It's HERE!!!

I just wrote this whole post and it got deleted. When you get to the end of reading it, you will feel my pain.

We have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink!!!!!

And on Monday the linoleum man comes, and then we get a DISHWASHER and a STOVE!!! But the most important part is the sink.

I've been meaning to post pictures the mess that is my "soon"-to-be kitchen. Soon should be taken with a grain of salt. A very LARGE grain of salt. Perhaps several, very distasteful spoonfuls of very LARGE grains of salt. Just for good measure.

Because the *goal* for completion was before the birth date of my cute son. As he just hit the five month mark (can you believe I've kept him alive that long?!?) I'd say the estimation was a tad unreasonable. Especially since it was going to be a "one day job."

You want to know the whole story? Well, you asked for it.

After hearing rumblings that the cabinets were sitting in Bob-the-builder's* garage and he was eager to get them out so he wouldn't trip on them, Bob called mom and said he would come Labor Day week (two full months after Baby G's debut). So Mike speedily moved all of the stuff that USED to be in that half of the room into this half--very crowded, organized (but only because Mike did it) chaos.

THREE WEEKS later, Mom told Bob about our messy situation, and he felt "really bad" but he couldn't do anything yet. Because he couldn't believe the electrician still hadn't come to do HIS job yet. This is the part where I should have said, "you know what? Forget it. Sorry, you don't get any money for those cabinets and we're done." Because I didn't realize how stinkin' GOOD we had it! We had a sink! And a counter!

Mom called the electrician, who was startled that Bob was waiting for him...and HE came over the next day to get a look-see. Being the good kid he is, his job was done within the week. this included doing the part of the job Bob hadn't gotten around to yet--he tore out the sink and counter. Which was okay, because the electrical stuff was done, and the cabinets were in Bob's garage, and SOON my world would be so much better!

Do you pity my naivety yet? If you've been doing the math, you realize we have TWO months to go...

The cabinets were finally installed..."Wait, we're missing one. OOOH, we weren't supposed to put that one over the fridge...ooops. Tear it out...put it over where it's supposed to go." "Wait, these cabinets don't line up at the bottom...who could have measured these wrong? Well, maybe they won't care..." "Oh, you DO care Mrs. Blackham? Well, we'll make a new one. I'll put a rush on it..." Right, like the rush he put on so they would come before the baby did.

But life was much better. Because we spent a whole Saturday putting everything from our chaotic world into those cabinets and rearranging the furniture, etc. Now all I really missed was the counter and the sink. Because you'd think that since we had a since upstairs in Grandma's kitchen, it wouldn't be too hard to get dishes done. Try carrying anything upstairs when that includes your wriggly son and three hours of sleep the night before, eh? So that's my excuse for the piles of dishes which would grow on our dining room table until every spoon was used, every plate and bowl coated with last week's dinner, and every fork filthy. Gross? DISGUSTING?!?!? Yes. I hang my head in shame.

But Finally, two or three weeks later (I lost count around there), we got a counter top. All we had to do was wait for the plumber to fit us in, and we'd have a real live sink again!!! So we waited some more. and more. and more. On Tuesday, Mom called someone that wasn't Bob's usual plumber, since the normal one was supposed to have "gotten it done by Thanksgiving" said Bob. Well, new plumber said SURE he could squeeze us in and we had a sink by the end of the day!

We have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink, we have a sink!!!!!

*Bob's name has been changed to protect the not so innocent. Not because I think he deserves protecting, but because I want to get the crown molding and new cabinet before we all go and egg his house...

Enchanted

Can I just tell you I LOVE this movie? All time FAVORITE right now. Thanks to Jamie and Carson (Mike's cousin and her husband, for those of you who don't know her) for introducing me to it. You guys are going to laugh, but this movie inspires me. Sigh. I love, love, love it! SO, I thought I would share one of the coolest songs ever from it. The movie works the same way as this music video--animated to real, and it is adorable!




Did you see how Carrie goes through making everyone's lives better? THAT's how this inspires me. I want to be like THAT! Someone who goes around lifting people up instead of bringing them down. Now you guys out there, you'll probably at least enjoy this movie--even if you don't ADORE it like most of you girls will. Mike and Carson both liked it (Carson even went to see it with us even though he'd seen it the night before!), so grab a girl and go see it. I don't want to give anything away, so I won't go to far into detail. But I love the way it paints the line I want to walk between fairytale outlook on life and cynicism. It's for the prince or princess in all of us!

Okay. That's enough. Mostly I wanted to put this music video on my blog so I can listen to it every day. They won't let me buy it on itunes without getting the whole album. =D

Here's Hoping You All Had An "INCREDIBLE" Halloween...

I can't take any credit though--it was all Meagan's idea. Poor Gregory wasn't too happy with us. He wanted his parents back, and he'd had enough of these weirdos with masks. You'll notice that I am holding him facing AWAY from both of us, because every time he looked up at me, he started screaming...poor kid. He got used to us by the end of the night though--phew! Doesn't Mike make a cute blonde? Of course, HE doesn't need a costume to be Mr. Incredible, does he?

This One's for Meagan!

I always knew my husband was a handsome devil...

Dream Come True

My girlish heart cherished many dreams. One such dream was that I would marry a tall, handsome man with an incredible voice, and we would star in all of my favorite shows opposite each other. Or at least, we'd sing all those crazy, quirky love songs and dance around our house. Well, I got the tall and handsome part--and a whole lot of other wonderful things too! But my darling husband had never even heard of a lot of my best-loved musicals--let alone seen them! I'm slowly but surely "educating" -slash- indoctrinating him. He has a great ear, and can remember most of the tunes and lyrics after hearing the song once. But alas, my husband is shy, and it's not very often that he jumps up and springs into song and dance (perish the thought)! He does sing to me though. He even knows some Westlife songs! But now my dreams have changed a little bit. And tonight, watching my husband singing my son to sleep (and Gregory was singing back--so cute), I realized once again that they have all come true!

Take THAT.

What can I say? I only get a little tired of hearing that my baby "looks just like his dad!" In all actuality, I think the reason he is such a handsome devil is BECAUSE he looks like his father. But let's defer to this "state of the art" technology (hey, it's free).

And the results are in:

So...the picture of Gregory does NOT really look all drunk/winkish when it's big. Just thought you all should know! =D

Sometimes Life Just Comes Too Fast

So...That's basically my life right now.

But This:


Makes it all WORTH IT!

Finally!!!

He's here! After many months of waiting and preparing, the cutest darlingest and a lot of other -ests has arrived to greet the world.

Finally he's here, and Finally I am blogging it.

So you can see him and talk in really high voices about how fabulous he is!

Maria wanted a pregnant picture--so here you have it--and I still had a couple of weeks to go!

Here I am trying to get Gregory's Room ready for him. Many thanks to the experts we called in (a.k.a. Meagan, Annie, and Sara)!

And now, drum roll please!!!
That's him! That's my baby!! I am bawling my eyes out because they just put my screaming child into my arms. Then I said, "Hi, baby!" and he stopped, looked up at me, and totally relaxed. Sniff, sniff. He knows me!

And here, for your very own, is a picture of Gregory Kayden Richardson
Born July 4, 2007 at 10:09 pm
9 lbs, 3 oz
21 inches long
Officially the most beautiful baby in the world

Torn.

My favorite kind of pizza is not a common, every day kind. None of this pepperoni business. I like extra cheese with tomatoes on top--fresh, raw, juicy, yummy tomatoes. Because who wants cooked tomatoes on their pizza which already has tomato sauce (i.e. cooked and smashed tomatoes) on it? My apologies if you are someone who happens to like that... If said pizza happens to have a Papa Johns crust, so much the better! Yay for Starving Student cards! It's not that difficult really. All they have to do is make an extra cheese pizza and add tomatoes after they cook it. Which is what I ask for. Alas, the message often doesn't get through. Somehow, my delicious fresh tomatoes manage to find their way onto my pizza before said pizza finds its way to the oven. So, I've finally changed my tactics: "Can I get an extra cheese, and then have tomatoes on the side, please?" Sure, ma'am, we can do that for you. Now that I'm married, I have to get used to being called ma'am--I can't be upset about it anymore, right? I got my pizza Saturday night--Extra cheese with fresh, raw, juicy, yummy tomatoes sitting right on top. Sigh. Should I be annoyed that they didn't follow my instructions, or delighted that I FINALLY got my pizza just the way I wanted it?!?

Hit me baby...one more time!

My bladder is a punching bag.
My ribs are a xylophone.
There are times my belly turns oddly angular in places.
Comfortable is a thing of the past.
My stomach is so crammed that I have difficulty keeping anything inside of it.
I wake up in the middle of the night because my body has been thrown to the other side of the bed.

But a wise woman once told me that I will feel a little bit lonely once I no longer have a living creature within.
And the really weird thing is, I believe her! I'm really going to miss getting kicked, punched and rolled around in. Huh. Whoduhthunk?

You don't even know it's there...

I just got a new computer! Wahee!!
Cuz of course, my old one blew up. Which is only a slight exaggeration--there were flames involved.
Anyhow, it's super quiet. It sounds like it's off when it's really on. I'm desperately trying to think of a funny metaphor, but failing abysmally.
The REASON for this blog, however--

Okay, there's more than one. First one being that I'm SUPPOSED to be doing my take-home final...and this sounded like lots more fun. So did reading everyone else's blogs...twice, and delving into facebook...AND...well. Just about everything.

But the REASON I stopped reading random facebook wall-to-walls and laughing at Kat's witty life was because I have been trying to get my computer to the way it should be. Which included deleting all of the dumb music they saved on here just so I would have something to look at when Windows Media Player came up.

But I couldn't delete Mozart. It seemed like sacrilege. And I needed to tell someone. So I thought you should know--I have one song saved on my computer. And I'm really not even a Mozart fan...

Pah ha ha ha. I just posted this and went back to WMP--because I need to add more songs, right? Only it's not Mozart. It's Beethoven. I feel a little better and a little worse. I think I need a pickle.

So...this one time...

I accidentally bought a car.

The day started out simple enough. Dad was having the priests over for breakfast after their weekly temple trip, and we were invited. I love Swedish pancakes! As the boys finally ate their fill and started leaving, Mom turned to me and told me that Steve (the Priest's advisor) would probably be the one who would find me my graduation present--a car (Oh boy!!!). Of course, I was very glad to meet him.

Suddenly, I was halfway up the canyon test driving the car he had just bought for a screamin' deal for someone else who decided to get a van instead. It's a forest green Subaru Outback in great condition for a very good deal.

We liked.
And now suddenly, I will have my own car. For the first time in my life.

Just like that.

I love deadlines.

I like the sound they make when they go whooshing by.

I just came across that quote, and it reminded me so much of myself that I couldn't help but blog it!
PLUS I was supposed to have my part of a group project done by Monday, and it wasn't done by then.
Why? You ask?
Well, there are of course, piles of excuses I could give. My favorite lately is that I'm pregnant. Get over it.
BUT
This assignment turned out a lot harder than I thought it would be. We are writing a narrative mime, which basically means a play for elementary school kids where everyone has multiple parts, easy lines, no pressure costumes, etc. My job was to write the storytellers' parts--basically, the whole story, keeping in mind that I needed to leave room in the story for the actors to say stuff.
Because, you know, that's an important part of acting.
Saying stuff.
However, as I reworked the story we had chosen, The Six Swans, life got a lot harder. I was trying to envision how the actors' lines would work with my story (I'm supposed to have THEM written by yesterday), when I realized:
The main-est character of the story cannot speak for most of the fairytale.
The other main characters spend most of their time as SWANS. Which don't talk, even though this is a fairytale.

Huh. Actor's lines. I'll get on that.

One of THOSE...

There are good days.
There are days that are rough.
Then there are the really bad ones.
You know, where you walk around with a cloud over your head and even glare at the beautiful sunshine outside.

Luckily the Lord sends friends to sit you down and discuss completely safe topics. Like spanking...and Thai food.

Thanks.

Happy Birthday Dear Blog...

It's been two years since I first blogged...sigh. How I've grown.
No really. Have you seen my belly?

But truly, that's not why I'm blogging today. My last blog wasn't as clear as it should have been. I am pregnant. So's you all know. I am having a little baby boy (probably named Gregory Kayden Richardson--the only part we're sure about is the Richardson...) on or around July 4, 2007. And yes, I am excited (that's the first thing everyone asks me).

But he's SO CUTE!!! So I wanted to show him to you.

I know Ultrasounds can be hard to decipher, so I've added my own special touches right above so you can kind of tell what to look for.
Awww! And he kept opening and closing his mouth...I think he was talking to me...

Oh, his darling little foot, toes and all! He's gonna have his Daddy's feet.
HUGE.

His little hands held right in front of his face. Poor little guy. No one likes a camera shoved into their faces. Except people on reality shows I guess. But at least they give permission first.

I couldn't do this one justice with the paintbrush--but it's pretty clear anyways. He's got such a cute little nose! and you can see his arms there too, if you look close.

And last but not least, something my little child may hate me for when he grows up...proof of gender.

And if that's not enough, we got a video! AND we get another one in 6 weeks because there's something they want to check up on. Double the fun!

Okay. Enough parental excitement overdose. You can all go back to normal and stop speaking in high squeaky voices.

Is this test Open-Baby?

Okay, kid--one kick, and it's "a." Two, it's "b."

It's a he.

Death of the perma ponytail

It died. I want everyone to notice.

I'm writing this because nobody HAS.
well, actually, one person, someone that has only known me for a month noticed...

Which is not to say that all of the people I see every day should have noticed.
It's just proof of what a perma ponytail can do for you.
When you cut 8 inches off of your hair and it's the shortest it's ever been, and you come home in triumphant glee, lightheaded and actually excited to do your hair, and your grandma says, "Oh, what have you been out doing?" And you shake your head so your newly clipped locks bounce around...and she says, confusedly, "did you get it trimmed?"
Perma ponytail.
Grandpa didn't notice either, although I proudly pulled the rubberband out with a flourish.
Perma ponytail.
I've been at work, talking to people, being my normal (although slightly sickened) self and--wait! Someone noticed! Lots of people noticed! Everyone is noticing.
Sigh.

I feel better.

Dear World,

You keep giving me funny looks, so please let me explain...

Why I am wearing orange nylons:
My mother, bless her soul, upon hearing that her eldest daughter would soon bear a child, excitedly purchased several gifts for said very grateful daughter. Included was a three pack of maternity nylons ordered from an online provider. What neither mother nor daughter knew (until daughter got to school, that is), is that these nylons have an intense orangey hue when seen in natural light. I swear they looked alright when I put them on (cursing the cold) this morning--although they were a little dark.

Why my dress is sticking to my legs:
I am wearing a slip. Cross my heart and soul. However, I have not yet bought a fat-slip to go with my new cute fat-dress. So my "baby bump" pulls the slip up too high, and it does absolutely no good. Oddly enough, this only happens in frigid temperatures. I have a suspicion that my garish nylons have something to do with it as well.

Why my legs are hairy while wearing a knee-length dress:
Well, you see, I had every intention of wearing nylons to hide that hair. In fact, I did wear nylons to hide that unsightly and rebellious winter tendency. Only I quickly removed them after my first class because YOU were looking at me like I was a freak just because my legs had intense color saturation. Plus, my dress was sticking to me, so I was walking around campus bent over pulling my skirt away from my legs to keep my hemline from creeping up to my waist. So now I took them off to solve two problems and it left me with hairy legs. Deal with it.

Why my heels are bleeding profusely:
I mentioned my new fat-dress. Said fat dress came in a new order of fat-clothes I just ordered. Did I mention I love maternity clothes? They are SO CUTE!!! Oh. But I digress. I bought shoes at the same time, and the whole package arrived yesterday. So despite the fact that they aren't selling wintertime maternity clothes, I donned a new dress, camisole, and shoes for school today. With nylons (under protest to my practical self) because it's pretty cold out there. Never wear brand new shoes for an extended period of time, world. It hurts. EXTRASPECIALLY when you've taken off your nylons due to funny looks from the general populace.

I apologize profusely for all of the faux pas I have committed in one single day--including leaving half of my school books in the bathroom where I removed my nylons. And for using profusely more than once in the same blog.

Sincerely,
Adriane

Addicted.

You know you're addicted when you can't get enough of something. When you don't want to eat anything--all you want is that something. When all you can think about while you are away from that something IS that something, and how soon you can get back to it and have more. So I guess I'm going to have to come clean. I've gone through four gallons of milk this week. I'm totally out and I'm going crazy! I don't bother with a glass anymore--I just walk around with my jug attached to my face. The in-laws panic and padlock their fridge when I come to visit.

Sigh.

Got Milk?

Best Week EVER

Well, maybe not ever...
My 8 o'clock class is canceled Thursday
My 9 o'clock class is canceled tomorrow
My counselor says she thinks they will change my major tomorrow
Now I can graduate in August
I qualify for a program where some nice people somewhere will pay for a bunch of my groceries
They just started a new grant, and Mike qualifies for it
I just scheduled my ultrasound
I'm on day three-in-a-row of not throwing up
I have way more energy than I've had in months
My husband is making me dinner twice a week starting yesterday
I work with the coolest people in the world
I have 1 and-a-quarter gallons of whole milk in the fridge for my enjoyment tonight

LIFE IS SO STINKIN' GOOD!

Blue, Gold, Orange, or Green?

"Some words that describe me are: punctual, practical, sensible, organized, stable, thorough, dependable, conservative, detailed, hear-working, solid, orderly, consistent, structured, positive, and reliable..."

Are YOU laughing? Cuz I am. I guess I'm not a "gold" person.

Streams of Consciousness

I try to turn on the shower way before I'm ready to get in.
It's coooold.
At night time, you can feel the winter coming in through the shower door.

When I grow up, I'm going to have insulation in my house.

So I stood there, like the proverbial frog in a pot, only I was the one cooking myself.
I turned the water up and accustomed myself to the temperature.
I turned it up more.
Until it was so hot the steam was billowing and my skin got red.
And I wanted to turn it up more.
I willed my arms to leave the warm goodness to reach for my shampoo.

In the mornings, I sometimes ponder odd things.
Like the amazing amount of toothpaste that makes it into my stomach even though I never swallow while I'm brushing.
And how I'm like a frog in a pot.
I guess I must swallow without thinking.
I won't tell you how I know how much toothpaste turns up there.

Oh wow.
My face wasn't ready for that warm goodness.

I'm going to be late...

I don't care.
But I kind of do.
What if my teacher makes fun of me when I come in?
It's the first day. No one makes fun on the first day when you are trying to find your way to new classes.
Some professors don't obey that rule.
Maybe I should get out.

I think I need to keep rinsing.
I hurried yesterday and there was still shampoo when I turned the water off.
I could hear it when I moved my head.
It made that soapy sound.
I hate that.
And it's a good excuse anyways.

How long have I been standing here swaying my head back and forth under the warm goodness?

Wisdom.
Taking a family finance class seems like wisdom to me.
Sometimes wise things depend on the situation.
A wise choice that comes at eight o'clock in the morning in the first trimester...
That choice is still being debated.

Someday the jury will get out of the shower.

Not for Everyone

When Mike does Sudoku, he makes funny noises. No really. You guys have GOT to see this.

And we each got a 'doku book from one grandma, and a 'doku CD from another. It's going to be a looooooong year.

In a Moment

I heard some scary news today from Chris Bailey, and I wanted to let you all know that I believe your prayers and support would be very appreciated. Remember our friends Holly and Jared? I can't remember their last names at the moment, but it's Holly who lived in 60. They were in a really bad car accident lately and are both in the hospital. Holly is going to pull through, but Jared is still not breathing on his own yet, and is still in critical conditions. Chris mentioned several punctured lungs and all sorts of scary things. At any rate, it made me stop and think about life and how fleeting it can be. It shook me up--if it can happen to Holly and Jared, it could happen to me. But I wanted you all to know how much I love you because you never know what might happen. And Rachel, if you read this in time and you still plan on visiting them in the hospital, will you let us know so we can maybe come? Thanks.

Huh?!?!?

How come no one has written a blog here?
Who's job is that anyway?


OOoooh...

America, America

I woke up this morning to my husband singing, "no estan gatos en America..." from An American Tale, only in Spanish, not the normal English. It got pretty crazy when he tried to sing it in Chinese...huh. But it did get me thinking about how there ARE cats in America--literally and metaphorically. AND the streets aren't paved with cheese. Which is why they last so long, I believe. BUT I think it's probably a lot better here than the mother country. God bless America.

My First Born

Jon's blog reminded me of a conversation I had with myself yesterday. I was thinking back over my life, and wondering whether I had ever even jokingly promised anyone my first-born child. You never know, you see, who will rememeber these things. Do you think Rapunzel's father thought that old woman next door would remember his promise? No way! You never know when ordinary strangers will turn out to have magical powers. So I'm pretty sure I never have promised any of my children away. Which is lucky, because if I have, I will most likely find out in about eight months when I bear my first born. I don't suppose there are any fairy godmothers reading my blog who would like to protect me?

Oh Tripe!

We are visiting on of Michael's baptisms. Well, HE is visiting Mike's family, and so are we. Yeah--he's the one you all remember from my wedding reception: long hair and camera happy. Last night he treated us to Vietnamese soup at a restaurant--it reminds him of home. Mike's dad was insistent that I try the tripe in my soup. I wasn't adverse, and started fishing around with my chopsticks while I asked, "isn't tripe a kind of fish?" "No. But try it first before I tell you what it is." "Um...you not telling me makes me way more nervous than knowing what it is would," said I. "You want to know that it's cow brains?" Oh, I thought, that's not so bad, and stuffed some into my mouth. I think you would have been proud of my chopstick skills. And the tripe was pretty good too!

Fashion Forward

I was trying to decide the other day, how I feel about some of the new fashion statements that I’ve seen around campus. Then I realized that they reminded me of myself when I was a youngling. Those lacy leggings under dresses? I recall one of my favorite outfits in Junior High that consisted of leggings under a baggy sweatshirt (I had much better legs then). Yesterday I saw a girl with leopard print pants that strongly reminded me of those overalls I used to have. I wonder if hers were fuzzy…

SEE everyone? I wasn’t 10 years behind fashion in Junior High! I was ten years ahead!

The Moa...

Dang! Who ARE these extremely sophisticated, supremely relaxed women?

So...this one time, three best friends went to the MOA. Such a delightful dose of culture and refinement washed over them, and they were left instantly smarter. Then they had a fabulously smart idea: why not have a girls night out? Soon, a night such as had been heretofore only imagined was being carried out. The girls were basking in the sublimity of cheese and chocolate fondue, purple face masks and parafin wax dips (did you KNOW you can do your elbows?) Not to mention the travel size microdermabrasion set and new Peach Smoothie Satin Hands from a certain pink-loving woman (no--not Erika. This lady is much wrinklier and older--in fact, deceased).

Juxtaposition of Worlds

So this one time, The Brigham Young University's Young Ambassadors' Singing Entertainer camp began. And it brings my past life out from its box in the closet and waves it in my face. I did that once.

It really was like a different world. In my opinion, a harder one--always competing for attention with every single other person in the room--all of whom seem to be better at getting it than you do...The hours of tiring practice squashed between the rest of life, resulting in 3, maybe 7 shows? Wanting that solo more than anything in the world (it's one verse, for heaven's sake) and being beaten out...sigh. Those were the days. It was quite the roller coaster, with fabulous ups that almost paid for the horrible lows. I loved it!

I look at my life now: computer teacher, toiling the day away to teach people how to use things that make working better. Who wants to work anyways? I get so annoyed with my teachers, I don't even want to know what my students think of me! I wear no make-up, and the perma ponytail seems to have moved in to stay. I go home at night and instead of going to a play practice, I try to dredge up the energy to make my husband dinner...unless I don't, and then he has toast or something.

I've been noticing the difference ever since I came to work here, but it's been especially blatant this week. Because, you see, I work in the KMB, where the bathrooms only exist in other parts of the building. The fastest is to cross the line (through an "Emergency Exit" door no less!) into the world of costumes and bright lights, loud music and laughter. My old world. Opening the door from the new to the old has been interesting. Up the stairs is where I used to come for voice lessons. Further down, the dance rooms that we used for Singing Entertainer, and that I took a dance class in. The bathroom even, where I used to change as fast as I could so I could get to English almost on time. And NOW, there are little thespians running all over the place. I look at them and see me (well, okay. I identify with the ones that seem a little out of place, I'll admit. The ones that don't have designer work-out outfits, perfectly done hair and makeup, and are maybe a little longer than necessary). There's even Alan Sacket--whom I had a crush on when I was 8, and seemed the epitomy of successful showman--who is a counselor.

I'll be honest, there's a little wistfullness there. But something that I've learned this week is that I like my life! It's different, and I like it! And who knows? I may live my old dream and be in Hale Center Theater plays someday. Or move outside Utah and start a family playhouse myself! I'm not done with the "more exciting" things that I used to love, I have just moved to a different stage. And if I'd continued with my "other life," who knows where I would be? Prolly not married to the most fabulous man in the world, happily muddling through a quiet life. The old world has one new thing to teach me--suddenly I catch the last part of the song blaring in the background: "I've got my man, who could ask for anything more?"

Happy Day! My Husband Has a Stomach Ache!

I know--can you believe it? I'm glorying in his pain...I'm a horrible person.

But wait! I have to tell you WHY he has been groaning for the past half an hour...

I made dinner. Yup. Real live, not from a box, more than one course, home cookin'. Parmesan Ranch Chicken to be honest. And he liked it so much, he couldn't stop eating! And he kept making noises like Mr. Collins (only not quite so annoying) while he ate it. Sigh. AND there are leftovers for lunch tomorrow.

Yeah...professional wife, coming through.

=P I wish!!!

So...This One Time...

I had no friends.

Wait! Before you start protesting that indeed, I DO have friends--that YOU in fact, really enjoy being my friend, hear me out.

So, I blogged about my wedding reception using one of my favorite pictures.

Nothing.

THEN, I blogged about one of the funniest-slash-most painful things in the world that happened to me.

Nothing.

"I have no friends!" I bemoaned every time I checked my blog. "Now that I am married I am dead to them all. I will never blog again."

Sad huh? Don't cry. It ends happy.

So Annie asked me today, "When do we get to see the comments on your blog?" "I dunno..." I thought morosely, "...when someone reads and comments?" So...somehow the moderate comments became enabled on my blog. We figured it out--AND how to fix it. Luckily. So now, all the comments that I thought weren't there really ARE! And I DO have friends that care that I got married and almost burned my legs off. Wow. I skipped for the rest of the day.

So, I wanted to thank you all for being great friends who care about me and check my blog and then comment on it. And apologize for thinking you forgot about me.
Oh...I'm still grinning!

Whoever Said "Beauty Knows No Pain..."

Or, Beware the Nair.
So this one time, on my honeymoon, I decided to try Nair (for those males reading this, it's a chemical product that removes hair) on my legs. I read the instructions carefully, and slathered some on my legs.

"Ooooh," said I, "that's a delightfully tingly sensation!"

Then came time to take it off.

"Wow...some of the hair comes right out! That's cool."

Then it really started burning. Couldn't take it off fast enough...says don't use soap, but I gotta use something! Ooookay...shower that stuff off...right...water makes it worse...lotion? More pain...tepid bath? Nope...crying in a corner? Uh uh.

So...I had delightfully shiney legs. Only problem is, they were bright red, bleeding in places, and the reason they were shiney was that the swollen skin was stretched too tightly. AND there was still hair on them.

I'm allergic.

There's More Where THIS Came From...

If you'll go to my wedding reception on Friday. Yeah, I know...you want to see my wedding dress. I would like that. But this is all you get until then! I haven't figured out how to translate this sound into writing yet...but Lalulalulalulalu (sound resembling a Thanksgiving turkey...yes, I am doing it right now--you should too). Now wipe the spit off of your computer, and come! It's at 6:30, with a "normal" (ish) reception until 8:30, at which point there will be dancing for an hour. I really need y'all to come so there actually WILL be dancing! =D 575 E. 800 N. in Orem (stop laughing!) You don't even need to bring a present. I just want to see you all there.

I'll feed you... 

A River Runs Through It

There are not merely large puddles in the parking lot shared by the JKB and the Talmadge. There is a large, quickly flowing body of water and slush. I finally decided to stop "avoiding" the water, and happily, albeit frigidly, sloshed my way through. It is actually a good thing that I am wearing these sandals, because they will dry out a lot faster than will any of my winter-ish shoes would.My tingly red toes free of socks are a blessing in my life.

Where did the Springtime go?

Stupid People

So...I did it. I made the switch. I am now...

Oops. Deja vu and wrong blog. I apologize. For this is a venting blog. A short one, because...well, you'll understand why in approximately 30 seconds. A mini-venting blog; it will be short, and with mini amounts of ventilation.

Ahem...
I stood here, waiting for a computer in the library (during devotional--they are a slim commodity right now!) while some DORK watched Strongbad's latest e-mail. Excuse me? Can you not read the sign on your monitor that says, "Please limit your time when people are waiting"?!?!?!?

And so, once I finally got a computer, I sit here writing a blog. Next to the girl who was in front of me in line, who is playing TextTwist. I am seriously tempted to log on to Homestarrunner.com, but I don't have my headphones.

I really do have a couple of good blogs percolating in my head. I just need to find a space where I don't need to "limit my time when people are waiting." Oh heck, why don't I just do it right now?

Early People

So...I did it. I made the switch (most) of the way. As I sit here at the library at 8 o'clock, I look at all the people around me: early people. So THIS is what it feels like! Huh. I kind of like it. My body is getting used to waking up at seven and being to school by eight every day. My favorite day is still Tuesday though, when I don't teach or have class until ONE. I generally sleep in on Tuesdays. Yummmmm. I love waking up to the sun on my face. Sigh. Well, I thought I was an early person. Ew yuck. The guys at the computer are early people..."I thought about sleeping in today. I mean, I don't have class until eleven. Then I thought to myself, 'get up and do your physics!'" "Yeah, I slept in today..." [what the crap? it's 8 o'clock and you're at school!] "at least, I didn't get up at 5:30." Only under extreme duress do I EVER get up at five thirty. well, over the summer I had to be to work by 5. I will simply look back on those times and marvel at my former strength. But really. I am an early-ish person now. Usually.

Lighthearted Stroll

So I'm supposed to be working on my research proposal, but I'm obviously way too lighthearted at the moment. Can I tell you about my stroll from the KMB to the TNRB that shouldn't have been lighthearted either, but it was? Thanks. I was walking along, drinking in sunshine (But the sky wasn't orange, oddly enough), feeling bubbly excited. I had just come from a Word class of awesomeness, where I was evaluated for a promotion (Diane says I passed her half!) and where my coteacher is none other than the beautiful Annie Jacob, who did a fabulous job teaching Autofunctions. I felt like my part of the teaching went pretty well (phew), and I think the class will be really fun. All but one person is on the same level, and I feel less bad boring people (she knows WordPerfect really well) than going to fast for them. It's going to be way fun. The sun was shining, the grass is getting greener (in time for engagement pics--yay!), and I'm getting married next month. Hold the phone, er, mouse--next month?!?!?! Wow. Gosh, I can't wait. Suddenly, I heard screeching breaks, and a horrific rending-of-metal noise. The car directly to my right had just ran into the metal gate by the JKB, knocking it down completely. Pah ha ha. Made my day.

Pretty pretty freezing cold blinding whiteness

It really was gorgeous. Because, you see, in Rexburg, it is so grubdz cold that the snow falling from the sky never melts and congeals with other flakes. So on top of the car is a beautiful conglomeration of snowflakes--each in its original, pristine, crystal form. Since every flake is individual, the sun sends millions of gorgeous sparkles bouncing off the ground, turning the surrounding, freezing cold countryside to a beautiful, blinding fairy-land.

Alas, I'm still not tempted to live there. Even mid-afternoon, the wind was suck-your-soul-out cold. Grubdz. What can I say more?

Dang it--Logan is almost as cold (but luckily at least two years away!)

I miss you Meagan. I was trying to explain "It's not funny if they aren't falling down." After I was dropped foot-long into a pile of said freezing cold whiteness (it was in a parking lot though--definitely icy greyness). That's all.

grubdz

That's what I just had to enter to post a comment on my own blog! It fits my mood, believe it or not. I am going to take this opportunity to vent. For any of you who would not like to hear any complaining, let alone Valentines grumbling, you had best stop now. Yes, that means you.

Obviously, the day started wonderfully. Yay for happy walks to work and fun Quickskills classes and Photoshopping a picture of me and my love and having it printed at Walmart and putting it in a cute frame, for to be a cute little fiance. I also managed to print off thirty copies of a letter and consent form that we are sending to 30 troubled high school kids that we want to play with. After that, things started going down hill. First, I...um...skipped class....because I didn't want to go. So I didn't. So there. THEN the notoriously late cleaning check lady was 2 and a half hours late. I had promised my roommates I would wait for her--checks always go so much better when there is someone here. =P I knew the second I left to get something done, she would come. So I stayed here...waiting. THEN I needed to drive to Walmart in rush hour traffic to get said picture for the man I love. THEN I got back and Michael and I headed to Tucanos. You didn't make reservations? Even after I suggested it? Several times? Oh well. An hour and a half wait is okay--we'll go buy our engagement rings. We come back. "Is this the first time you've checked back with us?" Duh...yes. "Check back in another 20 minutes and tell me it's the second time." Off to Borders...cute future wife saves the day! Let's read kids books. I show him Nancy Drew 1-56. "Guess how many I've read?" All of them? Have you read a lot of books? "Huh...self, are you sure you are compatible with this man? Yes, dear heart, I have read a lot of books. I thought that we'd been over this. Yes, I know, you pretty much have read The Lord of the Rings." Back to Tucanos. "Okay, here's a cool ringer buzzer thing that will tell you when we're ready for you." Hmm...I'm pretty sure that adds up to...a TWO and a Half hour wait...but, we've waited this long, might as well just read some more. Mike is getting into Harry Potter anyways. FORTY minutes later, we return to Tucanos. The place is even more packed than before. The girl is still telling people to check back in fifteen minutes and tell her it's the second time (yes, the dumbest idea for a wait system I've ever heard). Tensions are high (especially mine--I'm hypoglycemic and PMSing like CRAZY). I am about ready to throw the cool buzzer thingy at her head..."May I have your attention. Everyone with a cool ringer buzzer thing needs to wait outside." Oh...grubdz. Three hours was all I could handle. We left, and had our Valentines dinner at Taco Bell. At 9 o'clock. Now we need to go to Macey's to get ice cream. I don't want ice cream. Warning bells should have begun ringing. Bad things are happening when I don't want ice cream. Mike still wants something sweet. We go to Maceys. He gets two boxes of Li'l Debbies. I get a li'l yogurt. I stop in front of the cream soda..."I think we've splurged enough today, don't you think." Oooooohhhhh....apparently the hurt was evident in my eyes, but no. No cream soda for me. We are buying Li'l Debbies. Back at his apartment--Clever ruse to get Mr. Man back into his bedroom where cute-framed-mostly-black-and-white picture is waiting amidst a pile of conversation hearts. Not to mention the giant chocolate kiss...mmmm. Oh cute...k done. Roommates have decided to watch Corpse Bride, which means we can't watch the aforeplanned Little Mermaid (his idea, I might add--I think he thinks it will keep me happy, and he won't have to see P&P). So, my friends, I topped off my Valentines Day with a good dose of Tim Burton's death and carnage. After that it was time for him to go to bed, so I walked myself home. Nice one!

Please note, none of this would have been as bad if, well...I hate PMS.

That's all.

Oh What a Beautiful Morning!

One time, I left my house this morning. The fact that it was, indeed, previous to this moment is a wonder in and of itself. There should be a blog forthcoming on that...Anywho. The breeze that was blowing held the promise of a beautiful day. It was chilly, I will admit. Probably too cold for a denim skirt and sandals, but it was not suck-your-soul-out cold anymore. Right above the mountain peak, the tip of the sun was peeking out (pah ha ha--peak, peek), turning the top of the IPF to liquid silver. Slowly but surely, it rose higher in the sky, until it was playing hide and seek with me through the trees. The birds were singing and hopping about amongst the dead leaves. I walked along my brick path, the only person in the world--just me and the sun. I unbuttoned my coat. Sigh. It's good to be an early person.

Holy Moly!

So, this one time, I got engaged on Friday the 13th!!! We will be getting married on April 29th in the Jordan River Temple. When I figure out the reception details, I'll let you know. You are all invited! Hugs and kisses to you all!

P.S.

This is what the ring looks like. For those of you heart attacking over the fact that my wedding ring is purple, be calm. I'm a different fish, okay? Besides, amethyst is his birthstone, and diamond is mine (symbolic, huh? We didn't even think of that...). And plus, it only cost 7.00. We're going shopping for the real one soon. But I really still like this one.

Hodgepodge

K Fine. I'm blogging.
One time I heard a girl say, "my brain is tingling." I like it. I will prolly use it in the future
Mr. Jensen forgot to label his axes. And I was there. Pah!!!!
I'm so tired that I want to sleep from here until...early May-ish.
8 hours a week is a little much for a "just-for-fun" sewing class. I might audit, I might drop it. Oh, the possibilities!
I'm bracing for a tricky Semester--and most of my classes are "for fun." I'm prolly just freaking out because I'm trying to apply to the major and it's "taking a lot of energy." As are other things.
Sometimes I wonder how these ladies in Les Miserables managed to have a career on Broadway and be in one of the greatest shows on earth (as opposed to Utah).
Good news. We only have 99 days of class left. I figured it out on Excel (nerd!).
Pretty much this is as coherent as I get right now. Love to you all.

Hungry.

Let's be honest. I'm taking a well deserved from the Villa for several weeks. Approximately three, actually (sigh of utter delight). I have been looking forward to said break since last time I got a break. Hence, the eating of food has been strictly limited to what I already had in the cupboard or bare essentials...and hot chocolate and grasshopper cookies (anyone up for some of that tonight?). And all of the goodies that the girls that live above us have been leaving for 12 days (I love cute neighbors!!!) So. I have been living on cookies, and peanut butter, and Raman. An Almond Roca and Starbursts. And fudge. And tootsie rolls. But I ate my last Raman at approximately 2am this morning (it's great to stay up late--we were watching Singin' in the Rain), and now I think I'm all but cleaned out. Last night for dinner I mooched off of Mike, but he's almost out too. That's it. I have GOT to go home tonight!

This is a desperate plea for much playage over the break!

***NEWS FLASH*** I don't hate Raman anymore (not the person--the food). I actually really like it. I think my taste is...Um...Improving? LOL.

Once again, my plea is becoming more than desperate!

Plus, don't use the spell check unless you don't mind Singin' changed to sanguine, playage to plays, and other such rediculousness. I pressed ignore, dang you!

P.S.

For those of you who would find this amusing, I was just priviledged to write an e-mail to Jane Lindhout, Principal of Orem High School (Annie's future job). I cannot tell you how tempted I was to address her as Judge Jane. So close. Ah well.

And I'm making this post appear after the other one, since it's a P.S., but since it's a P.S., I wrote it after. Lol...riddle me that one.

Minor Detail

Oops! Sorry. I forgot all about that. For those of you who have not met him, this is Michael James Richardson. For the record, I was wearing red first, and then he changed into it without my permission. Mine's more of a pinkish redish anyways--I don't do red clothes. That's all. =P 

Got Any Grapes?

Tomorrow=Meet the Parents...
And 8 out of 9 siblings: Dan, Jordan, Kristy, Kelsi, Aaron, James, Josh, and Benjamin (all most likely spelled wrong). Andrew's on a mission in Pennsylvania. Plus all extended family...on both sides. I'm starting to get a little nervous. It doesn't help that sometimes I swing to the opposite side: what if they like me TOO much? The picture Mike sent to his mom of us together has been "printed all nice" and is framed and nestled amongst the other family photos. Lol...I wish y'all could've seen my face when he told me that (luckily over the phone!) because I'm pretty sure you would've laughed. I did.
I hear that if you want to stretch your stomach, you eat lots of grapes. Lots and lot of grapes, because they take up lots of room, but they go right on through so there's room for more (sorry Maria! =P) I will need to buy a whole cart load, because I will be attending THREE (Omigosh!) Thanksgiving Dinners--mine, and his on both sides. Wow. I tell you what.
Okay, PLUS, for those of you who have MET any of MY extended family, that's cause for major anxiety as it is. Uncle Warren...and Harold and Derek. Plus my Grandpa. My aunts and Grandma should be alright...right? As long as they don't get too...auntish. Sometimes they like to pretend they're my age. My cousins will use him as a jungle gym...but he's used to that--Oh wow. I'm only just realizing how stressed out I really should be right now!

I learned a new word...

Peter Peter, Pumpkin Eater
Had a wife and couldn't keep her;
threw her in a pumpkin shell
And defenestrated her!

Little Jack Horner sat in a corner
Eating a Christmas pie;
Stuck in his thumb and pulled out a plum
And defenestrated it!

Little Miss Muffet, sat on a Tuffet (What's a tuffet, anyways?)
Eating he curds and whey (mmm mmm);
Along came a spider, sat down beside her
And defenestrated her!

*What do you get when you mix an Early-childhood Education Major with a word geek? ME!!!
**Yes, this is a version of a song I used to LOVE to sing as a child.

A Few of My Favorite Things

Josh Groban singing "You Raise Me Up"
Westlife singing...just about anything =)
Bagpipes

Okay. Now, let's imagine that we combined all of these things in ONE SONG and the CD comes out on Halloween. Am I excited...yeah. Pretty much.


Hopefully this Link will work, and then you all can share in the joy. Pretend that Kian doesn't look like a girl (and he's not even the gay one!) and your experience will prolly be lots better. This is SO CUTE!!!

I'm Not Wearing My Consequences Today...

Sounds a little scandalicious doesn't it? You're consequences are showing! Well, if it makes me a little more reputable, I will tell you that Annie is not wearing consequences either. We are both anti-consequences today. I think I can see your consequences...

So this one time at preschool, Carson asked Miss Kirsten if she was wearing her consequences. "Uh...I don't know what that is..." [try to move on with story time]. "Teacher, consequences are what you wear in your eyes!" Oh...CONTACT LENSES! Miss Emily was teaching you about those the other day, wasn't she?

Quick Update

I get to teach Photoshop Basic and Digital Photography with one of the best teachers at work! Psyched!

Diane gave me a huge smile and said she thought I did a great job when I taught Prodev today.

My friend Ryan likes this guy at work's little sister, and this other guy at work knows Ryan--weird.

I apparently look like Cameron Diaz (yeah right)!

My eyebrows have broken out--nowhere else...who does that?

My least favorite member of my favorite boyband just announced that he's gay. We all knew it--he always DID wear too much lipstick-- but I still say sad day!

I'm tensing for the heartbreak--preschool ends this week!

It should be apple season soon!!!

I'm tired of relationship counseling and drama, and I don't want to have to go through it myself. All the more reason to go on a mission!!! =P

I caught myself singing during Prodev today...bad bad. In my defense, I've been crazy stressed.

I went grocery shopping today. Seemingly small, but it makes all the difference.

I don't have a study tree (that's for Meagan), but I do think I've found somewhere I like to study. Hopefully no one steals it and I have to pay them $20 for it. That's why I'm not telling you where it is, cuz it's secret.

Today, I almost finished reading the LAST CHAPTER in Cognitive Development! My smile extended past my ears when I realized that.

There is a book called Happy Hippopotami. I checked it out from the library on the very day that I decided that the plural of Hippopotamus should be Hippopotami. That one is for Bobbery.

Life is so good right now. I come home from school beaten to a pulp, but I like it still. It's just knocking off the rough edges, right?

Straight and Narrow

Bad things happen when you aren't where you should be. That's why we are warned to stand in Holy Places. Now that I've got you all listening, let me reassure you. I have not wandered, nor am I confessing any great transgression. In fact, my problem was not with being where I shouldn't be, but where I should. Unfortunately, where I should be was where I shouldn't have been. Making sense, huh?

So I'm not confessing any sins or misdeeds, but I am confessing a serious weakness. It's sad, really, when such a wonderful thing can turn into such a temptation. Remember the sheet music store? Yeah. Same concept, different numbers. Today I dipped my does in...the Juvenile Literature section of the Library. Ooooooh, bad. I have been there before, but it was to pick up a book that I already had the call number, and I had to get it really quickly because someone was waiting for me. Tonight was different.

I needed a book to teach an "interactive literature" in the preschool. What book? Heck if I knew. I was supposed to somehow explore the section, and books were supposed to pop out at me, and ideas start flowing...all in about half an hour. That's all I had time for. Finally I dragged myself away, after reading a particularly enchanting fairy story, and looked at the clock (both of my watches have recently departed). Yep, 2 HOURS. Do I know which book I will be using now? Nope. I just have about 9 kids' books on my bed, and I am trying to decide. I think I'm going to have to go with Corduroy. Yeah? Sorting Buttons? That's math! And threading them onto a card? Oh yeah. Small motor activities.

Anyways, Here I am writing a blog at 1am because I spent way too long delving into the glory days...sigh. And I was doing so well--pride goeth before the fall, I suppose. Now I will have to get into the whole "going to bed 'early'" habit all over again!

No, I Didn't Get In A Fight With A Cat...

I got hit in the face with the piano. Luckily the piano is okay!
It's been a long time, and I always think of things I should blog about, but I can never remember what they are once I actually sit down to do it.
I am an official member of the "Too Tall Club," where I can "do tall things, meet tall people, and eat tall food!" Excellent.
Still loving the preschool--especially Parker. Today Miss Lee put him in my group and his face lit up...I can't think of a better way to make a bad day better!
I no longer address myself as "self." I fear that I have started to call myself, "Miss Adriane" in my head.
My propensity to just sing whatever part of the "Soundtrack of My Life" happens to be playing has gotten worse! I'm not sure exactly why, but I find myself midsong ALL the time! Scary.
I bombed a test today..."And I feel GREEAAAT!!!" "Tests Everywhere!"
The best part is, I just watched "Ever After." Sigh. And I'm going to bed--RIGHT NOW!!! G'night!

My Night with the Drashnok

Sometimes, it's best not to know what a drashnok is. Especially when you hear that it "consumes human flesh" and it is "directly below the engineer's station." Uh...now it's under MY station? Zach darling, do you have that phaser ready? Poor kid, he and the first officer were the only ones allowed to use the phaser. "Why are you all running away?" Because we don't have a gun! Oh, no, little brother. You can't hide behind me this time. The annoying thing was, I had beamed it off right after it beamed on--(yay self!)--which apparently wasn't supposed to happen, because it kept trying to stick its hairy clawy hands in my face--definitely not beamed off my ship. The transporter broke directly, and then my poor captain father was telling Lo to fix the gravity! Lol...finally she fixed the transporter, and I sent him packing. "Beam him out, Scotty," I thought to myself. My favorite part (in retrospect) was when its burst through the little doors and I screamed. Then I kept on screaming because it was part of the experience. I screamed like that Drashnok was upon me already consuming. Sick. Who thinks of these things?

In other news, I have a new phone number, and a new website. I will tell you the website: webpub.byu.net/aeb88 There are only two pictures on it so far, but if I can squeeze the time in, I will add some more favorites. Don't be jealous cuz it's just Annie--her pictures are much more fun to manipulate, seeing as everyone in the office already knows her. Anywho, this is what I learned about photoshop so far--including the making of the website. Who'duv thunk?

Elder Neuenschwander

I just love his name, don't you? And he's really nice. I met him when our Stake Presidency was changed waaaaaay back in the day, when Daddy was just starting his Stake Clerk-ness. The funny thing is, now he's on my desktop wallpaper! Who'da thunk?

By popular demand, I will try to put my experience with cultural geography on paper (well, sort of), but I think you're right. It's better in person.

And hey, look at the time! I'm going to bed now (WHOAH!!!). G'night!

What Next Mr. Brad?

Guys. The kids came to the preschool for the first time today. =D I tell you what! I started out this semester counting the days until that twelve hours would be free again, and whammo! Parker is the one who blurts the title of my blog every five seconds because he's so excited to be at preschool. Isaiah is the one who told me, "That really hot slide tried to hurt my leg." Madeline goes by "Mo." Matthew got so excited when we sang the bubblegum song that he wouldn't stop talking about it--even in the middle of Mr. Brad's story. Josh is a sober young boy, with hair parted down the middle, who likes to make snakes out of play-doh. I lucked out--I got the most popular center. I want to live my life with that kind of wonder and excitement. Kind of like my little cousin, who put his hand in mine as we walked along the beach (I got a little teary, it was such a cute moment), and exclaimed at EVERYTHING--even the orange peels. Life holds one big beautiful surprise around every corner, my friends.

When I Am Old, I Shall Wear...

A sparkley-sequined flower in my hair and a dancing dress. Then I will go dancing with my darling old husband at the Murray Arts Center, where they have this amazing old-school band (with awesome piano) that plays everything from "Anne's Theme" to Rascal Flatts' "Broken Road," to Sinatra. Sigh. And when I see young people trying to dance the tango (and the girl is trying to not get the guys' sweat all over her--and failing) I will walk up to her, grab her wrist sympathetically, and then go back to dancing with my darling old husband. And it's going to be great. Am I still listening to Frank? Yes yes, yes yes.

WHEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

Two words. Office chair. Lol. Two more words--backpack in each arm. Fast. Really fast...dizzy. Mmmm. This is something I will do in broad daylight. Yessssss.... Annie, why did you have class?

You Know You're A NERD When...

It just hits me over and over...and there are so many different sides to my nerdiness!

I was enumerating the happy things about my day, and one of them was, "I have Wicked songs stuck in my head!" I wasn't expecting them to ask which one! It took me a second to dig down to the soundtrack of my life...my heart sank. The song currently playing in my head was the prologue! Man!

I have a Palm Pilot, and it's really working out well for me. When Garth (I work with him) found out I had a Palm, he started talking about synching with Outlook and how helpful that is. Wait! They have a bunch of extra cradles just sitting in a box. Did I want one? Sure I did! I have two Palm Sync cradles...I don't know how I feel about that.

I just put my desk together for my computer (I've missed this thing so badly!), and I had to borrow some tools to do it. I'll skip the details about secret schemes and intrigues (Daddy...), but I finally borrowed Ryan Horne's tool set. You know you're kind of tool-nerdy when your eyes get big and you start explaining to Crystal that, "it's magnetic, so if you drop something, it sticks to it, and you can change the different heads, and look, this is how it works! The only way it would be better is if it was a ratchet one!" and she gives you one of those nods that tries to say, "cool" but ends up saying, "you are SO weird!" Okay, so I want a socket wrench set for Christmas. Is that a problem?

(Those three were all on the same day!)

Today, while trying to set up a bulletin board (I'm an ECE major, okay?) three of us were following the official student teacher around. We decided we were either ducklings or lemmings. I voted vehemently for ducklings--then we could shake our tail feathers. It ended with us all singing "Five little ducks went out to play..." and then THAT was stuck in my head...yep. ECE nerd. That's me.

Creeeeaaaakk..k..k.....

There are some things that I just won't do in broad daylight. I prefer, in fact, to wait until the dead of night. There's something so exhilarating about flighing high, swooping down, then rising to the top once again. It messes up my hair and takes my breath away. But I have to wait until it's dark to swing on the swings. Why, you ask? I will tell you. My rear end no longer fits inside the swing! It's not very flattering. Nor comfortable. So my joyous, exhilarating rides have become somewhat secretive and limited. Getting old is hard.

Falling Down

You know how, when toddlers teeter, and then fall over, they immediately look to their parents? If Mommy jumps up and fusses over the crash, the tot's face will likely squash up for a good howl. If they hear a "Nice one! Just try again!" they will probably pick themselves up and go tottering for a couple more steps.

I'm tired of people fussing. I'm only twenty for heaven sakes! I know you want nieces and nephews, Zach, but that's no reason for you to ask Dad to bless me to find the right man SOON in my back-to-school blessing. Yeah, everyone in my extended family, I am not married. Sad day. Get over it. I'm just fine toddling my way through life. I'm not nearly mature enough to make such a big commitment. I know that, and I'm quite content. But with all this fussing, I feel a howl coming on.

I apologize if this sounds bitter. I promise that it does not represent my true feelings. I just can't help wondering sometimes if maybe I should be more worried--since everyone else seems to be. Thanks for listening.

Bad Day

I really like that new song by Daniel Powter. And it's awesome when you had a bad day for REALS and it plays on your way home from work.

If I had subtitles for this blog, it would be "Okay, fine. I'll be your friend--if you pay me!" Keep that in mind.

So. Rotten day. I won't go into all the details, but it started last night. =P. I left my keys inside Kneaders again. That means I had to get a ride home from Amber, and I had to have someone make an extra trip with me this morning to get the car. But, you know. Whatever. Except--AAHHHH!!! Today is laundry day. My keys are at the laundry. I cannot find even the number for the laundry people. Luckily they are easily identifiable, as I am still using a bright yellow carebear as a keychain.

I got a letter from the scholarship comittee. Life just got a whole lot more complicated...but hey, it's a growing experience, right? It will be good for me. I will grow, and be a better person for it. But I felt like a failure with a capital F in big red letters. Rough.

Then I had to go to work. Ew yuck. I got to work. Oh--I got my laundry done. That is very happy news. So. Bob (my manager) spent the rest of his shift telling me that "You've never had a bad day in your life." I looked at him like, "Stupid man. I don't know if you are trying to make me feel bad--probably not. What do you maean you can read my aura?" Ugh. Or he would be like, "How much will you give me for your keys?" When I knew very well he didn't have them. but every time he said it, I wished he did so bad! Jerk.

So then, when Colleen came up and said, "Adriane," in that voice that means, "I have something to tell you..." I braced for impact. I had been terribly annoyed with her the day before, and I still tense up whenever she talks to me. "I was watching you with the customers..." Man! I am working my butt off for you!!! Interacting with the customers is the only thing I really love about this job--don't you DARE tell me I'm bad at it! "and you were amazing!" *Jaw drop* I wish I could have seen my face. I'm pretty sure it was hilarious. "You do such a wonderful job, and I really appreciate the way you suggestive sell things." By this time, my jaw was on the floor, and I was stammering my thanks to her when she said, "In fact, I'm going to give you a one dollar raise on your next paycheck." Holy cow! What did you do with the Colleen I knew? For two seconds, I considered taking back my two weeks notice. I don't think she knows about it. Lol...only I came to my senses, thanked her, turned around, and made that same face I accidentally make when beautiful men talk to me using my name and I don't want to scream.

So if YOU happen to be having a bad day ;P, hang in there. Eventually, things will look up. Something good has to happen, even if it's only an extra dollar an hour for the last 7 days you work. Or maybe you will be weeding your yard and not see a single spider! Or maybe you'll just get all of your laundry done.

Mmmm...

"Adriane, what do you when you get home from your trying, on-you-feet-for-eight-hours job? Do you fall into bed, exhausted and in pain?"
"No Larry, actually, I like to go home and write blogs and watch the Little Mermaid."

Pah ha ha--well, if Julia and Zach happen to be watching the BEST Disney movie ever, I won't argue. My one regret about Disneyland is that I didn't get a picture with Ariel. I need to go sometime with a group of friends that won't mind me waiting in a forever long line to take a picture with some strange girl in an ugly red wig. Because they will be right there in line with me. And we should go this year sometime, because they have the BEST FIREWORKS EVER!!! EVER!!!! I am ruined to city park fireworks forever. *sigh*

Well, naturally, I still have more to write, but Ursula is about to take over the entire ocean, and someone needs to be there to see that everything turns out alright. K Bye!

A Blog About Lauren

So much time, and so little to do! Strike that--reverse it (for all of us OLD Willie Wonka fans ;).

Guys. I have so much to blog about! The payamas, and the little bit of sunshine in my cynical world, Disneyland, work, getting ready for school, scary old men that make me think of Jena and her scary old men... But I don't have time tonight. Because my Dad keeps calling on the intercom, and he is sleepy and so am I. So for tonight, I will just point your attention to my sister's link on the right hand side of my blog. Because I am pretty excited that I finally got her to create one. YESSSS!!! And she is coming to college, which is weird but exciting. And none of you boys are allowed to ask her out without my permission. Um...that's all.

I Don't Wanna Grow Up

So I was sitting in the hospital with my Mom for four hours yesterday, and it reaffirmed what I'm always known: I don't want to be the grown-up. Ever. I don't want them talking to ME about the results of the test or what medications to take, or when she's allowed to drive again. I don't want to be the one in the next cubicle calling my family and telling them that "Mom's going to be really tired today...how about if you come to see her tomorrow instead" and "they let her get up to go to the bathroom and she broke her tailbone..." I don't want to answer my Mom's nervous questions over and over because she can't remember that she asked me the same thing five minutes ago--let alone the answer I gave her. I don't want to see her on her side coming back from the test with an oxygen tube in her nose, pale and unconscious. It scared me, to be completely honest. I don't want to do it again. Luckily, our worries were unfounded, and she is okay (big cheer for Mom!!!), so I won't have to do that again for ten more years, but I still don't want to be the grownup. Ever.

What If the Hokey Pokey Really IS What It's All About?!?

Well???

Someday that is going on a sign on my wall. When I get cutesy-craftsy. Which is on my list of things to do...and if I could ever find the stupid list, I would maybe get to it! =P

In other news, I should never ever ever EVER go to sheet music stores, even if it's just a quick stop to get the Wicked music for my Mom (YAY!!!). Cuz I will end up spending $40 of my own money as well...but hey. For Josh Groban? Yeah. It's worth it. Remember when it rained? Sigh. And Lonestar, my friends. Yes, I am all set.

In other other news, I'm not so sure I really like The Light In the Piazza. I know that I have only mentioned it to probably one person reading this (it's the latest Tony winner--Best Musical of the Year), but it's not all that it's cracked up to be. I do really like a couple of the songs on it, however. Thank goodness for the Library, and I didn't have to buy the whole stinkin' CD to find out.

So I'm doing the Program for our ward tomorrow, and I was finding the titles to the hymns online--you know the awesome Hymn thing on lds.org, that plays a note whenever you scroll over the different titles, and when you keep doing it it makes a song? It's I Am a Child of God right now. I liked it when it was The Spirit of God too. Is it bad if I have to play with it every time I get on?

Well, I'm off. No work for me for NINE WHOLE DAYS!!!! Yesssss..... (that was a Napoleon, please read it as such). I love you all, and miss you like crazy!!!

I Just Feel Listless, and I Don't Really...

My face is falling off, but I only bugs me when it's burning. I like my job...some of the time. Crabby boss lady likes me lots now. I have to get out of there before the tide turns again. My current life's ambition is to close faster than I did the last night. When I'm not at work, I'm too tired to do much of anything. My hair is "sensible." Granted, it was an 8-year-old-hispanic girl that told me this, but still. I bought a sparkly pink cowgirl hat. A WESTLIFE one. Excellent...nyeh...whatever. I don't know if I really feel anything anymore. Is that a problem? Am I broken? How long have I been broken and not realized it? I can't find my feelings, but it doesn't keep me from messing with other people's. Is guilt a feeling? I want to go away, but my face kind of hurts...

The Half-Blood Prince

I was right! (Said with great triumph). Of course, i was wrong about a lot of stuff too. I was glad this book was so much better than the 5th--that one was such a disappointment! I'm glad Harry finally shaped up, too. I guess I can't write anymore, since some of you haven't finished yet!

There's a Snake in My...Hat?!?

So this one time, I was examining my life, looking for something to blog about. And then something happened. Okay, so it wasn't that exciting, but it was cool, and I have had lotsa fun finding cool links for to tell you such news. I was doing the drive thru last night, and when I opened the window to tell this boy his total, he looked at me kind of funny, kind of like he was waiting for me to react to something. He had a dang awesome cowboy hat on, but I was kind of busy, so I just told him to pay me, and took him credit card. I came back to get him to sign the receipt, and realized. There was this cool plastic snake wrapped around his hat. That's...uh...different. Then it moved. Bah! There's a ...SNAKEon your hat! And it's alive! And really big!!! But I still didn't really say anything, because I knew he wanted me to. So I told Amber (a girl I work with) about it, and let her give the order out so she could see it. That was a let down--she didn't even notice! Well, that's all...Bye Bye Now!

Untitled

Hey, if Simple Plan can do it, I can too.

So, I met the cutest, nicest old lady yesterday! She came into Kneaders in a group of little old ladies. I suddenly saw myself in 50 years. You see, she was SIX FOOT ONE. Sigh. We were fast friends. And I met someone named Taj. Lol...it isn't an "o" in the middle, but I figured it was close enough. I wanted to put Metzup on the order ticket, but...I was afraid he would think I was laughing at him. So I didn't.

So I've been sitting here trying to think of more stuff to write, but I'm having spectacular writer's block. I think I'm going to go and...take a nap-slash-clean my room? Lol...we'll see what wins.

The Grim.

Yes. There I was, late last night, after a long car ride home full of "quality time together." (It's funny on so many levels guys, but I guess you had to be there). I walked up to my garage door, expecting to open it, walk inside, up three steps, and through the mud room door into my home sweet home, where my big soft bed with freshly cleaned sheets awaited me. I am here to tell you to NEVER let your guard down. You may think that your world is just as it seems, that everything is the same as it always has been. But you never know when the grim may come bounding out of your every day normal life, just like he came bounding out of my garage at me.

Luckily I remembered that my cousins brought there huge black lab with them to visit from Nevada. Luckily Rocko remembered that he had seen me inside of the house he was visiting. Luckily black labs are generally very gentle. So I gave him a good scratching as I sat on those three steps, and thought about stuff. I really want a dog.