Summer Bucket List

With a little over 3 weeks til I head back to Utah and real life (aka work) there is still so much I want to do! I'm one of those people who likes to make lists. I love the feeling of accomplishment when I get to cross an item off. There is just something about being able visually see everything that I have done in a day or plan on doing. So to make sure that I make the most of this summer and get everything done that I want here is my "Summer Bucket List." Or everything I want to do before summer kicks the bucket. Anyone who would like join me on these adventures is more than welcome, just give me a call!

SUMMER BUCKET LIST (no particular order)

√ Catch fireflies.
√ Explore Charleston, SC.
√ Relax on the sands of the OBX.
Go all the way through the Holocaust Museum. Yes this one is going to be tear jerker.
Hike to Ben's Den or Old Rag.
√ Eat crabs, lots of crabs!
√ Read the 5th Percy Jackson book. I am so excited for the 1st movie to come out!!
√ Go to a Nationals Game.
√ Eat lots and lots and lots of BBQ!!! It doesn't get much better than pulled pork!
√ Do a puzzle.
√ Watch all the old Harry Potter movies and explain them to Mom and Brendan.
√ Visit NYC (more specifically Coney Island.)
√ Drink lots of Dad's famous chocolate malts.
Climb Timp.
Go sailing with Grandpa!
√ Fall asleep on the hammock.
Visit the Museum of the American Indian.
Hit Brendan with water balloons when he least expects it!!
√ Help Grandpa START WRITING the story of his life. That's right Grandpa no more thinking about it we are just going to start.
Lay by the pool.
Dance in the rain.
Celebrate Kaitlyn and Alton's wedding!!
A Lord of the Rings Extended Edition Marathon.
Visit Philly.
Walk through the National Museum of American History.

I reserve the right to change/update/nullify any part of this list. :O)

TESTING TESTING

Hey! I'm just testing out different layouts...don't mind me!

I am not dead

No I am not dead, kidnapped, or missing I just simply turned off my phone for a couple days. Why would I do a extremely weird and apparently dangerous thing like that? Because I am on vacation! Let me explain. Last week I was lounging under a brightly color umbrella with my toes nestled into the sand of the Outer Banks. Eyes closed, listening to the rhythmic breaking of the waves when suddenly I hear "SWEET HOME ALABAMA." Talk about throwing off someone's chi. As much as I love that song come on your on vacation. There is a reason you are not in the office. So to prove a point I turned my phone off (which was in the house not on the beach) for the duration of the trip.

Ironically this backfired when Friday morning I was awoken at the indecent hour of 8:30 (I'm on vacation and totally justified in sleeping in) to my friend "K" asking "A" if I was alive? "A" proceeded to hit me and ask me if I was alive. My reply,"I don't know. What time is it?" Apparently my very caring mother had not heard from me in a couple days and thought I would be home Thursday. When I was not in my room Friday morning she started to worry. There was no answer to any text messanges or voicemails. So she called "K" to see if she had heard from me. When she hadn't panic REALLY set in. Thankfully "A" never turns her phone off, that would be like turning off her heart, and "K" was able to tell me to call my mom.

Even MORE IRONIC is that when I did try calling my mom's cell, the house phone, my dad's cell, and all of my sibling's cellphones NO ONE PICKED UP. I guess they really weren't that concerned after all. But just to make sure my mom didn't report me missing I left a message for my father at his work so that when he got out of a meeting he could inform my mom with the happy news "I'm still breathing...no worries." My dad's poor secretary could not understand why that was the only thing I wanted to say. I didn't feel like any further explanation was necessary.

No, no that's not the end of our story. "A" feeling like if my mom was worried hers might be to called home saying, "I'm alive Mom you don't need to worry!" Her mom replied, "That's great. I had no doubt that you would be." Haha Disappointed her mom didn't love her enough to think she was missing, "A" went to sulk on the beach. Half an hour later her mom called back exclaiming,"I didn't think you were missing because I know you are a responsible adult!" Haha I guess my mom doesn't think I am.

Here are some pictures from my trip...



Don't you just love our hats!!!



"A" enjoying the beach.



Playing some beach volleyball with A's family



Eating some crabs!



The amazing house we stayed in!

Home Sweet Home

I've been home for 72 hours. Here are my observations...

1. The PTA will fall apart when Momma W is no longer in charge. As soon as Brendan graduates it will simply disintegrate into ash and get blown away by the wind. Our house is littered in emails, prizes, To-Do lists, posters, balloons, and other decorations for After-Grad. It is a never-ending job.

2. I am now one of the weaker siblings. Yes, it finally happened, Buddyboy is officially stronger than me. He had me pinned to the ground earlier today and try as I might I could not get free. I had to sink to the level of a 5 year old and threaten to lick or bite him in order to loosen his grip. Now, I am still quick so as long as I am dodging, twisting, and otherwise in motion I am good. This startling new reality has however, strongly motivated me to get back into the gym. Good thing my best friend is a personal trainer. "K" get ready to kick my big butt back into shape.

3. Fireflies make everything better. They add sparkle and magic to the world. The slow and constant blinks as the last rays of sunlight fade into the deep blue of the starry night sky instantly bring you back to being a child. When the world was filled with wonder. When flowers turned into fairies and toys came to life when you weren't looking. That is the way the simply beautiful glow of a firefly makes me feel.

More to follow...

Dancing on the Red Rock

The Southern Utah red rock outlined by a blue cloudless sky is absolutely breathtaking. It is a sight everyone should see with their own eyes at least once in their lives. No picture can truly capture its beauty. Roxy and I recently moseyed on down to St. George to visit "L" and "H" and had a blast. Here are some souvenirs... (if you click on the image it will become bigger)


We climbed up to "Dixie" Rock.


Roxy and HayHay


Partners in crime...since 7th grade!



Roxy before we yelled at her to watch for rattlesnakes.


2 beautiful girls in front of spectacular scenery what more could you want?


Wish you were here.



Looking over the edge...it was a long way down!


Now for my closeup.

It Never Rains But It Pours

I am writing to you from the comfort of my bed. Yes thanks to modern technology and laptops I am writing this snuggled in between layers of orange and pink blankets. It is a little after 1 AM. Normally my body would be in the middle of a REM cycle right about now. But, thanks to summer vacation, I have transformed back into the body of a normal 23 year old and can actually stay up past midnight. Now to most of you big whoop, you're in bed late at night, why should I care? Well you should care because I just spent the night on an date. Yes, a date.

My mother will be jumping for joy when she reads this. Her cynical daughter has not completely given up on finding Prince Charming, even though she is convinced that while galloping on his noble steed to find her, he slipped and fell off a cliff never to be heard from again.

My date was fun. He was charming, intelligent, and boys pay attention now...this date listened and responded to the words that came out of my mouth. It was wonderful! Haha Mama don't get your hopes up too high, he was not perfect, but it was a good evening. I just laugh because it seems like my dating life is either in a drought or in a flood. The boys can't wait in line and take turns like normal civilized Homo Sapiens. Instead they have to tackle, race, and claw their way to bang down my front door. My new ward is filled with many cute, cute guys. It's been fun meeting all of them I just hope this flood is like Noah's and lasts a long time!

Life is Good

In the famous words of my Uncle Rex "LIFE IS GOOD!" In fact it really can't get much better than this. It is beautiful sunny day outside. A slight breeze dances through the leaves, children are laughing as they race the sprinklers behind my townhouse, and the smell of BBQ tickles my nose inviting me to go make some new friends. I spent the morning volunteering at a "Great Strides for Cystic Fibrosis" fundraiser. This provided me not only the opportunity to meet some very interesting people but also gave me a fabulous t-shirt! There were the cutest children there with huge smiles and some really brave stories. There were whole families supporting one of their own. The energy was so positive and electrifying, you couldn't help but show off your pearly whites. With all the negative stories about mankind dominating the news and all the evil ongoing in the world it was like breathing in fresh, untainted air to be there helping. It truly warmed my soul!

If you would like to contribute for research into this disease click on the following link, GREAT STRIDES. For those of you that did THANK YOU and GOD BLESS YOU. For those of you who didn't....maybe the following information will help persuade you.

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that:

* clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections; and
* obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food.

In the 1950s, few children with cystic fibrosis lived to attend elementary school. Today, advances in research and medical treatments have further enhanced and extended life for children and adults with CF. Many people with the disease can now expect to live into their 30s, 40s and beyond.

With your help we can continue to find treatments. Come on donate $10. That's one trip to the movies! You can always Redbox it later! Or better yet find a date to take you! ;o)