We Moved!

Okay, we didn't really move... more like we are on an extended vacation. Except that hopefully we will both be working. Regan started working today for an attorney in Richmond and it sounds like he is going to get a ton of hands-on experience. I'm not positive what I will be doing...still working on that. We moved in with my parents yesterday and we are both excited to be doing something new. And I'm also excited because my parents have cable : )

Of course I am looking forward to my usual stops:

The Byrd Theater. (Though the seats may be slightly uncomfortable, you can't beat a $2 movie... with an opener that features and organist that emerges from beneath the stage!)

The "fancy" Arby's as we like to call it. Yes there is such a thing. And yes, they do have hedges trimmed in the shape of animals in the parking lot. I haven't been back here my last few visits but I feel like it should at least get a shout out on the blog.

Monument Avenue. That's all I have to say about that.

Pony Pasture. It is a rite of passage for all those who come to visit, I think.

My alma mater... gotta stop by good ole Mills E. Godwin. Or at least take a jog on the track...

Stony Point Mall. Okay, this is a picture of some other random child I found on google (scary, I know) but it looks similar to some pics I had of my nieces that got deleted off my computer so I figured it was ok to borrow. Evie turned 3 yesterday so we are having a party at the mall for her today. The fountain at SPM is really fun... for kids, not so much for me. I just like going to Anthropology.

Short Pump Town Center. Its funny that I'm excited for the malls considering I don't have any extra money to spend right now... but it will be nice to have an Apple Store nearby. And of course I always love to stop in at H&M.



Ukropies! I love love love going to Ukrop's any time of the day. Best grocery store ever. (Although, I will say that my Harris Teeter is close in the running b/c it has much better sales.) Except that I think Ukrops is more than Just a grocery store. The cafe has such yummy food and their desserts are my favorite. I tell everyone how great Ukrop's is but you really can't fully appreciate it until you go there yourself.

Wish me luck on my quest to find summer employment!

OBX 2008

We had such a fun time at the beach with my family. It was a major bummer coming home and having to get back to reality. I wish we could go on a permanent vacation.

Some highlights (in no particular order):

1) Probably my favorite conversation of the week was on the first night when I was sitting in the living room with Denton and Leo. Leo was telling me that she liked math and Denton told her she should show me her math skills. Leo said ok and then turned to me and said "Twenty" in this hilarious-dramatic- almost seductive voice. I laughed about it all week long.

2) Burying the kids in the sand... and Regan too! (Sorry, Regan jumped up just before his picture was taken b/c one of the kids accidentally kicked sand into his mouth :)3) Braving the freezing water at the beach. It wasn't so bad by the end of the week, or maybe we just got used to it. Next time we want to bring boogy boards. I know you are dying to see pics of Regan and I at the beach but I couldn't find any of us from and when we went with the kids and although we went several other times, we never brought our camera. We also didn't take our camera when we went to the light house and met some really nice Mennonites. (Also a highlight.) Maybe next time?

4) Making "the best chicken tacos my dad has ever had". I don't have a picture of the tacos but here is Clayton making the salsa.5) Taking the beach cruisers for a spin with Regan (it has been YEARS since I rode a bike and yet I could still do it!) and now I totally want to buy a bike- with a bell and a basket. I do have a picture of me on the bike but I have not uploaded it... I'll have to add that one later. Or maybe you can just imagine it.

6) Playing Big Booty, the strip game, and mafia... ok, not really mafia, I guess... but I felt like I should just put it down to document that we did it. But mostly, just getting to hang out with my crazy family.7) Taking this hilarious picture of Evie during the road rally:
8) Getting to play with all of my nieces and nephews and getting to meet my newest niece, Tess. By the end of the week I was even getting used to waking up that early : )9) Watching Felix try to play anyone and every one at Chess. (Here he is teaching 2 year old Maddox how to play.)10) Girl time.
11) Thanks to Clayton, I realized that I forgot to add "Johns" to the list. Not necessarily the best milkshake I've ever had (although definitely one the of pricier) but getting to hang out with Clayton is always a good time. We went here on Saturday afternoon and by that time most of my family had already started for home. We spent the last afternoon/night hanging out and talking with Denton, Marissa, Clayton and his friends which of course was a nice way to end the very eventful week.
I can't wait for next year's reunion!!

He made it...

Regan officially finished his first year of law school on Wednesday. We are now working on trying to forget the misery that is FINALS. He was relentless when it came to studying and I know that all of his hard work is going to pay off. All I can say is WHEW!! I'm glad it is all over.

This year had flown by, I seriously can't believe how fast it went. But I am grateful to be on to the summer, the beach, and hopefully a lot more free time.

And now the countdown:
Romans Reunion 2008 in 2 days!

If only my car ran on diet cherry seven up...

A few weeks ago I was checking out at Teeter (that's my really clever slang for Harris Teeter, my favorite local grocery store) and after scanning and bagging my loot at the self-checkout I grabbed my receipt and the coupon that prints out at the end when you do self-checkout. The coupons that print out aren't normally that great... but every once in a while there is one worth using. On this particular trip it was for $1 off a Diet 7UP product. I thought that was decent but didn't think of it again until a week later a noticed that the Diet 7UP 2 liters were on sale for a buck... "Awesome, I'm totally going to get a free 2 litler." So I grab it and head to the self-checkout where at the end of my purchase another '$1 off a Diet 7UP product' coupon prints out. "That's kinda funny" I think as I head back to grab another soda, because I figure I might as well.

But is doesn't end there. It keeps printing out every time I "buy" a Diet 7UP! I went back the next day because I had to return the redbox I rented the previous day and I realized that the sale was ending and figured that would be the end of it. And it was... until I looked at the ad yesterday and now diet 7UP is on sale for $0.88. So really, I save about 12 cents on my groceries by choosing to buy soda.

I feel compelled to keep getting them every time I go to Teeter. And I keep thinking that if this keeps up I will never have to spend money on diet 7UP again! The funny thing is, I don't even love the stuff... which is why I discovered that the coupon also works on diet cherry 7Up- which I LOVE.

What's for dinner?

Ever since the demise of our Crockpot (I'll save that story for another post another day...) my dinner routine has been in a slump. I really rely on my crock a lot... it makes my life so easy when I can just dump something in it during my lunch break and have it ready when I get home. Now, it seems like EVERYTHING I ever want to cook needs a crockpot, even though I am sure that I cooked food without it before it "died".

Lately, since I have yet to go and buy another one, it seems like 5 o'clock rolls around before I finally get around to asking, "Sooooo... what do you want for dinner?" Usually Regan responds with either, "Whatever's clever" or "Something good." Thanks. That helps a lot. Not.

For the most part I don't like to be told what to do... but when it comes to dinner sometimes I like a little direction. (But only sometimes. There are PLENTY of times that I tell Regan to get out of my kitchen : ) I get bored trying to come with an exciting idea that is a) inexpensive b) healthy c) not just a variation of the same things we have every week.

Last night I decided that I would have plan today...(one that would mix up my other routine of fixing chicken everyday) which meant that when I went on my lunch break today I would get out some pork chops that we bought at Costco and marinade them the rest of the afternoon. Not exactly a well thought out plan since I didn't really consider what I would marinate them in until we came home for lunch. Luckily, Regan is the master of the kitchen and he helped me devise a plan. Except, even though I decided to follow his plan step-by-step, I'm still a little nervous for the outcome.

The lineup: 1/4 c. Coke zero (I'm just guessing that is about how much I poured in) 1 tbs soy sauce (again these are made up measurements) 2 short squirts of lime juice, three dashes of garlic salt... and I think that's all. I drew the line when he called out to add brown sugar since I am anti mixing the sweets with my meats. All in all, I have to say the concoction didn't smell that good. But, I have faith in Regan's abilities in the kitchen, so I am willing to try it. (I like coke with lime, and I've had soy sauce and lime on chicken... I'm just not committed to them all together.) Who knows... maybe we have a winner on our hands. Only time will tell. But I really just wish that I could have thrown them in my crockpot. Siiigh.

I can only imagine what it will be like when I have to come up with a dinner plan and THEN try to get my kids to eat it. Sorry mom for all those nights that I said, "Chicken and rice? Again? I hate chicken and rice." Or when it was just the two of us, "LEFTOVERS? I hate leftovers. Why don't we just go El Paso tonight?" And I'm even sorrier for the nights that I sat at the table and wouldn't eat my broccoli unless I had some milk to help me swallow it. Because, I actually like chicken and rice now. And broccoli (before if gets cooked too long). And even left overs.

Anyway, I'll keep y'all updated on the results. I know you are all on the edge of your seats. Bon Appetite!

**Warning: this post contains photos that may be too graphic for the weak hearted**

Last Wednesday at about 10pm I got a call from Regan telling me he sprained his ankle. Of course, me being the ever-nurturing wife that I am, (and Regan being the eternal prankster) I responded with, "Oh, really? that's too bad" (just to cover my bases, ya know?) and then quickly added, "Are you lying?"

He wasn't lying.

But, honestly, I wasn't really sure that I believed it until our friend, Andrew, brought home my gimpy husband. He could barely get through the door and to the couch. For the past week he has had to use crutches on and off and a walking cast. He is now hobbling along on his own (or with just the soft brace). Poor guy... that ankle has been through a LOT!

Other than the fact that I didn't really believe him because I thought he was trying to play another one of his April fool's jokes on me (and for some reason I had this gut feeling that he was faking it so he could come home from basketball early with ice cream in hand just to hang out... I swear, I thought I was going to get a hot fudge sundae out of the deal), I think I have been fairly compassionate the past week.

So now, just a few seven days later and we are well on our way to recovery... or at least he is. I will be once I get a nap... taking care of my invalid husband is exhausting!

Here are some pics of the healing process. Just when we think it can't bruise anymore... it gets oh-so-much grosser. Regan seems to think it is cool... meanwhile, I'm just trying to keep back my lunch.

"It Is Possible To Be Both Poor And Happy..."

Seriously.

Okay, okay, I wouldn't consider myself poor. I mean, all of my immediate needs are definitely taken care of (if we are strictly interpreting "needs" that is...) and I really am so grateful for all I have been given. I have so many blessings, many of which I neglect to count each day.

But, I saw that quote while surfing the net and thought it was fitting, especially considering my state of mind, as of late. A few months ago, my mom sent me an article called Enjoy A Richer Life and I have been thinking about it on and off since then. The article talks about how materialistic our society has gotten and how easy it is to get caught up in and how we could all be much happier to step away from it all. When you really start the think about how much society's emphasis on physical possessions (or even worldly experiences) permeates our lives... it is almost overwhelming.

Mostly, I start thinking about this article on a day when my own "needs" start to get overwhelming. I thought it was appropriate to post about today because I have been assembling a very long list of some "want-needs" or in other words, items that I 'want to need'. I thought a post about deciphering the two would keep this material girl at bay. (Do I need to remind you all how long my list was for "If I suddenly became a billionaire"?)

I think I am quick to point fingers at others, whose purchasing power seems to exceed mine, and ignore my own bad tendencies. But really, materialism isn't always about what you have, I think it is a state of mind. Anyone, at any level, can get consumed by the wanting and become starry eyed by the 'looking-up' at what others have, because someone will always have more of something else. I know it isn't bad to want nice things, but I think it can get in the way of some other really important things that we should be doing with with our time, money, and energy. My father-in-law can often be heard reminding us all that "You'll never see a U-haul following a hearse".

I liked this article because it was helpful in making me think about staying grounded amidst all of my "needing". The article ends with a list to help you inventory your life and then improve upon some points you may be lacking in. I thought they were great so I am reposting the list (the actual article goes into more detail and is worth taking a look at):

1. Be aware of your benchmark and comparison points.

2. Resist “parental peer pressure.”

3. Realize there is a price to be paid for living the gospel, and some of it is financial.

4. Refresh your gospel perspective about material possessions.

And now that I feel sufficiently grounded... back to my list!

And the countdown begins...

The semester is winding down... and not a minute to soon! I cannot believe how fast the school year has gone. I can hardly catch my breath... which might be due to the fact that I've been holding it, wishing that it would be summer and playtime again. As Regan has been holing up in the library more and more I am getting ever-more anxious to get the party started.

So, 5 more weeks until we go to Duck, NC with my fam for week-long extravaganza where we will all (yes, all 21 of us) be staying together in the house pictured above. I'm looking forward to the chaos. I mean fun.

Regan finishes with finals the week before so I am sure we will both be ready to celebrate. I'll try to keep my excitement to a dull roar until then.

On a slightly different note, tonight is what I have termed "Monday Movie Night". (Yes, I realize it is not that cool to have a theme night for one... but I like a good theme night.) I signed up on RedBox.com and have been getting coupon codes text to me every Monday for a free movie. I know it is only $1 savings, but it has been great for a) staying entertained even though we don't have cable and b) keeping busy while folding laundry or finishing Bloom orders and c) filling the void since Final's Crackdown 2008 began.

FYI: today's freebie code is JC10LK

Don't you hate it when something is sooo obviously staring you in the face and you just don't see it?

I just got REALLY embarrassed in a classroom at work this morning. The professor asked me to help him connect his computer (something I have done several times for this particular professor in this particular classroom, as well as a million other times in a million different settings.) So, I get down there and couldn't figure it out. Honestly, I had to go get my boss while saying, "I have no idea what is going on" in front of the class. So my boss comes all the way down, looks at it, and pushes one button...which of course fixes the thing. Duh. I felt like an idiot and turned 50 shades of pink. I wanted to dissolve- if only momentarily. Haha, oh well. I tried to play it off but that didn't really work either.

I'm going to hide in my half cubicle for the rest of the day... that's right folks, I only have 1/2 a cubicle to hide in.

Don't you just love Mondays?

The Church of Oprah

I know many of you may gasp as you read this... but I really have a bone to pick with Oprah. I got off work a little early today and was psyched to get to catch a few minutes here and there of her show while I was making dinner. (Although, I was severely disappointed by her show today... more on that later.)

I have read some articles where Oprah is compared to a religious icon and I totally believe that she has sort of become one in her own way. Its almost as if she touches something and it turns to gold. In conversations I, myself, my have even been know to say, "Yeah, I heard it on Oprah" as if that gives whatever topic a sense of finality... because Oprah speaks truth.

I honestly don't know what it is about her that has made her into the empire that she is today. Why is there such a fascination and why do we all give her so much credit? Granted, I know that she does some good in the world. I don't doubt that... but somehow I am uncomfortable with the power society, women especially, have given her.

So, back to today's episode: She had Salma Hayek on talking about her new baby and her "perfect" life with a fiance that she is happy to not marry right away. To her, not getting married meant that she could keep her "power" a little longer. It meant that her true love has to work a little harder each day to keep her. Oprah was just lapping this all up... they agreed that the contract of marriage was overrated... who did they need to prove anything to? Oprah said she had been engaged for 20 years and it has worked for her. Selma went on to say that being apart was better. When she is with her fiance she gives 1oo% to him... when she is away she gives 100% to her career, her baby, and herself... somehow that math didn't add up in my head, but whatever...

There is a great speech from the Heritage website here. One portion of it that I really liked:

In its essence, marriage is a selfless act. It is the act of giving oneself to somebody else and becoming one.

Of course, it is impossible for two people to unite and remain separate. And since the essence of marriage is selflessness in a self-centered society, it faces opposition from today's popular culture.

Would anyone else consider Oprah a wolf in sheep's clothing? That may sound harsh but I think it is an interesting point. I think she does so many good things in the world but I think sometimes there are some half-truths mixed in. I'm not saying that we should all ban Oprah from our DVR (oh, if only I had DVR!) I'm just thinking it would be smart to be savvy to all messages we take in. I don't think we necessarily have to discredit her as a whole because she has some crazy notions... just be mindful that not everything we hear is a fact... just because Oprah speaks it.

Anyway, I thought I'd just spout that out... cause I feel like marriage is really undervalued these days and that is just too bad if you ask me. And, while I'm on the subject, I'd also like to put a plug in for the Proclamation on the Family.

p.s. I hope you are not irrevocably offended that I just talked some smack, marissa!

Welcome Mom!

I've been helping my mom work on creating her own blog and I think that she is finally ready for the big unveiling. So check her out here: http://suziesoda.blogspot.com/

I think she has done a great job at learning how to do some really cool stuff. (You should especially check out all her fun music... she did that all by herself.) Welcome to the wonderful world of blogging Suz!

I'm an Aunt... again!

My brother and sister-in-law just had their FOURTH baby today. WAY TO GO MELISSA! More details will have to follow since I have very limited information right now. But, I am super excited for them!

Ellie, Reagan, and Maddox are going to be sooo cute with that new baby.


Update: Oh yeah, haha... They had a baby girl! Thanks Kami... guess I forgot that detail. As far as I know they are still contemplating a name.

Apparently, this is the place to be today...

When we went to the mall tonight looking to score our own deal, I had completely forgotten that I had heard on the news that 'Deal or No Deal' was hosting and open casting call at our mall. The crowd was crazy. At first we couldn't figure out what was going on. I kept hearing all this commotion and I just thought to myself, what is making those teenage girls keep screaming? (Turns out there weren't really any teenagers there... just high pitched, overly excited locals.)

Some of the characters that pulled up on their Winnebago's were hysterical. I wonder if I could have convinced Regan to camp out with me? (Although, I think I would have been too eager to say, "Deal!" when the banker offered me $30K. I'm just not much of a risk taker!) Seriously though, it was like a party out there.

The fun didn't stop with Howie Mandel... Hillary Clinton was campaigning at the Y yesterday and I think Bill made a stop in the Dash today. Who knew that we lived in such a hot spot?!

My Home Improvement

My boss offered to give us some furniture that belonged his daughter who is moving out of state. Score for us! We got an entire bedroom set for free. I wasn't in love with the gold drawer pulls but with a quick stop at Walmart I was able to fix that for 97 cents (black spray paint... genious, right?) Not too shabby, if I may say so myself. We are LOVING the look of our new and improved bedroom. Not to mention our now clutter free closet. Thanks Ed!

I just saved 15% or more on my car insurance by swiching to Geico.

Sersiouly. haha.

Sorry for the lack of posts... I've been livin' it up over Regan's spring break. And by "living it up" I mean, of course, that I have been going to work every day. But, at least we have lots of time in the evenings to hang out and partaay. We've watched lots of movies, made cookies, gone running on a new trail, spent a ton of time laughing, and counting down the days until summer is here and finals are a distant memory.

Gotta love spring... and daylight savings!

I am slightly embarrased

...that I am even writing about this but I feel the need to explain my point of view. Haha, and its Friday and I don't have much else to do.

Before I begin: If you are not a fan of the Twilight series you really aren't going to want to keep reading this.

So, on to it: Jacob v. Edward
I have to admit that while I really did enjoy the first book (as a fun/quick/easy read) I wasn't convinced by the love story aspect. I just felt sort of so- so about it. Bella Swan seemed like a weak character and I wasn't all convinced that Edward was that great. She seems sooooo needy when she is with him and her obsession is kinda weird. Why would she want to be with some one who could kill her? Why would she give up her life as a human to be with him? Why would anyone want to be a vampire? If Edward REALLY loved her why would he constantly put her in danger?

More than anything I was really REALLY over her moaning and complaining about her being without Edward (whereas Jacob seemed like such a breath of fresh air) in the second book, so much so that I really wasn't in a rush to read the third book. I put my name on the waiting list at the library and was patiently biding my time (mind you I was like #80 on the list back in September). Then, when Kami realized I still hadn't read it she promptly mailed me her personal copy (thanks Kami!) I was so excited to have a new book to read. I finished it quickly and was slowly getting over my annoyance with Bella. I was almost convinced that Edward was the one while I was reading it. Almost. While I love this undying love they have for each other I'm not sure that I can consider it true love... it seems sort of superficial. Frankly, I would rather her end up with Jacob. He seems to care more about her happiness. She wouldn't have to change who she is to be with him, or give up her family to be with him, or be cold all the time. I mean, I don't want her to get with Jacob just because it is more practical or safe- I just wish that she could realize her deep feelings for him and not feel like she was settling for second best. I think he is a better match for her.

I think that Stephenie Meyer has really tried to paint a picture of an overly stereotypical teenage girl with all sorts of self doubt and I think any female can identify with that on some level. So of course we love the fact that the "coolest" guy in the book is head over heals in love with her... but why? I mean is the author trying to tell us that Bella has more worth than we give her credit for? Because I don't feel like Edward truly sees that. He says that he does but I can't help but wonder if it is just her scent that is luring him in.

Conversely, Jacob seems to just like Bella for who she really is. She doesn't have to filter her thoughts for him because she is afraid of him getting mad, like she does with Edward. And even though Jacob seems to keep losing Bella, he doesn't nose-dive into this whole self pity routine. He takes what he can get but also makes it clear what he wants.

Haha, I read this on some other blog:

Edward: Hi, I'm an 80-year-old vampire.
I have a constant urge to kill people. And I'm
a really controlling boyfriend!

Jacob: Hi, I'm really funny and nice and not
annoyingly conrolling. I'm a werewolf, which is
cool, an means that I don't kill people. Also, I'm
not stupidly noble. And I ride a motorcycle.

I don't think I've really analyzed a book this much since high school. Haha, and I love that this silly book about vampires is such a "hot" issue.

uuugh.

So I attempted to start filing our tax return and I just have to declare publicly that I HATE TAXES. I have never actually filed my own taxes (if you only new the grade I got in Accounting 200 you would understand why...) Before I got married my dad always did my taxes b/c they were fairly complicated. Then I got married and Regan did them.

Tonight I thought I would start our taxes by myself. I pulled out my files with my neatly stashed W-2s and other documents... thinking I would just enter the info and see my return climb higher and higher. Then Turbo Tax got the best of me. The free online version is so annoying. So I am taking a little break now to complain.

And now, especially since I've been dreaming about having a billion dollars all day, I would like to add 'hire a personal accountant' to my list. I know, I know, I'm getting a little long winded with my demands... but I am the billionaire so I do what I want.

tag

Ten years ago I was: let's see, it is now March... so i was probably half-way packed for girls camp in July, working on getting as many girl scout badges as I could have my mom to *glue* on to my sash (ohhh and making "Swaps" for my swap hat!!), babysitting every weekend, counting down the days until my first stake dance, spending a lot of time in bowling alleys (selling candy bars), wishing for braces, and crushing on every boy i had ever met.

And just because that was so fun...

Five years ago I was: counting down the days until I graduated high school, praying every night that I would get into BYU, writing essays for being late to early morning Seminary, loving trigonometry.

Three years ago to the day: I was going to an OKGO concert with Regan and Courtney and Devin. I had a huge crush on Regan but I was trying to play it cool. I started going to the library every day b/c I knew that is where he would be ( funny that those were also my worst semester grades in college) Three years ago this month we went on our first date and held hands for the first time. Awww...

One year ago... I was hoping that I would make it through my last month in college (I trying to do those stupid focus groups and having panic attacks that the recording equipment wasn't working AND I was taking my capstone class), getting nostalgic every time I went into the testing center, driving the big blue truck around campus, aaaaaand wondering if I could really work at 6 am every day in the summer. Oh, and I was desperate to know where we would be living this year.

My to-do list: clean my carpets, pretend like I am helping Regan with the taxes, talk to someone at schwab, get new couches, get my hair cut, watch Lost tonight, write my church talk, go to costco.

Bad habits- blowing my nose like a fog horn, not drinking enough water, using two q-tips every day instead of just one, getting stressed out about making really simple decisions.

Snacks I enjoy: popcorn (not microwave), diet pepsi, pink lady apples, Ukrop's chocolate pie (and anything else from ukrops), Costco strawberries.

If I suddenly got a billion dollars I would: buy a popcorn air popper, an iphone, a fancy digital camera, and new couches. Pay off Regan's school loans. Build 2 houses (one by each of our families, plus maybe a condo by a beach.) Give a couple million to each of our family members, donate to some causes that I have always wished I could afford to donate to, buy a jet for everyone in my family to share (I think we should share it just so we can keep it real, ya know) and I'd host cool vacations and fly all my friends in and I'd hire babysitters to watch the kids. I'd buy a private school (why not?) that taught Gospel principles but also included awesome classes like dance for gym class and all the sorts of things I would have loved to learn when I was in school (like welding!). All my nieces and nephews would want to go there and there would also be really cute uniforms. I think I'd also hire a personal assistant...(although, I am not sure what they would assist with) a chef, personal trainer, and a masseuse, oh and someone to organize my house and probably a maid to come and deep clean like once or twice a month...because if I have two houses I'm going to need that. (And cause I would LOVE for my house to look like this:)



I'd probably send a Christmas card to Oprah- just because I'd feel like I had to (b/c obviously by this point we'd be acquaintances) And I'd quit my job. I might buy Regan a horse but then I'd pay him to not make me ride it. I'd probably try to go green and organic (at least a little more than I am now) and shop at Whole Foods. But I think I might still use coupons b/c I hate to pay more than I have too. Strike that- I would have my personal assistant cut coupons. Oh, haha, and I would start a magazine that was sort of a mix between The New Era, Seventeen, and Martha Stewart Living... that was my dream when I was in high school. I'd also probably fund some movies... ones that would be really fun to watch, wholesome, but without being cheesy. I dream big, huh?

Places I've lived: East Moline, IL; B'ham, AL; Richmond, VA; Provo, UT; Washington DC; Winston-Salem, NC.

Jobs I've had: babysitter/nanny, pet sitter, Pepsi sales girl, Foam packer, Receptionist/filer, Nordstrom shoe sales girl, BRG interviewer, Paint mixer (can I count this one? b/c I did actually get hired... I just never ended up working there) 4-H after school leader, Classroom support representative, Event planning intern, flower shop girl (never really knew what my title was), Human Service Provider- HR temp, A/V technician. Birthday party coordinator. WOW- I can't believe all that...

Things you might not know about me: I drool (usually only in my sleep: ) I hate hate hate to hear people cut their nails (and the lady next to me at work does it all the time) but worse than that I HATE to see the clippings. BARF! I use to wish every day at 11:11 am that I could be like Samantha Stevens from 'Bewitched'. I think I might like Jacob more than Edward. I am actually pretty scared of heights. American Heritage was my favorite class at BYU (besides clogging and floral design).

Get

Seriously, if you still aren't watching THE BEST tv show that is on TV right now... you are REALLY missing out. I mean, I really am proud to say that I have been with the survivors of Oceanic Flight 815 since day one, but I am here to say that it is not too late to get into it.

Case in point: After Christmas we came back to NC with a week (weekend?) to spare and we told our good friends, Andrew and Tiffany, that they absolutely NEEDED to watch it. And then they did. It was that easy. We started them off with two free episodes at our house just to get them hooked. We're kind of like drug pushers, no? (Except that LOST is so much better than drugs- or so I would like to think- but with the same DUUUDE! factor) But really you can watch them all for free on ABC.com in HD! Our friends watched the first three seasons in time for the season four premiere. That is some serious dedication (he is in law school with Regan and she works full-time.)

Last week's episode was sooo good. I think I even saw Regan's eyes glistening. Oh, and one last push: not only does Lost provide the best hour of entertainment on Thursday nights but it also allows for HOURS of entertainment for theorizing what will happen next/rehashing details from the latest episode... Ok, I officially sound like a geek.

iTRAIN

So I just heard about this cool thing called iTRAIN and I'm wondering if anyone has heard of it or used it. Check it out here. Basically, it is like having a personal trainer in your pocket (or on your ipod). The website calls it a "downloadable destination offering Hollywood personal trainers with music entertainers in one package. The perfect fitness solution that is right in your pocket."

I am very intrigued. And with the weather starting to get sooo awesome I am really feeling the urge to get movin'.