Love & Stuff

Love... A topic I find myself thinking about every single day.  Currently my life isn't hip on the love-scene, and I lack even a PNC (potential new crush).  However, I'm surrounded by all these googly-eyed-love-birds after the recent wave and popular trend of getting engaged over Winter Break, not to mention Valentines day is right around the corner, ugh.

Now, from my 20 years of life I have found myself to be a real believer in true love.  I think it all started when I was about 6 years old and the white kitty on Aristicats said "isn't it romantic?" I told my family later that day that my new favorite word was "romantic"... and they never let me forget it. But really I am, I love the idea of love.

Love is such a weird concept to me; I mean it is just a feeling after all. But how is it possible that a feeling is something that consumes 90% of peoples thoughts, changes peoples actions and life goals, makes people want to take the big step and be with ONLY THAT PERSON for the rest of their life?

 Love turns your wing-girl (or boy)  into just UGH friends (Used to Go Hard... thank you betcheslovethis.com).  They become that person who would rather cuddle and watch movies and feed their signif other bites of delicious home-cooked meals rather than the boy-crazy-attention-seeking-slay-queen version of your friend!!!  Your "in a relationship friend" (as defined by facebook) is now trying to give you love advice! She becomes the friend who justifies your single-ness by saying "he is probably just intimidated by you"; when all I want to do is shout  "trust me girlfriend, I read the book, I KNOW THE SIGNS when he's just not that into me...")

Love... Yet everyone in the world wants it, looks for it, and does things to find it! Girls go to college to get their MRS degree after all (don't look in the SW program, just saying). And once they find it, nothing can stop it.

For me personally, it takes a lot to actually like someone. Usually boys creep me out at some point when they try to do something "romantic" for me (it is usually something so awkward and creepy. I usually just stop talking to them and leave them hanging. Whoopsies. No more awkward singing love songs and burnt paper poems, they're bad). However, something thoughtful always melts my heart (one time a friend of mine got me a dream catcher necklace, and another got me a cactus because "he saw it and knew I would like it"--turns out he was right, I love it)

Best relationship advice I can give at this point: if you haven't had a boyfriend in a while, don't jump in all at once!  Start dating them on weekdays only (I call them, weekday boyfriends).  That way you have someone to feed and cuddle you during the week, and then you are free to meet new PNC's on the weekend.  Just kidding... but seriously...

Even though I hardly like to admit it, I guess the commitment of promising to only date 1 person scares me (because what if the cute boy I saw in the library FINALLY notices me and asks me out?! Ha, I have no soul....).  Because of this fear, I have only dated 3 boys in my life (aka called them my boyfriend) but now looking back, I would really only rather call one because the other 2 seem insignificant.

Let met start by my "first real boyfriend" (sorry Danny Holland, I'm not incluing eighth grade).  I was 15 years old and met this kid through a friend of a friend.  He was 16 and was the funniest boy I had ever met.  We had so much fun together in our 9 month relationship (even said "I love you".... that's what you do when you are 15) until things got crazy.  I like to refer to that relationship as more of "puppy love" more than anything.

Next I dated a boy from my junior year until I graduated.  Now, he was different because I never called him my boyfriend, and I never told him I loved him (which at the time I thought I did).  Because we "weren't together" there were times I justified it and kissed my secret basketball crush (among others) and didn't tell him (yeah I still feel bad). But turns out he was doing the same thing, and after dating for a year and a half I found out he had a secret girlfriend for something like 8 months.  Obvs I was pissed (double standard) and broke it off.  Fortunately now, he is one of my close friends (and yes, he is still dating her).

My most recent boyfriend was my freshman year at Utah State; First Love you could call it; it was different.  I was friends with him almost my whole freshman year, but it wasn't until the last 2 weeks of school I decided I liked him and we became obsessed with each other.  We dated until school started that fall, then off and on until February 13 (classic, right before Valentines day) of my sophomore year.  Its a weird feeling falling in love, and I really do consider those days the best time of my life. (I would recommend listening to 19 by Tegan and Sara to sum that part of my life up... ha)

It is amazing to me how unbelievably happy it makes you (yet at times irrational).  (like diet coke), Love makes the skies bluer, children more cute, and bad day's good ones.  It's that person you can always go to, have fun with no matter what, love even every flaw about that person, and want to spend every waking (and sleeping) moment with that person.

But because love is so incredible, when it ends there is no worse feeling in the world.  It is strange to feel like you are going to be with someone for the rest of your life, and wanting to do anything and everything for that person, and making future plans to never speaking to them again. Suddenly, it's like you need to plan your whole life all over again while blasting "Nothing Compares to You".  You are secretly inside just waiting for someone to ask you how you are doing so you can reply "awful!" and share every detail about how you recently got dumped. You facebook stalk your ex no less than 40 times a day and tell everyone you know that you cant believe what his most recent activity is! You wear the same outfit you feel extra sexy in all in hopes running into your ex (it's been 7 days wearing the same outfit and you still haven't had any luck!!!) Your friends HUMILIATE YOU and shout out "she is single and ready to mingle" to every male creature that walks within 100 feet of you! You compare everything to that person and even the slightest thing reminds you of him (don't you hate when you have to hate your favorite song after them? ANNOYING!!!)

Love is wonderful, yet terrible. Break ups are terrible, yet wonderful.  Both teach so many lessons about yourself and what you want in life.  This cycle happens to everyone; and if it hasn't yet, it will. My good friend Sloan Bailey told me (after some time of bawlin' my eyes out) that "you break up with every boyfriend you ever have, until you marry one". Thank goodness for these experiences that are stepping stones in life that take me from my "puppy love" to my "first love" to "the love of my life".

but like I always say "ain't love grand?"

I "Whaley" love them.

Sometimes... people ask me while I love whales so much.
It's hard to put into words why I love whales so much... and it's tough to say where it all started.

If I had to pinpoint the first moment, it would be when I went whale watching in Alaska when I was probably in 9th grade. Only a couple moments out on the boats we were so lucky and saw whales breaching! ahh.. I love that day.

Okay so the day I really really REALLY decided I loved whales was when I went to sea world in 2009. I literally started to cry during the Shamu Show. It was then I knew my life had changed for the better...

Immediately after that trip I truly researched what it takes to me a whale trainer at sea world.  Once I did a lot of searching, it said that they only accept two a year! and it usually takes them 10 years to work up to that process! my dreams and heart were dashed!!! It was so depressing! my freshman year at USU I seriously considered leaving and going to study marine biology somewhere else.  But after seriously considering this and knowing I would have to move I decided I couldn't do it because I'm too obsessed with my family... it was a rough reality check. 


Now, there are a least a beeeeellion reasons why I love whales...
but here are just a few fun facts:
1. Did you know whales can swim up to 35 mph?
2. Sperm whales have the biggest brain in the animal kingdom!
3. Blue Whales are the largest animals in the world
4. Whales rest one half of their brain at a time while they sleep
5. There are 2 types of whales (toothed/baleen)
6. Whales are freaking mammals aka they give live birth and nurse their babies and breathe air!
7. They usually travel in groups called pods
8. Blue Whales aren't found very often.. which is INSANE because they are freakin' huge!


When people ask me "why do you love whales so much?" I usually just answer with..."whats not to love? first of all they are HUGE! They are the biggest animals of all time and are even bigger than any dinosaur that ever lived! and some whales veins are even so big a person could swim down them!"

let me start by breaking down my top 5 favorite whales (in no particular order)
1. Sperm Whales
2. Beluga Whales
3. Blue Whales
4. Killer Whales
5. Humpback Whales

Now obviously, I love all these whales for different reasons. Now, Killer Whales (aka Orcas) used to be my favorite whales (obviously, after sea world). But then as I read more books about them and watched so many videos on YouTube, I learned that Killer Whales eat other whales... and I thought, that is messed up. So they dropped a few notches on the favorite list, and Sperm whales became #1 pretty quick.  

Now seriously, it's kinda embarrassing how every person I know knows how much I love whales. but at the same time its kinda awesome because whenever someone see's something whale-eske then they buy it for me or think of me.  This is what I got from my parents for my 19th birthday. Best Present Ever! I cried when I got it haha (I always cry when it comes to whales: fact).  Also, people sometimes catch up on some basic whale facts before starting conversations with me, now that is impressive.

Everyone needs to watch Disney's Oceans!!!!!!!
Favorite/Best movie of ALL TIME hands down!

I can't wait to see Big Miracle! Future favorite movie ever!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qv-mWQUoXOg

Now, if you ever feel depressed DON'T watch whaling videos.  One time I did this and thought I was becoming suicidal (okay that is a little dramatic...) but I literally bawled my eyes out.  It is so sad to me that people can actually just kill a whale! an innocent animal just swimming on its way.... I can't believe it! now THAT is messed up.

For some reason... I just want to hug all the whales in the world. They just seem so sweet and cute and cuddly and so cool! like just adorable.  I know not all people can see this.. but I know for a fact everyone has their secret obsession.. mine just isn't a secret. The day the whale trainer died a few years ago I got at least 100 texts telling me and warning me to not become a whale trainer! That really was such a sad day... RIP.

you'd be surprised how many cute whale things there really are out there...

Shout out to my favorite: whale picture, calender, blanket, necklace, dress, and present!

I feel like this blogpost still doesn't even do justice for how much I love whales.  Let me just say, sometimes I think I love whales more than people.  I dream about whales probably 3 nights a week (literally) and spend probably 40% of my life thinking about them. Whales are so beautiful, and amazing, and graceful, and have such good communication, and travel in families! There is so much everyone can learn from whales!

I JUST LOVE THEM SO MUCH AND WANT TO SQUEEZE 'EM!

but like I always say... "SAVE THE WHALES" 
seriously.

Chef Shnell-ardee?

Okay so mostly for myself, I need to write the progress of my goals and how well my domestic-ness is going so far...

Okay, so one goal I had for this year was to go to bed at 11 and wake up at 7.  Although I am usually about an hour or so behind this, I'm doing a MUCH better job going to bed early and waking up early.  As awful as getting ready before walking across campus to my SW Practice II class is, I have class from 9 am until 3 pm so I really have no option but to just get ready!

Sidenote: My classes thus far include Social Work Practice II, Mental Health, Social Deviance, Criminal Law and Justice, SW Practice III, and Natural Disasters (18 credits later and turns our I still won't graduate on time...)

With all this sleeping and eating better, I am trying to just maintain a healthier life style. This includes no tanning (which is harder than you would think.. maybe once a month limit), taking vitamins, drinking more water (and diet coke of course) and exercising more (3 times a week minimum goal)

So, as far as my cooking goals, it really was such a joke over winter break and I did nothing, but since I've been up at school I have cooked almost every single meal every day!!!

Every morning I try to drink a green smoothie.. For those of you who don't know what this is it includes:

a handful of spinach
1/2 banana
frozen blueberries
yogurt
orange juice

(okay so actually you can put in whatever you want this is just what I have so that what goes in..)

Blend it all up... and breakfast is served!

I have even cooked lunch and dinner for myself! One of these meals was Enchiladas! So we got the recipe from Pinterest (obvs) and me, Loose, Lexi, and Lil had a friendship dinner and cooked it and ate these delicious chocolate truffles for dessert! Such a team effort but it was so delicious and worth it!

Okay so, turns out I'm still a little bit of an embarrassment, but I'm doing much better.

Betty Crocker
Chef Boyardee
Shnell Webb

 Another thing I am doing is making time for reading...
I don't know if anyone has heard of The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin, but I would strongly recommend it. I'm so happy I started reading at the start of a new year because it has kept me motivated to stick to my goals! With my future 18 credits going to take up the majority of my life I am going to try and finish it next week so I can focus more on school (and start a new book. Crazy by Pete Early to be exact)

Oh and if you haven't already heard, another goal is to get find myself a boyfriend and get married this year... SIKE

There are still so many things that I need to work on and want to do with my life, but hey its only the eighteenth, and so far so good.


but like I always say... "The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me."

Things I've learned in Logan

-If it says is 16 degrees, it really only feels like 0
-Don't speed in Mantua
-Actually, don't speed anywhere in Cache Valley
-You can tell a Logan local from 5 miles away
- If you feel good about a test... you failed.
- Laugh at teachers jokes
- Sometimes people find boyfriends from up in trees
- It takes longer to get ready for a dance party than you actually spend there
- If you just saw someone slip on ice right there, don't step there!
- Don't fall for any red heads or albinos.
- Don't invite a boy over you met in the library!!!!!
- Don't leave your facebook unattended for any reason!
- Attend all campus events!
- The HOWL is overrated, Mardi Gras is what's up!
- Even if YOU think all girls should be friends & be on the same team, THEY don't necessarily think that.
- Aggie Basketball or BUST!
- You will always have the "know it all" "brown noser" or "girl who sounds like she is crying every time she talks" in all your classes
- If Moises Diaz says "good afternoon!" you better say "good afternoon!"
- Potential Crushes will always be at the field house
- Become a True Aggie your freshman year while you are still in slay-everybody mode because that does wear off!
- Have at least 1 pic nic on the quad!
- Logan has a ZOO!
- Don't expect to get a job.. they are scarce.
- Sometimes, you just need to crafternoon
- Don't kiss fraternity boys if your sisters have. and don't except to be the last one they kiss either.
- Make friends with your neighbs
- Take advantage of making your friends freshmen year because eventually, people stop giving a crap.
- Go to Bear Lake!
- Sometimes, you just need to kiss your obsession crush to get over him.
- Join a club, team, or sorority!!!!!!!!
- Don't do dumb things with your freshman friends. You will see them in 2 years. and it could get awkward.
- If someone asks you out, give them at least one chance.
- If he say's he is from Australia, HE LIED!
- Don't get rides from strangers who offer.
- Don't text and drive
- Don't make any mistake while driving actually...
- Go rock climbing up Logan Canyon
- Live in the dorms for at least 1 year
- Keep friends who enjoy good music, card games, and takes you sombrero shopping so he can translate
- Sometimes you just need to sit in the gutter and get soaked my sprinklers with your little
- You might think you have a good friend, but he will get engaged behind your back
- Ride a tandem with 3 peeps on it to the mall.. then get driven home in a pick up truck.
- Have daily music appreciation hour
- Sit in the front 3 rows
- Always walk through the TSC
- Such a Sorority Cliche, but have lingere parties!
- Get ready before you go to the library!
- Don't check yourself out in the mirror buildings, you tool.
- Never trust someone who wears sunglasses inside
- Abbrevs is a totes effic way of saying less but more at the same time
- Know "the signal" before you go to parties
- Sometimes you fall for the kid who bugged the crap out of you walking you across campus
- Go to all formals & campus events!
- Know that people are always creeping on you from the KD window
- All group projects suck
- Don't swear sweats or pajamas to class! (yoga pants acceptable)
- If you are yelling to someone who isn't responding, its not who you thought it was. awkward
- Don't wear headphones while walking to class you anti-social creep.
- If he has attractive teeth and facial hair, he is never taller 5'5"
- Texting while walking is dangerous!
- Say Hi to your teachers at Walmart
- For some reason I never expect to open a door myself.
- Walk to class with your friends.
- If its Happy Hour at the quick stop, SPLURG and get a 32 ounce. always.
- You always see someone you know at the quick stop
- If the stairs are icy, take the elevator
- If you KNOW the beehive is there... find a different route
- Sometimes, girls in class happen to have Indian mud in their backpack to rid you of your allergic reaction
- Don't start conversations with "so.. do you like pets?"
- You really do get instant bonds with fellow diet coke drinkers
- Everyone you know gets engaged by your junior year.
- You won't find your future BF/husband in the social work program.
- Having a "campus crush" you see when you walk to the library Tuesdays and Thursdays.
- Bad late night decision Mcdonald-runs
- Have pillow talk
- Needing to have 2 roomies because sometimes one of them doesn't come home
- Yell "FLUSHING" if someone is in the shower
- You may or may not hate freshman by your junior year.
- Go to office hours
- At least asking never hurt anyone
- "worth it"
- "sorry i'm not sorry"
- Don't take more than 15 credits.
- Get ready before All Greek
- Don't forget a pencil
- ALWAYS keep a planner
- Don't eat a scottsman!!!!!!!!!!
- You meet your best friends in college
- Remember, in Logan, all you have is each other
- Keep Aggie Pride!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

but like i always say... "show me a true-blooded Aggie from Utah, who doesn't love the spot where the sagebrush grows!!!!!!!!!"

Sistas

Today I miss my sis Melissa and am waiting for my sis Krista to text me back, so in the meantime I though I am going to blog about them...

Let me start by saying my sisters are seriously my best friends.  I am truly obsessed with them. some may even call it creeeeeepy...... but I can't help it! Seriously, there is something about having a friend who looks and talks and acts just like you and wants to do all the same things you do! My sisters & I are all so similiar but so different at the same time.  But we all do such a good job about talking and getting together regularly.

They both do such a good job about giving me advice in my life. They always ask me about what is going on in my love life, with school and with my friends.  I am a pretty open person about my life so I really feel I have no problem just telling them everything.  They always give me advice about what I should do, especially with boys.  They both always talk about how they want me to get married (which is pretty creepy)
Melissa once said "well I'M ready for you to be married...." I was just like "haha well that's great YOU are, because I'm not!"
My other sister Krista goes out of her way to try and get me married.  That girl has seriously set me up and given people my number all the time! (its because she got married at 19 so she thinks i'm an old lady)
My latest FB status (thanks to krista) said "needs a boyfriend so I can get married in 2012! It's my ONLY New Years resolution, and I'm NOT going to let myself down."
17 "likes" and 18 comments later; I have a few potential new husbands (not)!

So, this is Melissa, but I think the best word to describe her is "Shrub".   Every time I go home she is the #1 person I need to see.  I love her because I can tell her anything.  She is the best because when I hate boys, she hates them too.  Or when I'm pissed at someone, she's pissed at them too! and if I feel weak and want to text my ex-crush, she tells me NO and gives me a list of 1000 reasons why I can't.  We spend a lot of time just chilllaxin on her couches with her kids, cook food (or i just watch her mostly), watch 4 hours of TV and feel good about it, run errands, and talk/work on our goals.  She is also the one that made me start a blog and pinterest and start crafting and cooking.  She has given me so much advice about my future, I really think it has changed my life. She is always willing to listen to me and is one of the first people I need to tell when sometime great/ridiculous/lame/annoyting things happens to me.

Another reason I love my shrub is because she brought me my nephews!

This is my nephew Canyon aka Can-man aka Canteen aka Cantoon
So he is 3 years old and CRAZY!!!!!! He says the most ridiculous things that I love and absoloutely kill me.  The other day I walked into their house and he just goes "yo". (i dont know where he learns this....)
I will take the blame for him love/hating me because i do things like lick his ear, give him sanchezes, tickle the crap out of him, and teach him to say things like "EEEEEVIIIIIIL" hahahah I think its hilarious even though he always tells me i'm being "naughty".  Even though I always joke about him being "eviiiiil" he really is such a sweet boy.  He always shares with me and tells me he loves me (if I pin him down and make him say it). 
I love his little albino-ness.
Canyon was my first love I think.

Greyson will turn 1 on February 24th! I can't believe how big the little guy is getting! Now Greyson and Canyon although brothers are very different to me.  Greyson is the cuddliest and smiliest little baby you have ever seen! he is so content to just sit and chill; but if you even do as much as look at him, he get's the biggest smile! He laughs at everything.  What I find the most presh about these 2 crazy boys is how obsessed with each other they are! After they are both done with their daily snooze, they just can't wait to see each other.  Greyson just climbs on Canyon and Canyon always is giving him hugs and kisses. oh, and I also love when Canyon calls him "g-funk" (he talks just like Melissa haha its hilarious).  It really is adorable, and Mel says is best when she says "Greyson melts my heart".

This is my Sista Krista aka Keeka
This picture definitely sums her up best! First of all, she crafted that sweater!!!! second, I think she invented that pose.  So Krista is seriously also one of my best friends.  I know I am so lucky because I know lots of sisters who don't have a relationship like ours.  I am especially lucky because she lives in Logan only about 5 minutes away from me! Now I know I have been sorta a crappy sister and haven't seen her as much as I should, but I'm always glad when I do!

She is so goofy. Seriously, hilarious! Even though she would say otherwise, I think she is probs the ditziest in our fam (sorry), but I'm glad.  I always have such a good time with her!

Okay so as just a sidenote, but still an important note: my sisters were pregnant at the same time.  And they were both OUT OF CONTROL whether they knew it or not.  It was so funny but trust me when I say "Pregnant people DON'T HAVE BRAINS!!!"

So Krista is pregnant and my whole family is watching conference when (I think it was Elder Holland? not quite sure..) gave his wife a shout-out and said  "The beautiful Patricia-Terri".  So Krista (in all seriousness) is like "what is a patricia terri?"  The question didn't even make sense to me, I was like "what do you mean?" and she was like "he just said patricia terri".  I was like ohhhh myyyy gosh are you serious? I was like "that is his wifes name!!" and she was STILL so confused! even though this story is hilarious now I just remember being like frusturated at the time and even saying "don't talk to me until after you have you baby because you seriously have no brain!" hahahaha this is just one of the good times that we have had together.

Krista is also so good about crafting, cooking, and being productive (i guess we are all similar yet different in this way).  Whenever we get together there is always a project or something that she wants to work on.  One time we even painted her living room wall (from a nasty green camo... seriously, to a nice beige color).  It was an all day event but it was so satisfying and I'm not stressed out by her  creepy wall anymore. 

One of my favorite things about Krista is this tiny baby girl she brought into my life
Now, Lillie girl is my first niece and I am seriously OBSESSED!
She is like the busiest one year old ever.  She is always crawling or climbing onto everything! She is so precious because she just turned 1 and already loves "pretties" like necklaces, watches, rings, and bracelets.  She has the most beautiful blue eyes and the cheesiest smile whenever you pull out the camera.  I think she is the perfect Gerber Baby and all i want to do is cuddle her but she wont ever let me!


I just feel like there is still so much I want to say about my sisters but it's hard to put it all into words.  They are seriously my best friends and I have more fun with them when we all get together than anyone.  They are such good examples to me and keep me motivated, stick to my goals, discover new skills, advice on my future, listen to me when I'm happy angry or upset.  We have fun when we are doing things, or even fun when we just sit on the couch and catch up with each other for hours.

Being in a sorority taught me so much about sisterhood.  Now I absolutely LOVE my KD sisters and that is something so special and I absolutely adore.  But there really is nothing like having a real flesh and blood sister who you look and act just like.  Keep your relationship good with your sisters always because they will always be there for you! I love and miss you already, sistas!

but like I always say "friendships come and go, but sistas are forever"

With God as Our Guide

So my Grandma Rae died on December 21, but because of the holidays we had her funeral yesterday and her burial today.  I have already dedicated a post to her, but I couldn't help but share this poem she wrote that was published in the Liahona Magazine; May 26, 1942

With God as Our Guide
Though days seem dark, and joy is gone.
And we are left all alone in despair.
Though troubles rage through endless age
And may have ceased to care.
Let our hearts express our faith and hope
As we kneel at eventide.
For though the future may seem clouded
How can we fail with God as our guide?
Let us be free from selfishness,
Cease to wear a troubled frown.
Let's spread cheer among our fellow man
Smile, let hate not get us down.
Giving thanks will bring us new courage,
As we kneel at eventide,
And the future will take on new brilliance
How can we fail with God as our guide?

Flowers from her burial

 

The most beautiful pic of my grandma (if I do say so myself)

like I always say "I love you the most, grandma."

New Year's Goals & Stuff

With every year comes a list of New Year's Resolutions.  In my case, a list of close to 10 (hey, I have a lot I need to work on!) There are also a lot I wouldn't necessarily call Resolutions... just things I want to do. Let me break it down...
Okay so as far as resolutions (I feel like sharing) go...
1. Read the entire Book of Mormon cover to cover (luckily I just finished 4 days ago!)
2. Keep a daily/weekly journal (I started today, I haven't kept one since I was probably 12!)
3. Cook 1 meal a week (I mean real meals.. the most cooking of done this year is put a pizza in the oven; I know I'm embarrassing)
4. Go to sleep earlier and wake up earlier (as nice as winter break has been going to bed at 2 am and waking up at 11am.... not okay for this year)
5. Not eat fast food (Okay so this used to not be a problem for me, but this past year I just love Rancheritos!) unless I'm on vacation or something and there is absolutely no way I can get home and making sometime.  It's going to require some planning, starting my day earlier, having food in my kitchen and developing skills.

There are also a lot of other things I want to do.  I want to read 15 books because I love reading so much but I never make time when school starts (this is one reason I need to wake up earlier!). 
I also want more than anything in my LIFE is to go on a humanitarian trip to either Kenya or India.  I recently turned in my application into Ascent/Rising Star so I just really hope it all works out this summer!
I really want to become more crafty! I am so basic and have no creative brain at all! I am an embarrassment to my sorority, but Pinterest has helped me in this area. Let me share one of my first crafting story...

So there I was at my shrub Melissa's house (as I am every day whenever I am in the 801) on new years eve and we were talking about our New Year's resolutions. When I told her I wanted to keep a journal she told me about this really cute idea she saw on Pinterest.  She showed me this......

but we decided to make our own. and that turned into this....

 (which, by the way, I think is cuter than the one on pinterest.)

So, what it is is a daily journal where each day you write a sentence about what you did that day.  Its an easy way of journaling and when my future children look at it they can see in an easy glance of the index card what a fun life I used to have. Ha. There are 14 lines so by the time I'm done cycling through I will have 14 years of history on these index cards! What a great idea! Thank you Pinterest!

Okay, so I understand it's only the second day of the year, but so far I'm feeling pretty good about my resolutions!  I can't wait to make this the best year yet and hopefully develop a lot of skills and life experiences!

But like I always say... "a goal not written down is only a wish"