Best.day.ever.

March Madness!

2012-03-11T16:56:00.000-06:00

Madness is the amount of time I spent on I-15 on my latest vacay.

I am soooo over I-15.

Here is day one of ~~I-15~~ my vacay.

Depart Logan, Utah at 9:32 AM.

a. Light at Brigham City. I text old work-BFF, "Hi, Ogden!" He responds, "I thought you weren't supposed to ever go to Ogden." What can I say? Simba didn't listen, and I didn't either.

b. Realization: totally and utterly bored by driving by myself.

c. Realization: not only am I bored. I am tired.

d. Realization: Bored. Tired. Back is angry!

e. Loving my Colors music. Every Colors CD ever made is in my CD deck and I am thriiilled.

f. Realization: Not every Colors CD is in! Where is "Outside the Lines"?! I love "Outside the Lines"!

g. In-N-Out. Yum!

h. Phone call from Brandon. He informs me someone has taken over my blog. When I inform him that they haven't he says, "Oh, you are just lazy!"

i. The beginning of nothingness. I hit Filmore and remember that I was once told this was the middle point between Logan and St. George. I.want.to.die. {P.s. When I arrived in San Jorge, I did some research and 10 miles north of Scipio is the middle point between Logan and St. George, FYI}.

j. Meadow, Utah. Obtain gasoline for Wilson.

k. I made friends with a Chevy truck. Meaning, he was breaking the speed limit by a generous amount, so I follow. We were friends for probably two hours.

l. Brain and bum rot ensue. And ensue. And ensue. When I said nothingness, I meant it. My only positive thought was, "At least I am not driving to Reno!"

m. I find the Glenn Beck station. So.happy.

Arrive in St. George, Utah at 2:58 PM.

While this brought an end to the madness with I-15 that day, it would ensue the following day ...

My.Aggies.

2012-03-11T16:54:00.000-06:00

Day two, Brandon and I hopped right back on that freeway known as I-15 and headed to Vegas.

THIS was the reason for the vacay. We were on our way to watch our Aggies win the conference tournament!

We have done this every year for as long as I can remember {sans the two years the tournament was in Las Cruces, New Mexico}. However, this year was a little different. We were entering the tournament as a four seed and with the most losses we have seen since the 90's.

Ouch.

But!!! We were still confident in our Aggies. They had gone on a winning streak the past two weeks and were winning the close games, winning the games where they came from behind, winning road games and winning by sizable margins!

When we first arrived in Vegas, we headed to H&M. Naturally.

I set a budget for myself {first time I have ever done that at H&M} and stuck to it! Take or minus 18 dollah. ;)

We then headed to The Paris for dinner ... where we ate Italian for the second straight night in a row. :)

It was then time for the game.

We took a photo.

It would be the only photo at the game. And in Vegas.

Instead of returning to Vegas for days three and four, we did not.

Because our Aggies did something they have not done since 1999. They lost in the first round. And by a mere two points.

Besides the loss, we had 12 students in the student section, when normally we have close to 4,000.

It.was.a.rough.night.

And after such a heartbreaking loss/season ... I had to get back onto that flippin' I-15 for a two-hour ride home in BIG van with gusting winds.

Please ask me how much fun that was. But don't. Mm-k?

We arrived back after 2:00am. As I walked into the casita I thought, "We were gone for 12 hours. 12 hours! And all I have to show for it is this bag of clothes from H&M."

But at least I had H&M, no?

And then I went to bed.

Just so I could awake and get back on that blasted freeway the following day.

I-15 ...

2012-03-11T16:53:00.000-06:00

Does not get you to Colorado City.

A winding, hilly road does.

Why is that important? Because that is how the Polygamists get to and from Utah when they want to go to Lowe's, Walmart or anywhere really. Because Colorado City is on the edge of Arizona and in the middle of bum-flippin-nowhere.

Since our plans for the day were obliterated with the loss the previous night, Brandon and I had to find new means to entertain ourselves. So, what better way than to sign up for a polygamist tour?!

Unfortunately, the official tour-guide was no longer giving tours into this strange and creepy world. So we had to do a self-guided tour.

And we did.

The word to best describe this experience is ... eerie.

The entire thing was pretty creepy.

We entered the town and immediately a large truck was behind us. When I pulled to the side of the road to let them pass, they did. But not too much time passed before another one was behind me.

We.felt.like.we.were.being.watched.

Which maybe is only being fair because they were being watched.

There were many, many large and unfinished homes.

By not finishing their homes, they do not have to pay taxes on them. It's rare to see a completed home in Colorado City. Also notice how they do not finish their yards either.

Everything has a very not cared-for feel to it.

Not only are the homes not completed/taken care, the streets aren't either. There are many roads not paved at all.

We were lucky to get any pictures of any homes at all, as most are hidden behind fences, as are most things in the town.

Massive fences.

While driving about, we came across the grocery store. Yes, thee grocery store {entailing there is only one}.

Brandon and I may or may not have gone in. And we may or may not have spoke in British accents so they would just think we were "passing" through, opposed to Utah Mormons stalking them, which is not to say that is what we were doing. ;)

We got many strange looks. I am not sure if it was because Brandon's legs don't work or if it is because mine do and I wear worldly PANTS, SHADES and FLOWER HEADBAND.

Inside the store we saw a section of zip-lock bags with paper plates and colored shapes made out of construction paper. One was a "Scarecrow Kit" and another was an "Alligator Kit". Uhm-okay. I would have taken photos of them and the inside of the store had there not been a sign that said, "NO CAMERAS INSIDE."

Goo.

It was very small and very old. It was reminiscent of a grocery store from ~~"Little House on the Prairie"~~ the 80's.

We thought it would be best if we purchased something in the store. And we did. Candy bars n' stuff.

And I felt like mine tasted ... old. Just sayin'.

After the grocery store we didn't stay much longer.

I couldn't have been happier to re-enter civilization!

After stalking the 'pligs we went to a very fancy dinner in San Jorge. My brother is a food snob, but that is okay. I still like him.

What made me almost not like him was I had to get back on stinkin' I-15 to get there!

And thus ends day three.

And day four I took no photos. I got onto I-15 at 8:58 AM and was on it until 2:14 PM {sans filling up with gasoline and eating at In-N-Out in Centerville}, at which point I watched all my episodes of Smallville that had been recording at my parents' house while Style washed my car.

I was home before the championship game was even played. It wasn't the vacay we had anticipated {as I only got to wear one of my three Aggies shirts}, but I think it turned out 'aight. :) I just wish my back thought the same from so much driving.

And now, back to the old grind.

Sigh.

But!! Only 22 days, 22 hours, seven minutes and six seconds until Spring Break Numero Dos!

Not that I am counting or anything ...

I heart Nicole!

2012-03-10T10:00:00.000-07:00

So excited Mindy asked me to guest blog on her cute blog!

(PS doesn’t everyonejust LOVE Mindy? She’s a gem. Virtual applause for Mindy via the world wideinterwebz puh-lease).

Spring? Whaddo I loveabout SPRING?

Ya wanna know a couple things I love?

When the sun warms up your car for the first time and itfeels just soooo good, seeing snow melting and wanting to shove it in all the skiersfaces, when the snowy shack opens again on 400 North, longer days, giddycollege kids, storing away your gloves and mittens for good, picnickingat the lake, when it isn’t a miserable feeling anymore to roll your windows whiledriving, the fact that Spring is the gateway drug to my favorite season,SUMMER. (And summer means: sunshine till 9 pm, bare feet, shorts, flip flops…ahh…gettingahead of myself...)

…but most of all? I love that feeling when after a longwinter, the sun finally shines through the clouds for the first time inmonths….(you all know that moment I’m talking about).. And all of a sudden youget this HUGE urge to rip your coat off even though it’s still 45 degrees. Soyou do…and you can actually FEEL the sun’s rays shining on your poor, pale,disgusting Bella-esque skin (Twilight reference? Sorry). And then all of asudden you feel like you can take on THE WHOLEEEE WORLD!!!!

…And you realize the very next day, all these crazy kids oncampus walking around you do the same. And pretty soon everyone is smiling,kids start wearing shorts and flip flops, hussies are clad in close to nothing(which is hilarious) even though technically it’s barely even March.

I’d like to call this…Utah Kid Pre-Spring Syndrome. UKPSS.And I think I’m having the beginning signs of it.

When this syndrome occurs, I believe that tanning outside in50 degree weather is fine. I also believe it is appropriate to wear t-shirtsand open toed shoes. Also fine to run to your local Walmart and stock up onotter pops for the months ahead. I also think it’s completely beneficial forthe soul to listen to the Sound of Music soundtrack, pretend to be Froiline Mariaand run down the sidewalk singing:

“IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII have confidence inSPRRRIINNNGGGTTIIIIIIIIME!”

Vitamin D? Check.

Rush of serotonin? Check.

Dramatic Sound of Music moment? Check.

***

And here's Mindy. Nicole and I were neighbors last year and went to the same church. I can say we are neighbors when we lived a half-a-block away, right? I mean, I didn't say next-door neighbors. So all is good, right? She is a peach and soo adorable. She blogs at BloggieBloggieBlog. You should check it out. :)

Meet cute Candace!

2012-03-09T08:00:00.000-07:00

Hey readers of Mindy's cute blog! I'm Candace and I blog on over at Lovely Little Rants.

Some things you should probs know about me are: I am a belieber. And Proud... and 20. I love to make tutorials on how to do cute things. And I love to help you guys laugh a little at my everyday shenanigans.

Anyways, I LOVE SPRING. #obsessed. Here are my top 5 fave spring surprises:

1. The sun. Let's get real, people. After a chilly yucky winter, any wink of sun is the best refreshment ever.

2. Flowers. You may not know this but I am a girl who loves flowers. Oh wait every girl loves flowers. I love the way that BYU plants these lovely tulips everywhere in the spring! It is so so sooo lovely.

3. Smells. The smell of spring may erupt some peeps sinuses, but for me, it erupts pure joy.

4. Swimming 24/7. I kid you not, the second it is springy enough to hop in the pool, I become part mermaid.

5. The fact that winter is OVER. I dislike snow, cold and wet slippery ground. Being from Arizona, I don't see much of that. But living in Utah, it is all over the place. Go away, snow!

So there you have it! thanks for reading my top 5 and not falling asleep. 'precate it :)

***

Candace also works at Brick Over. I love eating at Brick Oven. Sooo, how can we not love that?

Margaret is super-duper cute!

2012-03-08T09:31:00.000-07:00

Hello Best.day.ever readers! I trust that every one is having a good week. I’m honored to give Mindy a little break from blogging while she’s on VACATION! (lucky girl) Anywhoo… my name is Margaret and I blog over at Floral and Frayed. I’m so excited to share with you today my top five things that I love about spring!

#5 - I seriously LOVE spring rain. Nothing is better than curling up with a good book, a snuggly blanket, and a cup of tea while it rains. I love the fresh smell that rain brings and the flowers that sprout up after a good rainstorm. And, of course, if I do have to leave the house I have a totally good excuse to break out my adorable rain boots and umbrella.

#4 - Going along with spring fashion… who doesn’t love spring pastels and flowy dresses?! I love being able to break out my breezy skirts and light jackets. There is just something about wearing a skirt or dress as soon at the weather warms up. It makes me feel like going to church and brunch with the “ladies,” as we chat about the latest book we’re reading. ;)

#3 - I love birthdays! Not only is my birthday in the spring, but all of my close friends’ birthdays as well. Someone once said that once you hit your 20's your birthday becomes a “birthday week.” I am so excited for multiple birthday weeks this year! I’m looking forward to picking out that perfect gift, making cupcakes, and celebrating with friends.

#2 - Birds. I love that birds start chirping in the spring. Waking up to that sound is just heavenly. Not to mention that birds are adorable, in every size, shape, and form.

and the number 1 thing that I love about spring…

#1 - I love the meaning of spring. I love that spring represents a re-birth- the beginning of a new season. Most of all, I love Easter, which is a time to celebrate Jesus Christ’s victory over death. Everything is washed away, and it becomes a chance to start anew. Without a fresh start in Christ, I would be nothing.

***

I told you Margaret was super cute! I just adore her!

Shh ...

2012-03-07T21:33:00.002-07:00

I am sneaking in a post between my guests.

Don't tell.

I just had to say that I have arrived!

And I am spending some time with Nephew Three and Nephew Four.

Cooper & Bentley

Super cute, no?

P.s. Aggies. Tomorrow. 8:30 PM {PT}.

This is Chelsea. She is fun.

2012-03-07T07:49:00.000-07:00

Hey-o! I'm Chelsea and I blog at "Perfect in my Mind."

I write stand up comedy in my head, and my pretend friends love it. I sing songs to myself in the shower, and I pretend that I'm amazing. I like to cook, and I pretend that I'm on the Food Network a lot. My life is not perfect, but I wake up every day pretending that it is. When Mindy asked me to write about my favorite things about spring I had to check my calendar like seven times to make sure writing about spring was even practical. I mean, it snowed like three times here last week. But, apparently March 21 is when things are going to magically change. So, I guess now is the time to prepare.Well, this year I am excited for spring because . . .

**I will be graduating from college.

Graduating is kind of scary, considering I've been going to school since I was six years old . . . but I'm a little bit excited for it, nonetheless.

**I will be able to wear cute outfits like this:

(via)

And I won't even have to cover up the cuteness with a coat. That's the livin' the dream, right there.

**Wedding season/almost wedding season.

I just got a job working for So Utah Weddings . . . So, basically I am obsessed with them. Wedding trends, wedding dresses, wedding venues . . . you name it. I wish I could get married (to the same guy, obviously) like ten times, just so I could plan more weddings. Ah. That would be amazing, right?

**I like Disney, and Disney Princesses. Original, right?

Well, Disney Princess like animals. And animals are born in the spring. So, there is another reason I am excited for spring.

(via)

And, that's a wrap!

***
And this is Mindy. Fun little side note: One of my favorite people on the entire planet {Allison} was Chelsea's EFY counselor. And I was Allison's "counselor" while she was a counselor. So, it's like we are related or somethin' like that.

Spring Break ...

2012-03-06T06:55:00.000-07:00

number one?

Okay, if I must.

I will be cheerin' on my Aggies in their conference tournament in Vegas for the remainder of this week.

And I couldn't be more excited!

And I am not even jumping off a building this time around.

I just really, really need a vacay.

I need a five-day break from work.

I need a five-day break from coughoughmycallingcoughcough.

I need a five-day break from the clothes rod in my closet that fell, taking all the clothes with it.

I need a five-day break from the war all my scarves and I are currently in.

P.s. They are winning.

For the record, inanimate objects should never be winning.

But just because I need a break doesn't mean you do ... from my blog. ;)

So, I am leaving you with a little treat! I have asked some super-cute girls with super-cute blogs to post for you while I am away.

Please show them some love {I will give you 500 gold stars for each comment you make for them}. I hope you enjoy!

Keep it classy, readers. I will see you on the flip side {which means most likely Monday or Tuesday of next week}.

GO AGGIES!

***

P.s. Before I head out, I am celebrating the 100th birthday of the Oreo cookie by having an Oreo cookie eating partay at my place tonight at 6:30pm. You are invited to come. Let me know if you have any questions!

Leap Day!

2012-03-01T16:55:00.003-07:00

I am on this kick where I feel like I need to celebrate every holiday this year.

I think I feel that if I do, I am being kind to 2012. And if I am kind to 2012, 2012 will be kind to me.

For Leap Day I felt like I should ... leap? Maybe over something?

Buuuut, that just wasn't a good way to spend my extra day, was it?

Extra.day.

That was it. I didn't need to leap over anything, I just needed to do something extra.

My roommate joked, "So, does that mean on Leap Day you will have third dinner?"

Pff.

I only average 11 dinners a week, okay?

But I digress.

While third dinner seemed a little bit ridiculous {a little bit, not a lot bit}, extra dessert on my extra day seemed ....

Perfect.

And it was.

Concrete pie?

Thank you very much.

What did YOU do with your extra day?

Tax Returns!

2012-02-27T21:20:00.001-07:00

That's right!

I actually got a tax return this year from the great state of Utah!

I hear of so many fun things that people do with their tax returns!

Going on shopping sprees! Going on vacations! A day at the spa!

I have no clue what I will spend mine on.

I just know I don't want to spend it all in one place.

To maintain this goal, clearly all dollar stores and even the DI are out.

Such a conundrum!

Where do YOU think I should spend my tax return???

For realz ...

2012-02-24T06:55:00.000-07:00

I recently received an email from a stranger. I think her name is Whitney.

Her email simply said this, "I have a stupid question. Is your blog for real?"

To be honest, I am not quite sure what she is asking.

Real as in it ... is it an actual a blog?

Well, yes. It is an actual blog.

Real as in ... does the stuff I write actually happen?

Well, yes. The stuff I write actually does happen.

In fact, the following responses are from real people who really read this real blog who can verify of it's realness. These respondents are not actors and they have no been paid for their endorsement of this blog ... Because, like, why would I pay them?

Ahem.

"Mindy Thornley's blog is one of the most real blogs I've ever read! I would describe it with the following words: actual, authentic, certain, concrete, existing, factual, honest, irrefutable, legitimate, original, palpable, present, sincere, substantive, tangible, true, undeniable, undoubted, unfeigned, valid, and veritable. In fact, 9 out of 10 dentists agree that Mindy's blog even prevents cavities!" - Mike

"Mindy's blog has helped me lose weight. It was mostly her posts about stretching. I realized I could stretch ANYWHERE, such as on a montain, which then motivated me to get out and go hiking and stretching. I've lost 100lbs in two months! Thanks to the wise words of Mindy Marie." - Claire

"I would be so ungrateful if I didn't let everyone know how thankful I am for Mindy's blog. I believe in her blog with every fiber of my being." - Avree

"Mindy has saved my life from total and utter destruction. Without my daily dose of her humor and passion for pink I would have imploded. I was in a deep, dark place until I found Mindy's blog. My life will never be the same." - Shan

"I read Mindys blog daily. It makes my horrible life seem not quite as horrible. I’m Steve Murphy and I approve of the messages written on this blog by one Miss Mindy Marie." - Steve

"This blog has changed everything for me. Seriously, I in some way feel like I am the reason this blog exists. In my opinion, that sets it apart from every other blog. When you read it and think, "Wait, did I write that? and then you realize that you didn't." Wow, that's powerful. I guess what I am trying to say is that I wouldn't be on this site reading Mindy's stuff if it wasn't for the fact that she posted it." - Erika

"Mindy Marie Thornley's blog is hands down my favorite blog to read. Her brutal honesty mixed with her fun sense of humor always puts a smile on my face. Keep the posts coming!" - Allison

"Mindy’s blog has helped me to understand I don’t need to be crafty to have a wonderful and fulfilling life. I used to think if I didn’t create cute little crafts I saw on Pinterest, then I was a complete failure ... I now realize that it isn’t true. Thank you for showing me the light Mindy." - Brandon

I think these unpaid testimonials not only show that my blog is real, but that it changes lives every.single.day.

So, Whitney, keep reading. And wait for the changes to be seen in your life too!

***
It must be said! It is very difficult to actually post a blog like this. It feels very ... arrogant {even though it's clearly facetious}. But I am kinda on an arrogant kick as of late. I was talking to a friend yesterday and said, "He just didn't even seem to care that I walked into the room. And that bugged me!" Friend laughed and said, "That is the most arrogant thing I have ever heard you say!" As long as I am off my offensive kick, I guess I am fine with a joking-arrogant kick that has the potential of coming off as real. ;)

And in my dreams ...

2012-02-23T06:55:00.000-07:00

I once had a dream about buying a college graduation gift for a friend.

In the dream I bought my friend pencils.

Yes, pencils for gradauting college.

Worst.gift.ever. No?

Dream-Mindy was puzzled why she was buying this as a gift, yet she knew it was what she should do - even though she didn't know why.

~~Somewhat~~ A lot-bit embarrassed, dream-Mindy handed the gift to her friend, her best friend.

Yet, best friend wasn't confused. Even though dream-Mindy didn't know why she was giving such a lame gift, best friend did.

"Mindy, don't you see it? Don't you know why this is the perfect gift? The erasers allow us to erase the mistakes that we have made and the lead will allow us to write the future."

Uhm, no photo credit. I closed the page where I got it from.

And thus we see that I either have really morbid dreams {the ones about being shot-down, stabbed, etc.} orrrr really cheesy dreams.

But I digress.

I don't remember anything else from that dream. And I definitely didn't buy him pencils as a graduation gift in real-life. In fact, I didn't buy one at all ... because of those said mistakes. And because those said "erasers" had not been used in real-life either.

The dream and the actual real-life graduation were over a year ago.

Yet, here I am today, still thinking of that dream - particularly the eraser part. And how because of choices that have been made, I am not sure they ever will be used.

And that is more than just a little bit sad.

But sad has never been my forte.

So, we musn't part today in sadness.

So, instead! Today, I implore you to use the erasers in your life, whatever that means to you. Apologize to someone you have hurt. Give forgiveness to someone who deserves it, and perhaps maybe more importantly, to someone who doesn't.

The erasers of life can be some of the most beautiful and remarkable blessings in our lives, if we but use them. So, please, use them today for those of us who cannot.

And by doing so, have a beautiful and remarkable day!

{See, I told you sad wasn't my forte!}

Valentine's Day was sooo last week ...

2012-02-22T18:17:00.000-07:00

But I had a friend recently post about November this week. November, I say!

Sooo, I figure I can still talk about Valentine's if I want.

And I want.

Remember how I brainwashed my co-workers into wearing pink?

Success, much?

I did feed them tiny edibles for complying to my demands.

Such a small price to pay for so much joy on my part, no?

P.s. In my high school psychology class I learned how to brainwash people. No lie.

And if you are lucky, I might teach you how to do it one day.

Maybe.

But I cannot discuss this anymore. Because I am going to brainwash my roommate into going to buy ankle boots with me. Yes! Ankle boots! Never thunk I'd see the day, but I am excited. They are cute. And cute things make me happy!

What makes you happy? And none of this family/friends/husbands/children talk. Pff. As if I can be bothered with warm-fuzzy things, yo.

Gypped!

2012-02-21T08:58:00.000-07:00

1. to defraud or rob by some sharp practice; swindle; cheat.

2. a swindle or fraud.

I was robbed!

I was robbed from my three-day weekend by a horrific, beastly cold/flu.

And I am ticked off!

I considered writing other things today, but I felt compelled to let the universe know of my grumblings of this profound injustice!

A weekend spent home, feeling nast, coughing up internal organs, aching, nauseous, dizzy, crying, not even being able to put my own shoes on the correct feet and wanting to die! All when I should have been savoring 72 hours straight of no.work. and thanking some presidents for the grand gesture!

While crying my little sister said, "Are you crying?? I have never seen you cry! What do I do?"

That is how uglay it got, peeps.

And now, now I am waiting for my medication to kick in to relieve the fever so I can ... return to work.

Sigh.

P.s. I think I will make up for the lack of a three-day weekend by having a five-day weekend in two weeks. Only fair, right? I shall consider it Spring Break Numero Uno! Which should entail I have every intention of having Spring Break Numero Dos.

None of which shall take place in Mexico or any other Spanish-speaking country, but it sounded more fun in Spanish.

Until then. Work on good people. Work on.

One day ...

2012-02-20T09:29:00.000-07:00

I will stop taking photos of my feet.

Today is clearly not that day.

I think this photo gives you an idea of how my three-day weekend has gone.

Snowy? Yes.

But that is beside the point.

I am an adult and that doesn't stop me from putting my boots on the wrong feet. And I didn't even notice until after I had arrived home.

I am blaming it on this hideous illness I have. I have practically coughed up all my internal organs, so the least of my concerns is if I put my shoes on the right feet.

What a great holiday weekend?

Here's hoping yours was much more pleasant than mine!

My pink Jims ...

2012-02-18T09:16:00.002-07:00

They are like Toms.

But they are Jims {as previously discussed}.

Co-worker: What do you think when you see your shoes?

Mindy: Cuuuuuute! What do you think when you see my shoes?

Co-worker: Meeeedicaaation!

Pff. Whatev.

Happy Saturday to a three-day weekend!

I cannot decide ...

2012-02-17T06:55:00.000-07:00

which title I should use for this post.

1. Facebook: destroying friendships since 2004

2. How to offend .003% of your Facebook friends in 37 days.

Take your pick.

I recently {read as: in the last 37 days} have lost three Facebook friends over horrifically offensive things I have ~~said~~ typed.

I started off my year of offensiveness on the right foot when a friend posted something along the lines of, "I hate the beginning of the New Year. So many annoying new people at the gym who won't even be there in a couple of weeks!"

I responded, "Just remember, you were the new person once too! :)"

Result: defriended.

My offensiveness continued when I attended a Utah State basketball game a couple weeks later and saw that the Aggiettes were not wearing Aggie blue.

The annoucer said, "Let's hear it for your USU spirit squad!"

I responded via FB text and said, "I will consider cheering for the USU spirit squad when they consider wearing Aggie blue."

Result: defriended.

By an Aggiette.

Oops?

But c'mon!

I tried to be open-minded about this, after all I was refusing to cheer for them in that "other" blue from down south. I thought, "What if someone told me they would never cheer for me in a race?"

My response would be, after laughing of course, "Okay."

I just don't care if not everyone in the world cheers for every little thing I do. I mean, sure, it would be nice. But really?

And lastly! A co-worker who jokes with me incessantly had a photo of him and his gorgeous new babe on Facebook. Cute, tender photo. Minus his molester-stache. And I indicated so by saying something similiar to, "Too bad daddy has a molester-stache!"

Not too long after I received the following comment in my inbox, "Mindy, you are classless. How dare you write something so offensive on a photo with my baby? You are a despicable person!"

Result: defriended ... and blocked!!

Yikes.

My fingers are sharper than a double-edged sword - and I am not even trying!

The thing is this: I genuinely feel so badly about all three instances. I would never intenionally try to offend someone. After all, I have never started off a sentence with, "No offense ..." Which clearly entails you are about to offend someone! P.s. This also goes for when people start off a sentence with, "I don't mean to brag ..." Uh, yeah. Clearly you do. BUT !!!! Please do not take offense with that!

Because, guess what?

At the current rate I am going, I will eventually offend and lose all my Facebook friends in roughly 96 months!

So all in all, the actual reason this post exists is to say this: I am sooo sorry in advance if you are next!

Until then, I will wash my fingers out with soap! That will show them for not minding their p's and q's!

Valentine's Day

2012-02-15T11:25:00.000-07:00

Truth be told: I have never celebrated Valentine's Day with a significant other.

Nope. Nevah!

That should probably make me feel ... sad? But it really doesn't. I mean, if I wanted to be sad about my significant lack of a significant other, I could choose to be sad about that every day of my life. Why would I wait for a designated day to do so?

Besides, wouldn't being sad on Valentine's Day ruin the fantasticness of all the chocolate and pink?

The answer to that is, yes!

While being un-attached on this day of love is all I have ever known, I am willing to try it attached.

But I just haven't had any luck.

Plus, I am not sure luck has ever been my friend. And I realized that perhaps that is where my problem is. I am going to need more than just mere luck to get a man to fall in love with me! Maaaaybe more along the lines of a miracle! Seriously, I need divine intervention at this point.

Best thing, I know just how to obtain said miracle!

Did you know that in Roman Catholic folklore, tradition has it that you can receive a miracle by burying a statue of one of their kjillion saints? The trick is this: burying the saint of the miracle you wish to receive.

For example, if you want to receive a miracle of fertility, you bury the saint of fertility. Whoever that is. I don't know who that is as I clearly don't wish for that in my life right now. :)

If you wish for a miracle of health, you bury Saint Luke.

Annnnnd, if you want the miracle of love in your life, which better saint to bury than Saint Valentine's on Valentine's?

While not Catholic, I thought it was worth a shot.

So I acquired Saint Valentine's.

And decided to bury it!

Not wanting to dig up my yard, I decided to go to a secret location to perform the sacred ritual.

But because someone else could possibly destroy my miracle {buying digging up the statue}, I also included the following note.

I placed the note in a plastic bag and ~~shoved~~ gently placed the note into the statue.

And started digging, with Saint Valentine looking on.

And, as tradition goes, placed the statue in upside down.

P.s. The white specs you see are snow flakes! Fun, no?

Annnd, then for good measure: I threw in a pink, sparkly statue to keep Saint Valentines company.

I then replaced the earth to its original spot.

And sealed it with a heart.

And lastly, when your miracle presents itself, you recover the statue from the earth.

Lucky little husband. The day he becomes my husband, we will take a trip to the unsaid location and retrieve Saint Valentines in appreciation of the miracle performed.

Naturally, I will keep you all updated.

Just don't hold your breath. It never said how long it would take for the miracle to manifest. :)

Hope your Valentine's Day was filled with love and all things pink!

Day O' Love!

2012-02-14T06:55:00.000-07:00

Today! Today is one of the best days of the year!

Chocolate is handed out like oxygen and everything is PINK!

How could I not be madly in love with this day?

Today is hecka full of this and that!

I can do it, right?

P.s. Since I will not be able to post about my Valentine's Day festivities until after Valentine's Day, I will provide you some reading on LOVE from last year. Enjoy or re-enjoy, whichever the case may be.

Also, it must be said. I am wearing enough pink to make Pepto Bismol jealous.

Best.day.ever.

Heavenward

2012-02-11T17:15:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, February 5, 2012 in a small town in the state of Washington, evil temporarily prevailed as two young boys lost their lives at the hand of their father.

It was the end of a horrific story, but the continuation of mourning for those who were already grieving the loss of their mother.

Like many of you, my heart ached for their insurmountably loss.

In small-town, Utah strangers gathered to remember and memorialize the lives of those precious lives.

Signing cards for the families of the victims.

With balloons in hand.

I chose shades of blue to honor the boys.

Their great-great grandmother was in attendance.

The Herald Journal/Eli Lucero

The balloons were released upward, with messages and heartfelt prayers tied to the strings.

The Herald Journal/Eli Lucero

We watched as they floated into the distance.

And eventually out of our view.

Yes, evil temporarily prevailed. But those precious lives will not be forgotten, neither will their loved ones who are still here.

It was a somber occasion. Yet beautiful, as the balloons flew heavenward, to the boys and their mother. A perfect reminder to where we should look when sorrow and unspeakable pain are inflicted, and even when they are not.

My heartfelt prayers and love go to the Cox and Powell families at this time. And may they find peace as they look heavenward also.

The day I was a little ghetto ...

2012-02-09T21:59:00.000-07:00

Okay, maybe I wasn't ghetto.

But I ghetto-edited a photo.

And made this ...

It's apparently making it's way around the town.

That's right, over 5,363 people like it and over 1,730 people have shared it.

Rumor has it, it even made it's way up into a USU class today.

P.s. Clairence did it with me. We are so ~~cool~~ legit.

You should feel special that you know me.

Just sayin'.

Neighborly Non-Neighbors

2012-02-09T06:55:00.000-07:00

I live in Logan, Utah.

Now, I realize that might not scream anything to you, but just so you know, it is kinda a big deal.

It is a big deal because it is the home of two epic rescues that have made national headlines in the past few months {burning car rescue!; car in a river rescue!}. I tell you this because 1. I now feel obligated as a Logan native to rescue people! And two, we just have some good-hearted people here.

These good hearts come in handy when you are at a co-workers's apartment and you are about to watch the riveting Mighty Ducks sequel, D2, and you realize that said co-worker does not have a VHS player.

I mean, if people here are willing to risk their lives by jumping into fires and frigid, icy waters, they forsurely will let me {someone who is not their neighbor, someone they do not know} borrow a VHS player, right?

And they did.

A TV/VHS player in one.

Sure, it isn't a life-saving act, but it allowed me to see the Flying V, so it is pretty much comparable.

Right before we decided to start the movie, we realized we wanted to make orange juliuses.

The only problem, co-worker didn't have any ice in his freezer.

We figured if we lived in a town where people risked their lives to save lives and let complete strangers borrow a TV/VHS player, they would forsurely let us borrow their ice cube treys and accompanying ice cubes.

And they did.

Two apartments in fact! As the first place only had one trey.

When Alissa {friend who was collecting all the items with me} and I returned to said co-workers apartment, he realized that while he now had the orange juice concentrate and the ice cubes to make the orange juliuses, he didn't have a blender to mix them!

We figured if we lived in a town where people risked their lives to save lives and let complete strangers borrow a TV/VHS player and ice cube treys with the accompanying ice cubes, they would forsurely let us borrow their blender.

And they did.

All in all we borrowed five different items from four different apartments.

The smaller TV/VHS player, the blender and three ice cube treys with accompanying ice cubes.

All so we could watch the Flying V in D2 while drinking orange juliuses.

Here's to hoping your non-neighbors are as neighborly as mine!

Happy Thursday, people!

Super Bowl Sunday

2012-02-06T17:41:00.002-07:00

was indeed super.

Not because I was really into the game.

Let's not kid ourselves, the NFL is no NCAA football and NCAA football is no NCAA basketball {at least not in my little world and this blog is about my world}, so forgive me if my attention waivered throughout the entire four hours.

My attention waivered to wonderful edibles like sub sandwhiches, chips, chips and dip, cheesy potatoes, Deviled eggs, olives, pickles, fun-sized candy bars, suckers and chocolate cupcakes {chocolate cupcakes I say!}. Just to name a few!

My attention also waived to sitting on not-so-small children like this one.

And a little wrassling {read as wrestling, just pronounced more fun!} with the younger nephew.

As well as while playing some Words with Friends ... with some friends. {I just started playing and I am horrrrrible.}

One thing that truly did make Super Bowl Sunday super was the beautiful BEDAZZLED robes that Cee Lo and Madonna wore during the halftime show {which I saw about 47 seconds of}. Do I care for either of them? Nope. BUT, can you imagine a world where the MoTab wore sparkly robes?? I have a handful of friends that sing in the choir, maybe they can pass it along to Mac! Just sayin'.

Also super: the last play of the game! Holy moly, or should I say, "Hail Mary!" While I wanted the Giants to win, simply because they weren't the Patriots, there was a little part of me that wanted that pass to be caught to score the winning touchdown. But then again, we must remember while I rarely get nostaligic and warm-fuzzied about many things, I somehow always do for athletic events {even fake athletic events like a Low's Hardware commericial about a father and his son putting up a basketball hoop in their driveway}.

Good time had by all, especially by my belly.

P.s. I didn't sit on him the entire time.

That's all.

There is always a first time for everything ...

2012-02-05T21:19:00.003-07:00

And this was my first time to the laundromat.

I mean ... I washed some clothes at Deseret Towers once when I was an EFY counselor. {I foolishly thought I would stay in Provo all weekend, but after I washed my clothes and it was only 2:00pm I drove to Logan only to return back to Provo by 6:00pm. Every other back-to-back weekends I promptly left Saturday after the kiddos left just to return less than 48 hours later.}

But I digress.

Another time, thanks to EFY, I washed my laundry at my apartment complex's washers and dryers. Which clearly is not a real laundromat, if one at all.

So this was my first, legit laundromat experience.

And I wasn't even washing my clothes.

She was.

Our little washer at our home gave up the ghost.

It's no skin off my nose as I wash my clothes at my parents' anyway.

And for good reason.

This kind of stuff scares me and I think I always have feared things like this occur at the laundromat. And this is why this was my first laundromat experience. Because, honey, if I had a retainer and left it at the local laundromat - I would not be comin' back for it!

And I feel like no one should.

But then I was introduced to the wheely-cart thingy.

And then suddenly the laundromat wasn't so bad after all.

And I just might come back had I left my retainer. Or even if I hadn't.

So I could play a little more.

P.s. Don't worry. The warning only said that children weren't allowed.

So it is a good thing I am an adult, no?

It is also uber-good that I met the 50lbs requirement.

So, while I kinda feared this location, it was clearly all for naught. It's a great location and I actually encourage you to go. Just leave the kids behind, as they will be heartbroken as you ride in the laundry basket on wheels and they are prohibited to such.

Oh, and remember to keep your mouth piece in place.

***

50 gold stars to everyone who read this post! Did you think I forgot about gold stars? Because I didn't. P.s. I will update them by the end of this week!

Groundhog's Day

2012-02-04T10:16:00.000-07:00

The actual day.

And the movie.

My Groundhog's Day actually started out like the movie. As in, my Thursday was eerily similar to my Wednesday {primarily based on the my clients having the exact same behavioral episodes as they did the day before - at the same time as the day before - thus, resulting in me implementing the same interventions as the day before}.

Besides repeating almost my entire workday, I wanted to do something to celebrate Groundhog's Day {I am kinda in this kick of celebrating holidays this year}. I actually soilcited advice from hoards of people on how to do this. And the most common answers? 1. Watch Groundhog's Day and 2. Print off a coloring page of a groundhog and - get this! - color it.

Snooze fest, folks.

I mean, I am totally down for watching movies occasionally and coloring like I was a wee-lass again, but that does not sound like an epic celebration.

Am I right or am I right?

So what did I do instead?

I had dinner with this gal.

Mindy & Courtney

And we chattered about our lives, past experiences, present experiences. The good, the bad and the "hideous".

What did it have to do with Groundhog's Day?

Absolutely nothing.

But then again, I doubt brunch, shopping, a Boy Meets World marathon and hot tubbin' at Crystal Hot Springs screams out, "Happy Civil Rights Day!"

But don't worry, for our next holiday I am getting more on board of celebrating in a fashion that actually is representitive of the day. Yup, that's right! I am talking about Valentine's Day!

I am pretty excited about it, even though I don't have a plus one {and truth be told, never have had a plus one on Valentines Day, but that is another story for another day ... read as: most likely a story for no day}.

P.s. Phil saw his shadow, which gave him a fright so he ran back into his hole and with that - six more weeks of winter. Ahem. 1. Why are we relying on a rodent to forecast the weather? And two, when on this green earth has winter ever ended in February in Utah anyway??

Lastly, my friend Andrea is having a blog auction for the the National Marfan Foundation. This is a cause that is very dear to her heart {pun not intended!} and she is dear to mine, so please check it out. See if there is something on there you are interested in bidding on!

Happy Saturday, everyone!

Service

2012-01-31T06:55:00.000-07:00

[sur-vis] noun, -iced, -ic·ing.

an act of helpful activity; help; aid: to do someone a service.

We had another activity.

It may appear like another domestic/crafty activity.

BUT, it is not.

It's a service project.

Strike that.

It's two services projects.

In one.

For project numero uno, we collected large swatches of fleece.

Where we would cut ...

And tie them.

Mindy & Lacy Christensen

The blankets were for children at the Child and Family Support Center {a local, private, nonprofit organization comprised of local citizens willing to donate their time and talents toward our mission of Strengthening Families and Protecting Children}. The blankets will go to children who are brought to the center in emergency situations {where a parent can no longer take of them, etc.}. They then get to keep them as their own. I love that they do that. :)

The second project involved some ~~fun~~ cute supplies.

To make some cards.

For members of the United States military.

To express part of our appreciation for their sacrifices made for all of us.

Oh.

And edibles were provided.

Jacqui Roberts & Sara Evans

Of course.

And my monthly shout-out to these ladies ...

Sarah Pope, Mindy, Summer Lyday and Em.

Of course.

For all of their hard work {and the many others who help them!}.

And for the ones that sit by me at Church. :) Their names rhyme with Barah and Bemilee.

P.s. I want to own Summer's hoodie, but that shouldn't be too surprising, right? :)

Can you believe February is here tomorrow?? TOMORROW, I say!

By request ...

2012-01-29T11:29:00.000-07:00

On occasion I get requests of things to write about.

This is one of those posts.

It is one of those posts that I speak openly about THE thing that is actually most difficult for me to speak about. Yet, this isn't the first time I have spoken of it and it won't be the last. While I don't feel entirely comfortable talking about it {and I know it makes some people uncomfortable to even just read it}, I am comfortable being a voice for people in the same situation I am in.

THAT is the reason I write things like this, to perhaps be a voice for others who cannot put words to how they feel or what they are going through. It isn't a comprehensive voice for everyone who is chillin' in the same boat as I am. It isn't meant to be.

It can also serve as perspective for those who will never confront this particular challenge. And maybe by getting this perspective, we are one step closer to us all understanding each other better.

Do you ever read something someone has written on FB or a blog post, or even heard them speak it and it just sits with you ... wrong? Maybe what they said was thoughtless, maybe it wasn't thoughtless and you were just overly sensitive about that topic?

I know I definitely have been part of the latter. An example of this is when a friend who recently had a newborn babe wrote, "I am so grateful that Heavenly Father has trusted me enough to take care of His precious little children!"

In my {sometimes} sensitive state about not having that blessing in my life I thought, "I guess He must not trust me." And then my thought wandered to if that statement was true, it meant He trusted 14-year-olds who were having illegitimate children ... and still not me! Oy! :)

It is common place to see people complaining about this and that here and there. It sometimes doesn't sit with me well when they are complaining about something I would give absolutely anything to have.

In my dark days, I have to remind myself of the compassion I would like to have and say, "This is a genuine difficulty in their life and that is okay!"

That difficulty might be someone having their husband out of town for a few days. That difficulty might be having to spend the entire day cleaning up one mess after another and defusing one argument after another from their kiddos. It may be the challenges that their pregnancy brings them. {All things I clearly know nothing about! Well, false ... I do know about my husband being gone for prolonged periods of time!}

And they are genuine complaints to have! Just because I may never be able to have a husband or children in this life doesn't mean someone else's life isn't hard because of the unique challenges a husband or babes bring!

But I repeat, on my darkest days, in my too-sensitive state, it can be very hard to see people complain about things that if I had, my joy and gratitude would have no bounds or conclusion!

This morning I was having a jovial conversation with a friend.

In that conversation she said, "I've been meaning to tell you something ...Your comment from a few months ago on my post about loving my job in the middle of the night has really affected me. I bet I've thought about it every day, and thought about the things I say more."

I had a little bit of a panic moment as I honestly could not recall what she was talking about. Annnnd, knowing that sometimes my fingers can be sharper that two-edged sword, I worried I had said something horrifically offensive!

I actually had to go search for what I had said.

And a few minutes of scrolling down her FB page I found her status, which was posted recently after having her gorgeous newborn babe, "Even in the middle of the night, I love my job!"

I then remember the moment I had when I originally read her words months ago. A moment that I was flooded with gratitude for her gratitude.

In that moment of gratitude, I responded as best as I could with, "I hope this comes out right ... :) You will never know how many women who wish they could be mothers, but for whatever reason cannot be, appreciate statuses like these. Good job, Mama Low!"

In a world of complaints here and there about husbands and babies {which are okay!!}, there are no words to express the gratitude her words brought! A mother, who even in those exhausting hours, knew of the remarkable, breath-taking blessing she has been given - a blessing that some physically ache to have, a blessing that some never will have.

In that moment I felt like she, even if it was unconsciously, knew what the alternative would be {something that I think gets overlooked sometimes in complaints about husbands and babes}. I felt she knew that if she wasn't up in the wee-hours of the morning, it would mean the absence of that blessing, the absence of her dream.

To Mama Low, I don't know if this elaborated in any direction you had anticipated. I don't know if it helped you understand my comment more, but I hope it did.

Thank you for finding joy in your journey, even in those moments it would be easier not to do. If my dream ever does come true, I hope to be just as grateful as you!

Epic failure!

2012-01-28T13:35:00.002-07:00

When you make him try on your pink skinny jeans ...

And they look better on him than they do you.

Doh.

P.s. One of my very favorite people Lissa is doing a photograph giveaway! She is an amazing photographer {she gave me some awesome photos from her project I was involved in and designed my blog layout!}. Please check out the giveaway here. I would sign up, but I don't meet the qualifications {"Bride and Groom must have a wedding date set"}. Doh. But YOU should check it out. :)

Hospitals ...

2012-01-25T06:55:00.000-07:00

I have always felt like my family was a hospital family. Liiiiike, we frequent it waaay more often than the "normal" family. I remember days in the hospital visiting my brother as a child. I can even remember the nurses knowing me by name and playing with me on their breaks - that is how often we were there - that is how well they knew us.

And if we weren't there for brother Brandon, we were there for the finger I nearly chopped off in the door {even today it is still a beaut!}, my heel I cut open on the bicycle spokes, my appendix, Tiff's appendix, mom's appendix, Tiff's Leukemia {grand misdiagnosis}, dad's knee {when he was attacked by a bull}, Shteve's pancreatitis, Shteve's cancer!

To name a few.

Yes, we are a hospital family.

And our hospitalness has extended to the newest generation in full force.

Nephew One has made a handful of visits to Primary Children's Hospital in the past month. He has a muscular disorder. Very likely Muscular Dystrophy. Like his uncle {my brother}.

As hospital visits come and go, it has felt a little unreal. Unreal that this little boy who already struggles with so many things due to his premature birth could carry an even heavier burden in his life. Unreal that his devoted parents now must carry it too.

No one is sure what Nephew One's future holds. But both child and parents alike have questioned.

Recently, favorite-brother-in-law-Shteve wrote about how several years ago he and my sister built their home. As they built their home they took special precautions to make sure brother Brandon could come over whenever he wanted to, being able to get in the home {as there are many homes he can never enter}. They took extra care to make their home as wheelchair friendly as possible {extra wide hallways, doorways, limited carpet, etc.}. Favorite-brother-in-law-Shteve was sure to make it clear that it is obviously too early to tell, but were they really, unknowingly preparing this home for their son's wheelchair?

Nephew One told Grandma, "It will be okay if I am in a wheelchair, I will probably get a lot of presents." Not only do I ~~like~~ love his optimism, but I will most likely be a grand contributor of said presents. :) He also said it will be okay if he is in a wheelchair as long as he isn't as bad off as his uncle.

And in the midst of the unknown and heartache, I do know of my profound gratitude for a brother who has faced his heartbreaking challenges so gracefully, so beautifully that his nephew will be okay to follow down the same path if that is where his journey leads him.

It is a beautiful lesson to be taught, that through meekness and joy in affliction we can lighten the burden of those suffering similarly.

It is my belief that we can also lighten that burden through prayer. That is where my prayers have been and will be in the upcoming weeks. And yours are welcome to be there also. ;)

Have a happy Wednesday. :)

The bane of my existence ...

2012-01-22T19:18:00.000-07:00

is Visiting Teaching.

There.

I said it.

And I only feel half-bad about it.

I suppose that isn't even truly accurate. Making Visiting Teaching assignments in the bane of my existence. Everything else is just fine.

I don't know if I just hate MLS {the program used to set it all up}, which gives me ~~some~~ hoards of grief. Or the fact that I left the Church yesterday and today after it was dark outside. Or may that in a student ward you have to do complete overhauls of Visiting Teaching every three months with significant changes monthly. Or maybe it is the fact that the printer/copy decided to give up the ghost at the most inopportune moment.

All I do know is that making VT assignments make me want to poke my eyeballs out and make me question where my weekend went.

Oh, I also know that this little jar that I found in the stake offices helped me make it through the entire experience.

It may or may not have been that full when all was said and done.

Buuut!! When my belly is happy, I am happy.

And so is Angie, apparently. :)

And I bet the owner of the jar would be happy knowing it's contents were my saving grace.

P.s. If you are a visiting teacher, you should probably do your visits. Just so there is at least a point to the madness of what we go through arranging it all. AND, your assigners may not have even had a treat jar to draw strength from - gasp!

And now, all I want to do is go to bed.

The end.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

2012-01-19T19:49:00.001-07:00

I had a friend who wrote a Facebook status on this day, thinking that it short changes some other people who did just as much for civil rights as MLK did.

I figure I don't care who I celebrate as long as I get a day off work to celebrate them.

And I did.

We did.

We started off the day with brunch. That included bendy straws!

Bendy straws, I say!

We then did some shoppin'!

And had a Boy Meets World marathon {which someone on FB thought it was an actual marathon named that}.

And don't worry, it only took three bags of popcorn to get one that was edible.

And afterwards, we headed to Crystal Hot Springs.

{Jilly was there too, but refused to be in the photo. She opted to take instead. I was feeling Christian and let it be at that.}

Our trip to Crystal Hot Springs was essentially a human soup bowl.

Take from that what you will.

But, remember! I went to brunch, shopping, had a Boy Meets World marathon and played at Crystal Hot Springs ... all while having a paid holiday.

All in a day's unwork.

Thanks, Martin Luther! Let's do it again sometime!

So, there we were ...

2012-01-18T20:37:00.001-07:00

eating at Cafe Sabor.

Not that you can see us.

Because the lights weren't on.

And my camera phone doesn't have a flash.

The light you do see is coming from Jill's phone. The ghost radar app, to be more exact.

See, they we were. Eating dinner. And the lights flickered. And then went off completely.

And then they came back on.

Repeat 23 times.

No lie.

We figured something sketchy must have been going on ... like paranormal activity. Hence, the use of the app.

Between you and I, the radar tested positive for "activity".

At which point, Jilly and I wanted to leave the restaurant immediately!

We informed our waitress of our concerns.

To which she provided us with free fried ice cream.

Which we took home.

Where the power was on.

And where no "activity" was found on the radar.

Not a bad evening, if I do say so myself. Not a bad evening at all.

You will always know how my day has gone ...

2012-01-17T18:52:00.002-07:00

by the number of Band Aids on my hands, wrists and arms.

But at least they are super-cute, no?

Hope your day involved less Band Aids than mine. ;)

Such.a.good.day.

2012-01-14T12:14:00.001-07:00

You know it is going to be a great day when you and all your roommates match.

You find the zebra paper plates to go with the purple table cloths.

So you can consume the 100+ cupcakes.

When you have fabulous friends like these who make your ~~job~~ life ~~easier~~ better by all of their hard work.

When you can take screen grabs of the video you took that was meant to be a photograph.

When you can take a screen grab of the video of the moment everyone realized you were taking a video instead of said photo.

When you take the real photo, to have a memory of people who have helped change lives.

Sister Basi, Claire, Sister Maurer & Sister Sortomme

When best friends are dressed in white.

When one of those dressed in white is one of your best friends.

January 11, 2012.

Such.a.good.good.day. :)

January 12, 2000

2012-01-12T19:41:00.000-07:00

is a day I will always remember. Mainly because I didn't have to go to school that day, or the day before ...

Plus, it might have been the day that I became something I had never been before - an aunt!

We were all so excited for him to make his appearance, impatient really.

I think he knew how much we all wanted him.

Because my gorgeous little nephew came two months early!

Weighing in at four pounds and 10 ounces.

He was born by an emergency C-section with fears of losing him.

And my sister.

But he was a fighter, which he would prove time and time again since that day he arrived 12 years ago.

In that short time he has faced battles and challenges that many will never face in an entire lifetime.

And ever since he was just a babe ...

He has been our teacher.

Teaching us lessons in patience.

In tolerance.

In unconditional love.

In acceptance of others.

In thoughtfulness.

In overcoming and triumph.

In tenacity and perseverance.

That angels truly live among us ...

That the extraordinary can be accomplished ..

And that no matter how difficult the journey, joy must be sought for.

And it can be found.

And so today ...

We celebrate not only the 12 years he has been with us, but the lessons he has taught us along the way ... in helping us become better, helping us become MORE every single day.

I.love.him.with.my.whole.heart.

And for today, that's all. :)

Back to the old grind ...

2012-01-10T06:55:00.000-07:00

I had to work four whole days last week. Four whole days of eight hours a day {and this week it will be five!}.

It's been rough.

This will help you see why ...

For my two-week, paid Christmas break, I spent the majority of the time in these babies:

Adorable pajamas, in case you couldn't tell.

And now? Now I am supposed to get dressed every day. For at least eight hours.

Pff.

I actually crunched the numbers for time spent not in real clothes over the Christmas break.. 66% of my days off were spent in pajamas.

But stats can sometimes be deceiving.

While I spent 66% of my days off in pajamas, I actually spent 94% of the time in pajamas. While I did get dressed four days {I think}, I was only dressed for roughly two hours each of those four days.

It wasn't all for naught, however. It clearly brought a whole new meaning to the word lazy And I am proud to do that for you - for the world!

You are welcome.

Doing what I can for mankind, one step at a time.

And now, I think am officially finished throwing that two-week, paid Christmas vacay in your faces. Well, until at least October or November where I get so incredibly, unbelievably antsy, at which point I will inevitably bring it up again. P.s. Due to my incessant bragging of said two-week, paid Christmas break I promise that for all of twenty-twelve I will not brag about my husband or children. Deal? Buneo.

Jumping in!

2012-01-04T19:32:00.001-07:00

I decided to jump into the New Year.

Quite literally, actually.

By jumping into First Dam.

Never mind that it was 17 degrees outside in Logan, Utah.

Never mind that the edges of the dam were frozen over.

Never mind that there were shards of ice in it.

Jumped right in and soaked myself to the bone.

{Which we have already discussed, not literally ... because skin by nature is meant to keep such elements from the bones and other vital organs, no? And my skin is not defective.}

Do you wanna know who is a trooper?

Claire is a trooper.

She jumped into 2012 with me. P.s. When I say 2012, I say it "twenty-twelve" opposed to "two-thousand twelve". You should too. Just sayin'.

We made it home alive.

We tried to resume normal body temperatures.

And then toasted to the New Year.

And, yes! I did bring in the New Year with chocolate milk.

Did you expect anything less?

The sparkling cider was Claire's.

I tried to make 2012 feel special {so it will be special to me!}.

I hope I was successful.

Happy New Year, everyone! :)

Oh, 2011 ...

2012-01-02T00:00:00.000-07:00

We weren't the kindest to each other.

I mean, we were no Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding {with me being Nancy, of course}. But we definitely weren't Cory and Topanga. Perhaps Jim and Dwight {I get to be Jim, naturally}. Never truly friends, but having found common grounds on more than one occasion.

I barely lived up to anything I resoluted to you that I would do. Mr. Achilles played nice for roughly three months out of the 12, so I definitely wasn't able to run three times a week. I ~~could~~ should have been more obedient, kinder to others, and stuck to my budget - any budget! - for longer than a month. But between you and me, you know I saw with my faith more than my sight. I killed that one.

You definitely didn't bring anything I had wanted. You maintained what 2010 and previous years had brought me, but nothin' fancy of your own. You left 2012 to do your dirty work ... and that's just not fair.

I suppose this is part of the reason my only resolution every year {sans 2005 where I resoluted to never cut my own hair again, and I haven't}, is to make no resolutions.

Maybe we started off on the wrong foot ... ya know, me in bed. Sleeping. As if you were NBD.

But looking back at it, you were NBD. I keed, I keed, 2011. Take a joke.

I figured though, that just in case you were holding a grudge from our first impression, I would welcome in 2012 a little more warmly than I did you.

Here's hopin' that it made a good impression.

And so here I shall make my final adieu to you, 2011. I will always remember our one shining moment, particularly because it was a moment that should have been my darkest. And for that moment alone, I thank you.

Peace out, Boy Scout.

Sincerely,

Mindy M. Thornley

101 Most Shocking Moments of 2011

2012-01-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

As always ...

A. For anonymity purposes I sometimes refer to a person simply as he or she. Thus, not all the he's or she's are the same person. As well as, some things are very, very vague. Live with it. ;) But to make up for it, you will earn 10 gold stars for each one you read.

B. Also, 10 gold stars for each time you make the list or something on the list relates directly to you. Feel free to argue your case on how an item relates to you in the comment section provided below. :)

C. I tried to put each moment in its proper order, with the absolute most shocking moment as number one and so on ... But it gets really complicated ... and boring. So, top 10 are actually in exact order. The top 30 are in the general area of exactness. And 31-101 ... they are just on there somewhere. :)

D. I had a really difficult time not putting exclamation points at the end of all of these. :) Shocking moments deserve exclamation points, however, over-used exclamation points defeat the purpose of an exclamation point in the first place. :)

And now, without further adieu ...

Mindy's 101 Most Shocking Moments of 2011!

101. That the Kardashian-Humphreys marriage didn't last 74 days. ;)

100. He just wasn't feeling it. Haha!

99. The pink sugar cookie he left on my desk {this one should be higher, but I don't want to re-number them all!}. :)

98. How much time it required.

97. How kind her voice was.

96. Erika married someone under 6'2". ;)

95. Idol worship in Utah Valley. You know what I am talking about.

94. They don't seem concerned that she gained over 100 pounds in 11 months.

93. USU trailed SUU for a short period of time in basketball.

92. My new chocolate, chocolate chip muffin obsession

91. Brady Jardine is most likely out for the entire season.

90. Brady Jardine has most likely played the last basketball game of his USU career.

89. My work computer, after four years, finally signed out of BFF's Pandora account. Doh.

88. That I was excited to see that person ... for a day.

87. I watched entire X-Men series.

86. I enjoyed watching the entire X-Men series.

85. I didn't buy the pink Swifter.

84. Americans' obsession with the Royal Wedding. It's like 1776 never existed!

83. I actually have found some joy in painting my finger nails.

82. The H&M shopping-spree Brandon gave me for my birthday.

81. I got portraits taken for the first time since ... I was a kid? Thanks, Lissa!

80. My neighbor can hear me singing my songs.

79. Mindy's Month of Merriment - why haven't I been doing this my entire life?

78. The neighborhood peeping Tom

77. They wouldn't fire him.

76. He was given full-time hours.

75. I can smell what Shurlana smells.

74. Someone can be setenced 431 years for a crime.

73. Someone who has killed over 30 people has only three life sentences.

72. HOW FLAMING HOT the Bountiful temple was.

71. How to cool off in the summer

70. Stayed at the parents for a week

69. He showed up to the softball game.

68. My arm circumfrence is one inch smaller than Mike's.

67. I finally found a matching pink stapler and tape dispensor.

66. How pen bodides can flyyyyy.

65. How horrible the softball team was.

64. After going to Lagoon once in the last 15 years? I went twice in one week.

63. I finished that hell-forsaken summer challenge.

62. I didn't buy a AC window unit.

61. He didn't even recognize it was my birthday.

60. His continued indifference.

59. He called.

58. Scott likes me now. Weird.

57. Booting for non-current car registration is possible.

56. Her crasiness!!!

55. The day I couldn't remember how to spell paid. {Payed!?}

55. Aggies against Auburn.

54. I cried when Spencer left.

53. D's V-neck

52. Her FB status.

51. She rejected his date offer.

50. I was featured in a magazine.

49. Her power trip.

48. Who asked me out. Goo.

47. I got along with him for six months.

46. That person's parachute didn't open while skydiving.

45. I now own colored skinny jeans.

44. She dated him again.

43. The only plane I got in this year, I jumped out of.

42. Ward drama.

41. I found out every place I could take a pregnancy test in Logan, Utah.

40. I about passed out after the dentist.

39. The client's comment about how I was going to have sexual relations with a male co-worker. Haha!

38. She yelled at me and was feisty.

37. He is a two-timer.

36. He tried to blame me for being a two-timer.

35. She tried to end her life.

34. 52 flippin' degrees in December! Hello, Spring. :)

33. Jerry Sloan retired.

32. President Fifield's facial hair

31. The blah-stint of USU basketball.

30. What happened/didn't happen at his house.

29. It changed our friendship forever.

28. He didn't notice.

27. Spencer left. :(

26. She agreed to visit teach.

25. The Penn State's fiasco.

24. Achilles miraculously healed. Temporarily.

23. His lie.

22. DI does not wash their clothes before putting them on the floor.

21. How she just doesn't do her callings.

20. I'm a homewrecker, apparently.

19. I made lunch for 66 people. Those fed survived. And more importantly, I survived.

18. Surgery for a stress fracture ??? SERIOUSLY!?

17. We really don't talk anymore.

16. My brother moved to St. George. :(

15. JH knew about BFF all along.

14. USU football had three wins in a row.

13. USU football had four wins in a row.

11. USU football had five wins in a row {first time since the 70's}.

11. USU football went to a bowl game.

10. Wayne Newton is still alive. Really??

9. Casey Anthony was found innocent.

8. I am still not married.

7. The engagement

6. He didn't tell me. He didn't tell me.

5. He actually married her.

4. Osama bin Laden was captured.

3. The perfect timing of when they ran into each other.

2. He didn't want to try. He wanted to give up.

1. He did give up.

It's a Christmas miracle!

2011-12-30T09:15:00.002-07:00

I took off my adorable chestnut brown boots last night after some ice cream at Charlie's with a friend.

And look what I beheld!

Matching socks!

Christmas miracle of all Christmas miracles!

It can still be a considered a Christmas miracle even though Christmas was over five days ago, right? After all, I am still on Christmas break. So .... Christmas miracle it is!

This also just might make my 101 Most Shocking Moments of 2011 list. Speaking of which, it comes out tomorrow. As always, contain your excitement. :)

P.s. I forgot to post about Thanksgiving and our Christmas card. You can find them here and here.

Did I ever tell you ...

2011-12-28T13:13:00.001-07:00

About my all-expenses paid vacay?

My all-expenses paid vacay to Sioux City, Iowa!

Okay, so not exactly anyone's ideal location for a vacay. And okay, it wasn't technically a vacay. Buuut, it still was all-expenses paid!

I rang in the 2008 New Year while riding on a Greyhound bus.

This is Emily Kunic and I on the bus, when Linze whipped out the beef jerky. I think it is clear how I feel about beef jerky. :)

We were heading to Sioux City for the Iowa caucus. We would be spending the week prior to the caucus campaigning for Mitt Romney.

"We" were 55 college students and graduates primarily from the school down south and some Utah Staters. :) With some being defined as Emily and I.

We sure were excited as our journey began.

That spark of excitement simmered quite substantially, however, when the Greyhound began to malfunction. As in, it began going 10 miles per hour. While on the freeway. In Wyoming or Nebraska.

I am not even sure which.

In attempts to get the bus to go faster than 10mph, we pulled over to one of those truck stops that fix trucks {and I guess buses too!} at any hour of the day.

There was a dirty little cafe for us to wait in.

Because of the late/early hour and the number of patrons we were bringing in from our bus, they didn't have enough servers for us. So, we served ourselves.

Chance Basinger & Daren Humphries

I don't recall how much time we spent in the dirty cafe. I do recall I drank hot chocolate. It was the sorriest cup of hot chocolate I had ever had in my life. But I was just grateful to have somewhere warm to stay while the bus got fixed.

And when it did, we were back on the road. But because of delays, the 16-hour trip turned into a 22-hour trip. The 22-hour trip in which I learned I could not sleep vertically. And since we were already arriving late, instead of getting some shut-eye upon arrival, we were put right to work!

While one of the biggest responsibilities our team had while in Sioux City was making phone calls, I wasn't put on the phones right away. Thank goodness! There were no scripts for the calls we were to make! My first job was keeping track of all the phone calls we made.

P.s. This is me doing this job and this is also me on my 42-hour stint of being awake.

Sigh. Look at that demented pinky. While I only had this assignment twice during the entire week, since I was the first one to have it, it was referred to as "Mindy's job" the entire time we were there. :)

But no one could escape making phone calls.

Linze Struiskma and Emily Kunic

Teams from every campaign make countless phone calls throughout the week leading up to the caucus. On Mitt's team we call to encourage them to first and foremost: attend the caucus. We also tried to get an idea of who they were voting for and answer any questions they had about Mitt Romney. Lastly, we offered transportation to anyone who had no one of getting to the caucus, regardless of who they were voting for.

I cannot even fathom what it would be like to live in Iowa right before the caucus. One man I spoke to said I was the 17th person to call that week about the caucus! I really think I would have my phone disconnected the week prior just to keep my sanity! I think overall, we made over 38,000 calls that week.

Another thing we did felt a lot like tracking {even though I have never served a mission, I think this is as close as I will get to it}. We would bundle ourselves up ...

And go door-to-door {by foot}, encouraging people to attend the caucus. And put in a good word for Mitt, of course. :)

Did I mention temperatures got as low as -14*?

Because they did.

And, did I mention - Iowa doesn't believe in the grid/block system so much. We had to ask for directions. A lot. Such as, "Where is Jones' Street?"

"Just east of Jackson Street."

"Uhm, where is Jackson Street?"

"Just east of Nebraska Street."

I just have three letters for you: G-O-O!!!!

In one section of the town, the streets went in the following order: 35th, 36th, 38th, THEN 37th and 39th.

It was such a monumental moment in my life to find 37th street that I had to document it. :)

Did I mention it was -14* outside?

Oh, I did?

Did I mention on occasion we would find refuge in Chili's? after being outside for hours on end?

I get cold just looking at this photograph, knowing how cold we were that day! I had never been so cold in my entire life!

For several hours leading up to the caucus we were to hold up signs on street corners reminding people to attend and, if you haven't caught on by now, as well as encouraging them to vote for the Mittster! :)

I thought our signs turned out super cute.

C'mon. It glitters. Could you ask for anything more?

And when I thought it wasn't possible to be colder than I was while tracking for hours ...

It did. When we stood on those darn street corners.

P.s. While on the corner I had sister missionaries pull over in their car and ask me if I had ever heard of a man named Joseph Smith. When I informed them I had, they were super excited. Their excitement depleted when I informed them I was from Utah ... and already a member. :)

As it was time for the caucus to actually start, we were able to attend!

Standing room only.

As the caucus began, they asked us to stand and repeat the Pledge of Allegiance. I cannot recall the last time I had the opportunity to say the pledge, probably in middle school when 25 14-year-olds would just ramble it off without thinking about what it meant.

At the caucus, hundreds stood and in unison, with more conviction than I have ever heard while saying the pledge, we all spoke, "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic, for which it stands, one nation, under GOD, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

There are no words to describe that experience.

After a little speech here and there, the voters were released to vote. And back to our posts we went.

As if seeing this semi-dumpy sign would be the last-minute decision-maker for anyone. ;)

Mitt won the district we were in by over 30%.

Success, I would most definitely say.

P.s. While in Iowa we stayed with families who offered their homes to us.

We were blessed to stay with Derek and Sam Memmott and their two little boys {and a baby who was in bed}.

Their kindness and generosity was second to none. They not only welcomed us into their home, gave us a place to sleep, let us use their shower, fed us, but they would also stay up with us into the early morning hours discussing the campaign as well as our lives back home. I will never forget the love they offered us.

After all was said and done, we got back onto that horrible, awful Greyhound and made the journey home to Utah!

I loved this experience more than I have words to convey. As attention is already being brought to Iowa for the caucus next week, I cannot help but long to be there.

Iowa changed me. It made me more aware of our country. It made me determined to play a more active role in who runs our country. It made me more grateful for our country and the freedoms that we have.

As the election year rolls around, I encourage you to also take a more active role. GET OUT AND VOTE. But that isn't even enough. Study the candidates. KNOW what they stand for - know what YOU stand for.

In our country's history I do not believe there has ever been a more critical time for your voice to be heard. Are you happy with how things are going? If not, do something to change it.

You may be just one voice, but history is replete of times where just one voice changed the world.

P.s. I heart Mitt.

A lot. :)

That's all.

Oh, Christmas Tree! Oh, Christmas Tree!

2011-12-26T10:16:00.000-07:00

When I hear that song being sung, my only thought is this, "Why are you talking to a Christmas tree??"

It reminds me of that Bruno Mars song, "Grenade" where he sings, "I'd catch a grenade for you." First off, why are you dating in a war zone? Where are you that you are having grenades being thrown at you?

But I digress.

Christmas was celebrated!

After our annual Christmas Eve dinner, we played games.

I was in charge of the ... random facts game? Where I would ask crasy questions that no one would know the answers to, provide multiple choice answers annnd, that was it.

P.s. I may or may not have fed Nephew 2 the answers in advance.

But that is besides the point.

I specifically asked some cow questions. Yup. Cow questions.

My dad and uncle grew up on a dairy farm. They worked the farm for 40 years {in fact, the uncle still farms the land and raises baby cows for people}.

I wanted to see brother vs. brother who knew the answer: How many stomach compartments does a cow have?

It played out as well as it could have: two professional dairy farmers, two separate answers. Who was right? Sorry, Dad. Trumped by big brother! Cows have four stomach compartments (D), not three (C). :)

Melissa was in charge of the Pictionary game.

Who an guess what brother-in-law Shteve drew? The green little goblin at the bottom of the page? And then, of course, can you guess what I had to draw {bottom right}.

We also played a little Christmas Bingo.

Which I didn't win a single Bingo or blackout with. But, I did enjoy eating the markers.

We also played the candy bar game.

Which, I didn't win a single candy bar at.

Buuuut, I 'spose that is okay because I had a bedazzled shirt on.

And how can anything be that bad while wearing a bedazzled shirt?

That's right, it can't.

Hopefully your Christmas was as merry {and bedazzled!} as ours!

Bring on the New Year!

I am an adult ...

2011-12-23T13:30:00.001-07:00

Yet, when mama leaves me home alone with all of these ...

I am still tempted to peek.

When I informed mama of her blunder she said, "You looked, didn't you?"

C'mon. I have more self-control than that ... right? :)

P.s. I always found it interesting that Santa Claus and the mom had the exact same handwriting.

Weird.

Merry Christmas Eve Eve! :)

Everybody's doing it.

2011-12-22T09:22:00.000-07:00

This is the first Christmas card I have ever been part of.

And I am prroooud of it.

Given, I had nothing to do with it's creation. All credit is due to the fabulous Claire. But that is beside the point. :)

Didya notice how it said, "sparkle"? I love all things that sparkle.

I really do hope your holidays sparkle and shine!

Merry Christmas!

I am not a Scrooge ...

2011-12-21T19:26:00.000-07:00

I didn't help put up or decorate the Christmas tree this year.

But I am not a Scrooge.

I was busy doing this.

Which may or may not make me appear like I am a Scrooge. Buuuut, refer to the title of this post.

I was actually doing some of the finalizing details of the auction fundraiser. P.s. We raised 700 dollars for the headstone! THANK YOU!

While I didn't lay a finger on the tree or give any input on what it should look like, I did take photograph of the roommatess laying some fingers on it.

Seeeee, I told you I wasn't a Scrooge! Scrooge would never take cute pictures of happy people putting up a litl' Charlie Brown tree {I said "little" with a British accent, that is why it is spelled that way}.

I think part of my appeared-Scrooginess came from the fact that it wasn't my tree or my decorations. Buuut, then again, it was their tree or their decorations either!

It is Jilly's tree and Jilly's decorations.

So where she was?

Being a non-Scrooge too, doing a project for finals week.

Yuck.

While I was a lump on a log when it came to assisting putting up the tree, I will take sole responsiblity of taking down the tree. Christmas night. Or if my roommates are lucky, the wee morning hours of December 26th.

P.s. This is what our tree looks like.

And this is what it will look like next year. :)

Next up, a Christmas card! To you and yours from me and mine.

I know you are excited.

Pre-Christmas

2011-12-19T22:11:00.000-07:00

It's rough celebrating Christmas twice in one week.

But a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

Tonight the roommates and I began our Pre-Christmas celebration by going to dinner at Cafe Sabor. It doesn't really shout, "Christmas!" buuut, we all really, really like their Macho Nachos!

After dinner we returned to our humble abode and took turns opening our gifts with only one rule, you must wearing whatever you are given.

It got really, really hot in our house. And yes, that is a bedazzled, pink skirt!

Fun was had by all.

You will just have to trust me on it though because I only have these kinds of photos with Claire and Stabi. :)

Jill was able to unwrap her gifts from me that she wrapped in the first place.

Yup, that is pink, sparkly polka-dot Christmas wrapping paper.

And Stabi is a thug in what she affectionately calls her jail jammies.

She has matching pantelones and had this top, but lost it ... so we replaced it.

A definite highlight of Pre-Christmas

And another!

The only way this could be better if we could somehow manage to be part of the Scranton Finer Things Club. For those of you who don't watch The Office, just so you know, The Finer Things Club is an exclusive club where people meet once a month to discuss books, art and to celebrate culture in a very civilized way ... which makes perfect sense why I would be in such an elite group, no?

Following the opening of gifts we turned on A Christmas Story.

Best.Pre-Christmas.party.EVER. Just sayin'.

P.s. I have already gotten 200+ Christmas gifts prepared for others and I am not even done yet.

Sigh.

But I will eat some cake balls and feel just fine. So all is well, all is well. :)

Why I am the best co-worker. Ever.

2011-12-18T20:10:00.000-07:00

Four cake mixes and tubs of icing.

Five packages of almond bark.

Eight cookie sheets/cake pans.

Two colors of candy melt.

57 plastic baggies.

7.5 hours spread over two days.

Only one "fatality".

Some sparkly ribbon.

And there you have it; my Christmas gifts for my co-workers.

While it is no surprise I am not a domestic goddess, it may be a surprise that I can whip up a few things. Strike that. A couple things. I can whip up a couple things.

One of those things are cake balls.

The most important thing of making cake balls is to find a really good kitchen. Meaning, it's best to make them at your mom's house ... while she is out of town.

Besides finding a good kitchen, it also involves baking some cakes.

And then crumbling them up and adding 3/4ths tub of frosting per cake.

And rolling them into itty-bitty little balls.

Then you get to melt almond bark.

Once you melt the almond bark you get to dip each individual ball into it.

And sometimes you have fatalities ...

Where the cake ball falls apart in the melted almond bark.

After the almond bark hardens you then get to melt candy melt.

So you can drizzle it on the balls. I love the word drizzle.

I drizzled the cake balls in white and red.

And then you have to hustle and clean up all the messes before your mom returns from San Jorge.

But, try as you might, she will probably return when you have one pan left to clean.

Doh.

After cleaning the mess up you can then wrap them up in little plastic baggies.

Adorned with Christmas-colored ribbons, of course. Sparkly, Christmas-colored ribbons, of course.

And make them curl so they are cute.

And be sure to make 57 of them.

And ta-da! Your co-workers have Christmas gifts from you!

And if you blog about it before you give it to them, there is a high probability they will know what you are getting them. Ho-well.

Word and merry Christmas to the co-workers.

The day I fed 66 people ...

2011-12-17T09:39:00.000-07:00

At our company we feed a large portion of the clients {and whomever else wants to buy a lunch} daily.

This is normally NBD. After all, we have a cook whose entire job is to shop for, prepare and serve the food {with the assistance of some of the clients}.

However, one day last month this suddenly did become a big deal.

Mostly because the cook came in and quite colorfully declared his departure. Not gonna lie, how this is rumored to have all gone down, he should have been on one of my behavior plans!

But, I digress.

Our fabulous HR gal immediately began looking for a new cook. But in the meantime, all the coordinators would be taking a day to cook.

This is where I would insert the word, "GOO!" ... Had I been a coordinator. But lest we forget, I am a behaviorist. :)

However, attempts to find a new cook were not moving along as quickly as planned. Read as: not moving along at all! And the coordinators were needing some time to work on coordinator stuff. Weird, right?

That's when my company resorted to ... me.

I.cannot.even.cook.a.meal.for.myself.

But there I was, going to cook for 66 people. 66 people!

With only the name of what I would be serving {BBQ beef sandwiches, vegetable soup and some fruit} and no recipe nor instruction of the quantity needed, I was shipped off to Macey's to grocery shop and then return and cook!

I am not going to pretend it looked good or tasted good.

All I know is this: none of my clients threw it!

That may not mean anything to you, but trust me on this one, it means a lot at our company! And in all honesty, that is more than I ever dreamed of!

Oh, and no one called in with food poisoning the next day either. Phew!

P.s. Another big adventure today. While I watch my Aggies in The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, I will be making four batches of cake balls. Suicidal much? Maybe. My co-workers better love me. Well, more than they already do. If that is possible. :)

GO AGGIES!

When auto-correct ruins your life ...

2011-12-15T06:55:00.000-07:00

Brookie had a birthday, so we shouted hooray!

To express her appreciation for all those who shouted hooray, she wrote the following Facebook status, "Thanks for all the Birthdayness everyone! I had a great day and got spoiled by Adam!"

P.s. Adam is her husband.

I respond with, "I love it when Adam spoils me for my birthday."

I was a little surprised when the next person who responded said, "TMI!"

I was more than a little confused. I didn't know how Brooke's status was inappropriate, because I knew

mine certainly was not.

I returned to it to see if I had read her status wrong or was missing some secret, hidden married

implication and no, I was sure I hadn't.

I then looked at what I wrote, because I thought it was clever.

THAT is when I realized I had not said, "I love it when Adam spoils me for my birthday."

No, no.

Auto-correct had opted to help me out a little. Resulting in:

"I love it when Adam soils me for my birthday."

And this is why we love auto-correct.

I cannot decide which is better, this one or the time when I texted, "No worries" and it came out as "No

uterus."

My cup of tea ...

2011-12-13T20:08:00.000-07:00

I think I went to my first tea party last week.

I think. I mean ... I don't remember attending any other tea parties in my long-legged life, so this has to my first. Right?

We arrived to adorable cards with our names on them.

They were so cute we had to take a photograph with them.

Annnd, the letters on our seating cards glittered.

I think it goes without saying how I feel about things that are glitterfied.

But I will say it anyway. Love, love.

Because it was a church activity, we didn't really have tea.

We had hot chocolate and wassail.

I think it goes without saying which beverage I chose.

But I will say it anyway. Hot chocolate.

Yum.

I even got the pinky thing down right while holding the tea cup.

Speaking of the tea cup, it was half the size of my hand.

I will not go into how that makes me feel.

Okay, I will. It make me feel like I have man hands. Buuut, I can fit my entire fist in my mouth. So that tells me I don't have man hands. Either that or that I have a really, really large mouth!

But I digress.

Back to the tea party.

I have never been one to before. Wait, I already said that. BUT!!! Since I have never been to one, I didn't know what it entailed exactly.

But what I learned is that it entails mini-foods. Lots and lots of mini-foods.

13 separate kinds of mini-foods.

Mini-foods that we could go back for seconds, thirds, fourths and some people even went back for fifths. Buuut, totally no one you know. Because, really? Who would do that?

I tried to get everyone to speak in British accents for the party, but that faded fast. I think I was too distracted by the foods to enforce that idea.

The entire thing just made me feel proper. So perfectly proper.

It was fabulous. Fabulous. Fabulous.

And it reminded me of this little gem I found on Tumblr.

One day I will say that to someone. One day.

But until that day, hot chocolate is my cup of tea.

That's all.

141 Christmas Socks!

2011-12-10T10:58:00.000-07:00

I recently purchased 141 Christmas socks.

And it wasn't as difficult {or expensive} as I thought it would be.

Three stores. Less than a dollah per sock.

And I would only need to wear 5.2 per day if I wanted to wear all of them before Christmas!

However, they aren't for me {I ain't that crasy! C'mon, peeps! What would I do with 141 Christmas socks!?} I bought them as Christmas gifts for the 141 girls that live within my ward boundaries.

And this is what 141 pairs of Christmas socks look like ...

Mindy, Sarah, Summer and Emilee : December 4, 2011 : Logan, Utah YSA 46th Ward Relief Society Presidency

While listening to Christmas music in the background, we began our assembly line of preparing the gifts.

Sarah started us off by taking off all the tags.

I was next in line. I rolled up the Christmas message we gave to each girly.

Em was next.

She took the messages I rolled and the tagless pairs of socks {courtesy of Sarah}, added a candy cane and tied ribbon around them.

Summer was then able to make the ribbon all curly and pretty.

It looked like a hot mess in my living room.

Yet, a very efficient, well-oiled machine. But what else would you expect working with these fabulous gals? I am so grateful for all they do!

After the socks were prepared they were sorted and placed in different bags for delivery!

But don't worry, we made sure to keep a pair for ourselves. We consider it an early Christmas gift.

And I don't think it would surprise many of you that mine say, "Ho! Ho! Ho!" on them. :) A picture will be added as soon as ... I take one. And add it. :)

Hope your Christmas season is already bringing you merriness and joy!

Thank you, Wife Swap ...

2011-12-07T06:55:00.000-07:00

I was a little under the weather last week.

What this means is I took a day and a half off from work. And, naturally, went to my mama's house.

At my mama's house she takes care of Mindy when she is sick. Plus, they have Dish TV, soooo when I sit and do nothing {err ... while my body heals itself}, I can veg out and do nothing ... unless you count brain rot as something.

However, amongst the brain rot, there was a Wife Swap marathon on. And dare I say, I think it was on Lifetime?

For those of you not familiar with the show, they take two wives/mothers and have them switch places for a week {the show will tell you two, but I am convinced one}. And the first couple of days the new wives have to do everything the real wife would do, but then they get to make new rules and have the family do things their way.

I would be totally amiss if I didn't take this time to express my gratitude to Wife Swap for reminding me how extremely normal my family is {which, depending on the day could be a difficult task}.

The show also makes me want to express gratitude to my parents for:

Not being the founders of Pirrattitude ... which entails dressing up as pirates as every day attire, not just the parents, but the kids too.

Not being obsessed with animals ... For example, having nine dogs {all of which reside INSIDE the home} along with a goat {that also resides in the home!}. Let's recap that real quick: A GOAT LIVES INSIDE THE HOME. And all doors have been removed from the home so the animals can roam freely. Ho-k. You be crasy.

Never at any point of our lives, having a kangaroo in our home.

Never at any point have a full, real bear head on the bottom shelf of our fridge.

Not naming me or any of my siblings Bambi.

Understanding that dog poo does not belong on the carpet, especially not for days at a time.

Realizing that to nourish a child they should feed them FOOD, opposed to trying to get the same energy from ... staring at the sun.

Not making me do 10 push-ups for every time we did not respond with, "Yes, ma'am" or "Yes, sir".

Not making us look in dumpsters for hidden treasures.

Not making us spend hours every.single.day clipping out coupons.

Letting me wear pantelones.

Not pursuing their rock and roll dreams {and only their rock and roll dreams into their 60's} ... if they even had any rock and roll dreams to begin with ?? But still.

Knowing what a washer and drier are, using them frequently and even teaching me how to use them!

Not for making us chase UFO's.

Not having ever had this thought cross their mind once, "How do you get to the point where you believe that cleaning is the best use of your time?" We're not talking hours on end daily, people. We are talking about washing.the.dishes. Wiping.down.counters. Sweeping.the.floor.occasionally. Putting.things ... away. Wow. Wow. Wow. I may or may not have said audibly to the television, "By reminding ourselves that it is how we avoid being on another reality TV show, Hoarders. Heard of it much?"

And lastly for today, I am thankful to my parents for never making me have to bottle deer urine.

Thank you, Wife Swap. Thank you!!

Crafternoons? I think I'd rather die.

2011-12-02T18:42:00.001-07:00

I don't know if it is just the time of year or just Pinterest finally getting the best of everyone, but everyone is getting their craft on.

Except me.

However, sometimes seeing other people get their craft on make me want to ... pay someone to get their craft on for me. :)

Maybe I just feel this way because everyone is putting up all of their Christmas decorations and I am not. I love putting up Christmas decorations. I even have my own tree {Yup! I go fake. Cheaper, no needles to pick up after, it never dies and I can replicate the smell of a real one anyway}and decorations.

Buuuuuut, I will not be able to put them up this year.

As roommates, we are taking turns.

At least I hope we are taking turns {which is better than the multiple Christmas trees in one living room like it was last year - poke.my.eyeballs.out!}.

So, maybe this post isn't about people getting their craft on at all. Maybe it is about this funny stage of life I continue to be in.

There would be sooo many perks to living alone! MY Christmas tree, MY decorations {Christmas and all others as well}. The place could be as clean as I wanted it to be, which would be spotless {well, not my room ... I reserve the right for my bedroom to look like a tornado has hit it at any given time}. And there would definitely never ever being a threat of someone teaching violin lessons in my home again. :)

Buuuuut! I there would be no one to sing my songs to {yup, those ridiculous songs I make up on the spot}. No one to drive a block and a half up the street and THEN walk to the Aggie games together. No one to do late night Happy Meal runs with. No one to be hangry with. No one to celebrate 11-11-11 at 11:11 with. No one to ask me how my day was {which my result in me asking and answering by myself!}. No one to run in to Kmart three minutes before it closes to by 81 pairs of socks. No one to have stretching challenges with. No one to have a shared roommate diary with {which makes for great coffee table reading}. And a slew of other things.

And yes, every sentence in the above paragraph was actually a fragmented sentence. What of it?

So for now, while I long to put up my Christmas decorations, I will munch on some Reese's Minis that one roommate brought me home yesterday - just to be nice. And wait for another one to come home so we can collaborate on an email to a boy that has been a jerk.

And I will be just happy with that. Plus, the 141 pairs of socks I own are currently in the living room and no one has complained about it yet! {I have big plans for those socks ... just you wait!}

P.s. Today, I don't feel like I was whispering with the brackets.

AND ... this will be the last post written on this lil' ol' laptop!

I have so much to tell the world!!

2011-12-01T17:45:00.001-07:00

That what happens when you don't do "real" blogging for two weeks!

Two weeks!

Holy smokes!

I want to tell the world that I found the perfect pair of chestnut brown boots! {And they should be here tomorrow!}

I want to tell the world that I will soon be typing on a brand-spankin'-new laptop with pink polka dots! {But it won't be here until next week. Frown.}

I want to tell the world about the 141 pairs of Christmas socks I own!

Truth be told, I don't really care to tell the world per se. Besides, wouldn't that be pretty audacious to assume by clicking "Publish" that I would be telling the entire universe?

P.s. Sometimes, when I put things in brackets, I feel like I am whispering. Just so you know.

And I hope you are ready for some serious bloggin'.

Because it is going to happen.

Because I have still been livin' it up.

Okay ... ish.

I have been living it up ish.

As much as Mindy lives it up. :)

P.s. I need dinner now, before I get hangry.

{Hungry + Angry = Hangry}

Peace out! But not for long. :)

***

I will give you a total of our fundraiser once everything is finalized. And you thought this post wouldn't be about that fundraiser ... Ha! ;)

Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T10:27:00.000-07:00

Turkey in the oven, roasting with care.

Turkeys can roast, right?

Well, the turkey was in the oven.

The table set with perdy decorations.

And a gratitude tree.

Let's talk about that gratitude tree ...

Each adorable circle is something the sister's family is grateful for.

The family cat has three circles dedicated to her.

How many circles were dedicated to me?

None. Unless you count the one that said, "Family".

Annnndm clearly I don't count that one.

I don't know why I wouldn't make the gratitude list. It's not like I am a beastly aunt who sits on her nephews.

What a great angle for me, no? And this is what a tunic shirt looks like all bunched up. Also extremely flattering. :)

I suppose it is okay that I didn't make the gratitude tree. Because after turkey, potatoes, rolls, cheese ball, pie and leftovers to take home ... I was also given this adorable goody bag.

Fill with sugary goodness like Snickers and Twix and other heavenly edibles.

And what could I do with my name on a gratitude tree?

Know of my family's love and appreciation for me?

What a bunch of garbage. How do you eat that? That's right. You don't.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Happy Thanksgiving!

I have been living life ...

2011-11-19T19:35:00.000-07:00

amongst the madness of the blog auction that has been going on.

In fact, this week has probably been the busiest week I have had in a long, long time.

One of the things that made it uber-busy {besides the auction}, was preparing for yet another Relief Society activity.

My girlies and I decided to have a slumber party! Yup, I just might be the oldest person alive who has still attended a slumber party! And yes, I did go to bed first. What of it?

Our party included some Just Dance love.

Also, we got our nails did!

And what would a slumber party be without facials?

I.am.not.quite.sure.what.my.hair.is.doing. This inspired me to get my hair trimmed. No lie. :)

P.s. It is super hard to smile when the cream hardens ...

Summer & Em

Annnnd, it goes without saying it makes your teeth look nast-yellow.

Summer told me not to put these photos on Facebook. She didn't say a word about my blog ...

The night also included pizza, chips, yummy desserts, movies {Tangled!}, parter/missionary tag, and other games!

I love Linds. P.s. Look at my PJs. Skeletons and hearts!

One of my favorite things was playing Murder in the Night in the pitch-black gym! What was uber-creepy is when an unknown man walked into the gym while we were playing, stood around for five minutes and then just left! OoooOOoooh!

But one of the best parts of the night is when the the stake president, President Woodland, dropped by and gave us ice cream!

My presidency and I had to snag a photo with President Woodland super quick.

Emilee, Summer, President Woodland, Sarah and Mindy

We were super appreciative of his support {and the support of our Bishop}of the activity. And the location of our activity. ;)

P.s. I went to sleep at midnight-thirty and woke up six to 10 times before I was awake for the day at 5:34am. Two weeks later and I still haven't caught up on that sleep.

A for sure sign I am too old for this.

Or just a harsh reminder of my insomnia. :)

11:11.11 on 11-11-11

2011-11-12T09:15:00.001-07:00

Okay, so I lied.

I did stay up.

Jillian knew just the trick. She gave me a death page from her Titanic coloring book and it kept me occupied just long enough to get ready to celebrate.

At 11:10 we had to get ready in the front yard.

We celebrated the occasion by playing with sparklers.

And by making a wish.

When mine comes true, I will let you know. ;)

I am usually not one of nostalgia, but there is something that intrigues me about only being able to experience this once in my lifetime.

But just in case I am wrong, we all promised to show up at the same place and same time ... in 100 years.

What did you do with your once in a lifetime? :)

***

Remember the blog auction will begin on Monday! And please feel free to donate anytime by clicking on the "donate" button below.

In Cache Valley ...

2011-11-11T22:12:00.001-07:00

there are five seasons.

Spring, Summer, Winter, Fall and Aggie Basketball.

Photo Credit

I love it when 10,270 fans know the same dance and song. Don't you?

Especially when it's a 69-62 dub-ya over the school down south.

Word to 11-11-11.

Speaking of 11-11-11 ... Since I knew I would most likely be asleep at 11:11.11 PM, I had to make 11:11.11 AM epic.

However, sitting in a conference room, helping some people understand why it could possibly be detrimental to someone's health gaining nearly xxx pounds in less than a year is not what I would define as epic.

Which means I have to stay up until the PM version.

Hmm ... Or maybe not. There is part of me that wants to, at the exact moment of 11:11.11 PM, watch the official United States Government clock tick.

But instead I think I will go floss my teeth and peace out.

I think the Aggie win will make the day epic enough. :)

Go Aggies!

***

Remember the blog auction will begin on Monday! And please feel free to donate anytime by clicking on the "donate" button below.

Occupy the Spectrum

2011-11-11T06:55:00.000-07:00

There are currently over 250 tents set up at Utah State University.

Most of them have been there since Wednesday afternoon around 1:00pm.

Some have been there since Wednesday at 3:00 am.

Over 1,400 students have been camping out.

Why?

Oh, just for a little USU vs. BYU basketball.

NBD, right?

This is why I love me some Aggie basketball. Where else would you see this?

This is also why I love Style for purchasing season tickets so I didn't have to campout in temperatures only in the teens so I could get a ticket and seat to the game tonight. :)

Go Aggies!

***

Remember the blog auction will begin on Monday! And please feel free to donate anytime by clicking on the "donate" button below.

Obsessed Much?

2011-11-09T10:27:00.001-07:00

Claire and I might have a minor obsession.

It might be chocolate chocolate chip muffins.

We might go to a specific grocer in town in the wee hours of the night or morning to obtain these.

They might fill our counter tops.

I may have eaten four of the jumbo muffins in less than 24 hours.

And when the grocer doesn't have a full box of chocolate chocolate chip muffins, I might rearrange the the assorted containers and MAKE one full of chocolate chocolate chip muffins.

Finally, if push came to shove and there was only one box left, Claire and I might fight to the death to be the conqueror of the muffins.

But all that's totally normal. Right?

Happy Wednesday!

P.s. Please don't forget the fundraiser I am doing. Read about it here. And if you do not want to auction an item off or bid on any items, you can donate anytime by clicking on the button below.