Just Scraping By

I had to go to the dentist this week, and I'll tell you, there aren't very many other things that will get me to shake in my boots like this visit does. Now, I have the sweetest, most gentle dentist known to man. He plays the French Horn in a bluegrass band for Pete's sake. He always tells me when something might hurt, and he always checks to make sure I'm not gagging, which I think is nice. He also carries good magazines in his waiting room, and has nice Muzak playing in the office. I love him so much, that I even paid for the visits myself when my lame insurance wouldn't cover him. But his niceties do not make this experience any better for me.

I always try really hard to brush and floss when I'm supposed to, but invariably, I seem to always have some tartar that needs to be removed. Which brings me to the picture above. Who's idea was it to take those sharp metal prongs and think, "Hey, let's scrape your poor teeth as hard as we can with these tiny but deadly weapons?" I keep waiting for one of my teeth to actually pop out of the socket, because in the words of Kristen, that ain't right. Plus, my hands are always really tired afterward because I unleash the death grip on the poor chair. This is the only way I can get through all of the scraping!

And the polishing! This has definitely improved over the years, but I hate hearing the whir of the motor and the gritty polish sitting in my mouth until it's time to rinse. I think putting my teeth in a belt sander would be preferable.

But mercifully, I escaped with nary a cavity and a nice new pink toothbrush for my trouble. And I have another six months before the reign of terror begins again.

I Do it and I Love it!!

I came to the realization a while back that I am One of Those People Who Squeezes the Toothpaste in the Middle. I didn't used to be that person. I was raised to squeeze from the bottom and roll the tube up as you go. I did this diligently for years. I know it makes more sense to squeeze from the bottom. But now that I've squeezed from the middle, I don't think I could go back. Who else out there wants to admit that they're middle-squeezers?

Oscar the Grouch

I am going to sound like a big baby saying this, but I don't care--I hate taking out the garbage! While I am so very grateful for the good people who haul my garbage away every week, I cannot explain how much I hate taking out the garbage. Not only do I have to gather the trash from each individual garbage can in my house, but then I have to wheel the big can (mine and the actual trash can) outside in the 16 degree weather, over my snowy driveway that I haven't had time to adequately shovel, and try to find a place for it on the curb. Boo!

Which leads me to the next chore that I can't stand--shoveling my driveway. I know my driveway is only about 4x4, but I still hate having to do it. Dad raised us to shovel as soon as it stopped snowing so there wouldn't be any icy bits on the sidewalk, but I am now ruing (sp?) that responsible streak. Julie totally had the right idea this year by hiring out this task. Do you think if I gave your shoveling crew like $5 they'd come and do my driveway when they're done with yours?

And furthermore, can we talk about changing the filters in the furnace? Again, the end result of heat in my house is so much appreciated, but I totally put off replacing the filters because I don't like doing it! Where are the oompa loompas who are supposed to do this stuff for me? So if anybody has a particular affinity for any of these tasks, please let me know--I can pay you in baked goods or hugs.

I Heart the Bachelor!

I am loving this season of one of my favorite guilty pleasures, The Bachelor. Probably even more than the actual episodes are the blogging recaps after. I've talked about my affinity for EW.com's (Entertainment Weekly for any rookies out there) TV Watch, that is always a must. This year EW has added Our Host Chris Harrison's blog as a link where he talks about how crazy these women really are behind the scenes and what really happens during the "Most Dramatic Rose Ceremony . . . Ever!". But my new favorite is a blogger named Lincee. Her posts are sarcastic, hilarious, and I love them. She writes exactly what you are thinking, but so much better. Tuesdays are even better than Mondays because we discuss the episode at work and read some of the blogs together - just cracking up. I can't wait to see how this one is going to end.

Commuter What?

I have already addressed my dislike of TV meteorologists expressing their gratitude for the "moisture" during a big snowstorm in another post. Now I have another snow-related pet peeve: the phrase "commuter special." As in, "It's going to snow through the morning, so it looks like it'll be another commuter special tomorrow morning." What, I ask, is so "special" about a longer, scarier, white-knuckled commute? To me, a commuter special would be when I make all the green lights on 2300 East. Or, better yet, if a limo were to come pick me up and I could enjoy the morning paper and a sparkling Martinelli's on my way to work while a handsome chauffer named George drives. THAT would be special.

I Heart Michael's

I love Michael's Craft Stores! I have recently discovered their $1 area and everytime I need something for a YW handout or activity, they seem to have exactly what I need. Last week I needed little books for an idea where the girls would learn about Jesus Christ by reading a scripture a day for a month, each day write what they learned or what their thoughts were and when complete it would qualify for a Faith Experience in Personal Progress. I found the cutest little books that said "Believe" on the front and then each page was also labeled. The inside has a label with the scriptures to read and the Living Christ. This week I was looking ahead for some books that I can use for Gratitude Journals for a future activity and found exactly what I needed . . . little journals that have a monogram on the front. I was in the aisle writing down each girls name making sure I didn't forget anyone and then crossing it off as I found each personalized journal that I needed. I got 21 names right - and will be back on Monday for the A, B, and R that I forgot - but not bad. It's become my new favorite stop for some creative inspiration.

What I Like About Winter

January is about the time when I am sick of winter weather and ready for some warm sunshine. Since it may be a while before that happens . . . here are a few things that I actually like about this season.

• Valentine candy! As soon as Christmas is over, the stores start getting ready for Valentine's Day. I was so excited a few weeks ago to see my favorite jelly hearts and cinnamon hearts with sugar right at the entrance of my favorite grocery store, Harmon's, taunting me to buy them . . . and of course, I obliged. They are so yummy! I like to have 1 jelly heart with 1 cinnamon heart - it's a nice blend. Beware, you must get the Sweet's brand of candy. I made the mistake, in my desperation earlier, to pick up a bag of Brach's jelly hearts at Smith's . . . so not the same. After two or three, the bag ended up in the garbage. Harmon's will hook you up with the good stuff.
  
• University of Utah Gymnastics . . . Red Rocks. I'm not a fan of football or basketball, but once January hits, I love going to the gymnastics meets. We have been going off and on since we were little. I can't hear the song, "Let the Music Play" by Shannon without wanting to just get out and do my own little floor exercise dance (don't worry, this is so not happening). The team gets great support and the meets are always fun.
  
• Layers - I like bundling up in my sweaters and scarves. In the summer, there is only so much you can take off (it's a hot life, as my mother always said), but in the winter when it's cold, I can pile it on. Check out the jaunty new hat that Melinda and I each got at a boutique. Cute, right? I test drove it at an outdoor activity with the youth and it was a big hit. (P.S. My eye is all better . . . thanks, Mindy Pugh for asking.)
  

• American Idol - I love when this show gets going. Unlike some people, I don't enjoy the audition weeks as much . . . I feel so bad for the people who get humiliated. But, once it gets going with delightful covers of "classic" tunes . . . I'm hooked. Can't wait to see who comes from the SLC. Check out Brent's blog for his hilarious oberservations and comments.
  

Happy Birthday Dad, Part II

Wow Julie, you are fast. It is our cute dad's birthday today, and we think he's pretty great. One of our birthday traditions is that we always get a balloon with our name spelled out, with each letter corresponding to some of the good qualities that we have. So in honor of that, here is dad's virtual balloon:

G-enerous. Dad is happiest when those he loves are happy. He will do whatever he can to make things easier or more comfortable for his family. We went to dinner with him tonight, and had to lay down the ground rules three times that he was not supposed to pay for his own birthday dinner. Julie had to tell him, and I quote, "If you pull out your wallet, I am coming across this table!" But see, we all ended up smiling:

A-vailable. Growing up, Dad made it a priority to come to every soccer game, tennis match and science fair. Even this last year when Brent and I played in a soccer league, and were really not worth watching, he came to watch us get winded and sit on the sidelines. And he loves going to support his grandkids in all of their activities too. This is why you have so many post it notes, right dad?

R-ighteous. Dad is a spiritual giant. Teaching Sunday School was one of his favorite callings if you can believe it, and he will spend hours researching topics so he is fully prepared. I will always remember the help he gave me when as a young, 19 year old lass, I was called to teach the New Testament in Gospel Doctrine. To say that I was freaked out was an understatement. So dad would research my lessons, and send me complete outlines with examples as well as a nice opening joke. I don't know anyone else in the world who would have done that.

Y-outhful. I swear, dad is in better shape than I am. Even after all of these years, he can still race ahead of me to open a door for me. And look at that snappy shirt he's wearing above--he picked that out himself!

So happy birthday to our wonderful dad. We love you!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Kim Orlandini Photography

To a great husband, dad and grandpa
We Love You!

Things I Done Learned Right

Dear Mom and Dad:

• Thank you for teaching me to rinse the dishes after I'm through with them.  It wasn't until I started living with others that I realized almost no one does this.   I've had to deal with many a dish with the food caked on for days and it ain't pretty.
• Because of you, I know how to calculate the discount on a piece of clothing in my head.  40% off a really cute $50 sweater?  Simple.  5 times 6 is $30.  Buy the sweater.
• Thanks for teaching me that if I'm not sure about buying something, I should walk out without it.  If I keep thinking about it, that means I need to go back and get it.  Usually, I forget all about it after I walk out of the store!
• Because of you I know to stay and help clean up after ward activities.
• Because of you I'd rather be on time or - even better- early.
• Thanks for teaching me to be kind to others, especially if it means listening to the woman in your ward tell you about all her ailments.  It  may be the only time anyone listens to them.
• Because you were at every church volleyball game or every state tennis tournament, I know how important it is to put family first.
• Thank you for teaching me how to cook.  I know that every food group should be represented on the table - even if people choose not to eat them, the option was there.
• I also know that to elicit compliments on a meal I cooked, all I need to do is say, "Well, thanks for dinner, Kristen" and then everyone feels bad and thanks you :)

Love, 

Kristen

Start Your Engines!

So, the ladies and dad took our annual trek to the Auto Show at the South Towne Convention Center tonight. Which is kind of funny, because none of us know anything about cars! I couldn't tell you the difference between an alternator and my spleen to save my life. But if you haven't been before, it is a hoot. We love being able to get in all of the different cars without having the crazy sales people trying to convince you that you look really good in that lime green Chevy Aveo. There is also fantastic people watching, with a sea of mullets, and nylon Nascar jackets in the classic car section. Worth the price of admission alone.

Julie hopped in pretty much all of the big trucks and decided that was what she needed to get to her home in the "mountains." She looks pretty good in this baby, right?

Please also notice how she's calling out to all of the men with the customized windshield:

And, when else can you just hop into an $80,000 car and pretend that it's yours? It totally looks like I'm driving on the road, right? I think I'll put this picture on my business card.

And please behold Julie and Kristen in the beauty that is...the Smart Car! I really wanted to be in the picture too, but that car isn't smart enough to hold three people.

Although I'm not an official sponsor, the show goes until Monday, so if you have some free time, you should swing on by. And to all of Beyonce's single ladies, there are lots of men there. I'm just saying.

Julie's New Purse Adventures

I was at the nail salon yesterday and a woman near me had a very small purse that she was trying to navigate through to find her money, while trying not to smudge her freshly painted nails. She had to take out several things to get to the money and then she said that everything had to go back in the same order she got it out so that everything would fit. It was suggested that she get a bigger purse. She said no because then she would just fill it up. I say, embrace the large purse! Have some wiggle room for your money . . . and bowling socks.

So, I’ve been on the lookout for a new purse, but it has to meet several strict requirements. One, it has to be large enough to carry my items; two, it has to have lots of pockets on the inside to organize said items; and three, it has to fit nicely on my arm - and hopefully look attractive too. Now, I’m not a person who wears my purse on my shoulder like Melinda. I like to carry it on my arms . . . my own version of weight lifting, I guess. Anyhoo . . . as I was perusing various websites in search of something new – I landed upon this little gem. It’s a sassy red, seems large enough, with ample pocket space. It’s also a Franklin Covey bag – so the organization part comes standard. I thought I better snatch it up, so I bought it. I came home yesterday and it was waiting for me on the porch. It's not as wide as my current purse, so the goal now is to see how everything fits together and test drive it to see how it's going to work. I know that you can't wait to find out what happens.

One week later . . .

Slowly but surely . . . it's getting better.

I Don't Want THAT Much Volume

Lately my hair has been taunting me. First it starts turning gray at an ever-more-rapid pace. Then look at what I woke up to the other day:

The picture doesn't quite do it justice, but those curled pieces on the right side would NOT lie down - and since I don't leave myself a lot of time in the morning, I had limited options. I did what I could to trick the hair to come a little closer to my head. What this picture DOES do justice to is how dog-tired I am in the morning - I thought I was opening my eyes all the way!

Smart?

The other day I was driving on snow-packed roads carefully navigating where I was going. To the side of me I was surprised to see a little "Smart Car" coming right up on me. And there were actually TWO people inside. I don't know how even one person fits in there. I'm pretty sure that this car can't be big enough for the both of us . . . me and my purse. Since you are practically crouched on the ground inside, wouldn't you feel like you were in a car from the Flintstone era where you need to stick your feet out the bottom of the car and start running? How smart are these cars? It seems like one wrong move and this car would be totaled . . . and so would the people in it. This car makes the Mini-Cooper actually look huge.

I love this picture from when Kristen lived in London . . .
one benefit is you don't even have to
worry about parallel parking.
Just back on in to any free space.

Resolution Roundup

Well, we're six days into the new year, and this is usually about the time that I have broken all of my New Year's resolutions. Over the years, I have tried to really keep my resolutions simple, with things that I could easily achieve, such as: turn another year older, buy some new high heels, etc. So, I figured this would be a good time to check up on my resolutions and see how I'm doing. So here are my 2009 resolutions, with a status update:


1. I resolve to be more kind. Oh dear. I have to blame all of the Utah County drivers for me not achieving this one. They are crazy! That, combined with the snow=Melinda saying mean/naughty things to them from my car.

2. I resolve to do my visiting teaching. Let's just say that I had a less than stellar record in this area last year. Apparently, my ward is now taking those sisters who don't visit teach off of assignments, and giving them to people who can actually do the job. So, after frantically searching for and finding my name in the visiting teaching pool on Sunday, I resolved to do better. So Steph Oaks, if you're out there, I'm coming to visit you!!

3. I resolve to learn a musical instrument. This is on my list every year, and every year I don't do it. Well my friends, that is going to change this year, thanks to my rocking new drum kit! Who wants to be the first on to hear Wipeout? I'm real good already.





4. I resolve to read books other than Us Weekly. This is really difficult for me. I just don't like reading things that don't show me how celebrities are just like us! I have been trying to read this during my lunch breaks at work:

I've been there for 62 days, and I still haven't finished this less than 300 page book! Which is probably due to my breaking the following resolution:

5. I resolve to eat out less. Why is eating out so much fun? It is honestly one of my hobbies, and I could do it every day without getting sick of it. Today, due to the 72 inches of snow in the Provo/Orem area, I resigned myself to reading my book and eating the same soup that I've been trying to plow through for the last 2 weeks. The whole time, all I could think about was how much I would rather have been eating out. So pathetic.

6. I resolve to listen to more sophisticated, mature music. Darn you Britney Spears and your catchy pop hooks! Instead of listening to Vivaldi, or Coldplay, I now have all of the words to Womanizer memorized. Ooh, maybe I can learn to play that on the drums!

7. I resolve to meet and marry this guy:

Well on my way to this one! For our FHE last night, we went to the Jazz game, and I know that my future husband heard me professing my love to him from the very top of the arena.

8. I resolve not to putter so much, and to go to bed at a reasonable hour. Who am I kidding? I'm typing this at 10:12pm, and I'll probably be up until 1:00 staring at the picture above.

And I'm spent! Just thinking about my six days of hard work has worn me out. Now I'm off to make a list of resolutions to break in 2010!

Best of 08 Results

Thanks to everyone who voted in our "Best of 2008" poll! It was a tight race between a couple of posts, but in the end, "What's in Julie's Purse?" won out! Congratulations on your witty and revealing post, Julie! For your prize, we will get you a bag of frozen peas to put on your head. Here's to some great posting in 2009!!!

I Do NOT Heart Winter

I am pretty much sick of winter and all of this snow! Yesterday on my way out from church, in the nice ice rink of a parking lot, my legs slipped out from under me and my head met the pavement. Luckily, my Dad would tell you that my head is the hardest part of my body, so no serious harm was done. And, no, that is not a nice streak of purple eyeshadow on my eye . . . it's my sweet shiner. I had to take a picture because I'm pretty proud of how much my eye opened up throughout the day. Melinda, when are we moving to Phoenix?!?!

"Mounds" of (Almond) Joy

Last Friday, the Bird family candy company opened its' doors for the first time. Maia and Lisa had the good idea of making candy for the holidays. Because you know, 'tis the season. We had planned to do it before Christmas, but due to the fact that we had several blizzards that week, it didn't work out, so we rescheduled it, and made it our first party of the new year.

I don't know if I've mentioned, but I rather enjoy chocolate. So imagine my delight when I discovered that we would be making six differenct kinds of treats. Lilli recruited her mom and sisters to help as well, and it was good they were there, because we had a lot to do! Julie had whipped up a flier for each of us with all of the recipes, and we split into groups and got to work. The little girls were very good at dipping everything in chocolate, and by the end of the night, I think we could have packaged and sold their work. They also had to watch me to make sure that I didn't snitch anything, which let's be honest, is a big job.

Grace was also very helpful in ensuring that everyone had a chocolate moustache; don't they look cute?

We had a great time, and are excited to do it again next year. Although, look at all of our goodies-I'll still probably be eating all of them in a year!

I Heart Brad Pitt

Last night Kristen, Dad and I went to see The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and I have to say that I loved it! I am, shall we say, extremely picky about my movies. I don't go to many movies anymore and the ones I do go to usually disappoint me. I usually save my praise for a light-hearted romantic comedy or a thrilling reality TV show that keeps me guessing like Survivor or the Amazing Race. However, this movie did not disappoint. It was enjoyable the whole way through - all three hours of it. The story was incredibly creative and we totally enjoyed when Brad Pitt gets younger and even more handsome . . . what a treat!

I turned to Kristen at the end and told her I loved it - and she and Dad did too. It was pretty exciting. Too bad Melinda wasn't there to witness such an event . . . who knows when it will happen again.

Happy New Year

A few weeks ago my computer hard drive suddenly crashed! I have 15 years of non-backed up pictures, documents and music on there (crazy, I know!). Without my computer for several weeks, I thought I would surely die! And with the satellite on the fritz one snowy night, I even found myself reading a book . . . yikes!!! My hard drive is currently on a trip to Arizona to see if any data can be recovered, but I have a pulse again as I have my computer back with a new hard drive and the internet is up and running again as of this afternoon . . . wahoo!!! Brent has wisely referred me to his place of employment, Mozy, to get my stuff set on automatic back-up for a mere $5 per month. If I ever get any of my data restored, I will happily give a tesimonial for the importance of backing up your computer. Thanks to Kristen who has been carrying this blog while Melinda and I work out our various computer issues.

Anyhoo . . . so we had a lovely holiday season and I really enjoyed being the recipient of a neighborhood Secret Santa again. Everyday there was a numbered surprise for me to open . . . starting with wrapping paper and Christmas cards, my favorite Victoria's Secret Pear lotion, to the final night that had a recipe for Pina Colada's and the ingredients to make them (which we happily enjoyed on Christmas Eve night). It was really fun and helped me to really get into the Christmas season. Thanks to whomever gave me such a great surprise.