Tagged...by Candice

8 shows I like to watch:
1. The Office
2. 30 Rock
3. Grey’s Anatomy
4. Will & Grace
5. The Soup
6. Brothers & Sisters
7. Private Practice
8. Sex and the City (don’t judge me – it’s what all single women in their 30’s watch. Sorry Mom.)

8 restaurants I like to eat at:
1. Maggianos
2. BJ’s
3. Cheesecake Factory
4. Outback
5. Nordstrom Café
6. Olive Garden
7. Café Rio
8. PF Changs

8 things that happened today:
1. Worked a full day– yes, I know it’s Saturday. I’m very important at work. :)
2. Visited my Mom & Dad
3. Went grocery shopping
4. Washed/vacuumed my car
5. Watched Thursday night’s episode of Grey’s Anatomy
6. Ate pita chips and artichoke dip for dinner
7. Read everyone’s blogs (finally), hence my delayed response to Candice’s tag
8. Realized I’m not a rock star anymore

8 things I am looking forward to:
1. Seeing my sister and her kids this week
2. Going to Disneyland
3. Christmas
4. My birthday
5. Going somewhere new
6. A few days off work
7. Having someone organize my garage - any takers?
8. Peppermint ice-cream – its seasonal and tis the season. I recommend eating with a warm brownie and drizzling with hot fudge. Yum!

8 things on my wish list:
1. An amazing husband (hey, it’s my wish list)
2. Happy, healthy children
3. Living in a nice house with a pool where I can perfect my cannon ball
4. A skinny body
5. Less corruption in government
6. A better economy
7. More free time
8. World peace – it’s every beauty queen’s wish

Look at me now

My blog finally has as much character as I do. :)

A great big thank you to Darcy from Graphically Designing for patiently working with me to turn my visual concept into a reality. It’s not easy reading my mind, many have tried and failed, but Darcy masterfully gleamed what I was looking for and I am thrilled with the results. Doesn’t it look fabulous?

Good times never seemed so good…

These song lyrics, sang by Neil Diamond in his popular hit song “Sweet Caroline” (bom, bom, bom), perfectly described this weekend. Mom, Dad, Garth and I went to the Neil Diamond concert in Arizona and had a great time. Mom rolled her shoulders and tapped her knees to the beat, Dad gave Neil a fisted salute when he sang “Coming to America,” and Garth and I played name that tune. Of course, I won. He thought every song was “I’m a Believer.” Silly boy.

After the concert, we went for ice-cream and then back to our fine hotel, which my sister booked for us. The toilet worked fine after Dad fixed it. And the full-size beds were nice and cozy for Mom and Dad.

I didn’t sleep so well though. The hotel was located right next to the train tracks. Every few hours, the sound of clanking metal and a seemingly never ending, obnoxiously loud horn woke me up. I laid in bed listening to the sounds of the train, snoring, a rattling air conditioner, Dad’s beeping cell phone (the battery was low) – the list goes on and on.

On Saturday, we enjoyed the lavish continental breakfast at the hotel. But unfortunately we left right before the Mexican Pride Parade started. Drat! We miss all the good stuff.

Mom and Dad did a session at the Mesa Temple and I went to lunch with Todd. Both Garth and Todd are fabulous guys who restore my hope that there are still some "normal" single guys out there.

Mom and I watched “Becoming Jane” in the backseat of the car while Dad chauffeured us home. It was a great weekend. Indeed, good times never seemed so good.

Ice Ice Baby

That was the song that was blaring in the background when the stake presidency called me on my cell phone Sunday. I was working at the Summerlin Art Festival, standing near the sound booth while the DJ was spinning Vanilla Ice’s popular hit. The timing was serendipitous – not every faithful LDS member is rockin’ out to Vanilla Ice on the Sabbath when the stake presidency calls.

They asked me if I would be willing to speak at Stake Conference. So, in the words of Vanilla, I’m gonna “rock the mic like a vandal” on Oct. 12.

I’m surprised they didn’t ask me to speak on keeping the Sabbath Day holy.

Dear Kim

I would be more than happy to update my blog on a regular basis as you’ve requested if you provide me with the following:

1. Someone to work my 40-60 hour a week job
2. A landscaper
3. A housekeeper (for me and the Deans)
4. Pest control services
5. A personal shopper
6. A hairstylist/make up artist
7. A personal chef
8. Someone to teach mom and dad how to use their computer
9. A thin, toned body that would allow me to eat whatever I want and not have to work out
10. A husband (so I don’t feel any guilt about avoiding unnecessary social functions with the hopes of “meeting someone new” – it’s all a scam anyway)
11. A perfectly organized house (closet and garage included)
12. Someone to do my laundry
13. The ability to stop time

Your loving sister,
Karry

Happy 100th Grandma

Last month we celebrated my Grandma’s 100th birthday in the quaint farming town of Rising City, Nebraska. Throughout her life, my Grandma has experienced first hand dramatic changes in the world. She has lived through two world wars and a number of political upheavals as well as the Great Depression. She has witnessed historic events such as the landing on the moon, the fall of communism and the new age of technology. She has experienced the joys of new life as well as the sorrow of death. Through it all, she continuously marvels at life, enjoys the blessings God has bestowed upon her and her family, and remains thankful for her rich and full life.

A few days after her birthday, I was talking to her on the phone and she said, “I’m living in a different world today. Those days (referring to life on the farm with Grandpa) were hard days, but they were better days. We worked harder, but we were happier, healthier and safer back then.”

We could all learn a lot from my Grandma.

Full moon

This is what happens when my sister takes pictures with my camera...thanks Kim.

Sacha said...

Sacha Guitry said, “You can pretend to be serious; you can’t pretend to be witty.” Good thing being witty comes so naturally to me. I’m serious. :)

What am I built for?

Today I was flipping through a magazine and saw an image of Olympic Gold Medalist Michael Phelps posed like Leonardo da Vinci’s Vetruvian Man. Arrows were pointing to his various body parts with explanations about why his build is perfect for swimming: his 6’7” arm span propels him through the water, his size 14 feet act as flippers, etc. I put the magazine down and glanced over my “curvy” physique and couldn’t help but wonder: what exactly am I built for?

Labor Day Weekend Recap

This Labor Day weekend was full of a variety of activities: dinner with friends, witnessing a theatre transform into a karaoke room for the premiere of the Mamma Mia sing-a-long movie and a quick overnight trip to the cabin where I stacked a wood pile. Culinary flare, culture and the great outdoors all wrapped into one weekend.

But there’s more.

I came home from the cabin on Sunday so I could go to my friend’s “Labor Day Eve” party. Apparently this isn’t a popular eve to celebrate because when I showed up at 10 pm with my two friends, we doubled the number of attendants. And the host/my friend/the only person I know wasn’t even at the party. Can you say awkward?

Today was a lazy day, as any holiday should be. I watched a movie in bed, made a big breakfast and later got bored so I headed to the pool.

I think every weekend should be three days long.

My Love Affair with Beach Boardwalk Biking

The beach, Disneyland, bathing suit clad men, 80-degree weather, Sea World, beautiful landscapes – what’s not to love about California?

I just got home from the Sunny State on Sunday and I already miss it. I went to the annual Pageant of the Masters show, did a little shopping and spent lots of time at the beach. While at the beach, I rented a beach cruiser and cycled up and down the boardwalk. This is undoubtedly one of my favorite activities.

My love affair with boardwalk biking has a long history. I fell in love with the activity as a young girl accompanying the Stewarts on one of their annual beach trips. While riding a two-person bike, Heidi and I almost ran over a woman roller skating in a cheetah print bikini. To this day, I still laugh out loud when I remember this incident.

Laughter is always a byproduct of boardwalk biking, which is why I enjoy it so much. Earlier this year, my sister found a bike that would accommodate eight. We had to have it, despite my brother-in-law’s wishes. We piled in, with two kids in the front basket, and laughed as we rode up and down the boardwalk.

Last weekend, I opted for the simple, traditional, one-person beach cruiser. I rode along the coast recalling the cherished memories of boardwalk biking with family and friends. And I laughed.

It’s great to be me.

Looking for Love

A few months ago, my bishop called me into his office to ask me if I had “exhausted all my options” with dating. I quickly answered, “yes!” He then raised his eyebrows and said, “even online?”

Ironically, those who have never been required to use this online tool are great advocates of the program. Those of us who have actually logged on a time or two know better.

So here I am in my second week of having an online dating profile and the popular song “Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places” keeps running through my mind. In fact, I’m convinced the songwriter for this popular tune was inspired to write these lyrics specifically for online hopefuls.

My inbox is now full of emails from interesting fellows. Here’s a sampling of what I’ve received to date:

“I believe we played with each other in the pre-existence. I remember pushing you on the swings.” ~ a 71-year-old from California (yes, 71)

“You haven’t responded to my email in two days so you’re obviously not taking this opportunity seriously.” ~ a 38-year-old from Utah

And my personal favorite:

“You’re gorgeous. Are you normal?” ~ a 40-year-old from California