The Finale

The end of a goal is normally the sweetest part. You've finished, you've succeeded. But at the end of NaBloPoMo I find myself at a stand still. I literally am at a complete loss for a post idea. With there being so many things going on in the world and I'm still having blogger's block, the ending seems to be anticlimactic. Unfinished.

Is today really November 30th? Did my favorite season, Fall, just pass away? Am I about to go back into a blogging dry spell?

Both of my breaks at work were spent in front of my computer. I was surfing google images trying to have something light an idea into blaze. Something to get the creative juices flowing, but alas, nothing. I wasted 30 minutes of much needed break time at my computer. A place that my job has to pay me to stay.

A few people at my work find it odd that I blog. They say things like "what do you blog about when your single" or "Wow, that is really lame". There is some teasing to what they say but some truth as well. What do I blog about??

Before I left work I looked back over the last month and I saw something I didn't notice before. I saw my likes and dislikes, my love for my mother, music that swells in my soul, books that have touched my heart, traditions of old and new, foods that my Mother and Sisters taught me to cook, poetry, opinions on how the world does or should work, and goals that were met. I also saw me...in the written form. Rie, broken into words and emotions. The writer, who isn't completely talented, but has the heart for the job. Maybe this is the big ending of November. I get to see everything that I've written about.

Driving home from work I took notice of the beautiful lights that were starting to appear more and more as night wore in. Christmas lights glowed colorful and enchanting on house trims and trees. Traffic lights danced with interchanging color. Living rooms lit up as families sat down for their dinners. Street lights glowing like a celestial orbs. Porch lights clicked on to let someone know that they had loved ones waiting to see them. The moon started to rise above the mountains. I knew that these lights were my "finale", my personal fireworks followed me the whole way home, congratulating me.

Fairy Tales

I truly am a sucker for fairy tales. I remember growing up in Ohio, sitting on my little chicken stool watching The Little Mermaid over and over. I wanted to be Ariel as she walked out of the ocean in her sparkly slinky dress. When I was in the hospital, waiting for my foot to heal, I watched as Aurora woke up after the worst day of her life to her prince kissing her softly. I smiled when Belle read to Beast in his majestic library. I had a tear in my eye when the Nation of China all bowed to Mulan, as they recognized the women who saved them.

I really enjoy Shannon Hales beautifully written novels. Her books are youth readers that are extremely easy to read and completely original. She gives a brand new spin for fairy tales that have delicious multi-layered stories to her characters. I love reading her lyrical vocabulary that seams to weave throughout her writing. Her novel, Princess Academy, didn't let me down.

Young Miri was born premature and grew up unable to be normal in a village full of laborers. Miri is shocked when her small village finds out that some girl among them will be the future princess. All eligible girls must attend princess academy to prepare for a royal life. Miri is confused by which life is meant for her; a royal life where she might fit in but is unknown or a hard worker's life in a village that she loves.

I have also read "Book of a Thousand Days" (my favorite Shannon Hale) were a young maid named Dasti helps her princess find her fairy tale ending. Dasti is surprised to also be going through her own love story.

I love these types of stories and I hope that I can read many more. Let me know if you have any recommendations.

Sick in Bed

Yesterday I started to get sick, really sick. I can't breathe. I can't sleep. I can't cough away an itch in my throat. My nose is leaking, but I still can't blow it. My muscles hurt.

But there is a plus to this...I have all of the DVD's I just bought on Black Friday plus a never ending cable feed of movies

So far I have watched; Australia, Taken, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Oceans Twelve, Land of the Lost, Father of the Bride, and Bride Wars. For those reading this; it means that I have watched approximately 16 hours of movies in two days.

The sad thing is that I'm still exhausted and now I add a headache to the list of not feeling good. I guess crying the whole way through Australia and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants doesn't help you feel better.

Black Friday

My sister's and I are Black Friday Pros. Every Thanksgiving night we plot through the ads and map out our shopping coarse. We set our alarms and hope that we digest all of the turkey we had for dinner. We arrive before the door opens at the best store and wait among the other money spending athletes. Running shoes are laced. Coats are zipped. Caffeine and adrenaline rushing though every vein.

I have provided my TOP 10 ways to do Black Friday shopping.

1. Coupons and Free items come first. Make sure that you are not only getting the best deals, but also getting a killer deal. Example: Getting new towels for $2.20 each from the Black Friday special - then the $10 off coupon is presented - plus an additional 15% off - then getting back the gift card coupons to shop in the future.

2. Using the "line-saver"method. Once the first person is done shopping they stand in line and hold every one's spot. Trick for using this method...You have to talk to the person behind you and warn them. "My friends are on the way- I wonder if they are looking for me on the other side of the store" works wonders. Also, if you get near the front of the line and your shopping partners aren't ready, this is when you let 5-10 people in front of you. This is also called back-butting.

3. Parking by a curb side when the Wal-mart parking lot has no vacancies. It keeps you out of the the line waiting for people to come out of the store to leave and it also provides fast get-a-way time.

4. Having someone dropped off mid-parking lot to find a random cart that someone left after they've unloaded. Caution to the wise: don't attempt to take a cart with someone just standing by it- even if they look uninterested. They have obviously marked that one as their personal property and will defend it until death.

5. Divide and concur. Know what you want before you hit the stores. If there are more people in your group that want the same thing, split into smaller packs and hunt it down. Or, if every one wants different things resort to #2.

6. Go to stores that have opening hours in successions or availability. Kohl's 4 AM... Wal-mart, always...Big lots 6 AM...Target, always...Roberts 7 AM...

7. Find out which stores ad match and use that one location until it bleeds dry. Honestly, you will never know if the next store will still have what you want. If your looking at it - get it. Pride for your savings will follow.

8. Re-fuel!! After you have gotten the majority of your "I MUST HAVE THIS" item, go to breakfast with your group. Relax a little bit and take a yummy break to get your body ready for the next batch of adventures. Black Friday is a marathon people, not a sprint.

9. Rain checks are amazing. If you know a store will do rain checks, wait to go shopping their later. This way you still can get the price you want but you don't have to spend money today. However, make sure that you do get the rain check between the hours that the sale is on. You don't want to waste your time standing in line for the clerk to say "Sorry, that ended and hour ago."

10. Laugh, have fun, and be nice to the people working. The whole reason of going shopping on Black Friday is to feel the magic that only happens there. People are there to make their wish lists come true. The are shopping for loved ones and spending time with Friends and family. When the lady behind you is shoving the front of her cart into your rear trying to push you forward in the line - shrug it off. Your not "that person" to get mad on Black Friday. You're the pro... you got this.

It's Turkey Day!!

I love Thanksgiving!! I love the family, friends, food, and the ads for shopping the next day. I am so excited to celebrate and have a fun 4 day weekend.

I'm so grateful for so many things!!

My job, adorable NEPHEWS, My amazing sisters, the gospel, my friends, for having a home, my car, being able to have electricity, for being a U.S. citizen, for having an eternal family, books and movies, to have food and never go hungry, the scriptures, and for having laughter in my life.

I wanted to include something to watch for the start of the winter holidays that went with this small blog. I debated between Adam Sandler's Turkey song, a scene from While you were Sleeping, and a photo montage of ways different people celebrate. I finally decided to go with something that perfectly fits my humor... hope you enjoy!!

'Rieting time' creative writing poem

In my creative writing class in High School we had a project of taking a song that we loved and write within that rhythm. This is still one of my favorite classes that I took. I love music and I love writing. I got the rhythm for the below poem from a little band called Incubus.

The song is called "Nice to know you".

blessed than watching the stars becoming liver tombs
blessed than witnessing radiating blue in the moon
he who lies gets captured like a fly, and still you sting
hypocrisy spies into your supplies, but yet you bring
I'd never thought I'd feel this way
I've never had the will to try
regretting having not my seals
i disregard and peel the feel, i need to show you

leaner than the leanest grass that would ever grow
brighter than the brightest ray of light we'd ever seen to know
better he with the keys to the handle that opens the door
a higher sight to see these canyons as a tiled floor
i'd never thought i'd feel this way
i've never had the will to try
regretting having not my seals
i disregard and peel the feel, i need to show you

love and letters

One of my favorite things in the world is love letters. I remember while I was growing up my Mom and Dad would always leave a letter for each other. My dad would get home from work and read Mom's letters and then he would write one of his own at the bottom of the page. Then when she would wake up, she'd read how his day was. Their letters where always signed with the XO at the bottom. An "I love you" was also normally written somewhere on the page. Simple. Powerful. I remember thinking how amazing my parents were. Something tangible of how their love didn't falter.

When I was in High School I read about a house in Verona, Italy, claiming to be the Capulets' home. The side view shows the famous balcony where Romeo compared his Juliet to the Sun. In the small courtyard, a bronze statue of Juliet baring her breast. There is a legend that if a person strokes the breast of the statue, that person will have good fortune in love.

Do you notice how shiny her right breast and arm from the tourists touching and hugging her. Behind her on the stone walls are tons of love letters that are hung from the tourists that have visited the spot.

Going to this courtyard is on the "must do in my life" list. I am in awe of this romantic spot and I hope that someday soon I can visit, see, and feel this amazing place. I hope that until then, Juliet Capulet will still send some fortune my way.

James C. Christensen

I absolutely love art and my favorite artist is a modern one, James C. Christensen. His paintings and drawings literally make my spirit dance. I love the colors that stain across the canvas. I love the proportions of the subjects expressions and clothing. He really does make a flat picture become a living object.

I really suggest that you look him up. James C. Christensen normally paints with fantasy themes. But he also has a collection of religious work. I love his painting of the Widows Mite and the 10 Lepers.





He also has collections of fairy tales and even William Shakespeare. I was lucky enough to be able to meet him this summer. I got him to sign my copy of "A Shakespeare Sketchbook" which includes some amazing characters and landscaping from the impressions that Shakespeare leaves in our imagination. The cover of the book has a painting of Titania, the beautiful queen of the fairies. She is sitting next to Nick Bottom, who has been transformed into a donkey, who she loves because her husband magically-induced her out of revenge.

Post #100 - Write on!!

I can't believe it took me this long to get to post 100 on my blog, however, at the same time I am impressed that I actually stuck to it. I'm so grateful for the amazing things that this blog has helped me appreciate in my life.

I can find things to blog about that I wouldn't be able to write any where else, even though I have the selection...

Journal entries were never my thing. I have about 20 journals- all with about 30 pages in each one are written on and the rest are left blank and unused. I am the "jot the thought and leave" type of girl.

I also have a dream diary next to my bed. During the restless or creative dreams in the night I am grateful for my pillow book friend. Then the morning comes and excitement warms my face with a big smile even before I open my eyes - I reach for the diary to see what amazing ideas I had the night before. The book cracks open and I flip through the pages to find the newest additions. My smile usually explodes into laughter as I read things like "The kitty litter gloves" or "Taco seasoning in the rain" or "myst-tear-rios door in the forest by the Red path"

My lap top is becoming the safe for my novel in progress. I love my novel and the characters in it. Even if it never gets published or finished, it's mine and it’s supporting the author in me - showing me that I might make it. I see the pages move and grow as they take shape. Just like watching clouds drift in the sky. “Look what you can do” the screen says to me, patting me on the back.

I am a list maker. I write down the things I need to do or the things I have or stuff I need to look for. I have lists of things to clean, which hasn't been updated in weeks. I have lists in my purse for the grocery store. I have lists of the movies I own. I email spreadsheets of lists at work. A list of the things I want to do before I die sits in my desk collecting dust. A entire folder of lists of things I would like for the wedding I might never get to celebrate. I have lists of bills to pay and lists of money I don't have. I have a list of Harry Potter projects to unload from our party. I even watch a constantly growing want list on EBay.

My poems are a collection of my feelings, rants, and musings of random thoughts. I collect them all. I write in all types of ways to keep my creative writing in a smooth flow. I keep them in binders and drawers and closet corners.

I have a box of letters that I love to read and ones that I've written and never sent. It's a box of words. Oh how I love a hand written letter!! I love how different every one's vocabulary and penmanship is.

I maintain this blog. I don’t have many readers, but I’m here. At 100 posts I continue to get stronger as a writer. Every time it’s gets read or commented on, my blog shoves me to keep going.

Chicken Enchiladas

My family loves food and we love to cook. We go through many recipes until we find the best ones and then we stick to them. We don't fool around people.

I know that I have been running behind on the blog posts for November. So, my thought was to post some of my families best recipes for a specific food. Seriously, once you try these ones, you won't want any other recipe. MMmmmm,mmm. Not only do these posts help me stay up on my goal, but I know that sharing these Delicious dishes will make the Internet a better place for NaBloPoMo.


1 pkg. tortillas (8-10)
2-3 c. boneless, skinless cubed chicken (boiled in chicken bouillon)
16 oz. sour cream
1 sm. can green chilies
1 c. mayonnaise
1 sm. can sliced olives
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 lb. shredded cheddar cheese (1/2 reserved)
1/2 c. salsa
1/8 c. finely chopped onion
1 lg. can enchilada sauce (green or red)

Preheat over to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients but tortilla shells, enchilada sauce and half of the cheese. Fill tortilla shells with mixture. Bake for 1 hour. Pour enchilada sauce over the top; sprinkle with cheese, and return to the over for another 15 minutes.

Cake Mix Cookies

1 pkg. cake mix
½ c. flour
½ c. oil
¼ c. water
1 egg
1 c. chocolate chips or other add-in

Mix all ingredients together. Spoon into balls on cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

Easy Tuna Casserole

3 c. uncooked macaroni
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 can tuna
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese
1 c. french fried onions

Cook macaroni. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In 9x13 casserole dish combine macaroni, tuna, and soup. Bake 25 minutes. Sprinkle with onions and bake 5 minutes more.

German Pancakes

1 stick butter
1 dozen eggs
2 c. milk
1 c. flour

Melt butter in 9x13 casserole dish. Blend eggs, milk, and flour. Pour mixture into pan and bake at 450 degrees for 20 minutes. Serve with syrup and/or powdered sugar.

Banana Nut Bread with Chocolate Chips

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup shortening
2 eggs
2 cups flour
1/2 cup walnut chips
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 soft, ripe bananas, mashed
1 cup chocolate chips

Cream sugar and shortening; add eggs, flour, baking soda, bananas, nuts and chocolate chips. Pour batter into a greased and floured loaf pan. Bake at 325 degrees for about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Check after an hour, and every subsequent 5-10 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean when poked in the center.

Random Beloved Poem

Why is being single such an embarrassing thing? My sister Lera said that she heard some very prominent LDS women give talks and that during their talks they spoke of how hard it is to be single. No one laughed at them. They weren't judged and pointed at. They didn't have to stand on a pedestal under a spot light and be ridiculed. They were open about the hardships of single hood. I'm sure in that openness they were able to find some Peace in the trial.

I personally feel embarrassed; Like I've done something wrong or I'm not good enough. I've built these protective layers around me that let people think that I'm happy being single.
My close friends and family know that this is not the case, but there would never be a situation that I could stand in front of others and tell them my true feelings about it.

Why is this??

Because I have a fear of public speaking I've decided to blog about my feelings. Nothing could say exactly what I feel more than this beautiful poem by Maya Angelou.

Touched by An Angel

We, unaccustomed to courage
exiles from delight
live coiled in shells of loneliness
until love leaves its high holy temple
and comes into our sight
to liberate us into life.

Love arrives
and in its train come ecstasies
old memories of pleasure
ancient histories of pain.
Yet if we are bold,
love strikes away the chains of fear
from our souls.

We are weaned from our timidity
In the flush of love's light
we dare be brave
And suddenly we see
that love costs all we are
and will ever be.
Yet it is only love
which sets us free.

SICK

Last night was not a sleeping-in-a-delicious-pillow-cushioned-wonderland type of night. It was the it's-so-hot-in-here-that-my-sheets-are-suffocating-me-and-I-can't-breathe-yet-my-nose-won't-stop-running-night. This morning I have almost gone through a box of Kleenex and it looks as though I need to hit up the store for more on the way home too. Ugh, the cold is not my friend. Sick and tired really do go together. If only it was the weekend and I could sleep this off...

Sick

by Shel Silverstein
"I cannot go to school today,"
Said little Peggy Ann McKay.
"I have the measles and the mumps,
A gash, a rash and purple bumps.
My mouth is wet, my throat is dry,
I'm going blind in my right eye.
My tonsils are as big as rocks,
I've counted sixteen chicken pox
And there's one more--that's seventeen,
And don't you think my face looks green?
My leg is cut--my eyes are blue--
It might be Instamatic flu.
I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke,
I'm sure that my left leg is broke--
My hip hurts when I move my chin,
My belly button's caving in,
My back is wrenched, my ankle's sprained,
My 'pendix pains each time it rains.
My nose is cold, my toes are numb.
I have a sliver in my thumb.
My neck is stiff, my voice is weak,
I hardly whisper when I speak.
My tongue is filling up my mouth,
I think my hair is falling out.
My elbow's bent, my spine ain't straight,
My temperature is one-o-eight.
My brain is shrunk, I cannot hear,
There is a hole inside my ear.
I have a hangnail, and my heart is--what?
What's that? What's that you say?
You say today is. . .Saturday?
G'bye, I'm going out to play!"

Bridal shower for Gibbs

Last night I was lucky enough to help throw a loved friend a bridal shower. Emily Gibbs is one of the coolest girls that I have ever met. She has helped me through some really hard times and she is always dependable when I need a shoulder to cry on. She is also always known to make you laugh, even when you think it impossible.

Yesterday a few friends got together and played games and went to dinner. Everything went smoothly and there was a bunch of laughs.

The thing that I really wanted to blog about was the fact that she went to the temple and took out her endowments. She is such a strong example of a women of faith. She really has been such a stepping stone in my spiritual progression. I am so proud of her. I am so grateful for her guidance and her completely kind heart.

I know that this is a really short post, but I wanted her to know how much I love her and how blessed I feel that she is my Friend.

Lone Star Tacos

I eat out a lot, like an embarrassing amount of time a week. There is always something that sounds good to eat but it's basically all the same. I actually found a place that is worth blogging about....TA DA... Lone Star Tacos in Fort Union. Mmmmm.

This place had a ton of selection (even if they had barely any seats) in delicious food from all types of burritos to tacos to tamales. Everything that I tried was freaking amazing. I really want to go back soon so I can try some more of their super yummy food.

I love veggies!! I normally order the veggie omelet whenever I go out to breakfast, I always eat the yummy veggies on starter (even though I think there there for decoration), and I'm even know to order the veggie sandwich or burger on a whim. Looking at Lone Star's menu I saw to complete delight a veggie burrito. It was perfection in a tortilla shell. This little restaurant has just made my favorites list!!

Warning: Parking and seating is not always available. Park in the lot next to the restaurant and order your food to go if you must, either way try it!!

Nanas up there!

Yesterday it was my Mother's 61st birthday. My sisters and I went to The Cracker Barrel to celebrate on her behalf. I remember food always being around at every event at my house. Birthdays, holidays, parties, ward activities, and even simple game nights around the kitchen table.

My mom loved food, but she was also very particular about how she made or ordered it;

One lemon for her ice water, no more, no less. Ice to the brim of the glass. No seasoning. No pepper. No flavoring. Place it on the side. Only a small tiny little bitty slice. Don't make it hot. Make it soggy. These need to be softer. Add brown sugar to the marinara. Put sugar on it. Don't add Cinnamon. Use butter. Add a can of Veg-all. Sort gummys by color, eat in pairs. Put string cheese bits in Buggles. Put a Kraft single on there. Serve toast when it's hot. Two spoons of sugar to a mug of herbal tea. De-seed the cucumbers. Make mine medium well. If it's pink send it back. More dumplings. One of each dessert.

At The Cracker Barrel my mom would always order the catfish platter with no seasoning, a side of dumplings, a side of apples, and a vegetable. She would eat biscuits before dinner and ignored the corn muffins. One slice of lemon was in her ice water. Apple cobbler and ice cream to go. She would treat all. There was always laughter and room for serious talk at the table.

This year we sang happy birthday to Mom, aka Nana, when the coca-cola cake was served. It was a nice moment to share. Immediately after the song, my nephew Trevor pointed upward and exclaimed, "Nana's up there!!" We all were silent. "I see Nana's up there." He repeated. We all look to where he was pointing. "I see the Nana's."

London caught on first, "Oh, there is a crate of bananas hanging from the ceiling."

Team Hess!!

I'm sending a shout out to my sister Lera and her amazing blog!! We are both doing the November goal in the blog world and we're trying to post once a day. Today has been a really busy day for me and I really needed a break. Luckily Lera has provided you all with delicious stories on her page. Lera was the one that really catapulted me into writing, into poetry, in reading, and in blogging. I love this poem that she wrote, I'm pretty sure her muse was her baby boy Palmer. I love Lera so much and try to follow in her foot steps. Lera is a beautiful, kind, and one extremely talented lady. I really hope that one day I can be as cool as my big sister.

Mice, centipedes, and cockroaches

Ugh!! Can I just say Ugh!!! I cannot post a picture with this post. I tried and I just can't.

I have lived in some pretty crazy places. I’ve lived in a home that was a mouse hot spot. The house was next to an enormous field, a log pile, and the home itself was not winterized. Have you ever seen Ratatouille- the beginning scene when all of the rats fall out of the ceiling? Well, this home was Mousatouille. There were mice on the floors, in the walls, down the stairs, in the tub, in the cupboards and yes, once in my shoe.

I rent a partial basement currently and I really love it here. But the pest that invades this basement is centipedes. Man do they give me the heebie-jeebies!! There thick long armored bodies are enough to give me goose bumps. I hate them. I hate killing them even more. I’m pretty sure I’m paying an exterminator next spring to take care of them. They love slithering around my bathroom in the summer time. They have been in my blinds, in the tub, on the ceiling, in the faucet, and creepily in my shoes.

I once lived in an apartment and I roomed with the manager of these said apartments. We needed to moved into one that needed fixing up. The former tenants were what I call... disgusting. They never cleaned their home. Never! Somehow a cockroach found out and decided to live there. The cockroach than brought its 300 offspring to the house. Then that offspring brought their 90,000 and so forth. We hired exterminators that specialized in getting rid of these horrible things. They were everywhere. The worst was when we would vacuum. Normally I like the crispy crunches the vacuum vortex creates when cleaning, but this, not so much. "We just found a family reunion", my roomy would announce over an overly loud vacuuming. They were on the curtains, in my bed, on my toothbrush, in my towels, and yes, in my shoes.

These have all been killed with poison, traps, toilet paper, wooden spoons, and you guess it, even my shoes. But alas, the pests always return in some form or another.

Cruel jokes and awkward situations

A few months ago I was dying (no pun intended) my friend Emily’s hair and the following conversation happened:

Me: Are you wearing a shirt you can get dirty?
Emily: Well, It’s my dead Grandpa’s shirt
We both laugh.
Emily: I’m serious.
We both laugh harder
Me: Oh… well can it get dirty?
Emily: Yeah, it’s old. Are you ok if your shirt gets dirty?
Me: Umm, actually this shirt was my mom’s.
We both laugh.
Me: I’m serious.
We both laugh harder!!
Emily: Did you want to change?
Me: No, it’s old.

Today at work my friend Chelsey was talking about how her dad gave her his ipod because hers was stolen.

Me: Wow, I wish I had a dad that wanted to give me an ipod.
Emily: I wish I had a dad.
We both laugh.
Chelsey: That is NOT funny.
Me and Emily: Yes, it is!
Chelsey: No it’s not, stop laughing.
Me: You know, Emily and I are two girls, but if you put us together you get one orphan!!
We both laugh harder.
Chelsey: Stop laughing, you guys - it’s sad!

Oh, life and its ridiculousness makes you crazy. Sometimes I cry, sometimes I laugh, sometimes my laughter turns into crying, and sometimes my crying into laughing.

Superman wears Jack Bauer jammies...

Is there a pill that can make me more like a girl? Because seriously I am not a normal girl when it comes to media, I love movies that get brutal. I love violence!! I love gore!! I love watching shoot ‘em up movies with no plot!!

But there is only one television show that makes all the others look like little pansy sitcoms.
24!!

Oh, Jack Bauer, I love you.

Thank you for bringing back the crazy, over imaginative ways to take down a bad guy.

“You probably don’t think I could force this towel down your throat, but trust me I can. All the way. Except that I’d hold onto this little bit at the end. When your stomach starts to digest the towel, I pull it out. Taking your stomach lining with it. Most people probably take about a week to die. It’s very painful.” – Jack Bauer

Thank you for bringing some awesome conversations to my families’ dinner table. Even during other movies my family and I state, and I quote, "Where is Jack Bauer...?" Because we know that you can take care of business.

“Officer, this guy is not waiting around for me… so you better shoot me or help me but decide now!” -JB

Thank you for bringing blood and guts to the small screen.

“Say it again! Or I’ll break your other wrist!” –JB

Thank you for showing everyone what we need in our country.

“David Palmer was a great man and a great president.”

Ok, that one was cheesy, but I love David Palmer and he need to be mentioned.

Jack, last but not least, thank you for wearing the super tight shirts and pants that show off your action hero body!! Ok, so maybe I still am a girl…

Why are you so angry??

Yesterday I dedicated my post to Shannon. I told her about it and the first thing that came out of her mouth was yelled, "What!! What is it about! What did you do?". I was suprised by the annoyance that shot from her mouth. I coaxed her to the computer room to read it.

While the computer was loading she said, "Is this another one of your weird poetry things that I won't understand?!". I said "No, it's a letter."

Then she read it and criticed what I wrote. "That isn't true" and "WWWWhat??" and "That's not what happened!"

Then came the photo at the bottom of my post. The reaction that came from her should have been expected, but low and behold, again I was surprised.

"Why did you put up that picture? You know that I hate it. You should have used one that I approved of! Our teeth look awful in this photo." My reply, "ummm, I love that picture, it's our best friend picture. Why are you so angry??"

"Because I hate it," she said "look how yellow my teeth are!!"

My reply to all of this was "I'm so blogging about your reaction tomorrow. Her reply was "Fine, then do it."

So to follow through on my threat, >:), I posted it. Here you go Fanny. Bwa ha ha ha.

xo. papaya.

ps. I hope you like this "approved" photo better.

pps. I'm still not removing the other one.

ppps. Fanny, you're a pain in my fanny.

My Fanny

Ok, so I'm not really going to blog about my bottom...


My best Friend Shannon received the nick name fanny after buying and wearing a fanny pack to her job for about a year. This might not be so funny to you, but I find it hi-larious. She worked with grade school children and it was convenient for her. But I still made fun of the fanny pack and it soon lead to a nick name Shanny Fanny and then simply to Fanny.

6 is Fanny's favorite number. So today on November 6th and my 6th post I dedicate it to her.


My Dearest Fanny,

There really aren't words to tell you how much I value your friendship. There have been many times that both of us didn't really understand why we were Friends, but so many more that prove why we were.

I'm so grateful for your testimony of the gospel and your complete dedication to try to live every aspect rightly. Your truly are such a strong women and a fierce enemy to the evils of this world. I will never be able to thank you enough for helping me come into the life of the gospel. With out it I would still be lost and still feel so completely directionless. I might have been "a bad example" for you during the school years but it was nice to have some one love me no matter what path I was on. I'm glad that we both were able to figure out who we are and stand up for ourselves in a fallen world.


I'm grateful for your kindness and service. It's embarrassing to have to ask to borrow money to pay for college tuition or to have you carry my laundry because I hurt my back, but you do it. You really are a lady of service. Even your job, taking care of medically challenged people never seems to get you down. You are here to serve and I want you to know that it doesn't go unnoticed.

I'm also very grateful for your cynical humor and slightly crazy humor. I definitely have a negative side and sometimes I joke darkly. You get it, every time. You never judge me for having sad, crazy, or rude times. You just stay and wade it out.

You consistency to always be there is something that I value above all. I really hope that our friendships just gets better and stronger. I love you so much!!

xo-Papaya

Manly Musical Muses

I'm extremely stubborn...I know, that's a shocker. And one thing that I will never budge on is my taste in music. I love great music. There is no lukewarm feelings for music. To me music is either loved or hated. I hate country. I hate pop. I hate bubblegum punk. I hate rap. I love rock. I love alternative. I love jazz. I love the oldies. I love indie.

It's hard for me to have a favorite band when there is such amazing talent, such as The Beatles, Incubus, and Muse.

Today I thought I would talk about my music boyfriends. The men in my lyrical life that I could never live with out. And so for my 5th post in November I shall post a top 5 of my musical men.

1.- John Lennon- The Beatles

He is the most creative lyricist I've ever heard. The rhythm of his music completely moves me. John Lennon is the icon of peace in the music world- which exactly what his songs bring into my life.

2. Matthew Bellamy- MuseThis dude can sing any girl into a trance. His voice jumps around with a piano in perfect control. From his bass devilishness to his sweet and enticing falsetto...I melt. There is no way to just sing along with Muse, you literally have to party with Muse. Please listen to the song Feeling Good...delicious.

3. Brandon Boyd- Incubus MMmmmmm. Is what needs to be said first and foremost. But after the MmmmMMMmm feeling you can hear a gorgeous voice. A strong one that flows with any instrument that Brandon can get his hands on. His voice brings you into a hypnotic dreamworld. Mmmm.

4. Gary Lightbody- Snow Patrol

Not only is Gary an amazing singer, but he is extremely easy to relate to . His vocal talent and lyrics make everyone at ease. I've never been in love, not the forever kind, but when I listen to his songs it's easy to feel as though I am. He has such a soft voice, but strong enough to never lose his ground next to killer guitar solos and heavy drum patterns. I love the Gary!!

.5 Frank Sinatra-

Frank is a mix of jazz and class. His amazing voice is original and can never be replaced. He really opened my eyes to the world of music. His golden vocals are smooth and enchanting. If you could ever imagine yourself in a dream, his music would play in the background. I remember the first time I heard him sing Fly Me to the Moon- it was life changing. "Fill my heart with song, let me sing forever more."

Christmas lights

Christmas lights are starting to be hung!! Which is a smart thing to do now while the weather is still good. I love Christmas lights. I really enjoy going down the Christmas story drive and taking a quick ride down the narrow lane of Winder street. The lights are beautiful.

There are some that are embarrassing. Some that are too much. There is a house in my old neighborhood that has what I call "Lego Lights". Nothing is measured. The colors of the lights are all primary colors and run along the whole roof top. Once one color ends, another is added. It's mismatched and looks as the residents just threw boxes of lights on the top of their home. Giving the complete illusion of a Lego house.

Remember in Christmas Vacation when Clark Griswold fails at lighting up the house with Christmas lights at the "lighting ceremony" in front of the entire family? Well from that moment comes one of the best quotes from the Griswold family-in my opinion.

Frances: Talk about pissing your money away. I hope you kids see what a silly waste of resources this was.

Audrey: He worked really hard, Grandma.

Art: So do washing machines.

There are those that work hard on their Christmas lights and those that just throw anything that flashes on their house. I would like to thank Failblog.org for the following picture to show the difference in those that care and those that don't.

"Work is a necessary evil to be avoided." -Mark Twain

Oh, the ways work can impact our lives. I have many jobs that have all been in customer service. And each job has just been a horse of a different color. I'm nice to the customer. They get what they want. I'm mean to the customer. They get what they want from someone else. Sometimes I cry or yell or throw things - it doesn't matter. Every customer service job is the same. It always ends in kissing some body's rear end - then they get what they want.

Luckily, I have really enjoyed some of my jobs. I have worked with amazing people. I have had some life changing experiences.

In a really geeky show that I love (cough) Firefly (cough) there is a man that is talking about his job and the way it makes him act. Then he finds out later in the show that he took his job because of the way he already was.

I think everyone should think really think about this. We are all in work that is about us in some way. It can propel our personality to be stronger more defined. It allows us to learn more about ourselves. Such as, "I like doing this" or "There isn't enough money in the world to make me do that again"

Looking back on my personal job trek, I find myself surprised by the way it's helped me become who I am today. Not that I didn't have my personality before them but they helped me become more defined.

Nanny- I love children. I want to be a mother. I feel compassionate. I'm impatient. I enjoy reading stories. I think parents should take a stand and grow up. I think that children learn by example. I'm goofy. I care about hygiene and germs. I love toys. I laugh. I like to cook. Cleaning up after someone else is exhausting.

The E Center Box Office- I like people. I love going to concerts. I love getting discounts. I like noise. I am loud. I am generous. I am computer savvy. I like to party. I hate public restrooms

Hollywood Connections- Kids are fun to entertain. Kids never listen. I hate cleaning bathrooms. I want a manager that knows more than me. I want to learn. I want to play games. I hate carnival music.

Shopko- I love to shop. I love Black Friday. I want to buy everything that I don't need. I spend a lot of money on food. I love black pants. Magazines are amazing. I like to work in the garden. I'm protective of lost children. I'm a flirt.

Blockbuster- I am a movie junkie. I love to talk about media. Actor gossip is entertaining to me. I love knowing movie endings before others see them. I love trailers. I am a marathon women. I think stay at home dates are the best. People in movie stores are artistic. I'm a quoter. I love the night life.

SLCC Cosmetology- I love fashion. I am creative. I'm good at measurements. I like to study. I enjoy social gatherings. I like to fold warm laundry. I love the sound of water. I like to complement others. I like to do things right the first time. I think vanity is ugly.

Seagull Book and Tape- I'm a book worm. I give opinions to others. I help plan. I know how to decorate. I love talk tapes. I want to be spiritually feed. I love doctrine. I think old women are funny. I love having my books signed. I love hearing about peoples reading experiences.

Kohl's- I wear nice perfume. I hate balancing. I'm annoyed by teenage boys. I'm not a work-a-holic. I worry about stupid details.

FedEx Systems- I'm not a telephone talker. I like things to be taken care of. I like people that own up to their responsibilities. I'm very loud. I love photos of Friends and family. I keep mementos. I'm a rude driver. I like to type. I hate being micromanaged. I love having a fixed schedule. I like knowing where I stand.

Writer- I get stumped easily. I like to go on rampages. I like alone time. I'm in control. I love wit. I like to be poetic. I love to have crazy ideas. I like being original.

(OK, so I've never been paid to write, but I'm still a writer. My other jobs might have made my personality stronger but I found myself in writing.)

NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month)

This November is National Blog Month. There is a goal for bloggers everywhere to post once a day to help make the Internet a happier place. As you can tell by my blog history, I've never even been close to this. In fact I've already failed. You see, I didn't blog on November 1st or 2nd. But just because I'm already behind doesn't mean that I'm not going to try.

Today I post my top ten November goals.

1. Get all cards/games/prizes/food prepared for Emily’s bridal shower on November 14th.
2. November 19th, go to Events by Alice and see New Moon.
3. Post a blog for each day of NOVEMBER-Yikes!!!
4. Make rolls and stuffing for November 26th, Thanksgiving.
5. Attend church every Sunday in nOvEMbeR.
6. In November I want my prayer and scripture reading quality to improve by leaps and bounds.
7. november 12th, celebrate my late Mother’s 61st birthday with my sisters.
8. All of my nOVEMBEr bills paid on time and car fixed… oy vey!!
9. De-junk through all of my things and organize a huge November DI run.
10. Work on a chapter in my book that is called “November”.

The many emotions of Winter

Last week it snowed for the first time near my house. I wanted to blog that day, but it turned out to be a very busy one.

So on a non snowy day, I blog. There are many feelings that surround me in the Winter season. I actually hate snow and ice and all of the horrible things a winter storm brings. However, I do love the holidays.

I love getting together with my family and doing festive things. I love baking for loved ones. I love seeing the clearances on fall clothes. I love the mayhem of Black Friday and the crazy people (including me) that shop it. I love that night time comes early. I love that one day we all get an extra hour of sleep. I thrive for clear night sky's and thin air that slides the whole way into your lungs. I love seeing little kids in huge coats. I love seeing old women in ridiculous home made hats.

Here is a list of my Winter emotions.

ANNOYED- Feeling random clumps of snow in my shoes, on my car seat, down the back of my shirt, in my hair, and in my purse. I hate when dirty gutter rain falls on my face and on my arms as I enter under the porch shelter - thinking I would be safe from the elements as I enter the house.

TIRED- I haven't had shelter over my car as long as I can remember. This leaves the need to wake up 30 minutes early to scrape and heat up the car.

HURT- Ow! I fell and really hurt my backside/knees/palms. I wish I wasn't so clumsy. I've always been envious of the kids that run and slide on the snow. Who needs ski's when you have grace.

EMBARRASSED- I fell again.

STRESSED- Shopping for those I love, trying to find the perfect thing for each individual person.

HUMBLED- The festival of trees is always one of my favorite nights of the year. There are so many of the trees that touch my heart or remind me of things I'm grateful for.

HAPPY- I love lights on houses and Christmas music in the stores and cars.

ENTERTAINED- Shopping for those I love, trying to find the perfect thing for each individual person.

GRATEFUL- To think about the birth of Christ and be able to celebrate. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

POETIC- When the sky is a willing mirror reflecting a white hue from the fallen snow, lighting every night with a glow. It looks like moon light found a way to never be shadowed. Every year of my adult life I choose a night and take a midnight walk. I love the complete silence of crisp air. The silhouettes of dark blue trees line my path as I enjoy the ambiance. My skin, a perfect alabaster.