Life, Love and a Lil' Sauce

My Boyfriend Jason Mraz Has Done It Again ...

2012-01-03T21:56:00.000-08:00

Love his new song.

Why Don't These Things Happen When I'm At Target?!?!?

2011-12-17T19:56:00.001-08:00

Dear Pandora Radio,

2011-11-07T20:14:00.000-08:00

As I sat at my desk today,

I saw large snowflakes begin to fall.

And as they began to fall,

you began to play "California Dreamin'"

by the Mamas & the Papas.

It was like you had read my mind.

And I knew you felt my pain and sadness.

Sincerely,

Ready for you to play

"Leavin' On A Jet Plane".

The Extra Hour Of Sleep Couldn't Make Up For The Fact That ...

2011-11-06T12:49:00.001-08:00

I woke up to snow this morning.

My inner California girl is sobbing hysterically.

And shivering.

And plotting a move.

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.1

Everyday At Work ...

2011-11-03T19:05:00.000-07:00

this picture rotates as one of the background pictures

on my computer.

Every time I get a glimpse I let out a large sigh.

See,

this picture always reminds me of

"Anne's House of Dreams".

When I see it

I suddenly feel a serious need to sit myself on one of those rocks

and read,

or chat with one of my kindred spirits,

or daydream about heroines named Cordelia.

It makes me want to

meander down the "white way of delight",

sit on the porch of Green Gables,

and verbally spar with Josie Pye.

I love that one simple picture can evoke

so many daydreams.

This Makes Me Giggle Every Time ...

2011-10-27T20:38:00.000-07:00

2 Reasons To Be Excited For Christmas ...

2011-10-24T20:37:00.000-07:00

His voice makes me melt,

and I LOVE his cover of

"All I Want For Christmas Is You".

And , let's be honest ...

We have all been waiting for a Christmas song

with the word "Shawty" in it.

This Is Dedicated To Every Teenage Boy At Every Drama Competiton That I Saw Wear A Red Bandana And Belt Out "Santa Fe" ...

2011-09-19T19:47:00.000-07:00

because there were a million.

I have videos that prove it.

From now on I am mopping the kitchen floor

with newspapers

and a dance routine.

When I was 7 Years Old ...

2011-09-18T14:25:00.000-07:00

we moved to California from Missouri.

We packed up our belongings,

and set off in our blue Astro van

for a long trek across the country

to our new home.

I'm sure it comes as no surprise

that I was somewhat of a dramatic child.

I distinctly remember sitting in the back seat of the van,

wearing my jelly shoes and staring out the back

thinking of all I was leaving behind.

I was especially sad to leave my best friend,

Leah Shantz,

behind.

We were in Brownies together,

so we had a special bond.

And so I did what any normal sad 7 year old would do.

I looked out the window and saw my reflection.

Then I made the saddest face I could,

propped my chin in my hands,

and sang "Somewhere Out There"

to my friend Leah.

I can still remember forcing the crocodile tears out

and feeling like I was creating the perfect moment.

So when I saw this video I giggled wildly,

because ...

well,

I know how Jimmy and Stephen feel.

(After watching this I love Jimmy, Stephen and Anderson SO much more!

So many of my boyfriends in one clip,

acting out a small part of my life story.

Tender.)

Dear Dancing Little Ceasers Sign Holding Kid On The Corner Of 500 West and BullDog Ave,

2011-09-13T19:51:00.000-07:00

It might be a good idea

to not do

pelvic thrusts and

inappropriate hip movements

when promoting a family friendly establishment.

And, seriously,

DO NOT

drop it like its hot

EVER AGAIN!!!

Please.

Sincerely,

My Eyes Are Still Burning

If You See Me Totally Jamming Out In My Car...

2011-09-12T20:24:00.000-07:00

I'm probably rocking out to this song!

I can't stop listening to it.

And now that I know my lil sis thought it

said

"Where do I have to go to find a honey with a little skull?"

I giggle every time I listen.

I love the man at about 2:10.

He cracks me up.

And I am wondering if the RC Willey salesman who shot his dancing video in the

store still has a job.

(I'm also pretty sure most of these videos were shot

in off campus BYU housing.)

And once again ....

Do people seriously tape themselves dancing and

then post videos on the Internet?

I do not understand.

But I will continue to dance in the privacy of my own vehicle.

This Should Stay On The Down Low...

2011-08-24T21:19:00.000-07:00

I am 99.9% sure that Justin Bieber has gone undercover,

and is hiding in Orem.

In fact he is working at Joann's Fabrics.

He talks like a girl

and has changed his name to Noel ...

but I swear it is him!

Or maybe he has a twin sister ...

(I really wanted to tell sweet Noel that she should seriously consider growing her hair out.

Bless her heart.)

I Am Back In The Desert ...

2011-08-24T21:16:00.000-07:00

I am missing the balmy 75 degree California weather.

Yesterday the bank sign said 100 degrees as I drove by.

My skin is screaming for lotion,

my lips can't get enough aquaphor,

and I am guzzling water like a camel.

One thing is for sure...

I will ALWAYS be a California girl.

Dear Extremely Loud Woman At The Pancake Cottage This Morning,

2011-08-21T09:38:00.001-07:00

Believe it or not,
People are here to eat breakfast.
They are not here to listen to your loud diatribe about the Kardashians and how Kris changed Bruce Jenners life.
Seriously.
We don't want to hear it.

(and how is it possible to talk about that for 30 minutes!?!?)

Sincerely,
Really wants you to shut up so everyone can enjoy their breakfast in peace

Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.4

This Is My View At The Moment ...

2011-08-15T19:41:00.001-07:00

and I couldn't be happier!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.4

To Kindle Or Not To Kindle ...

2011-08-12T21:48:00.000-07:00

that has been the question.

I love to touch a book,

to smell a book,

to feel the pages under my fingertips.

I love to bend the spine back

and flip through the pages.

And so I didn't think that the kindle was for me.

Then my mom got one

and started raving.

My parents gifted me one for my birthday

last month,

and I actually LOVE it.

So convenient to purchase a book

while laying in my bed!

It is so easy to carry in my purse

and have hundreds of books at my disposal.

I will still buy books.

Real, tangible, hold in your hands and sniff

books.

But I have jumped on the technology train and

I am enjoying it.

Are You As Excited As I Am?

2011-08-02T19:28:00.000-07:00

I can't wait!!!!

Dear August,

2011-08-02T19:22:00.000-07:00

I welcome you with open arms.

If I could,

I would give you a huge hug

and a noogie.

July was rough.

It brought

Girls Camp,

a dislocated tailbone,

youth conference,

a nutty work schedule,

a broken tivo,

and very little free time.

But you!

You bring the promise of

a girls weekend with one of my nearest and dearest,

a healed tailbone that allows me to bend at the waist again (!),

a 13 day vacation to Cali,

my toes in the sand,

free time to catch up on reading,

and the opportunity to sleep in!

I love you already.

Don't let me down!

Love,

Momma Needs Some Downtime

Do You Remember This Scene ...

2011-07-22T21:26:00.000-07:00

from "A Beautiful Mind"?

This is what I feel

my brain

looks like right now.

I am on overload of mental post it notes

full of people to call,

errands to run,

and things to follow up on.

I need a SERIOUS vacation.

A real one.

STAT.

Or I just might start hallucinating

that Paul Bettany is my roomie.

You Know It Is Going To Be A Good Day Of Errand Running When You Get In The Car, Put Your Ipod On Random And The First Song Played Is ...

2011-07-09T08:46:00.001-07:00

Justin Bieber

which is followed by

Men in Black

and then

That thing you do.

I have 525, 600 things on my to do list in order to be ready for girls camp next week.

So ...

I'm braving Walmart peeps.

I know that I can knock off at least 361, 847 things there.

Wish me and my sense of smell luck!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.2

Last Night For Young Women ...

2011-06-30T18:28:00.000-07:00

We saw this ...

(Amazing and Awe inspiring!)

and then we made these!

I HIGHLY recommend both!

We ended the night driving with the window down and

singing "Party in the U.S.A.".

A highly successful night.

(You SERIOUSLY have to make the strawberry chocolate nachos.

They are AMAZING!!!!)

The Perfect Way to Start Off A Crazy, Busy Day Off With A To Do List 3 Miles Long ...

2011-06-22T20:46:00.000-07:00

a few moments of

peace, reverence, and pondering.

I love the temple.

Girls Camp Is In 3 Weeks ...

2011-06-21T23:08:00.000-07:00

and right now this is what

the camp site looks like.

Camping

Snow

I am FREAKING out!

I hate camping.

I hate snow.

Pretty sure I will hate snow camping.

Please pray for me.

My New Obsession ...

2011-06-12T20:04:00.000-07:00

Fresh Orange Juice

Parsley

Put it in a blender, and through a sieve.

It is

DI. VINE.

So yummy!

Marathon Picture Post ...

2011-06-12T19:48:00.000-07:00

I finally purchased a new card reader for my computer.

Tonight I loaded my pics

onto my computer,

and I thought I would highlight

a few things that have occurred over the last few months.

Ready?

Here we go ...

Corbin turned 8 and was baptized!

Mia asked me to take a picture of her and her puppy.

I have been spending a lot of time with my cute Young Women!

I have had a few sleep overs with these beautiful children.

So lovely and demure.

Dave graduated from college!!!

(My pictures didn't turn out.)

The college grad is sitting somewhere on this stage.

The fam visited and we hit up JDawgs!

I still haven't learned how to use my smart phone.

I have called multiple people on accident,

and had about 40 of this identical picture on my phone.

Obviously, I was photographing while walking.

I kicked it at chemo with this kid.

He was very focused on his movie.

And, I have gotten sucked into this series.

There is the last few months of my life in a nutshell!

She Grew Up!

2011-06-08T14:47:00.000-07:00

Today

this cutie patootie

graduates from high school!

CRAZY!

I remember when she was this small!

(Can we discuss why I dressed like that?!?)

Dear Em,

I am glad you grew out of this look,

and I am glad you gave up on the

Marilyn Monroe phase.

Luckily,

some of your looks are

still the same!

I am so proud of you and all you have accomplished!

And even though

you love these creepy creatures,

you are still my Little Chicken.

I love you!

Congrats!

Summer Has Finally Arrived!!!!

2011-06-02T14:08:00.000-07:00

The rain has gone,

the sun has decided to shine,

and today the A/C was turned on.

Happy Summer!!!!

Just When I Thought I'd Seen It All ...

2011-05-28T21:36:00.000-07:00

There are no words to describe my reaction

as I watched this story on the news.

SERIOUSLY?!?!?

Seriously.

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

I mean.

Come.

On.

My favorite is the contestant

who says

"It will be a lot more tiring than with a real horse.".

Ya think?!?!?!?

Oh, man.

There really are no words ...

I Am A Sucker For Last Episodes ...

2011-05-27T15:15:00.000-07:00

I always cry.

I can remember the end of "Family Ties" and "The Cosby Show".

Cried.

The last "Boy Meets World".

Bawled.

The final "Lost".

Sobbed.

Then called my mom to talk about it,

and sobbed some more.

The final "Gilmore Girls".

Sent me into the ugly cry.

Serious sobbing.

So this commercial got me teary every time they aired it.

Did You See Josh Groban Sing "Somewhere Over The Rainbow?" On The Oprah Finale?!?

2011-05-23T18:55:00.000-07:00

I want to marry him.

I Want To Be Friends With Whoever Created This ...

2011-05-21T22:09:00.001-07:00

A whole site dedicated to the crazy

sweaters worn by the

Huxtable family.

LOVE IT!!!!

Can We Talk About The Wiggles For A Minute?

2011-05-20T15:20:00.000-07:00

This morning on "The Today Show"

Al Roker became a honarary member of The Wiggles.

Can I just say ...

The Wiggles

C-R-E-E-P

me out!!!!!!

I think it is SO disturbing that a group of

middle aged men like to dance

and jump around a stage

singing about hot potatoes

and fruit salad.

SERIOUSLY DISTURBING!!!

I'm just saying.

(The purple one creeps me out the most.

Look at his face above!

It is going to give me nightmares ...)

This Winter Weather Trying To Pose As Spring ...

2011-05-19T21:28:00.000-07:00

is making we wish I was here.

I'm done being cold and wet.

I'm dreaming of

warm sun, toes in the sand,

an ice cold D.C.

and a good book.

Dear Mom and Pam,

2011-05-18T14:44:00.001-07:00

She is putting it up for auction on Ebay!!

You should totally go in together

and buy it.

You could share custody!

I know you both love it dearly!

Happy Bidding!

I Saw This Today And It Made Me Giggle ...

2011-05-18T14:41:00.000-07:00

I Read Both Of These In The Past 2 Weeks ...

2011-05-17T20:53:00.000-07:00

They both were amazing

AND

gripping.

I could not put them down.

You should definitely add them to your reading list!

I Cannot Imagine ...

2011-05-17T18:05:00.000-07:00

Oprah is almost over!

I have been watching these last few shows,

and have begun to get a little sad.

The other day she interviewed President Obama and the First Lady.

The First Lady said that what she really missed

was being able to go and walk around Target.

I suddenly felt horrible for her!

How could you live without a nice calming jaunt around

Target?!?!?!?!

Now I know she chose to live her life in the public,

but she OBVIOUSLY did not

think about leaving the beloved Target behind!

Target is always a cure all.

It is a nice get away to go and slowly walk

around the store and admire all the cute merchandise.

I always find those things that

"I-can't-afford-not-to-buy!",

and I always leave with a lot more than

I planned on.

Dear Michelle,

I am really sad for you that you had to break up with Target.

But seriously ...

you have a lot of power.

I bet you could get them to keep the store open for you one night.

Do it!

You totally deserve it.

Sincerely,

A Fellow Target Junkie

All Is Well ...

2011-04-16T13:32:00.001-07:00

One of my goals for 2011

is to fill my life with more peaceful moments.

There has been a lot going on in my life

and I could feel the anxiety and frustrations taking over.

I decided to spend my morning drives

to work listening to music that would truly uplift

and bring peace to the start of my day.

There are a few albums that I have grown to love.

I love LOVE love "The Lower Lights".

I could listen to it on repeat all day, every day.

I especially love "Brightly Beams Our Fathers Mercy"

and "Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me".

I love this one too.

He has Broadway voice which always makes me happy.

I also love this song.

It has been somewhat of a theme song for me the last few months,

and I really love this version.

Here's to more happy, peaceful moments for all!

I Can't Stop Watching This ...

2011-04-14T11:54:00.000-07:00

There are SO many things that I do not understand about this.

It horrifies me and makes me giggle all at the same time.

I feel like they are the Duggars on crack.

Dear Matt Lauer,

2011-04-13T14:44:00.000-07:00

I LOVED that you interviewed Katie this morning.

Did it make you miss the good old days?

It made me miss them.

I loved you and Katie!

I had a little tear in my eye this morn,

as I listened to your witty banter.

Such nostalgia.

Love,

I will be heartbroken if you leave the Today Show,

so please don't.

Have You Been Watching?

2011-04-13T14:43:00.001-07:00

Gary Busey and Meatloaf are

WACKJOBS!!!!

And why does LaToya Jackson

always wear a baseball hat?!?!

I can't stop watching.

Thrift Shopping With Mi Madre ...

2011-03-24T18:52:00.000-07:00

My mom and I have been hitting the thrift stores this week.

It all started with the intent to

re purpose old sweaters into purses

(which turned out very cute!)

but it turned into an obsession

for Pyrex.

I found some really great pieces for really cheap!

I LOVE this set!

You can never go wrong with a little turquoise in your life.

I might be looking for a Pyrex support group in the near future.

I just can't help myself!

Dear Sports Illustrated,

2011-03-24T18:38:00.000-07:00

Thanks for reading my blog,

and for giving him a better shot.

Much better than last weeks awkwardness.

P.S.

Goodbye Jimmer!

It was a good ride.

Does Anyone Else Feel ...

2011-03-18T20:48:00.001-07:00

like this is the most AWKWARD pose ever?!?

Don't get me wrong.

I love Jimmer,

but could they not have found a better pose?

So AWKWARD!!!

Question ...

2011-03-15T20:37:00.001-07:00

Does anyone know what happened to Clay Aiken?

I've been thinking about him lately.

He has virtually disappeared!

I have a few theories ...

He has moved back home and is teaching show choir at the junior high,

and private voice lessons on the side.

He decided to actually live out the lyrics of his song ...

He became Invisible and is now watching me in my room.

He is trying to morph into Steven Cujocaro.

I am going to go with A.

My Name is Melissa ...

2011-02-28T20:20:00.000-08:00

and I am addicted to shows made by the BBC.

Seriously.

I love them.

I want to take a walk in the garden,

take a turn about the room,

call the doctor for a poultice,

visit the parson,

and vacation in Bath.

Lately,

I have loved

"Larkrise to Candleford",

"Cranford",

and

the new "Emma"

with Jonny Lee Miller.

Nothing is more relaxing and enjoyable to me

than

a virtual trip to the English countryside.

And now I must leave you

to work on my embroidery

and

catch up on my correspondence.

Confession ...

2011-02-26T10:06:00.000-08:00

I totally went to the Justin Bieber movie last night.

That's right.

I saw it.

In 3-D.

(LBH ... if you know me really well this is not surprising you.)

And I am not going to lie.

I LOVED it.

I have not been a big Bieber fan.

But I found myself with a BIG cheesy grin on my face the whole time.

It was cute to watch how happy his family,

and his "people" are for him.

And I loved watching all the screaming girls.

I kept giggling at their cute adolescent reactions.

It took me back to when I was little,

and LOVED certain groups

and stars.

You know how it was.

I was never the screaming/hysterical crying kind,

but I did have a Michael J. Fox poster

and I did save my babysitting money

for that Saturday visit to the Sam Goody in the mall

to buy the latest cassette single from

"The Party".

or "Boyz II Men".

(who were totally in the Bieber movie!)

or "Color Me Badd".

And I did attend multiple

'NSYNC concerts.

And I did lose my voice screaming at the Clay Aiken concert.

But I digress ...

Bieber is talented.

His family seems to have kept him grounded up to this point.

I loved hearing all the reactions of the little girls in the theater.

And I totally bought a bunch of Bieber on iTunes last night.

And I am not ashamed to admit it!

Dear Flip Flop Weather,

2011-02-23T09:13:00.000-08:00

I'm ready for you to come.

My toes are tired of being covered all day.

They want to feel warm air and sun!

They are tired of feeling claustrophobic.

Hurry and come!!!

Sincerely,

Really Wants To Let The Piggies Out For Some Air

All My Dreams ...

2011-02-17T21:27:00.000-08:00

are coming true!!!

Newsies is Broadway bound!

Dear Mom and Natalie,

2011-02-15T20:02:00.000-08:00

I found something that is going to bring back tender memories.

Here are your clues:

Blair

(before she married a preacher and became a homeschool mom)

Rudy Huxtable

(before "Polly")

the Gummy Bears and the Snorks

Punky and Cherry

that creepy cousin from "The Brady Bunch"

pretending to be a rock star

Have you guessed yet?

It also contains a song that 26 years later

I still sing at least once a week.

We watched it until the VHS broke.

(My song is on the 2nd one at about 6:23.)

I'm wearing my hair like Blair tomorrow in honor!

You are welcome in advance.

Dear Idaho,

2011-02-09T20:02:00.000-08:00

Get ready

because

this cute face is coming your way!

Congrats EMMY!!!!!

I Have Been VERY Sick All Week ...

2011-02-05T12:11:00.000-08:00

I'm talking fever-induced-delirium,

throat feels like I swallowed A LOT of razor blades,

head is under water,

200 lb wart hog laying on my chest,

my germs laugh at Nyquil

sick.

The kind of sick that makes you dream of

the good old days

when you could breathe,

had a voice,

could laugh without breaking out into

an emphysema like coughing attack,

and could face people without the fear of the

out of control snot fountain

shooting out of your nose.

I woke up sick Monday morning,

and have been battling all week.

It has been that kind of sickness that is the worst

because I was so achy and tired

that I couldn't do anything.

Like suddenly holding up my paperback book was like holding

a 50 lb weight.

And my underwater head couldn't comprehend the words on the page anyway.

And so here comes my gratitude for the week.

I would like to thank that fabulous person that thought up ...

the DVD box set.

Thank heaven I could pop in a DVD to entertain me.

It was nice to come to,

in between my fever induced coma and coughing spasms,

and spend some time with Kirk and Miss Patty.

Nothing is more comforting than some Luke,

and some witty banter.

(Misery ALWAYS loves a little Stars Hollow company!)

And the box set allows it to be there whenever you need it!

Dear Inventor of the DVD Box Set,

Thanks for making my sick week

a little easier to get through.

Sincerely,

Really Glad I Woke Up This Morning

With The Ability to Breathe Through Both Nostrils

Dear Egyptian Protesters,

2011-02-02T16:12:00.000-08:00

Please stop beating up my boyfriend

Anderson.

Thank you.

The Parents In This Crack Me Up ...

2011-01-24T19:06:00.000-08:00

This Is A Story About My Cute Sister Emily ...

2011-01-23T20:31:00.001-08:00

This is her.

And this face always makes me laugh.

I call her Lil Chicken.

She usually looks like this,

with phone in hand.

She makes me laugh,

and we like to send each other texts

that make us giggle.

The other night she made these.

So cute, right?!?!

She is uber-creative.

I wish she would come to my house and make me some,

instead of sending me texts with pictures

of yummy treats that are too far away to eat.

Good job Cake Boss Em!!!

Do You Want To Know What I Hate More Than Grocery Shopping On A Saturday?

2011-01-22T12:58:00.001-08:00

Absolutely nothing !

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

I Let Levar Burton Down ...

2011-01-17T19:15:00.000-08:00

One of my goals for 2010 was to read 75 books.

Then in May I was called to serve with the Young Women

at church

(which is a full time job)

and

suddenly my free time was dramatically decreased.

And I ended up only reading 33.

(sad day.)

My goal for 2011 is to read 35.

(I now know my limitations.)

I have promised to allow myself the luxury of at least

15 minutes a day of "fun" reading.

And so I give you,

in no particular order,

my top 10 fav books read in 2010.

1. The Forgotten Garden

2, Sarah's Key

3. The Book Thief

4. Shiva Dancing

5. The Elegance of the Hedgehog

6. The House at Riverton

7. I Capture the Castle

8. The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox

9. Saving CeeCee Honeycutt

10. The entire "Big Stone Gap" series

Have You Been Watching ...

2011-01-10T19:43:00.000-08:00

"The Event"?

SO GOOD!!!!

I love that I have something that kind of replaces Lost.

And

Jason Ritter is my new boyfriend.

Love him!

Every Once In Awhile ...

2011-01-10T18:07:00.001-08:00

you just need a Shirley Temple.

Dear Christan Bale,

2011-01-05T20:58:00.001-08:00

Remember when you were Jack Kelly?

And your days were spent selling paps,

kicking it with Crutchie,

and dreaming of moving to Santa Fe?

(And I dreamed of going with you!)

What HAPPENED to you???!!!

Why do you now look like the creepy janitor at my middle school?!?

Pretty sure that

Marky Mark and his funky bunch

are not working for you.

Please shower and shave.

Love,

I'll send Teddy Roosevelt to rescue you

and we can meet up in Santa Fe!

It Doesn't Feel Like Christmas ...

2010-12-18T11:08:00.000-08:00

until I'm home.

I got home yesterday,

and I am starting to feel like it is the Christmas season!

Now it is time to relax with the fam,

wrap presents,

and watch Christmas movies!

On the agenda:

Meet Me in St. Louis,

White Christmas,

Holiday Inn,

Scrooge,

and that one episode of "Saved by the Bell"

where Zach meets a cute girl in the mall

and then finds out that she is homeless and living in her car

with her dad who plays the piano and sings carols

to the gang after they present him with the gift

of a sweater that fashionista Lisa picked out for him.

I am planning on relaxing with the fam,

feeling the Christmas spirit,

and eating my weight in tangerines!

Merry Christmas to all!

As I Was Walking Out Of Target Moments Ago ...

2010-12-15T16:28:00.000-08:00

I walked behind a woman wearing yoga pants

with "Hogwarts" written across her behind ...

#1:

WHY would you want the word(s)

Hog and/or Warts

associated with your behind!?!

#2:

I'm pretty sure that is not what J.K.

had in mind when she franchised out

her novels.

Creepy Stalker Christmas Classic ...

2010-12-14T19:01:00.000-08:00

Remember how Hall & Oates were stalking me?

Well I thought I would end my Creepy series

with their creepy classic ...

ENJOY!!!!

Creepy Christmas Classics ...

2010-12-11T09:16:00.000-08:00

This Christmas Classic was sent to me

by me dear friend Molly.

And let me tell you it's a DOOZIE!

I can't get over the incredible enthusiasm and stage presence!

Thanks Molls for the great find!

Creepy Kwanzaa Classic ...

2010-12-02T20:12:00.000-08:00

WARNING:

This song will get in your head and NEVER leave.

But I love the cute little kids dancing.

The weird guy that looks like Whoopi Goldberg in "Ghost" ...

don't so much enjoy watching him. He is definitely adding the creepy element!

Creepy Christmas Classics ...

2010-12-01T16:05:00.000-08:00

You're welcome.

(Mom and Pam,

I think we should recreate this and hit the road!)

I'm Not Going To Lie ...

2010-12-01T16:02:00.000-08:00

As much as I make fun of the crazies on

Oprah's Favorite Things ...

I would TOTALLY freak out too.

Last Week I Lost A Close Friend ...

2010-11-29T19:27:00.000-08:00

my hairdryer.

It started smoking while I was straightening my hair,

and I took that as a bad sign.

For someone like me,

who straightens their hair,

a hairdryer is an ABSOLUTE necessity.

I hate having to hair dryer shop.

You never know how strongly it is going to blow.

I don't want a wimpy dryer that feels like an elf is blowing my hair dry.

I need to feel like I just put my head in a jet propeller!

I want to dry my hair as fast as possible.

Let's be honest ...

what I really want is one of those machines Judy Jetson had

where she walks in one end with wet hair

and comes out the other dressed, coiffed, and perfectly perfumed.

(That Judy Jetson gets everything!)

Luckily, I found a good hair dryer and I am very happy.

But I will miss my dear friend with the retractable cord,

and bendable handle.

We spent a lot of good mornings together.

Are You As Excited As I Am?

2010-11-29T19:21:00.000-08:00

It's Christmas music time!!!!!

Tonight I am starting a series

I call

"CREEPY CHRISTMAS CLASSICS".

Get excited peeps ...

I just wanted to share a few favs with you.

Our classic tonight comes all the way from Italy!!

Enjoy!!!

Today I Found Him ...

2010-11-24T17:27:00.001-08:00

in the Target parking lot.

Apparently,

he has turned in his steed for a Lexus.

I Give You ...

2010-11-19T15:25:00.000-08:00

one more reason to love

Matt Lauer and Brian Williams.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

(There is link on MSNBC now that will teach you

the "Brian Williams".

I'm dying!)

My New York Walden Weekend (Part 2)...

2010-11-10T21:19:00.000-08:00

The one thing I really wanted was to see Central Park in the fall.

Em and Dox kindly obliged.

I was grateful the city warned us of the rabies threat.

Because what I really wanted was to find a raccoon

and snuggle with it!

It was the opening day of the skating rink!

It was so quintessential NYC to me.

We especially enjoyed the middle aged

Abercrombie dressed man who thought he was Brian Boitano.

He kept us entertained for awhile.

Such a great view!

My pictures don't do the colors justice,

but take my word for it ...

they were beautiful!

So was the fanny-pack wearing

roller blading woman

who was putting on quite a show!

I was SO tempted to run away with the jazz band and

spend the rest of my life as their groupie.

Serious talent!

More roller blading lady.

She was everywhere!

The lake!

It totally reminded me of Anne and Gilbert.

We sat and dreamed of the day we could live in

a gorgeous penthouse overlooking the park.

We were disturbed by the creepy

street performers.

But my fav part was sitting and enjoying the view while

listening to these two breaking up.

I had to bite my lip to keep my self from laughing.

I kept whispering the play by play to Em.

My favorite lines:

"Anne saw you at the club with someone else and she said she was wearing booty shorts.

Booty Shorts!"

and

"My mother has never liked you."

"Your mother is our problem!"

Sadly, they left before any resolution was reached,

but we saw him sadly staring into the pond later and he was alone,

so I am thinking that the booty shorts won.

Thanks again to Em and Dox for a GLORIOUS weekend!

My Brother Is Starting To Apply To Grad Schools ...

2010-11-06T22:13:00.000-07:00

He is been debating about the best place to go.

He recently sent me this video with a message saying

that he had found his new roomies and he is going to go wherever they are.

If you know my brother,

then this will totally make sense ...

This cracks me up,

and I want to be friends with them.

For My Little Sis Em, Who Has Just Discovered 90's Music ...

2010-11-04T21:22:00.001-07:00

this is what MMMBop is up to now!

(for some reason it is cut in half on my blog. follow it to You Tube to see the whole screen!)

P.S.

I have always had a thing for tambourine players,

(it started with Davy Jones!)

but after watching the one in this video

I am pretty sure I am cured.

He is CREEP-TASTIC!

P.P.S.

I still firmly believe that if we all spent more time putting together

large dance numbers in the streets

the world would be a much happier place!

P.P.P.S.

Seriously,

Did you watch the tambourine man?

SO DISTURBING!!!

P.P.P.P.S.

They are so much better without the nasty 90's hair!

My New York Walden Weekend (Part 1)...

2010-11-04T15:41:00.000-07:00

I spent a GLORIOUS and blissfully perfect weekend in NYC a few weeks ago.

I flew out to surprise my best friend Em for her birthday.

Em and I have ALWAYS wanted to be in the city together,

so it was fun to be able to finally see it

come to pass and cross it off the list

of things to do before I die.

And now that she lives there,

I know that there will be many more blissful weekends

to come!

(We are too co-dependent to be apart for too long!)

Em and her adorable hubby Dox, live in a FAB apartment

in the Financial district.

After taking a late flight and surviving a cab ride

where the driver thought he was playing Mario Kart

on the bridge ,

I arrived to the apartment about 1 am.

We cried and took a moment to catch up and then quickly fell asleep.

This is the view I woke up to!

They have an AMAZING view of the Trinity church graveyard

which is one of my fav things in the city!

I loved hearing the bells ring from the tower!

That is Wall Street people.

This is THE most comfortable bed I have ever slept in.

I am a serious Tempur-Pedic believer now!

Shout out to Dox for giving up his bed!

Friday was Ems' birthday,

and Dox sent us to the spa for pedis!

We went to Bliss Spa,

and enjoyed the brownie bar

and FABULOUS pedis from

Svetlana and Jane.

They told us how lucky we were to not have Russian husbands

who take off with credit cards for days at a time and gamble.

I love pretty toes!

We fell in love with the red brick

at the 49th street subway stop.

And we loved it even more

when we saw the sign that reminded us of our

beloved Rhonda from "The Starting Over House"!

We shouted out to the universe to see one famous person that day ...

and it worked!

We ran into Tom Selleck!

We saw "Promises, Promises" with Sean Hayes, Kristen Chenoweth

(another thing to check off my list!)

and Molly Shannon!

We laughed and had perma-grins the WHOLE show.

It was so much fun!

The coca-cola sign in Times Square made everything feel complete!

The only thing that would have made it better is if Em Snyd had been there!

(We missed you!)

Part Two to come ...

My New Favorite Snack ...

2010-10-30T20:57:00.001-07:00

Honeycrisp apple

String Cheese

(and it has to be this exact kind. I have texture issues with others.)

Pure Snack Heaven

Seriously.

You should try it.

I Loved This So Much I Read The Whole Thing In 36 Hours ...

2010-10-18T08:07:00.001-07:00

No Joke!

It was a GREAT read!

Commander In Chic ...

2010-10-11T20:01:00.000-07:00

is my new favorite fall nail color.

I'm digging it.

PS.

Did anyone see on the news that Justin Bieber is

developing a line of OPI nail polish?

Does anyone else find that a little creepy?

For Mom and Em ...

2010-10-07T20:31:00.001-07:00

Enjoy.

Perfect Fall Day ...

2010-10-06T12:45:00.000-07:00

Fall has arrived!

I walked into the Conference Center on Sunday

for the afternoon session of conference and it was 90 degrees.

I walked out 2 hours later and it was fall.

You could feel it and smell it in the air.

Fall had blown in.

It has been raining and cool ever since.

And I am LOVING it!

And since today is my first Fall day off of work,

I am living it up.

Dinner is in the crock pot thanks to Pam!

(and making the house smell yummy!)

I have loaves of bread rising on the counter.

And now I am sitting by an open window

listening to and smelling the rain,

wrapped in a blanket,

with my afternoon D.C.,

ready to spend some time reading.

I love being able to enjoy fall!

Dear Man Who Was Running On 3rd South This Morning ...

2010-10-06T12:42:00.000-07:00

I think it's great that you are out their running.

Really I do.

But I think it's a little counter productive

to smoke while you are doing it.

Just a thought.

Sincerely,

Never Heard of an Emphysemic Marathoner

Tonight ...

2010-09-30T21:25:00.001-07:00

I took my young women here.

I had been looking forward to it for awhile.

It was AMAZING,

beautiful,

thought provoking,

touching,

insightful,

and

inspiring.

I am grateful for people who are such beautiful examples

of grace through difficulty,

and for their willingness to share their stories

to inspire and buoy the rest of us up.

She is an inspiration.

My New Happy Place ...

2010-09-27T19:37:00.000-07:00

I want to live in the library at

Trinity College in Dublin.

Don't these pictures just make you want to sink

into a comfy leather chair with one of these old volumes

and never leave?

I Have A Confession To Make ...

2010-09-27T19:35:00.000-07:00

I broke down and listened to Clay Aikens Christmas album today.

I couldn't help it.

I know I am not supposed to listen to Christmas music yet,

but I heard one song when my ipod was on random

and was sucked in.

I PROMISE I will not listen again

until the day after Thanksgiving.

Please forgive me.

I Am Pretty Sure That I Am Being Stalked ...

2010-09-25T23:39:00.000-07:00

by Hall & Oates.

Their music has been following me around ALL week.

It has been played multiple times on

the radio a work.

Twice this week I went to the grocery store,

and both times one of their songs was playing.

And today I put my ipod on random

and the 1st, 3rd, and 7th song that played

were Hall & Oates.

And I have over 5700 songs on my ipod ...

Are you as creeped out as I am?!?

Dear Hall & Oates,

Your kiss is not on my list

and you do NOT make my dreams come true.

Sincerely,

Because I am a maneater

and my private eyes are watching you,

I would kindly ask your music to quit following

me around.

Dear Mother Nature,

2010-09-22T15:28:00.000-07:00

Today is the first official day of fall.

And I am ready for it!

Bring on the crisp Autumn air,

and all the beautiful colors.

I love FALL!!

Sincerely,

Fall Enthusiast who wants to make sure you really heard her ...

F.A.L.L.

Not winter ...

FALL.

I included the picture to make sure you didn't get confused

like you have in years past.

Like that one year where it was 80 one day,

and the next day I was scrapping the snow off my windshield.

FALL!!!!

Do You Think It Is Possible ...

2010-09-20T20:03:00.000-07:00

that Tim Gunn was driving a silver Toyota Tacoma

in Provo today?

Because I swear I saw him!

Just In Case There Was Any Question About My Athletic Prowess ...

2010-09-08T21:03:00.000-07:00

Tonight I took the Young Women to play

bean bag baseball with the residents of a senior center nearby.

I was beat by a blind woman named Margaret.

I'm not kidding.

On the way home one of the girls said

"Sister Chalk, I think it was really nice of you

to let Margaret win."

I just smiled and nodded my head.

Tonight I Spent The Evening ...

2010-09-03T21:32:00.000-07:00

with my boyfriend ...

Brian Stokes Mitchell !

Just him and me

and a piano

(and about 1200 other people).

He came to sing me all of my favorite

Broadway songs.

Stars, Dulcinea, Wheels of A Dream ...

(I emailed him a list of my favs last week and

he was happy to oblige,

except for he didn't sing that excerpt from

Legally Blonde like I asked!)

And when he sang

"Some Enchanted Evening"

he totally winked at me.

(I totally saw him do it from my seat

high in the balcony.)

My fav moment was when he sang Soliloquy

from Carousel.

Love that song.

(I also loved it when Ben Newton sang it

oh so long ago at the Macys Theater competition

when I was a junior in high school

ALL the girls were SMITTEN with Ben Newton!

I wonder what happened to him ...)

His last encore was my all time fav ...

"The Impossible Dream".

If you ever drive by me and I am sobbing while I drive

there is a 99% chance that it is because I am listening to

him sing this song ...

Thanks Bri for a great night!

P.S.

If they ever make "Obama, the Musical"

I think you'd be a shoe in!

Dear Lovely, Darling, Fabulous Fed Ex Person,

2010-08-27T22:46:00.001-07:00

Thank you!

Love,

Not Leaving My Room Until I Have Finished Reading

Mockingjay

Remember How My Boyfriend Chuck ...

2010-08-26T21:37:00.000-07:00

also sings?!?!

I seriously love him.

Dear Mr. or Ms. Fed Ex Person,

2010-08-26T21:27:00.000-07:00

I am sorry.

I apologize.

I am not sure what I am needing to apologize for,

but I figured you must be angry at me for something.

What other reason would keep you from delivering

my copy of "Mockingjay"?

Please forgive me for whatever I did.

Apologetically yours,

Still Waiting For The Copy Of Mockingjay That I Specifically

Pre-Ordered So I Would Have It As Soon As It

Came Out And So I Wouldn't Have to Fight With The Crazies At Barnes & Noble

AND I Seriously Cannot Wait ANY Longer To See Who Katniss Picks

Dear Mandy Moore (the singer, not the choreographer),

2010-08-23T19:56:00.001-07:00

I've never really been a fan,

but I owe you a BIG thank you.

A few months ago I saw you on "The Bonnie Hunt Show".

I almost fast forwarded through your segment,

because as I stated earlier

I am not a fan.

But I didn't,

and for that I am REALLY glad.

During the segment you mentioned that you were obsessed with

Gain laundry detergent because of the smell.

I had never used it,

but was intrigued.

The next day while I was at Target

I popped a bottle open and took a whiff.

And I was transported to a magical place.

A place I never want to leave.

LOVE.

THE.

SMELL.

OF.

GAIN.

It is serious heaven.

So thank you Mandy Moore.

I am sincerely appreciative.

So much so,

that I might forget what a jerk you were to

Mia Thermopolis

in "The Princess Diaries".

With Deepest Gratitude,

Can't stop sniffing my laundry

Happy Day!!!

2010-08-23T19:53:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to give a shout out to my Bro

to say congrats on his last day of chemo!!!

He was feeling well enough to eat Courts veggie lasagna tonight.

So happy he gets to be done!

Please Don't Be Afraid Of Me ...

2010-08-19T21:04:00.001-07:00

One of the many things that I learned at

Education Week today is that there is such a thing as

"Melissophobia".

Seriously,

it's a word.

Luckily, the definition is not

a person who has a fear of people named

Melissa.

(Although, I have been known to scare off a few people in my day!)

It is a fear of

BEES!

How ironic is it that I my name means "honey bee",

and yet I am allergic to them.

So next time you run screaming from a bee,

just think of me!

You Know That Feeling You Have On The Last Day of School ...

2010-08-18T16:15:00.000-07:00

when you know you have the whole summer

ahead of you filled with endless

possibilities?

That is how I felt when I woke up this morning

knowing that at 2 pm today I would start

my 11 day weekend!

I have 11 work free days ahead of me with

NOTHING

planned!

The last 3 months have been jam packed,

overwhelming, and stressful

(except for that week I laid on the beach).

With being thrown into Young Women

and having youth conference

and camp,

house guests,

work,

and lots of busyness

I haven't had a lot of free time.

I am going to spend these days

enjoying the time and freedom.

I am starting with Education Week.

I have already been to a few evening classes,

and can feel my bucket being filled.

I love being able to spend the time learning

and reflecting on what I can do better at.

Then I am going to catch up on my stack of magazines

while enjoying the sunshine.

I am going to deep clean my room,

and my car,

and reorganize my drawers.

There will also be some serious sleeping in!

Dear Miss Snyder Wood,

2010-08-11T20:22:00.000-07:00

This is my new favorite song.

(Shout out to Linds for introducing it to me.)

And every time I listen to it I think of you

because I can totally see it going on your "Boo Yah America" cd

and I can imagine the rocking dance moves you would add.

P.S. Please forgive the video choice.

The other you tube videos were kind of creepy ...

and, LBH, I can kind of see your 14 year old self making one of these.

Enjoy!

Back to Real Life ...

2010-08-10T22:23:00.000-07:00

I have a lot to say,

and a lot of stories to share.

First,

shout out to Em (aka Wishie)

for her fabulous guest blogging skills.

She has such a way with words,

and I am REALLY going to miss her when she moves to the NYC

with her foxydoxy husband!

I am wishin', and hopin', and thinkin' and prayin'

that she will start her own blog

so that I can read about my favorite city through her eyes.

Em, I love you!

Thanks for sharing your thoughts,

and I have now added

laying in a down comforter filled tent eating Mumsies pancakes while listening to the rain

to my list of things to do before I die!

I have a lot of other things to tell,

but right now I am trying to assimilate

back to real life,

and the fact that I am supposed to work 8 hours a day

AND

go to the grocery store and buy my own food

when really I just want to lay here ...

drinking Diet Coke and reading all day.

I am having a difficult time.

Tut Tut

2010-08-07T08:14:00.000-07:00

Okay, so let’s take a moment for a true confession. Every time our dear friend, Melissa Suzanne leaves on a vacation (in search of bluer skies, celestial fro-yo, and perfectly arched California waves), I realize how truly codependent I am. It’s not like I’m oblivious to this fact at other times; it just becomes more relevant when Miss is “off the grid.” (You feel me, right? You’re missing that consummate wit and wisdom just as much as I am.) At any rate, Miss asked if I would bless LLS a la besitos as a guest blogger while she digs her toes down deep in the sand, unearths this summer’s frothiest beach read, and bites into the tastiest fish tacos on the pier.

So, because I’m as honest as Abe, I will tell you I racked my mind for things to share in my dearest friend’s absence this week. If this were my blog, I could bore you all to death with my delight in how often the candy dish at work had Rolo’s in it, or how often I procrastinated packing with boxed sets (will that Gilmore Girls never get old...) However, as I intend to honor LLS and its great blogmaster, I’ve chosen instead to share a few thoughts about the weather (more specifically, the rain--tut, tut).

Every time the weather turns drizzly, gray and thunderous, I get twitchy and excited—like a kid on Christmas Eve. I don’t know how I became so twisted, or why I suffer such irony (except for the ever present discovery that I am, in fact, twisted and ironic). However, part of me knows my love of watery weather comes from my terrific mother. As a child, my mumsie would build a tent in the middle of pouring rain (it was an Alvin and the Chipmunk’s tent and it was awesome.) Then, she would make pancakes, stuff our fort full of down comforters and read book after book to my older brother and me. Time stood still in the magical world of our tent—I loved the sound of raindrops pounding on bright red plastic above my little head.

The day Miss and I became the dearest of friends we were designing a perfect Martha Stewart moment on a Florida beach. We had flown out early to prep the St. Petersburg campus for the next onslaught of great youth. Naturally, after a summer of EFY, we were ridiculously tired and felt the need to rejuvenate in a manner Oprah would condone. So, we drove to the nearest supercenter and bought two nautical striped towels, two matching straw hats, and two matching straw bags. With our Martha-like loot, we felt equipped for prime Floridian real estate and a dose of inappropriate tanning behavior (dear Lindsay, we do not tan this way anymore…promise. xoxo.) Approximately three minutes after our arrival, we fell asleep. This was not the kind of beach snooze that one generally enjoys. In fact, we both slept so deeply, that 3 HOURS LATER we awoke to a sky so dark that waves were lapping at our ankles. The once crowded beach abandoned us, stepping over our dead bodies and prim Martha Stewart Living setup to save themselves from a violent torrent. Awakened by warning drops, we considered our lone option—to haul ourselves out of the downpour, save our beautiful straw hats, and run to the nearest pasta shop (which, by the way, happened to be called “Life, Love and a Lil’ Sauce”—and, if I remember correctly, the sauce guy—mixer of noodles with marinara—was, indeed, quite saucy. Then again, I looked like a drowned rat in a bucket of straw. So I’m quite sure he thought the same of me.)

I was reminded of this moment (hence this post) just last week on the Brooklyn Bridge. My husband (aka foxy Doxy) and I had polished off a pizza at Grimaldi’s and gone in search of gelato. Further, because we’re prepping to take Manhattan this fall (just like the Muppets), and because Dox is crazy as coconuts about running, we were searching the terrain (prospective runs for him and baby runs for me) on our gelato walk—did I mention my inclination for irony above? That night, however, our travels took us over the bridge. And, being happy little westerners, we didn’t once consider the looming clouds in the distance (because, really, clouds often mean nada in Utah, right?) On this particular night of nights, however, the faraway wisps transformed into a WATERFALL OF HAIL (no, this is not innovative cursing. It was sheets of actual rain, sleet, cats, dogs…you get the idea). Furthermore, foxydoxy and I were stuck midway between Brooklyn and New York with visions of sugarplums in our heads. Okay, the visions were more in my head. But a girl will pretty much walk over bridges through a tornado for her gelato. So, we did just that.

You may wonder why I’ve proceeded to guest blog, fairly randomly, about the rain. Honestly, as this week our own clouds have threatened to spill over (and sometimes even have), I’ve felt that little girl, Christmas Eve feeling, and remembered how the rain ushers the best parts of life. (Ok, so I wasn’t a Primary devil child. I did catch the lesson about rain growing spring flowers) But sometimes the obvious principles can have the most prolific effects. So really, it was just a moment last week, halfway between Manhattan and Brooklyn that I looked over at foxydox with huge water droplets streaming down his grinning face and knew moving to NYC would bring good things for us—even though, at that point, we had no apartment, and seemingly little direction for such a large scale life change. Furthermore, in that moment I remembered what it felt like to be a toe-headed little girl, safely tucked away in a plastic fort with my mums and my brother while storms pounded down on our heads. And, I remembered the day several years ago when I met my dearest Miss and together we battled Florida’s finest conditions; since that day she has taught me so much about weathering life’s unpredictability with grace and generosity. In fact, when it comes to “rain,” Miss is the Morton Salt girl. No one sings in the rain with better style. The girl has estilo! In fact, J. Crew may have stolen the wellies from her. ( But LBH, we all know where they got the straw hats). Plus, I feel I can say these things about Miss as the guestblogger this week, even though she’ll hate it. (And to Miss, I promise next time I’ll besito the blog with my opinions as to why Sephora should replace Starbucks on every corner. Because really we need more Belle.)

And finally, regardless of whatever storms are falling in life—whether it’s trekking to NY or Boston (J), having a child, a husband or not a husband, dealing with illness, or just enduring the daily grind of work or school, I honestly hope I will rush into rainstorms like the Morton Salt girl…or at least an Audrey (yelling “cat, cat” while raindrops splash on my Maybelline lashies and I pledge to give up “the mean reds” for watery kisses by the pawn shop while Moon River plays softly behind me…p.s. I feel ashamed to clarify that said Moon River passion is with darling husband, NOT the sauce guy from Florida…) So, now, as foxydoxy has informed me that our basement is currently flooding (really, I’m not kidding), I will have the opportunity to try out my new “rain” philosophy. I’m not getting the Christmas Eve feeling as much with this one, but I will still try to be a Morton Salt girl. Miss, hurry home so I can borrow your wellies, please!

Loves,

Em (at least one of them…)

Reunited And It Feels So Good ...

2010-08-01T21:40:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I reunited with many of my favorite things.

First,

I hopped aboard a Jet Blue flight.

I love Jet Blue!

And yesterdays flight inspired me to

write the following haiku ...

Jet Blue, how I've missed

you and the fun times we've had.

I think you're the best.

(Shocking that I don't write poetry for a living.)

Next was a pit stop at Pinkberry.

Can I just say that the new watermelon flavor with pineapple

and raspberries on top ...

equals perfect swirly goodness.

Then a quick stop at Trader Joe's

just to take in the ambiance

and beg and plead one more time

for them to bring their store to Utah.

I then hopped in the car

with this crazy lady,

and we were off to San Diego to see ...

and can I just say

seeing it in San Diego

in a theater full of Latino people

is a lot different experience than

seeing it in New York.

It was fabulous!

and enjoyable!