New Nephew!

Jeff, Juline and Adi welcomed Kohen Mitchel to the King family Friday afternoon! Isn't he adorable!! I can't wait to see him when the family all flies out to New Jersey for his baby blessing in November!

Autumnal Amazement

It's now my favorite time of year! I love FALL!! October, by far, is my favorite month of the year.
In honor of the first full day of fall, here's my list of Fall Favorites:
* My birthday ... October 4!
* Crisp fall nights
* Beautiful changing leaves and long, romantic drives to see the colors!
* Halloween costume shopping or creating! (see Hurricane Katrina)
* Dad's dramatic stories from the deer hunt
* Halloween Parties
* Digging out my fall/winter sweaters
* Warm apple cider -- Starbuck's Caramel Apple Cider is the BEST!
* Halloween/Fall crafts
* Pumpkin-scented everything ... even though I dislike pumpkin flavored everything.
* And ... Scary Movies!

Speaking of Scary movies ... here's a list of the movies that scared me the most.
1. "Watcher in the Woods"
2. "The Ring"
3. "Rosemary's Baby"
4. "What Lies Beneath"
5. "Wait Until Dark"

These are all great films! What are your scariest movies?

Beard Papa!

It's been more than a year since I returned from Japan ... more than a year since my last incredible Beard Papa cream puff. ... That is until yesterday! As posted earlier, I found a Beard Papa shop in Costa Mesa, just a couple hours away. So yesterday I embarked on a little adventure: Orange County Swap Meet shopping extravaganza followed by a sweet treat or two.

Well, the day wasn't as idyllic as I had hoped. I caught a cold (probably from the pretty drastic drop in temperatures ... 105 to 85 within a week ... not that I'm complaining!! It's beautiful outside). So I wasn't feeling so great, but I was determined to enjoy a nice Saturday morning. I enjoyed a great drive, complete with a lovely rainstorm, but when I arrived at the swap meet the effects of the rainstorm were obvious ... not many vendors. A little disappointed, I still managed to find a few fun things: knockoff sunglasses and a couple of really cute hats (yep, going to start wearing hats more!)

Starting to feel not so hot, I decided it was time to reunite with Beard Papa! The shop was inside a cute little Japanese grocery store. Kind of fun to see familiar sites: bakery items, people eating ramen noodles ... and fresh pastry puffs being filled with sweet cream! I splurged and bought a whole dozen ... enough to hopefully take to work and share.

Even though there were a few disappointments and I didn't feel well, it was a nice morning that was followed by a nice long afternoon nap!

Neurotic Dog

I can't even get a massage in peace!

New paint job

My apartment got a bit of a facelift on Tuesday. Well, I should really call it a botched facelift.

Making improvements to the complex, the management is repainting all the front doors and stair railings. Assuming they would just put a fresh coat of green on the doors (the complex is, afterall, Emerald Place), I instead came home to a door that is a bright shade of Coral ... or is it Salmon. UGH! It looks so horrible! And, to add to the ugliness, it's a high gloss paint ... so it's a shiny Coral!

The worst part of the whole door-painting was that the brilliant painters left my front door WIDE open once they were done. No workers watching the paint dry ... nope, they just left my apartment exposed, welcoming possible burglars, while my dogs sat in their crates. Luckily Lisa came to the apartment before anything could be stolen. Furious, I called the complex and they just blew it off.


Lisa came home today, too, to a wide open apartment ... but it's OK cuz it was a freshly painted door. What kind of idiots are running this complex?

Cream Puffs

I was reflecting today with one of my reporters about my favorite treats in Japan.
Beard Papa was a cute little bakery, located near the train station that served up the most dreamy cream puffs ever!
Well ... turns out there are some Beard Papa shops here in California!! The nearest is just over an hour away and I'm already making plans for a weekend day trip! A little shopping topped off with a selection of fluffy, warm, fresh Beard Papa cream puffs.
Check out the web site (click on the "Cream Puffs" title or follow this link... www.muginhousa.com) and learn about the story of Beard Papa in Osaka, Japan.

Top Watch-Anytime Movies

There are a lot of movies that I could watch over and over again. I know every line, every scene by heart and I've seen them dozens and dozens of times, but everytime they come on TV, or if I'm not feeling too good, or just in a mood for a comfort movie, I pop one of these whos in the VCR or DVD player.

Here's my Top 10 list ... in no particular order:
Mrs. Doubtfire
Army of Darkness
Addams Family Values
Hitch
Princess Bride
Bridget Jones
You've Got Mail
Breakfast Club
Star Wars

What are your favorite "comfort" movies?

Life's a beach ... at least for today

Ahhh ... Labor Day! Lisa and I finally had the same day off, so we set off on an adventure to Laguna Beach. A huge fan of laguna Beach the TV show on MTV, Lisa really wanted to go check out the scene. So we drove out, played in the water for a bit, ate lunch at a beachside French cafe and did a little shopping. Then we cruised up the PCH through Newport and into Huntington. Then it was to the huge South Coast Plaza mall for more shopping. After playing in the sand we really wanted to find a good mani-pedi place, but decided to head home and try and beat the holiday traffic instead. It was a great little trip and I wish I enjoy these kind of adventures more often. Guess I need to find some friends who don't work Saturdays!
Sorry the photos are kinda cruddy ... forgot my camera, so I had to make do with the camera phone.

A great vacation...

So I've been home from Utah for almost a week and I miss it so much!
Here were some of the highlights:
* Driving with two crazy dogs for 6 hours makes for a very LONG drive ... especially when one very spoiled dog insists on sitting on your lap the entire time.
* BBQ at Brent's newly finished, remodeled house with Amy, Elaine, Brent, David, Brian, Rob and Mike. Good food and GREAT friends!
* "Twelfth Night" at the Utah Shakespearean Festival with Shawna! Great comedy with an incredibly HOT Michael Sharon in a leading role. Great time visiting with Shawna catching up on love lives, gossip and other drama.
* Horrible, terrible, pathetic blind date. OK, so this one is another classic. I met this guy (37 and never married) at the Clark Planetarium in SLC. He stank of old man cologne. We saw a movie at the theater that was completely over my head. Somewhat interesting and incredible visuals, but I felt like I needed a doctorate in astronomy to understand it. Yikes! So afterward we wandered through the gift shop and he bought a 75 cent mini slinky and gave it to me ... I think it was just to get a parking validation. So we walked out to the parking garage. I knew my car was on an upper level, but he tried to convince me that it was on the save level as his. Well ... it wasn't. I told him my car was on the upper level and he then told me he had better go and find his own car, before he got lost. Yep, he actually left me alone in a parking garage to try and find my car by myself! I laughed the entire way to the elevator and continued to laugh all the way back to Layton. Including drive time that date lasted less than 2 hours ... thank heavens!!
* Uncovered new job opportunities in Utah!
* Took the parents out to lunch at a really nice new restaurant in Layton. Good food.
* Had plans to meet Joni in SLC at the Gateway for a little shopping/errand running and dinner, but plans quickly changed to just a quick visit instead.
* Got a text message from my favorite solider ... Keith and I met up at the Gateway. He had been serving in Afghanistan since Christmas and, after being wounded in a helicopter crash, he was FINALLY coming home!! He had arrived in Seattle the day before and then flew the next day to SLC. We spent a great time at dinner. I was completely excited, nervous and hardly ate any of my dinner. It was so amazing to finally see him after 10 months! The last time I saw him was on my 33rd birthday in October. We had a great time catching up, but I was sad it had to end so soon. I'm hoping we can pick up where we left off very soon.

* Shopping with Kristy for a little flirty nighttime fun was a great afternoon ... like old days when we managed to drop a good share of cash hitting sales.
* The drive back to St. George had a little extra "baggage" as Mom drove back with me.
* Visiting with friends once again, I dreaded heading back home to California, but it was a great trip!

Can't live without...

10 things I can't live without (in no particular order)
#10 - TiVo
#9 - iPod
#8 - Chapstick
#7 - Propel Water
#6 - Cell phone
#5 - Toothbrush
#4 - Camera
#3 - Great friends and family
#2 - A good pillow
#1 - Blogs to read when I'm bored at work (haha!)

What are your top 10?

Vacation time!

I am gearing up for a much-anticipated, long-awaited, extremely-overdue VACATION!
A trip back home to St. George and Salt Lake City may not seem like much of an adventure, but it's just what the therapist calls for ... haha!
I'm so excited to visit all my St. George friends. Even though it's only been a few weeks since I've seen them, I love and miss them all so much!

My favorite restaurants, too, await me. Green Chile Chicken Salad at Bajio, Steak Burrito at Cafe Rio, Chicken Tortellini with Creamy Pesto at Pasta Factory, Taco Time's Crispy Chicken Burrito, Honey-Baked Ham store's Bedda Chedda, The Empire State at Gandolfo's ... Ahhh the food! Can't wait! I have missed it so much. I'm so incredibly disappointed in the restaurants here in Palm Springs. There is fast food, crappy Mexican, fancy-schamncy places and completely over-priced wannabes regular faves. There is no where in this desert where I could get a lunch as complete as the Pasta or Pizza Factory lunches (drink, breadstick, salad and pasta) for under $7. Boy I miss Utah!
OK, enough about food...
While I'm home, I'm also going to enjoy one of my favorite summer traditions... The Utah Shakespearean Festival. "Twelfth Night" is on the schedule for a Saturday matinee! Last summer was the first in 11 years that I have not enjoyed all the plays at the Tony Award-winning festival.
After a weekend in St. George I'm heading up the 15 to the 'rents' place. Can't wait to hopefully reconnect with some friends I haven't seen in nearly a year or longer. And maybe, just maybe ... a certain returning, recovering soldier boy will find his way back home while I'm there!

Survey-tastic!

So this MySpace survey was actually kind of fun, so I thought I'd post it...

Aside from Driver's Ed, who really taught you how to drive?My mom (it was a very stressful time! LOL)

What's the one thing you love/miss about your Grandma's cooking? Grandma May made a great chocolate cake, with a fluffy white frosting and then drizzled melted milk chocolate on top of that ... heaven!

If you had money to burn, what 3 charities would you donate to? Breast Cancer, Utah Shakespearean Festival, United Way

What "Late Night Radio" song would you request to your man/woman? Groovy Kind of Love ... hahaha!
Goodnight and Go by Imogen Heap ("Why'd ya hafta be so cute..." Favorite line!!)

What was the last high school/college project you did? Probably my senior thesis ... and for the life of me I can't remember what it was. haha!

As a kid, who was the first "famous death" you remember hearing about? Elvis

What kind of music did your parent's listen to while u were growing up? Classic 50s and 60s .... great stuff! "Calendar Girl" "It's My Party" "Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" "One Eyed, One Horned, Flying Purple People Eater" and all of Elvis' hits

Name 2 historic events that have happened in your lifetime? Regan was shot and Challenger blew up, just to name a few

Who taught you to tie your shoes? my mom

Where did you go on your first "official" date? A girls choice dance

When you "cruised the strip"...who were you usually with? Went in Washington State with my cousin Chris. We thought we were so cool!

Who was like your "second Mom" or "second Dad"? That would have to be Kathy Piper

Who is your Strangest Relative and why? hmmm ... hard to pick just one! haha just kidding!

What's your typical ice cream order at Dairy Queen? Peanut Buster Parfait


THIS AND THAT
Animal House or Caddyshack? Caddyshack

Dorito's or Frito Lay's? Dorito's

Straight-Man or Comic Relief? Comic Relief

Survivor Man or Man vs. Wild? don't really care for either

Casablanca or An Affair To Remember? Affair to Remember ... it's all about Cary Grant!!!

Princess Grace or Princess Diana? Diana for sure! Although I was a fan of Grace, too

Books, Movies or TV? All of the above

Marilyn Monroe or Anna Nicole Smith? Marilyn Monroe for sure

Playboy or Hustler? I love the Girls Next Door

Disneyland, Disneyworld, or Universal Studios? Tokyo Disneyland!!

Halloween or Christmas? Both!

Leading or Following? I'm a follower ... haha ... but I do like to lead every once in a while

Planes or Trains? Amazing memories while traveling as a kid on Amtrak!


FAVORITES
Painting? "Sometimes the Spirit Touches Us Through Our Weaknesses" by James C. Christensen (left) and any of the Amish series by Eric Dowdle. Also love anything from Renoir and Degas (WAY too hard to pick just one!)

Museum Exhibit? Paintings and sculpture

Thing to do when you're sitting home alone and the power goes out? Chat on the phone or play card games by candlelight

Snack/Junk Food? Twinkies or pink and white animal cookies

Pet name for your significant other? Either baby or sweetie

Nickname for your best friend? too many friends to just pick one... here's a sampling... Joni loves Chachi, Sliz, Licia, Aim, Charlie Brown

Revenge tactic? hmmm that could be pretty damning ... better not divulge.

Song to sing in the shower? Last song I heard on the stereo.

Bill that you have to pay? Ugh they never end! Electric bill right now ... freakin' $200

Cuss word? So many ... my fave is sonuvabitchin'

Era to read about or watch a movie in? Elizabethan and Victorian

Poet? I'm not huge into poetry, but I do enjoy Poe and Shakespeare's sonnets. Sylvia Plath, too, was intriguing.

Villain in a movie? Anthony Hopkins.. The man is incredible

Topic to gab with your family about? other family gossip and cute things Adi said

AND FINALLY...
If you could be invisible for one day, what would you do? not really sure...

If you could know everything that one person was thinking, who would it be?
It would be a silly boy for sure

If you could have coffee with 3 people, living or dead, who would they be?
Shakespeare, JFK (find out who really shot him) and ... well Brad Pitt!

Amazement continues

I'm planning a Primary lesson for tomorrow and I thought I would jump on LDS.org to see if I could find one of my favorite new Primary songs, "Hands Around the World." Anyway, I am once again amazed at how the Church has stayed completely on top of technology. Not only can I download endless resources for talks and lessons (came in very handy when I spoke in Sacrament Meeting a couple weeks ago), but now I can download MP3s of my favorite songs (I LOVE "Scripture Power"!). Any hymn, children's song and even the newest melodies for Young Women's ... all found in one great site. I don't know why I'm so impressed or surprised. The Church pioneered genealogical research, so it should come as any great shock that their Web site would be so complete. I continue to be amazed.

The list continues ... are you sick of it yet?

#44 - While in college I somehow managed to get away without taking the required math class! Turns out a clerical error was in my favor!! WHEW! I HATE math!
#43 - My favorite fairytale growing up was Rapunzel. I would tie a towel or bedsheet around my head and pretend it was my hair and I was trapped in the tip top tower of a castle waiting for Prince Charming.
#42 - Speaking of walking around with a towel on my head ... I would also pretend I was bride on my wedding day.
#41 - I was nearly a prima ballerina ... nearly. My mom signed us up for ballet once and I think we lasted maybe 3 classes. They apparently didn't have any slipper to fit our feet. Ballet on bare feet isn't fun.
#40 - I had glasses when I was in Kindergarten. I was the only one in my class with glasses. But they were the coolest glasses ever! They had Pink Panther on the side of them! Even though they maybe have been cool, I still tried to lose them or break them every chance I got so I wouldn't have to wear them.
#39 - I always wanted to be Jeannie from "I Dream of Jeannie." I would even try to do my hair in that high ponytail.
#38 - Four of the guys I had crushes on ... 2 in high school and 2 in college ... all turned out to be gay. (and no, I did not turn them gay!)
#37 - I am a huge klutz. One classic example (and more the follow) was when I was with my friends playing basketball. There was a guy there I was trying to impress (even though his girlfriend was sitting on the sidelines), and in typical Jennifer fashion on the first play of the game I fell and sprained my ankle. Such a klutz!
#36 - While getting my sprained ankle X-rayed, the doctor was totally hot! I, however, was mortified to realize I hadn't shaved my legs in quite a few days ... and there was this hot doctor holding my prickly leg trying to assess the damage.
#35 - My favorite song to karaoke to is "Love is a Battlefield" by Pat Benetar.

Attention all book lovers!

I was recently introduced to a new Web site for book lovers. For those of us who have yet to find the perfect book club, check out this site ... and be my friend!
http://www.goodreads.com/

The Simpsons Movie

I just enjoyed a laugh-filled visit to Springfield, USA courtesy of Homer, Marge and the fam.
Stretching the 30-minute comedy into 80 minutes proved a riot.
During the movie, amid the laughter, I couldn't help but notice a few Homer-like chuckles. Seriously I think there was a guy near me who was either mimicing the doughnut lover or cursed with his distinct laugh.
I'm hoping Spider-pig makes a guest appearance when the next season begins! Hahaha!

Glen May Reunion 2007

Here are some fun photos from the family reunion in Baker City, Oregon!

Group shot

Sam with her fan

Little Nash

Krista

Kelsy
Dad
Colton
Andy

The Mad Hatter

OK, proof positive that I really shouldn't wear hats... Even though I love them so much!!




Whatever ... I think I can totally pull of this funky cowboy hat!!

Feeling nostalgic...

OK, so I found some photos from last year... A trip to California and Magic Mountain. So much fun!!
I so miss my St. George friends!!!

More of the random thoughts

#49 - Childhood brattiness moment: One Christmas I really, really wanted a Swatch watch! Sadly Santa wasn't able to comply. Instead I got a crappy digital watch. I pretty much pouted all day long. I was so sad. Apparently Santa sent a message to the Easter Bunny however, because that Easter I got my beloved Swatch watch! I really, really did love that watch!! I think I still have it somewhere, actually!
#48 - During the summers while we were growing up, we would all hang out at the neighbor's house and create mini-plays we would stage for our parents. I was pretty good at "dying." I remember falling out of the back of the pickup truck in one scene after being shot ... luckily it was onto a mattress. But I was quite the little wanna be actress. In fact, all us kids were pretty dramatic!
#47 - I have never had the chicken pox! Both my brother and sister had the pox, but I escaped unscared ... hopefully it stays that way!!
#46 - While at Ricks College I had a huge crush on a guy named Glen. I was so excited when I managed to hitch a ride back to college after the Christmas break! But being the shy, dorky, socially awkward girl that I was (or am), I hardly talked to him at all during the entire 3-hour drive. I pretended to be sleeping ... I was so nervous and didn't know what to say! (I think there are some people out there who now wish I would just shut up sometimes!)
#45 - I love watching Young and the Restless. I TIVO it every day.

She's a Pepper!

My family had a recent scare earlier this week. My Aunt Marge suffered a stroke and was in a coma. The entire family, all planning on a great family reunion in a few weeks, was all extremely worried for her and her immediate family.

Seems, however, that she is starting to improve (no actual medical updates at post-time) and actually woke up yesterday ... Opening her eyes she said, "I think I'd like a Dr. Pepper."

As my mother so plainly stated, this family needs to invest in Dr. Pepper stock! A few years ago Aunt Marge and Uncle Lyle were in a serious car accident where the car rolled. As rescuers tried to free them from the car, they became alarmed at fluid that was leaking from the vehicle, worried it might be gasoline. Nope, no need to worry ... it was just a case of Dr. Pepper that had be punctured during the accident!

So Aunt Marge, I hope you get your Dr. Pepper real soon! I join the rest of the family, I'm sure, in my prayers for your speedy recovery!

Lucky 7s

I'm heading off to St. George this weekend!! Ah, sweet Southern Utah, my old friend!!
Anyway, I'm heading that way for a friend's wedding!
Now I don't know if she chose this date intentionally, but she's getting married on 07.07.07 ... an apparently VERY LUCKY DAY!
Since the wedding is rumored to be outside and they've been seeing some record high temps, I'm hoping for a bit of my own luck ... A LUCKY CLOUD COVER!

I've been tagged

Jobs that I've held...
1. Pizza Hut Waitress
2. Bagger/Cashier at Dick's Market (yep, it's called Dick's)
3. Hastings Books, Music, Video store (loved that job and the DISCOUNT!)
4. Journalist

Movies I Can Watch Over and Over....
1. Pride and Prejudice (any version)
2. Princess Bride
3. Mrs. Doubtfire
4. Bridget Jone's Diary

Places I've Lived....
1. Montana
2. Utah
3. Japan (2 months counts!)
4. California

T.V. Shows I Enjoy...
1. Grey's Anatomy
2. The Office
3. Monk
4. Army Wives (new fave!)

Places I Have Been On Vacation...
1. Seattle
2. NYC
3. Washington DC
4. Yellowstone

Favorite Foods...
1. Lobster
2. Cafe Rio Steak Salad
3. Pasta Factory's Chicken Alfredo
4. Stroganoff

Websites I Visit Frequently...
1. The King Family Blog
2. Myspace.com
3. thespectrum.com
4. amazon.com

Places I'd Rather Be Right Now...
1. Alaska sounds nice ... supposed to be 118 today!
2. At the pool relaxing
3. Shopping with my friends!
4. Eating a great lunch with a cute boy!!

blogger buddies to tag...
1. All the
2. bloggers I know
3. tagged me or have already
4. been tagged.

The list is growing...

#59 - I thought of another favorite physical feature: My hands! I have very long, slender fingers and, when manicured, lenghty, strong fingernails ... all the more wonderful to claw my sister with while growing up!

#58 - I'm multi-talented. I can raise my upper lip in that Billy Idol-like snarl. LOVE IT! Combined with my cocked eyebrow ... that's sexy! haha! (couldn't find a pix of him with that trademark smirk ... oh well)

#57 - My younger brother enjoyed playing tricks while we were growing up. One that scared the holy hell out of me was when I walked into my bedroom one evening and he reached out from under the bed and grabbed my ankle! I screamed so loud! That was worse than any scary movie or any haunted house! I think I scared him, too, with my horrified scream. Thanks Jeff!

#56 - Growing up I always hoped I'd open up the kitchen cupboard and see the Hamburger Helper Helping Hand. Either that or the Pillsbury Doughboy! I really wanted to play with them ... Mrs. Butterworth would have been cool too,
but she seemed too "motherly." I wanted a fun playmate, not someone who made sure I ate all my breakfast.

#55 - Bad Luck Curse Moment: My first day of classes at Weber State University. I had just bought a car from my parents -- a sweet Nissan Sentra -- and I rear-ended someone!! It did a couple thousands dollars damage to my car, but only broke the bike rack on the SUV I hit. Good thing I was early for classes that day.


#54 - The most frightening movie I ever saw as a child was Walt Disney's "Watcher in the Woods." I saw it at a sleep over at the neighbor's house and it scared me to death! I saw it one other time and tried to sleep my way through it while others watched. I haven't seen that movie since. Too Scary!!

#53 - And then there was "V" the TV mini series that the nation was engrossed in about aliens invading Earth. It was great up until one of the humans, impregnated by an alien-posing-as-a-human, gave birth to twins. One was a lizard-like alien baby and the other was a human-like baby with a forked tongue! Freaked me out! Nightmares for a week, I think, with that one! Would actually like to see that mini series agein one of these days.

#52 - Guilty pleasure: I love eating a small handful of walnuts and chocolate chips. Not quite a cookie, but good to calm that craving (especially where there are only a handful of each left in the pantry).

#51 - The Utah Shakespearan Festival is launching it's summer season on Monday and I'm really, really sad I won't be there for opening night! That was one of the highlights of my job and this marks the second year I haven't been a part of it! SAD!

#50 - OK, I will admit it ... one of my (oh-so-few) flaws is that I like being right! I never have claimed to be a know-it-all, but I do have quite a bit of random information floating in my brain! I also tend to point out when people are wrong, too. I'm an egotistical brainiac ... what can I say?

Having your niece with you at all time ... Priceless!

I just ran and got some lunch a bit ago and, like so many instances in the past year, the gal at the register commented on my adorable niece! Now, obviously Adi lives thousands of miles away from me, but I carry her with me wherever I go and see her quite often ... At least whenever I make a purchase with my debit card!

America First Credit Union has the greatest perk for being a member. You can customize those photos on your debit and credit cards! So when I took my brother, sister-in-law and niece out to dinner last year, I got to say "This is on Adi," as I handed our waiter my Adi-adorned debit card!

This has proven a great conversation starter as curious cashiers ohh and ahh over Adorable Adi and are amazed that I carry her with me everywhere! It's such a great concept! In fact, I just created a new Visa card with my dog Izzy's face on it! How cute is she!!

More randomness

#69 - I'm a passer outer ... I pass out when I am in pain, get too hot or haven't eaten in a while. I always pass out at the most embarassing moments, though ... and usually it's in front of a large crowd! Girl's Camp ... CONK! Primary ... BYE BYE! Out on a story assignment ... DOWN FOR THE COUNT!
#68 - When I was 16 and hadn't had my license very long, I drove to the grocery store on Sunday to grab something for dinner. And I totally hit a car trying to pull in a parking spot! Luckily there was no damage at all to either car. Guess that's what I get for shopping on Sunday!
#67 - Nicknames ... I just remembered one more from childhood... Someone in grade school called me Fish Eyes. JERK! haha
#66 - I love Kevin James ... The King of Queens ... I have a mad crush on him!
#65 - There is nothing better than crawling into bed when the sheets are fresh and smell like bleach and fabric softner!
#64 - Childhood brattiness moment: In church (under the peer pressure of one of my "friends") I pulled out the chair my sister was about to sit on and she fell and bonked her head. I was such a brat!
#63 - My first concert was Neil Diamond with my mom and sister!
#62 - Speaking of concerts. ... My friends and I went to the Bel Biv Devo concert in like 1990 ... I thought I was so cool buying the T-shirt. It had a giant "Do Me" on it! I was such a loser!
#61 - I have always thought it would be fun to get a pie thrown in my face.
#60 - Before I die I want to go skydiving!

20 more "Realities"

OK, so I've been thinking about these over the last few days and then, when I sit down to write them, I can't remember any of them. Let's see what's still left:

#89 - When I get stressed out at work, I tend to play with my hair. I pull it up, twist it around my fingers, braid it, stick a pencil through it or whatever. I'm not sure if it actually calms me, but it is a nice break.
#88 - I tend to stick my tongue out when I'm really concentrating on something. Usually it's when I'm working on a craft project or coloring!
#87 - I've always been fascinated by the dried soapy foam in my dad's shaving mug. Can't really explain it, but it's just so cool ... kind of spider web-like for me.
#86 - As my brother reminded me ... I had a really bad experience with Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies when I was little. I got sick on them once, and I've hated them ever since. In fact, I am not a fan of many chocolate-mint things (not all, though ... love Andes Mints!)
#85 - Growing up my dad always threatened to pull us out of school if we didn't make our bed (like that was such a threat). But it worked! To this day, I am dutiful in making my bed each day!
#84 - I've decided that the elderly (at least in Palm Springs) think the world revolves around them. Just yesterday there was a lady at Kinkos who thought everyone working there should be assisting her RIGHT THAT SECOND! She was sure making a scene. Sure we ought to respect our elders, but it's awfully hard when they are so demanding and just plain rude.
#83 - I think I might be addicted to online dating Web sites. Not that it's doing much good, though. (I really need to find a social life ... FAST!)
#82 - One of my favorite movies, probably one of the worse movies ever, that I can quote almost verbatim is Grease 2.
#81 - I started a Kidney Stone trend in my family. After having my round of stone attacks, my brother and then my sister have also been afflicted with the horrible curse! Sorry, guys!!!
#80 - I am a lousy swimmer and actually flunked my swimming lessons growing up because I wouldn't dive into the deep end. As a result I am kind of afraid of the water.
#79 - Making this list is actually kind of cathartic ... and fun!
#78 - I have always been really good about keeping in touch with all my old friends. In fact I'm kind of the one who keeps everyone else in touch and updated on gossip, marriages, babies, etc...
#77 - Speaking of friends, however, even though I went with my very best friend from high school, I HATED my 10 year high school reunion. I still felt like a loner and like it was still a popularity game. I don't think I would have gone if it wasn't for my friend.
#76 - One physical feature that I am most proud of is my hair! I love my locks! Long or short, curly or straight, I think I have great hair! (although right now I could use a trim and color retouch!)
#75 - Childhood brattiness moment: Not a fan of chicken pot pies, I threw mine on the kitchen floor one night for the dog (who was outside at the time) to hopefully lick up. But I was busted and as a result I couldn't watch "Wizard of Oz" on TV that night. I bawled and bawled the whole night while my dad stayed in my bedroom with me.
#74 - Oldest guy I went out on a date with was 51 years old. He'd never been married and was horribly rude! I felt like I was on a date with my dad. He even tried to kiss me! Completely laughable! A post-date email exchange even made things worse with a barrage of insults flying back and forth. Never again! Lesson learned!
#73 - I am apparently cursed with really bad luck, but not just ordinary bad luck. If something bad is going to happen to me, it is the weirdest, worst, most painful or most unusual! Attacked by a cat. Car and home being broken into multiple times. Being hit by a car. And the list goes on.
#72 - I hate unloading the dishwasher! I don't mind loading it, but for some reason I really don't like unloading.
#71 - I don't really talk in my sleep, but I do mumble and sigh and some talking on occasion. But mostly I make little, I'm-so-relaxed sighs and noises as I fall asleep.
#70 - Even though they are scarred from surgery and cause me all sorts of pain in cute shoes, I kind of like my feet.

100 things

I was reading one of my cousins' blogs tonight and was inspired by her "100 Real Things About Me" list. And, since I have been struggling to find things to blog about, I thought I would swipe her idea.

This could be fun. And I'm interested to see where it goes, so let's get started with at least the first 10 (in no particular order).

#100 -- I am not a California girl. I wish I could either move back to Utah or bring all my friends here!
#99 -- I love to squeeze my puppies paws.
#98 -- I am almost always moving ... feet twitching, fingers tapping, leg bouncing. I think that's why one of my not-so-nice nicknames in high school was "Nervous."
#97 -- I often work out problems in my sleep ... through my dreams
#96 -- I have only been to Disneyland once in my life ... and that was only for dinner! We only did one ride.
#95 -- I can't start my work day unless it's with Matt Lauer and the Today Show! I really miss Katie Couric, though.
#94 -- One regret: that I didn't practice piano more growing up.
#93 -- I wasn't kissed for the first time until I was 23 years old ... but very good things come to those who wait!!
#92 -- I love to drive. Turn up my stereo, sing loudly and drive anywhere.
#91 -- My ultimate comfort food treat? Those frosted, pink and white animal cookies!

(Well, there's a quick start to this list. I'm sure as I continue thinking about these items they will become more profound.)

Puppy Pix

Sexy Single Gals!

I just returned from a great LDS Mid-Singles Conference in Huntington Beach. My sister and I drove 2 hours and met up with St. George friends and thousands of other single men and women (more women than men, of course). It was a really fun weekend full of all sorts of mingling activities!

Completely impressive, the conference was so well organized. Clearly a ton of work, thought and planning had gone into the event! Speed dating was a blast! The dance was rockin'. The "Chill Lounges" were groovy. It was awesome! And you can't beat the beautiful beach city-setting!! A bit cold and hazy, but a great weekend.

Sizzling Hot!!

This post is long overdue... Too bad there isn't much to really say.
Life in Southern California is hot, hot, hot.... And I mean that literally!! It hit 100 degrees here last week! Holy Crap!! It's only March!!! It's going to be a very long hot summer!

Life at work has been completely hectic. A stark change from the slow pace I experienced for the first 4 months while out here. I have received a promotion and I'm doing about 3 jobs at the same time right now until they hire someone to take over my La Quinta position and I fully train someone to take over production of the entertainment section I'm editing. I will be really relieved when everything is smoothed out!

Last week my sister and I went and saw "300" ... an incredible movie! One of my favorites, for sure! Such great action ... and those men... Ahhhhh, the six packs on all of them!

Crooked Smile?

Doggie Day at the Spa

I was glancing through all my posts the other day and realized I didn't have one single photo of my puppies on this site! What better day to post pix that when they are fresh out of a lovely afternoon at the groomers!


Izzy, the West Highland Terrier. merely had a bath and brush and is now a fluffy princess.


Riley, my large Yorkshire Terrier was long overdue for a good close shave. Gone are his dreadlocks (he aspired to be Bob Marley, but kept tracking in all the leaves after each walk outside!) and he is a new, much skinnier and likely chilly puppy!

Last weekend both puppies had a rough time with a round of doggie flu ... or something. It was not a pretty picture as puppies were puking for several days. But all is better (except maybe my carpet).

Back to Japan

During my two months in the land of the rising sun, I had some incredible times, but I also had some lousy days, too. Luckily they didn't last very long. I pretty much chalk it all up to homesickness. That, coupled with the heat and humidity, not knowing the language and not having any friends to hang out with ... well, I was pretty lonely for awhile.

One of the most memorable moments of my trip was when I decided to buck up and set out on an adventure, one that brought me to the Tokyo LDS Temple! It was a bit of a turning point in my trip. I managed perfectly to get on the right trains and then onto the subway ... I left the subway station and followed the directions, turned the corner and there it was! So incredible to see such a beautiful, familiar sight in such a completely foreign country.

Walking in, I tried to contain my relief and excitement. I managed to find my way through the session even though I was pretty nervous that I would make a fool of myself or not understand anything, but everything went wonderfully. The matrons at the temple were so sweet and I think I was their "Special Project" for the day.

It was such a spiritual experience. I realized that, no matter where I was in the world, no matter how homesick I was, the Church would always be there! The next day I went to church for the first time and was quickly welcomed into the fold, making many great friends along the way.

Adorable Adi

This post is dedicated to my beautiful niece, Adilyn! I just spent the last weekend with Adi (and her parents, too), and had a great time playing with her, teaching her to say Jenn, and taking her for walks to find the "ki-ties" and "doggas." Between her demands for "gum" and "candy" we also managed to eat some great, messy spaghetti and then apply our chapstick.

It was a great weekend!

Uneventful days

Looks like I have a bit of catching up to do. I just wish it were more exciting. It's been pretty quiet and uneventful around here.
I did have a great Christmas ... I got to go home to St. George and spend time with both family and friends. From gossiping while getting my hair done by Amy Saturday morning, to catching up with Mike and his brother at his shop to dancing the night away with Mike, Amy, Rob and more down in Mesquite. It was a great time. Sunday was filled with fun visits with friends from church and lounging around chatting with dad while we waiting for Mom to arrive from Layton ... with a car filled with food and presents ... just like Santa and his sleigh ... well, almost.

I managed to eat at a couple of my favorite restaurants! I have seriously been missing Cafe Rio and Bajio!! I sure wish I could open a franchise down here. There just isn't anything that compares in So. Cal!

Christmas day was kind of a let-down ... Not because Santa didn't bring me what I wanted... no, I got a case of the flu or something. I even ended up on the couch while Mom and Dad ate Christmas dinner. It certainly made for a long drive home the next day ... not feeling good and then having to contend with horrible traffic! But overall, it was a great weekend.

While at the condo, I helped my parents move in some new furniture. They are having a great time decorating and slowly renovating the condo. They are slowly repainting and eventually will be re-carpeting the entire place. In the meantime, they are having fun furnishing the place. It's sure looking good, too.
Here are some photos...



(Photos provided via camera phone by Brent.)

As for New Year's ... well, I reverted to my pre-teen years and babysat for the night. It actually was pretty fun. Knight is about the same age as Adi, 22 months, so we had a great time. He sure loved "walking" the doggies. He actually did manage to walk Macey around the complex... all by himself. He is such a cutie! And such a talker, too. Sure made me miss my little neice, though.

But I will be able to see little Miss Adi in just a couple weeks!! She is flying out with her parents on Jan. 15 to Vegas. Part of the family's Christmas present is a trip for them to come out and spend a week with all of us! I can't wait. Lisa will spend three days with them in Vegas while I watch the puppies. I will then head up Thursday night and then take them back to the airport Monday. I can't wait to play with Adi and make some good use of my camera!!