4th of July Chaos

Oh boy. This one was a doozie!

So I begged, BEGGED with puppy eyes for Clay to take me as close as he was willing to the fireworks show. He decided we could take the motorcycle and walk to the bridge by the falls. This is close, but still a bit of a distance, but I was satisfied. We went about 9:30ish since the fireworks show was supposed to start at 10. We got a great spot that was perfectly infront of the lit temple, and the fireworks should've set off a bit to the left of the temple.

Well, 10:00 came and went, so did 10:30, so did 11:00....and let me tell you the fantastic entertainment we had during that hour and a half.

Let's set the scene.

Clay and I leaning against the bridge, staring at the river and the temple with the falls right by us, a beautiful beautiful scene. Enter 6-8 teenage HELLIONS. Now, I can literally say hellions- do you know why? There was one young man who decided to talk about his religious views, which is this: SATAN. I'm not summarizing here. He literally said the words, "Satan is a religion". And can I just say that I CURSE THE MIND I HAD TO LEAVE MY PHONE AT HOME THAT NIGHT! I wish so badly I could've snapped a picture of this guy! Picture a painted white and black face, which sure isn't that bad. But then...

Half way through the nights we saw his boots. Oh it was too much. Just the cherry on top! I said to Clay, "Hon...look at him" and he said, "I already did", and I said, "No- the boots, did you see the boots?!" I had one of those humor excited eyes raised expressions. He looked, raised his eyebrows, smiled, and said, "That's just the perfect cherry on top" or something like that. Oh man. We found him really entertaining.

But he was nothing compared to his normal looking friend who said the words, "I can do everything" about 5 times in the hour and half we were there. He was referring to his vocal skills. Which, looking at those boots, I bet you can imagine the music I'm talking about. It's the screamo music that literally sounds like you've been possessed by the devil. And you guys, he even learned it NATURALLY by ear. Which he was bragging about to the girls.

Now that we are to the girls. Lets talk about them! They, along with the guys, were swearin like sailors! F bomb every other word, and yes, threatening to kick other girls behinds if they didn't stop looking at them that way from across the street! I can't make these things up.

Clay and I thought about saying something to them, cause they literally were cussing more than I even remember people from my high school cussing (which is a lot)...but there were a lot of them and we thought they may have been under the influence of SOMEthing...and didn't want to cause trouble.

After learning that someone was missing IN THE RIVER and that was why the fireworks display was delayed, we started walking away and asked a police officer if they knew what was going on and the show was supposed to start any minute. So we went back and stayed and then the fireworks show looked like it was in a different spot, still a good view, but just further than I thought...we couldn't hear the music (the show is always coordinated to patriotic songs- its so cool), and all the kids next to us decided to light up cigarettes, and it just wasn't the scene I was wanting. We decided to leave, after all that waiting and suffering! Before the finale even. It just wasn't patriotic feeling and I was feeling a bit sickened at these poor poor teenagers who will grow up to vote and have children of their own. I just hope and pray they see some sort of light down the road to kick them out of this terrifying rut they are in!

Even with all the craziness that happened and dissappointing fireworks show....Clay and I still had fun! We really did get quite a kick out of these teenagers and the things they'd say. Some of it was FOUL and I hated it and almost left, but some of it was just plain funny. And Clay and I spent time together and so that was fun. Looking back, I think we should've left a lot earlier because I really doubt the Holy Ghost was able to stay with us in that situation. And there really was quite a bit of foul stuff that I wish my lady ears wouldn't have heard. Oh well, live and learn! I told Clay next time I want to be right under the fireworks right by the music. We did that my first year and it was amazing.

We found out this morning that they found the missing person and he had drowned. So sad. I feel so sad for his family. 20 year old boy.

Well, I just made cinnamon rolls and am planning and scarfing some! And relaxing! Have a happy weekend!

Christmas in July

Right now I'm listening to Christmas music.

It happens pretty much every year...July hits and I get a sort of homesick feeling for Christmas. Christmas is far and away the best time of year. And the music is fantastic. So...I usually listen to a few tunes to satisfy me. I'm listening to Mindy Gledhill's Christmas album...and I have realized that I just love her. I feel like the best way to describe her voice is to liken it to butter. Her voice is butter. And I love butter.

In other news...I told you how I painted the cabinets in our bathroom and hall white. SO pleased with the results. HOWEVER- I made the HORRIFIC mistake of thinking I should paint them ontop of my plastic covered kitchen chairs. I figured the paint would just peel right off! NO NO NO- THIS IS NOT TRUE. DO NOT DO THIS. I have scrubbed scraped and let me tell you, it is hard work. For every hour I put into it I maybe get an inch of paint off! I'm at a loss of what to do. I've used bleach, rubbing alcohol, vinegar, and good old fashioned water. I've used my spatula, pie crust turner (don't know the technical term for it, but that's what I use it for), razor blade, edge of my dish scrubber thingy...nothing is really working that great. So, that is the stress of my life right now. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

It's hot. And I LOVE it!

My garden is doing great.

We went to Mesa Falls and it was great. And beautiful. But poor Dante went with us and just got so overheated that we couldn't stay that long. He was definitely the star of the show though. We got stopped so many times cause people just love him. It's always like that! He really truly is the cutest dog in the whole wide world. And the sweetest. And hammiest. And sneakiest! I love him.

We tried to do this three day smoothie cleanse and guess what? We gave up by 5 o clock on the first day :) I had the worst stomach ache after drinking kale, celery, and cucumbers. And I decided that it just wasn't right. So Clay and I made some rules and commitments to each other. We will continue to have a healthy smoothie each morning (not ONLY vegetable healthy. Like berries, kale/spinach, flax, bananna) and eat out less and only eat treats on the weekends. And as far as that last rule goes, we can only buy or make ONE treat for ourselves on the weekend, but we may enjoy treats at Clay's parents house on Sundays. This probably is just what normal people do...but this is a HUGE change for us right now. I am hopeful and glad we are doing this.

Alright, that is all for now! Enjoy the heat! I know I am :)

Life as of late

Weeeeeeeell, I think this is the longest I've gone without blogging! I think these are the major events from the last month or so.

Mom came to visit and we put together my garden! It is beautiful and wonderful and I have already eaten multiple heads of lettuce that taste DELICIOUS. I mean really, it is much better than the stuff I get from the store! Even the quality good stuff! We went shopping, and....

I got my wisdom teeth out while she was here! It basically went the best it possibly could. There are still holes in my mouth (or dents, as Clay likes to call them- it creeps him out that there are holes in my mouth). But I mean the day of I felt like I could do anything- but mom and Clay made me stay seated most of the day :)

Clay and I went to California and had the time of our lives! We went to the Zoo, Sea World, swam in the ocean, swam in Lizzie's pool, and spent lots of QUALITY time with Amy, Megan, Lizzie, and Rebecca's family. All my sisters together! It was so much fun. I loved every second! However, we ate SO MUCH JUNK! But the truth is, it wasn't junk. It was a lot of QUALITY treats and food. But just like a lot of gluten and sugar. So I feel not quite right saying junk since when I think of junk I think of doritos and candy. No no. I am talking extremely awesome quality chocolate chip cookies and gourmet pizzas. Holy smokes. Delish.

Ever since we got home from California (I think about a month ago now), Clay and I have been OUT OF CONTROL. Mostly my fault since I control the baking and cooking and shopping. But we just have been eating treats and gluten and such non stop! Eck! I have never been someone who is obsessed with ice cream...but lately it's my new thing. I love ice cream!

I went rock climbing, and planted flowers in the front garden bed, and have been watering my vegetable garden, and cut my hair, and working out and just a bunch of other stuff that isn't quite as fun but necessary none-the-less.

How could I forget?!?! I painted our hallway closet, our bathroom cabinets, our bathroom walls, and got new stuff for the bathroom like handles and shower curtain and rugs and stuff. It looks so much better!

What else? I've watched lots of tv.

I am hoping to calm down and read some books. I have a few good ones on my list and 3 at the library ready to be picked up.

Oh but I also just bought a victorian style LOVE SEAT! For $30!!! I am going to recover it. I'm so excited! I haven't recovered anything in forever and have strangely been craving it! It's a pretty rewarding process. I am currently deciding on fabric. Such a stressful decision. I've definitely decided some suede or fake suede, who knows what it is...is DEFINTEIly the way to go for me! I rubbed Dante's slobber on two types of fabrics. One was canvasy and one was suedeish and the suede one cleaned like a dream and the canvas was NOT easy to clean off...so yeah, that's the type of fabric I need!

I have considered stopping blogging...I just am kinda not sure anymore about it but we'll see.

I have been CRAVING Oregon and CRAVING outdoorsy things like rock climbing and swimming and waterfalls. I keep begging Clay and he keeps saying he's too busy. I don't really believe him though...we'll see what comes of this weekend.

Well, this is probably the most boring post ever but I figured I'd just update what I've been up to! Peace out.

Just some randoms

I haven't been updating and I think I should. I looked back on some old blog posts the other day and I was giggling a lot cause they were so funny! One of them in particular made me happy. We were living in our ghetto ghetto apartment on main street in rexburg and I had an entire blog post dedicated to our new fridge we got! I even took pictures of the insides. I mean, I'm telling you- I thought I had won the lottery! THAT is how happy I was. It was fun to look back on. I don't write as much about everyday life anymore and I want to start doing that again. Helps me reflect and center myself.

Speaking of centering myself. I LOVE YOGA! I crave it. It's my new thing. Don't get me wrong, I am AWFUL at it. I am constantly losing my balance (actually...not ever GAINING balance would be more accurate), and can never fully do most of the poses. But I am trying and I know I will get there someday! Already my downward dog is better...which I say is fantastic! I do have to say that planking SUCKS! But boy do I feel great by the end! I know it's so cliche but I feel so at peace and at one with myself afterwards. And...AND! It is a great workout! I literally sweat my brains out!

I also love kick boxing! Another great one! YES!

Life lately has had lots of stresses. I am constantly having to relearn that life with Lyme is just going to make lots of things harder than normal. As great a place as I'm in right now, the fact that I will deal with certain things the rest of my life is kinda a bummer. Especially the fact that local doctors just don't know crap about it. More on that later..

But it's okay. I remind myself that I have been through worse. Things I'm dealing with right now ARE hard, but they aren't the hardest I've dealt with. I think of the days that I would be so tired, but Clay was more tired, and Clay was herxing or in so much pain and so I would have to run to the store to get him something, or try to make something that was gluten free and sugar free and dairy free and then have to travel to seattle to keep going. I look back and think of those times and want to cry. But the truth is, I don't think we realized how hard it was while we were going through it. I mean...I dunno. All I know is how good life feels NOW in comparison to those days...that if I went back, it would probably be harder. In those times we had forgotten what good felt like....which is probably why it was hard at times to hope for anything better.

Clay has worked out about every week day since he joined the gym. I am so proud of him! He goes right after work and then comes home and drinks a protein drink and eats with me if I've made dinner. He is so dedicated!

I have been trying to work out as much as I can. It's hard when different things come up. Mutual, relief society activity, twisted ankle, hurt back...hah. But usually all those things only last a day or so, so I try to get back to it the next day! I always feel so good after I work out. I love feeling fit, but I equally love the emotional high it gives me!

Dante is a sweet little boy. I feel he has aged within the past month or so. He lays around so much...and he seems to get tired faster. Clay says it could be because he was sick...he threw up a few times (conveniently while I was home and Clay was not...fun fun experiences), anyway...I don't like it. I want him to perk up for summer to go on lots of walks.

My mom is coming to visit tomorrow! I'm SO EXCITED! We are going to set up my garden! HOORAH! OH YEAH- I planted flowers in my front garden bed! They are marvelous! I need to stop being lazy and post some pictures...I will eventually.

Last item of business...my dang wisdom teeth. I should've gotten them removed years ago but was too poor and too cheap and anywho...I've had a headache a lot of the day because of them and my jaw has been hurting a lot lately. ALSO, my dang cheeks keep swelling because I keep biting them! It has been decided this needs to be resolved. So I have an appointment tomorrow to get xrays and such to figure out a plan. I am hoping to get them out ASAP because I am sick of this nonsense. I might get them out while my mom is here...which is a bit of a double edged sword. On the one hand it stinks because I don't want to be bogged down doing nothing while she's here...on the other hand it would be great to have the best caretaker ever around! If I can I will probably do it Friday afternoon so we have two days to do whatever we want and then two days to take care of me :) haha. After researching online, I am DEATHLY afraid of dry-socket!

The weather has been so amazingly fantastic here. It makes me so happy. But its supposed to be all lightningy the next few days which I DON'T like. Boo.

Overall life is very very good. With all the lows are also some very wonderful highs. I'm so grateful for so many things in my life right now. Clay is working, I am working, we are both working out, I have been making more meals, we are slowly slowly making our yard look nice, so many wonderful things.

That is all for now. Ta ta!

Goals by Numbers : April

Play 1000 songs on the piano

I played 96!

Read 12 new books

Alright, I'm gonna count Anne of Green Gables because I finished it on like May 2nd or something. 

So 1 new book- which by the way, this might be my favorite book ever. It has brought so much joy! I LOVE this book. I have never laughed so much...I would constantly laugh out loud and Clay would be like, "What's so funny?" and I'd quote it and he would just roll his eyes and say, "Hun, that's not funny"...but trust me, it was hilarious.

Make 52 new recipes

Okay I totally did awesome on this one. I made 6 new recipes! I made these:

Balsamic Glazed Steak Rolls

Buffalo Chicken wraps

Guiltless Alfredo Sauce

Parmesan Garlic Quinoa

Orange Sesame Stir-fry

Blackened Chicken & Cilantro

  Balsamic Steak Rolls

I have to say that I really liked all of them. EXCEPT the Parmesan Garlic Quinoa. Can I tell you something? Pinterest can really be such a joke. I pinned this and someone had written with the pin, "You will never eat mac n cheese again!" I thought, wow...that'd be awesome...we love us some mac n cheese! Let me shed some light on this recipe- it in NO WAY resembles mac n cheese. Like...literally- there is NOT EVEN A COMPARISON. It was pretty much not good and Clay couldn't even handle one bite. Lame. But the rest were fantastic!

Have 12 memorable dates with Clay

We had one very memorable date where we went to Jurassic Park 3D! It was pretty exciting. 

 

I have to laugh because Clay and I barely ever shell out the big bucks for the big theater, we usually just wait for the bluray to come out and we watch it at home...but both of us just really wanted to see Jurassic Park in 3d so we decided, what the heck lets do it. It was super fun!

Read Genesis through 2 Kings of the Old testament

I finished Genesis! Meaning I read 30 chapters! Good for me. Can I tell you? The bible is CRAZY. There are so many stories of women being barren and then having their handmaids get pregnant instead and then them getting pregnant later and then each other getting jealous or whatever. Lots of craziness happening. But I have to say, Joseph in Egypt, that story is so awesome. I just love it. I LOVE how strong Joseph is and I think he is awesome. On to Exodus! 

RUNNING TOTALS:

236 songs played on the piano

3 new books read

19 new recipes made

2 memorable dates with Clay

Genesis read

I have to say, I am so proud of my progress in April! Hoping to make great strides in May as well. Till next time!

Gym rambling

I joined a gym. For any of you who are familiar with Idaho Falls, I joined Apple Athletic Club! I went to my first class tonight called PowerCut and LET ME TELL YOU- wowee I almost died. But in a good way. I was happy to be feeling that way. In the middle of the workout it donned on me that I was doing it, an hour long intense weights and cardio combo workout and I was DOING IT! Yeah, I had 2 pound weights (vs the billions of pounds everyone else had) and my step thing had only one riser thing on it and I did quit earlier than she told us to some of the time, but you know what? I was so proud of myself for what I did! And my muscles are all shakin...but in the good way where I know they were worked good. At one point I was seriously laughing out loud (no one could hear me...I don't think...cause the music was so loud) cause I thought that my muscles were possibly killing me. Let me just give you a mental image. There is a step, you lay on the ground and put your legs on the step. Then you put the bar with weights on the ends of it on your hips, then you thrust your hips in the air over and over and over. This may not sound like much, but THIS was what had me laughing out loud. Cause when she said things like "Yeah! Doesn't that feel great!" I just laughed cause it felt like my lower body was on fire.

Tomorrow is Kangoo! I will tell you how that one goes. But it involves wearing shoes like this:

So that'll be interesting. My friend Angie said that it was more cardio than Zumba, so it should be great!

Clay also joined a gym, not the same one! ha ha. He decided to join one that his friend from work goes to so that they could go together and help motivate each other. I like that idea cause I don't think Clay would be going to Kangoo and yoga and zumba and such with me. He probably would do PowerCut- there were quite a few men in there! But the others not so much. So this works out great.

I chose a great week to join the gym because on Saturday I was doing yard work and realized that I did probably two hours of squats from putting leaves in bags. I am so sore! That's okay though. I'm just that much more proud of myself for going to the gym today when my legs are already so sore.

Overall I am a very happy girl right now. I feel like Clay and I are in a good place and I just feel so grateful for everything I have. Especially the gospel. Lately I have just been reminded how blessed I am to have it and how much joy and peace it brings me! I am a blessed woman. I also have such amazing family. I was born into the best family ever and married into the next best! I'm not just saying that either. I couldn't ask for better family all around. Life is good and I expect it to just get better.

Well I will be blogging within the next few days about my progress in April for my goals by numbers and let me tell you- I did great this month!

Ta ta!

New Prints

So Makayla, my sister-in-law, just started her own hair practice in a salon and needed some decorations. She asked me if I would make her some prints using some quotes she liked. I came up with the above! I have never done one like the last one- and she showed me one that looked like that, but she didn't like all the quotes in it. So I just copy-catted the style and did her quotes and some others, and I LOVE it! In fact, Clay and I like it much better than the one I was inspired by! So I'm pretty proud of that one. Anywho, I am adding these to the free prints tab if you want to download them for yourself!

PS- I am still freaking OBSESSING with the Les Mis soundtrack. Seriously, any chance I get- I listen to it. It's just my favorite. So full of emotion. I pretty much listen to the whole thing at least once a day.