100 things I'm grateful for

1. Seasons
2. My family
3. Funny people
4. Sleep
5. Ice-cream
6. Friends
7. Trees
8. My Savior
9. Blue eyes
10. Flowers
11. Laughter
12. Birthdays
13. Children
14. Traditions
15. History
16. Straight teeth
17. Justice
18. Long eyelashes
19. Green grass
20. Sunny skies
21. Trails
22. Sunsets
23. Water
24. The colors of fall
25. Letters
26. Traveling
27. The gospel
28. Smart men
29. Good food
30. The spirit of Christmas
31. Swimming
32. Our family cabin
33. My job
34. Temples
35. Home décor
36. Comfortable shoes
37. Diversity
38. My house
39. The Book of Mormon
40. Microwave’s
41. Pumpkin chocolate chip bread
42. Air Conditioning and Heating
43. Clocks
44. Nice people
45. Hope
46. Parks
47. Cookies
48. A good bargain
49. Senses
50. Opportunities to learn
51. Kisses
52. The Holy Ghost
53. Health
54. Our nation’s founding fathers
55. My Grandpa’s pocket watch
56. Mountains
57. Computers
58. Photographs
59. My country
60. The prophet
61. Embarrassing moments
62. Spell check
63. The Plan of Salvation
64. Memories
65. Slippers
66. Mercy
67. Color
68. Family dinners
69. Fashion
70. My impressive go-carting skills
71. Education
72. Quiet mornings
73. Patio dining
74. Hugs
75. Moments of introspection
76. Dating experiences
77. Soldiers
78. Dad’s daily phone call
79. Good teachers
80. Journaling
81. Rain
82. Mom’s prayers
83. The Constitution
84. Winchell’s sprinkled cake doughnuts
85. Movies
86. The American Flag
87. Fruit
88. Dishwashers
89. Holidays
90. Cell phones
91. Chocolate
92. Purses
93. Lotion
94. Music
95. Cinnamon Bears
96. Textures
97. Waterfalls
98. An amazing sense of humor
99. Laws and commandments
100. Peace

Happy Thanksgiving!

Booty obsession

On Friday, my cousin Amanda and I were instant messaging and our conversation went a little like this:

Karry: CLD? (acronym for cousin lunch day)
Amanda: Of course!
Karry: Where are we going?
Amanda: Port-of-Subs. Andy is meeting us there.
Karry: This is CLD, not BLD (acronym for boyfriend lunch day – Andy is Amanda’s boyfriend). I don’t have a “B.” Get rid of Andy.
Amanda: Then what’s that big thing trailing behind you?

She was obviously referring to my booty. She’s totally obsessed with it. I’m almost embarrassed for her.

The truth is that as I’ve physically “matured” my booty has taken on a little more shape, which has caused much jealously with my flat-butted cousins. They know round butts are all the rage both on and off the red carpet. Just look at JLo, Kim Kardashian and Beyonce – those “bootylicious” babes are shakin’ their assets all the way to the bank.

The best things in life are round – doughnuts; tree trunks; the sun, moon and earth; tires; eyeballs – the list goes on and on. It’s the preferred shape of the creator. The facts can’t be refuted. Sorry Amanda. May I recommend you visit the site www.lovemybubbles.com and purchase one of its featured items: push-up bum bra, padded panties or get a caboost! Maybe then your envy will subside and you’ll feel nothing but love for my God-given bounty.

Is it bad?

Is it bad that I made banana nut bread after midnight last night? And is it bad that half a loaf is already gone? It’s so good. The secret – add sour cream. I normally don’t like sour cream, but it makes marvelously moist bread that I obviously can’t resist.

Double click on the following link for the recipe (I added extra bananas because I’m crazy like that):
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Banana-Sour-Cream-Bread/Detail.aspx

Pants down!

I was talking to my friend Scott in a charming ice-cream store in Washington DC two months ago (yes, two months ago…I am a busy woman, don’t judge me). To express my preference for something, I used the common phrase “hands down.” He looked at me with a confused look and said, “did you just say pants down?” I could not stop laughing. The phrase became our mainstream expression on the trip making it “pants down” a fabulous vacation.

The trip was full of both laughter and tears. We were there on September 11, seven years after the tragic terrorist attacks, and our day was full of gruesome memories. We saw the twisted metal from the Twin Towers in New York and dozens of images on display in the Newseum;


We attended a special service at the Capitol Building where all the Senators stood side by side on the building’s steps to sing the national anthem and God Bless America while waving small American flags;

And we attended the memorial dedication and unveiling at the Pentagon.

The images and realities of this historic event filled the day and overwhelmed my emotions. I have a deep respect for my country, the founding fathers and for those who sacrifice to defend freedom and liberty.

While in DC, we also went on tours of the White House, Capitol Building, Library of Congress and Mount Vernon. I loved them all! I did all the tours on a previous trip to DC except for the Library of Congress and “pants down” it was one of my favorites. I enjoyed seeing the original drafts of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution. Plus, the overzealous docent was quite entertaining.

We also visited Arlington Cemetery and all the memorials that pay tribute to the inspiration and vision of our founding fathers as well as the courage of our fallen war heroes. I could sit at these places for hours.

I love DC because I love how DC makes me feel. The history of our great nation fills my soul with reverence, perspective and gratitude. I long to return. Scott, let us know when there’s vacancy again in your meat locker, er, I mean, your house.

The trip was also fabulous because I was there celebrating my dear friend Kristen’s 35th birthday. She is “pants down” one of my favorite people in this world and my life is better because of her.

I think I will follow in her footsteps and plan a trip to celebrate my 35th birthday. Everyone start saving your money.

Trick or Treat

Playing at the Beach

Alone Again

Kim and the kids are on their way back to Wisconsin right now and once again, I am home alone. They’re like a little tornado – they come in, move all your stuff around, make lots of noise, suddenly leave and then it’s overwhelmingly quiet and you realize your loss and it’s sad. I already miss them.

We had a fun week – we went to Disneyland, the beach, trick-or-treating, the movies, swimming and played with all our cousins. Taylor also helped me do some yard work. She is a very good helper.

Kim has amazing kids. Tye is a natural leader; Tate is so witty and tender; and Taylor is so loving. And they’re all funny – they always say things that make me laugh, for example:

Tate wanted me to clean up his mess and I said no. His response: “you can and you will.” (I am quite certain he got this line from his father, right Wes?)

Taylor: “Tarry, lets go ride on the teatups.”

Tye on Space Mountain: “I was made for this ride.”

Tate: “There are two things I really don’t like. Itches. I scratch it and it just goes somewhere else and then I have to scratch there. It’s stupid.”
Karry: “What’s the other thing you really don’t like?”
Tate: “Hiccups”
Taylor: “I had the hipubs five months ago.”

I also think my sister is amazing. Sometimes we get in little arguments about silly things (this week it was about flip flops – hers are in Wisconsin in case you’re wondering), but she is, and always has been, my best friend and I am so abundantly blessed to have her and her family in my life. I just wish they weren’t so far away.

Hugs and big kisses to Kim, Tye, Tate and Taylor and a good game for Wes (he likes those). I love and miss you all.

Disneyland