Update!

In the last while, my life has changed very much!

I got my associates, stayed awake for over 40 hours (straight) moved out of my apt, moved in with my sister, loved my nephew, fed the horses, been on the job hunt, went rock climbing, endured an interview, had an exceptionally merry Christmas, spent time with my family, been to parities, had another all-nighter, saw a movie, and accepted a job.

That sums up a lot of the high points. Did I miss anything?

Here are some pictures to add color.

My room... progression.

(Early Christmas gift -*AWESOME*-)

Up until the last week.

Then,

I am thinking I love my browns and blues, and i have definitely

 gotten used to ALL THE ROOM there is! I have a huge room!

No Sleepy.

So, I don't really want to go to bed yet. I am sleepy right now, but I want to share some things!

1. Today, is November 27, 2012

Happy Birthday to My Mother!

(Such a lucky woman, no longer aging another day!)

I am so very especially glad for so many fun memories!

Also, she gave the best hugs in the world.

Thank you for loving my long and soft hair. It is something I always keep striving to have!

2. I AM going to be GRADUATING this semester from Snow College!

I have so far been successfully passing my classes, and am at the point where I can say that I will be passing my classes. I am rather thrilled at this announcement because for a time, I was scared!

This is me, as I was my freshman year. I have changed so much!

3. I am going to try something new!

You, my wondrous blog-checkers, get to know the secret.

I am going to try a new way to try to make someones day!

I got the idea from THIS BLOG ... well, Pintrest, but the blog is better. 

The posted link in particular!

I want to put these up around campus, hopefully it will make someone(s) day brighter!

It was a cute idea on Pintrest, so I decided I would make it better and create it to be an action!

... not completely sure why I didn't have that reason when I started making the first... 3 or 4!

I had some ideas, so I added them too!

4. The cars look incredible with the frost on them this early in the morning!

(I cannot take a picture.)

To the best November 19th I have had in 7 years.

Cheers! We made it through 6 years.

Some of you may know why I struggle on this day every year.

I usually wake up early.

I usually cry often.

I usually have very sad moments.

Its because of this woman.

Shauna Brothersen

 Born November 27, lived fabulously, and passed away November 19.

We have missed her for six years today around 5:45 AM

My Banana.

My Mom.

I just want it noted, that even though we don't discuss the events of six years ago, it doesn't mean we've forgotten. Some things are too tender or too precious to discuss openly.

This year I was especially blessed. I had a great day, regardless of this memory. I was able to do well academically, and did fun things with my friends and family. I know she has been with me all day, well since 5:30ish AM ;) Thats the only reason I can think I would be up that early!

I love my mom!

With a smile like hers, you don't even have to know more about her to know how wonderful we had it with her around!

Shock

I just had a discovery. Someone, of whom I do not know... is reading my blog.

o_O

What does one do in this situation!?

I'll just stare awkwardly at my computer screen.

O_o

Cooking Mania

This semester... I think I have GONE CRAZY!!

... a little though, only...

(These pictures were the best I could do... some look washed out, please beleive they looked better in reality.)

In the first weeks, I wanted to have Mormon Martinis.

Vwala!!

(milk+cookie)

Then, there was the secret of the plum tree that I enjoyed...

Then... I made my traditional no-bakes... several times.

My most beautiful meal prepared for my father!

(good time for it to be so right!?)

Then, I made my first Mac and Cheese from scratch! (my own cheese sauce anyway!)

(as it happens, also for my father!)

Then I realized how much better I liked REAL cookies to the no-bake and wanted more.

Then, my girls and I had a halloween party!

(candy corn... store.)

I did have my Kool-Aid Martini, but it worked in Champagne glasses.

Then I made pumpkins!!

For this... probably don't ask... the shot glass ones were all gone by the time I got pictures...

(pudding+dyed pudding+sprinkles+bloody bones)

Then, cupcakes with spiders!!

And some of the cheeseball.. obviously a hit!

German Pancakes, a family breakfast treat that I just missed too much.

So... Sometimes... I get needy, needy for socialization and smiles... 

So, what do I do!?

 I cook what I can, for as long as I can and hope I can share with more than just my roommates.

Banana Bread

(before baking)

Again.

(after, of course)

And this... well, lets say this was loved and that I was slow.

(there are the plates & napkins from the halloween party!

And later, when I was near exhaustion from cooking, I worked on my crepe making.

I have made repeats of cookies and brownies in particular, but these were the times I documented my growing ability to cook.

I am thinking about the brownies I made Monday... hmmm... sounds yummy... 

with whipped topping... any takers?

Play This First

Then Read

So many ideas come to mind listening to this song.

The blanket this song covers me with is so cozy and I am hiding in it today.

Maybe tomorrow I will too.

I think I am beginning a black and white kick.

And lilies.

Saw this, and just adored it. Thought I would share the result of 

60 wonderful years (as of 2012) of love.

I love them.

Bummer day gone Great!!

Ok, I woke up late today... in a bummed out mood.

The great moments of my day were somewhat like this*:

*Take note: there is a bit of a bummer side to all this, but great won out!

Got to Bowling class with 1 minute to spare.

Nearly Aced my quiz.

Frame 10: 3 Strikes.

Uphill biking was more leisurely than usual.

Changed: New shirt, & good looking!

Walked to class (Genealogy): 8 minutes early.

Work done in class: Way awesome! (hard to stop!)

Got a ride back home from a great friend :)

Called Dad.

Later... I ate plums with my dad!**

**right off the tree!

Dad and I met the Missionaries (shared plum tree)

 Yummy Lunch

Clean Room,

Homework done(ish),

Cora visited :D

Dr. Who!

Homework getting done...

Homework deadline in head is false-due tomorrow!

Call Susan: Homework ideas flow!

Talk with Susan... 1:05 hrs :D So fun!

FB post about being like Cinderella.

FB chatting.

Great Friends.

Plans for cookies!

Homework submitted.

Michael Buble! (Everything)

Amazon Prime: Iron Man 2!

I am so spoiled here :D

I think I will bask in it while I can!

Sleep Sweet, and Sweet Dreams!

Pink, Red, and White

While I've been wearing lots of pink lately, 

I think I have had a case of the mean reds.

Doesn't matter. The important thing is that I wear a big, bright, and as white as it is smile!

And, a great way to get that put on is to Laugh!

Ah! The joys of being back in school!

To Self: The Day

You may know the kind of day(s) you wake up with the potential of success when there is so much to accomplish and the possibilities are hope-inspiring.

Then, after going about the success of de-cluttering, and reliving great memories, casting the poor aside, gearing up for the success of the day dispite the rain outside (it did cross your mind as an omen, you poor denial-living soul) you come to find reality.

This reality is the chastening that happens because your direction is lacking. You have and are continuing to set yourself up for struggles that will last your lifetime, this is a fact you continue to run from and the day will come when it catches up with you.

The rain is still there, the chill is reaching your core and the tears grow cold. This is the day when you risk more struggling to find the refuge of skipping work to cry and try to solace in books and food, the rest of the world is looking for the sunshine in the clouds and will not wait for you, wallowing in self pity. You haven't done it for a while. Haven't needed to. Press forward.

The Travelers Gift by Andy Andrews

Decision 1: The Buck Stops Here. I am responsible for my past and my future.

Now is the beginning of my future!

"Always look ahead. There are no regrets in that direction" 

- Wilbur Smith

Diamonds

Did you know that the idea of diamonds being rare is false?

I learned this recently and ... relatively... this is true.

The last three posts on my blog here have been very related. Let me try to explain a portion of the story.

(First: "Danger: Evacuate")

Of all things to happen, the area where I live was threatened by a fire that spread very quickly. 

Saturday: My dad traveled roughly two hours to get our camper trailer and came back because he had been thinking of it all that day. The fire started sometime around 5 pm.

Sunday: Dad invited a family we did work for last summer to stay in the camper, because they were being evacuated. 

Monday: Bonding time with the mother, a very smart woman. 

Tuesday: Family leaves (our home was threatened). 

Wednesday: Reality returns.

Thursday: (Family) Returning our things, gets my e-mail address. 2 e-mails received- Mother (mentioned in "Take Your Breath Away")& Son. Reply to Son.

Friday: Texting Son. (evening) IM Son, (Second: "Bread") Call Son.

Saturday: (Third: "Take Your Breath Away"). Texting, IM, Call, & Webcam.

You get the idea of what has been happening for the last three weeks. 

I think the dust pieces are getting bigger. I like this :)

Bread

Who knew that such a thing as this:

Could become something yummy like this:

I have soo much talent for measuring things!

(but I'll take credit for making yummy bread)

-News Flash-

I have a boyfriend. He has not yet had my bread-exept visually (the above).

But, most of you already know that!

au revoir!

(Because french is cool. Like bow ties.)

(Dr. Who!!!  ^ )

Take Your Breath Away

Of course! But what else?

Some slightly eccentric, middle age woman comes up with a scheme. You are the victim.

I feel like this has been me once two many times.

Well, you know what they say about finding diamonds... you are closest when you are about to quit.

I may be finding diamond dust.

Its been taking my breath away for the last 28 hours.

It started out as exasperated breathing... but now it puts me in awe as it simply takes my breath away.

I hope this diamond dust is not going to run out.

This was the letter I got:

"I am not" psh! RIGHT!

I know, cliffhanger right? I wanted to mark this moment because it is important to me right now.

I'll try to keep you posted!

But in case you wanted something pretty:

"DANGER: EVACUATE"

"It won't happen to me. At least, it sure would not be for some time."

That is what you think until that moment comes and you have 30 minutes to decide what you take with you and what you can only pray will be safe from the ravenous hunger of fire, until you can return.

What would you take? Would your first thoughts be for the precious family photos, birth certificates, social security paperwork, and other legal documents?

Would you think to take water?

Would you think to take food?

Clothes? Shoes?

Animals and what they would need?

The fire only started yesterday.

I never saw it coming to threaten me until returning to my home from another town I saw the angry, glowing red against all the darkness consuming the rest of my view. It was too close to look like my home was safe. What about those who lived near me that I loved dearly? How would they fare? Would I get home in time to grab what was most important to me and just leave? 

Fortunately, I am safe for now.

The home of some friends, is not.

They had 30 minutes.

This is the fear:

Photos from: KSL.COM (<--- click for more)

Prayers for them are not discouraged.

Showering

Now, I have been what seems like "in the sticks" for the last few weeks. I would shower in the camper, and it wasn't always with warm/hot or mostly warm water.

Sometimes I did get showers on the job though. 

But there, the water is not warm and it looks dirty.

But it looked so cool.

This water came up 400 feet from the ground plus 40 feet in the air to see me.

Some Beach, Somewhere.

 I do like the sunsets. They are pretty.

One day it was quite stormy.

But this, this is where I work.