for our family and I wish there were a way to repay them for always giving and giving and never expecting anything in return. Except maybe to take the trash out and do the dishes. They give even when they have nothing to give.

When I think about when I was growing up there are 3 non-immediate family members that I always remember being there. Linda, Heidi, and my maternal grandparents. Linda was my best friend off and on since kindergarten. We went to the same schools, lived in the same house, and played in the same clubhouse. There were times we didn't talk and weren't as close, but we always seem to find our way back to each other. I have always been able to look to Linda as an example of Christ's charity because she has always been so unselfish and never says anything mean. When I think of Heidi I always think of playing board games, laughing loudly, and conversations with short but sweet advice. While she's kind of my crafting mentor (helped me learn how to sew, crochet, and loads more) she's also been a great example of being an amazing mother. She's raised five fantabulous kids who are all whitty, sweet, and close to God. Recently I learned that we might have something in common that she probably doesn't know. Only a few people would know, but it surprised me and I pray for her daily. That last part probably only made sense to me. Lastly, my grandparents, Rod and Donna Whiting, have been an amazing blessing not just to me but to my entire family. They are great examples of living Christ-like and always give more than they get. Hard workers and fun people.

Of course I'm grateful for my husband. He always takes care of me, more than I deserve. He's sweet, smart, thoughtful, and always serving. He works hard for us, in and out of work. I couldn't get through my day without joking with him, and I definitely couldn't be getting through college without his support.

Just a list now...

Education-amazing opportunities to get into school with scholarships and amazing opportunities that come through going to school.

Siblings-always making me laugh and surprising me with how fast they grow up.

Celeste-she's cute and distracts the family from asking when I'm going to have a baby

My job-allows me a lot of flexibility, I work with friends, and I get to plan sweet events and learn a lot about how things work

Food-we never run all the way out even though we probably should. and it's delicious.

Aristocats

2008-12-05T17:03:00.000-06:00

I said I would. These are our extremely spoiled babies.

Guppy all curled up on our bed.

Beta not liking the flash of the camera.

Guppy trying to eat my camera and Beta running away.

This one's Beta the day she got spayed. Her tummy hurt from the surgery and she didn't want to lay on it so she sat on the couch with her head laying on the back.

They're too cute. I don't know what I'd do alone in the apartment every day until Jon gets off if I didn't have these two to entertain me.

School's done! Well I have finals next week, but no more classes for the semester. That means I have the next month off and I get to relax a little. And my grades turned out much better than I was expecting so that's great news.

So yeah. Cool. Looking forward to free time.