At a Red Light

Mr. Chase has a lot of patience but when it comes to me driving my sister's car (which has a standard transmission) his patience is not so great. So he grabbed the keys and offered to drive which honestly took the embarrassment of grinding gears in front of him (again) out of the equation. SCORE FOR ME!

So here we are driving along in the slick and snowy roads heading the 6 or 7 blocks to the video store when we pull up to a stop light. It turns red whilst Mr. Chase is in the intersection, we see the cop car across from us and know that our number is up. We had no choice but to go because hello we were already in the intersection and what did he want us to do? BACK UP into the car that had slid up behind us? I THINK NOT! So we all made sure our seat belts were on (they were) and were very polite as the red and blue lights blinded us.

Mr. Chase kept his cool and I watched him very closely, worried about what his reaction to the obvious ticket was going to be. It was inevitable. After the officer had the necessary information and took his sweet time I knew that he was NOT getting away with a warning. I cringed as he brought back the license, registration, insurance information and the ticket for Mr. Chase to sign. He asked about how much that ticket would cost and the officer wouldn't even give him a ball park. Just told Mr. Chase that he had no idea how much it was going to be he was going to have to call the court to find out. This is where I mumbled Liar under my breath. What a jerk he didn't take the conditions into consideration and just wrote up at ticket.

Jerk.

We went and got the movie he fretted for about 5 minutes then he was over it. just announced that he would have to work more to pay for the ticket and that was that. We spent the rest of the evening talking on the couch. Poor Mr. Chase is getting sick. His whole body is aching and I told him if he shares it with me or My Little Monster he is a dead man. I hope he feels better tomorrow, that it was just a quick 24 hour bug... I hope - I hope - I hope! Men are big babies when they're sick!

Pet Names

So many different names he could call me,

Sweetheart, makes my heart flutter.

Babe, Makes me Giggle.

But I am probably happiest when he calls me

Em. 

Disappointment

I found out today that I will be ringing in the New Year sans
Mr. Chase.
I hate to admit it but I'm terribly disappointed
Now what am I going to do?
More importantly...
Who is going to kiss me?

Trouble in Paradise?

Today was Christmas.

That being the case Mr. Chase was not in town.

Rather he was down at his parents house. (Where he should be!)

So we did not see each other today.

We did text!

&

As always I waited for him to text me. (Call me old fashioned)

So tonight just as my little monster and I returned home from a long day of festivities @ my parents house, he asked why I had been so quite all day, furthermore, asked if I was trying to break up with him due to my lack of verbose communication and his fear that the disapproval of family members had gotten me to change my mind about seeing him.

The poor guy.

I explained that he wasn't gonna get out of this {whatever THIS is} so easily.

And all was well in the world again.

Addressing Concerns

It has been brought to my attention that in reading my blog Mr. Chase sounds as though he is

"Mr. Wonderful" and apparently this poses concern to some of my readers, okay THEY are not really readers... THEY are concerned family members that think my track record is not so stellar and are concerned that I do not think I can get "prime beef"

that I am settling for scraps {when the family member referred to Mr. Chase as beef I nearly lost it- tears welled up in my eyes in attempts to keep from laughing hysterically}

Now, when it comes to men and dating I am the first to admit that I have not had such great luck. Perhaps I am not the greatest judge of character I have certainly picked myself some real WINNERS but what can I say? I am a sucker for the underdog, I see a person for who they are at the moment- not who they were- THEY see this as a character flaw on my part- not looking at the full picture and such.

{I blame my father for this actually, he can look at an empty lot, or an old falling down house and see something magnificent and extraordinary just waiting to take shape. I am the same way but my vision of what is yet to come extends not only to structures but to people as well.}

and I could probably add taking things slow to my list of things to be concerned about. This is not something I am very good at, when I say that I mean, I go from Hello my name is ____ to Hopelessly Devoted in half a second @ least that's what THEY think.

Now I realize that the way I do things is not the norm, but I have never been accused of being normal.

I am the first to admit that Mr. Chase may not be everyone's cup of tea however, right now he is like a breath of fresh air to someone that has been drowning in a sea of creeps. How is he so different you ask? He does not treat me as a second class citizen for being a divorced/single mom. You would not believe how many men go running for the hills when they find out that I'm a mom. He opens doors for me-chivalry is NOT dead! And a BIG one is that he LOVES and respects his mother- I firmly believe that you can tell how a man will treat you by the way he treats his mother and sisters (Mr. Chase does not have any sisters)

I am not going to continue to spout off starry eyed drivel about Mr. Chase -although I probably could- because ladies and gentlemen I know he is not perfect, he has a not so pleasant past (that I'm not going to divulge the information I am privy to because that would just be rude) that has presented many obstacles in his life but he is overcoming them and that's all that really matters right? And his past is just that, past and while I am completely aware that it could come back and bite him in the ___ should that possibility prevent us from something GOOD from happening?

Seemingly Endless

And so it begins: Two whole days without Mr. Chase- He is going home for the holiday. I knew there was a reason I hated this time of year.

Yeah that pretty much sums it up.

Ever Feel?

You ever just feel kinda crabby?

For no real reason?

Just crabby?

Heard it Through The Grapevine!

Sometimes I wonder if anyone even reads this. I rarely receive comments but I am not complaining rather explaining how an interesting conversation took place with a church leader of mine. I was talking with said church leader this afternoon after our usual block of Sunday meetings and he expressed a concern over something he had "heard through the grapevine" about something someone had read on my blog. (Gasp!)

I was floored, had I been found out!? My midnight trysts with Mr. Chase were now the topic of ward gossip!? Oh the horror! (Just kidding)

I thought long and hard about what I had written on my blog and drew a blank, What on earth could someone read within this blog that could have had this church leader so concerned? He explained that he had been told about me writing about having Mr. Chase over at all hours of the night and that posed a concern.

I nearly laughed in his face. I carefully explained that while it is true that Mr. Chase and I have had a couple of late nights, we realized that they were not helpful or healthy for either one of us, we both needed our sleep and the late nights are now a thing of the past. He smile and agreed that this was probably a good idea, I asked him if he would like the link to this blog, so he could check up on me himself and not have to wait from concerned citizens but he just smiled and said no, he trusted me. I couldn't help but chuckle to myself I didn't realize that when I choose to have my dates was such a cause for concern in the general populous.

I can only imagine what this concerned citizen was thinking and would like to reassure them that all is well nothing shady is taking place regarding me - at my apartment or anywhere else for that matter -in the wee hours of morn nor in the broad light of day. As I mentioned earlier we have set a curfew, and I would just like to thank whoever you are for keeping an eye out for me and being so concerned over my virtue! I hope this eases your minds. And for future reference if you have any questions please feel free to leave a comment, you could even do so annonomyously :) I would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have

Round 1

Mr. Chase is out of town for the weekend. Visiting family. So we have been texting to keep one another entertained.
We had our first "misunderstanding" via text messaging today... go figure.
I received a random text, obviously not meant for me and rather than confront him, and ask him about it. I straight up told him he sent it to the wrong person and a few minutes later told him I was going to say good night. Seeing as it was 7:30 he became suspicious and asked me if I was upset. The texting that ensued was fraught with frustration and miscommunication but we got things sorted out and both apologized for the way we handled it.
I wish he would come home. I miss him. (He'll be back tomorrow)

Happiness is

Finding notes like this -{written in wall crayon}- on your bathroom wall

{and FYI when i found this i had a grin that not even a magic eraser could wipe off}

What a Day

Despite the horrible tossing and turning and nightmares of last night, today turn out to be a pretty fantastic day! My little monster slept until well after 11 am and I was able to get up and do some things I needed to.

We got up got dressed and got ready for the day, crepes were on the menu so I set to work on then and its true what they say "if you build it they will come" or rather in this case, "if you make it he will come. " That's right Mr. Chase showed up just in time for lunch. With a bag of his laundry to boot! And well now we have not come right out and said that we are "boyfriend/girlfriend" doing one another's laundry and spending lazy afternoons together... hum... but I'm not saying anything I'm not going to be the one to curse it.

Mr. Chase was nice enough to run me up to my appointment on campus with the academic advisor I have been dreading. I gave him a quick kiss goodbye but apparently that wasn't good enough because he pulled me back for another and another.

The Academic advising appointment astounded, astonished, and amazed me. I found out 4 classes that are all available next semester is all I need to graduate. I laughed, I cried and the advisor even gave me a hug! I can't remember the last time I felt such relief? {Perhaps when they told that after 48 hours of labor at home, I was finally dilated enough to have my little monster}I will have a degree! After 8 years of on and off I am finally going to get that blasted insanely expensive piece of paper to hang on the wall that says I DID IT!! I FINISHED SOMETHING!!! My mom was the first person I called she didn't answer and didn't answer so I called my dad, He DID answer and was almost as enthused as I am. I posted it on facebook and received many accolades and congratulatory remarks but there is still one semester left. I am confident. The end is near!!!

I celebrated by staying home all evening (because my car is broken) and making latkes.( They were stellar! ) seeding pomagranites and doing dishes. I sent Grace to bed painted my nails and was dozing on the couch when my phone began to sing to me a Tim McGraw song "I may be a real bad boy... but baby I'm a real good man..." this danced through my mind as I was dozing I snapped to when i realized WHO was calling. I looked at the clock quarter to midnight. I grumbled and answered my phone.

"Hello?" - I said in my grouchiest how dare you make me wait this long to hear back from you voice.

"Hey what you doin?" He asked in his happy golden retriever all is right in the world voice.

"Just sleeping on the couch" *click* I thought he hung up on me. Oh boy was that man going to get a piece of my mind. I called him back no answer. I tried again still no answer as soon as I hung up his ringtone played again. "Hangin up on me eh?" I asked.

"Sorry my phone died and its going to die again soon. I was wondering if I could come over and get my laundry."

I wanted to say, sorry the laundry mat closed at 10 but I think something along the lines of do you realize its almost midnight? came out. He said he'd be there in a moment and he arrived a few short minutes later. I was sprawled out half asleep on the couch so he came in and crawled over me so he could hug me for a moment. He apologized for leaving me in the dark and mentioned that he would not do it again. He stayed for about 20 minutes before it was time to send him home. He smiled and kissed me goodbye. Told me he wished he didn't have to go

My feelings exactly! So even though I was mad that he made me wait so long, all in all it was a pretty great way to end out a night.

The Chase

I had my first "real" date with the guy that I have been seeing for two weeks now. What should we call him? He needs a name so I can refer to him... hum... Let's call him... Mr. Chase because that may or may not be his name... or maybe I'll call him Chase because I am going to make him Chase me... get it? Oh I crack myself up sometimes.

To catch you up, Mr. Chase and I met online a few weeks ago, he lives less than 5 blocks way. We are both attending the local university and we have been seconds from passing each other in the hallways all semester long. He saw me on a dating sight and told me I looked familiar which if I didn't think the same thing I would have thought it was a line.

Anyway, we have been doing the hanging out sort of dating. You know the kind I'm talking about the hang out on the couch giggling when your elbows touch, watching movies, chatting. Lots of texting back and forth (not while he's here, that's just juvinile!) The first time he came over he actually spent the evening fixing the lights on my Christmas tree while I wrote a paper, and he has done a great job of making sure that I'm doing what I'm supposed to in my recovery from pneumonia, ie he reminds me to take my antibiotics. He is helpful, I was vaccumming when he came over the other night ( I had just redecorated my tree so there was glitter and whatnot all over the place) he took the vacuum, vacuumed everything up and even MOVED THE FURNITURE to get behind and under it!!! Well we decided that we should probably go on a REAL date out in public, the kind with the opening of doors and the pulling out of chairs.

To be honest I was NERVOUS when he came to pick me up, butterflies and everything. I was all flustered and he was too it was cute. We went to dinner and since we ate so early, around five, there was NO one else in the restaurant, we joked about him arranging a private room for us, very romantic. We enjoyed dinner and looked up movie times on my phone then headed off to the theater to catch Blind Side. (GReAT movie- sandra bullock should NOT be a blonde) Afterwards we headed back to my place and since My Little Monster was in bed, we decided to watch Phantom of the Opera.

All in all it was a pretty great "first" date. I told Mr. Chase that I was going to make him chase me. I'll let you know how it goes.

The Sweet Sound of Music

I have wanted a piano for a LONG time. I do NOT play. I tinker with it at best but I think a home isn't a home without a piano. That said, I was at my parents the other night and my little brother (aka Superman) walked in with Dad (and I will just call Dad, Dad), they had just gotten back from a long day at the Depot, "Have you asked Seester (me) about the piano yet?" Superman asked Dad.

"Not yet, you tell her about it you found it."

Superman then explained to me that a friend of theirs had an OLD piano, in desperate need of repair that he was wanting to get rid of. He was going to push it out the door and destroy it! Luckily Superman and Dad said they would gladly take it off his hands. So they asked me if I wanted it, with the warning that it was DIRTY and needed some repair. I instantly jumped at the chance and the piano will be coming to reside at my apartment in the next few days.

I have had to do some MAJOR rearranging, I had to move the HUGE bookshelf. Dad and Superman did that yesterday and now in the interum of having the open space for the piano and having the piano my lovely garage sale recliner is going to fill the void. I can hardly wait for the piano to get here!

My little brother asked me the other day if I wanted a piano. The correct answer of course was "Duh!"
I of course have not been able to afford even entertaining the THOUGHT of having a piano, but apparently a friend of his has an OLD piano in need of serious cleaning, restoration, tuning and TLC. I am so excited to get it.

O Christmas Tree

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree
This is the 2nd time I have had to decorate my tree this year. My little monster pulled it down last night with the help of two of her monster friends. So after she went to bed, I took everything off and put everything back on while watching a Hallmark movie. Talk about sentimental mush and can you say predictable?! I laughed through a good portion of it and had to stop it before it was over, I just couldn't take it anymore.

The ONLY reason I even bothered making my tree look decent is the book club I am a member of is going to be meeting at my place this week and I wanted things to look FESTIVE. I will let you know how it goes.

The Awkward Stage

What do you do when doing backflips (previous post) you end up falling flat and you don't know if someone is going to be there to catch you? I have officially entered into the "we have hung out 5 or 6 times, cuddling on the couch, and quick kiss goodnight stage" but we have not had a DTR (determine the relationship) chat so here I go into the dreaded awkward stage!

That Feeling of Excitement

You know that feeling when your stomach does a double backflip - then your heart leaps to your throat? Isn't it GREAT?!

REALY?!

what on earth is next?

Ah, This is the Life

It has been quite a weekend, instead of doing homework like a good college student I spent the holiday weekend wasting my precious studying time, enjoying my break

doing frivolous things like,

shopping

{I hit Novemberfest -the local blowout craft fair

- with my Little Monster and my Little Seester, we met up with my mom -

trolled around for a bit then grabbed lunch.

We hit the mall for a raid on Bath and Body works and that concluded me participating in black friday.

I didn't spend a dime!

It was great fun.}

dating

{okay so technically dating implies more than one date

but if you count my biology study partner coming over to work on our homework

that counts as TWO dates right?}

and watching movies.

G.I Joe -which was okay not the greatest movie I have ever seen, the special effects were cool and Channing Tatum is nice to look at but the love story/subplot was AWFUL!

I laughed, I cried, I totally fell in Love with Poopie!

Its not as funny as

My Big Fat Greek Wedding

but its worth watching.

And to round out the weekend

my REAL date took me to see

And it was EVEN BETTER the second time!

bwahaha

Thankfully

As my bountiful and blessed Thanksgiving draws to a close I am sitting in my mothers craft room watching her madly sew beautiful mittens together for the craft fair extravaganza that is Novemberfest -the steady hum of the sewing machine mixed with the whimsical sounds of my little monster and her grandfather watching The Wizard of Oz drifting down from upstairs - I am relaxed, reclining, and reflecting on just how blessed I am.

I mean really think about it folks. I am alive (which is no small feat) my little monster and I are both healthy and happy. We have a roof over our head as well as noisy upstairs neighbors that stay up till the wee hours of morn watching "The Office", giggling about boys and vaccuming but I digress. I am incredibly thankful this year that I have almost survived another semester meaning I am just that much closer to having my degree in .... well technically that is yet to be determined but as a super senior I am leaning towards History and Political Science.

I could go on and on and list everything and everyone I am thankful for but I know I would inevitably forget something or someone and I would hate to do that but I wanted all my friends, family and readers to know that I am thankful for them and all that they do for me and my Little Monster.

Thank You!

New and Improved

Can you tell which team am I rooting for?

{P.S. I just saw New Moon

and can I just say BRAVO

to the new director and screenwriters

this movie was so much better than the original

Twilight.

Bring on ECLIPSE!}

Abundance

Abundance - an extremely plentiful or oversufficient quantity or supply

As I contemplate abundance I think of the many things in my life that I have an abundant supply of dirty diapers, temper tantrums and dust. However, I know that was not the point of this Wordful Wednesday.

I do have an abundance of blessings in my crazy life and I am abundantly grateful for my abundance of blessings.

Although more recently I have felt as though I have been in a friend drought because many of my friends have moved away, but I really do have an abundance of friends just look at my facebook page ;-)

I have an apartment which is HOME and although I wish a few things were different ( a dishwasher would be nice and bigger closets would be an added perk ) I love it! I have my own bedroom, My Little Monster has her own bedroom and we are comfortable here!

I have a full bookshelf, with books that I enjoy!

My pantry and freezers are full and although the things in there require actual cooking if push comes to shove or we are just hungry we can whip something up and be fed.

Music. I love music and whether I am listening to the radio, cd's or even youtube I always have good music on and I am grateful for the abundance of music that is available to me.

I had access to an abundance of produce this summer between my garden, my mother's garden and the gardens of friends I was well stocked in fresh fruits and veggies all summer long.

I have an an abundance of LOVE in my life. My Little Monster generally has a loves for me, a hug or a slobbery kiss she is there to remind me that she loves me, even when I won't give her the candy she wants. My family loves me even when I am not so friendly but they stick by me anyway.

I do have an abundance of wonderful people and things in my life. :)

10 Influential people

The challenge for Wordfull Wednesday this week is:

"Think about those who have had a significant influence in your life.

Besides the Savior, Heavenly Father, and your family, list ten of the most important and influential people in your life. Write the reasons why they are and have been so important to you. Some of these will be people you have known, but some might be people you have only heard of or read about." (Mary Ellen Edmunds, Peculiar in a Good Way, pg.23)

- Drumroll Please -

1. Margaret Obray- Mrs. Obray was my high school AP US History and AP Government teacher. She currently IS my Teaching History professor. She is one of two people that have inspired me to pursue History as my degree. Ah, someone to blame! She masterfully captured my imagination and lead me to see that history is not just something that is in the past but it comes to life if told the right way.

2. Misty Dawn Smith McKay- I find it hard to think of a time when Misty was not a part of my life. She came into my life when I was not in such a great place and showed me to look on the bright side even when all I can see is darkness. She is such a strong willed person and faith that I can only dream of having. She loves with all her heart and although she can be out there at times I am so lucky to call her my friend.

3. Chantel Meghdadi- Chantel was my upstairs neighbor when I lived in Phoenix. She was the beautiful lady that was always sitting on the picnic table with a book in one hand and a glass of lemonade in the other we would say hello but it was her crazy cat, George, he attacked my living room screen window and would wander into my apartment whenever we left the door open. She invited me (and my then husband) up to her apartment to celebrate her birthday, we had salad and king crab legs, I had never had crab before it was such a unique experience and one I will not soon forget. We became fast friends and I realized that she wasn't just the lady with the crazy cat but a really amazing person. She and I would go out and eat cake for breakfast it was wonderful! We would watch random television shows together and she is the Brain to my Pinky.

4. Suzanne Barker- The woman that introduced me to Wizard of Oz and showed me that its okay to wonder what is over the rainbow.

5. Paula Deen- I aspire to be Paula Deen. I read her autobiography a few years ago and she had to overcome some incredibly rough circumstances to be where she is today but she always put her boys first and looked to her family for guidance. She strikes me as the type of woman whose heart and kitchen is always open to anyone that might need it.

6. (Insert Various Musicians here) be it my first crush ever Garth Brooks, or maybe it was *NSYNC, possibly even Keith Urban the music of these insanely gifted people has created the soundtrack to my life and their music is just as influential as the person singing it.

7. Gordon B. Hinckley- The prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, he was the prophet that I grew up with. His focus was on the youth of the church while I was a youth and I felt like whenever he was speaking he was speaking to me. I felt that he cared about ME even though we had never met. His Be talk, is something that I think about and strive to BE on a daily basis.

8. Emmaline Katherine Stanton- I know this sounds like a very random person to list. I mean especailly since she is a person I have made up but 9 out of 10 times Emmaline Katherine Stanton plays the heroine in the stories I weave to keep me sane. She is able to speak her mind, follow her heart, she is clever, creative and funny. She can do everything i can't and yes she can even play the piano by ear! She's amazing she has qualities that I hope one day I can have I see myself in her but a better version of myself.

9. Rachel Anne Godfrey- She has been my best friend since I was 12 even though she moved away in 10th grade we have stayed close through snail mail, email and long distance phone calls. Rachel helped support her family while growing up, working almost full time most of the way through high school and then worked while attending San Diego Community College. She got her associates degree and became an X-Ray Technologist AND an Ultrasound Tech. She shows me that it is possible to achieve your goals even when life seems to be doing everything it can to keep you from reaching them.

10. James Otthello Adams- I fell in love with Brother Adams when I was in high school. The gap of nearly 65 years in our ages didn't matter. He was my ideal man. He served in WWII on the homefront, looked great in a uniform and he adored his wife. He was the reason I passed 3 of my history classes and he is the reason I am so fascinated with "The Greatest Generation" because I really think he was one of the greatest. He lead by example and was one of the greatest men I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.

A Bowl Full of ???

What do you see when you look at this? Just a bowl full of apples? Or is it something more?

My mother dropped by the other day and made the comment that she has rarely been to my home when there has not been a bowl or bag full of apples sitting out. That comment is actually what inspired this post.

Apples are a big part of who I am. I LOVE them. My mother has told me numerous times that apples were one of the things she craved while she was pregnant with me and apples are one of my favorite things to munch on, alway have been. There are so many different types, varieties and shades of apples but like most things in my life I like to stick with the basics.

Granny Smith's are my favorite, the brilliant almost neon green the tangy, tart, firm apples call to me in the grocery store whether they are in season or not the can be my downfall at the checkout line. I remember one instance where I paid more than $20 for a bag of apples! Apples are my ultimate comfort food even before potatoes!

The intoxicating aroma of apples and cinnamon baking is one of my all time favorite fragrances. its one of the aroma's that is on my What Heaven Smells Like list - as well as orange blossoms, fresh baked bread and my grandmother's clean laundry.

When I see the bowl of apples sitting out on my counter its not only asthetically pleasing but it also generates a feeling of safety, like having a full pantry... it also brings about a feeling of excitement. What am I going to do or create with these amazing apples? I see potential for an array of wonderful and delicious things! Maybe just a quick snack of sliced apples with a bit of nutella (Which by-the-way has got to be one of the greatest things on earth!) or perhaps I will whip up a dense apple cake with a carmel creme en glaze, an apple cobbler or crisp or my typical and favorite apple creation DEEP DISH APPLE PIE!

So you see this is not just a bowl full of apples, it is a bowl full of who I am and a bowl full of hope.

To the Park

Today is probably one of the last days we will get to hang out at the park before it is blanketed in a thick layer of that chilly blanket that is snow. She was content staying in last winter because she was not so mobile but now, she's all over the place and wants to get into everything! Does anyone have any stellar ideas as to where the little monster and I can play and get some exercise once the snow hits?

Its A Small World

I live in Cache Valley. We are famous for our cheese, LDS Temple and poor air quality during the winter. "The Valley" as those who live here call it, has approximately 112,616 people. Plus Utah State Universities student population 23,000 during the school year. Yes its not a great buzzing metropolitain area but for having a small town life its a pretty big place. Keep this in mind as I continue our dialouge.

I will admit to dabbling in online dating every now and then, no I do not think I'm going to meet my true love online -been there done that- but its a good way to meet new and interesting, granted sometimes scary people but follow common sense rules and your good.

The online "dating" has been pretty hit or miss this go round. A few messages here or there but nothing very consistent or noteworthy (okay there may have been ONE that was noteworthy but after the first real date and him not having contacted me since... his 3 day limit is up tomorrow... there really has been nothing else to report.) The one bright spot that has been pretty consistent for a couple of weeks has been a younger gentleman I have been corresponding with.

Our banter always entertaining and fun it was a "just friends" relationship which I am totally okay with but when we decided to take our friendship to the next level -Facebook- I noticed we had a friend in common. And ladies and gentlemen THIS is when I knew that my new friendship would no longer be. My heart sank as I realized that this online rapport was doomed.

This young gentleman is my ex husband's roommate!

When he realized who I was he sent me a very nice email stating that its against guy code to go out with a current friends ex, have a nice life.

Nice huh?

Add two midterm exams, two inches of snow, being over drawn, a sliver, the beginnings of a migraine and a child that does not want to go to bed and I have had an excellent day.

Curse this small valley I live in!

The Count of Monte Cristo

Sorry for being absent folks I have had swine flu and midterms. I will finish up midterms on Tuesday afternoon, after that you can expect an awesome post on the current goings on, excitement and insights from this rambling mama.

I took some time out of studying tonight to enjoy a movie with a friend, the movie is one I haven't watched in a while but I remembered why I enjoyed it so much. It's full of intrigue, deception, love, lust, courage, adventure and the quest for revenge!

If you have not watched this. You should rush out right now buy it, because lets face it if you rent it your just wishy washy and you know that buying this movie will be worth it in the end its just that good. And after you have seen this I ask you, is revenge something that you strive for? or is forgiveness more of what you are willing to give?

Second Star To the Right?

When was the last time you had blissfully been going along through life and then all the sudden WHAM everything you thought you knew was right seems to be all wrong? You know that awful feeling you got when you were a child and you discovered that Peter Pan is not real, to find out that the second start to the right, and straight on till morning doesn’t really get you anywhere, there is no place called Neverland, and that Fairies do not in fact exist? (Well maybe the fairies not existing part may be a little harsh but you catch my drift… Right? I will clap and say I do believe in fairies as soon as I am finished writing my blog, promise.)

This feeling is NOT a fun one to experience and as we grow older we become wearier of the world and this feeling happens less and less for many of us. Right? I guess there are those few people that are eternal optimists and will believe anything you tell them but for the most part as we grow older there are fewer and fewer things we know, as unbelievable as they are, give us faith that there is hope for those things that seem so unbelievable.

I am a person that desperately strives to believe in people and really, with all my heart, wishes to believe that people as a whole are -for the most part- good and are not out to deceive you but, every once in a while I am afraid that certain things hit me hard and I find it difficult to have little or any faith in humanity.

As many of you may or may not know I am divorced and I admittedly feel a little cheated in the hand I have been dealt but that is a TOTALLY different post, back to the topic at hand, as a divorcee I find I look at most relationships from the outside looking in with the glass half empty kind of view. I am a cynic when it comes to a relationship who isn’t? There is NO way that those people could possibly be that happy but I had ONE couple that I honestly and truthfully believed that they could be “the perfect couple” they were my ideal. Beautiful together, wholesome, loving, compassionate, and the list goes on and on. As hard as I looked I could not find anything wrong with their relationship. They of course did not know that they were my ONE hope for the happy ending kind of love you see in the movies. They, in my mind, had it all. They talked nicely to one another, they were passionate about similar things, and they really honest and truthfully LOVED one another in every essence of the word.

Well like the child that has just found out that they are never going to have the chance to visit Neverland or battle with captain hook, my delusional world of a perfect love/marriage has come crashing down when I discovered that my power couple is getting a divorce.

My heart breaks for them but secretly and selfishly my heart breaks for me too because what now do I have to believe in?

I Laughed Till I Cried

I was up way too late tonight perusing the internet and I noticed a friend posted a link to funnyexamanswers.com and this one struck me. The professor is a genius!

His professor sent him an e-mail the following day:

Dear Michael,

Every year I attempt to boost my students’ final grades by giving them this relatively simple exam consisting of 100 True/False questions from only 3 chapters of material. For the past 20 years that I have taught Intro Communications 101 at this institution I have never once seen someone score below a 65 on this exam. Consequently, your score of a zero is the first in history and ultimately brought the entire class average down a whole 8 points.

There were two possible answer choices: A (True) and B (False). You chose C for all 100 questions in an obvious attempt to get lucky with a least a quarter of the answers. It’s as if you didn’t look at a single question. Unfortunately, this brings your final grade in this class to failing. See you next year!

May God have mercy on your soul.

Sincerely,
Professor William Turner

P.S. If all else fails, go with B from now on.
B is the new C

Conversations With Myself

Its quarter to two and although I am exhausted I am still WIDE awake.

Oh sure I could take my sleeping medicine that the doctor prescribed but that would be the easy way out of keeping myself company.

When it gets this late I tend to let my mind wander and I can tend to carry out incredibly long conversations with myself about absolutely nothing at all.

For instance. I get to thinking to myself

Self: I think you really should finish that afghan you started last year.
I: But I am not really any good at crocheting, it will end up looking like a snake!
Self: I don't like snakes, oh gosh do you remember when Dad ran over that rattler and then tried to stop to pick it up so he could have the skin?
I: We were on our way home from the cabin. Man, I miss the cabin. Do you remember when we used to use that loom to make potholders.
Self: Jared was the best at making the potholders (aside: Mom even still has one, gosh its got to be 20 years old by now. )
I: Oh, I'm so excited that Jared and Monica are going to have another baby, they heard the heartbeat yesterday you know.
Self: I know! Mikey thinks its a boy.
I: I am so glad I had a little girl, little boys scare me.

And this is just an excerpt of my way of thinking to myself... does anyone even remember what started this whole conversation?

Maybe if I just take 1/2 a pill it won't be so bad right?

Who Am I?

I have had a great time playing with this
new thing called Wordle its great fun and
makes one feel more creative than they probably
 really are but I  thought it was worth a go.
 I hope you have as much fun as I did.

I Am Too Nice

I was having a conversation with a new friend last night and during this conversation she confessed that she thought I was, "The kind of person that will go help another person no matter what. I mean come on Em, you are still nice to ____ (fill in the blank with a list of people I probably should not even give the time of day to anymore). I mean REALLY I don't know how you do it, if I had been put through what you went through with ____ I would not even be able to talk to him. Let alone be nice and help him when he asks for it."

- I am not saying this to toot my own horn, its what another friend of mine has told me is my "Greatest character flaw," then quickly added, "But its a great one to have!" I say this more as a way to prove my point.

There are some people in my life that Heaven Help Me I still talk to and associate with that we ALL know I shouldn't but my tender heart can't seem to cut them out of my life. I have tried but these "Underdogs" ~for lack of a better word~ have a special place in my heart. I can't just be mean and NOT help. I DON'T know how to tell them No or not respond when they call, write, text or whatever. I have been told that I am tenderhearted and compassionate but is it possible to be too much of these things?

I ask these questions today because I have been thinking about it a lot today. Why today? Well I was told by someone I trust whole heartedly that one of the aforementioned Underdogs has been saying some really unsavory things about me. They are unfounded and the people he has been telling these things to have dismissed them as someone just trying to make trouble for me but really, I have been nothing but nice to this person its true that we have had our disagreements but I have gone above and beyond would be expected of me when it comes to this person.

So I guess my question is, What do I do? Do I stop being so nice?

Prunus Persica

I have had a hankering for peaches lately. I don't know what it is about the fuzzy little things but they have been calling to me... "Auntie Em... Auntie Em, come and eat me Auntie Em!" I was out at my mother's house and we set out with the intent to can the peaches but alas we were given a recipe for freezer peaches, you soak them in a slurry of lemon, pineapple, and orange juice. Well as soon as we tasted the peaches, after a quick dip in the slurry, the idea of canning them quickly went out the window. We washed, peeled, sliced and bagged 3 boxes of peaches and had less than 5 that had to be thrown out! *Beware of the Blue Hand!*

Escape Together

If you were to see this on the back of a semi would you follow it till it stopped?
If you are anything like me the ONLY answer to this question is a resounding YES!

I had the awesome privilege to see the amazing, inspiring, guitar genius Keith Urban.

This was my fifth Keith Concert and can I say the man just gets better as time goes on. The first concert of his that I went to I took my mother and sister and we had last row seats. I have since become a better ticket finder and well lets just say I have been MUCH closer for the other concerts.

Keith was at the top of his game. Although the sound was a bit intense the ear plugs which are a must helped immensely. There was nothing about the show I would have changed. (Well, besides getting rid of everyone else and having a one on one show just me and Keith alone in a hotel room me Keith and a guitar.)

Back to reality. The show was great! My little monster accompanied my little sister (Antena) to the show and thoroughly enjoyed her first concert. Kiss a Girl is her favorite song and every time it comes on she dances and although Kiss a Girl was closer to the end of the set list than it was to the beginning she perked right up and LOVED it!



Keith's guitar skills were sharp and the beautiful guitars he played were almost as entertaining as he was. I mean seriously he tickled the insanely gorgeous Shattered Gibson guitar that was mad especially for him with such finesse that the sounds created by the practiced fingers were nothing short of glorious.
My favorite song of the night had to be You'll Think of Me the last verse/bridge of the song struck a chord. "Yeah... When your laying alone in the middle of the night wishing I was there to hold you tight
that's when you're going to think about me baby
yeah in the middle of the night when your lying alone
baby your wishing I was coming home
but I'm ain't ever coming home
you shouldn't have treated me this way
hey yeah oh yeah yeah yeah
Why did you go and break my heart
didn't you know how much I loved you?
Someday baby... when you see my face I hope it gives you hell!"

My feelings EXACTLY!!! The concert was awesome and Keith played the crowd as well as he played his many guitars. It was a GREAT rollercoaster of emotions anevery second of the ride was thrilling! Till we meet again Keith... keep doing that awesome thing you do!

Excitement Abounds

Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

This looks SOOOO much better than Twilight, new director and its NOT so Dark!!! I'm excited...are you?

Seeing Double... or More?

I was surfing today and came across this.

Its fun to listen to if not anything else.

Random Monday Snapshot.

Today this is my random snapshot.
This is my Mother.
Isn't she lovely?
I get MY smile from her. :-)
She stopped by this afternoon with my nephew.
We walked across the street to feed the ducks that live in the canal.
We had a fun little few moments.
It was just a quick visit but we had lots of fun.

The Scarlet Pimpernel

I had the great opportunity to see The Scarlet Pimpernel production at the Hale Center Theater in Salt Lake City last weekend and this is the first chance I have had to sit down and actually write about it.

My book club read The Scarlet Pimpernel a few months ago and then found out that the musical would be playing in Salt Lake so we as a book club decided that we would all love to go. I knew the story and familiarized myself with the music so when the show arrived I would be ready.

If you are not familiar with the story line the basic jist of it is a tangled web of love deceit and redemption all entwined within the throws of the French Revolution. I am slightly frightened to admit to even reading this novel let alone enjoy the musical because my favorite history professor that I took French Revolution from would throw a fit, because, "The Scarlet Pimpernel is so far from what actually took place its not even funny!" That said, The Scarlet Pimpernel probably one of the most entertaining musicals I have EVER seen. I can't remember the last time I laughed that hard.

The man playing Percy/The Scarlet Pimpernel was insane I have never witnessed anyone be able to pull off two completely different personalities so well. If there had been room I would have been rolling on the floor because I was laughing so hard.

The ONLY part of the show I found lacking and it had nothing to do with the actors themselves but I feel that the show itself lacks a truly great love song, sure there are touching moment but no "All I Ask of You" or "As Long As You're Mine" nothing that really sticks to your heart well no love songs anyway... The passion that "Into the Fire"
or the great comedy that "Creation of Man" this version is rough but its worth watching to get the idea of the absolute hilarioty. ensues is absolute pleasure.

It was in a word. Delightful.

Now the question is...what shows have you seen lately that were enjoyable?

3775

I have 3775 pictures in my iPhoto library and thanks to my Duplicate Annihilator its no longer 4958! I recently transferred from one computer to another and due to that process I ended up have duplicates of more than a 1,000 pictures. Unfortunately iPhoto does not immediately find duplicates on its own but Duplicate Annihilator is a very reasonably prices program. $7.95 with tax it was $8.47 eight and a half bucks is totally worth HOURS of my time combing my iPhoto library trying to purge doubled photos.

It is Time for...

my semi-annual reading of two wonderful Richard Peck books. I read these books three or four times a year. Always re-read them just as school is starting or at the beginning of fall. I typically start with A Long Way From Chicago because its the first of the two books, A Year Down Yonder is the sequel. These books bring to life my imagination and always spark the fantastic within me. They also remind me very much of my Grandmother. They never cease to delight. I had to actually buy a new copy because my old one was almost unreadable so dog earred and marred from use. I hope if you are looking for an entertaining read that you will pick these up.

Salvation

I have been really on edge lately. Nothing and I mean NOTHING
has been going my way. School sucks, my books still aren't here,
I have a very cranky tooth cutting 19 month old, an ex that has no
desire to be helpful and I feel like I can't win. Speaking of my cranky,
little monster she just woke up screaming I should go but first I should let you know
One week from tomorrow... my salvation arrives in the form of: and I was just told I have tickets!
I LOVE YOU CINDY! THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Now to the crying child.

My Past Coming Back to Haunt Me

As you have probably noticed from previous blogs in High School (I am slightly embarrassed, yet proud at the same time) I was a TeenyBopper. I LOVED all things PoP

*N SYNC, Britney, Christina, The WB {which is now the CW} TRL and the list could go on and on. Music however was my mainstay and as I have mentioned before *N SYNC was my life and although I was an *N SYNC fan through and through, I also enjoyed the Backstreet Boys music I know to many *N SYNC fans this was treason but I could apprecaite good music when I heard it besides most of it was written by the same people that wrote *N SYNC's stuff sure as they grew as artists they began to write more of their own but the stuff that got you hooked was all written by the same people Max Martin being the only name I can think of off the top of my head.

My little monster and I were on the way home from the Home Depot and I was flipping through radio stations because my CD player is broken and I actually enjoy the radio. {Yes! I still listen to good old fashioned, regular, non-satilite radio with commercails and everything} Then much to my surprised and utter delight the DJ announced the next song was the new single from the Backstreet Boys forth coming October 6th release off their 7th studio album This Is Us. Straight Through the Heart (Soldier Down) is the single and its incredibly rabbitty for BB what is rabbity? Hip Hoppy ~ sometimes I crack myself up ~ Its a pretty good tune catchy and has a good beat.

I just checked out the music video on youtube and it won't let me post it here but click on the link and you too can enjoy a pretty interesting take on this song. And guess what they are DANCING!!! Back in full force and doing the synchronized pop lock stuff that made them so famous. Its insanely awesome! I'm giddy to tell you the truth. I hate to sound cliche but Backstreet Boys said it themselves so well... Backstreets Back ALRIGHT! he he he.

An Oscar Kind of Day

*sigh*

Its been an incredibly long day. Why?
To start off with I didn't get to bed until way to late, my little monster was up and down three times, and then to top off an already cruddy night of seep I was rudely awakened two hours before my alarm was scheduled to go off because my upstairs neighbors apparently thought that I wanted to listen to garbage cans banging together in a steady clang clang bang sound.
Earplugs and pillows pressed over my ears did NOT stop the thumping.
I was seriously ready to march up there and strangle her but I did NOT want to sound like the grouchy old neighbor but after weeks of them STOMPING around and a few vacuuming after MIDNIGHT incidents I am afraid I'm going to have to say something.
I have already been up once to ask them to stop pounding things into the wall after 10pm because they had woken up my little monster I was furious. So how do I politely ask them to quite down without sounding like old Oscar up there?

Random Monday Snapshot

USU got back into swing today. I am a full time student this go around, I'm horrified. I don't start till tomorrow but I got ready but babysitting my neighbors daughter. We are trading children. I get his little girl Monday, Wednesday, Friday and he will take my little monster on Tuesdays and Thursdays. So I'm back to school tomorrow. This is the first time in 4 years that I will actually be on campus... 4 years you say... shouldn't you have your degree by now... well truth be told I have been a senior for the last 4 years I haven't been going full time and the few classes I have been taking I have had to take a few times Math and I don't mix.

ANYWAY, the point of the pictures was to remind all to stop and notice the little things in life. How often do we stop to smell the roses or whatever flowers they might be and notice the little things. Like the bumble bees. I have been uber stressed (so much so I have gotten an ulcer) and I have to constantly remind myself to stop and take a moment to appreciate the little things.

Confessions of a Super Fan

If you know me at all you know that when I like something/someone I tend to go a little bit overboard. Some would label me with words like preoccupied, or maybe even obsessed but I prefer loyal, hopeless devoted, passionate things more along those lines... Why do I bring this up?

Well my little "obsessions" started a LONG time ago with good ole' Garth Brooks, I was six and I LOVED his cowboy boots, hat and music. I was going to marry him. I didn't care that he was 20 some odd years older than me I adored him. I cried when my dad told me that his show sold out in 10 minutes and I didn't get to go!

Then came *NSYNC... The *NSYNC portion of my life lasted from the summer before 9th Grade throughout the rest of high school... I spent way too much $$$ on para-FAN-illa on these guys. EVERY magazine I could get my hands on. 15 CD's and countless others things. Scary yes but i LOVE (d) them... Still do... I'm still hoping for a come back tour... so if any of the former members of *NSYNC read my blog PLEASE come back... I MISS YOU! Joshua Scott Chasez *sigh* he still makes me get all dreamy.

Keith Urban & Gerard Butler were next on the list and they kind of overlapped. Its those darned accents they get me EVERY time! Keith my favorite Aussie, got married (I don't know if I will EVER recover from that heartbreak) and Gerry hit the big time...he's a bonafied movie star now and I LOVED him back when he was Merrik but I do have to say he is just getting better with age.


Why all this talk of former men of my dreams? Have I mended my ways? Grown up and decided that now since I am quickly approaching my quart of a century mark I should put away the foolish musings of my past and grow up?

Fat Chance!


I do all of this reminiscing because after much consideration I have decided that it is time to another man to the list... Ladies and Gentleman

Alexander Skarsgard

To my Friends and Family : You have been warned.