holy fattening birthday.

I just had to say thanks to everyone who has made my birthday this year the best ever! I feel like I have been celebrating for weeks...I am going to go out of town on my b.day every year, it has really worked out well!

Thanks Mom for the traditional "favorite meal" yesterday. My Dad even hunted down a starlight mint ice cream cake for me!

Thanks to my Mo Mo for giving me a birthday card on her very own! Granted it was a Mothers Day Card she found at Nana's house & scribbled all over. I couldn't have loved it more.

Thanks Margaret & Geir for a fun night at Macaroni Grill (isn't that the best restaurant ever!)And especially for Enchanted, which G was thrilled about! Ha!

And thanks to my love, for surprising me with this meal when I came home from school last week. Yes ladies, he cooks, too!

New York Steak with green peppercorn cream sauce, twice-baked potato and asparagus.

And no, I didn't eat it all!

San Fran lovin...

We had so much fun in San Francisco! We took in all the sights, ate at some yummy restaurants, celebrated my birthday, shopped and had a blast! Here are some of the highlights...

Me & the fam at a stop overlooking all of San Fran. So beautiful, but freezing!

I was husband-less, so I had to pose for lots of pics by myself.

I felt super awkward with no posing buddy. I missed Greg like crazy.

K & I taking it all in. This was a gorgeous spot!

Celebrating my 21st!

I am legal!

"I am 21, which is almost 23, which is almost mid-twenties."
Scotty is too young to be there, sneaky little bugger.

My parents took us to an authentic Italian restaurant for my birthday.

The food was delicious & I even got a slice of tirimusu!

This is an ugly pic, but look at the waiter sneaking up behind me. Thanks Mom & Dad!

Ripley's Believe It or Not!

This museum was so much fun, it took hours for us to get through it. Ripley was sure crazy!

We are twins.

Me & my new boyfriend.

This is a statue of the fattest (hottest) military guy ever.

Or something like that. Anyways, we were into each other.

At this particular stop, there was a video challenging you to make some crazy faces & swallow your nose with your lips. Little do you know that the mirror is a two-way & later in the museum you get to watch everyone making a fool of themselves.

China Town!

Man, this place was crazy! Can you say nick-nack? I have never seen so many souvenirs in my life!

Aren't my brothers cute? I think so.

At the entrance...
Speak no evil, Jess no evil, see no evil, hear no evil. These are my two adopted Asian children. Aren't they cute?
Jonny & I in China Town

Angel Island

Me & My Dad.

Can I just tell you that Big Margy spent a great deal of time throwing Poppers at Pedestrians from our Hotel window? He did, he did.

(Anyone who knows my Dad is falling over dead with shock right now)

It was so cold here!

Alcatraz

Two of my favorite people. K & I inside a cell... These prisoners had the nicest views, I am telling you!

The tour of the prison was probably my favorite activity of the trip.

This is their courtyard. I took about 15 million pictures of the prison, but I will spare you!

Chinese Garden

My Mom & I made a pit-stop here. Oh my gosh, it was the prettiest place I have ever been!No, I am not flipping you off. I am just doing what my little buddy is doing.


Golden Gate Bridge


I just have to thank my Mom & Dad again. They were so unbelievably nice to take me!
I had so much fun, but I am happy to be home. I missed my little fam-dam!

And thanks everyone for voting! I am still undecided!

leaving on a jet plane.

i hate my hair.

Please notice my new survey. It is in regards to my hair. Which I currently hate. I realize that many of you have never seen me with short hair, but you can close your pretty little eyes and imagine.

Everyone who votes gets a cookie. Or a llama. If cookies aren't your thing.

100 random things you don't need to know about me!

1. I can never sleep unless G is with me and he has to be to work at 7 am, which means that I get up when he gets up..which is at 5:50.
2. I am such a wuss. I get so afraid of everything. I hate being alone, especially being home alone & I always freak myself out because I hear noises, creaks, furnaces, you name it. I would never, ever, ever, in a million years even attempt to sleep at my house alone. Ever.
3. When I was a senior in High School a man tried to come into my bedroom at night. He woke me up when he climbed into my window well. I think this might be the reason for #2.
4. I love to write poetry. I have journals and journals and journals packed full of poems I have written throughout the years.
5. I never let anyone read any poetry I write.
6. I love quotes. I have a quote journal as well.
7. I love to zone off...I am a big daydreamer. I love the quiet. I get startled so easily because I am always off in la la land.
8. I really like snakes. My 1st grade teacher had a snake, and I have loved them ever since. I have owned 2..fuego & snake. However, there is nothing I hated more than feeding the tiny baby mice to the snakes..that was awful.
9. I hate cracking. It freaks me out. I hate it when people crack themselves in my presence. Most of my family & friends know this and resist, but the worst is when I am sitting next to someone in class and all of the sudden they crack their shoulders, or their neck...I literally have to turn away and plug my ears (so as not to puke) I'm sure they think I am a freak, but I can't stomach it. I have tried so many times.
10. I love to paint my fingernails bright colors (like red and black) and then pick all the polish off. I seem to do this most while we are sitting in church. G thinks it's ridiculous because a) I am getting the polish flakes everywhere and b) now my fingernails look like crap.
11. I am addicted to lotion.
12. I love reality television. I love the drama.
13. I have the biggest sweet tooth in the world. I always want to order dessert. I would skip dinner to get to dessert if I had to.
14. I worry a lot.
15. If I am ever alone in my house (day or night) both the front & back door will be locked and the alarm will be set. So don't mess with me people!
16. Since I have been married, the only calling I have received is to teach the sunbeams (in both wards). I don't mind, I love that age!
17. I have known most of my friends for a very long time. I am not good at making friends anymore. I have had the same best friend for 13 yrs.
18. I sing in the shower. And in the car. And all the time.
19. My favorite thing is a southwest chicken wrap & sweet potato corn chowder from Citrus.
20. I rock at Speed. I can beat you.
21. Most days, I give myself about 15 minutes to get ready...and that is usually all I need. I once had a girl describe my hair as "perfectly disheveled" (?) She said it was supposed to be a compliment..I wasn't so sure.
22. I have very tiny veins. They are too small and too wiggly to draw blood from. If I need to get my blood drawn I have to go to Primary Children's hospital and have a "pick-line nurse" (sp?) do it. A pick line nurse is a nurse that is trained to draw blood from premature babies.
23. I really like real estate. I was licensed when i was 18.
24. When it comes to school, I am a slacker. I miss class all the time and procrastinate pretty much everything. I never do the reading or go above and beyond at all. I have always been like that and somehow still always maintained an A- or B+ average. I think that I am very lucky when it comes to school, because i seriously don't deserve the grades I get. I don't even buy the books.
25. In High school, everyone called me J-Mo. Most of my friends still do.
26. My dream is to write a novel.
27. Speaking of dreams..I always remember at least 3 to 4 dreams every night. I love to dream. If I am in the middle of a great dream and I wake up, I can get up, go to the bathroom, walk around, go back to bed and finish my dream right where I left out. To me, they are like books.
28. I usually have 3-4 spoons in each one of my purses. I am always grabbing yogurts and eating them on the go. Every now and then G will make me clean out all my purses because we are running low on spoons. We usually find at least 10 wrapped up in napkins.
29. I rarely cry...Maybe 2 0r 3 times a year, tops. When I do cry, it lasts for hours, because I always bottle up my emotions.
30. I park illegally almost every single day (at school). I do not get tickets. I cannot tell you my secret, though, because then I might be ruined!
31. I like words. I like to use un-used words in conversations. The other day, G told me he has never met anyone who says "Divine" as much as I do. The girls I work with always tell me I talk like a grandmother.
32. I have a hard time with moderation, I tend to fall into one extreme or the other.
33. For example, at any given time in my life I am either a) Not working out one little bit, not even a crunch or push-up...nada OR b) working out like an insane person. Spending hours running, sometimes going twice a day and obsessing about my work-outs all day long.
34. I love art. Some of my favorite childhood memories are getting art lessons from my grandma in her basement.
35. I don't talk in my sleep, but I do scream in my sleep. This is because I always have nightmares.
36. A few days ago, I was stopped at a light & there was a homeless man outside of my window. I felt bad because I didn't have any cash, so I handed him a yogurt & a spoon (as mentioned before, I ALWAYS carry a yogurt and a spoon). G seemed to think that was hilarious.
37. I am more comfortable in high heels or boots than I am in flip flops. I can't walk in flip flops.
38. I have a nickname for everyone and everything. Usually more than 1. If you are a family member or a friend---I have a nickname for you. You may not know what it is, but it exists!
39. I always have nightmares that involve me being chased or murdered.
40. I used to play Piano, I even competed and such. I quit. Twice.
41. I also used to dance. Quitting that is one of my biggest regrets.
42. I wish I had a sister, but my sister-in-laws are great.
43. I count my 4 brothers as one of my biggest blessings. I love them so much & I have more fun with my brothers than anyone.
44. I am great at doing exactly what I don't need to be doing & avoiding everything I should be doing. It's almost like I need to be in a time crunch to really get things done.
45. I think being kind is more important than anything else.
46. I missed seminary over 40 times my Senior year of High school and still graduated. I have no idea how. My Mom & I weren't sure if I would be, so she went into the graduation first to see if my name was on the program. It was.
47. I missed class a million times too. I loved High school, but I loved sleeping more.
48. That makes me sound like I don't care about grades. I do. I still graduated with a 3.8.
49. If I am upset, I go for a drive. I have several routes that I take. Somehow, the combination of driving & blasting music in my car seem to make me feel better.
50. I have been pulled over about 8 times. Usually for speeding.
51. I have only received 2 tickets.
52. None of which, are still on my record.
53. I still consider myself to be a good driver...just an impatient one.
54. I can forge anything. I am a master at forging signatures. I don't think my Mom signed one thing for me since 6th grade. (she knew about this, mind you). I also always remember what peoples signatures look like. Even if I only see them once.
55. I loved sneaking out in High School.
56. These last few are making me sound pretty hard-core. I am not that hard-core.
57. I have never tried alcohol or any form of drug. See? Not hard-core.
58. I love taking care of others. If I could have stomached the blog & guts, I would have been a nurse, but I cant.
59. I have tiny nails. Whenever I get a manicure, the lady ALWAYS comments about them.
60. Some more nicknames: Belly, Sicca, J, Bozybon, Boon, James, Moffy, Moffitt.
61. My favorite subject in school was creative writing.
62. I really lucked out when it came to marrying G. I am glad I snatched him up before he realized just how much cooler than me he is!
63. I am addicted to cooking shows. More specifically, Iron Chef, Paula Deen, Everyday Italian & Bobby Flay.
64. I have met Michael J. Fox & I have Zac Efron's phone number (don't ask) for all you crazy HSM fans!
65. My major is Elementary Education. I want to teach 2nd grade. I have always wanted to be a teacher.
66. Other jobs I thought about: news anchor, Oprah (jk), author, psychiatrist, counselor.
67. I am far-sided. Slightly.
68. I always get stomach aches & headaches
69. I admire my friends and family so much.
70. I love being around people and learning more about them.
71. I love to laugh & I am extremely silly.
72. My Dad is 6'7" & my Mom is 5'9"--when I was little, everyone used to always tell me that I was going to be "SO TALL" when I grew up! Eventually, I started to freak out about it because I didn't want to be a bean pole, so I would pray that I wouldn't be tall. My family always makes fun of me when I complain about being the shortest in the family because "I got what I asked for!"
73. I have a very nagging conscience. The first time I ever told a lie, I went upstairs and threw up immediately after. That's how bad I felt.
74. I love cards. I am always shuffling them and fiddling with them. I don't even need someone to play with, I have tons of card games I play all by myself.
75. I have always loved to work. I started working before all of my friends just because I thought it would be "so fun". Now, I know better.
76. I am extremely clumsy. My Mom always calls me "dropsy"
77. The most common noise you would have heard if you grew up in my house is me falling down the stairs.
78. I am extremely sarcastic.
79. I love my families ability to laugh at and with each other. We have so much fun together.
80. I feel much older than I am.
81. I hate it when people comment about mine and my husbands age difference.
82. I cant wait to be a Mom. I hope I am a good one.
83. I love to decorate, but I can't figure out how to "decorate on a dime". I am not very crafty & don't like the way things look when I do them myself.
84. In my circle of friends, I am the one who is always throwing the get-togethers.
85. I am also the one who gives advice.
86. When it comes to shopping, I am a bargain hunter. The only thing I will spend a decent amount of money on is jeans. Shirts are so trendy, so I won't pay much for them, but jeans can last for years. A good pair of jeans is essential. Whenever I find a pair, I just have to buy them, because I feel like passing up a perfect-fitting pair of jeans is the biggest mistake!! I have way too many.
87. I have always been an animal lover. I can't watch or read about animal torture. I think anyone who abuses animals is evil.
88. Whenever I take the color test I am yellow/red or I.D. Yellow is outgoing & fun loving. Red is dominant & bold.
89. When I was little, I used to play "receptionist" for fun.
90. I am becoming more and more like my Mom everyday and that is fine with me.
91. I like sports, growing up I played soccer, Jr. Jazz basketball and softball.
92. I think plucking hurts more than waxing.
93. My day never goes right unless I make my bed and a "to-do list" every morning.
94. I was "madly in love" with G about 5 minutes into my first conversation with him. Not really, of course, because I don't believe in love at first sight. But it sure felt that way.
95. I am not good at making dinner every night, because I only like to cook if I am going all-out, but who can afford to make a gourmet dinner every night? Therefore, its either pbj's or prime rib at my house. I need to learn to cook normal, everyday meals.
96. My favorite time of the day is early morning when my pups do their morning stretches & yawns and then come to cuddle with me.
97. I love it when women tell me my husband is handsome, because I totally agree.
98. I went to every high school dance but 2 or 3.
99. I can't believe I finally made it to 100!
100. I love my life right now.

birthday wishes for a fren.

happy 18th k!

thanks for being my bff.

Little studs...

There has been lots going on in the lives of little Jack Jack & Toby, I just have to share a few of their recent adventures!

The other day, G and I decided to take them to a dog park to make some friends! We were hoping there would be little dogs for them to play with, but quickly found that little dogs don't really go to dog parks. However, huge dogs do.

We came to this park in the Avenues and let the dogs out for a bit. We were bumbed to see 5 or 6 huge dogs and were about to leave when little Jack took off to join the pack. Let me just tell ya, friends, my dogs can hang. Not only were they running, chasing, and engaging the other dogs, they were taunting them too! Jack stole their toys several times and wasn't afraid to egg the bigger dogs on. Being that most of the dogs weighed at least 100 pounds more than little J & T, I thought they might be cautious, but cautious, they were not!
It was so much fun to watch them play with these big dogs, Everyone watching was laughing their heads off, especially us. Jack seems to be oblivious to the fact that he is tiny & that is one thing I love about him!

Being that our dogs love nothing more than making new friends, Greg and I decided to take Jack & Tobs to their first day of "Puppy Preschool". Both of us are gone during the day at work and school, and although we can stop by to check on them & let them out, we feel bad they they don't get to play more. The "Puppy Lounge" seemed to offer a good solution...It is basically just a place for little dogs to go to interact with other little dogs. They get to play all day with new friends & run to their hearts content.They had so much fun, the second we got them home they both crashed on the floor and didn't wake up for hours.

As you can guess, not much is going on with G & I, but at least we have these little guys to keep us entertained! They are such little studs!

What has this blog come to?!?!

How to tick people off....

• Leave the copy machine set to reduce 200%, extra dark, 17 inch paper, 99 copies.


• In the memo field of all your checks, write "for sexual favors."
  
• Specify that your drive-through order is "TO-GO."


• If you have a glass eye, tap on it occasionally with your pen while talking to others.


• Stomp on little plastic ketchup packets.


• Insist on keeping your car windshield wipers running in all weather conditions "to keep them tuned up."


• Reply to everything someone says with "that's what you think."


• Practice making fax and modem noises.


• Highlight irrelevant information in scientific papers and "cc" them to your boss.


• Make beeping noises when a large person backs up.


• Finish all your sentences with the words "in accordance with prophesy."


• Signal that a conversation is over by clamping your hands over your ears and grimacing.


• Disassemble your pen and "accidentally" flip the ink cartridge across the room.


• Holler random numbers while someone is counting. Adjust the tint on your TV so that all the people are green, and insist to others that you "like it that way."


• Staple pages in the middle of the page.


• Publicly investigate just how slowly you can make a croaking noise.


• Honk and wave to strangers.


• Decline to be seated at a restaurant, and simply eat their complimentary mints at the cash register.


• TYPE IN UPPERCASE.


• type only in lowercase.


• dont use any punctuation either
  
• Buy a large quantity of orange traffic cones and reroute whole streets.


• Repeat the following conversation a dozen times."DO YOU HEAR THAT?""What?""Never mind, it's gone now."


• As much as possible, skip rather than walk.


• Try playing the William Tell Overture by tapping on the bottom of your chin. When nearly done, announce "No, wait, I messed it up," and repeat.


• Ask people what gender they are.


• While making presentations, occasionally bob your head like a parakeet.


• Sit in your front yard pointing a hair dryer at passing cars to see if they slow down.


• Sing along at the opera.


• Go to a poetry recital and ask why each poem doesn't rhyme.
  
• Ask your co-workers mysterious questions and then scribble their answers in a notebook, mutter something about "physchological profiles."

PS...I have realized that this blog has become more of a filing cabinet for all my random thoughts and obsessions, rather than something friends and family might actually want to read. I will try to do better. I struggle though, considering G & I have no adorable flesh babies and are extremely boring people and there is so much random crap to buy and talk about in this world!

Also, what's with elevators? I mean seriously?!? More about that later.

The End.

Sale! Sale! Sale!

Some of you may already know this, but I just have to share the news that Shade is having a $6 sale! I always get excited for their $10 sales, but I haven't seen a $6 one yet! Woohoo! I use opportunities like these to stock up on basic tees & cami's (since we all have to wear one under pretty much everything!), but they have some really cute shirts as well...

My sister in law bought the turtleneck with buttons a while ago, and it looks so great on. I have a bunch of the Jersey Tees and they go great with everything & I really love the Slub V-neck tee.

The best part is, I just ordered 5 pieces & I payed $30.00! These sales last a while, but common sizes & popular colors go fast, so hurry and stock up.

Yay for Sales!

Click here to shop!

happy birthday! love, mtv

I am not afraid to admit that I am obsessed with "The Hills"... I know it is pathetic, I know it is fake, I know its scripted, I know, I know...don't care! I still love it! I've been watching Lauren since she was on LB and she is my favorite.

Anyways, it's been a sad time in TV land with pretty much all of my favorite shows being out of production, so I am so happy to learn that The Hills is coming back on March 24! I can't help but consider this a personal gift to me from MTV.

If you watch the Hills, you know why I'm giddy. More Justin Bobby, more Brody, more Speidi and more cat fights!

If you don't watch The Hills, you should start. After all, everyone needs a guilty pleasure...

P.S. Had the most amazing dessert last night! A homemade Molten Chocolate Cake, or as some people call it, A chocolate bomb! Insanely, mouth-wateringly, amazingly good! I'll try to post the recipe soon...