Tagged by Shelly

So I've been tagged by Shelly. It's the 8 random things about yourself tag, so... Let the random facts begin:

#1. If I find something at the store I want (a treat etc.) I will inevitably buy at least two, so Josh can have one. I don't want him stealing my treats. :o) I usually end up buying more though, but always even numbers (with the exception of a box of something--like bagels, cookies, packages of drinks, etc.)

#2. I am a little OCD about some things. For example: I put on 7 vertical strokes and 3 circle strokes of deoderant each side everyday; If Josh (or anyone) rubs my finger against the tip of my nail, I immediately have to rub it the right direction the same number of times; However many cracks I step over on a sidewalk with my right foot, I generally try to match it with the left (sometimes); Whenever I tip, I try to make it equal a whole dollar amount when added to the bill amount, and if possible--an even number (I'm a nice tipper, but I don't tip beyond what they deserve);

#3. When I was 2, my cousin Andrea pulled out all of the hair my Mom fashioned into a ponytail on the top of my head. My sister says I cried.

#4. I used to have a pet water frog named Cletis. Then I had a different one named Cletis Jr. We kept him in what used to be the cookie jar on the Kitchen counter. My mom used to paint wooden lids for the cookie jar to festively match different occasions--we didn't use those once we got the frog. Once Cletis and Cletis Jr. both passed on, I'm fairly certain we didn't use the cookie jar anymore either.

#5. I have been to 6 countries outside of the U.S. (China, Austria, Slavokia, Hungary, Wales, and England) and those aren't just in Airports either. Ironically enough, I was in a concert in each of those countries as well. They have all been for performances.

#6. I'm scared to death of turtles. And dead stuffed (taxodermy) animals--esp. Jackalopes, moose, deer, etc. TERRIFIED of birds--domestic or otherwise. And fish if they're in the water I'm in. And Sharks. And earwigs. oh, and snakes--they just move so quickly!! Oh yeah, and drowning.

#7. One day, I want to write a book.

#8. My brother tried to get me to name my stuffed animals after taboo bodily functions.

Now, the reason it is called a "tag" is because I pass the buck onto some others. So here we go...the lucky people I'm tagging are (drumroll if you like)..... TEMAIRE, LEE, MAREN, SHELBY (because you haven't written since you got to D.C.), MIKA, KATIE A., and NANCY. mwahahaha. :o)

Don't you feel so much closer to me now that you know these 8 most random facts about me??

City of Lakes

Welcome to Minneapolis-St. Paul/Bloomington

Yesterday morning we returned from our (far too) short trip to Minnesota. We had a great time with Trent and Heidi, and can't wait for them to move back at the end of September (change the date again and I swear I'll go postal!) We had a lot of fun taking long fun (sweaty) walks, shopping, and lots of eating out. I saw the Mississippi River for the first time ever, and a levy. Talk about cool! Josh and I each got some new running shorts, and he also got some new running shoes. He decided he wants to start running every day, so we got him outfitted at Dick's in Minnesota. Thursday (the 24th) we got to the airport to try to get on an 10:00 a.m. flight. Unfortunately, Lady Luck was not with us for the first half of the day. We were going to try a 1:39 flight, but there really wasn't much of a chance for us to get on, so we ate breakfast at the airport (we were waiting for Trent to tell us if we should wait for it, or try another flight), and then went back to Josh's parents house, where we bided our time until the 5:30 p.m. flight. I had a nice and uplifting (not to mention enlightening) chat with Josh's Mom while I washed my clothes. Apparently I was low on underwear...I had to pack dirty honders and wash them in Minnesota. I got clever though, and decided to just wash them at Josh's parents' house instead. :D  We returned to the airport, and finally got out on the 5:30 flight. We got to Minnesota and dropped off our luggage at Trent's house and then went on a walk with Trent and Heidi. It was a lot of fun. We circled a lake, and even found our way through a grass maze in the middle of the courtyard. My favorite part--the Gondola in the murky black lake. On the way home we went to Culver's and each had a cheeseburger and shared two Custards. BTW--watch out Nielsen's! Believe it or not, it was really good custard and actually comparable to Nielsen's. We slept on the Hi-rise queen size aerobed at Trent and Heidi's and it went pretty flat in the middle of the night. It was kinda funny. It was so hot there (and humid!) and I remember I woke up in the middle of the night on a complete slant smashed against Josh. I couldn't believe I was sleeping that close because it was SO hot. Then I tried to swim out of the sunken middle and away from my husband the furnace. We ended up sleeping on the floor the rest of the night. The next day we exchanged the aerobed, and slept much better on a full mattress the whole night! Yay! We were so glad that Trent and Heidi didn't have to work while we were there. It was nice to have a vacation and chill with them. Saturday was great too. We slept in super late, and then got up and ate at Gyropolis (AWESOME little Greek place--yummy gyros and the Greek Salad was great too!). Then we continued to dine the rest of the day. In about 10 hours we ate 5 different places. No, not whole meals, but it was fun. We started with Gyropolis, then Chino Latino, Zenos, California Pizza Kitchen (and I'm missing one...I'll have to think about it and post later). So, enjoy the pics!

This is from the bridge overlooking the Mississippi River. That is the "Gold Medal Flour" building. This little section is called the "Old Mill Ruin District". Ask for details later if you want the real history. Or just google it (I was informed that Wikipedia is no longer a "reliable" source). 

 Creme Brulee from Zeno's. 

Chocolate/Caramel Truffle Cake from Zeno's

A molten lava cake from Zeno's

 Josh and Trent bonding through wrestling...

Josh and Trent on the bridge
Josh reading his new James Rollins book. Trent was making fun of him for being way too into his book. Every time we turned around Josh was reading his crazy book. He was always ready before the rest of us, so he got a lot of reading done. :)

On the bridge over the Mississippi River. Nice chunk of hair right in my face...

 My favorite kind of pictures. Same place as above. 

A Long-Awaited Return to Normalcy

So, I've had my "long hair rite of passage" and thanks for a nudge from 16/19 voters, I made a hair appointment for today. I think most of you thought I wouldn't do it. Well, I did! Traffic was crappy btw--thanks to all the Bountiful residents who were either on their way to the parade or feeling irritated (that was me) about the traffic that was incredibly annoying and trying to avoid the parade. Anyway, I got to Gayle's (my fab hairdresser, seriously, the BEST!!) and was ready to cut it all off. 

                       Pre-Haircut                    

She started cutting, and I just kept telling her "shorter! shorter! Even shorter please!" She was nervous for me because she said a lot of people can't handle cutting that much hair at once. Eh, no biggie. It's hair. It'll grow back (and then I'll have to pay for another haircut--such is life!)

                                                                                               
           Finished Product--I'm very pleased!

I feel like I'm back to normal. This is how my hair has been for 8 of the last 10 years, and I feel like I'm back to who I really am. I was feeling so claustrophobic and just frumpy. It was SO heavy, and SUCH a pain to dry, and it never curled--or stayed curled rather--so I'm welcoming the return. So, are you all still glad you voted the way you did? 

Tagged

I've never been tagged (which I think I'm grateful for), but I found this tag on my cousin (Mika's) blog. This one is fun for ALL! I hope you'll participate. I was so thrilled about the vast number of people who read my blog (if only to vote) and voted on my poll! I thought maybe 5 people (TOPS) read this thing. :o)  So, Tag! You're it!! 

1. As a comment on this post, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you know me a little or a lot, anything you remember!
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. 

*If you don't have a blog, leave one memory as a comment on my blog, and I'll in turn leave a memory of you as a comment on my blog. I expect to see 19 memories! ;)

A Flop Flipped

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOSH!!! Yesterday. What a day! I've had a crazy week trying to get everything ready, and you know me--try to make it perfect. Yeah, didn't happen. I have so much to tell and explain, so please forgive me if I jump around from thought to thought. So here goes. You read about the experience at the craft store on Monday--10 hours for an afghan, a stepping stone, "manly beads" (pfft!)--but there was still more. I also bought a book that gives you everything you need to make a string of lights. Well, I thought that would be cool, but it turned out to be really girly, and VERY annoying to put together (Irony: Even though I realized they were girly, I still tried assembling them so I could have a homemade present). I also bought a package of boondoggle to make a boondoggle keychain, but got stuck and couldn't get past the first "stitch". So I returned nearly everything I bought (which was a LOT!!) and hunted a little more. This time, I found a picture frame that is kinda big, but has a lot of little places for pictures (see below). I started scheming, and decided I would make Josh a “Supervisor’s Survival Stash”. I snatched the picture frame, and was on my way. I took pictures of Temaire’s kids (and Abby was there playing too—she is Chris’ daughter) and the next morning went to Jayci’s house. I got about 6 pictures of Katie and Chris (Jayci’s kids) and then I broke my camera. Okay, didn’t break it, just did something that kept me from taking pictures. So I had to have Josh fix it that night (he fixed it last time that happened, and I forgot how it worked). Thus, I was unable to get pictures of Blake and Logan (and actually Jaxon too). Thank you Karen for sending me pictures! They were great! I dropped off the first roll of film (what I took on Tuesday night) at Costco and got them developed. I also got Josh a new swimsuit. Returned some junk to Michael’s, went to T.J. Maxx (and as I’m typing this, I just realized that I forgot to give Josh one of his presents…), went back and picked up the film and then finished some more planning.

Wednesday morning, I took pictures of Jayci’s kids, and my camera stopped working. After work, I went to pick up some pans for the cake, and made the fondant at my Mom and Dad’s house (and fed the fish, and watered the lawn) then went home and finished some homework and got some more things ready for the birthday. I found a better swimsuit, so I bought it, with plans to return the other to Costco.

Thursday. What a day. I haven’t worked at night for the last two Thursdays (I go in when they get enough reservations) and last night they had enough, so I hurried and got my shift covered, and went home to finish preparations. I took some shots of our house to use up the rest of the film so I could get it developed. I went to Costco to return the swimsuit, and pick up the Swedish fish and Red Vines, and they told me the machine at the photo center was broken, and I couldn’t have my pictures until Saturday. Aaahhh!!! So I dropped the film off at Walgreens (after I baked the cakes—they were cooling at this point) and ran home to roll out the fondant and finish the cake. Oh, and did I mention that before I made the cakes I had to go to Smiths (ugh) to get more eggs—that’s what Josh had for dinner Wednesday night. Bummer. So anyway. It took FOREVER to get the fondant colored. As you can tell, I never quite got it to red, it’s still sorta pink. It was hard to mix the color. It was even harder since I had to wear rubber gloves so my hands wouldn’t turn red. It was SO hot in my house (from the oven, the Sun beating down in our window) and the frugality of my husband (air conditioner is not on very high). I tried coloring the frosting, and ended up putting so much liquid red food coloring (I used the Wilton No-Taste red gel for the fondant) in that the already melted frosting, was even runnier. I outlined the circles with the red frosting and was going to let it sit while I went to the gym, and picked up the pictures from Walgreens. I had stepped into the back (and mind you, the half-filled picture frame was propped up against the couch) and I thought I heard the front door open. At 9:10! He isn't even off until 10:00! In walked Josh. I started freaking out. I was upset because the cake wasn't perfect, 1/2 of his present was on the couch, the house was a mess from all the baking, and I was a sweaty mass of "wife-who-just-flopped-her-husband's-birthday". :( Josh didn't care. "Oh, I thought I told you I was coming home early." Nope! So I didn't fix the cake, but since he had homework, I did go pick up the pictures, and go to the gym. When I got home, I made him promise not to look at what I was doing, and I hurried and finished the picture frame. hee hee. I was a little more calm, until I walked in the kitchen and realized he had cleaned up after my cake mess. EVERYTHING was put away, and the dishes were in the dishwasher. Then I was upset because he cleaned up after his birthday cake, but then I wasn't too upset because then I didn't have to clean it all. :D

So, it all worked out. But, there are some things I will do differently next time I make a cake (especially if I use fondant).

1. Have my house cooler so my frosting won't melt.
2. Dye the fondant in batches. Some the day I make it, and some the next day.
3. Roll the fondant just a little thicker (it was a little rough to put on the cake)
4. I won't eyeball so much. I'll actually measure out the size fondant needs to be, and then make it that size. I had a lot of excess on some sides of the cake, and barely enough on others.
5. I'll probably purchase a fondant cutter. They're fairly cheap, but the butter knife wasn't really cutting it. (pun intended) I had chunks of fondant that tore off when I was applying it to the top two layers. The pictures are so accurate! Darnit! (That's why there is no side view up close. You can see all the tears in it).
6. I'll give myself more time. I'll make the cakes a little earlier, and hopefully not be a sweaty mess of failure next time.

Did I mention I never even got to make the bullet to go on the top??? I needed that extra hour! Oh well. Now I can say I have made fondant, and I'll know what to expect next time. I'm chalking this one up to experience.

New Sunglasses

Supervisor Survival Stash

This is the cake I made for Kylee (MUCH easier!!!) Josh had to frost it for me though. You can't tell, but those are pink sprinkles on purple frosting. Just what she asked for!

Top View of the Cake Side View Cut Top View Cut

The only dirty dishes to clean up. Not bad. (You should have seen the counter!!!!)

Card from My Mom and Dad

Oh, and if you'd like some cake, we have a lot! Please come have some! Or we could even bring it to you (only available to Utah residents). I'm no Ace of Cakes, but it's a tasty cake even if it ain't perty!

Speedy Gonzalez

The results are in...


96 words


Your turn. Post your own scores as comments. By the way, I only had one word wrong. Yes, I'm bragging.

Guilty Pleasure

So I have this new little guilty pleasure...it's just a song...by a guy who I'm pretty sure 7th graders are stalking...but it's been advantageous. Fine. I'll let it out. The song by Jesse McCartney *GASP* called "Leavin'". Really, I can't help it, he tells me not to stress. "Don't stress, don't stress, don't stress, girl you deserve nothin but the best". I totally thought it was Chris Brown or something when I heard it on the radio. I'm completely addicted. I say it is advantageous because when I was running at the gym the other night, I found this was perfect tempo for a quick jog to a slow run (my haunts). I must have listened to it 4 times in a row... When I listen to it while I'm walking to the bus stop or in the car, or while I'm in the shower, doing homework, whatever--my brain is consumed with the beat, and I do awkward (there's that awkward stage thing Katie)things. I realized yesterday, that I shouldn't listen to it when other people are around, because I look like a fool. I get this silly little grin on my face, and my neck just starts bouncing side to side, and then I get this bouncy step thing going on. I was listening to it yesterday morning when I walked into work, and since no one was around, I allowed myself to "bust a move". I was applying techniques from my Body Jam class at the gym in real life. I was doing that "krumping" thing (Make fists, elbows out to the side, and pump your fists in toward your chest, and back out, but really fast.) Oh, and by the way, I just did it right now (people are in the office now...) so I could describe it to you. I was almost discovered, but luckily the guy that came walking down the hall was looking somewhere else (though he was totally facing me...whew!!)
Anyway, I realized yesterday, that everytime I hear the beat (downbeat and third beat) I sorta saunter...there is a lingering bend in the leg I'm standing on at that point (a rhythmic walk). So I either look like I have a gimp (because of course I take a step every beat, and since it beats every other, it means the same leg always does the bendy thing), or I think I'm so fly. Look--I just said "I'm so fly", methingks I have indulged a little much! Seriously though, it consumes my brain. I grin, I bob my head (not the weird chicken neck, but more of a sharp side to side Egyptian-ish thing...but really, is either one better than the other??), and as I'm typing this, I realize I sorta type in rhythm...

On another note, I've become completely obsessed with making a fabulous cake for Josh for his birthday on Thursday. I finally know what I'm going to do, but you'll have to wait until Thursday. I've also been trying to figure out what I can make for Josh for his birthday. We are starting a tradition (stole it from my sister Kristen :D It's like Mom said, I only copy you because I want to be just like you!) where one present (birthday and Christmas) has to be homemade, and no, food/cakes/cupcakes etc. don't count. I went to Michael's yesterday looking for projects. Most were so super girly, it was difficult. Then I decided I would knit him an Afghan (btw--I pronounce that word with 2 syllables, not 3...;) ). The book I was looking at said I could learn how to do it in 10 hours. Mind you, I have never knit anything in my life, and I haven't crocheted anything since 3rd grade...and those were just single strands of yarn, I never actually made anything. So I asked the closest sales associate for some guidance. She literally laughed in my face. Not joking. Busted out laughing. I thought she was going to fall over. "You want to knit an Afghan for Thursday??!!!". I retorted, "It said I could do it in 10 hours!". Well, her sister who does blankets all time takes over a month to do one. Fine! So the book lied. She suggested potholders, but, umm, I don't really like those...so then she took me to the kid's craft section. She suggested I make him a necklace or a bracelet out of beads. Umm...NO. Did I mention my husband is a MAN?? That was awkward because she told me she made one for her husband and he wore it all the time until it broke...I didn't know what to say. I didn't want to offend, but Josh does NOT wear beads...I think she used the term "manly beads". Hmm. (Don't worry Josh, that's not happening). So anyway, I'm basically back to square one, and I have 2 days. So, suggestions anyone??? Please??? (Oh, and boondoggle is not an acceptable suggestion)

A Food Challenged and Rocky Start

So, I've already had a shaky start to my day. Mind you, it's about 8:45 a.m. Wow. Big time case of the Mondays. So I got up this morning, got ready for work, folded a load of laundry, started another one, and then unloaded the dishwasher. As I was heading out the door, I grabbed two tubes of "cool squeeze" (the generic and thus cheaper brand of Gogurt--squeezable yogurt). I had a blueberry, and a strawberry. I grabbed my backpack and darted across Highway 89 careful to avoid cars. :) I pulled out my blueberry yogurt (since it's my least favorite flavor--get it over with) and began to consume. If you have never had squeezable yogurt, think of an otter pop. Or even a tube of toothpaste. Your squeezing from the bottom to make sure you waste nothing, and before you know it, it has exploded all over you. You are now a yogurt, popsicle, or toothpaste mess. Mind you, since this product is expected to appeal to kids, the yogurt was BRIGHT blue. Cotton Candy blue. I squeezed a little too hard, and my fingers stuttered up the tube of yogurt, and within seconds, I was COVERED in bright blue yogurt. I had it all over my face (picture a one year old eating their birthday cake...), all over my shirt (the under shirt, and the over shirt), a blob on my pants, some on my backpack, and a little on the sidewalk. Ah nuts! I'm covered in blue. Do I a) run back home and change, hoping not to miss the bus, or b) try to rinse it out with my freshly filled water bottle and a post it note? Yes, I picked option b. Probably not the BEST option, but it worked. I scooped off blobs of yogurt from my face and pants, and in the process ended up with it on my forehead and a little in my hair. *sigh* On to the shirts. I pulled off the shirt i had on top (don't worry, I was fully covered, I had another t-shirt on underneath) and scooped off yogurt, into the grass. I grabbed my water bottle and doused the remaining ground in yogurt with ice cold water and tried to scrub it out with a post it note. That was not going so well, so then I just rubbed the shirt together and got a good amount out. That was evidenced by the fact that as I squeezed the excess water out, it was blue. (Gross!!) I then buttoned it all the way up to cover the yogurt drip on the underneath shirt. I wasn't going to take that shirt off and try to get the yogurt out of that one. So now I'm just totally wet on the left side. Lucky for me, the haircut poll isn't over for 3 more days, and I haven't yet made an appointment to chop it. I grabbed my hair (still kinda wet from the shower) and plopped it over the giant wet spot. Crisis averted. Well, then I took a drink of that icy cold water, and spilled more than I swallowed. I'm a disaster.

The bus came about 5 minutes after, and I quickly walked to the back to my seat of choice. 5 minutes later, a guy a couple rows in front of me starts yelling, "Beck Street. You're supposed to take Beck Street. Get on Beck Street. Beck Street. No! This is the freeway!!" Yes, he was right, we were supposed to take Beck Street, but it wouldn't really matter unless someone were getting off on the capitol stop. The bus driver could have gotten back on course without much of a time delay. I figured the backseat driver/screamer, was going to get off on the Capitol stop, because no one else was, and he was very concerned. So, we are now on the Freeway, so the bus driver takes the next exit. 2300 North. We loop around and end up by that Storage Unit place just off the freeway. 11 minutes, 3 train crossings, and 1 junk yard later, we were back on Beck Street and headed up to the Capitol. We pass the Capitol, and NOBODY got off. Not even the backseat driver!!! Then he started telling the driver where to turn left and everything. Well, I got to work alright, and I attempted another gogurt (strawberry) and was successful this time. My shirts are still wet, but they'll dry out! I'm determined to turn this day around!!! Oh, and I'm swearing off bright blue yogurt. I don't really like blueberries anyway!

I have now discovered that watered down dried yogurt smells remarkably like puke.

Poll Pictures

So those of you who know me well, know that my hair is longer than it has ever been in my life. I have let it grow for a little over two years now, and I am thinking I might be ready for a change. I want to cut it short, but I am worried that since I have a few more pounds clinging on my bones and between my muscles, it won't look as good as it did. So, that's where you come in. There is a poll on the right side of my blog, and I would LOVE it if you would vote. I have posted some pictures for memory refreshers (or if you don't know me, some samples!). I normally wear my hair up (bun, ponytail, french braids tucked under) so it isn't down very often. These pictures are from last year, in October. I have lost some weight since then. So keep that in mind. A picture of what my face looks like now is posted above (even though my hair is up) so you can get an even better idea. So, enjoy, and vote soon!!! :o) If you feel you need to expound upon the little answer you give, just respond to this post. 

Long Hair

Short Hair

Adventure For Free Advice

So I got online to withdraw from my computer class (the access code for the online class no worky) and was unable to because I had a hold on my record. So I paid my last $234.00 of tuition for Summer Semester, and tried again 24 hours later. Again, a hold on my record, this time an Academic hold. I spent about 2 hours hooked to my phone yesterday at work, trying to get a hold of someone in the Academic Advising office because I had already called registration and they told me that I had to talk to an advisor. So, I started callin about 8:15 a.m. By 8:30, the recording that interrupted the smooth Jazz on the hold line, told me my wait time was about 1 minute. So I stayed on the line for 20 more minutes, before I absolutely had to get up from my desk. So I waited about 15 minutes, and tried again. This time I was on hold for 45 minutes after I heard the 1 minute wait time recording. Frustrated, I hung up, and tried calling registration again. I asked if they knew if anyone was in the Academic Advising office. The lady said she knew they were in, but was clear across the building, so she couldn't go in and see if anyone was there. I figured, since the first person I talked to told me it was the last day to withdraw from classes, there were a lot of desperate overachievers (like myself) trying to drop classes they couldn't handle with everything else they are doing. I decided I was going to have to wait on the phone no matter what, so they transferred me back to the advisors office. This time I stuck it out for over an hour and someone finally answered. I probably shouldn't have been so honest, but I think I said, "I'm so glad you answered, I really have to use the bathroom". Hmm. Shoulda kept that to myself. It was then that she told me they were in a Staff Meeting. I was a little irritated, but quickly moved past it. I got the information I needed and took off down the hall. I was unable to make an appointment to see an advisor at the South Campus, so I had to go as a "walk-in" and was nervous about time because I had to take a string of buses to get there, and then back to the bus stop so I could catch a different bus to take me home. So! I left work early and caught the Bus 200. Now, if you may recall, it was this same bus number that left me smashed under an old (not to mention [very] smelly person). Luckily, I arrived without any real incident. I had a bag of pistachios in my hand as I got on the bus. There was a man that had gotten on just before me, and sat down right behind the driver. When I got on, I had my iPod in and my music was actually on. I didn't realize at first that he was talking to me. He said. "Are those nuts?" He asked me probably 3 or 4 times before I understood he was talking to me. So I responded, "Yes, they are. They are pistachios." He continued, "Pistachios! Pistachios! Pistachios! Do you like pistachios? I like pistachios. Nuts. Nuts. Nuts. Pistachios." It was at this point, I realized he had a handicap. When we hit the beginning of the free ride zone, that's when it got interesting. And a little strange. So the handicap guy (who reminded me a great deal of a monster from Sesame Street--a nice one though. I think it was the tone of voice and his inflections that prompted this comparison) got up and moved, and was sitting right behind me. Someone sat next to him, so he had something new, besides pistachios, to talk about. Thus, ended my encounter with him. I had my bag next to the window, and I was sitting in the middle of two seats, in hopes I would escape sharing a seat with a crazy person, and more or less, avoid being sat on again... Unfortunately, there was a Good Samaritan on the bus in the form of a wiry skinny, very tan, American-Indian looking man. People would get on, and he would give up his seat, and sit in a smaller space. He did this about 3 times, once even wedging himself in a spot no one could have been comfortable in. After giving up that (highly sought after) seat, he sat down next to me, and told me to scoot over. So I did. Grumpily, but then I heard (faintly) the cheery (sesame street) voice of the handicap man behind me, and I couldn't help but smile at how happy he was, and how much he loved being where he was. Two stops later I got off, and the Good Samaritan moved again.
One I got inside and put my name on the waiting list for an appointment and worked on some math homework. I met with a very nice, and somewhat reserved, academic advisor. She had some great news for me. Yay! Apparently, when you retake classes, you have to tell them that you are retaking the class, and then they will replace the old grade so the new grade can contribute to your overall g.p.a. In a matter of 5 minutes I raised my g.p.a. over 1 whole point. Yay! Plus, I got my hold removed, and I got some direction in my degree. I am now officially signed up as an English (Assoc. of Arts) Major. I got my higher level chemistry class to count as my physical science, so I won't have to take that again (I did really well in it anyway. It was online and I spent over 20 hours a week on homework and quizzes and tests for that class. woo hoo!). So, as irritated as I was, I was glad I went. I knew I would feel that way, but I still didn't want to go. So, my point in all of this is, I can probably finish my English Transfer degree in another 2-3 semesters. Then it's on to the Bachelors, and who knows? maybe a Masters! (I know, sad that I'm only this far--but great that I'm doing something I love and am excited about!). Exit Katie.
Enter return trip: leg 1 on Bus 200.
Got on the bus. Sat in the back. Smushed myself against the plastic guard between the seat and the back door. Tried earnestly to tune out the guy across from me harrassing a small child I believe to be a nephew, or his friends son. He was referring to said tiny one, in the same way Bonnie J. refers to her grandkids. Then the character next to him, and directly across from me, pulled himself away from being intertwined in his girlfriends arms, long enough to comment on the kid, and agree that all kids--including his own nephews--are little ______s. Lovely. A few more crazies got on the bus, one crazy got off the bus (me). I saw my bus home waiting at the curb directly in front of the bus I was on, so I hopped off, and booked it to the next bus. Exit bus 200 leg 1 of return trip.
Enter return trip: leg 2 on bus 470.
I was standing there at the bus doors (they were closed) for a good 15 seconds before the driver saw me. I was nervous he would leave without me. I stood there waving my hands and calling, "Hey! Hey! Hey! Can I get on?". Doors opened, I got on, started playing Brick on my iPod, and enjoyed the rest of my ride home. I had already finished my book that I read on the bus, so I was left to my own devices to entertain myself. Thus, Brick.
So. I got some forced advice, which I hate to admit I was glad to get. I also realized at some point on the bus staring at crazies, that I have so much to be thankful for, and that I have so many great blessings. It was humbling, but no matter how humble I feel, I still don't really like riding bus 200, especailly in the haunts of the Free Ride Zone. ;o)

Friends and Family

Here are some pictures to reflect what I've been doing when not spending hours on end working, doing homework, laundry, (minimal) cooking, whatever. Shelby and Shelly and I got to go out to dinner and hang out a little bit before Shelby moved to the East Coast. I haven't yet figured out how to juggle everything I'm doing now, and then still catch up with good friends. Anyway, we spent an evening at Sawadee (and various accompanying patches of grass). We ate  awesome Thai food and reminisced, and compared horror stories of encounters with the past and some characters coming out of the woodwork...

Here is Sawadee:

The three of us reunited for one small evening (Shelby, Me, Shelly)

Now for another event: The night that Kevan and Sara left for Egypt, we had a small get together in my parent's backyard. So, we realized that, tragically, Sam had never experienced the enchantment of Grandpa Lewis' nutcrackers, more specifically, the balding viking. One of my Dad's token "dad-isms" is: To a man with a hammer, everything looks like a nail. Well, to every Grandpa Lewis with a nutcracker, every finger looks like a nut. (Well, most of the people are nuts, but--ya know). You can see Megan's waiting to be "cracked" and Sam cautiously approaches. 

Megan's turn

Josh just chillin' on the couch. 

A series of funny face pictures of megan and yours truly. She cracks me up.

The bunny ear fingers here belong to Emma. 

Sorry, this one got out of order. Too lazy to fix. Apparently, the Nutcracker got a little gruff and bit too hard. Megan fell victim to the gnashing teeth of our balding viking. 

Everyone was leaving, and Sam started waving goodbye to everyone. It was really cute. 

The night before they left, Jessie and I went and got pedicures. Our pretty shining (and my white) feet. Finding the Wal-Mart was its own crazy adventure, then trying to understand the people giving us the pedicures was another adventure. It was great, and I think Jessie had a great time. 

I found these awesome little books on how to make "twirly tutu's". Megan and I made said tutu, and attached the wings, tiara, and wand. What was left was given to Jessie and Emma, and they made their own wands and tiaras. (Only one set of wings, and tutu). 

Watering Grandpa's lawn (and, from what I hear, his camera was watered a few times as well...)

Shoulder Rides with Grandpa

I still have a few more things to post about, but this is all for now. Oh, and for those of you who actually read the last depressing downer post, things are better. I had a (few, well, many) great cry and let it all out, and then the next morning at work, the perpetrator apologized. I made sure he understood that I didn't appreciate the way he treated me or the way he talked to me. He apologized a lot, and it all ended up working out. The rest of Thursday was still, a really rough day, and was accompanied by many more of those "good cries". All in all, I had a LONG hard sleep, and awoke Friday to a new day, bright and sunny. Here's to a week (or two) at least, of bright sunny days. Oh, and far fewer tears.