Recession Schmecession

There's a recession going on. Did ya know?

Seems that every time you turn on the television there are endless reports of economic doom and gloom. Frankly I think the media is doing more to harm the economy than anything economic. But I digress...

If you're one who has not felt the effects of the economic downturn then I implore you to be grateful. Get down on your knees and thank the good Lord. I for one have felt it. Intensely. I still have a job, yes. But my once booming employment is merely a shadow of what it was just a few years ago when we were turning away work we couldn't handle. Now we are chomping at the bit for any scrap of work that falls our way. For the past few months I've been billing about half of what I'm used to, becoming something of a part time employee with a lot of lovely (unpaid) days off simply for the lack of work. And while I immensely enjoy not working, I enjoy money (ie. the ability to pay my bills) even more. And for a gal with a mortgage, car payment, credit card bills, etc this economic downturn has daily forced me to my knees pleading for the Lord to work His mighty miracles in behalf of my coworkers and myself.

Confession. I love Joel Osteen. Love 'im. He spoke of God's power and I completely agree with him about what can happen when we put our faith in the Almighty.

God is ready to present you with new opportunities. He wants to open new doors before you. It doesn’t matter what’s happening in the world around you, in the economy, the housing industry, or with job reports; God’s Word still remains true. He rewards the people who seek after Him. He’s not the least bit concerned about how He’s going to supply your needs. There is no recession in heaven. He has His eye on you, and He still opens doors that no one can shut! In an instant, He can bring the right people into your life, the right opportunities, and the right resources to take you to a new level.
But in order to go to a higher level, you have to have a higher way of thinking. You can’t stay focused on what’s happening in the natural nor allow worry and fear to fill your thoughts. Remember, God’s ways are higher than our ways. He is working on our behalf behind the scenes in the supernatural realm. Choose to keep an attitude of faith and expectancy. As you do, you’ll move forward through the open doors of blessing God has prepared for you.

Happy (belated) Thanksgiving.

The man who forgets to be thankful has fallen asleep in life.
-Robert Louis Stevenson

I have so much I want to say on this subject right now but I think it's best left unsaid (by me at least). I so loved this thought from Kristin Armtrong's blog which reminded me that no matter my troubles I am well served by being grateful.

Let's let Thanksgiving serve as a reminder, not an exception. What if gratitude could become our default? There is nothing as potent as gratitude when it comes to quelling a longing, calming restlessness, quieting anxious thoughts, filling emptiness, overcoming doubt or celebrating abundance. It is a force we can tap into at will, one with the ability to change out perspectives and fuel our potential. When our starting point is gratitude we have already won before we begin.
-Kristin Armstrong 11/29/08

I kind of glazed past the month of November without really reflecting on all the things I'm thankful for. I feel it's better late than never for giving thanks. My current top 10 thankfultudes:

1. Jesus and the Book of Mormon.
2. The space heater in my office and any heater for that matter.
3. My Morty boys and their mom and M1's and my new blog.
4. Date Night Tuesdays and Singstar Saturdays (which occur anyday of the week, not just saturday).
5. Having any work to do at work and getting a paycheck no matter how small. A boss who doesn't care what time I come to work. Not having a Christmas Party this year because the company is too poor.
6. My new ward. How kind and welcoming everyone has been. Not feeling like a fish out of water as a single amongst the families.
7. Fiji water and cheap gas feuling my road trips to/from Utah.
8. Support and encouragement in going forth in a new career field even though I feel completely inadequate and scared (albeit excited).
9. The public library.
10. Music that expresses my emotions better than I ever could.

You can call me Shelby Rae

Did I tell you about the time when I went to NFR last week and when the Rodeo Queens rode out I clapped my hands like a little girl and squealed "Oh! They're so pretty!" outloud? It's the honest to goodness truth.

I love everything about rodeo. I love it so much that I want nothing more in life than to be a Rodeo Queen. I still have to work on my collection of sparkly shirts, beltbuckles & chaps and making my hair really big. Oh, and I need a horse. But, when those things come together I will be ready because ya see... any great rodeo queen needs a great cowgirl name and a cowboy husband and little cowbabies and a cowhorse... well, just a horse. And I got that all figured out.

So... when I become a rodeo queen my name will be Shelby Rae McCann. My cowboy husband will be named Brooks (oh, and he'll be a steer wrestler) and our little cowbabyboys will be named Colt and Beau*. And my horse will be named Oakley.

The scary part about this is... I'm actually serious.

Oh and at NFR we were really close to cutie little bullrider BJ Schumacher. See?

*In reality I really do want to name my future sons Colt and Beau. See how I have trouble distinguishing between reality and non-reality?

It's snowing.

Yes. It's snowing in Las Vegas.

Did you hear that?

Snow. In Vegas.

It would behoove us all to go home and repent because Hell just froze over.

Canyonlands Half Marathon 2009

Here I come! I'm coming to PR!

Anyone else running it?

Finally found what I'm looking for... in a relationship.

*more photos coming soon

As you noticed (or not) I’ve been away for a while. Much of this is due to the fact that I am now in a serious relationship … with these two:

The Black Widow & The Other One

OK, OK sorry. I always hate when people try and trick you into thinking they’re datable/marryable. Lest you worry, I’m still here. Your singleton friend, ever faithful, ever true. Ever undatable, ever unmarryable (apparently).

But, I am happy. I’m always happy (except when I’m not, but I digress). The point here is to tell you about my lovers, er… girlfriends, er… friends. Don’t get the wrong idea about me. I’m all about the men. (Hey Balls*, have I ever told you how much I LOVE MEN?) But a girl needs her girls and let me tell you… I got awesome girls!

Every Tuesday night has turned into DATE NIGHT with The Black Widow (the erstwhile Consumer) and The Other One. Our relationship started out strong- a weekend trip to UT which included egregious amounts of food (Hello JDawgs!), a dress-up/photo shoot and SingStar! (obviously…) Things went so well that we took family photos (I'll show you later). And, decided that we need to see each other on a weekly basis.

Tuesday 1 was food again… TC’s Rib Crib. Excuse me while I wipe the drool off my keyboard. If you ever come visit me in Vegas I’m pretty sure we should eat here.

Tuesday 2 was the drive in movie. How long has it been since you’ve been to the drive in? I highly suggest going again. Soon. Seriously. So. Fun. True to form we had food and lots of it. What food? KFC! We’ve been on a KFC bender ever since because damn, that was good. Oh, and we had candy. Lots of it. What can I say… We like food!

Tuesday 3 was a failure as I was out of the country (ie. I was in Utah) and had to miss out. It’s true what they say about absence making the heart grow fonder.

Tonight is Tuesday 4 and thus marks our one month anniversary and subsequently my longest serious relationship to date (kidding… kind of). We’re going to go see it snow in Las Vegas. “But it doesn’t snow in Las Vegas!” I hear you thinking. I know. It doesn’t. But keep in mind that everything about Las Vegas is artificial (and yes, the breasts are very much included in that statement) so naturally we’d have artificial snow. You know what’s NOT artificial about Las Vegas? The cold and the wind. BRR!

Now would be the appropriate time to congratulate me on finally finding a fulfilling, serious relationship.

*This is not nearly as dirty as it sounds. Balls is a person.

JOKE

I had a Japanese intern once; I asked him to get some supplies and he never came back. In the end I went to look for him and he jumped out waving his arms and shouted "SUPPLIES!"

I'M BACK!

I'm alive and I'm back.

I had to take a little hiatus from blogging for personal reasons (ie- just didn't feel like blogging) but I missed you all so much and I'm sure you missed me too. But I'm back now and boy, do we have a lot to talk about.

Expect a big post this weekend full of funny, serious, interesting, dull, random, whatev.

Until then... here's a funny picture:

DRUMROLL....

And the winners of the 300th Post Giveaway are....

Anne! who said... I love your blog because I love you.

Reagan! who said... Cropper you have to know how much I love you! And I love everything you post.

Amander! who said... I like you cause you are funny and smart and cute (your blog is also all of these things).

An honorable mention goes to ~*Holla at a PLAYA*~ who was actually one of the winners but since I'll be spending the next 10 days with her I figure that is prize enough. Don't worry playa- you'll get the goods too.

OK Ladies- email me your address and shirt size (I typically use the Gap Essential T) at cropstar5 at hotmail dot com and in 2 weeks you will receive your package chock-full of awesome!

Thanks everyone who participated for telling me how much you love me and my blog (I feel so good about myself)! You're the best! I love you all!

Last day to enter the GIVEAWAY!

Time's a tickin' peoples! Just a few hours from now and I'll be announcing the winners of the 300th POST GIVEAWAY!

Not too late to enter. All you lurkers (just deluding myself that there actually are some) can come out of the wood works and enter.

Just as a side note:

The prize package will include my infamous red velvet cupcakes (even if you live far away, I'll overnight them to you!) and also a fantastic little souvenir from Hawaii (cuz I'm going there tomorrow. booyah!) oh and also maybe one of my ridiculously awesome bleach pen shirts.

I just registered for this today:

The Valley of Fire Half Marathon on November 22nd.

Anyone wanna join me?

Read some reviews here.

Who's the best? I'm the best! Booyah!

Ack! I'm so behind on blogging! I have so much to tell you about!!

But, most importantly, I need to tell you how awesome I am. Seriously people. Awesome.

Remember how I told you I wanted to be better than everyone else in my photography class? Well, guess what. I AM!! They like me! They really like me! (And yes... I do feel total validation from external sources... I mean, why the hell do you think I have a blog in the first place?)

After the critiques of our 5-in-1 assignment in class tonight our instructor asked who did the best overall. I was the only one who didn't vote for me. I mean... I really wanted to vote for myself (and in my heart I did) but I didn't want to look like a complete douche (or whatever the female equivalent of a douche is).

I'm pretty sure the only reason everyone didn't vote for me on our composition assignment was because they didn't want me to win unanimously again (jerks)... but I know they all wanted to vote for me. (kidding... kind of). I still got voted best though. So, I got extra credit on both my assignments. Woot!

I already showed you my 5-in-1's (which were described by my instructor as "killer shots") so today you get to see my compositional photos. Enjoy. And please... leave me some feedback. I'd love to hear what you think (even if you think my photos are crap, let me know so that I can improve).

Cheers y'all!

1. Lines & Shapes
2. Framing
3. Simplicity
4. Asymmetrical Balance
5. Symmetrical Balance
6. Rule of Thirds

300! GIVEAWAY!

My little baby blog is now officially 300 posts old.

Does it feel older than that to anyone else beside me?

So what are we going to do to celebrate???

GIVEAWAY!

I know, I know... giveaways are a totally shameless tactic to get readers and comments. But, I am shameless so this kind of works out. And if y'all knew just how much validation I get from your comments you'd totally go along with me on this one. So, ya know, go along with me on this one.

The prize: Well... I'm still working on this one. But it's going to be chock-full of awesome.

Here's how you enter: Leave me a comment and tell me how much you like me and my blog, why you come here or what you'd like to see more of. I'll gladly oblige any of your suggestions.

Since this seems to be the year of 3s and 0s, we'll keep the contest open until October 30th at 3pm PST at which time I'll pick 3 winners.

So, spread the word.

action

regression

i've worked at the same company ever since i graduated from college. after working for 2 years i took a 2 year hiatus for the mission gig. since my return i've seen a steady decline in my working conditions.

ideally one is suppose to work his/her way up the ladder. i seem to be regressing. see, i believe you can judge your status in the workplace based on 2 things: windows and bathrooms.

my working conditions for example:

4 years ago: corner office with 90degree windows. view of the strip. private bathroom.
2 years ago: office with a window. view of the strip. shared womens bathroom.
today: office with no window. no view of the strip. shared mens/womens bathroom.*

i ask to god,** "why god? what have i done to offend thee?"
which i quickly followed up with "actually... nevermind. that list would be way too long..."

*just a request to all my male coworkers: please don't pee on the floor. k'thx.
**read w/ mexican accent ala rosa from sabrina

ps- one post shy of 300! wow!

me and ed playing in the rain...

who says you can't do an ultimate punch* in a pencil skirt and heels?

even though it was only a slight drizzle (hey, we take what we can get here in vegas) i checked one more thing off the list.

*skip to the 1:29 mark to see it in all it's glory

Week 10: 15 Mile Long Run

AKA the run where:

• I broke in my new Nikes and Balega socks (I love you, Fleet Feet!)
• the first 5 miles, uphill, into the wind was my bitch
• 9 miles into it, I felt like a legitimate runner for the first time
• I became the bitch to the last 2 uphill miles
• I ran farther than I've ever run before
• I once again realized we have no limits

weeks 8.5, 9, 10.2

Wow, it's been a while since I've done a running post... must be indicative of how much running has NOT been happening here. So, yeah. I took a vacation from running right when I should have been intensely training for SGM then consequently dropped out of SGM. That sucked but it was really the only thing to do. I was just feeling super burned out. But, I'm feeling the fire to run again!

So, 2ish weeks ago I jumped back on the running bandwagon in order to train for the Las Vegas Marathon. I'm still wondering if I really want to do a full marathon but I'm training for it nonetheless. I'm currently in the midst of week 10 of training... which means 8 more weeks until the race! Woot!

Rewind to Week 8 long run- Don't you wish you could run on the boardwalk along the beach everyday? I sure do! I was supposed to do a 13miler but it turned into a 10.5miles because of time constraints (ya see... I woke up too late because, man it looked cold and dark outside!). Great run though. I don't usually see a lot of fellow runners out on the streets of Vegas so it was fun to be amongst the running/biking/rollerblading. Plus, hello! The ocean! Gorgeous. The after run meal was the best part... Taco Bell. Call me crazy but I love Taco Bell. I was sitting on the beach eating my food thinking "This... This is why I run."

Week 9 aside from the long run was kind of a bust. I missed my 3miler on Tuesday because of the blood donation. Wednesday I set out for a 7miler but after 2miles out I headed back. I was absolutely fatigued and could tell I was at the point of getting light headed. I guess my body was more concerned with making more blood than fueling my run. So, that turned into 4miles. Thursday's 4miler didn't happen because I had to hang out with my babylove and then go country dancing (I know, priorities). But Saturday's long run was great! I did a 10mile out and back and felt really great the whole time. OK, that's totally a lie. The first 2 miles about did me in. But as soon as I hit the 2 mile mark I settled into things and just ran. I totally got a runners high at mile 5. "Demons" by Macy Gray was playing (I didn't even know I owned that song*) and the lyrics were crazy inspiring- "All of your demons will wither away; Ecstasy comes and they cannot stay." It was just like everything combined to make a perfect running moment. I just felt great when I got home... albeit STARVING! I had to celebrate with the gals and some Thai food. Man, did that hit the spot!

Week 10- Well, we're only half way through. 3miles on Tuesday did not happen because I spent the majority of the day curled up in fetal position on my bed. I set out last night to do a 7mile run and again... just great. I ran the same out and back I did on Saturday only I turned around sooner (yay). It's surprising to me how not long 7 miles feels anymore.

So, the only problem I've had in the last 2 weeks is a nasty spot on the back of my ankle that is completely rubbed raw from my shoes. I hate my shoes. They've been horrible yet I've put up with them for the last 4 months. Why? No clue. Oh yeah, they've also given me tons of blisters. This is the first pair of shoes I've been really unhappy with. But, tonight I'm heading over to Fleet Feet to pick up a new pair of shoes. Yay!

*I just realized that I have that song because it's on the Fat Boy Slim CD. Now it makes sense.

realization

i just realized that (against my better judgement) i really am going to be one of those moms who decorates the house for every holiday.

VeeDubs

Saturday between conference sessions I ran down to Town Square to see the Volkswagen display happening (thanks for the tip, meat pie). Pretty sweet. Here are some of my favs...


So, remember how I'm a grammar snob and I like to correct people when they say things like "I'm doing good*" or "That was the funnest**"? Well, I'm also a stickler about spelling rules like there/their/they're, your/you're, to/too/two. Thus, this*** was the most amazing thing I saw there:


*correct: I'm doing well.
**correct: That was the most fun.
***seriously, if you need me to explain why this is the worst/most amazing thing I've ever seen I'm going to punch you in the throat.

my baby love

i went and hung out with my new best friend last night.
now try and tell me she's not precious... the baby, not me*.

*i already know i'm precious

Pacific Palisades, CA

blood update

Rough day at the blood bank. I'm not sure what's going on with my blood but apparently I am not the amazing blood donor I once was. Single tear...

I thought things were going to be ok. Iron was good. Pulse was good- I pulled a 50bpm which is the minimum within the acceptable range. Phew! I should have known there was a problem though when I had to get pricked twice in order to get enough blood for the iron sample. But at least I only had to get the blood pressure taken once.

So, they got me all plugged in. Getting stuck with the needle hurt way worse than I remember. But the blood started flowing. I was pumping my fist every 3-5 seconds... ok maybe clinching would be a better term. But how awesome would it be to be fist pumping at the blood bank... or just fist pumping anywhere for that matter. Anyway... typically when I donate I do an automated red cell donation (as opposed to a whole blood donation) where they take out some blood which is automatically separated into red blood cells and plasma. Then the plasma along with a saline solution are pumped back into you and the process is repeated 3 times. In the end you end up donating 2 units of blood (with whole blood you only donate 1 unit).

I started thinking that the first segment was taking a really long time and just then the lady (phlebotomist?) told me I had low blood flow. Huh? Me? She was concerned that my vein wouldn't be able to accept the plasma/saline back in and she didn't want to explode it and cause me a lot of bruising (bless her heart). So, she decided to terminate the donation. I was still able to donate one full unit but I was so disappointed in my veins. And I got a little bruise - on my arm and my ego.

Here's my analysis:

I think I'm turning into a vampire. Think about it- I've been suffering from mild insomnia for the past year. I'm close to comatose during the day. My blood flow is seriously slowing down. I have vampire fangs (seriously, ask my sister. She makes fun of them all the time). I am really pale (or was last week before going to the beach). I really like the band Vampire Weekend. And I have no shadow (maybe this is not true).

What do you think?

in the interim...

hey party people! i know you all come here for updates about me, me, me... so lest i keep you waiting too long here's a random post full of random things to keep you entertained until i post about my amazing sytycd weekend wherein I may or may not (may) have taken 400+ photos (300 of them at the show). just know this- i held a shark. a real shark.

randoms:

-you know when sometimes you comment on someone's blog post and you have to do a word verification? i can never, ever get it right the first time. never. it makes me crazy.

-it's pumpkin season again. is anyone else as excited as i am about this? pumpkin!

-sometimes when i see people listening to or talking about Brandi Carlile i instantly think they're referring to Belinda Carlisle and i get really confused that she's still so popular, even without them go-go's.

-getting rejected to donate blood is one of the worst things you can do to my ego. i was turned away last week because my pulse was too. slow. seriously. also, the worst part about donating blood is getting my blood pressure taken. it just hurts! so, not only was i not able to give blood last week, i got my finger pricked and had my blood pressure taken twice so they could make sure they got an accurate pulse and blood pressure reading. but seriously. too slow! it was only 46 bpm and the acceptable range is 50-100. i told them i could go run around the building really quickly but they didn't fall for that. i like to think i have an amazingly efficient heart and that i am really calm but maybe it was proof that i am just a heartless bitch. anyway... i'm heading to the blood bank again tonight to try again. wish me luck! (ps- good news. i just checked my pulse and it's currently at a dizzying 51bpm... i think i can keep this up until my appt).

-oh yeah. i almost forgot to tell you that i pulled out of the st george marathon. i just couldn't find a good reason to run that far sans training. i kept reading blogs and articles about the importance of muscle memory (the reason for the long runs) and it freaked me out. that was the final straw. so, in lieu of sgm (which i'll aim for again next year) i'm on track training for the las vegas marathon on dec 8th. you should probably come cheer me on.

ps- we're 10 posts away from the 300th post on this blog. maybe we should have a party. or a give away.

Wohoo!

i had a baby.

ok... i didn't really have a baby but one of my best friends had a baby yesterday and at lunch today i went to visit them at the hospital. i'm pretty sure at some point in the next week i'll be stealing that baby. not only is she absolutely perfect, she has jewelry AND she puckers. her. lips.

clearly she was meant to be mine.

welcome to the world little pj!

confession: acclimatization

Tonight on my way home from class I was so cold I had to turn on the heater in my car. Guess how cold it was outside. 80 degrees.

photo sho

I turned in my first photography assignment tonight- the Scavenger Hunt. I think it went pretty well though I definitely felt there were some images I could have improved upon. We critiqued everyone's photos in class and I was quite contented (read: proud- the prideful kind) to see that mine were among the better shots. So... here are some of my favs:










*These look so much better on the calibrated monitor at school.

my boys in blue

So... guess who just bought tickets to "Homegame 2" for the Dodgers post season play. Me! Let's just keep our fingers crossed that they actually make it.

On either thurs 10/2 or sun 10/5 (yes... the Lord's Holy General Conference Sabbath) I will be hangin' with my boys in blue! Woot!

I got one extra ticket. Wanna come?

26.2 in 16 days? really?

Lest you think the only thing I blog about anymore is politics and because I know you've all missed my running posts here's one for ya. The reason for their absence is because I've been totally absent from the running scene. This is a problem. Why? Because in 16 days I'm supposed to run 26.2 miles. You know how much I've run in the past 2 weeks? 3 miles. And I did that tonight.

So, here's my dilemma- should I do it? I see great potential for injury and/or death upon attempting to run the full marathon but seriously I'll die a little inside if I don't do it. 13.1 miles- no problem. Beyond that- big mystery and/or death. What to do? What to do?

Here's another option: I'm also registered for the LV full marathon the first weekend in December which would give me 2 more full months to train. So, in the unlikely case that I don't do St George I could just get more training in for LV. But... St George is so much cooler than LV! Lit'rally and figuratively. Bah!

This is a conundrum.

So, about my run tonight. I could say I haven't had time to train but the truth is I haven't TAKEN the time to train. I've been lazy and/or pursuing other interests (read: photography and singstar). But I've been feeling so tired, lackluster, lackadaisical and melancholy lately that I knew I couldn't let anymore time pass without getting some exercise and boosting up my endorphin level. So, I went to the gym and decided to run for 30 minutes to see how I felt. I felt great. But then again it was only 3 miles. And then I came home and ate cupcakes... (seriously, I've been on this baking cupcakes kick and I am AMAZING at making cupcakes. Last week- red velvet. This week- cookie dough. COOKIE! DOUGH!)

Anyway... my conclusion is thus: I'm gonna seriously train for the next 2 weeks and see how things go. If by then I feel like I won't die on the course or get picked up by the clean up crew I'll take my chances with the race. Wish me luck!

overheard on IM:

cropstar says: man good life decisions are HARD!
consumer says: tell me about it!
consumer says: I guess the scriptures are serious when they say "I never said it would be easy, I only said it would be worth it"

2 more girl crushes (and i don't mean sarah & hillary):

c'mon. this is just damn funny.

i love paying tithing

I thought this article was really, really, really interesting.

So much about this article is interesting but if you don't want to read it the basic gist is that the presidential and vice presidential candidates have released their tax records. These people (well... Obama, Cindy McCain and the Clintons) make a sh'load of money! Most donate a decent part of that to charity. However, Senator Joe Biden (who, in 2007, earned $319k and donated $995 or 0.3% of it) has donated an average of $369 PER YEAR over the last decade to charity.

Is it seriously sad that I donate more PER MONTH than Biden has donated PER YEAR over the last decade? Yes. Yes, it is.

Republicans do it right

Believe me. I'm not one of those Republicans that chose her party simply because her parents were ultra conservative Republicans. I spent my first 2 decades being totally apathetic. Then I spent the next few years not really caring about politics (get it?... cuz apathy and not caring are the same thing? hilarious, right?)

Four years ago my interest in politics was piqued during the presidential race. I actually cared about who won. I even had a W bumper sticker (and yes, I still like him). In the interim I became even more interested- and more importantly- more educated. I've spent a lot of time pondering on what makes someone a Republican, Democrat or Independent. What beliefs lead one to support one party over another.

Now here we stand at the brink of yet another intense battle for the presidency. It seems the popular thing to do amongst folks my age is to be all PrObama. Not this gal. I mean, I'll give it to the guy- he gives a great speech. I watched the DNC. I feel like Hugh Hewitt:

And of course, he is a brilliant, almost hypnotic speaker. I broadcast from the Democratic Convention in Boston in 2004, and was in the hall when Senator Obama blew away the crowd and the national television audience with a remarkable keynote address about which I can recall nothing except the beauty and skill of its delivery.

I've vocalized my feelings about McCain (meh) and Palin (lurve!) before here on blog. And even though I don't feel that McCain is the best candidate ever (cuz that would've been Mitt), he and Palin will be getting my vote because they are the better (by far) than their opponents and basically they stand for what I believe. I've studied the voting records of both McCain and Obama and let me tell you- I fear an Obama presidency.

So... what's my point? I AM A REPUBLICAN! and proud of it baby! There are 3 specific things I read/heard in the last few weeks that have put perfectly in words why I am a Republican through and through:

From Jay Nordlinger's article "Palin Fever, &c"-

Loved something a senior politician told us in Minnesota: It’s hard to run against the Democrats. Because they’re the party that proposes to give people free stuff. And it’s very, very hard to run against people promising free stuff. You have to say, “We, by contrast, will give you the opportunity to make your own way, while keeping a net under you lest you fall too far.”
Interestingly formulated.

From Mike Huckabee's speech (never would I ever have guessed I'd like something that guy said because I have it on good authority that he's certifiably insane) at the Republican National Convention-

Let me make something clear tonight: I'm not a Republican because I grew up rich. I'm a Republican because I didn't want to spend the rest of my life poor, waiting for the government to rescue me.

And finally from the book "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch (I realize this doesn't address politics or Republicanism directly but I thought it was relevant. Also, this was seriously one of the BEST books I've ever read) -

I understand the arguments about how the billions of dollars spent to put men on the moon could have been used to fight poverty and hunger on Earth. But, look, I'm a scientist who sees inspiration as the ultimate tool for doing good.
When you use money to fight poverty, it can be of great value, but too often, you're working at the margins. When you're putting people on the moon, you're inspiring all of us to achieve the maximum of human potential, which is how our greatest problems will eventually be solved.

Also, it's really convenient that I'm a Rep because I love elephants. And also, I'm still welcome at my parents dinner table (wouldn't be the case if I were a leftist liberal freak).

all i've thought about for the past 5 days is...

hawaii HAWAII hawaii HAWAII hawaii

HAWAII hawaii HAWAII hawaii HAWAII

hawaii HAWAII hawaii HAWAII hawaii

HAWAII hawaii HAWAII hawaii HAWAII

hawaii HAWAII hawaii HAWAII hawaii

HAWAII hawaii HAWAII hawaii HAWAII

only 52 more days

My life is more awesome than yours.

I am an intrinsically happy person. I always have been. Of course that doesn't mean that I don't have my off days, my moments of worry, stress and sadness. But it never takes long before I can respond "I'm great!" and mean it when people ask me how I'm doing.

I live a blessed life. Seriously, I must have won the life lottery in Heaven or something because I know I haven't earned 1/100 of the good things I enjoy in life. I feel like everything in life has been handed to me on a silver platter. Of course, I haven't yet received everything I want in life (like, ya know... a husband or unlimited wealth... but I'm sure those things are coming) but I can't deny that I've received everything I need and almost all of what I want.

In short? Life is good!

Saturday I was a busy bee all morning doing chores around my beautiful little cottage of a home and just thinking about all the things that make me happy, all the things that make my life wonderful, all my blessings. When I was in college I kept a running list on the last page of my journal called my "Happy List". I wrote down every little thing that made me happy. So, here's today's happy list in a little more detail and in no particular order:

1. I have a job. In and of itself that's pretty great, especially considering the economic state of our country, world, etc. I complain a lot about having to sit at a desk for 8 hours a day, trying to concentrate, having to deal with idiot clients and trying to manage my projects and my boss's recent bout of micromanaging. But, every time I get my paycheck I remember how blessed I am to have a college education (thanks mom & dad!) and a job that allows me to live a comfortable life. And to add icing to the cake I'm grateful to have a boss that doesn't say anything to me about how late I stroll into the office most days (believe me, this is a BIG deal for someone who hates mornings as much as I do).


2. I am so healthy. Well, let's be honest... now that I'm in my advanced years sometimes I feel really old. But, that's just life. I am so grateful for a strong body that is able to do what I ask it to. I very rarely get sick. All my limbs and organs work properly. Also, I have awesome hair.


3. My family is always there for me. I'm am the youngest and therefore have my entire family wrapped around my little finger. This I know. But I try not to use my powers for evil (most of the time). But, knowing that my family would drop everything at a moments notice to help me with whatever I need provides a ridiculous amount of comfort and stability. And I am never more myself than I am with my family (read: acting like a 6 year old). My family is "good people". My sisters are adored by all and are my best friends. My parents used plenty of words to raise me up in the way I should go but I learned critically important life lessons from their example: read the scriptures daily, always go to church, write in your journal, give to others and always wash the baseboards.


4. I love (and I mean LOVE) being 30. I don't necessarily love the number or the fact that I'm getting older and closer to death while watching my life flash by. But... the awesome part about getting to this age is that I know who I am and I am totally fine with it. I am so beyond caring about what other people think of me. I've finally come into my own. Quel relief! I spent the bulk of my childhood being too shy to speak to anyone who wasn't my immediate family or my best friend. I spent the bulk of my teen years trying to blend into the background. I spent the bulk of my early 20s liking bands I didn't really like because the boy I liked liked them, being too scared to go anywhere on my own for fear that people might think I'm friendless, being too shy to meet new people if they didn't approach me first, harnessing my inner freak (and I mean that in a totally non-slutty way). Let's face it folks... I'm cah-razy! Seriously. Sometimes it kind of weirds me out how unshy I can be, how unabashedly I can make a fool of myself in public, how much I love talking to strangers. So, my gratitude is directed towards every uncomfortable moment in my life that has forced me out of my shell and formed me into the person I am now.

And now the short list:


1. Awesome friends.
2. Singstar!
3. Red Velvet Cupcakes.
4. Dancing, dancing and more dancing.
5. A clean house.
6. A full tank of gas.
7. Cool autumn evenings.
8. Laughing until I cry.

girl crush:

BOO-YAH. I love this woman.

i call shotgun!

I went out shooting tonight at the Desert National Wildlife Refuge on the far north edge of town because the evening lighting was sure to be exciting and the weather just right for getting some fresh air. I got some cool shots and got scared by the wildlife more than once. And by wildlife I mean rabbits, frogs and other unknown moving things in the bushes. I know... super scary huh?

Along the way I must have made a friend I didn't know about because after I got home, pulled into the garage, parked and turned to grab my belongings I got a fright by my passenger.


Sorry the quality of the photo is really horrible but I was scared and wanted to get out of the car asap. I'm not kidding, that gigantic grasshopper thing had a 3 or 4 inch body alone, not to mention it's legs and antenae. Yikes!

I would show you some of the photos I shot but I had to shoot in RAW and I don't have a program to open that file format. So you'll have to wait to see them.