love you more

all around a good day

2012-02-01T23:20:00.003-05:00

Jamey was waiting for a package to arrive today. The UPS man came while we were sitting on our couch with our front door open. (The back door was open too, but that's not exactly relevant to the story. But just so you know, it happens to be February 1st and it was a delightful high-50s today, maybe hit 60? can't be sure) Jamey was so excited he popped up and grabbed it and came back in super confused. The package was for ME! But I didn't order anything. Didn't matter. Still for me. I opened it up and there were some lovely cakebites from the Sweet Tooth Fairy, but no card. What a wonderful mystery! Turns out, they were an early birthday present from my cousin because she was thinking about it and didn't want to forget. hahaha Fine by me!! Happy Birthday Month to me!

...Jamey's package came later and he was happy.

The weather's been so nice I've been running outside this week. I've also completed Day 3 of Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. Ha! Me doing a workout video, I know. Ridiculous. I'm so sore!! My girlfriend lent me the tape and some weights to see how I liked it before I invested. I tried the 5s for like 4 seconds before I downgraded to the 3s. I'm a wuss. I'm going to try and keep with it and hopefully at some point I'll just lose the feeling in my limbs so it won't hurt anymore. And just so you know. I'm not doing the diet with the video, just the video. I ate an entire banana split yesterday about 20 minutes before I did the workout and didn't even feel a twinge of guilt.

Also on the news end, my mormon.org profile has been approved and you can see it with the little "I'm a Mormon" link over on the sidebar. It's not everything about my faith, just a bit to whet your appetite. But I love all the other stories on there. I can sit for hours reading and watching those.

We went to see STOMP tonight for free at school. It was a lot of fun, even if the innertube number put me to sleep. I think it was just so rhythmic that I didn't stand a chance.

And that concludes this very long update.

I like Jamey

2012-01-22T22:46:00.000-05:00

I do like my husband. I think that's different from just loving him. I LIKE him. I like being with him and spending my spare time with him. He is goofy and makes me laugh. That's what this post is all about. So you can see how great my life is on a daily basis.

Beard Buddies. This is Brad (Jessica's husband).

skull head footie pajamas

making our new bookcase - one of my fav pics

Christmas time. He let me blow powdered sugar into his beard to look like Santa Claus

thanks to Jessica

2012-01-18T22:22:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Jessica I now have 2 new pairs of pants that fit me, a 3 tiered cooling rack filled with ooey gooey goodness, and a rather terrific friend.

these pants went from too short to just right

she un/hemmed my pants (what do you call elongating pants? don't know) in what seemed a mere matter of minutes, I'm sure she could've done it faster but she humored and entertained me as I watched her work.

Recipe here. If you like oreos you need to make these.

(if you don't I'm not sure why we're friends)

we didn't even mean to match

2012-01-18T18:41:00.000-05:00

*Photos by Rachelle. I love her.

New Kitchen?

2012-01-15T21:30:00.000-05:00

Nope. But we did do a little rearranging (that little turned out to be a little too involved) and it feels like a HUGE renovation! YAY!! Our kitchen could make a spelunker feel claustrophobic. But now I'm thinkin we could fit a conga line inside. Jamey suggested it this evening while we were cleaning up dishes and on a whim we moved our fridge from the kitchen to the dining area. A little unorthodox, maybe, but a fantastic decision all around. I don't hate my kitchen now! Yay for me!

this would be the big surprise. we changed the side the doors open on & Jamey was a champ and got it figured out and done before our goods thawed.

whenever I see this (yes I can't stop looking) my reaction is take a big deep breath, it feels that good. & just look at all that counter space. I'm so happy I could cry (but I don't do that on a regular basis)

doesn't look too weird, right? I mean, it's still on tile

happy, blurry, jumping pictures

(jumping because we CAN in all the room we now have!)

My Dad

2012-01-12T22:43:00.002-05:00

A lot of you have asked me about my Dad. This is him. We all went to see the new Sherlock Holmes a couple days after Christmas and we all loved it. I grew up watching a lot a lot a lot of Sherlock Holmes with my dad growing up. He loved em. That and Pink Panther. And Mash and Columbo and Cheers, yada yada yada. Oh! And Quantum Leap! Highlander too. But I digress. He read a lot. One of my favorite things as a little girl was creeping into his bedroom at night and laying my head on his tummy when he was reading in bed and letting my head go up and down up and down up and down with his breaths. And I giggled a lot listening to all the frogs that lived in his stomach. But if I giggled too much I'd get in trouble & would have to leave so I tried real hard not to but they always got the best of me.

Happy New Year

2012-01-08T17:11:00.000-05:00

Jamey didn't notice this until we sat down in the pew at Church today & said a little too loud in a very matter of fact way, "Oh no." It was right when the Sacrament was being blessed & passed. Perfect timing. We laughed so hard trying to stifle the noise & Jamey had tears running down his face. It made Fast Sunday a whole lot more enjoyable.

Here's to starting the year off on the right foot!
...whichever one that may be.

thoughts about us

2011-12-04T16:16:00.001-05:00

Jamey thinks it's weird that girls go to the bathroom with their pants still around their thighs. I don't understand why you'd drop them all the way down to the ankles.

Jamey knows how to push my buttons, all of them, at the same time. Then he pretends to be confused when I snap.

We both like to do nice things for each other. But only if it was our idea first and the other person doesn't suggest it before we do. Then we just stay on the couch or pretend to be busy on the internet.

Jamey likes to listen to books, I like to actually read them. When we listen on car drives I fall asleep. Even though it's expected, he gets sassy when I ask him to catch me up.

Jamey makes funny faces in the mirror and cracks himself up. I laugh with him.

I like to cook. But I like it better when Jamey cooks.

I'm the first one out of bed every morning. But I don't shower everyday. Jamey showers every day, and makes the bed.

Jamey loves strategy board games. I would rather play Jenga or Sorry. We both like Battleship.

I could watch the same movie a zillion times (one that I like). Jamey watches a movie once and calls it good. When I suggest a movie we've seen he'll say, "but we just watched that one last year." I don't see the problem.

Jamey loves to snack on gummies and most all candies. He shares with his friends. I prefer kettle potato chips. I bought a bag once and hid it from him.

and we decorated for christmas

2011-11-27T22:38:00.001-05:00

2 strands of lights, 2 Nativities, 2 funny snowmen, 1 Christmas tree.

Turkey Days

2011-11-27T19:46:00.001-05:00

We drove to DC for Thanksgiving & had some fun. Ok, a lot of fun. We stayed with Lexi & Lance & fam & really the time was too short. Drove in Wednesday night (after stopping in for some Cafe Rio) and drove out Saturday afternoon after the OSU vs Michigan game, & maybe another stop by Cafe Rio. It's just so good how could we help ourselves? Now for lots of pictures. Too ~~tired~~ lazy for words.

how many nephews? wrestling with Uncle Jamey was their favorite

my 1st Thanksgiving w/homemade cranberry sauce. ha

turkey bowl

Abby did not care for her Uncle Jamey. loved me though

the only pic I got of Lexi. at the National Museum of Natural History

basketball at the park

I'm a Rockstar

2011-11-05T22:37:00.000-04:00

So I'm not usually a big gloater, but that has all changed today. I RAN A FREAKING 1/2 MARATHON. that's THIRTEEN POINT ONE miles. And because of that, I think I'm amazing. We drove to Indianapolis yesterday & met up with the Stroud's (pictures later, but they have them all and I couldn't wait, too happy). We went to the Expo, got some grub (typically I hear people carb load, but I had enchiladas and they were yummy). And then brilliant me I forgot my knee brace. We walked to CVS. Closed. So we hailed a cab to Walgreens. Yep! My 1st time in a cab. The Stroud's are great because they are so go-with-the-flow and non-stress that they are super easy to be around. And we got ice cream.

Woke up this morning, got ready, & forgot a million things. My inhaler, some energy beans, my earphones (got them from the car just in time). It was a traumatic start. But I found my girlfriends from my ward to run with in the nic-of-time (pictures of them are with them, so they'll come later too). Seriously, the bell had already rung & the crowd was a-movin. It was stressful. When I found them we were near the start line and I almost started crying from all the emotion. But I held it together. And then we ran. Oh we ran. And had a blast. I loved all the people on the sides and the cheering and playing. I figured if I was doing this then I was going to make the most of it. I stayed with the girls til mile 10 when they detoured for a pee break but I knew if I stopped I'd likely not be able to start again. And I was feeling good so I wanted to keep that as long as possible. We said adieu and I ran the last 3 miles solo. Coming up to the finish line, Jamey (who had finished his race an hour earlier) was right there to greet me. I don't know if I was happier to see him or the finish line, but they were so close together that I'll never have to make that distinction.

(video's not loading. will go here when I can figure it out)

Jamey got me signed up for a massage. She asked where I wanted her to work and though I felt a little bad, my butt was so tight and she had hands of steel. AMAZING. HEAVEN. She also worked on my calf some but that hurt and I didn't want it, even though it needed it. I just wanted my butt rubbed out.

Thankfully, we got back to the hotel in time to shower before checkout. And then we all sported our Indianapolis Monumental Race shirts. I wanted to wear my medal around all day too but I kept the humiliation to a minimum for Jamey.

We got beanies, medals, and shirts. Isn't my husband good-looking? He's started growing out his Christmas beard. I like it. It's so long now that he's having to part his mustache. I like combing it out at night before we go to bed.

I never could have achieved Rockstar status alone, I never had the desire nor the motivation. Shelby put the idea in our heads, wanting Jamey to have a good 1st married birthday was the motivation, Sabrina was my voluntary running partner that showed me it could be fun and kept me pushing myself, and running with the girls today made it worth it (& that I basically ran into Jamey's arms, he made it worth it too - I love seeing that guy happy!)

Moral of the story, running a 1/2 Marathon does not make you a certified masochist.

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T20:59:00.002-04:00

As far as 1sts go, this 1st Married Halloween left a bit to be desired- which can be a good thing that I have lots to keep looking forward to, right? While I was at school all day (which I will never ever ever get used to since I grew up in Nevada & Halloween = Nevada Day & we always had it off & it was the best) Jamey got the candy for the Trick-or-Treaters. And then he left me for the evening for his clinic work. I put the Halloween candy in a bowl, a cute bowl that I had to dig in the bottom cupboards for bytherway since this was no ordinary candy. AND I had a grand total of 4 Trick-or-Treaters. Four. Which I guess isn't really all that bad. And it was SO FUN to see the kids and how happy and excited they were. I was so glad for them that the day warmed up & stopped raining so that they didn't have to cover their fabulous costumes with a blah winter coat. I remember when my mom wanted me to cover my Cleopatra costume with a jacket. It was a very traumatizing moment and may have been our biggest fight ever in my entire life. (For the record, I never wore the coat).

We didn't carve pumpkins this year, too busy. But being the savvy internet browser I am, I found this one on Google Images & I say it counts.

Real Burglars

2011-10-28T22:06:00.000-04:00

Ward Halloween Party tonight. Jamey & I were racking our brains for the perfect 1st Couple's Halloween costume. Big deal. Last night it came to Jamey in a moment of brilliance! "Real Burglars?" YES. Jamey made my sweater stripey & everything. Unfortunately, only 2 people in our entire ward have seen Drop Dead Fred, and neither of them remember it well. How can this be?? It was a staple of both of our childhoods. Along with Labrynth. Proves we were MFEO. Looks like we'll be having a movie party here in a few weeks to bring everyone up to snuff.

Snotface and Drop Dead Fred

the part we were referencing starts at 1:45, but I promise you won't regret watching the entire clip. or we hear it's on netflix now so you should really watch the whole movie.

Why my life rocks

2011-10-24T22:38:00.000-04:00

It's 10 pm and I'm sitting under a very warm cuddly blanket on my couch. We are about to start the 6th episode of the 1st season of Lost (neither of us have ever seen it & since we heard it's addicting our rule to stay productive is that we can only watch it with the other person there) But before starting that, Jamey is making delicious pasta. Not even for tonight's dinner. For my lunch & dinner tomorrow. He loves me & I am spoiled. My life is also great because I have awesome friends who do fun things with me. My quality of life has improved since 10 days ago I got my first ever iPhone and I love love love it. It's not gloating or being vain or anything like that, I needed an upgrade (like NEEDED, I'd replaced my phone once with the warranty, then my brother-in-law sent me out his old one when the replacement went kaput, then 5 months later it went downhill again) & I'd just like to say that, to my credit, I have not yet played a Words with Friends game. Go me. I rocked my exams last week. I've started running again, with a knee brace, after messing up my knee from all my training. It's been 2 weeks. Hopefully I'll be able to do the 1/2 I've been working so hard for! Went on a date with my hot hubby tonight. We saw Cowboys vs Aliens at the dollar theater. Go big or go home, right?

me & Jess at the Matt Nathanson concert

me with the girls at the pumpkin dinner we held last night, I was so excited

uhh...ya I do

2011-10-24T22:13:00.000-04:00

What was I thinking? I totally have pics of Abby. From my wedding. Duh. She was pooped by this point. I think she really just wanted to be left alone. It'd been a long day of weddingness & even more days with extended family. But she's still cute to humor me. And her mom (pictured below) made all the adorable fluffy tutus the little girls wore at the wedding. They were so fun & BIG. I loved them. Like I said, you should follow her here.

Abby is my happy

2011-10-19T23:59:00.002-04:00

Ok. Stop this second and visit here. Right now. Stop reading, go.

I have a beautiful niece named Abby. She's like 18 months old (ish? Is that right Lexi?) I wish I had pictures of her on my computer, but I don't, so I can't post them for you. Even MORE reason for you to visit my sis-in-law's blog. hint hint nudge nudge. Abby has Downs Syndrome. She is happy and funny and squishy and lovey. EVERY picture I see of her is my favorite. I'll do what I can to figure out how to get one to post. So I posted the "Abby is my happy" button on my sidebar this weekend and due to a gagillion things going on this week, this is the first chance I'm getting to tell you about it. But click on it. Regularly. It's fantastic.

how I feel about my upcoming week

2011-10-16T21:32:00.000-04:00

tempting fate

2011-10-06T22:26:00.000-04:00

Last weekend we figured we could get away with risking our lives since we don't have kids yet. We drove down to West Virginia to raft the Upper Gauley River, ranked 3rd in the WORLD for 1 day white water trips! I've gone down the Grand Canyon before and wasn't sure about this, because that I did on a big pontoon & this I had to do with a paddle...meaning I was in charge of my own fate. Scary. But I'm happy to report that I didn't fall out of the boat once. Not once. Jamey didn't either...this year. But last year (his 1st time) he fell out twice. Muah ha ha ha The sad part for me was we camped out Friday night & I thought I was sooo smart & just wore my glasses so I didn't have to "get ready" for bed in the tent & take my contacts out with dirty-gross-smokey-smorey-hands. I just packed my contact case. Turned out I packed the wrong one & I was the geek going down the river with her glasses on. I bought Chums. It was a low-point.

we are the 1st two in the front right of the boat. glasses girl

we are minutes 1:11 to 1:53

We went with about 40 kids from Jamey's med school. So the video has all 6 boats. 3 of the boats either capsized or lost some folks from their groups and we had to paddle paddle paddle to go save them. Lots of adrenaline. Before every rapid our guide would coach us whether to swim left or right if we got pitched so as to avoid undercut rocks and other deathmongers. Joy. We had so much fun even if it was raining the entire time and 40 degrees or below.

to us

2011-09-18T20:03:00.000-04:00

Today is the middle of 2 anniversaries. Yesterday was our 3-month-married-anniversary (we celebrated by watching 2 football games and both my teams lost miserably) & tomorrow is our 1-year-knowing-each-other-anniversary (I'll celebrate that by learning how to stick people with needles. ich)

Painting Pains

2011-09-11T22:18:00.002-04:00

Have I mentioned my husband loves me? So much that I surrender the love you more game to him this month. We painted our house last weekend. Twice. Once because I wanted to lighten it up and twice because I hated the first color (or non-color, it was like primer). I was a girl and come downstairs Saturday morning and cried. I tried to make the best of it but at 5:45pm Jamey was on his way back to Lowe's for the Labor Day weekend discount to buy us some new paint. We started round 2 at 9pm and finished a little after 2am. Our home is now "breezy" and I love it.

the home we started with

(taken apart to paint but I didn't think to grab a pic til after)

this was an AWFUL mirror (as you can see) that I was fed up with. I pried the 1st panel off not knowing what to expect and then Jamey used his manly strength to finish it off.
it was seriously the highlight of our weekend..

already feeling a little painter's remorse

then jamey scolded me & told me to have a good attitude & I tried

jamey getting all the high hard places

round 2. that smile is for real.

So as you can see...back to blue. But a lighter fresher (Jamey's says girlier) blue. I also painted all the doors white white & they look so good! Jamey repainted most of our ceilings & I painted our stairrail black & love it. And yesterday Jamey took some time off studying and we painted our hallway. It looked like a diluted pee yellow and we both decided it must go. And away it went! And we both love our home now. (I'm sure I'll get around to taking/posting pics of the finished project sometime)

The end.

Happy Labor Day

2011-09-06T13:18:00.001-04:00

Yay! A 3 day weekend! It was eventful, a little too much so. But it ended on a very high note with Cedar Point. I love roller coasters and we had a blast. It was a little chilly, windy, and overcast, but it wasn't busy and the longest line we stood in was an hour. Well, 2 hours if you count the Dragster. We were seated within 30 minutes I'd guess. We got to the launch pad and then there was that mechanical turning off sound, I don't know how to write it on here. But it's a very depressing noise. We waited I'd guess about 40 minutes and then it turned on! Hooray! After 4 mechanics came and worked on it. But, then it started to sprinkle and they wouldn't let us go. So we waited another 10-15 and then away we went! At 120 mph in 4 seconds! Amazing. Here's our story in pictures.

We went with some friends, the Robinetts. They have a little carrottop that we watched while they'd ride some thrillers. Cedar Point had this awesome Parent Swap pass so when we'd get off the ride we just hand the conductors a slip of paper and then they'd get to come up through the exit and ride immediately. Genius. So this was Jamey's attempt at babysitting.

And then as if the day couldn't get any better! On our way out Jamey paid $1 and won me my Minion from The Claw. He used expert precision and got it on the 1st try. I was so proud. And then we ducked our heads and hurried out because there was a little girl trying at the booth next to us and we didn't want to share. We're horrible people.

where o where?

2011-08-26T22:30:00.003-04:00

Finally, 2 months after our wedding, I had the sense of mind to call my mom and ask what happened to my wedding dress and shoes?? It occured to me that while I was home for my brother's wedding, I never saw it in the house. I called her last night and she didn't have it. She called Auntie Lynne, nope she didn't have it either. I texted my sister-in-law and...you guessed it. Nope nope nope. No one had it. Everyone told me a different story of where it ended up, of who took charge of it. But they all said that it wasn't left there, that the place was clean & empty when they left. Still, I had Jamey call the Jensen Nature Park and ask after it. They had no idea. Of course. I texted friends and family all day, each person sillier and more unlikely than the last. But someone had to have it. How do you lose a wedding dress for crying out loud? 36 hours after the initial query, guess where it turned up? With my mom. In her closet. Love her.

funny word

2011-08-25T14:51:00.001-04:00

I was reminded of it last night at a girlfriend's birthday party. It was her present from the Spaghetti Warehouse. SPUMONI. It's funny to me and I giggle every time I think it. You know how songs get stuck in your head? Well this word is like that for me. I've been repeating it to myself subconsciously for the past 20 hours or so. It'd get annoying if it wasn't so funny. The word sounds and looks like it should be a meat- like a gross spam/pepperoni mix. But it's ice cream. Which makes me like it more. And maybe I'm weird but I do actually like pistachio ice cream.

Shark Week

2011-08-03T17:23:00.001-04:00

du nuh

duh nuh duh nuh! it's shark week so bring out your shark paraphernalia. nothing is better than celebrating the brutal murders of people by ferocious sea creatures. I think sharks are one of my biggest fears but I don't really fear them all the time because I am much better than them on land. We have watched all the shark week episodes so far (in fact we kept our cable just so we can watch this week). It's too bad that shark week is so white shark supremacist because there are a lot of other cool sharks that are racially excluded. We didn't go all out like my sister did because it is our first year dedicated to the shark fest. We did get awesome shirts from her. Check out her craziness at http://oursharkweek.blogspot.com/. I now believe in rogue sharks, breech sharks, and that everyone that says something on discovery has to be very dramatic. I used to be afraid of sharks in my pool after watching jaws. I now know that fear was a bit exaggerated.

Palmyra, NY

2011-08-02T16:51:00.008-04:00

While Mormons were making their way to the Hill Cumorah from the 4 corners of the world to see the Pageant, Jamey and I used it as an excuse to go visit his mom (mine too now). We had so much fun. She spoiled us with food, fun, and leisure. I finally tasted her peach pancakes that Jamey loves, she & I ganged up & beat him in both Bananagrams and Sequence, and we just enjoyed not being on a schedule.

Hill Cumorah Pageant

see where he gets it?

modeling clothes from his Old Navy $20 grab bag.

the clothes were not worth the $$ but the entertainment & endless laughter were

where Brigham Young was baptized

Monique! best lady I met on my mission

so happy we got to visit & I got to show off Jamey

something else

2011-07-25T17:26:00.001-04:00

It's another little pet peeve of mine. Much more minor in comparison to the fruit flies, but it jabs at me nonetheless. It's an inherent flaw in blogger I do believe. You know the comment feature? It's really great most of the time and I'm happy when people use it. But when there is only one person who's commented, the link to check them still reads "1 comments" CommentSSSS. 1 comments?? (or "Happy Thoughts" "Love Notes" or whatever you've renamed your comments to be). I don't think it could be a terribly difficult feature to fix. And I'm pretty sure I'm not the only slightly OCD blogger out there. Actually I'm placing my bets on the fact that most bloggers fall on the OCD side of life. And maybe you're thinking, "Addie, you suck at grammar anyway so you have no right to be complaining let alone noticing." But I am, and it's my blog so there's nothing you can do about it. he he he

love my husband, hate my life

2011-07-23T22:10:00.005-04:00

It's my husband's 26th birthday. I wanted to get him something thoughtful. I made the ultimate sacrifice and signed us up for the Indianapolis Half Marathon. I'm already crying just thinking about it. Pep talks welcome. A substitute runner would be even better. Maybe I'll be lucky enough to break a leg before then? Here's hoping.

Oh and for an update, we still have fruit flies.

new pet peeve

2011-07-14T15:40:00.000-04:00

I hate, despise, LOATHE ENTIRELY...fruit flies.
They have infested our home. Maybe my fault...I let some bananas go bad. Certainly not the 1st time. I was going to make banana bread. I moved the bowl they were in and the little beasts swarmed my face and I wanted to throw up, almost did. Usually, once I get rid of the bad fruit, they're gone. But nope. It's been 2 days, 2 very very long days, and they show up everywhere. I pick up a rag, they swarm. I open the spice cupboard, they swarm. I turn on the faucet, they swarm. So I took measures today. I've tried 2 ways to get rid of them. One with some fruit in a bowl and plastic wrap to trap them in. Another in case they're drain flies and not fruit flies (who's ever heard of such a thing?) with ice and dishsoap down the disposal. I don't know? But the internet forums say it works. But I HATE them. They will die.

Mr. Price

2011-07-07T12:19:00.001-04:00

Still waiting on wedding photos...
But my husband's been doing good things in the meantime

cooking our 1st married meal. pasta carbonara

using his fancy new drill to help me organize our kitchen (a 2 day-all day project)

and cleaning our storage room. he tackled that one himself

oh and taking care of our little garden. can you see our 2 tomatoes so far?

Mr. & Mrs.

2011-06-29T12:11:00.004-04:00

I've been putting off this post just because you've all been waiting for it. But here we are.

I don't have more pictures yet. If anyone has some, I want them! I can't wait to see all the detail shots of our reception and the candids of everyone there. It was the PERFECT day. I have to tell you all, in case you didn't know, I did NOT want a wedding. I wanted to elope and then send out announcements to you all saying WE DID IT! But alas, I met the one guy in the world that had an aversion to eloping. Seriously?? So we put together a reception and invited all sorts of guests and it was a headache and for the first 2 months of our engagement we couldn't agree on anything and so would have nights where we swore off any wedding talk just so we could remember how much we really did like the other person. But when the day came it was perfect and beautiful and absolutely the best day of my life.

It was forecasted to be rainy and cloudy all day. But it wasn't! It was GORGEOUS! And I have the best friends and family who took care of everything for me and made all of it beautiful.

Splash of memories:
my cake
my bouquet
tutus on rocks
my dashing husband. oh I just loved to look at him that day.
100 + lanterns
wonderful hilarious friends
temple workers trying to give me a different mother-in-law
seeing my real mother-in-law before the ceremony
spending the morning with the girls getting ready
the sunset
swing dancing with my dad. who knew?
my dress
giant birdhouse
3ft balloons

That's what I've got for now. It's not everything. But when I think of the day I am so happy and just smile because it was so full of happiness. That is exactly what a wedding should feel like. My mom was great the whole day and handled everything with her characteristic calm and laughter. I finally got to meet Jamey's family. One of my favorite memories is hugging each of them in the temple after we were sealed and knowing that they are my family now and the strong bond and love I immediately felt for them. There is a real power to love that I am just beginning to understand.

Since the wedding I am more convinced everyday that I married the best man in the world for me. I've never been a subscriber to the one-and-only philosophy but if there were a person to convince me otherwise it would be Jamey. I'll save that for another post.

Wednesday Will Come

2011-06-06T22:01:00.000-04:00

Wednesday will be my last day as a 1st year Pharmacy student. I will take my last final exam at 9:30 in the morning. And it cannot come soon enough. I've been repeating the exhausting questions in my mind, "Is it Wednesday yet?" "When will it come?" "Why can't it be Wednesday?" I love school, I've enjoyed my program, but I am DONE (but not, bc it's not Wednesday, see the problem?) But it reminded me of a talk by Elder Wirthlin awhile back and so I thought I'd share it. Sunday Will Come. I went back and read it and I have more energy now to continue studying and memorizing pointless conversions for my Calculations exam tomorrow. Its main message is that of the beauty and hope of the Resurrection, but really it says that no matter how bad today is, no matter how long or hard or lonely or depressing or anything, a new day will come and the present will become the past.

happy 2 weeks

2011-06-03T23:47:00.001-04:00

In 2 weeks from now I'll be married to Jamey. And I haven't had any second thoughts/guesses/questions/concerns (I know! So not like me!). A lot of people ask us now that it's so close if we're getting scared. But nope. Not at all! Only more and more excited. And I feel more and more lucky everyday that I get to marry him. That's so cheesy and you can all roll your eyeballs if you want but it's true. I lay in bed every night with a huge smile on my face because I can't stop thinking about him and the hundred ways he made me laugh that day. We've both dated a ton and I think it's a beautiful wonderful miracle that it worked out this way for us. I am so grateful for everything I got to experience single and now I am so ready for all that we will experience together. Forever. In 2 weeks. My family still hasn't met him, and I am so excited to introduce them and show him off and make those faces with them behind his back that say, "I know right?? He's good." I know they'll love him. And if they don't, oh darn too late for them to do anything about it! I'm marrying him anyway.

BIG DAY

2011-05-14T23:53:00.001-04:00

That's my cousin Tyler. And that's my wedding dress he's holding!! THAT'S IT!! RIGHT THERE! Is he not the coolest 14 year old ever? Thank you Rachelle for dragging your boys down to St. George to pick this up for me today!! And thank you Tyler for not being a too-cool teenager to hold it up for a picture, even though your voice has dropped 3 octaves, you've grown about 10 feet, and you play football. I love you.

When they brought the dress in the car, her youngest son, Nate, he's like 5 I'm pretty sure, asked "Is that Addie in the bag?" Rachelle told him that no, it was just my dress. He said, "Oh. Well it looks like it's her body." ah ha ha ha Sorry Nate that your mom isn't in the business of transporting occupied body bags, though I'm sure that'd be much cooler than a wedding dress to your oh-so-boy mind.

So I got a White Coat

2011-05-05T19:24:00.000-04:00

...well...another white coat. OSU School of Pharmacy for some reason is crazy and does the White Coat Ceremony at the end of the year instead of the beginning, so all 140 of us students had to buy a white coat at the beginning of the year because we needed one for all of our rotations during our first year, and then the alumni kindly give us another now. Silly? Yes. I'm grateful and all, but any way I look at it there is no sense. Unless I look at it from the School's perspective that they got to rip $35 x 140 off their incoming class. But here are some pictures. Enjoy.

Grumpy Face

2011-05-04T19:37:00.000-04:00

I got mad today. Legitimately angry. I was pacing. I had no words.

I put in Mama Mia because the music usually makes me happy, but this time it did little to calm my temper. UNTIL I heard Pierce Brosnan (who I met once, did you know that? yep, I have a picture with his arm around me) trying to sing. It gets me every time.

umm...

2011-05-02T22:16:00.000-04:00

So when I started my blog it was because it'd been something I wanted to try out and my roomies basically hog-tied me one morning and did it all for me. That was a fun morning. Lately, my relationship with the blog has been a little lackluster. When my friend Laura found out I'd started a blog she made fun of me to no end! She was just returning the favor really, since that's what I'd done the year or so before when I found out she'd joined the married Mormon world and started one herself. Oh the mocking we enjoyed! By the time mine was up & running she'd let hers go. Now I'm kind of seeing why.

Laura described it well the other day.

"I feel like there's a pressure with blogs to be witty and tell all your innermost thoughts in an artful way. Definitely don't have time/brainpower for that"

Touche!

I said in my 1st post that I didn't know what sort of outlet this blog would be for me, but I'm thinking it's in an evolving phase right now. I'm just not enjoying mine as much as others', like my soon-to-be-sister-in-law or Day-o. Those 2 are funny. And they should have blogs.

after midnight confessions

2011-04-29T00:45:00.000-04:00

Sometimes (basically every night) I have a hard time going to sleep. Not falling asleep, but going to sleep. I can be perfectly exhausted (like right now) and still not be able to pull myself away from my computer, my study notes, a good book...I finish the task on my to-do list that I've told myself I'd finish and then go to bed, but then I look at the clock (or not, whatever) and think "Oh I'll just do this one more" or I'll just wander aimlessly through my computer, organizing folders and rearranging icons. Pointless hubbub. But I feel like while I'm awake I should do something and as long as my body's not shutting down on me (which it'll do, no matter how hard I try sometimes I can't even finish a thought before my body's said ENOUGH and overruns my harddrive to turn me off) I should be productive. If my body says there's some energy left, then I just sap it til it's dry. So it's not insomnia, because I can sleep- but I just won't. What's that called?

The one downside to warmer weather

2011-04-12T23:21:00.001-04:00

This is just another reason Jamey & I are great together. We both hate shaving.

I was not one of those teenage girls that couldn't wait to start shaving in middle school and snuck behind her mom's back with a razor (though I did sneak the mascara a couple of times and ended up with some awesome black eyes). The summer before 8th grade, my cousin Amanda convinced me that whether or not I liked it, I had to do it. BUT WHY??? They're blonde! But she didn't care. And so I did. Luckily I'm not a hairy beast so I can go awhile before it becomes noticeable. They are still soft and blonde. My roommates called me The Hairless Wonder. Usually, I don't shave all winter (my little legs are always in pants or tights- no point) On my mission, I went the entire 1st YEAR without shaving. I would've gone longer but Day wanted to witness the event so it was my gift to her. I mean, I like the feel of shaved legs, but how do people shave EVERY MORNING??? I don't even shower that often so forget about getting me to shave!

And Jamey looks good with some (or more) facial hair. A lot of my friends are decidedly opposed to facial hair on men, and ya...some guys just can't do it and that's fine. But Jamey looks good. Mmmhmm.

Can you OD on Peek-a-boo?

2011-04-11T17:25:00.001-04:00

I loved this weekend, but I'm tired. It was Jamey's spring break (not mine unfortunately) and so we took off to PA on Thursday for some adventures. I spent Thursday night and all day Friday with my friends Nicole & Tyler and their one-year-old boy (seriously, one-year-old, it was his birthday!) while Jamey spent the time shadowing a surgeon friend of his. They took me to Pamela's for lunch where I ENJOYED chocolate chip & banana filled hotcakes.

(once upon a time, this couple enjoyed them too)

Saturday we took off early morning & made it to Hershey. Jamey didn't believe me that's where HERSHEY'S CHOCOLATE was made, but then he had to eat his words. We stayed with another girlfriend of mine and her hubby, Nancy & Scott, and their 1+ year-old little girl. They took our engagement pictures!! And they did a marvelous job. I can't wait to see the finished product! I had a lot of fun playing with all the kiddos & talking & relaxing & laughing with my friends. I've already begged Jamey if we can please please please go again. & I enjoyed all the time I got to spend with Jamey. Funny how you can begin to miss someone when you only see them for a couple of hours almost everyday. ha

Happy Birthday

2011-04-06T21:59:00.002-04:00

April 6th is a special day for Mormons. It is the day our Church was founded in 1830. And, since this is where I served my mission, giving tours of the historical sites where the sacred events occurred, it's extra special to me. This is the Whitmer Farm, the hidden treasure of the Sites. It's a 40 minute drive out from Palmyra but so worth it. It's a little more serene and peaceful (at least for the missionaries!) and amazing things happened here. I'm looking forward to visiting again this summer. I am grateful to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Today's also an early Happy Birthday to my Laura lady. Her birthday is actually May 6th, not April 6th, but the 1st year we were friends I could never remember it and always thought it was today and she'd get so mad at me! Now it's funny.

The Pear-Apple

2011-04-06T16:26:00.002-04:00

or is it apple-pear??

Either way it's delicious & you should go over to Costco or Sam's and pick up a yummy crate.

and it's not a hybrid like some of my other favorites (the pluot, tangelo, or grapple) it's its own real fruit

Mind wanderer

2011-04-04T15:54:00.000-04:00

It's like the plague. And I can't escape it. I get enough sleep at night, I go to class, I take out my notes & highlighter and pens, I try to stay engaged. I think I'm doing so well. And then I hear the class around me flipping the page & that's when I come back to reality. I don't know how to fix it, because it's not like I'm falling asleep, I just zone out and think about more interesting things. Like my wedding and honeymoon and what's for dinner or the next time I'll talk to my best friend and what I'll tell her.

Something Extraordinary

2011-03-31T23:00:00.001-04:00

At the very 1st meeting of the Relief Society, President Emma Smith said, "We are going to do something extraordinary." And I'm a part of that. I am one member (of over 6 million in 170 countries) of one of the oldest & largest women's organizations in the world! That is humbling & inspiring. (How can something be both? It is what it is.)

We had our ward Relief Society Birthday Party tonight. It was so much fun, complete with delicious food & better friends. I am a firm believer that women need women, & I am so grateful to have this Organization to associate with such wonderful girls that inspire me & laugh with me & to just enjoy their company & friendship. To think I moved out to Ohio knowing NO ONE, & now have such a fantastic network of women to share faith & fun with. I am blessed.

*This is a great little article (by Sheri Dew) on the history and purpose of Relief Society. Fantastic.

Dare you not to laugh

2011-03-30T18:36:00.001-04:00

My cousin just had twins. I hope they do this.

Psych

2011-03-30T18:25:00.000-04:00

Welcome to today.

It's time. I'm ready.

2011-03-29T22:35:00.000-04:00

Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!"

-Robin Williams (who else?)

Quick Question

2011-03-28T14:32:00.000-04:00

Why are quesadillas delicious? Really. I love them. No matter what mood I'm in. Breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Plain cheese, with beans, any veggies in my fridge. Doesn't matter. Always good. Crispy from a pan, or just heated up in a microwave. They will always hit the spot. They will always make me happy.

When Jamey met Addie

2011-03-25T14:58:00.000-04:00

(it's a long one, but you asked for it)

Sunday 19 Sept: It was my 1st Sunday in my new ward. Jamey sat behind me in Sacrament meeting & he remembers thinking, "Hmm...that girl has nice hair, but I bet her face isn't that pretty." I guess he didn't want to get his hopes up. We met offically in the hallway. He was talking with another guy and when I walked by he stopped midsentence and started talking to me instead. Not awkward at all. We walked together to Relief Society/Priesthood & he got my number before we parted ways.

That next week: He texts me and invites me to a bunch of things & I decline them all. My family was still in town & I was doing a lot of my 1st week Pharmacy School stuff & just didn't make the time.

Saturday 25 Sept: Our first...date? I liked him. We traipsed around campus after the game even though he had a test he was supposed to be studying for (story of our lives)

That next week: more texting, a few surprise meetings on campus. My girlfriends & I saw him in the parking lot one day & when I ran to meet up with them they turned & said, "Who was that? He's hot Addie! You need to date him!" I told them all no.

Sunday 3 Oct: General Conference. We spent the full day together, our 1st of many all-dayers. Also, the 1st time we cuddled and held hands (under the blankets of course) I remember laughing a lot that day.

Wednesday 6 Oct: Remember this day? While my girl was in the hospital, Jamey & I had our 1st kiss.

The next 2 months: I deny that I'm totally falling for him. I talk myself in & out of everything. I still go out with other guys. I talk to my friends back home about why this is crazy. And yet, I always end up with him.

Wed 24-28 Nov: After a little convincing, I spend Thanksgiving with Jamey & his family in Palmyra (where his mom is serving her mission) & we have our 1st "DTR" in the Johnson's home. It consisted of my saying, "Nuh-uh! I haven't gone out with another guy in 2 weeks! I'm only dating you."

The next while: I have a lot of fun letting myself fall in love.

Christmas Break: miss Jamey like crazy. That was a new experience for me, I usually have more of the, "I like you & all, but I'm with my family & I'll see you when I get back" attitude. We talked almost everyday, if we didn't talk, we texted. Jamey ran out of minutes.

Wed 29 Dec: Jamey came back early from his Christmas vacation in Palmyra to be the one to pick me up from the airport. That evening, he told me he loved me. (and I said it back)

Fri 21 Jan: Fly to Orlando for a weekend getaway. Downtown Disney & Universal Studios, most importantly: HARRY POTTER LAND!!! It really was magical. I love butterbeer.

Sun 23 Jan: Wake up early early early & drive an hour to Daytona Beach to watch the sunrise. HE PROPOSES! Right there, with the entire beach to ourselves, the sun just above the horizon, & me completely caught by surprise. One of the most perfect moments of my life.

And that's our story. -ish.

I'm into braids

2011-03-24T11:24:00.000-04:00

this is the one I'm sportin today, the fishtail

Spring Break

2011-03-24T00:27:00.000-04:00

This is the 1st Spring Break I've had since high school. I haven't known what to do with myself. So, I've done nothing. And LOVED it. I wake up on time still, between 6 and 7 am everyday per usual. But then, I smile as I look at my clock and roll over. I close my eyes and do not open them again until about 9. I think that is one of the supreme feelings in the whole wide world. Waking up, realizing you don't need to be awake and out of bed for any good reason (except for some self-satisfaction of not being a slug, but for a week long break, who cares?), and simply going back to sleep. I'm going to enjoy it now because once I'm married and then we start our family, I'm sure these days are going to be few and far between. I remember when my Mom used to stay in bed on Saturday mornings, when she could. Dad would tell me not to disturb her, but that just sent me to her room quicker. Why would she want to stay in bed when she could be watching cartoons or playing Barbies with me?? It made no sense then. Now, Mom, I'm sorry I didn't let you indulge a little more.

shoess

2011-03-16T16:47:00.000-04:00

I had a dream last night that I owned the cutest pair of peep-toe shoes. They were cream with a red cheetah pattern (I know it sounds weird, & I don't even own anything cheetah print but that is what they were) and now I WANT them. I wore a pair of gray sneakers today instead, kind of a let-down.

these aren't them, but they look FUN

I miss this boy

2011-03-15T00:25:00.000-04:00

I want his hugs & kisses & cuddles & laughter.

That's all.

PS-I have to post this one too because he's just too dang cute

I can't get enough of him

Let's go fly a kite!

2011-03-12T21:35:00.000-05:00

I've been studying the past 2 days straight gearing up for finals. Jamey's been studying with me, which means he's been sitting at the kitchen table playing Words with Friends with his notebook and laptop in front of him. He took pity on me today and around 6:00 went to Kmart and picked up the best sunshine-windy day present- a KITE! He got Transformers for him and Little Mermaid for me. I was so happy! So we took a 1/2 hour study break, picked up Gertie, and went to the park!

Gert kind of got Ariel tangled up so Jamey gave me his and fixed mine.

Pampered

2011-03-09T18:12:00.000-05:00

Gertie spent the day at the salon. She got shampooed and blow-dryed, mani/pedi, and a new 'do. And now she's all pampered out! She's hardly lifted her head since being home & is just cuddling close while I study. It's a tough life.

And now it's my turn to be pampered. I just got an email (among the millions) from David's Bridal and I (moi, me) have been selected as

BRIDE OF THE MONTH

Things like this never happen to me so I was pretty darn excited. I am now eligible for 2 (!) Mary Kay pampering sessions.

Don't mind if I do!

I like you

2011-03-08T20:38:00.000-05:00

As you know

2011-03-03T09:12:00.000-05:00

Spring is starting to peek her head out. But with everyone's excitement I guess she's a little shy & we scared her off. But I've been enjoying the earlier sunrises, the blue skies, and the remains of once green grass. Gertie likes the long walks she gets and splashing through the puddles.

We took her on a run the other day. Or I guess she took us on one is more accurate. She pulls on that leash so hard that Jamey gets a run and bicep workout all in one. Jamey's a punk & made us run 6 miles (don't worry, it's just double my max length ever in my life) Gertie of course couldn't have been happier. As for me, I was concentrating on not having an asthma attack.

Now he's fond of saying, "You ran 1/2 a 1/2 marathon no problem. You could so train for the one in May." (something like that, it sounds a little girly to come out of his mouth verbatim but you get an idea) My reply is usually along the lines of...Not Likely.

He's engaged too

2011-02-21T21:35:00.000-05:00

That's my handsome big brother, Tom (Thomas) and his FIANCE Chantelle (Chantilly Lace).

They met last summer at the good ol Bar Ten Ranch, then a whole year later (at the same place) it was like love at (almost) first sight. I am so glad I got to be there to watch it all unfold. The stolen glances, the flirting, the 1st dates, the 1st kiss (VERY romantic! Their kids are gonna LOVE that story...sunset, four-wheeler, Grand Canyon...it's the stuff movies are made of) all of it. And now they're engaged. Actually they've been engaged for awhile, as long as I have. I'm just a slacker sister & am just now posting their pictures.

Ya, I couldn't pick my favorites so you just get them all. Enjoy

they went snowboarding & he had his tux on underneath the garb.

when they got done she got in the car & he "changed" in the trunk.

SURPRISE!

Congratulations you two!! I love you both. There is honestly no one more perfect for Thomas, I am SOOOO glad you found each other (& I'm pretty stoked to have a sister)

Terrible romantic

2011-02-19T13:16:00.000-05:00

That's me. Don't misunderstand. I am not terribly romantic, I am a terrible romantic. Any of the boys I've dated will tell you so (most even ended up calling me cold-hearted & without feeling...but I think that's because they cried when we broke up & I didn't)

Valentine's Day was great though. Jamey's just the right amount of romantic for me. He got up early early Monday morning to surprise me with breakfast (German pancakes & buttermilk syrup) before my classes. I jumped in the shower while he was cooking, & when I came out my room was covered in post-it notes with each one reading a different "I love you because..."

my favorite one

& instead of real roses (I got those 2 weeks before) He made me a bouquet of Milano cookies.

The man knows me.

I've never done a Valentine's Day for a boy before. Never. I am a firm believer that it's a girl's holiday. But since he's my fiance & all...I caved. It was hard though. I am not a cutesy/thoughtful girl, try though I may. But I think I did ok. He got a box full of Valentine's Day cards (for my fiance, our 1st Valentine's, funny, I love you, etc etc) filled with some of his favorite candies and then an Apple Pie Caramel apple from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory...with 2 balloons.

And he took me for sushi.

it was really romantic because he does not like sushi

And we watched Across the Universe (6 days later & I'm still singing the Beatles)

I love him.

Bless the 2 hour nap

2011-02-16T19:33:00.000-05:00

Gertie slept with me the whole time. I woke up thinking she's an angel for not bothering me. I even gave her a treat! It's amazing how sleep eliminates stress & makes you smile & makes you think that the world really is a happy place. Pre-nap my theme song was paranioa, but post-nap I feel like I can see clearly now.

Now I want to watch Cool Runnings. That would make my day complete.

Guest author

2011-02-11T15:37:00.000-05:00

As you are all aware, I am a sucker for science (especially chemistry) humor/nerdiness (same thing), My girlfriend, Anilee, wrote this poem for her class and shared it with me, and now I share with the masses. It made me smile. If you've never taken a Gen Chem class...well...that's ok...

When molecules are organic,

Carbon to Hydrogen will be bound.

The functional groups,

Consist of different compounds.

The simplest group,

Is the one called Alkane.

The specific name is determined

by the number of carbons in the chain.

When drawing the molecule

bonds in equatorial position are most stable.

The diagram's name is "chair".

So don't draw a table.

the one and only Lizzie

Banana Splits

2011-02-09T15:49:00.000-05:00

I dragged Jamey to a Marriage Panel last night. A girlfriend of mine texted Sunday evening to see if we would sit on the panel for a Young Women's activity, and when neither of us had plans, I agreed. I promised Jamey ice cream if he was good. So he drove me like 20 minutes to Baskin Robbins! (my mom and I have a Baskin Robbins banana split tradition) Yep. He's the best. We didn't realize how far away it was when we started out, but I believe it was worth every bite (even though we drove another 10 minutes to find a place where we felt safe enough to eat them! ended up being in a Giant Eagle parking lot)

he kinda has a hard time justifying $5 on an ice cream

but I didn't even think twice about it

An engaged life

2011-02-05T15:38:00.000-05:00

It's totally opposite of what you'd think.

Typically being engaged means you're attentive and deeply involved, not distracted, but totally immersed in the task at hand.

But it's not true.

Since being engaged (to Mr. Price) I have 0 attention span. It's worse than if I'd played video games my entire life (which I haven't). I'm on the phone with friends telling the fabulous story, I'm looking at wedding blogs and design ideas, I'm admiring my ring, I'm thinking of the million and ten things that will need to be done...and it's not like I'm getting anywhere with those. I'll get online to look up reception venues but then see a link for summer colors that links me to bridesmaid dresses (which I'm not even having! but I admire them anyway...)

It's all ridiculously fun.

Who is Jamey Price?

2011-01-31T00:11:00.000-05:00

A. Tom Selleck wanna-be

B. Science nerd

C. Crazy Person

D. My fiance

*Hint: The most correct answer is D.

Gesundheit!

2011-01-20T19:11:00.000-05:00

So I was feeling kinda lame that I did 2 weather posts in a row.

This guy should liven things up.

Last night, I went to listen to the one and only Dr. Patch Adams - maybe you've heard of him? seen the movie? I remember watching it with my Grandpa Heaton & him just giggling the whole way through (have I mentioned that I love my new school & all the cool events they host? FOR FREE?) It was a mostly hilarious evening, & it felt good to laugh with friends. He mentioned the movie was very TAME in portraying what actually went on in the early days of the clinic. There was nothing they didn't make funny, going as far as to hold "Barf-alongs w/Bulemics!" He loves fart sounds in public, fake poop, he owns the largest pair of underwear in the world, & thoroughly enjoys going through airport security.

Welcome to Thursday

2011-01-20T11:29:00.000-05:00

The alarm was no match for my stubbornness this morning. I decidedly snoozed for an entire hour. It's a snow day. A 4 inch snow day (atleast). It's a ponytail, thermals, boots, fleece, big heavy coat, scarf & gloves snow day. Black ice, slow traffic, careless pedestrians, slush, and a late afternoon quiz to top off the day for me. Maybe I'll treat myself to some Starbucks caramel apple cider on my way home. That will be nice.

the view outside the library (part of the Horseshoe, if you care)

Warm Spell

2011-01-18T19:02:00.000-05:00

It's warm enough to rain. When I took Gertie out before school this morning at 6 am, the fact that it was warm enough to rain made it ok that I was out of my bed and had to go to school and study and do a million things I'd rather not. Because it was warm enough to rain, I didn't have to scrape frost/ice/snow off my windows so I could take the extra 3 minutes and eat breakfast in my apartment instead of my car. Because it was warm enough to rain I got to listen to the steady drizzle outside all day and didn't mind being in with my books. I love warm, even if it's just relative.

Who knew studying could be so fun?

2011-01-15T19:00:00.000-05:00

Today was my study day. I was up and going by 8:30. I have successfully taken Gertie on 3 walks in the snow, made homemade lima bean soup (my 1st time, it's not quite like Mom's but didn't turn out too bad either), watched 2 movies, ran 2.5 miles (my toes went numb, I think from the cold?), showered, shampooed my carpets again, took out the trash, made buttermilk pie, did the dishes-twice, talked on the phone, caught up with the latest-and-greatest on Facebook, finished off my Chinese leftovers, organized my closet, painted my nails, returned a few emails, and did some online window shopping.

Oh, you didn't see "study" on that list? Weird.

off to a good start

2011-01-05T21:42:00.000-05:00

One of my New Year's goals (though I didn't write it down because it still intimidates me & so if it's not written then I'm not actually committed just in case I decide to back out...) was to be better with technology. Elder Perry counseled the Las Vegas YSA at a fireside this summer to not be left behind with it all. So, ok. I finally got around to replacing my ink cartridges last night in my printer (the alert has only been going off for a month is all) & it broke. I swear it had to be an easy fix so I got online & was doing the whole "Hey look at me go" thing feeling good about myself for trying out my skittish goal. & nothing. I spent 40 minutes with it...& nothing. Well poop. So much for that.

As a bonus I participated in a study for the School of Optometry today, & they put a few dyes in my eyes. The tech rinsed them out for me at the end & told me she got 90% of the dye flushed out (like that was a good thing?) The other 10% was still holding fast to a few dry spots on my eyeballs. Yep, I was the cool kid walking around with bright fluorescent green eyeballs. Nice.

2011?

2011-01-04T20:48:00.000-05:00

I can't bring myself to do the New Years post. And I can't really think of anything clever to tell you all about. But I have a feeling my sweet Grandma Brown is wondering if I'm alive and well.

This is her, isn't she cute?

So hello! My update is that I'm happy, healthy, & hopeful in Ohio.

Santa Claus

2010-12-13T18:01:00.000-05:00

We were having some great girl bonding time at Easton Mall today. It climaxed when Courtney saw the sign for FREE pictures with Ol' St. Nic (free if you use your own camera, which the digital copy is better anyway, so why not?) Imagine Santa's face when 5 girls walked up & we were all trying to figure out how to place ourselves around him. I asked, "So...can I take that knee?" Courtney asked for the other one and the rest fell in place.

Merry Christmas!

Best Christmas Surprise

2010-12-11T08:47:00.000-05:00

I'm a sucker for Christmas lights, anyone who's ever been around me for 2 seconds at Christmastime knows this. I literally squealed with delight when we pulled onto this street in Picktown, OH last night. 23 houses all decorated & then synchronized their lights to dance with a Christmas radio station.

Picktown Lights from Jim Hern Productions on Vimeo.

I'm taking requests for those who want to live on the same street as me & do this in the future. Any takers?

he he he (bre)

2010-12-02T22:57:00.000-05:00

So this isn't very Christmas-y, but it's my favorite House quote. No matter how many times I watch it, I giggle every time.

sorry it's not better quality, I don't care enough to search hours on end for a good cut. you get the picture

ta-da

2010-11-29T22:44:00.000-05:00

my happy little tree

Chantelle's tree. Her star looks like bug antennae he he he

Christmas tree in a box

2010-11-28T19:45:00.000-05:00

I got home from my Thanksgiving vacation this evening ready to do everything Christmas, but my efforts got me as far as Pandora Christmas music as I unpacked & cleaned. So not cutting it. I wanted lights, popcorn, cinnamon & pine smells, and a TREE. I took Miss Gertie on a walk & stopped by the mailbox. My most amazing brother sent me this lovely gift in the mail. Yep, my eyes totally filled with tears when I opened it. I was that happy. I was really excited about the gift, but mostly happy that my big brother totally gets me & knows how to put the best smiles on my face.

THANK YOU THOMAS!!

Visitors Welcome

2010-11-13T16:56:00.000-05:00

Just look at that hunk of baby goodness. This is Caleb, he belongs to Nicole (& Tyler...) They came to Columbus today & I was the lucky girl that got to spend a whole 3 hours with them! I've been smiling ever since. Nicole is such a great friend & is really good at giving me perspective. & I got to meet her son, finally, after stalking the cutest pictures of the tyke for the past 7 months (& yes, those blue eyes are as brilliant in person as they are on film) He was so soft & squishy & smiley that I couldn't keep my hands off him. All in all, a perfect Saturday: sunshine, just shy of 70 degrees, and the best company I could ask for. Hope to see you again soon!

I cheated

2010-11-06T13:10:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, I got really excited for Christmas. Thanksgiving is typically my favorite holiday so I never do anything Christmas until the day after because I don't want to overshadow it. I'm not sure if it's because I'm not spending Thanksgiving with my family this year & so I'm looking that much more forward to Christmas, or if it's that crisp autumn chill, scarves, sweaters, and boots that are now my main wardrobe, or what...but yesterday I went to the mall and was so happy to see everything Christmas-y. It was wonderful. And I went in to Bath and Body Works & was giddy, that's not normal for me. But they have the most festive little holiday goodies & a yummy new smell, Secret Wonderland. AND last night I was making cookies but got 1/2way thru the recipe only to find I didn't have any baking soda...so I got in the car & started flipping thru the radio stations & 93.3 is already doing non-stop Christmas music. Usually I wouldn't have listened yet, but instead I turned it up!!!

Now I want lights, a little tree, and those yummy cinnamon smelling pinecones...just a few more weeks!!

T9Word, you done me wrong

2010-11-02T21:15:00.000-04:00

Everyone says that spell-check is making the general population dumber. That may be. But I reached a new low today. I am sitting here (bored out of my mind by the way) writing a history paper on The Evolution of Pharmaceutical Care, and as I type long words like pharmaceutical, practitioner, pharmacist, commitment, etc over & over again, I find I'm slightly miffed that I actually have to type the whole word out & that Word doesn't just guess & provide me with it. Definitely a new level of lazy.

stressed=desserts

2010-11-01T22:28:00.000-04:00

I can't believe I just realized this for the 1st time. Stressed = desserts spelled backward! Which is really perfect since all I want to do after a stressful day is come home & eat something sweet & yummy that will make all the bad things happy (remember Wendy's Wednesdays?) & that's what happened today. I had a very stressful day, following a tiring weekend, & a stressful last week. I was so happy tonight to put everything aside/behind & go with Courtney to see Ace of Cakes LIVE!!! w/Duff & Geoff. It was perfect. & there was cake.

O-H-I-O

Happy Halloween!!!

2010-10-31T17:23:00.000-04:00

*Hint: It follows your mouse.

2 girls, a car, & some sleep deprivation

2010-10-28T18:45:00.000-04:00

In the pursuit of being a "good student" I've been successfully neglecting the rest of my life. I'm happy to say I think it has paid off as I've finally felt relief leaving an exam rather than the usual post-test anxiety. I'll tell you though that I thought it a cruel irony I was sitting up late 2 nights in a row studying the physical & psychological benefits of SLEEP

1. Body's time of repair
2. Time for consolidation of learned information
3. Dreams are of psychological and/or emotional importance

Hmmph.

I resolved to take the day off (once I took my last exam...that I may or may not have nearly fallen asleep in. It was so hard to focus on all those printed words!!) The day got better when I told Jamie I'd help her with her car. Ya, 2 girls taking care of a car...we should've known. We met Donny at Auto Zone who told us it was the alternator, not the battery. Doug gave us a jump after we looked for an hour in the cold for the battery leads under my hood (for some reason Saturn thought it'd be fun to stick the actual battery in the trunk? Not funny.) The negative lead is nowhere to be found still, even after calling the dealership. We ended up taking her car to Dave at Japanese Autocare (that's a story for another day!) They are now fondly referred to as our 3D's & we secretly love them all.

Then we came home & watched The Holiday, which always makes me feel like it'd be a lovely idea to kiss the next man that knocks on my door...

My Ultimate Comfort Food

2010-10-21T21:31:00.000-04:00

I had a long day. I came home after 8:00 famished. I looked in my cupboard for something delicious & incredibly low maintenance to top off my day. I spotted it. There at the top. My favorite cereal. But wait? Do I have a banana to go with it? Otherwise it's not worth it. I looked over my shoulder & saw with relief that 1 of the 4 bananas sitting on the counter was still cereal worthy (hasn't crossed over to the smoothie/bread side yet). Phew.

2 Original Shredded Wheat biscuits with 1 sliced banana drenched in milk.

I feel much better.

President Obama

2010-10-18T17:25:00.000-04:00

President & 1st lady Obama came to The Oval last night. I went to watch/listen. It was my 1st time ever seeing a US President in person, a little surreal. A group headed over after Church & waited for 2 hours listening to all the Democratic propaganda...some amusing, some frustrating to me. I sat on the blanket, took a nap, got a back rub (it's a hard life, I know) & listened from below. Don't worry though, I definitely stood up when "The Eagle" arrived. There were a lot of "OH-IO"s shared & I clapped when he claimed that more than being called Democrats or Republicans we are proud to be called AMERICANS!

If I knew how to draw an arrow to point him out for you I would. But he & Michelle are on the far right by the podium, if you feel like playing an altered version of Where's Waldo?

Angels among us

2010-10-14T21:22:00.000-04:00

My friend, Jamie, saved a man's life last week. While out for an afternoon walk, enjoying a little sunshine while it's left, she crossed paths with an elderly man & had the distinct feeling that he was not ok. Instead of dismissing it, she paused & watched him on his path. I am so proud of her for not giving in to the temptation to walk away & reassure herself that he would be fine. Then, as she watched the disoriented man fall, she ran to him. She caught the attention of 2 road maintenance men who then saw him & ran to his aid as well. The 3 of them were able to care for him & get him safely home (a nearby nursing facility he'd escaped from).

I was so touched when she shared this experience with me, & I was so grateful to know her & call her my friend. I was reminded of the words of Elder Holland

But when we speak of those who are instruments in the hand of God, we are reminded that not all angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with - here, now, every day. Some of them reside in our own neighborhoods. Some of them gave birth to us, and in my case, one of them consented to marry me. Indeed heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind.

Jamie was this man's angel. I couldn't help but think of my own dear grandpa in his last days with dementia & how grateful I am to all those who loved & cared for him. My mom told me a story of a young man, maybe 12 years old?, who would sit by my grandpa every week in church. One week my mom & Auntie Lynne showed up & sat behind the 2 of them. Not knowing who these women were, the young man turned to them & asked if they wouldn't mind watching his friend while he stepped out to use the restroom. They said they'd love to. It was something so small, but knowing my grandpa was loved & watched over brought such peace. This man's family will likely never know about the service Jamie offered, but regardless they will always be grateful for a young woman who had the courage to follow her heart.

Just when you thought it didn't get any better than Flight of the Conchords

2010-10-13T23:19:00.000-04:00

My friend sent me the link to this video & I laughed. It may have been due to the late hour I watched it combined with severe lack of sleep...but now you get to enjoy too. My friend's short message said, "Note that the pretty girls are the ones in the school of pharmacy." So, I ask you, Really...how could I resist? I'm a sucker for science humor.

*View original Flight of the Conchords here. My brother would be so proud.

Ace of Cakes

2010-10-13T18:45:00.000-04:00

I am going to see Duff & Geoff LIVE.

Another reason to love OSU. FREE events with my buckID. On Nov 1 I have 2 exams, so I felt that this would be the perfect way to wind down from the stress. I can't wait!! I hope there's free cake :)

10/10/10

2010-10-12T21:05:00.000-04:00

This day already had the promise of being the coolest day of the year. BUT, it got even better when we found out it was also NATIONAL CAKE DECORATING DAY! So that's what we did. We decorated cupcakes & watched Mean Girls & had a ball. I love these girls!!

Jamie going for it with BOTH hands!

Courtney's always the most focused 1 of the 3 of us

and for some reason I'm only content when sitting in a ball

My witch! I was so proud of her! I know she looks like a smurf in a turban...

but humor me

the day also celebrated our 3 week anniversary of knowing each other!

Gertrude

2010-10-07T23:54:00.000-04:00

She is 8 1/2 months old & we made her 2nd emergency room visit, though it counts as her 4th trauma. When I wouldn't play with her anymore yesterday afternoon, because silly me, I thought I should do some homework!, she went on a little scavenger hunt in the front room. This is what she found:

I'd had 1 piece previously, she took the rest. THE WHOLE PACKAGE. The trick with sugar-free gum is that it contains Xylitol, which just happens to be highly toxic to dogs. She ingested 23 pieces in record time. So we flew down to the emergency room & they were ready for us. The doc came & got her from me before I'd even started any of the paperwork! That made me nervous...

She's home safe & sound today, though she had to stay the night under their watchful eyes & care. All the staff loved my adorable girl, I think they were sad to see her leave...until she started making a racket in the waiting room barking at all the other dogs. Why won't her owner teach her some manners all ready?!

XYZ

2010-10-06T15:09:00.000-04:00

eXamine Your Zipper

This is one mishap I feel really levels the playing field for all social classes, it can happen to anyone. It's happened to you, it's happened to me, & we've all snickered & pointed at a plethora of people caught unawares.

I was at a Career Fair last night, made a stop in the restroom, & came out with my fly down. When I realized it, I giggled. It made the evening that much more exciting (& let's be honest, a Pharmacy Career Fair can use some excitement.)

But when do you tell someone what you've noticed, & when do you not? I stand on the ALWAYS TELL side, but having large groups of people around doesn't make for the best venue. It goes right along with letting someone know there's a booger hanging out of their nose or something green still in their teeth.

GO BUCKS!

2010-10-04T18:17:00.000-04:00

I went to my 1st OSU football game last week. I've been to college football games before, but only at BYU. This was not the same. At all. It took me more than a 1/2 hour to get thru Security, & they had me running from 1 end of the stadium to the other. I felt like screaming, "It's a FOOTBALL game!" But then I thought if I said that, they really wouldn't let me in.

But I felt like a lucky girl when "the best damn band in land" (it's not cussing if I'm quoting) came & played right next to me! Like, not just in the aisles, I was surrounded. It was awesome.

I'm grateful for friends with extra tickets, sunny afternoons, & red t-shirts.

October is American Pharmacists Month

2010-10-02T23:21:00.000-04:00

Who knew? My profession has a whole month dedicated to how awesome we are. Usually, in the past (& kinda still now I guess) I've felt like days are given to really important people who've done an incredible & very memorable service i.e. mothers, fathers, Martin Luther King Jr., veterans... & months are usually given out to those that really just need to feel better about themselves & so try to promote their causes (sorry if you find this politically incorrect, but I'm only incriminating myself here) i.e. women's history, vegan awareness, & just about every minority out there.

So to celebrate, we're supposed to put a new Pharmacy Fact in our Facebook status each day for the month of October. But you all know me, I'm not really that into Facebook status updates so instead I'm posting the link here & if you really care or are so bored that you'd rather read through this than do any of the other 27 things pressing for your time...please enjoy.

Know Your MEDICINE. Know Your PHARMACIST.

*For a complete list of some of the most ridiculous months click here. Highly entertaining.

Because my girl has no manners

2010-10-02T15:02:00.000-04:00

Gertie broke her collar on our walk this morning. She took off running with her newfound freedom & I was left to look the idiot chasing her. Luckily, there were no cars as she fled from one grassy patch to another. I finally caught her because she had to pause to potty.

Now, she gets to sport the stylish body harness. I need to get a good doggy training book since I can't really afford obedience classes. And usually I just think she's too cute to discipline. So maybe what I need is a doggy OWNER training book.

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

2010-10-02T14:32:00.000-04:00

Right. I will try to remember that as I look in my planner already full for the next week with at least 10 items I still need to check off from the last 2. After watching the 1st session of Conference, my favorite speaker was President Uchtdorf (I'll link his talk as soon as it's posted!) who talked about getting life down to the important things & basically sieving our days so that we are spending our time where we really want to, where it will make the greatest difference in our lives. One of my favorite things he said was that in families love is so often spelt T.I.M.E.

Ah, bliss

2010-09-30T17:42:00.000-04:00

I have been living in Columbus for 2 weeks & 1 day & this afternoon finally accomplished the one thing I've wanted since leaving Las Vegas.

I took a nap.

A nice poem I stumbled upon

2010-09-30T10:36:00.000-04:00

Mary T. Lathrap (1838-1895)
A WOMAN'S ANSWER TO A MAN'S QUESTION.

Do you know you have asked for the costliest thing
Ever made by the hand above—
A woman's heart, and a woman's life
And a woman's wonderful love?

Do you know you have asked for this priceless thing
As a child might ask for a toy,
Demanding what others have died to win,
With the reckless dash of a boy?

You have written my lesson of duty out,
Man-like you have questioned me;
Now stand at the bar of my woman's soul
Until I shall question thee.

You require your mutton shall always be hot,
Your socks and your shirt be whole;
I require your heart to be true as God's stars,
And as pure as heaven your soul.

You require a cook for your mutton and beef;
I require a far better thing.
A seamstress you're wanting for socks and shirts;
I look for a man and a king.

A king for the beautiful realm called home,
And a man that the maker, God,
Shall look upon as he did the first
And say, "It is very good."

I am fair and young, but the rose will fade
From my soft, young cheek one day,
Will you love me then 'mid the falling leaves,
As you did 'mid the bloom of May?

Is your heart an ocean so strong and deep,
I may launch my all on its tide?
A loving woman finds heaven or hell
On the day she is made a bride.

I require all things that are grand and true,
All things that a man should be;
If you give all this, I would stake my life
To be all you demand of me.

If you cannot do this — a laundress and cook
You can hire, with little to pay,
But a woman's heart and a woman's life
Are not to be won that way.

Enantiomers

2010-09-25T21:44:00.000-04:00

We were reviewing some sweet stereochemistry in biopharmacy yesterday & so of course went over the subject of enantiomers- 2 molecules that are non-superimposable mirror images of each other (i.e. your left & right hand look the same but aren't) I came home & was organizing my computer & came across this pic

& laughed realizing that my mom & I are enantiomers. Exactly the same, but definitely our ownselves...somehow. The way our bodies sit in this candid looks the same! I was shocked to see how much I act like my mom without knowing it (it's a good thing Mom! don't worry)

Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore

2010-09-25T09:23:00.000-04:00

I've been saying this a lot lately, but it's changed to, "Gertie, we're not at BYU anymore!" I've got a 7:30 am Physio class everyday so granted our professor's got to do something a little innovative to keep our attention, or at the least to keep us awake. Yesterday he started comparing the cell structures of endothelium to a 24 pack of beer, tight junctions and all. I was the only one that laughed at his joke. Because it was funny? No. Because I have to keep reminding myself that I now live in Opposite Land.

Oh hello

2010-09-23T15:38:00.000-04:00

I am alive & well in Ohio. I've been busy having too much fun that I haven't made time to blog. It's a lot like when you don't write in your journal & then feel guilty/overwhelmed at everything you've missed but you still want to tell about that you keep putting it off...indefinitely. There's so much I want to share but if I did it all none of you would read my blog any longer because you'd start singing "This is the post that never ends Yes it goes on and on my friend!" (name that tune!!) But so you all know, we survived the drive, the move-in, the adjustment, the weather (including TORNADOS), & my 1st week of Pharmacy school (yes I'm announcing that last 1 a day early but I'm confident in the outcome). Phew. I've met some way nice people here & the take home message is...drumroll please...

I LOVE OHIO

Have a nice day.

Phototime

2010-09-15T02:10:00.000-04:00

Driving Miss Gertie

Nothing says Colorado like a flannel shirt & french braid

We enjoy being dorks

Nauvoo, Women's Monument. We love each other.

Mississippi River

Carthage Jail. I love Joseph & Hyrum Smith.

Who's the boss?

...

2010-09-13T02:39:00.000-04:00

Never thought I'd hear the words, "WOOOOOOO YEAH NEBRASKA!!!!!" come out of my mouth, but they did. Today we crossed over the Colorado state line & I was so pleasantly surprised (if not totally relieved!) that I let out a big whoop & holler.

I love Lortab

2010-09-06T14:38:00.000-04:00

It's my 4th day on the happy little pills, blessed narcotics. As much as I detest taking medicine, I am sure glad there is some good stuff to go around when I'm in the most excruciating & unrelenting pain of my life. They say passing a kidney stone is like child birth. I think next time, I'll take childbirth. You get an epidural to numb your lower abdomen (though there's still some discomfort sure) AND you get a baby at the end! Way better than calcium build-up the size of a grain of rice, if that.

Sweet opioids, thank you for taking the edge off the pain, making me drowsy enough to sleep through the rest, & providing me with a state of mind that makes the whole thing comical.

PS- Rachelle, I love you too.