Giving Thanks

I am thankful for:

* Wonderful, amazing parents- they are my rock and I have no idea what I would do without them.

* Family/friends- both old and new

* Health

* Job, home, car, material comfort

* Free education

* Freedom

* My religion and the comfort and guidance it gives me

* A best friend who knows me sometimes better than I know myself

* A miracle baby named Hunter who brings so much joy to my life

And on the silly side, I'm thankful for:
* CHEERIOS

* Book stores

* Funny boys to text with

* Hunter's ears (I can't help it, I love them!)

* The entire Veronica Mars series on DVD

* Pink, furry Skullcandy headphones

A dream come true

Spend Christmas Eve & Morning in the house from A Christmas Story

VIP EXPERIENCE FOR 4 WITH AIRFARE, HOTEL, & MEALS INCLUDED!

Twilight movie review

Once upon a time, I was a huge Twilight fan. When I first discovered the book, tucked away in the dusty corners of the YA section at Border’s, I was going through hell in my personal life. I had just someone very close to me and was without rhyme or reason. Enter Twilight and it’s beautiful, haunting cover. I bought the book, read it in a weekend and became a Twilight stalker. I went to Stephenie Meyer’s website every day. I did numerous Google searches looking for other fans…and I wasn’t disappointed. I was so impatient for the release of New Moon that I bought the ARC off of e-Bay for $75. Then, the series exploded. Twilight was everywhere. And I grew tired of it.

I did, however, see the movie this weekend. As disenchanted as I am with the rest of the series, Twilight will always be a favorite. I went into the movie not expecting much and I wasn’t disappointed. Being the bibliophile that I am, I have created a Twilight world in my imagination that could never have been lived up to on the silver screen. I thought the majority of the characters were very poorly cast: Kristin Stewart can’t act, Robert Pattinson looked constipated the entire movie, the actor playing Jasper looked like Edward Scissorhands. I thought Esme, Billy and Renee were well cast, as was Charlie. And don’t even get me started on James…he was the bright spot in the entire movie for me.

I laughed during in the entire first half, both due to the acting and the fact that I had a group of friends with me who can come up with one-liners like nobody’s business. The second half of the movie, I was horribly distracted because I had to pee like a race horse. Hey, I’m just keeping it real here. I will say the fight scene in the ballet studio was pretty wicked…probably cause it had James in it. And yet, I’m going to go see this movie again this weekend with my mother. Maybe being able to concentrate will make a difference. But then, maybe not.

Twilight- so bad, it’s good.

Thank heaven for little boys

Just seeing these pictures fills my heart with so much love and gratitude. I adore this little guy to the point of distraction!!

New stuff

I've decided to get new bedding. I love my denim but I want something a little more feminine. I'm loving this set so far.

And the curtains to go with it. Well, they aren't the same pattern but the colors match.


This hamper is very cute as well.





And, while I'm at it, why not throw in a new set of dinnerware?

Quote Me

Because I'm obviously on some kind of vampire-kick...

Vampire Academy Series

In January of 2006, I bought and devoured a book called Twilight. You might have heard of it. I was sucked into the world created by Stephenie Meyer and waited anxiously for each sequel. I was a bit disappointed in each sequel that was released but read it because it was a continuation of Twilight.

Then, the Twilight phenomenon began. I was inundated by Edward and Bella and Forks and on and on. I grew tired of it all. To tell the truth, I still am. Sure, bought the box set. Sure, I'm seeing the movie this weekend. But I just can't get into it like I used to.

Which leads me to my main topic for the day. After my break-up with Twilight, I needed a new world to immerse myself in. I should say here that, while I am a bibliophile, I am not a literary snob. I'll read pretty much anything that piques my interest. Last Christmas, desperate for something to read and the selection at the grocery store in my parents small, 700+ population town being slim, I ended up with Vampire Academy. This book sucked me in. It had more darkness and edge, which I love, than did Twilight. Rose isn't nearly as whiny as Bella. She kind of reminds of myself with her sassy attitude and lust for violence (I would have been a much better vampire slayer than Buffy).

There are now three books in the series: Vampire Academy, Frostbite, and Shadow Kiss, which was released last Tuesday. And which I have stayed up late the last two nights to finish. At 11:00PM last night I read the last of the book, my sickening intuition confirmed, and realized there will be more books. At least two, according to the author's website.

If you are looking for some mindless entertainment that has some umpf to it. check out the series.

Highway to Hell

I have pretty much accepted that I will be going to hell for this post. I don't mind, really. At least I'll be amongst friends.

Saw this on the TV at Margaritaville my birthday weekend. Laughed so hard I almost peed my pants.

Who DOESN'T need Pope on a Rope?

"Just so I have my plastic Jesus sittin' on the dashboard of my car..."

Me Wants The Precious

(Hmmm...maybe I'll attempt to use movie lines as post titles. Or not.)

I love Veronica Mars. This is no secret. I've already confessed that I watch the entire series over and over on DVD. However, there is one set item on VM that I adore and would give one of my molars for. It's the cabinet behind the desk in the picture below. I believe it's an old library (how appropriate) or office cabinet. And I want it. To me, it's the One Ring.

(I like that chair, too.)

Random Stuff

I've given up using song titles and post titles. For now. It's just too much for my infection-riddled mind to come up with a song that matches.

• When I got home yesterday, DHL had left my JBL Spyro speaker system on my front step. Not smart when I live in an apartment. I mean, really. The resident office is just across the way- leave it there! That frustration aside, the speakers ROCK! I was blown away that such amazing sound could come from such a tiny little system. I'm sure my neighbors were loving me playing Sweet Child of Mine at top volume at 9:30PM. I love paybacks...he, he.


• I broke down and went to the doctor last night. I have a slight sinus infection, an upper respiratory infection and small inner-ear infection. Fantastic. To add to that comfort and joy, the antibiotics the doctor prescribed are making me nauseous. And I found out I have a heart murmur, too. No biggie.


• ASU is offering a free shuttle from campus (right outside my office) to the airport next week for Thanksgiving Break. Niiiiice.


• I burned out my second hair dryer in three months this morning.


• Twilight comes out Friday and I'll be seeing it on Saturday. And exploring the new TWO STORY Barnes & Noble at San Tan Village.

The Woman In Me

Wants to be a librarian. (Yes, I know that title is wonky but I'm still attempting to use song titles for my post titles). Badly. But sometimes I wonder if I'm going to make it. Another two years, minimum, of school after I finish my undergrad just seems more than I can handle some days. Then I walk into a library or bookstore and my love of books and knowledge and research comes rushing back. And it helps to have library-ish stuff around. Such as:

How cute is this? Yes, I have personalized book plates in a great deal of my books but this would allow me to track who has borrowed which book (like I would forget).

A recent e-Bay purchase. A 1950s book on being a librarian.

A recent amazon.com purchase.

And a great quote to end with:

"Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing

your temper or your self-confidence."

- Robert Frost

Listen To The Music

As much as I am enamoured with my MacBook, the sound kind of sucks. And the stero system my parents bought me for Christmas my senior year of high school is wearing out. So, I bought this adorable little speaker set. Yay me.

My Grown-up Christmas List

Dear Santa,

One word: PLEASE.

Once-In-A-Lifetime Kenny Chesney Package

YOUR PACKAGE FOR FOUR INCLUDES:

* Four concert tickets to Kenny Chesney’supcoming 2009 Tour in Dallas

* Meet and greet with Kenny Chesney including:

* photo opportunity

* Soundcheck Experience

* One autographed guitar, CD and photo of your meeting with Kenny in a memorabilia display case

* Travel accommodations for four includefirst-class flights and two rooms at a luxury hotel

* Limousine transportation to and from concert

All for only $9,900

Hurt So Good

I have something in my genetic make-up that makes it impossible for me to have a normal relationship with a guy.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

I received my Pottery Barn holiday catalog in the mail recently. So much inspiration.

I wish this was my front entrance. The star, the lighted grapevine ball, the lanterns. Perfect.

I think I'm going to attempt to duplicate this present garland.

I have two hurricane vases sitting on the on a chest in my "dining area." This will be their fate come the first of December.

Not holiday decor, but the journal lover in me adores this collection. A journal for every month of the year. Bloody brilliant idea.

Come To My Window

Note: I am experimenting with using song titles as my post titles. We'll see how it goes.

I love my apartment. I loved it when I moved in and I love it still. It's very nice (the sign out front says "luxury apartments") and doesn't feel apartment-y at all. I especially love living on the ground floor and not having to climb stairs. The only draw back has always been that my bedroom window is exposed to the sidewalk and greenbelt. No big deal. I leave my window open a crack at night and set my alarm. No worries.

That is, there were no worries until a massive monsoon took down the big tree outside my bedroom window. I was sad...there was light from the yard lights coming in my window. And I felt exposed even though I have blinds and curtains. Then, a massive weed-bush grew around the stump of the fallen tree and I felt a bit better.

However, the yard maintenance guys, deciding to do their job for once, cut down this bush over the weekend. And now there is nothing between the sidewalk and my bedroom window. I give you this background so you'll understand where I am coming from with this next part.

A very good friend from high school is in town (Hi Nik!) and we met for dinner last night. We got wrapped up in good conversation and I didn't get home until 12:30. I climbed into bed, exhausted, and was just falling asleep when I was awoke by a noise.

No, I didn't spring from my bed. I sat up in bed and called out, "Jake?" I don't know anyone named Jake. Why I called this name I don't know. But, no one answered. I sat still listening and then it occur ed to me what I was hearing. There was someone walking around in the rock right outside my bedroom window.

I freaked.

I grabbed my pocketknife off the bedside table and bolted for my bedroom door. I recently disconnected my home phone and both my cell and Blackberry were in my purse. In the living room. Great.

Once I was in the living room, I decided to peak out the patio door and see if I could see who was out there. I looked out the blinds but couldn't see anyone. I turned on the outdoor light but couldn't see anyone. Yet I knew someone had been right outside my bedroom window.

And that freaks me out.

Reflections of Christ

In February, Erin and I went to see the Reflections of Christ documentary and exhibit at the Mesa Temple Visitor's Center. It was a deeply moving film and exhibit and I've been waiting for it to be released in book or print form. My wait is over. Deseret Book has released the DVD, CD and book of Reflections of Christ. All three have already been added to my Christmas list.

One of my favorite images from the exhibit.