The 24th and More

Happy Pioneer Day! One perk about living in Utah . . . getting the 24th of July off from work. Love it!! I took advantage and decided to make it a lazy day. I had plenty I needed to get done, what with having to plan a wedding reception for next week and all, but oh well. I saw "Get Smart" with some friends. LOVED IT! I thought it was hilarious! Steve Carell is my hero. I laughed out loud a lot and really didn't get bored with the movie, which is a nice.

I started feeling guilty for not being productive tonight, so I pulled out these coloring book things that my Relief Society worked on couple months ago, but never finished. Ang and I finished coloring them so I can turn them into DI. I think they are be sent to impoverished countries to help children read or something. Anyway, I thought it would be appropriate to do some service to celebrate the sacrifices that the pioneers made to settle out West.

Oh, there is a quick story that I need to share, just because I was so frustrated at the time. So last week I went to a particular tire store and purchased two new tires during my lunch break. It was kind of embarrassing how little tread was left on my back tires. Everything went fine, though I spent more than I hoped. This was the day before the big BBQ, so I left work early to purchase about a million things. As I was pulling out of the parking space, the car felt funny, so I quickly pulled back into the space and got of the car. I took a look at one of my brand new tires and it was completely flat!! After cursing out loud, (It was PG, I promise) I called a guy at work who I knew was good with cars and asked him to come help me. He came out to help, but suggested I call the tire place and tell them to come help me since it was their fault. I did, and 45 minutes later and having to chase after the guy's truck in heels, he changed the tire and I followed him back to the shop. I waited another 25 minutes for them to put a new tire on. While I was waiting I had the pleasure of conversing with a young man who was slathering his legs with benadryl because he thought he had been exposed to poison ivy. Pleasant. Anyway, everything turned out fine, though they wasted an hour and a half of my time, which I was pretty upset about since I had so much to get done. Yes, I need cry a little bit, but hey, I'm a girl. I'm allowed too.

BBQ and Death

Last week was pretty busy. I planned a work BBQ for about 75 people on Friday and it actually turned out pretty well. The food was great (Wallabys!) and the weather was perfect. I made gift bags for each employee, which took a while, but I think everyone enjoyed them. I bought all the kids some cheap kites and they loved them. So if you ever have to buy 25 kids ages 2-13 something, kites are the way to go. The party was sort of my way of proving my event planning skills to my boss, and I think he was impressed. It just makes me so happy to see people having a good time.

Also this week, I had to plan my Relief Society on "Words of Hope and Consolation at the Time of Death." Not the most uplifting, and I will admit, I sort of avoided planning it because it just seemed too difficult. I brought muffins and a pretty handout though, trying to disguise what could have potentially been a miserable lesson. Almost every girl was in tears by the end, but I think it went ok. There were some sad stories shared, but I tried to keep the focus on what we should and should not say and do when comforting those who are mourning. There are some women in my Relief Society that have been through some tragic things, and it just makes me so grateful for what I have been blessed with. Love you all!

Summer Wedding

I spent a few days in California last week for my sister's wedding and it was fantastic. It was so nice to be home, though I was working on wedding stuff nonstop. I did get a chance to do a little shopping at this fabulous mall in Glendale. The H&M was fabulous. I limited myself to just a few purchases, including too very cute handbags. My sister was beautiful and I am so happy I was able to attend the ceremony.

That Dreaded Third hour Lesson

One of my favorite people in the whole world came to church with me today . . . Jet!! Of course we had the chastity talk. It ended up being more about dating of course, which I always think is entertaining. You get 30 single LDS girls in a room together, the word "date" is mentioned and out pour the opinions. It was pretty mild today, though. The Bishop didn't look too uncomfortable. Basically the solution to our not being married: put yourself out there. I agree. Obviously you have to leave your apartment to meet guys. I'm still working on that one. So far, I haven't seen any guys that are worth leaving my apartment for.

Oh, and I LOVE my perfume!!

Happy Fourth of July!

Happy Independence Day! I really like this holiday, though I don't really love it in Provo. There are lots of things to do and I love that, but there are way too many people here. Luckily I live right by the parade route, so that wasn't a problem. Also, Glenn Beck was in the parade, which made my day. I love history, and I used to be obsessed with Benjamin Franklin. He just fascinates me, illegitimate children and all. I am so grateful for all that the Founding Fathers did to establish this country of freedom. This country is amazing and I know I am blessed to live here. I wish everyone a happy and safe holiday weekend!! And don't forget what we are celebrating!

My Country, Tis of Thee

Independence Day is approaching and I am pumped. I attended a fireside at the Marriott Center tonight featuring Glenn Beck as the featured speaker. I am a fan of Brother Beck. I think that he is an amazing public speaker and I love that he is not afraid to talk about his religion. And he is not afraid to cry. I also find him kind of attractive. Strange, I know.

Glenn spoke about his experience of being in NYC during 9/11 and how the hymn "Come, Come, Ye Saints" gave him great comfort. He has incredible pride and love for this country and it is nice to be reminded of how great this country really is. God Bless America!

American Idol in Orem?

Jordin Sparks at the Scera in Orem . . . not sure why it happened, but she did come and I went. Thanks to an awesome friend, Ang and I got to go for free. It was outdoors, so we sat in the very back to avoid the mobs of screaming 12-year-old girls. The opening act, I think they called themselves 4 Real, was kind of a joke. We got a good laugh at their expense. Jordin is quite talented and I did enjoy her performance. She didn't sing very many of her own songs, I'm sure because no one knows any of them except the ones on the radio. I really like her voice. She can belt it out, though she was out of breath all the time.

I think the most memorable part of the evening was the woman sitting in front of us. We were all on blankets and Ang and I were stuck sitting behind this kind of weird family. The mother's shirt did not cover everything it should have in the back, and I was stuck looking at a tattoo on her lower back along with her thong all evening. This woman wasn't exactly skinny, so needless to say it wasn't a very pretty sight. I wanted to say something to her so bad, but what do you say? "Umm, I'm sorry ma'am, but your thong and love handles are hanging out, do you think you could do something about that?" Awkward!