Thanks for a laugh Becky Jo

My sister-in-law sent me this in an email today. There were more but this one made me laugh out loud.

Remembering Mike Jones

Picture taken with my cell phone soon after he joined my family.

I found out Saturday that my beloved Russian Dwarf Hamster, Mike Jones, passed away. It was very upsetting to have this happen while I am away in Alaska but after shedding lots of tears I realized that he was well taken care of and had a very happy life.

Mike Jones was more than just a pet. I remember the day I got him, two and a half years ago, like it was yesterday. I had been living alone in my first apartment for about two months when I decided I needed some company. So I went to Pet Smart and looked at all the small animals. When I saw Mike Jones I knew it was fate. He was the cutest hamster in the bunch. I immediately bought him, and brought him home. The rest is history.

Thanks Mike Jones for all the times you listened and sympathized with me.
Thanks for always being my running partner, you on the wheel me on the treadmill.
Thanks for running around in your ball and leaving little poop pellets all over my floor, making me have to vacuum.

Thanks for keeping me up at night with all your running on that squeaky wheel.

Thanks for being so darn cute.

So here's to you Mike Jones, my confidante, my pet, my friend. I will always cherish our short time together and I will miss you!

xoxo.

These are pictures from the funeral. My brother sent them to me since I couldn't be there. I couldn't imagine it being any more beautiful. Thanks to my mom and dad, brothers and sister-in-law for all they did during this difficult time.

Aurora Borealis

I stole this picture from the internet. You have to have a really good camera to capture the northern lights, with all sorts of fancy things like awesome zooming capabilities and other stuff that I know nothing about.

Around 3:00 last night I woke up for my nightly (sometimes several) bathroom break(s). I always just get up and go without getting my glasses because I know the way so why do I need to see? It's not until I get back in bed that I remember that I was supposed to check and see if the northern lights are out, but then I am usually too cold and tired to get back up. I have seen them only once and it was just a faint green streak across the sky. It didn't make it any less awesome though! Anyway back to last night, I was walking back to my room and just happened to glance out the window. Mind you with no glasses, I saw this bright green streak in the sky. I was so excited I ran and woke up Annelisa's mother-in-law (who had said she didn't care what time of night, but to wake her if we ever saw the lights) then I ran to my room and got my glasses and we gathered back at the window to watch the lights. They only lasted about 5 minutes but in that five minutes they dimmed, got brighter, and they moved around the sky. It was amazing! It is one thing I will never get tired of looking at and hope to see it many times more while I am in Alaska. I just hope next time there will be more colors and they will dance around the sky as I heard they do!

Stolen from the internet, below is a picture of what I hope to see!

On another note. One night I did remember to take my glasses with me to the bathroom. When I looked out the window the northern lights weren't out, but I did have an up close and personal view of the big dipper. Now, I have a hard time picking out any of the constellations in a star filled night but this was different. I couldn't see ANY other stars in the sky and it was like it was right above the the house, it was so close. It was just as amazing as seeing the northern lights, so I wasn't disappointed at all. I did not get to see the little dipper though. Maybe some other time!

Also stolen from the internet...

P.S. It is already all snowy here in Fairbanks! Pictures to come soon!!

llama llama red pajama

This is my new favorite childrens book. My nieces love it, and I think I have read it about a million times to them since I have been here. It is such a fun book and I think every little kid should own it!

Here is another book by the same author about my favorite llama. I can't wait to read it and see if it is as good as the first.

Good old fashioned Anchorage, AK fun.

I am a very shy person. I have a hard time being in places I don't know and meeting people. There is nothing better than having all the anxiety of meeting new people completely vanish when the people you meet are so friendly and fun to be around.

That happened this weekend.

I went to Anchorage for a long weekend with my sister and her kids. Annelisa (my sister) has a brother-in-law and sister-in-law (Mike and Maggie) that are stationed at Fort Richardson in Anchorage. They have four adorable children Quinton (8), Austin (5), Avery (3), and Jace (1). My nieces had so much fun playing with their cousins. It was lots of fun to watch and play with them.

The reason we went down there was for Quinton's baptism. Because of the special event both sets of grandparents and one great grandma also flew in for the occasion. It was one full house and even though I wasn't family and I was an extra body to house and feed, I felt very welcome there. They are such a great family!

I am so glad to have met so many wonderful people and I had a genuinly good time! I want Maggie to know that I am so thankful to her for having me in her home. She is such a great person and mom!

On the drive there we got to stop at a view point for Mt. McKinley. The most beautiful Mountain in Alaska. We also saw some moose cross the road, just moseying along, taking their sweet time.

While in Anchorage we went on a hike and saw some salmon and lots of beautiful scenerey. Part of the trail was closed due to bears. I wish we had seen one (from afar of course). We also saw some more moose on the way home from church today. No matter how many times I see them, it is still so exciting to me.

Below is a my weekend in pictures. (Sorry, still none of moose.)

Alaska Adventure Number One

So here I am in Fairbanks Alaska (Fort Wainwright to be exact) and I have to say that so far it's been great, granted I have only been here 5 days. I have already seen some moose. They were only about 50 yards away from us as we walked along the trail by my sister's house. Talk about scary, and of course I didnt have my new camera on me because I am not used to owning one let alone carrying one around with me. but if I had taken a picture of one it would have looked like this...

OK well that is a lie because I am not that good of a photographer and neither of them had horns like the Bull in this picture but you can imagine what I saw right? Annelisa and I saw them again later that day while we were driving home from a church dinner.

So Alaska is pretty much like Washington except colder. The first thing I noticed as I left the airport were all the trees which immediately made me feel at home. The weather has been nice, around 60 to 70 degrees and if it weren't for the cold wind it would be fairly comfortable but hey, I'm not complaining. I am excited for fall and winter to come so I can see all the snow. My nieces are so cute and fun to be around. I have already played UNO a million times since being here. I am also having fun being with my sister and just having someone to talk to and hang out with. She is also a good motivator for me to stay in shape!

Here are some pictures of the girls...

Haley Anne age 5

Callie Jeanne age 4

Katelyn Joy age 2

Here is a picture of the three of them all dressed up to go to a princess birthday party. A little friend of theirs turned three and man did her parents go all out. They rented a ball room at the Princess Hotel in Fairbanks and held the party in there. Along with cake and ice cream, they decorated crowns to wear, and they were given magic wands. They also got glitter in their hair, their nails painted, and makeup put on. They also got rings, necklaces, and bracelets. After getting all prettied up they danced around to music from High School Musical and Enchanted. It was lots of fun for the girls and Haley even sang some of the songs she knew in the microphone.

Haley was wearing a barbie wedding dress, Katelyn was Tinker Bell (i know, she's not a princess but that's all that would fit her), and Callie was Snow White.

Tag... You're it!

I was tagged by Alida

How To Play This Game of Tag: Post these rules on your blog.
List: 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 goals, 3 current obsessions/collections, 3 facts about yourself.
Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog!

3 Joys:

• My family and friends
• A good book
• Running

3 Fears:

• Spiders
• Being unhappy the rest of my life
• People I am close to dying... (sorry for being such a downer)

3 Goals:

• Lose some weight
• Run a marathon
• Get happy

3 current obsessions /collections:

• Losing weight
• Getting ready to move to Alaska
• Making some new friends

3 Facts about myself:

• I'm really shy
• I love the color orange
• I am a sucker for chick flicks

OK so I am supposed to tag five people but I don't know that many people with blogs and Alida and Annelisa were already tagged so that leaves you Candace... Sorry!!

Essay one

I got a 92 out of 100. I have since fixed all the errors. Also it was in MLA Format but when you cut and paste it into a blog, not so much. This first essay we had to answer some questions too, so that is why there are paragraphs about me and what I hope to learn etc. Essay two is due Tuesday the 15th and as soon as I get it back I will post it as well. With all the other little assignments turned in I have a 95% in the class so far (and that is because we have only had 165 points possible so far and I have only missed 8 points out of that 165- which was on this essay. By the end of the class there should be a total of 850 points possible or something like that). Only 2 papers to go (after the one turned in on Tuesday which is already written) several more busy work, in class, little assignments, and one Annotated Bibliography. Six and a half classes left and that half class is really only an hour and it is just picking up our final graded research paper.

April Bohlin
Professor Butler
English 201
01 July 2008


Are Schools to Blame for Childhood Obesity or is it the Parents who “Feed” the Problem?

A Smucker’s Uncrustables Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich (fast, easy, and convenient, already prepared just grab from the freezer and go), a grab bag size of Doritos, Capri Sun, and a Ding Dong. This is example of an average lunch brought to school and eaten on a daily basis by millions of children nationwide. Some parents justify sending their children to school with these unhealthy items thinking that at least it is better than the pizza and french fries still served in many school cafeterias today, and other parents just do it for convenience. School lunches, as unhealthy as they can be, are not completely to blame for the rise in childhood obesity. With many schools revising their menus to include more healthy options for students, the parents are now the ones who need to take a long, hard look at their own pantries and what they put in those brown paper bags that their children grab on the way out to catch the bus.

School cafeterias have always been associated with greasy, fattening foods that children love to eat and more and more parents are sending their children to school with cash instead of a lunch box out of convenience. Also, in most households these days, both parents work so they do not have time to make their children a healthy lunch. In answer to this dilemma, parents send money for school lunch or children’s favorites high in calories, fats, sodium. and preservatives. With these options, how are children supposed to learn to make good choices in the foods they eat? Many schools are seeing the need to minimize the amount of junk food they sell to help with the rising numbers of obese students walking around their halls. Peggy McConnell, a school official at Parklawn School in Alexandria, VA, where they have undergone the transformation to healthier foods, noticed, “The brown-haired boy unpacking his lunch he brought from home. Among the offerings: Gatorade and a 99-cent bag of Lay’s potato chips, which by itself is 360 calories, 210 of them from fat... ‘See?’ she says ‘This is what we are up against’” (qtd. in Aratani). The way children eat can be broken down to two parts. One part is learned by example and the other is availability. Often they are not taught to eat healthy and because the world is too busy, dinner is served in the drive through at McDonalds, and the only choices at home or school are high in fat. How will they learn?

I chose this topic of childhood obesity because I plan to study and graduate with a degree in Nutrition. I am a runner and an avid believer in living a healthy lifestyle. Don’t get me wrong, I love dessert just as much as the next person, but for the most part I try to be good. When I was younger I knew nothing about this topic. I did not care what I ate. I loved pizza, candy, ice cream and fast food. I don’t even think I thought about my weight until I was out of high school. If we develop good habits early in life, it is easier in the long run. Studying nutrition will also help me to know what I should and shouldn’t eat on a higher level besides just trying to read labels on foods. I hope with this degree I can help others make better life choices pertaining to food and exercise and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

I plan to research the causes of childhood obesity, how it can be reversed and or prevented, and how weight can be an issue in these children’s lives. I would like to find out if other factors come into play such as race, social class, location and gender. I also plan to research what methods are being used today to help these children live healthier lives.

I hope to learn and understand why childhood obesity occurs and to help those struggling with this problem. Also to be able to use the information when I have my own children someday, so they will not have to deal with some of the issues facing overweight children, such as ridicule from peers, health problems or just not being able to do the things they want to do because their weight holds them back. I hope to be able to educate others, as well, on the dangers of being obese.

As part of my research about childhood obesity, my first step was to look at the places children are getting most of their food. Are these foods they are being exposed to at school hurting them or are the parents not taking enough interest to what is going into their children’s mouths? I know we live in a society that is go go go all the time but there should always be time to be healthy. It is so easy to grab an apple or some carrot sticks, or to drink water instead of a soda pop. There is no excuse to choose anything but a healthier option. Schools are starting to make more healthy choices available for the students but it must be remembered that children will be influenced by the example of their parents who perhaps need to change their eating habits as well.

Works Cited
Aratani, Lori. “Slimming Down Schools; A la Carte Menus, Parents Often Thwart Cafeteria
Makeovers.” The Washington Post. 21 May 2008: B1. ProQuest. Bellevue Community College Library, Bellevue, WA. 26 Jun 2008 .

New

A lot has happened and the weekend isn't even over. I am not going to talk about it here. Sorry. If you want to know call or email me.

and the topic is...

So I decided on the topic of Childhood Obesity for my research paper. Causes, prevention, treatment, how it effects their lives and anything else I can get my hands on about the subject. I have already turned in my first essay (today) but there are four total and they are all supposed to build on each other. The first one dealt with school food vs parents.

Sounds exciting huh? Well what do you expect I am going to study Nutrition!

Any info or ideas you can throw my way feel free...

But in the mean time,

Here comes the bride... again.

So this last weekend I drove to Spokane to see one of my good friends from high school Angela get married (again) *note she married they same guy their first wedding was just quick because they were moving to Montana and none of her friends got to go so they had another one.

I have not had that much fun in a while. I met some really cool people both from Seattle and Montana and saw a couple of friends from High school I hadn't seen in six years! I arrived in Spokane on Friday around 5:00 in the afternoon and I had barely any voice left. Well what do you expect? It was a four hour drive and I was by myself so I was bored. What else is there to do besides sing at the top of my lungs the whole way there?

So first night was the rehearsal dinner. Not having to go to the rehearsal but still get a nice dinner, how sweet is that? Then Angela and the bridesmaids and I went to their hotel and spent the night because I was an "honorary" bridesmaid. Right... but really I got all the luxuries of a bridesmaid without the hard work and dress. Just how I like it!

The next morning (Saturday) was the big day! We woke up early because Angela had a hair and makeup appointment and I was her driver. Let me tell you this now Spokane has the worst roads ever! They have the dumbest intersections and the roads are in serious need of repair. Also I should mention that Hoop Fest was this weekend as well. The biggest three on three basketball tournament in the country (maybe world). Guess where it is held? SPOKANE! That's right. Kudos to you. So not only are the roads retarded, half of them were closed because courts were set up on them.

Ok I shouldn't really complain because they are the ones who had to play out in the 95 degree weather. BUT STILL!

I dropped Angela off at her makeup appointment after driving around for 20 minutes trying to find street parking and then after she left me so she wouldn't be late, I drove around for another half hour still looking. I ended up parking 15 blocks away or so. For me it wasn't bad because I live in Seattle and am used to walking everywhere but it was dang hot out there and she had to walk back after getting her face did. Good thing it was sweat proof 12 hour makeup air painted on for only $225.00.

Anyway so the wedding was outside along with the reception -Crazy Angela, what was she thinking? An outside wedding in June (almost July) in Spokane? I am surprised I didn't get heat stroke. It was very pretty though.

At the reception after being coaxed on the dance floor after lots of begging from the bride and some of Jesse's Microsoft friends (and after I changed into something a little more comfortable) I actually danced once with a Jack Black double in both looks and personality. His name was Peter and he was a riot! Of course after our dance I quickly got back off of the dance floor.

Once it was all over it was back to Angela's parent's house for me because I am cheap and couldn't afford a hotel (so I mooched so what). One of Jesse's (the groom in case you were wondering) friends Eric was also in need of a place to stay so he was there as well. So what did we do when we got back there around midnight? Played pool and talked until 2:30 in the morning (Angela's sister Sarah was with us too hanging out).

Sunday there was a brunch at the parent's house so lots of people from the wedding came over and we ate and played volley ball and I got sunburned. It was record breaking heat or something like that. We were all sweaty and gross but it was so much fun.

I am so glad I went. I almost didn't because I had to go alone and Angela had told me the only people I would probably know there besides her and Jesse were her parents and sister. I am a very shy person so to make that trip not knowing anyone was very brave of me I should say, and it was totally worth it. I am glad I got to meet those people and I hope I get to see some of them again someday!

I don't have a camera so I don't have any pictures but Sarah (Angela's sister and hired photographer) will hopefully share!

Research this.

So I started school today (Just got home in fact. First days are always the shortest). I haven't been in school for five years so I thought I would start slow, you know, with one class, see how it goes.

Since the summer quarter is a lot shorter they only offer certain classes at certain times and the only one that fit into my schedule and fulfilled one of my requirements was English 201 Research papers... What was I thinking?! Research papers! That isn't baby steps, that is like a giant leap. I should be taking a PE class or an Art class or I don't know anything but this! *Note- When I say anything but this, that excludes all Math and Lab Science classes. Those will come later when I am better prepared and the shock of going to school again has worn off.

So this class is Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6:00pm to 9:45pm for six weeks. Again, what was I thinking? I decided that it was perfect because at the time I was working 40 hours a week and thought I could only handle one class. Well, now that I have quit my job and am looking for one with more flexible hours I should have rearranged my school schedule and maybe taken more classes.

For right now, I think I have enough on my plate and all I can say is I hope it tastes better than it looks. Oh well. At least the teacher seems nice. So wish me luck and I will keep you updated on what my research topic shall be and how the paper is coming along.

P.S. Any ideas and pointers will help---talking to you Mrs. Morris

"Missed it by that much."- Maxwell Smart

I saw this movie this weekend with my two brothers, sister-in-law and my friend Ashley. I loved it, a MUST SEE! Even if you didn't grow up watching the re-runs like my family did, you will love it. Steve Carell is awesome. He is so awkwardly funny and he played the part perfectly. Don't get me wrong I loved Don Adams as the original Agent 86 but this movie was a good tribute. I can't wait to make my dad go see it!

Nothing says "I love you" like candy.

I don't know if I have told you or not but I have the best boyfriend ever. He does so much for me. He is always supportive of my endeavors and encourages me to do whatever makes me happy. So I decided to surprise him with a candy gram. Cheesy I know, and though candy can never fully describe what Anthony really means to me it was kind of fun to write...
Shhh... It's a secret.

*Note* Candy used will be in bold.

My SWEET TART,

The REISEN for this letter is to let you know how much I love you. I can't believe I SKOR-ed a BIG HUNK like you. (Not just any MIKE AND IKE would do!!) I know it isn't always easy when I SNICKER about your 100 GRAND PAYDAYS and the MOUNDS of time you spend at work but I know NOW AND LATER you will always be there for me, my LIFESAVER. Thank you for that. Thank you for all the GOOD AND PLENTY times and just remember that when I call you a NERD or a WHATCHAMACALLIT I mean it in the nicest way possible!

KISSES

Your HOT TAMALE


P.S. I ended up having to substitute RAISINETS for REISEN because I went to (count em) one, Two, THREE different stores and all they had were big bags of them. No candy bar size. How lame. Oh well I am sure Anthony will like it anyway.
P.P.S. You will have to excuse the lack of artistic ability or just the fact that I can't write straight.
P.P.P.S. Happy Birthday Dad! I love you!!

Here is to the future... My future!

So my last day of work is creeping ever closer! It is still very hard to believe. With no job lined up, I feel like I am heading into the unknown. It is all very exciting.

Last Thursday I decided that I have had ENOUGH. Every morning I have to struggle with myself just to get up and go to work. I despise it. My job is so unrewarding. My boss basically told me there was no room for advancement and that my job is what it is. Also I am starting school next week and even though I am only taking one class, I haven’t been in school for almost five years!!! There is no way I could juggle working full time and school, plus starting in the Fall I want to start going to school full time. So I went into my boss’ office and basically said I can’t do it all, I either need to move to part time or find a job with more flexible hours. I knew in doing this that he would say no, he doesn’t let anyone work part time because he is weird like that. Anyway, when he said no I had a hard time not jumping for joy. I am so ready to be out of here.

I start school Tuesday June 24th and in the mean time I am looking for a job with flexible hours. It doesn’t necessarily have to be part time just something I can work around my new life that is school.

*Let me know if you have any leads. Preferably in the downtown Seattle area!*

And the countdown begins...

four and a half days left of work, I can't wait!!

"Hey Anthony, you want to play a really fun game?" -Joel Morris

So I spent last night with some of my favorite people whom I don’t see often enough. Joel, Candace and Adam Morris! Seriously I only see Adam about once a year and Joel and Candace maybe two to three times. How sad is that? I love the way I feel when I am around them. They make me feel so comfortable and they genuinely care about me and my life plus we laugh a lot (but how can you not when Anthony, Adam and Joel get together? They are a riot!)

For instance Anthony and I walked over to Joel and Candace’s new place where Adam was spending the night and sat around and chatted while watching Anthony and Joel play a really funny juggling game. It consisted of one of them juggling and then the other one stealing the balls out of the air but keeping up the juggling without dropping any. Then we decided to go on a walk and show Adam all the huge houses over by Volunteer Park. On the way the boys decided to try climbing a huge tree. They were giving each other boosts and trying to walk up the tree. It was good for a laugh. After that we just wandered around and decided to go get something to eat. We ended up at Coastal Kitchen where we shared tons of food. It was such a blast. Then around 11:30 we started the journey home. Of course I left my purse at Joel and Candace’s because I didn’t want to carry it on the walk so we had to go all the way back over there first before we could go home. The wind was blowing pretty hard and it was freezing (for June anyway) so we decided to run part of the way to warm up, luckily
it was downhill!






I really miss spending time with those guys and I really miss Adam. I wish he lived here (Erin too and I am excited to see her when she gets here Sunday!!)

*Pictures are from Adam and Erin's Wedding in Savannah, Georgia. Adam's bachelor party crashed the girls bachelorette party. Candace and I were one of the boys!

I am excited...

to see my nephews and niece tomorrow (or early Saturday Morning)!!!

A New Beginning!

If I want my life to change I have to actually take action and do it myself. No one else can give me my happiness. Today is a new day and as good as any to start changing my life!

Some goals (in no particular order) to start this new journey:

• 
  
  Spend more time with my family and friends.
• 
  
  Hug my loved ones more often.
• 
  
  Don't push people away because I am afraid they won't approve.
• 
  
  Finish my degree and get a job I actually enjoy.
• 
  
  Join a Book Club.
• 
  
  Continue Glass Blowing.
• 
  
  Make new friends.
• 
  
  Make the time I do spend with Anthony more enjoyable with less fighting.
• 
  
  Not be so jealous.
• 
  
  Learn to share my feelings and put them into words while keeping my emotions under control.

Well, whether they are life changing goals or even just some that seem insignificant there they are. Wish me luck!

At the risk of sounding like Derek Zoolander, I am going to ask this question in hopes of finding an answer: Who am I?

I wish that I could learn to relax. I need to not take things so personally and just laugh them off. How do I do that?

I need to learn to be happy with who I am and if things aren't going my way in life I need to take charge and change them. If only it were that easy.

There are so many things always rolling around in my head: doubts, fears, uncertainty. Why do I feel I don't deserve good things to happen to me, that I don't deserve to feel happy? Everyone deserves a little happiness in their lives, heck they deserve a lot of happiness in their lives. Now if only I knew how to get it. How to love myself and appreciate myself.

I need to learn to be my own person and not rely on others so much but still know they are there when I need them and that I am not an inconvenience. That I am worth something. My opinion matters and I need to speak my mind no matter what others may think of me.

Why are some people born so confident and self-sufficient and just generally likeable people and then others are so unsure of themselves (guess which I am)?

I just feel so lost...

I am not sure the answer to any of these but I know these are the things I really need to work on so any help is much appreciated :) (so far not off to a good start on the being my own person and not relying on other people. Oh well I guess we all have to start somewhere...)

G.P. Are you with me?

So yesterday I went to what could possibly be there very last Sonics game ever at the Key Arena. I spent over $200.00 on two tickets and then I almost didn't go because Anthony and I were fighting. The game started at 6:00 and I think we finally left the apartment at 6:10. We made it to the game two minutes into the second quarter but who should walk in right before us? Gary Payton!! He sat seven rows right in front of me. Literally not seven rows up and three sections over he was right in front of me. I love Gary Payton! He is my all time favorite basketball player. He signed some autographs for people but I was too big of a wuss to go ask him because there were cops making people leave him alone but the few that snuck through he happily signed and posed for pictures. He is so awesome!! Of course Anthony forgot his camera so this is all I could get from my crappy 1.3 megapixel cell phone camera.

Ok here is a better picture of The Glove at the game that was taken by somebody at the Seattle Times.

I am finally doing it...

I am going back to school!! I have finally decided on what I want to do with my life! I am going back to school to study Nutrition. I am also interested in becoming a personal trainer as well. I am starting off slow and just taking a couple of classes at BCC. It will take awhile but at least I have finally made a decision that I feel good about it and that makes me very happy and excited!

Friday Blues

So it is Friday March 21st and I only have a half hour left of work with nothing to do so here I am.

Life is pretty sad when the highlight of your day is running seven miles on a treadmill, running to the bank for work (which isn't every day) to replenish the petty cash, and going to the gym (one of the few occasions I actually get to spend time with Anthony). I realized today that I have no life. I don't have a lot of friends and the ones I do I don't see that often or ever, and being shy sucks because it makes it harder to make new friends. Anthony works a lot and I find myself sitting around doing nothing. How do I get out of this rut? How do I meet new people? I am horrible at making plans or even at calling someone to see if they want to hang out. I think it is because in the back of my mind I feel that they won't really want to but feel obligated or that I will get rejected. I know that isn't always the case and I am not proud of it but it is what it is. I hate feeling this way. Help!!

Tonight I am actually going out to dinner for Ashley's 24th birthday but really she is the only friend I see somewhat regularly and by that I mean maybe once a month, maybe. Oh well, I hope everyone has a good weekend!!

Story of my life...

I got this email from a co-worker this morning and it made me smile. A little over exaggerated but yet so true...

Women in public washrooms... soo funny you have to read it.

When you have to visit a public bathroom, you usually find a line of women, so you smile politely and take your place. Once it's your turn, you check for feet under the stall doors.Every stall is occupied. Finally, a door opens and you dash in, nearly knocking down the woman leaving the stall. You get in to find the door won't latch. It doesn't matter, the wait has been so long you are about to wet your pants! The dispenser for the modern "seat covers" (invented by someone's Mom, no doubt) is handy, but empty. You would hang your purse on the door hook, if there was one, but there isn't - so you carefully, but quickly drape it around your neck, Mom would turn over in her grave if you put it on the FLOOR!), yank down your pants, and assume "The Stance." In this position your aging, toneless thigh muscles begin to shake. You'd love to sit down, but you certainly hadn't taken time to wipe the seat or lay toilet paper on it, so you hold "The Stance." To take your mind off your trembling thighs, you reach for what you discover to be the empty toilet paper dispenser. In your mind, you can hear your mother's voice saying, "Honey, if you had tried to clean the seat, you would have KNOWN there was no toilet paper!" Your thighs shake more. You remember the tiny tissue that you blew your nose on yesterday - the one that's still in your purse. (Oh yeah, the purse around your neck, that now, you have to hold up trying not to strangle yourself at the same time). That would have to do. You crumple it in the puffiest way possible. It's still smaller than your thumbnail. Someone pushes your door open because the latch doesn't work. The door hits your purse, which is hanging around your neck in front of your chest, and you and your purse topple backward against the tank of the toilet. "Occupied!" you scream, as you reach for the door dropping your precious, tiny, crumpled tissue in a puddle on the floor, lose your footing altogether, and slide down directly onto the TOILET SEAT. It is wet of course. You bolt up, knowing all too well that it's too late. Your bare bottom has made contact with every imaginable germ and life form on the uncovered seat because YOU never laid down toilet paper; not that there was any, even if you had taken time to try. You know that your mother would be utterly appalled if she knew because, you're certain her bare bottom never touched a public toilet seat because, frankly, dear, You just don't KNOW what kind of diseases you could get. By this time, the automatic sensor on the back of the toilet is so confused that it flushes, propelling a stream of water like a fire hose against the inside of the bowl that sprays a fine mist of water that covers your butt and runs down your legs and into your shoes. The flush some how sucks everything down with such force that you grab onto the empty toilet paper dispenser for fear of being dragged in too. At this point, you give up. You're soaked by the spewing water and the wet toilet seat. You're exhausted. You try to wipe with a gum wrapper you found in your pocket and then slink out inconspicuously to the sinks. You can't figure out how to operate the faucets with the automatic sensors, so you wipe your hands with spit and a dry paper towel and walk past the line of women still waiting. You are no longer able to smile politely to them. A kind soul at the very end of the line points out a piece of toilet paper trailing from your shoe. (Where was that when you NEEDED it??) You yank the paper from your shoe, plunk it in the woman's hand and tell her warmly, "Here, you just might need this." As you exit, you spot your hubby, who has long since entered, used, and left the men's restroom. Annoyed, he asks, "What took you so long, and why is your purse hanging around your neck?"

This is dedicated to women everywhere who deal with a public restroom (rest??? you've GOT to be kidding!!). It finally explains to the men what really does take us so long. It also answers their other commonly asked questions about why women go to the restroom in pairs. It's so the other gal can hold the door, hang onto your purse and hand you Kleenex under the door! This HAD to be written by a woman! No one else could describe it so accurately!

I'm not sure which one is more adorable...

Mike Jones or Katelyn, but this is the picture I was talking about Annelisa.

Tuesdays with April

How is it that the days seem to go so slow yet the weeks seem to fly by? I don't get it. It is very frustrating. While I am at work I feel like the day will never end but then all of the sudden it is Friday, I blink and then it is Monday morning. I don't like it.

This last weekend Anthony's nephew stayed with us Friday night and most of Saturday because his mom was out of town. Friday night we went to the Sonics game courtesy of SanMar's Season tickets (we lost of course). Then on Saturday we went to the Seattle Aquarium. I hadn't been there in a very long time. My favorite part was getting to touch all the different plants and starfish and then the baby sea lions were way too cute. After that we ate lunch at Red Robin on the waterfront and wandered around the little shops. Then we made our way to Gameworks. On the way there it started hailing/pouring. That totally sucked because I didn't have an umbrella or hood. All in all it was a very good weekend!

*note* This picture was taken with my cell phone so that is why the quality is not the best.

Glass Blowing

Last night a friend and I rented studio space at the Seattle Glass Blowing studio. We went in from 6 pm until 10 pm and practiced making balls, bowls and cups. It was amazing how much we remembered and figured out all on our own without our teacher there walking us through the steps. It was so much fun that we are going to do it again next week. I really feel that we made some great progress.

*note* Picture was from my third time ever blowing glass... that is my teacher Dave. He is an awesome teacher.

Well, here goes nothing...

Though I don’t have a family of my own and my life is not that exciting and I probably won’t have a lot to write about, Annelisa you have inspired me to start blogging. I am horrible at keeping in touch with people (including my family) and hopefully this will make it easier for people to know what is going on with my life even though we may not talk that often and hopefully I will be able to see what you all have been up to as well.

First I would like to start by saying that I love my family very much. Though I may not make all the right decisions and you may not agree with everything I do, I know you will always be there for me and support and love me no matter what. That means so much to me. I am sorry for all the pain I put you through and just know that I do understand how you feel but I am happy and who knows, maybe things will change someday but for right now I am ok with who I am.

To my sisters, this last Christmas was so fun with you being there. I didn’t realize how much I miss you guys. When you left I felt like I was all alone. You are the only people I can get mad at and be mean to and you still have to love me. I love that we can be fighting one minute and then the next laughing at something stupid. It feels good to know if I ever need anything no matter how long it’s been since we last saw each other or spoke that you will always be there for me. I love you both so much. You are my heroes and I wish we could talk and see each other more often.

To my brothers you are so fun to be around! You always make me laugh and we have so much fun annoying Mom at Sunday dinner. I love you guys and I know you are always there when I need you.

Mom and Dad- I love you so much. Thank you for all you do for me, for the unconditional love and patience. I know that I have hurt you both so much and that raising me was not always the easiest but you did an awesome job. Thank you for always being there for me and supporting me even when you didn’t want to. I appreciate you more than you know. You have always been such a great example to me of what I want out of life and I will get there someday. You are the best parents I could have ever hoped for.

Anthony I know that I am not easy to get along with or even live with. Thank you for being so patient with me and loving me no matter what. Thanks for laughing with me and going on walks and helping me try to figure out what I want out of life and helping me get there. I am so proud of all that you have accomplished. You are the smartest, funniest and most genuine person I know. I respect you so much for that. I love you more and more every day and I am so glad you are a part of my life.

I have 13 very cute nephews and nieces. They are so fun to be around and I wish I could see them more. They are Brandon, Emily, James, Jacob, Megan Lindsey, Nicholas, Hannah, Zachary Crookston, Haley, Callie, Katelyn Judi, and Matt and Riley. I can’t wait to watch them grow up and see who they become. I love them all very much and miss them.

Ok here is a little about myself…I recently moved to Seattle. I am literally a five minute walk to Downtown and a five minute walk to Capitol Hill. I love it here. I have the best view of Lake Union and the Space Needle. I live with my best friend and the person I love most, Anthony. I recently took up Glass Blowing. I have always wanted to do it. My mom took me to watch some people in Downtown Renton five or so years ago but it wasn’t until I moved to Seattle that I got my chance. I started with a weekend workshop (two days, four hours each day) at the Seattle Glassblowing Studio and I was hooked. I then went on to take two, six week courses (one day a week, four hours a day). Now that I am done with that I hope to continue. The next six week course starts in March. A friend I met through the class and myself are going to start renting studio time to practice. Our first attempt at assisting each other is tomorrow. I will let you know how that goes. Other than that my life is pretty normal and boring. I work Monday through Friday 7:30 to 4:30 as an Accounting assistant in Preston, WA. I like to run and hope to one day to be able to run a Marathon. I love to read and I love hanging out with my friends (which I don’t do enough). Also recently Anthony and I got our Motorcycle Endorsements and hope to get bikes that we can ride around Seattle. I also look foreword to getting to know Seattle better. I love walking around and seeing the sights and the people. It is so fun!!