"And we kiss in the Santa Carla twilight
On the beach under a Santa Carla moon
I was lost, but I found you in my arms
And my heart is blacker than the dark ocean

Eternity...belongs to us
Eternally...lasts our love
If you want forever, close your eyes
And surrender to me
Just remember today was the last that you'll ever see the sun in Santa Carla"

-Tiger Army

I have love. I have my lovee. I am the lover.

I need the beach. I need the sand.

I am impossibly in love.

I say 'impossibly' cause this is unreal happiness. For most.

Hmmm, sigh.

25+ birth control moments in 12 or less hours

Whoa. Way busy weekend. 

My sister and her husband celebrated their 10 year wedding anniversary! It seems like it wasn't that long ago my oldest niece was the little flower girl in a beautiful garden wedding. 

So I volunteered to take the kids for a night so they could get away to celebrate.

After gathering up the troops, we fought our way up to the Huntsman Center to see my younger sister Heather graduate! Parking was an adventure, herding 3 kids in was easier said than done but we found seats and I got out the reserves almost immediately. The reserves being 2 boxes of 100 crayons and a variety of coloring books. Dave took Disney Princesses, the nieces took Hello Kitty and Lisa Frank Kitten's and the little nephew took Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I'll like to commend myself on a great coloring book selection.

We sat through some very long inspiring talks about following dreams, never losing your closest friends and all the hard work put into graduation. Only one girl thanked her parents and I honestly think the parents should have gotten an applause of their own. Those last 2 years are hard for a lot of students to not get discouraged and is also when most drop out. 

They walked, they tossed their caps, pictures were taken and then we started the parking frenzy again. When you have 3 kids under the age of 11 in the backseat of your small VW playing tease and tattle and a line of 70+ cars trying to exit a lot, you are bound to swear. 

We had a nice barbeque at the house after. Everyone in the family was there, a few of Heather's friends, and my grandparents were down from Logan. It was really nice company. Aside from the whipping wind, it was practically perfect. 

And then we took the nieces and nephew to the drive in theatre to see UP. It was so cute, very tender and has a couple of sad spots. If you haven't seen it yet, make time this week and get to the theater!

Sleepover with the kidlets, breakfast and the rush to get everyone showered in the morning. At 1 pm their other grandma came for them and it was in perfect timing. Kids are a lot of work! Some of my favorite things I heard this weekend:

Me: "Breakfast! Let's pour some cereal and get going." Them: "We had cereal yesterday!" 

Growing up, we had cereal every morning and there was no problem. Hmmm. I think I was tricked into that one.

Them: "Let's put the convertible top down!" Me: "No, it's too cloudy." I ended up putting it down and 10 minutes later from the backseat, "I'm chilly."

At 1 am after the drive in. Me: "Are you tired? It's bedtime" Them: "No, I want to finish watching iCarly." Internal groan from me. (Disney Channel is mind numbing.) Less than 5 minutes later, they are all out cold.

Saturday night we headed to Amanda and Kurt's wedding and it was so unique. One of the best wedding advices that keep me from eloping is, "Your wedding is your chance to present your style together as a couple." And those two pinned it right down. It was darling and playful. It rained for a few minutes and everyone went in the garage or under the gazebo but the bride and groom didn't let it bother them for a second. I am so happy for them! Time for some sand dunes fun with them!!

Today was hobo day. We washed sheets, watched The Office and lounged around. 

It was a great weekend over all! Hope everyone had some fun too and is ready to conquer Monday!

Sullen angry little girl

A friend reminded me that less than 2 years ago, I had this magnet.
I'm a changed woman!!

Side note: Has anyone ever done soap making? I will be attempting it soon and am terrified!

Smitten Mitton

Things I love about my fiance:

He makes me smile, at the oddest times. Example: we were doing a remodel on a bathroom yesterday and it was around 8 pm and we'd been working for almost 9 hours. He was on the floor, covered in glue, sweat and paint. He looked up with his sweet brown eyes, boyish charm and adorable smile.. Meeeellllt. 

He has a great sense of humor. And an extensive knowledge of... stuff! Dave can joke with anyone about anything. 

He is great with kids. My nieces and nephew love him to pieces. 

He is super cuddly at all times. Even when he is tense, tired and fussy.

We both stand for very similar things. And he is passionate about change in things. 

He urges me to try new things. I'm a person who likes to be safe by using what I know works and what I know I like.

He takes my suggestions too. 

He is amazingly accepting. To my large family that is always busy, to my friends that can be diverse or just plain weirdos (that I love) and to everything that makes me tick. 

He is generous. With his time, energy, resources. Dave is always willing to help with anything. 

He encourages my love for everything pink, Hello Kitty, yummy perfumes, lip glosses, pretty shoes and purses, flirty skirts, sexy sunglasses, silly hats, large earrings, my sweet kitten (that he is allergic to, but he tolerates), fragrant flowers, hot bubble baths and silky lotions. He never scoffs over the girly things. He encourages femininity and not just the sexual things. 

He lets me style his hair. 

He is hardworking. 

He is punctual. For work, for appointments, for dates. Always 10+ minutes early. 

He is competitive in a sweet way. We try to outdo each other at the gym, at tennis, in bubble gum blowing, who can hold hands tighter, who loves baby animals more and who can snuggle tighter. We grow plants and tease that mine will become dragons and eat his little lambs. The dragons died and the sheep are bleating all around their Terra cotta farm. 

There is so much more and the list will grow over time. I just wanted everyone to know I adore him endlessly.

Engagement

Tiny disclosure here: I am sensing this blog may turn into a wedding blog. I’ll make a separate blog if I feel it’s getting overrun. But in all actuality, all I do is updates on life and marriage is a big deal in life. AND I am pretty discreet about my wedding plans because I want you all to be in awe.

So, Dave finally formally proposed. Do you want to know how? We went to see Bride Wars and Dave says he felt daggers on his neck the entire time. Sincerely, I don’t even know what he is referencing. I do know that my ring was picked up from the jeweler (The marvelous Jerel at Sierra West in Murray) on Tuesday and it was then Friday. What the f!? Ok, back to the events. Saw the movie and then went on a drive. We were sitting up in the hills looking at the Salt Lake lights and he was whispering sweet nothings in my ear. Really. “Twizzlers, Sugar Babies, Jelly Bellies, Milk Duds…..”

And then he dropped to one knee and asked that I be with him forever.

I’m in love with my ring. Hang out with me and see how I hold my hand and how much I glance at it. You’ll know that I love it. When I am outside in the sun, it goes crazy with sparkle. Thank you again Dave, you picked really well.

It’s been less than a month of planning and I’m assured I’ve seen it ALL on the internet. Hundreds of DIY wedding and wedding photography blogs. After hours of scouring the web, I have some great ideas. We are trying to focus that this is all about us and that we really don’t want to blow it all on the wedding and reception. A week on the beach, as crazy in love newlyweds, sounds so great. But we do want to celebrate and party with friends and family.

So the plan for now is save save save. We want to pay for it all by ourselves because both our parents still have younger ones and… we are stubborn and don’t like asking for help. If they offer help though, we are taking it and running!


Next in the plan is fitness. We want to look great on our special day and then on the beach. Not that we are going to let it all go right after but now is a good time to get caught up on some running and crunches.

Being engaged is fun and exciting, There is new things to learn everyday. I’d suggest it to anyone who is in love and ready. Seriously. Do it.

Cuttin' costs

So we were talking about the wedding this weekend with my family and we’ve decided that it’s just too expensive to have a big ordeal. And we’d rather honeymoon somewhere beautiful than entertain people we may or may not like. Here are some of the thoughts we came up with. Let us know which one is your favorite.

1: Instead of doing a luncheon, Dave and I thought about a simple open reception with finger foods. Saltines with bologna cut into heart shapes topped with canned cheese spray. And for the drinks, everclear and Hawaiian punch. And frosted Twinkies. You wouldn’t know they aren’t éclairs from a pastry shop.

2: One step up is to have KFC cater. The banquet will have buckets of chicken, corn on the cob, potatoes and gravy. Add in a few beer kegs. And for the kids, we’ll rent a bounce house for them.
3: We didn’t want our wedding to be too stuffy or serious so there is the consideration of a theme wedding. Bridesmaids in hula skirts and coconuts, Groomsmen wearing a lava lava and shirtless. Maybe a pig roast. Or we’re thinking Fiesta! Everyone has to don their sombrero, moustache (fake or real) and we’ll shatter piñatas all night!

“When angry, count to four. When very angry, swear."

I have some deep rooted anger issues that come from various places.  This story is only a portion of it but I think I have found a partial solution…..

About 4 years ago, I bought a gym membership. And about 3 years ago, I became employed with that gym. It was a wonderful experience for the most part. High energy and enthusiasm, good relations with employees/members and the benefit of having a free trainer because I worked there.

Another benefit was free membership. If you already had a membership, they waived all charges after 90 days of employment. In addition, gave you 2 years free from that point. I saw that as beneficial, who wouldn’t?

I was hooked up on the free membership at the 3-month mark. I worked there for about 6 months total and then left for a better paying job that was just Monday through Friday.

It was beautiful! No more of the Sunday morning routine! The gym was set to open at 5 AM and the key was in a push button lockbox. That froze over every damn winter night. I’d run over to Millcreek Coffee Roasters for hot water, get the key out and before lights and music was operating, I’d have a minimum of 10 members in the club. People who work out that early are crazy. No really. They are insanely determined and have potential to get violent if the receptionist does not have the door open at 5 am precisely.

It was just so convenient that they had lost my paperwork showing my agreement to the free membership. It was not a contract that you had to remain employed there. Simply to endure the 90 days.  I started getting billing notices from this gym. Wonderful.

I didn’t pay them.  I don’t intend to. I called to see how much I owe to start a new membership and it’s up to $800 with their in-house legal fees. And they don’t use outside collections, it will never reflect on my credit. So $800 in old fees and then a new contract at about $26 a month? No. I’ve disputed it about 10 times with them. I even gave in and started making payments for a little bit.

In comes Dave, to the rescue. He walks into the gym location in Orem and asks for a membership addition to his existing. The damn ‘salespeople’ simply ask for a name (my first name, his last name. Eventually my new name) and set it up. He wheeled and dealed my rate to under $20 a month! Also, has no contract. Just month-to-month sweetness.

"Exercise releases endorphins, endorphins make you happy, happy people don't kill their husbands. They just don't." –Legally Blonde

If you see me smiling more now, thank that wonderful man Dave. 

BTW: We had an amazing weekend. Brief summary:

Friday:  Lounging around after work. Late night gym session. Made Dave do the lower body exercises he hates and we are BOTH still feeling it. Sore quads, glutes and calves.

Saturday:  Diamond appointment. A drive to Provo for Nicolitalia’s pizza. Then we ended up driving the Mt. Nebo Scenic Byway. A pit stop at the Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork. They are doing maintenance on it but it is beautiful nonetheless. We got back to SLC, packed a bag and left to Lava Hot Springs in Idaho. I have wanted to go there for years and something has always fallen through. Drive and drive. Arrive to find nearly everything booked. Achieved room. Went and had a luxurious hot soak. Dinner and beer in a tiny bar. Back to the room for relaxing. We have almost finished our couples compatibility and happiness test. It DID launch a conversation about God that lasted for a bit. Nevertheless, we found common ground and moved on. I am sure we both slept like dead that night.

Sunday:  Checked out of the room. Yogurt and coffee from the market and back to the hot pools for another soak. Home to SLC. Grabbed some Pei Wei and went to Sugarhouse Park to lounge. There were more seagulls than I had hoped for but the sun was shining. Went to Wheeler Historic Farm to adore the baby sheep and screaming geese. Carwash. Back home. Watched Bewitched. The Rescuers Down Under.

There are pics in my Flickr of all the happenings. 

I didn’t forget. It is the 16^th. Happy Birthday to Cindy, Dave’s oldest daughter! The big 13! Such a beautiful fun girl!

Now it is bedtime. Night all!

March!!

I’ve been pretty terrible about writing. I’ve gone through highs and lows lately so it’s been hard to pick a day to write because I don't want to be seen as all negative. I guess I’ll fill in the main categories, for anyone that cares.

Family: Better and better. I think we have seasonal things. In the winter when there are holidays and we are all cooped up in the house, it’s a game of ‘claws out’. 

My mom has wanted an Irish Setter for such a long time, since even before the teacup and toy poodles were gone. And she finally got one. Her name is Ruby, she is only about 9 weeks old so she is tiny, feisty and adorable. My mom is insistent on keeping the whole theme with dog naming. If a dog has any championship heritage, you have to include the champion’s name, in the new dog’s name. There was a Disney movie called Big Red about an Irish Setter and that was Ruby’s great grand daddy. What a mess. I just call her Booby because she has those puppy teeth and gnaws on everything. Big boob.

Work: Love my new place of employment. I know, groan and roll your eyes because you’ve seen me move around so much. I have high expectations of an employer and there aren’t many employers in Salt Lake that have high integrity for their employees. It’s unfortunate. But back to my job. I have a dynamic relationship with all my coworkers and manager. Everyone is so amazing. The company does enteral feeding pumps and we just merged with a company that does infusion pumps for post operative pain management. My favorite part? Placing a purchase order in for the 100ml bag. Those bags are only used in a certain pump that is made for premature and newborn babies. I just think of tiny little babies getting their nutrients and getting healthy to go home with their excited new parents. Awe! It’s such warm fuzzy feel goods.

School: Oh kill me. I am ready to jump ship from Accounting. Send me a tutor? Spring Break officially starts in 1 hour though. Doesn’t necessarily matter, I work M-F but it’ll be nice to not study. Much.

Love: Oh gooey gooey goodness…. I am halfway to engaged. If that makes any god damned sense. We have been ring shopping for a couple weeks now and found something we really like. And now I just wait for a formal proposal. He would like to do everything very proper and by the book. He is so creative, he’ll find a way to make it very memorable. I just can't wait!
Oh, y’all barely know anything about him? I’ve kept him very private because this last year has been a bit of a bumpy ride for me and he was a safe place that I didn’t want affected by anything. Dave is…. Amazing. He makes me laugh, he takes my teasing and jokes very well. He works so hard to make me happy and keep me happy. He also works hard for the things he has in his life and for a good future for us. He has the cutest guinea pig hair when he wakes up in the morning because of his 4 cowlicks. He doesn’t really know it but he sneers when he talks about a select few people. He has really big strong hands which deliver massages to my back, neck, feet, or hands 2-3 times a week or whenever I get too tense and whiny. He is dedicated to his health and fitness and urges me to be the same. But doesn’t always win because he knows I hate sweating -outside of the bedroom. He doesn’t snore at night but his body temperature is always high so we cuddle and then I end up kicking him away. But the plus side of his crazy warmness is I always have his big warm hands to hold my toes when they are cold. Which usually scores me a foot massage. AND I get flowers/plants from him almost every week, sometimes twice a week.

I am pampered by him, in every single way and I am very grateful for it.

Friends: Same high and low situations. Some people have shown that they don’t like the person I want to marry and if that is worth having a friendship be weakened…so be it. I want stable friends. Good strong people. I am going to need SOMEONE to keep me sane while planning a wedding. (Britta, you’z doing my engagement photos, FYI. But I have to get the ring and drop a jillion pounds)

Also, Happy Birthday to my dear friend Bart! He made it to 23, as of today, and didn't do anything too stupid on the way. There's plenty of time for that though!

All in the golden afternoon

"You can learn a lot of things from the flowers

For especially in the month of June

There's a wealth of happiness and romance

All in the golden afternoon"

I bought a peet planter along with seashell cosmos, bright lights cosmos, columbines, Dolly Madison lilies and Bernini lilies. I need the ground to warm up so my lily bulbs be planted and the seeds are indoors, sprouting soon. 

I've never grown anything from start to finish. I buy plants that someone else has maintained and then I somewhow forget them. I see the finish (which is just a dry plant somewhere on a shelf.) I feel no shame in saying I'm terrible with plants. But I really feel I can do it this time. 

Wish me luck. 

One down...

School: Wildly overwhelming. But I really do enjoy sitting down and doing homework. It's my nice escape.

Work: Visited a very eclectic working environment for a bit this week and learned so much there. 

Friends: Would non existent be accurate? And don't take that in a bad way. I'm just separated right now while I focus on school and new employment.

Family: Crazy but comforting. 

I'm excited for the Monster Truck show coming up. I've never been to one before. 

Also, a tax refund which OBVIOUSLY grants more financial freedom. 

Bart got me an M3 Real for my Christmas gift. It goes in the Nintendo DS (which he also got me, months ago) and it holds a microSD card. Load games on the memory card and golden! I have a 4GB and it can hold over 100 games on it. 

I have fallen back in love with my DS and it goes everywhere with me!!

Well, January was not the best. I'm a little glad to see it go. Bring on the other 11 months.