I want a moment...

I haven't blogged in three months. I know very few people even notice that I haven't blogged or even miss reading my dumb little posts but I miss it. I hate that there are so many blank spots now in this little bit of my personal history. Like most people, I'm so busy my head feels like it's literally spinning most days. I just want a moment...

I want a moment to share details about and pictures of my trips to Texas and Utah. I kept notes about one trip but not about the other. If I wait too long, the important details will leave my brain forever. 

I want a moment to hang up all of the laundry that's piling up in my bedroom. 

I want a moment to get my Book of Mormon clothes made for youth conference next week. 

I want a moment (and some sunshine) to sit on my Mom's patio and watch her puppies play. 

I want a moment to blog about some of the recipes I've made recently that I love. 

I want a moment to drive to the Sonic that's 40 minutes away and get a gigantic raspberry limeade. And truthfully, I want to sit in my car and drink one and then order a second one. 

I want a moment to organize my thoughts after 5.5 hours of stake youth meetings last night. I feel almost paralyzed by all that's in my head right now and while I know this too shall pass, right now, things are a little/a lot hard. Granted, I wouldn't want the alternative so I'll stop whining. 

I want a moment to finish graduation gift shopping and to write about all of the totally amazing kids I love who graduated high school last week. 

I want a moment to express gratitude for my crazy, wonderful, yet not exactly what I hoped for life. 

I want a moment to nap. For like four hours of moments.  

I want a moment to tell my upstairs neighbors that they have to think of a way to shut their stupid dog up so she's not barking all night long. We live in a condo - it's so beyond unacceptable to have a dog that barks nearly every hour all night long. She needs to sleep in a kennel. 

I want a moment to listen to my Broadway pandora station, to play Candy Crush, to read a book. Maybe even all at the same time. 

I want a moment to rewrite this so it doesn't sound so whiny but meh. Nobody reads my blog anyway (well except for like 5 people who love me despite my faults and wouldn't judge me for being whiny.)

Okay here's a pic of Leah and me that I don't think I put on Instagram. Love her even though she's growing up and leaving me. 

Crazy life

My life is really good right now...very fun, but not overly blogworthy.  I don't take pictures of all of the fun things I do because either I don't think about it or they are just "normal" things. Such as:

I'm part of a goals club and I'm working to accomplish some things in my life...some with success, others not so much.

I eat dinner at my friend Susan's house at least twice a week, often times more.  Her family has made me their family and they are such a blessing to me. Her girls, specifically ABBIE and BECCA are anxious for me to blog more and to blog more about them.  It's coming, girls.  I promise.

Two more ward conferences to go - mixed emotions about that.  I love them but it will be nice to have somewhat quieter Sundays again.

I'm going to Texas in two weeks for Samantha's wedding. (I just searched my blog and I don't think I ever blogged about our trip to Idaho last year to help her shop for her wedding dress.) Samantha was one of my camp girls several years ago but since then we have become very close and she even asked me to be her escort at the temple. I'm so honored and touched and really hope I have enough room in my suitcase for all of the kleenex I will need. She and her sweet fiance are so happy and excited and are going to have a wonderful life together. Oh and I found a dress to wear to the wedding - thank heavens. Guys and their suits/tuxes have it SO easy.

I'm deep in the throes of camp planning...so many  meetings and email already.  I love it even though it occasionally makes me crazy. We're also doing "From Cumorah's Hill" with the youth of our stake and I love it.  It's challenging in that we don't have nearly enough rehearsals but I know it will be amazing.

My BFF Kim is going to be in Utah the first couple of weeks in April and I think our friend Lisa and I are driving down so we can visit her. I'm so, so, so excited to see Kim.  We keep in touch via email, FB and occasional skype and phone calls while she is living overseas but just seeing her and being with her in person will be wonderful.

And, now I'm going to be late to work. (One of my goals is to NOT be late to work...sigh...)

Right now

Apparently I haven't blogged in a month. I'll try one of these to maybe get me back on the wagon again.

Watching: Survivor. I don't know if I can take an entire season of Mr Pink Underwear again. Ugh.

Drinking: water, water and more water. I tried diet Pepsi with lime and holy cow was that stuff disgusting.

Eating: Nothing right this second but my favorite lunch is cucumber sandwiches (slice of French bread, a little veggie cream cheese and sliced cucumber.) So, so good. (Credit goes to my friend Jeni for introducing them to me.)

Listening: the Les Miserables soundtrack. Can't stop. When I'm not listening to it, the songs are going through my head.

Wearing: Christmas pajamas. Of course.

Reading: I just started the book of Jarom in the Book of Mormon. We challenged the youth in our stake to finish the BofM before we perform "From Cumorah's Hill" this May. I'm loving it - especially now that I'm through 2 Nephi.

Feeling: Mixed. That could be because of hormones. TMI? Too bad.

Weather: Cold! I wish we would get at least one snow day instead of this in between stuff. I want spring but I would love to sit at home and watch it snow all day.

Wanting: to go to Utah in April. It might happen. Cross your fingers!

Needing: to figure out how I can get more sleep. I am becoming worse and worse at sleeping and I hate that.

Wishing: well, more praying than wishing. Praying for Jeni's dad and praying for my friends Becky and Sandy who lost their mom last week.

Thinking: that it was four years ago today that my dad died.

Enjoying: the fact that today was the first day in three weeks where I didn't have knee pain. I hurt it doing basically nothing. I probably should still go to the doctor but I'm a dork.

Loving: Candy Crush Saga. I cannot get past level 77. It's probably a good thing that this game only gives you 5 lives at a time.

I wish...

I wish my makeup would miraculously remove itself every night

I wish I was one of those people who aired her grievances and solved all of her problems via social media (okay, only once in awhile...)

I wish my clothes would never get dirty, thus resulting in my never needing to do laundry

I wish I was in England right now just doing anything or nothing with my BFF

I wish I was one of those people who jumped right out of bed when the alarm went off

I wish it wasn't so painful walking into my evening relief society meeting alone, wondering who would sit with me

I wish I would put away my shoes at night instead of leaving them to pile up inside my front door

I wish the frosting on my mint brownies would set up so I could go to bed.

I wish the radio stations would stop playing "Christmas Shoes" once and for all

I wish I could write what I really wish for without sounding whiny and ungrateful

I wish everyone's Christmas wishes would come true

I wish...frosting's done. I'm going to bed!

Who am I?

I'm the girl who can never say no to bread.

I'm the one who cares entirely too much if people like me or not.

I'm the girl who can watch "Pride and Prejudice" lit'rally (say it just like that) every single night as I'm falling asleep.

I'm the dork who says "that was funny" whenever something is, you know, funny.

I'm the aunt who really loves her nieces and nephews.

I'm the girl who uses lipstick as lip balm (gets kind of expensive.)

I'm the one who adds a splash of Cherry Coke to her Diet Coke (thanks to my friend Anne for the awesome idea.)

I'm perfectly happy driving with the heat on full blast for miles.

I'm the person you can call to go with you for your patriarchal blessing (thank you SO much for asking me, Nikki!)

I'm the girl who still hopes desperately that her lifetime will contain some version of the ideal.

I'm that friend who would love to bake you your favorite treat for your birthday.

I'm the person who hates bananas with a passion.

I'm the queen of procrastination.

I'm the kind of person who can't just sit and watch television without doing at least one other thing.

I'm the girl who likes to schedule everything.

I'm the friend you can ask to go with you to Lowe's even though I find no joy in visiting home improvement stores.

I'm the one who knows everything will always get better. Always.

So who am I? I'm Jean Valjean.

Come on, there are at least three of you who thought that I would say that when you read my blog title! I was singing that song in my head and well, that's where this blog came from. So who are you, anyway? Tell me...I'd really love to know.

What I know for sure

I know that having hives is annoying and uncomfortable and I know I am ready to be done with them (what I don't know is where or how I got them.)

I know that I hate feeling as if my kindness and generosity are being taken for granted.

I know that Breaking Dawn Part 2 was way better than I expected it would be.

I know that I will never, ever, ever, ever settle for someone not worthy of me.  Like, ever.

I know that I can't wait to take my annual shopping trip with Michelley next weekend, even though it means I'll miss the Messiah sing along (sad.)

I know that Christmas music has the power to make me incredibly happy yet extremely melancholy all at the same time.

And yes, I know that Christmas Shoes is still the worst Christmas song ever.  (Like, ever.)

I know that getting your visiting teaching done is a whole lot easier when you have a partner (it only took them about six months of begging to give me someone awesome.)

I know that the power of the Priesthood is real and amazing.

I know that I want to go to bed because Benadryl knocks me out.  Every. Single. Time.

Time for a random list...

• I woke up to snow again today.  I think that's three times in the last week?  It seriously makes me laugh out loud when I go outside and find snow.  In March.  In Western Washington. It's not been bad enough to wreak havoc on the roads - just enough to make everything pretty and white.
• I got my new iPad.  It's lovely.  I also got the red smart cover.  Big surprise if you know me at all.
• I have a new found love of Instagram.  I'm ohstop1.  Follow me if you don't already and tell me your name if I don't already follow you. It's just fun.
• My upstairs neighbor got a dog.  So annoying. I'm beyond tired of condo living.
• I have a new mascara that I am loving - it's called "They're Real" and it's made by Benefit. I first heard about it on this fabulous blog and decided to make the switch from the mascara I've been using for the last 20 years (no, not the same tube - that would be disgusting.)  I love this mascara because it's long wearing but not waterproof so easier to remove at night.  I also love that it makes even those short little lashes in the corners of your eyes look longer.

• Six plus weeks without Diet Coke. Who'd have ever thought?
• I have tickets to see the amazing and fabulous Kristin Chenoweth in concert in a couple of months.  I cannot wait. I'm going with Lynda and Tyler and Jeni who will be celebrating their 14th anniversary the night of the concert.  I seriously cannot believe that 1. I've known them that long and 2. that they're old enough to be married that long.
• I haven't read any of The Hunger Games books but I think I still want to see the movie.  I want to read the books but I just can't seem to make time for reading right now. However, I just learned that I can borrow the book for free on my Kindle because I have Amazon Prime.  I heart Amazon Prime.  
• Speaking of books, my mom just read Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet and it is now one of her all time favorite books.  If you're a reader, maybe you should give it a whirl.
• And if you'd like to read a simply amazing testament to the power that comes from reading the Book of Mormon, please go to my friend Michelle's blog and read about her brilliant son Stefan and the ACT.  Michelle and her husband are raising truly incredible children.

What I LOVED about my week

It's February so what are we all thinking about?  Oh, you know, LOVE.  So if it wasn't 10 days before V-day, I would add in the things I don't love but I'm trying to keep it positive.  And I didn't take a single picture this week.  How sad is that???

I LOVED going to Ben's basketball games (well, except for the fact that he broke his pinky at practice.)  Ooh but I LOVED getting to spoil him with treats because of said broken finger.

I LOVED having dinner with a new friend, Tamra, an equally fabulous singleton from my stake. The fact that we had Mexican food was also something I LOVED.

I LOVED listening to "One and Only" by Adele on repeat this week.  If I could post a video, I would but for some reason they don't work with my new layout (hmmm) but here's a link. Yes her music is ridiculously overplayed but this song is amazing.

I LOVED going to our second youth dance festival practice and seeing people I LOVE.

I LOVED Skyping on Thursday night with a bunch of people I LOVE but especially with Kim.  I'm not sure why it's taken us this long to Skype since she moved to London last summer.  I cried when I saw her.  But I LOVE that we have been so good about keeping in touch since she left.  We email several times a week and talk on the phone whenever we can too.  I LOVE my beautiful friend.

I LOVED taking Cindy to lunch on Friday to celebrate her last day at work.  She needs a job - anyone know of anything?

Okay, I'm going to wrap up this pretty weak post with my quote of the week.  Let's just say there were many contenders but this one was my most favorite of all.

"Jeanelle, you get more hugs than anyone I know."

This was said by one of the guys in the Stake Presidency at dance festival practice after watching, well, a bunch of people hug me.  Sweet...  Hope your week has been filled with LOVE.

What I've been doing lately (a blog for Leah)

Dear Leah, 

You said my blog needed a little loving and you're right.  So, for you, here's a short list of what I've been doing lately.

Like you, I got snowed/iced in.

We got 5 inches of snow one day followed by freezing rain the next.  Look at the ice!  I didn't drive to work for three days (hooray for laptops and cell phones and the ability to work from my bed.)

Leah, you had fun playing with all of your friends, sledding, drinking hot chocolate, etc. while I slaved away (um, from my bed.)  But seriously, wasn't the snow/ice beautiful???  A pain and a big mess and you'll be in school until July but so pretty.

My favorite memory of the snow last week? Well, it has to be me sneaking you and Carly and then the next day, Cindy and Lonnie into my office.  Okay, maybe sneaking isn't the appropriate word...but thank you so much for coming to visit me AND for bringing me my favorite beverage too! Snow days are the best!

So what else have I been doing?  Well, not blogging.  My life has felt kind of blah for the last little while.  Yeah, the funk keeps trying to creep in...but I'm fighting it off.  Mostly.

We started Ward Conferences this week. Like last year, I love them so much.  It's seriously such a blessing to be able to visit the youth in our stake.  I want to remember something from the first one.  Our stake YM president was leading a discussion about a young woman who went to a school dance with a non-Mormon boy.  As you well know, the school dances can be pretty awful - bad music, vulgar dancing, etc.  This young woman left the dance to sit out in the hall rather than watch the icky dancing.  Her date came out to find her and when she explained why she was in the hall, he said "okay" and went back inside and left her where she was.  Pres. A. asked the group what they would have done had they been this young woman.  Our girl Paige, said "well, I'd call Sister Shaw and she'd come get me." Love that (and her.)

Let's see, what else have I been doing?  Well, I've been playing with this cute girl. Love Instagram.

Oh something else exciting...my BFF Kim sent me a cute package of my favorite Easter candy all the way from London!  How amazing and wonderful is she?  (and Kara wrote the note...doesn't she have the nicest handwriting?  Now you can see why I would always have her do writing projects for me for camp.)

And lastly, one of the best things I've done lately is Skype with you and also with Nikki and Emily.  So fun.  Let's do it again soon, okay? 

There, now you have something to read during 6th period.

Love you so much!!

Shimmy Shimmy Shaw

Be a better blogger

So if you look at the archive on my sidebar, you'll see that 2011 has not been a good year for blogging. In fact, this entry is only my 30th for the entire year.  That's kind of sad, isn't it? I think it is.

I was thinking about it and I've come to the conclusion that I just never think to blog about the normal stuff I do every day.  For example, yesterday I brought Denae's mint brownies to work (and received no less than 3 marriage proposals: from one married man plus from two gay men.  The mint brownies are pretty powerful so consider yourself warned!)  Then after work I stopped at the King's, we ate some pizza and then I went to my last Young Women in Excellence night for the year.  I mean, it was certainly a fun day but I'm thinking the only person who wants to read a detailed account of my day is Kim and that's only because she's so far away in dang London.  But do you know who else is interested in my minutiae?

Me.

So here's my point...I'm going to try and blog about stuff I would normally never think to blog about.  Why?  Well, it's not for any of you, really. I mean, I love comments and I love feedback and I love the friends I've made through this blog (seriously, blogging has truly blessed my life.)  But it's because I went back and read some of my past entries this week and I love love LOVE that I have this little record of my life since 2008.  My blog isn't the greatest blog out there.  I haven't even updated my layout since I started, pretty much.  I'm not the best at putting pictures on here.  I know I blogged too much about television shows and I've also left a lot of the good stuff out because I'm a chicken but you know what?  I still like this blogging thing a whole lot.

So here's to more blogging in 2012!

Did you know...?

That I'm the thirstiest ever on Sundays? I cannot drink enough water on days like today.

That going to a Messiah sing-along is sure to fill you with the Christmas spirit?

That despite the influx of Christmas spirit, I might not put up my tree this year?  I'm just not feeling it.

That sometimes your prayers are answered by a sweet little 4 year old girl who invites you to sit with her during church and then proceeds to hug and kiss and love you right out of your mini-funk?

That yesterday I filled 7.5 bags up with clothes that are too big?  

That it's physically impossible to ever really be done with laundry?

That whenever you feel like you have problems, people get up during church and talk about their pain and then you feel like a total dork because your life is so dang good the way it is?

That my mom is the absolute best because she is going to wrap all of my Christmas presents for me?

That my hair is the longest it's been since I was like 5 years old?

That I'm spending one whole day this week baking treats for people I love with one of my most favorite friends?

That I can't think of anything else to say?

I'm thankful for...

Because I'm waiting for a cheesecake to cool enough to put it in the refrigerator and because I have too much on my mind to sleep tonight anyway, I thought, hey, why not blog?  So without further ado, here is a list of things I'm thankful for (but no pictures because I'm lazy...don't hate.)  I'll get the meaningful/serious stuff out first...keep reading for the lighter stuff.

I'm thankful for my life.  It's not perfect.  It's not easy.  It's not always rosy.  But it's a good life and I like it most of the time.

I'm thankful for my family.  We're not perfect but when it comes right down to it, we really love each other.  I know it and they know it. There is a peace and contentment that comes from that knowledge that cannot be matched.

I'm thankful for so many people I can't even begin to name them all.  But basically, if you read this blog, you're probably on this list.  If you text/call/email me, you're on this list.  If you call me Jeanellie or Sister Shaw or Sh-Shaw or Shimmy-Shimmy-Shaw, you're on this list.  If you smile at me, make me laugh, hug me or tell me you love me, you're most definitely on this list - and quite possibly near the very top.

I'm thankful for my testimony.  I'm thankful to know that my nature is divine.  I'm thankful to know that we have a living prophet on the earth today.  I'm thankful for Joseph Smith.  I'm thankful for my older brother (and yours) Jesus Christ. I'm especially thankful for prayer.

I'm thankful for work -- both in the church and in the world.  I have been blessed with the greatest calling and I've been blessed with a wonderful job, working with (mostly) wonderful people.

And on a slightly lighter note...in no particular order

I'm thankful for my iPhone, the color red, crushed ice, my ability to bake, cute pajamas, and that I'm a girl and not a boy.  I'm thankful for makeup and hair dryers and pretty purses.  I'm thankful for music - especially the new Michael Buble Christmas CD and pretty much any show tune. I'm thankful I weigh less this November than I did last November. I'm thankful for Eclipse gum and bagel thins with peanut butter.  I'm thankful for the movie "Pride and Prejudice."  I'm thankful for sheets and pillows and blankets and memory foam mattress toppers.  I'm thankful for those dark chocolate acai berries at Costco.  I'm thankful for fun watches and cute earrings. I'm thankful for inside jokes.  I'm thankful for babies and cute little kids. I'm thankful for hope.

There's the timer!  I can put my cheesecake in the fridge now - yay!  Happy Thanksgiving to all and to all a good night!

Thoughts in my head

I'm still reveling in the greatness that was last weekend's General Conference. I took a bunch of notes of things that mattered to me at this point in my life and was surprised at some of the things that I was ready to hear and take in (instead of just thinking "that applies to someone else" as I have done in the past.)  My BFF Kim texted me and quoted Matthew 13:23 and said my heart has fertile soil for planting.  I hope that's true!  My favorite talks were by Elder Bednar (The Spirit of Revelation) and Elder Scott (The Eternal Blessings of Marriage.)

Oh and speaking of that BFF of mine...she's moving far, far away.  Like, far.  Like, I will need to finally get a passport, far.  I can hardly think about it without getting sad and even worse are the countless people who are (kindly) asking me "whatever will you do without Kim?"  Kim came up with the best response so the next person who (kindly) asks me that question will hear me (kindly) say "whatever will Kim do without me?"

This past Sunday was simply wonderful because a whole bunch of kids I love are home from BYU-I.  I couldn't stop smiling because every time I turned around, another cute boy or girl was coming up to say hi and give me a hug.  Love love love the fabulous youth I've met through church service. LOVE!

I'm a terrible visiting teacher (yes, Kellie, this is a public apology.)  I used to be good only because I had a fabulous partner who took the initiative to make the appointments.  Now I have a new partner who is much like me - super busy and not a good appointment maker.  Why oh why is it so hard for me to make the appointments? 

I've got Shirley MacLaine on Oprah going in the background.  Um...I have no idea what to say about that.

We did interviews last week for an opening in our office and seriously, I thought the last one would kill me.  I'd love to get into more detail but if I told you, well, you know what I'd have to do.

Um, oh yeah.  I bought a new car.  I posted it on Facebook (and yes, Lindsey, Facebook makes me a lazy blogger too!) so that made me forget to blog about it.  It's a 2008 Honda CR-V and it has all of the cool features I never knew I needed but am totally loving now.  I can now change my radio station without lifting a finger off of my steering wheel!  I have heated seats!  I can have my heat up to 85 but the person sitting in the passenger seat can have it on 68 (yeah, Krysta, I'm talking to you.)  I love it. It's cute and Kim says I look very cute while driving it so it must be true.

I just finished my taxes.  Every year, I have good intentions to get them done as soon as I get my W2 but no. And the worst thing is, I get a refund every year so it's not even like I'm waiting to send them money. I'm just lazy.

I've got a fun bridal shower coming up at the end of the month for darling Jamie.  Boni helped me make super cute invitations.  We have a great menu planned but I'm struggling with a game or activity.  At previous showers, we've done the ask the fiance questions and then the fiancee has to guess what he said and hilarity ensues.  I've done the match the wedding terms and get a candy bar game.  I'm tired of those.  I need a new game!  Ideas, anyone???  Not a long drawn out game, please...this is a weeknight shower and people need to go to bed.  Please send me your good ideas!

My words of wisdom

This September, I will have worked for my company for 24 years. Yes, I was only 10 when I started working there. Okay, okay, I was 12.  Anyway, rather than calling attention to the fact that I’m indeed, old, I tell you this because with experience (and years on this earth) comes knowledge.

Basically what I’m trying to tell you is this: I know stuff.

There’s a guy in my office who realizes that I do in fact, know stuff, so he comes over every Wednesday to get words of wisdom from me. These vary between work related advice (i.e. if you have to choose between working solely from home vs. working in an office, choose the office if you want to ever get promoted) to items that are more personal (if you’re a female high school teacher, it might not be a good idea to exchange cell numbers and then text with a male student 800 times over a period of a month. See here.)

I know it’s not yet Wednesday but I thought I’d share a few items of wisdom with you because I know a handful of you miss the blogger Jeanelle. I miss her too. She needs to blog more often (yes, I just dropped 3rd person!)

1. If you’re dating (or thinking about dating) multiple people at once, try to keep the facts straight about each person. If that involves creating an Excel spreadsheet for yourself, just do it. It’s totally okay to date more than one person at a time. Just make sure you know the basic facts about the person you happen to be talking to instead of asking ridiculous questions that don’t apply to them (i.e. thinking you have a roommate or that you live in a city not remotely close to the one you actually do live in – both topics covered at length during previous phone calls.)

2. If someone offers you a piece of that super dark whatever percentage cacao chocolate, just don’t eat it. It will not taste good. At all.

3. Every so often friends can turn into beloveds (i.e. my darling Callie & her sweetheart Andrew.) More often than not, however, if you fall in love with a guy who is already your very good friend, he will probably only be able to see you as a friend. It hardly ever happens like it does in the movies and books where the guy is smart enough to see that the girl he is BFF’s with would also make a totally awesome girlfriend. Yes, it stinks and yes it’s totally unfair. But don’t give up hope – there are lots of cute fish in the sea! (And secret message to another sweet girl whom I adore and love having late-night text-fests with: I’m totally blogging about you…again! Why? Because I love you!)

4. If you ever get asked to work with the youth of the church, whether it’s chaperoning a dance, teaching a skill at a Mutual activity, going to YW camp or youth conference, etc. just say yes. Don’t even hesitate. Serving the youth of the church, while it can at times be sucks-the-life-out-of-you hard, is truly the greatest thing I’ve ever done. Ever. I cannot even begin to count all of the ways my church service with the youth has blessed my life.

5. When you’re at a day-long youth activity like the YW general broadcast followed by a dinner followed by a stake dance (or basically you're on your feet from 3:00-11:30 PM) bring slippers to wear when your feet start to hurt. Because trust me, they will start to hurt, no matter how comfy your shoes were at 2:45 PM.

Success is...

Finally figuring out how to get your iTunes playlists off your old and dying computer and onto your new and healthy computer without having to recreate them.

Using a long knife to stab and withdraw the half a bagel thin I dropped in the space between the cupboard and the fridge before it stayed there and grew moldy and forgotten.

Getting to stay home an entire day, wearing sweats and comfy socks but no makeup because it snowed the night before.

Nothing in the laundry basket.

Discovering a great dinner (a lighter version of a BBQ chicken chopped salad) and eating it three nights in a row.

Doing something great at work that made me look like a superstar.  Earlier in the week, I was accused of "slipping" by my beloved boss and he threatened to replace me with Minka Kelly (aka Lila Gerrity from Friday Night Lights.  No, she is not going to be an exec assistant anytime soon - but he can dream.) But today, I was awesome and I reclaimed my title as queen of everything and poor Minka goes back on his laminated list.

Blogging two days in a row!

Things I love

To try and break the bloggers block...

I love days where it's a blizzard one second and sunny the next and then more blizzarding followed by more sun.  A day where I get to leave work early.  A day like today.

I love going to my friends, the Allens for a sleepover.  Why?  Their kids love me plus we do nothing except talk, relax, eat and go to Costco.  Oh and we also watched Social Network which I really enjoyed for the most part.  Oh and we never take pictures of all of the fun we have.  Why?  Because we are too busy talking, eating, relaxing and shopping at Costco.

I love ice cream cones.  Yes, even in the winter time.  Sugar cone, please, with slow churned cookie dough ice cream.  It's the only time I stay within (or close to it) the recommended serving size.  But seriously, who eats half a cup of ice cream at a time? 

I love spiritual growth.  I've loved attending two wards most Sundays (yes, I know that sounds a little crazy) for ward conferences.  It's been a much welcomed spiritual boost and I just feel great.

And speaking of, I love ward conferences.  Besides the spiritual growth, I love seeing so many friends and I love the program we are doing for the youth of our stake.  We only have two more - I'm almost a little bit sad about that (but going to my ward again will be nice too.)

I love my hair (please forgive the vanity.)  I'm growing the length and I like it but I promise not to let it get to "that" length.  (You know - when it's too long for my age.)  Plus I just got the color done (yes, two months since the last time and yes, I hate that.)  But really, I'm grateful I just have hair.

I love water.  It seriously is the best beverage.

I love sweet messages from lovely people on my Facebook wall (you know who you are.)  I have such great people in my life.

And, I think that's it.  What do YOU love?

Q&A: An interview with me by me

Q: Why on EARTH have you not blogged in weeks?
A: Well, it's a combination of the following things: nothing that exciting to report, some kind of interesting things that I don't feel comfortable sharing and some spiritual things that are kind of personal and I'm unsure HOW to share them.  So I just haven't blogged. 

Q: Is it true you went to Target today for tissues and gum and spent $80?
A: Yes, alas that is true.  Having a Target a block away from my office is painful to my bank account.

Q: What do you think of the Bachelor this season?

A: I like it but obviously not as passionately as in previous seasons.  Thus, no blogs about it.  But I'm guessing I hate the same girl you hate (Michelle - ugh.)  I like Brad more than I did at the beginning of the season.  I still hate the way he talks but LOVE the way he hates drama and takes care of it by quickly getting rid of the drama-causers (except stupid Michelle.)

Q: How's the calling going?

A: WAY better.  We sort of hit a major rough spot in December but things have been working better ever since then.  I'm also feeling more comfortable speaking up in our committee meetings, which makes this calling more bearable (I despise feeling like I don't have a voice or don't get to vote.)

Q: What are your latest food obsessions?

A: Vanilla yogurt with granola and celery with a little peanut butter.  (Yes I'm trying to be healthier this year and it's feeling really great.)

Q: How many unread items in your Google Reader?

A: 788

Q: Well, if you're not reading blogs regularly, what are you reading?

A: Um, nothing.  I haven't read a book since December.  That's very sad, I know.

Q: What play are you seeing this week?

A: Rock of Ages.  I think Constantine from American Idol is in it too. My early 20's self is really excited to rock out for a couple of hours.  It will be difficult to not sing out loud.

Q: What restaurant are you going to for the first time ever this week?

A: Ruth's Chris.  KMZT and I are going before the play.  I'm not sure how it will play into my healthy eating pledge but I'll figure out a way to make it work.

Q: Is there anything else you want to share?

A: Have I mentioned that I'm helping with our stake's Trek this summer?  Well, I am.  I'm still Pa-less so obviously I won't be pulling a handcart but I get to be in charge of activities with my dear friend Lisa.  I'm very excited but a little bit overwhelmed thinking about all that my assignment entails.  But it will be wonderful - I know it.

And with that...nighty night!

And now, random thoughts...

But first, thank you to everyone who commented, emailed, or texted me a little love after my last entry. You are all simply wonderful and I'm blessed to know you.

Things are better -- I made it through last Sunday without falling apart.  Go me.

Work is so incredibly stressful. Like, the worst ever.  If what I need to have happen on Monday happens, I will sleep like a baby that night for the first time in a week.  And the perma-stomach ache will go away.  And maybe, just maybe, the eye twitch will stop.  Stress stinks.

I'm liking American Idol a lot.  I appreciate that we are seeing less meanness and more of the good auditions.  Steven Tyler just has "it."  I don't care what anyone says.  Mmmm.  And I own three Jennifer Lopez CDs and love them.  So there.

Post nasal drip?  Not my favorite thing.

I've been using Latisse on my eyelashes since December and you know what?  It totally works.  I'll try to get someone to take a picture.  It's kind of awesome.

Celery with a little peanut butter is my current favorite snack.  Yum.

It's not wintry here and I want it to be.  Is that crazy?

Modern Family makes me laugh a lot. Not so much this week's episode but loved the last two, especially the "slow down your neighbors" one.  Seriously hilariously funny.

That's all I got.  Bed time...nighty night.

Lost

I'm not one of those people who can just sit and watch a TV show or movie - I have to be doing other things.  So this week I'm off work (yay!) and I decided to finally get around to watching the last season of Lost.  I set up my Wii to stream Netflix (so cool!) and I've spent the last few days watching this very exciting, very stressful and at times horribly sad TV show.

I have two more episodes to watch and I still can't believe I've remained "unspoiled" and really have no idea what's going to happen in the end. I thankfully can send my sister text messages when shocking things happen but I want to talk to you, dear readers, as well.  In case you are still planning to watch, I'll speak in code.  Why oh why did X, Y, and Z have to die?  How did I not know that a certain West Wing actress was going to play a pivotal role? And what they did with a main character this season just kills me. Kills me, I tell you!

Anyway, I have to say, it's excellent TV but it's painful TV which makes it even harder to watch without something else to do.  So here's a list of what I've been doing whilst watching Lost:

1. Laundry. Three loads today, in fact. Clean sheets tonight = heaven.

2. Eating.  Christmas leftovers put Thanksgiving leftovers to shame.  From ham sandwiches on homemade bread to my mom's best she's ever made peanut brittle, January 1st can't get here soon enough.

3. Throwing out piles of paper.  I need to be better about throwing stuff out in 2011.  I keep way too much stuff.

4. Playing Fruit Ninja, Scrabble and Cut the Rope on my iPhone.  Seriously, such fun games. My high score on Fruit Ninja/arcade is 430.  How about you?

Hope you all are enjoying your holiday break as much as I am.

Why, why, why?

Why hasn't "Love Actually" been on TV yet this holiday season?  I can't watch this movie unedited because, well, it's got some pretty bad stuff in it.  But edited, the movie is just sweet and romantic and set during Christmas and it should be on TV at least once this month.

Why are the treats at Trader Joe's SO good?  From the dark chocolate covered caramels to the peppermint Joe-Joe's (so good used in Oreo truffles instead of plain Oreos) to the dark chocolate covered shortbread stars that my pal KMZT surprised me with today.  Trader Joe's knows how to do treats.

Why did it take a trip to Portland for me to realize that Salt City Candles now makes melters (a la Scentsy?)  I used to sell their candles several years ago and have hoarded a few of my favorites because I still believe there is not a better scented candle out there. That being said, I enjoy the Scentsy premise (i.e. no flame) but haven't really loved any of their winter/holiday scents like Salt City's.  I happened upon a kiosk in the mall when I was in Portland and thought I'd died and gone to heaven.  I currently have Victorian Christmas going in my cute Scentsy red snowflake warmer and next it will be either Candy Cane or Christmas Trimmings. So dang good.

And finally, why oh WHY did I agree to take the early shift tomorrow??  I have to be at my desk at 7 AM.  I am feeling the pain already.  Ugh.