The Im...what's

"i just want to stay home and watch CATS"

2012-02-16T11:33:00.000-07:00

dreams...

2012-02-16T10:37:00.004-07:00

dreams can be awesome. dreams can be weird. dreams can be terrifyingly weird.

In my most recent dream I was in high school I believe. I had pink hair with a dyed blue hairband/headband. I decided I wanted to go back to my roots per say. I decided to dye my hair dark brown. Then I wasn't pleased so I decided to wash out the dye and see if it would have stripped my hair back to my natural color. The last picture shows what the result was. Brassy yellow roots with teal ends. The front half of my hair around my face was super curly and pee yellow and bright electric blue. I think this dream is a mixture of late night V.I. and my conversation with Jonelle at hellmart about rit dye.

To dream that you are combing, stroking or styling your hair suggests that you are taking on and evaluating a new idea, concept, outlook, or way of thinking. You may be putting your thoughts in order and getting your facts straight.

If you dream that you make a drastic change to your hairstyle, then it means that you are making a drastic, new approach to some issue in your waking life.

On the other hand, if the dream is an unpleasant one, then the color represents deceit, disgrace, betrayal, cowardice and sickness. You have a fear or an inability to make a decision or to take action.

The color teal signifies trustworthiness, devotion and healing. It is also indicative of spiritual guidance and teacher.

If you dislike the color pink, then it may stem from issues of dependency.

Blue represents truth, wisdom, heaven, eternity, devotion, tranquility, loyalty and openness. Perhaps you are expressing a desire to get away. The presence of this color in your dream, may symbolize your spiritual guide and your optimism of the future. You have clarity of mind.

Brown denotes worldliness, practicality, domestic bliss, physical comfort, conservatism, and a materialistic character. Brown also represents the ground and earth. You need to get back to your roots.

:)

2012-02-14T13:13:00.001-07:00

Singles Awareness Day

2012-02-13T10:06:00.006-07:00

One of my favorite quotes. Ever.

"Why would you want to dance with someone who doesn't want to dance with you?"
-Robbie Hart "The Wedding Singer"

For those of you celebrating Singles Awareness Day or S.A.D. this year, may I suggest this playlist? I know I'll be listening (yes, I'm taken) because it's just THAT good.

Love Stinks-J. Geils Band
Alone Again, Naturally-Gilbert O'Sullivan
Baby's in Black-The Beatles
Blue Monday-New Order
Boys Don't Cry-The Cure
Careless Whisper-George Michael
Do You Really Want To Hurt Me-Culture ClubDoesn't Mean I Love You-Glen Burtnik
Don't You Forget About Me-Simple Minds
Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometimes-Beck
Falling Out of Love-Sean Lennon
Here I Go Again-Whitesnake
Hold the Line-Toto
You Don't Know How it Feels-Tom Petty
I'll Be Alright Without You-Journey
I'm Not Crying-Flight of the Conchords
If You Leave Me Now-Chicago
Love Hurts-Nazareth
Pictures of You-The Cure
Rolling in the Deep-Adele
Somebody to Love-Jefferson Airplane
Sometimes You Gotta Make It Alone-Money Mark
Tainted Love-Soft Cell
Tears on My Pillow-Little Anthony & The Imperials
Why Can't This Be Love-Van Halen
With or Without You-U2
How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?-Al Green

those were the days....

2012-02-09T10:32:00.000-07:00

I will be forever grateful to Trenton for introducing me to this.

salt lake cemetery...

2012-02-08T09:46:00.001-07:00

...is gorgeous.

we own the night

2012-02-08T09:32:00.002-07:00

rarity

2012-02-06T18:12:00.002-07:00

bah ha ha ha ha ha!

2012-02-03T10:01:00.002-07:00

"Ever since youtube was invented I have searched day and night, year after year for a video that can change my life. Today the search is over.." -manimrad

wise words

2012-01-30T16:42:00.002-07:00

Maybe Kanye and Vinny are wiser than we'd like to give them credit for.

nah.

Broderick...Broderick...

2012-01-30T09:42:00.001-07:00

greek food, cigarette butts and laser pops

2012-01-26T17:28:00.000-07:00

We have the best adventures.

in other news...

2012-01-24T12:38:00.004-07:00

Jonelle and I are starting a band.

"Tripping Pregnant Ladies."

Our side project will be "Punching Marrieds."

We'll let you know when our album comes out.

*Update*

Help us come up with songs for the setlist!

So far we have:

"Settling is worse than the lonliest number"

"Get your fuzzy black and white alien-baby pic out of my face"

and

"It ain't none yo bidness"

honest album covers

2012-01-23T14:47:00.002-07:00

Thank you Cracked

Happies!

2012-01-23T10:36:00.002-07:00

...till you puke

unique soda bottles

my (finally cleaned up and hung) sunburst clock.

Jumbo peanut butter chocolate chip pecan cookies

(not actual cookie or recipe)

teal

property of:

2012-01-23T10:30:00.006-07:00

I can't stop listening to my Lily Allen Pandora station

These ladies own my ears.

food for thought

2012-01-20T11:53:00.000-07:00

Yay, Bufferin!

2012-01-20T11:17:00.000-07:00

{cocaine and waffles}

2012-01-17T11:36:00.002-07:00

John, we go together like cocaine and waffles. I love you to the moon and back.
Happy 3rd!

things that make me want to slit my wrists

2012-01-17T11:17:00.003-07:00

Iron and Wine.
Mom jeans.
People who drive 10 under to avoid being pulled over.
Improper spelling and usage of You're/Your.
Using numbers 4 letters in texts.
When the Pepsi/Coke is out at restaurants.
Jason Mraz and his hat.

{islands in the stream=WTF}

2012-01-12T10:47:00.003-07:00

(I have another blog specifically for dreams, but this one was too good to NOT put here.)

Imagine a sold out Christian rock concert.
Add everyone that ever went to Murray High, ever.
Mix in the 50's.
Realize the guy singing is your ex-boyfriend.
Throw the "rock on" sign and grab a mic and join in.

yeah, this happened.

we were SO good, people got to win a private showing.
like forgetting your locker combo, you forget the lyrics to the song.
then these guys barge in.
(yeah, that's The Oak Ridge Boys)

Welcome to my nightmare.

{house}

2012-01-12T10:37:00.002-07:00

I don't know if anyone else has felt an attachment to a house (mom, i'm looking at you!) besides me, but I love this house. When it got turned into a business it made my heart sad. Just driving past relives so many good memories. I have dreams where I go inside and it's the same, but it's not. Maybe I feel so nostalgic for this house because my family has lived on this block since the beginning of time (quite literally... well almost). One by one the little houses on the street have turned into nail salons, eyeglass places, etc. I hope they never raze the block and put up a strip mall, then I might go ballistic.

it's tragically hilarious

2012-01-10T09:46:00.002-07:00

Christmas 2011

2012-01-06T11:30:00.006-07:00

Too busy to blog, but we all got what we wished for. Here are a few pics I took on that magical day!

Pics of our TREE!
(omg, John totally forgot to take the TJMAXX bag out of the pic. So embarrassed...For what it's worth, that was for a sub for santa gift, cause we're like SO charitable)

This is obviously not under the tree, It so wouldn't fit, duh!
The kids LURV their new playhouse! (the other one was getting SO dingy)

And, of COURSE we took the kids on a Disney Cruise, AGAIN!
It was every bit as magical as the first time we went, 16 times ago!

John and I both got each other an itouch, ipad, irobot, iphone and I got my very own ikea!
The kids each got a pony, a unicorn, a pegasus, and a trip around the world. Not to mention entire wardrobes from gap, and jcrew.
After we opened all the gifts we bundled up in our new clothes(me: anthro! (duh), kids: jcrew, and John: abercrombie) with our new gear and headed out to the family festivities in a chartered limo!

BEST. CHRISTMAS. EVER!

New Years Resolutions 2012!!!

2012-01-06T10:26:00.008-07:00

I feel I must do my duty like every other blogger on the planet and blog my New Year's Resolutions to complete strangers. That being said, this years resolutions are HUGE.

#1 Join as many bands as possible
I've got MAD tambourine skills. Not to mention cowbell, freestyle piano playing and guitar slapping.
Here are a few I'm looking into joining.

4-piece looking for a singer to make it 5

"Experimental rock band (with guitar, bass, keyboard and drums) based in southern Davis County seeking a most excellent and dedicated vocalist."

Nothing says experimental rock band like a picture of a dog taking a dump.

Screamer/Singer looking for Metalcore/Post-Hardcore band

"I am looking for a Metalcore/Post-Hardcore band looking for a screamer/singer, I have been singing for a very long time and can hit high ranges and know everyting about it. I have also been screaming for awhile too, I am learning new about screaming and improving my screams, I write my own lyrics also, I have GREAT AMAZING stage presence and my own microphone. if you wanna audition me just call/text me."

I have been screaming for awhile too...I might consider starting my own band just to have him come over and scream in my face, cause that sounds AWESOME.

Drummer Wanted!!!!
Hyrum, UT (love living in small towns and Death? Join now!)

"Hey guys! we are Osco, a metal band that started in 2009, that sounds like Slayer and Death. We are looking for a drummer that would like to join in permenantly.
requirements:
have drumkit
have some expierience
fully committed
if interested, call jareth:1-435-881-0029, Chad: 1-801-473-1299, or find Osco on facebook at: www.facebook.com/oscothrashmetal
please contact us, we have had to place this add multipule times now and we are about to record an album" (take it as a sign bro...)

How about: must have speeling esperence, character name from Labyrinth and sound like Death. I haven't myself heard Death.....but i'm assuming it sounds like an entire day on the toilet? Anyway....

Flute Choir in Murray
"My name is Alyssa Green and I am looking to start a flute choir at my house on Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday nights. Give me a call if your interested."

Dear Ms. Green,
A flute CHOIR? I have never heard of such a rhapsody! I have zero experience with flutes, although, I did play the recorder for 2 weeks in 3rd grade. Does this qualify?

Deathcore Lead Seeks Talented Rhythm

Sojo, UT

"I am in need of a rhythm guitarist that can play very heavy riffs and make no mistakes. Your riffs will be easy compared to mine, but you will need to know how to tremelo and palm mute VERY cleanly.
You must have at least your own half stack and car to drive to practice, do not apply if you do not have those. Age does not matter.
Important characteristics include: Good listening (the less you tal k and the more you play the better), fast learning, reliability (never miss practice!!!), and I require you
understand your place as rhythm and never question my riffs. I will alwayse listen to any ideas you have but I will have the last say on every song.

I am a very humble person and am very easy to get along with, and I expect you to be the same. Again I want to stress that you must be ready to NEVER miss practice, we practice for 2-4 hours three times a week in south jordan. Applicants can text, or email natevel@gmail.com.
Do not call, text or email only plz"

Jack Black? Is that you? "it's called Inward Singing, check it out...."

#2 Do NOT get pregnant

Having a baby is SO 2011. Get the net.

#3 Spend at least HALF my day blogging about my fashion

Nothing is hotter than hairy legs (click here for larger pic) and fake patent leather heels.

This outfit just OOZES SEXXXXX

Face tats are IN

I'll take LOTS and LOTS of awkward pics of me in my "fashions"

#4 Get a dog, put it in a purse, call it a 'service dog' and say it's "for my anxiety"

Happy 2012!! I can't wait to get started on all my resolutions!

pizza till you fall asleep

2011-11-15T14:24:00.003-07:00

I went for a long time without pizza. I don't know if a bad pizza experience ruined me or I had overdosed....anyway, I am back on the pizza wagon. And not fancy pizza....Totino's pizza. The cardboard dollar pizza. Honestly last weekend all I wanted to do was, in the words of Mike Birbiglia "pizza till you fall asleep." Nothing sounded more amazing than eating Totino's till I passed out on the couch. So that's what we did. Then we went to a 3 year old's birthday party and ate pizza again. It. Was. Awesome.

p.s. I heard that Mike gets "google alerts" sent to him when someone blogs about him....so Mike, this is for you. :)

love

2011-11-10T18:00:00.000-07:00

good advice

2011-11-10T17:53:00.001-07:00

I love Men without Hats.

today is the worst day of my life.

2011-11-10T16:59:00.002-07:00

Not really, but close.
I'm losing my BFF Ali at work.
Sadness.
Dude, don't forget me!

tis almost time....

2011-10-04T10:30:00.003-06:00

scroll down a couple posts...

2011-10-04T09:51:00.005-06:00

*EDIT*
The Teletubbies have now disappeared.
It's a conspiracy.

Where the heck did the teletubbies come from?? I did not post that pic....
I am however leaving it because who wants to mess with fate?

On a side note....
We drove through Morgan and Porterville.
Not very Nilboggy, but fun nonetheless.
The old Porterville church is there, although it caught fire about 11 years ago so not much is left. Too bad it's behind a freaking iron fence cause I would have done my best Creedence Leonore Gielgud.

privacy is for suckers

2011-09-26T15:56:00.002-06:00

I'm not going private anymore...at least not for now. I've re-labeled a few of my posts to make them "ungoogleable" so I hope that helps. I'm sure i've still got plenty of creepy creepsters lurking about but since i'm pretty vague on this here blog i've decided to keep it the way it is.

On a side note, i'd like to write a letter to the couple sitting in the waiting room today of the OBGYN.

Dear couple,

Wow, you must be so proud to have conceived. Congratulations! I noticed your lady friend right over there, lounging like it's her bizness. She looks real classy in her Walmart frock. And you, such a proud specimen. Obliviously stoned and checking me out as I walk out the door. I think i'll go slit my wrists now.

The post in which I label it something completely off topic as to not be googleable

2011-09-26T15:25:00.004-06:00

This is the conversation that goes on in my head during this scene
"We don't take kindly to strangers around these parts..."
"Now Skeeter they ain't hurtin' nobody"
Thank you South Park.

One of my favorite scenes. Nothing is sexier than corn and stockings. Nothing.

Why watch Troll 2?

Because it's just THAT good.

Christmas List

2011-09-13T16:20:00.003-06:00

If anyone is struggling with what to get me this year, fear not, for I have found it.

XL or XXL please

a tribute

2011-08-30T12:20:00.004-06:00

Where else will I be served delicious mexi food by well meaning hobbits?

??-??-???? to August 2011

You will be missed Mexi-Shire

options

2011-08-25T11:54:00.002-06:00

Option A is going on a giant tirade of hate filled phrases.

Option B is buying this shirt instead and loathing them silently.

Check it out.

oh my....

2011-08-25T11:46:00.004-06:00

Why. WHY. WHYYYYYYYYYYYY

This slightly redeems the horror.

atomic museum

2011-08-16T16:02:00.005-06:00

This place was awesome.

thought #1

2011-08-11T12:31:00.002-06:00

I apologize for the language...but not for the sentiment.

2011-08-11T11:59:00.007-06:00

The Oatmeal says it best.

sheer awesomeness

2011-08-09T14:53:00.002-06:00

I get to do something pretty cool tomorrow.
I get to go through the temple with my bff Jonelle tomorrow.
It's going to be awesome. I hope I don't get a bloody nose like I did for Sheldon and Lolly's sealing.
I'm so glad we're friends again. I wasn't sure it was going to happen. I prayed for it for a long time. And I think we needed time apart to really grow and learn. It was really hard, but now we're even better friends than before.....right Jonna?... Or maybe it's just me. ;)

I love our adventures and how we can talk about anything and go anywhere and always have a good time. We rock like that.

Stalker food

2011-08-08T14:38:00.013-06:00

4 shows I watch:
1) The Tudors: Go ahead and judge. It's naughty, and entertaining and Henry Cavill is a Stone Fox.
2) Hoarders: It's like a train wreck....I can't look away.

3) Obsessed: See above
4) Whatever is on 13.2 Antennae TV. Mostly it's The Partridge Family and Brady Bunch. I can't complain.

4 things I'm passionate about:
I wouldn't say "passionate" as much as I would "interested"

1) Ignore what I said above, I'm totally passionate about my husband. He is Stone Fox #1. Except when he's a turd.

2) Music- I hope one day my kids will remember this about me. "Remember how mom always had music on?"
3) Anything old. I love old stuff.

4) Family history, history in general....History is cool kids!

4 phrases I say a lot:

1) Riiight.
2) Srsly.

3) Bah ha ha!

4) Good hell.

4 things I have learned from the past:

1) Trust in the Lord
2) Mr. Rogers knew his stuff. (Dude, totally agree.)
3) Don't grow up too fast....you have your entire life to be overworked, underfunned and old.
4) Life is short, have no regrets. Speak kinder, walk softer.

4 things I did yesterday:

1) Road trip to Brigham City-The new temple is gorgeous!

2) Made Swedish meatballs for the first time

3) Wore my sexy new dress to church. It's sexy-classy, that's church worthy right?

4) Checked on my rocks in my rock tumbler (thanks Dad!)

4 places I would love to visit:

1) Fiji
2) Europe

3) Prince Edward Island

4) Iowa! :)

4 things I'm looking forward to:

1) More adventures/parties with friends!

2) Daily nausea (maybe one day?)
3) Cool Autumn breezes (Although I am LOVING this summer.)
4) A Wonder Years marathon

4 things I love about spring:

1) My birthday (Someone want to remind John a few weeks in advance this year? Thank you in advance.)
2) WARM SUN, but being able to still get away with cardigans. (freak yes!)
3) Summer dreaming...

4) PEEPS

bah ha!

2011-08-02T10:48:00.002-06:00

http://www.theoatmeal.com/

word to your motha

2011-07-21T14:33:00.001-06:00

the snozberries taste like snozberries....

2011-07-19T15:14:00.003-06:00

"we are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams"

I know odds are slim that this is going to happen but I am REALLY hoping the tour of Sweets Candy Factory looks EXACTLY like this.

I want all my dreams to come true and a goose that will lay golden eggs for Easter.

In Portland...

2011-07-18T12:54:00.006-06:00

http://www.putabirdonit.com/

In Portland, you can put a bird on something and call it art!

ta-da!

booyah

2011-07-13T12:04:00.001-06:00

Somewhere between St. George and Cedar City, I caught a cold. wth?

Adventures abound...pics soon...?

chickety check

2011-07-05T14:57:00.002-06:00

monkeys are an 11 on the scary scale

2011-07-05T14:45:00.004-06:00

I'm terrified of monkeys.

I used to be scared of clowns and midgets.

But i've gotten over that.

Well mostly.

Now it's monkeys. They don't even have to be doing scary things, just regular monkey things. That is when they are scariest.

See?

He's plotting my demise.

ANIMATRONIC MONKEY HEAD!!!!!

Scariest thing ever.

You think being kidnapped and murdered is scary? This is like way scarier.

Like 11 on a scary scale.

tidbits

2011-07-05T14:40:00.002-06:00

I love the Office version of "The More You Know". It made my day.

Jim: I accidentally saw "The Fugitive" again on cable this weekend.That is a good movie. It's like really, really, really good.

Pam: When you get a wedding invitation in the mail, put it in a safe place. All the information you need is on that card. Don't call the bride three days before the wedding, and ask her how to get there. It's on the card.

summer is...

2011-06-23T12:32:00.002-06:00

PROS
The Wonder Years
mmmm, lemonade
A cool night breeze
Fresh mown grass
Lagoon
Adventures! {right Jonelle? :) }
Sno Shack
Drive In
Campfires
No school zones!
BBQ's and lots of them
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Pace's, Woody's, Iceberg...
Small town days/dayz/dayzz
Home grown veggies (maybe?)
My littles :)

CONS
people lose their sleeves
and pants....
and can't find them till Fall
Driving teenagers
Rednecks out in full force
Loud stereos
People haven't heard of yard work?
I still have to work during the summer
haven't gotten used to that in 12 years
lame.

this is why i'll never be an adult....

2011-06-08T15:17:00.003-06:00

this is me lately.

I love you hyperbole and a half!

heh heh

2011-06-03T09:43:00.004-06:00

(prime example of common Mormonus Douche Maximus)

We've all known at least one.

Please, go read this.....it's perfect. I love you Mormon Child Bride.

totally looks like

2011-05-27T15:44:00.002-06:00

Steven Tyler

Crazy Horse

I want to do a little of this....

2011-05-27T14:52:00.004-06:00

probably lots of this

and this

exploring this

maybe visiting this

this

and this (rodeo, not cowboy)

and this

and possibly this (no, not the guy, the place)

hey there sister wife....

2011-05-27T14:40:00.002-06:00

This video might be the most terrifyingly amazing thing i've seen in a long time.

Possibly ever. She is amazing.

http://vimeo.com/23498754

(courtesy of dooce)

this one's for you mom

2011-05-18T13:04:00.004-06:00

welcome to my life.

too awesome not to share

2011-04-28T12:56:00.001-06:00

featured on http://www.neatorama.com/

morning edition

2011-04-28T09:22:00.003-06:00

I may or may not have flipped off Santa Claus on the way to work today. Guess i'll find out in about 8 months.

Also, i'm pretty sure I saw Voldemort driving a minivan this morning.

Maybe I need to lay off the cold meds.

News Flash!

2011-04-27T12:56:00.002-06:00

Having a baby isn't a competition.
It's not a race...
...to have the most babies the fastest.
...to have a baby before you're "old".
...to have a baby because "everyone else is doing it"

Having children is a personal matter and shouldn't be treated like it's a pasttime.

my want

2011-04-20T15:36:00.003-06:00

secret garden party

lilac bush

amazing music

in my mouth

five little dickie birds sitting on your head....

2011-04-19T12:49:00.003-06:00

Magical Mystery Tour is awesome. It makes me happy and reminds me of the good times that were had in high school. Like eating ramen in the pottery room.

Lately i've been playing the "remember when....that was fun" game with John. He plays along quite well as I wax nostalgic. "Remember that one time we went on a cruise and it was pretty boring but sometimes it was fun?....that was fun." "Oh and remember that one time we went to that cool bridge in Big Sur and it was really big and cool?....that was fun."

He's a jolly good sport.

Do you remember the 90's?

2011-03-31T12:24:00.003-06:00

COFFEE LAND!

2011-03-31T12:24:00.001-06:00

eatin' figs, dreaming of warmth

2011-03-24T11:04:00.006-06:00

I like my random followers. I also like it when friends i've never met text me that they are in jail. But he wasn't really in jail, he was doing it for a fundraiser. Cause he's a nice person. I also like it when I find a marble in the dirt by my house. That isn't a picture of my marble, or even my hand. I don't know who History Mike is, but I found this picture on his blog. He must be cool if he took a picture of a marble he also found in the dirt.

side note: History Mike's blog states that I can't steal his pics or his writing. He did however state that I can informally use his information for educational purposes. This being said, Utah became a state in 1896 and our state dessert is jello. You have now been educated.

in freaking love...

2011-03-18T09:34:00.004-06:00

with William and Kate.

I think they are so cute, and fun, and gracious. Also, they are getting married on my birthday AND Sir Paul is playing their wedding. Not much cooler than that.

well maybe this

http://www.happynews.com/news/3172011/william-kate-ask-wedding-guests-help-charities.htm

and i'd be honored to drink out of your mug.

If you watch...

2011-03-18T08:59:00.006-06:00

I found these entertaining.

I found this one hilarious. And don't get all "women's rights" on me, cause i'm all for them.

Speaking of, John made me carrot and butternut squash soup from SCRATCH for dinner for me last night.

I'm training him well. Mwha ha ha ha....

swiper, no swiping

2011-02-28T12:20:00.004-07:00

Same crazy lady has come and mentioned "taking" my valentines box three times now.

Today she finally did it.

"i'm going to take your box"

I went to the bathroom. Came back.

It was gone. (it has now been returned)

Dude, this was no ordinary Valentines box.

This was a SKYBOX JAZZ vs. CELTICS TICKET WINNING BOX?!

Keep yo hands off my train crazy pants.

it's time

2011-02-28T12:08:00.005-07:00

I just found this quote and it fits so perfectly. "Playing house with my sister never prepared me for this. What little girl plays Step-mom?"

Being a step mom is hard. It's stressful. It's anxiety inducing.

It can also be rewarding and fun.

I never thought i'd be a stepmom. Never ever. When I heard people talk about divorce and being step parents I always scoffed that it would never be me. I didn't want the drama. Didn't want the heartache. Didn't want the "evil stepmother" stigma.

But here I am.

I haven't been called evil. YET. Give it a few years....But I have found pictures around the house that say "I hate you Brie". Luckily I have found more that say "I love you Brie" or "Brie is nice" and my heart feels good again.

I'm a no drama person. The second you have drama I automatically withdraw. I fade into the distance.... Unfortunately being a part of a divorced family I am subject to drama now and again. I want so bad to withdraw. I want to run. But I can't run. I can however withdraw. As much as that is possible.

We've been working on a good relationship with the girls mom and it's going really well. We even heard from her dad that she's over the "mean stage". I hope so. Not that I think she was intentionally mean. I think it's hard to form a new family and figure out where you fit and where your kids are going to fit in that new life. I totally understand. I feel for her.

But I still wish I wasn't the stepmom. Maybe one day....

sometimes I just want to say to people...

2011-02-14T10:31:00.001-07:00

...your blog makes me die a little inside everytime i read it.

grateful

2011-02-10T09:51:00.006-07:00

i'm so glad when things come together. i'm crossing my fingers that our new found good luck and my new found good attitude will continue...

Pills are good....pills are goooooooood.

things I enjoy

2011-01-28T08:50:00.003-07:00

gray stripes.
coke with extra soft ice.
bright happy colors.
warm beds.
fun garlands.
zoloft.
rosewater lotion.
funny stories.
books that make me think.
good music.
dark chocolate.
john.
special friends.

updates!

2011-01-13T12:13:00.003-07:00

I have pretty pipes! Plumbing is almost finished. Stack pipe is down and new one is going up.

Garage door is fixed! Second guy came out and said "no big deal" and fixed it for $90.

yay!

plumbing (again) and more garage door horror

2011-01-12T10:28:00.003-07:00

(actual picture of the inside of our pipes)

So Plumber Bob was there first thing this morning. He started out by cutting into my wall. Eep. The pipes were horrendously corroded. John sent me the pic and I almost barfed up my pretzels. We're putting in pvc. I hope that's good? Tomorrow he's securing the stack pipe in the attic and then cutting it and removing it. I had the horrible feeling that what if it's corroded where it goes into the ground...what then? I can't think about it.

First garage door repairman said to even repair the thing would cost $500.....a new one is $750. We're having 2 more repairman come and give us estimates. If it's going to be that much i'll just park in the driveway. Seriously.

Remember in Seminary they said "you shouldn't ask 'why me' you should ask 'what can i learn from this?'" Well right now i'm having a hard time thinking about what I can learn from this.

plumbing III and a new repair

2011-01-10T11:11:00.002-07:00

While going downstairs yesterday to put some things back I noticed a couple of dark spots on the floor. I looked up and it was underneath the toilet. When we moved in there was a "drip" on the toilet pipe and when I poked it, it was hard, and I breathed a sigh of relief. This weekend however, I poked the drip and it was soft. Ugh. Luckily we will have this rectified on Wednesday. I'm still worried that our sinks and tub will be so rusted that we'll have to replace them. Sinks i'm almost ok with, they are cheaper and the porcelain is worn off anyway. The tub is another ordeal. They are more expensive and i'm not sure we could get one that is the same size as the tub we have. One thing that would be good/bad is that we'd have to probably tear up the lovely pink tile on the walls.

Sunday, John noticed that the left side of the garage door was in at the bottom. He went in and the last wheel was off the track. Upon fixing that, the wire flipped off the left side and came undone from the spring in the middle. Good thing he wasn't right next to it! We got the door to close, but now we have to call out a garage specialist to check it out. Thankfully we don't really use the garage for much besides storage. It is nice to keep the car in it so I don't have to scrape snow off in the mornings but that's a luxury!

Please tell me everything is going to be ok and our house isn't going to crumble to the ground!

side note: i'm going on new anxiety meds.

plumbing volume dooce, I mean two

2011-01-07T13:01:00.003-07:00

So i'm feeling better about the situation. We bought a gigantic book about home improvements and it looks like we can do a lot of the basement wall repairs ourselves. We do have something called "effloresence" on our floor that needs acid (?) to be removed, but it's coming up pretty easily for us. We'll need to remove the crumbling cement off the walls and replace with new cement and also seal the cracks in the floor. Then a coat or two of waterproof sealer. Right now the pump is working great and the floors are dry! We do have a spot at the front of the house next to our random crawl space (under our porch) that is a little moist at the joint between floor and wall. I'm not super worried about that though. I am however worried that in the past 2 weeks our main stack/sewer and surrounding pipes have gotten rusty on the outside. How's that for quick?! Bob said we can expect to pay around $6-700 to replace all of that area of pipes. I'm just SO glad we have money from when we bought the house. Cross your fingers that he does indeed come out next week, because I really don't want to stress about these pipes longer than I have to!

plumbing

2011-01-04T12:09:00.003-07:00

(not our actual plumbing, but pretty close)

we had no idea when buying this house that the plumbing would need so much work. when the inspector came he mentioned that the house had galvanized steel pipes that in a matter of time would need to be replaced. ok, fine, I can deal with that. we had some money in savings to use for finishing the basement but we could manage. then a couple of weeks ago came the water seeping into the basement. not a little....a lot. inches in some spots. we started a regiment of drying, vacuuming, toweling, etc. this lasted a few days before we got a hold of a plumber. we knew that a lot of homes in the area had sump pumps. we were assured by the seller that this house hadn't had water problems. if you look at the walls in the basement it's clear that there has been at times almost a foot of water in the basement. great. as of yesterday (almost two weeks later) we have a sump pump. it's beastly. he had to cut out our floor about 2 feet wide by 3 feet deep. we had to run the washer into the sump pump because of another found issue...upon further inspection he found that our main sewer line/stack in the house is corroded. we will need to replace that sooner than later. like sooner. it has pinholes in it and once they get big enough they will burst. we also need to replace the pipe to the bathtub because it is so rusted you can see through it. when looking yesterday he said the tub might be rusted as well, so there wouldn't be a way to just replace the pipe. we'd need a new tub. right now we wait to hear how much work that will entail and how much that will gouge us. i have so much anxiety about these issues that i don't enjoy being in my own home. all i can think about is all these corroded pipes under my feet waiting to burst at any moment.

blog of rants

2011-01-04T12:07:00.001-07:00

Since I never post stuff about our family or what we're "up to" these days i'm going to turn this blog into a blog of rants. mostly about our house and how i feel like we bought a money pit.

( i no longer find that movie funny)

better, closer, warmer...

2010-12-20T17:10:00.002-07:00

I'm almost there... I almost have the Christmas spirit....
now let's see if it sticks around or poops out.

not feeling it

2010-12-14T17:20:00.001-07:00

The past couple of years I just haven't had much of a Christmas spirit. I tried by listening to Christmas music, doing Christmassy things and shopping early to enjoy the holiday...So what's my problem?

shut your gob

2010-12-13T09:05:00.007-07:00

Hey! Guess what? I've been married 2 WHOLE years and I haven't

had a baby yet and i'm not pregnant. So guess what?

SHUT UP ABOUT IT ALREADY.

I know i'm almost 30, I know my ovaries are drying up as I type this, I know "everyone else is doing it" and guess what?

When it happens, you will be notified.

So until then, why don't you just leave us alone, stop asking/hinting and being awkward about it and SHUT UP.

Also, next time you comment about it i'm going to say something to make you feel COMPLETELY awkward and

uncomfortable and I hope it makes you feel bad.

'Cause guess what?

It's not that I don't want to be.

(this is not for anyone in particular. it's for EVERYONE, so don't get your panties ina wad.)

things I don't get

2010-12-07T10:30:00.004-07:00

homeschooling

naming your kids with similar names (Hadley, Taylee, Kinley, Brinleigh...)

comic books

designer jeans

beds in orchards

taking pics of your outfits everyday

eggplant

wearing headphones everywhere

skinny pants

disney

why stay at home mom's think they are professional photographers

rap

this is dedicated...

2010-12-03T10:05:00.003-07:00

This is for my parents. They are amazing.

They helped us move.

They helped us fix.

They helped us paint.

They did our dishes.

They fixed our plumbing and electrical.

They have done SO much.

So this is for them.

First-nighters, packed earmuff-to-earmuff, jostled in wonderment before a golden, tinkling display of mechanized, electronic joy!

2010-11-22T15:49:00.004-07:00

painting sucks

2010-11-16T09:10:00.004-07:00

We bought the house.

NO, I didn't take before and after pics,

I don't want to remember that horror.

Now it's looking pretty awes, not gonna lie.

Thanks to my parents who worked their butts off

like good little workers (mush!) ;) Seriously, those two are powerhouses.

John did a ton as well. I wanted to do a ton but i'm so out of shape

it's ridiculous. I did try though.

The pain in my wrist and thighs can vouch for it.

(that sounds wrong)

Maybe i'll take pics and post them here of the finished product.

Then again, maybe I won't.

access is back, I repeat, ACCESS IS BACK....

2010-10-28T09:10:00.002-06:00

....hence the reason I haven't posted in so long. I was "access denied" for awhile, but it's back and so am I.

We're trying to buy a house. It's been a joke. Hopefully this week we'll find out what the appraisal is.

I made the girls Halloween costumes this year. Holy crap, i'm a horrible sewer. I need to take jr. high sewing again. Leigh, you up for it? ;)

Letters have resumed between Jonelle and I and they are as epic as ever. One day we'll have to reminisce because you know I kept them all!

Work is sucking my will to live. Not going to lie. It's slowly getting better though. I'm trying to change my attitude.

Family is great. I love spending time with all of them and having good times.

My car is iffy. I'm still not completely sure everything is fixed. It makes me curse.

never jump into a pile of leaves with a wet sucker

2010-09-26T21:32:00.003-06:00

I love the fall. Best time of the year. Cool air, tasty smells, The Great Pumpkin. I got my love of holidays from my mother. She always made them so special and she still does. There is nothing better than warm soup, a spice candle and some Halloween decorations. So today was pretty awesome. Plus Harmony gave me a "1st Class" sticker. :)

get a load of captain bringdown

2010-09-20T19:50:00.002-06:00

the man has been getting me down. i can't update during the day so therefore i do not update.

not much new here, just winding down from the summer. it's nice to get back into our regular schedule. i've been cooking more, trying to eat healthier. we've been watching a lot of hoarders and now i'm paranoid that i'm becoming one. i haven't visited a thrift store in 2 weeks. yay! there might be a surprise announcement in a couple of weeks (i'll tell you right now i'm not pregnant).

they must have been home clownschooled...

2010-09-14T19:53:00.000-06:00

www.awkwardfamilyphotos.com

lurkers lurking about

2010-09-10T09:28:00.001-06:00

yeah, they are there, lurking.

and I have no idea who they are.

now THAT's what's creepy.

Road Trip 2010 vol III

2010-08-26T22:27:00.004-06:00

Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur

coolest beach hands down

Road Trip 2010 vol II

2010-08-26T22:21:00.001-06:00

Big Sur

Highway 1

San Jose

road trip 2010 vol I

2010-08-24T19:09:00.001-06:00

Thunder Mountain, NV

remembering

2010-08-24T11:51:00.003-06:00

I've been thinking a lot lately, cogitating you could say. Just about life and stuff.

What I remember about elementary school is the way my 1st grade class smelled. Like new crayons and Miss. Fosters perfume. I remember the way we'd pick at the clay goo on the windows at recess. I remember how they would let the grass get really long, then they'd cut it and leave the remnants and we'd gather up the spent grass and make houses. I remember how hard the chairs seemed at 3:00, just before the bell would ring. In jr. high I remember how we were the "rebels" and learning about the civil war from a vietnam vet who had flashbacks and would miss days due to malaria. I remember how the bright new hall contained the science classes and smelled like pickled baby pigs. I remember how the gym smelled and even now thinking about it turns my stomach. I remember in high school heading down the incline to take my seat in orchestra. I remember getting bussed to the local ward house when they tore down our seminary building. I remember how the pottery room smelled of clay and ramen noodles.I remember sitting in history and staring out the window wondering why they put a strip of grass between the two buildings. In college I remember sitting on the open patio in the science building. I remember the chill of the air and the smell of coffee and grass. I remember sitting in the meeting area with my best friend eating muffins and drinking coffee and thinking about how long this period of life would last. I miss those days like I never thought I would. What I remember that spans all these years is the anxiety. The wondering of who is looking at me, what do I look like? I can look back now and think yes, those were times that I miss. But being in the actual moment it was really hard. It still is sometimes. The problems get more complex, the anxiety more deep, the responsibility more intense. Some days I just feel old.

wait for it....wait for it....

2010-08-20T14:11:00.000-06:00

hold your breath, a slew of pictures are coming your way.

that's right, a slew.

CHRIS FARLEY

2010-08-13T10:34:00.003-06:00

fine, fine.

2010-08-11T14:49:00.005-06:00

here's your bloody update.

4 wheeling+camping/cancelled camping plans+growing lettuce+yelling+new car+emotional breakdowns+pepsi+4th of July party+

Big Sur+Monterey+friends=Summer 2010

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It's been a rollercoaster few months.

In the end, it's the little things that made it awesome.

Strengthening bonds of friendship and adventures topped the list.

~~~

As much as I enjoy summer, i'm longing for fall. I love fall.

Best time of the year.

A nip in the air, the smells, the crunch of the leaves.

I just don't know why it has to be followed up by winter.

I'd enjoy winter much more if I didn't have to go out on the roads.

If I could stay home and bake bread I would be so happy.

~~~

Speaking of baking bread, that is my goal this fall/winter.

I want to become a breadmaking whore.

And you will all be my guinea pigs.

hello boils and ghouls

2010-08-03T09:23:00.004-06:00

We bought a car from the crypt keeper.

Ok, that may be a lie, but she sure looked like him.

Also, she had man hands.

i did it

2010-07-28T13:20:00.001-06:00

I deleted all the craptacular blogs out of my favorites.

I deleted all the blogs that made me feel inadequate.

All the blogs that made me angry.

All the blogs that made me feel like i'm the only one with a sub-par life.

Suck it b*tches.

I'm going to title this post: WTH

2010-07-27T15:06:00.005-06:00

as you read this, i'm barfing

it reminds me of this

and this