6 Quirks Tag!

I've been tagged by my cousin, so in honor of Halloween, I've decided to make this an Irrational Fears Tag - because they are quite quirky!

1. When I'm studying at the library I will not sit in a place that can be seen by the front door. Why? Because if someone comes in and starts shooting up I won't be in their line of fire! This is a thought that crosses my mind every time I enter the library doors.
2. If I am driving and notice someone behind me for a long time, I'll deliberately turn off on a different street to see if I'm being followed! Why would I want to lead someone who is following me to where I live?
3. Have you ever heard the old wives tale that there was someone driving in the mountains with a car behind her that kept flashing their lights - when they got through the lady pulled over along with the car behind her and there was a man in her back seat with a knife. Whenever the man would raise the knife the other car would flash their lights and the knife would be lowered (I never heard what happened to the man with the knife). Anyway, this story still terrifies me and I hate, HATE, driving alone at night! I always check my back seats a couple of times before getting in the car at night and then I always make sure my doors are locked - and then I have to sing really loud so I won't think about the lady driving through the mountains!
4. As of 4 years ago, I have a very big fear of lightening! Nate & I got struck on the way home from Colorado in 2004 and now it terrifies me! Before that incident, I never thought twice about it, but now, I am very aware of the weather and I won't go out if I can help it if there is a thunderstorm warning! I have tried to work through it, but I can't help but feeling completely vulnerable if there is lightening afoot!
5. I have a fear (that I got from my mother) that whenever we go out of town our house is going to burn down, blow up, flood... I learned from her that you are supposed to unplug pretty much everything but the fridge when you go out of town! Nate thinks I'm crazy, but if it ever saves us or our home, I'll be sure to tell him "I told you so!"
6. Snakes... ugghhh... just writing the word sends shivers down my spine! I am deathly afraid of snakes... When I was younger (very young, before my family moved to Utah) there was a snake in our kitchen - I remember a broom and standing on a chair - but that may be from what my mom has told me... anyway... I don't know if that is my reason for being terrified of snakes, but I am! I can't look at them on TV, I won't go into the Reptile House at the Zoo, I won't go Hiking in the dead of Summer, just in case... and reading this right now is giving me the willies, so I'll be done!

So, there you have it! Six of my quirkiest irrational fears! And now, I tag all of you who are reading this!

Question of the Week

What snack foods are you addicted to?

This is one tough cookie to crumble, because I don't have one favorite item! I do enjoy more salty treats than sweet treats (though I love a good piece of chocolate)! I prefer chips & salsa, or chips & spinach artichoke dip... yumm... or pretzels, or crackers, theater popcorn... I don't very often choose my snack at the candy aisle - but if I did, I'd go something like Skittles or a Twix Bar! I'm trying to think if there is anything that I ever crave, and I think it's the chips & salsa! I can eat that any time of day (as long as the salsa's not too spicy)! Anyway, those are my snack foods of choice! What do you prefer when you are needing a quick fix?

Caramel Apple Craze

I am the Birthday Coordinator for the Relief Society in our Ward (seriously - best calling EVER), and in honor of Halloween I decided to do Caramel Apples to give all the sisters for the October treat! Ollie graciously helped me (because she is the person who loves to cook, bake or make anything tasty) and we made over 40 Caramel Apples on Saturday night! We made a couple different varieties and by the end of the night I was exhausted! It was very rewarding, however, to see the excitement on everyones faces as they were being passed out in Relief Society! I even got a call from a sweet sister today thanking me and telling me how good they are! This project has confirmed to me, however, that I am my mother's daughter! Taking on big projects and working until you are exhausted... yup... sounds like someone I know!!

Campbell Fam Halloween Party

My mom's family had a Halloween Party on Saturday! We were supposed to dress up but couldn't think of anything creative! When we were at Wal-Mart on Friday we found some hair color and the crazy tattoo that is on my face... I decided to try goth or punk, but it didn't really work out... So, I told everyone that I went as my alter-ego and that Nate was a Staples Employee!! It was a lot of fun! My mom's family is crazy and loud and it is always a good time when we get together!!

Friday Night Fun

Tyson & Leisa came up for the weekend so we met up with them & the Duts for dinner and cards! We graced Cafe Sabor with our friendly presences where we ate more than we should have and caught up with the Becks! We ended up back at our place for some crazy rounds of Hand & Foot and quite a bit of laughter! I don't know if it was my exhaustion from the week or the Cherry Pepsi that I had at dinner, but there were a couple of times that I had tears from laughing so hard... it is always such a good time when we hang out! Games are always a must when we get together (unless its Settlers of Zarahmela - but that's a different story for a different night) and Nate & I were proud to take the game with a sweeping 300 points!! Thanks Duts & Becks - we had a great time!

Old Main Hill

The day we went to the Pumpkin Walk we also took Sam to roll down Old Main Hill! It was such a beautiful day that I couldn't resist snapping some photos!! Nate & I decided that we need to take better advantage of the beautiful views that Old Main offers!!

The Pumpkin Walk

You can't enjoy fall in Cache Valley without attending the Pumpkin Walk!! Since Nate & I don't have any kids and would look silly walking around the Pumpkin Walk during the day by ourselves, we borrowed our nephew Sam and took him with us - although I've got to admit that I think I had more fun than he did!!

Question of the Week!

How Did You Meet Your Spouse????

You may or may not know that Nate & I started dating when we were Sophmores! I remember our first real flirtation (because we had gone to school together since Middle School) was on Valentines Day of 1996! I was hanging out in the Rec Center trying to woo Troy Leonhardt! Wow - I haven't thought about Troy in years... I wonder how he's doing... anyway, Troy & I were having a good old time flirting and Nate, facetious (a word that was actually used by a teacher to describe him) as he is, came up and stole my brown shoes... I remember the shoes... weird the things I remember... anyway... Nate stole my shoes and (as I like to put it) my heart that Valentines Day!We spent a little time together and then I asked him to MORP! We had a great time, danced the night away (by the way, he smelled oh so good and danced even better), and the rest, as they say, is history! We have now been a couple for 12 and 1/2 years and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that we have so much history together! Seriously - how many of you out there have pictures together when you were 15?

Our First Date!! We ate spaghetti with our hands tied together (thus the plastic bag I was wearing - we all wore them... for some reason I just didn't take mine off immediately following dinner... oh... then we brushed our teeth... who wants spaghetti breath when you are dancing?)



So... now you know how I met the love of my life - how did you meet yours?

Tag x 2

My friend Britt tagged me - so here goes!!

2 names you go by: Clar & Clar... not very diverse... oh well!!
2 things you're wearing right now: well, it's 10:30 on a Saturday night & Nate is at work (inventory) - pink pajama pants that say LOVE on the tusch and a green striped quarter sleeved shirt! (I match so well when I sleep!)
2 things you want very badly at the moment: Nate to be home so I can sleep and I wouldn't mind another rootbeer float! (I had one last night and for some reason it was the best think I've ever tasted...)
2 favorite pets you've had: well, my Rascal (of course) and my childhood dog Molly!
2 things you did last night: Kicked Nate & Bob's butts (pardon my french) in Hand & Foot (awww yeah and prepare for a post with pictures on that subject) and enjoyed the above mentioned rootbeer float!
2 longest trips you've taken in the last 5 years: lets see - our trip to the Oregon Coast in 2005 and a trip to New Jersey to watch my nephew & nieces while my sister and her husband went to Nigeria in 2006!
2 favorite holidays: hmmm... this is a tough one... am I cheating if I say my Birthday? I think Birthdays are such a huge deal and people don't celebrate them like they used to! And... lets see... Christmas... yes - Christmas... I love the music, the lights, the snow, the traditions, the smells and the spirit of the season!
2 favorite beverages: Dr. Pepper and water!
2 people I tag: Erica & Ollie

Music

Now I'm believing that this is something I have not yet discussed with you. I am a lover of all things musical (except loud bass - unless I am cleaning - it can be loud and thumping if I am cleaning, at all other times it makes me want to rip my hair out - and really, it took me years to grow it this long, so I don't fancy doing that). I grew up around music in the home - on the radio, on records, on the piano (which I used to be able to dazzle), coming from our own mouths and in my head!

Let me explain the reason for this post. We woke up today at 6:15ish, snoozed till 6:45ish, showered till 7:20ish and then I took Nate to work. I returned home (because it is an abnormal work and school week for Fall Break and other various reasons)and the first thing I do is turn on my IPod. Yes, I have an IPod. Next to that beautiful fancy digital SLR that I am going to own someday, my IPod is the next greatest invention. If you were to look at my playlist you would see artists like The Ocean Blue, Garth Brooks, Celine Deon, Death Cab, the Soundtrack from the Buffy the Vampire Musical (did I just admit that - the tunes are just so catchy) and the list could go on and on. So, I turn on my IPod and sigh a big sigh of relief as this CD starts playing.


Am I the only one who thinks that hearing a song (or in this case, a whole album) that has been stuck in your head for weeks is like taking an addicting drug? I swear sometimes I'll turn on my IPod and get the same satisfaction that I imagine a smoker gets from having their first smoke of the day.

Music as an addiction. Hmmph... I can see the headlines now... "20 Something College Student in Coma Because She Couldn't Get to IPod Fast Enough..."

Journal Jar Question of the Week

Hello! I'm starting a new weekly or semi weekly segment of "Journal Jar Question of the Week!" Why? Because I have a journal jar that I keep telling myself I need to answer, and I don't ever do it... so, since this is a type of journal, I'll do it on here! So, here is the first one! Feel free to answer them for yourselves as well!!



How many States have you been to? Which ones and why?


Utah - because I live here!
Idaho - because I was born here and I have family here!
Colorado - I have two sisters that live in Colorado!
Nevada - Uh... Vegas Baby!
California - Disneyland, Sea World, the other touristy place with rides...
Oregon - Law Family Vacation 2005
Washington - Crossed the bridge in the above vacation!
Wyoming - (my least favorite State) - driving through to get to Colorado! Where we got struck by lightening!
Louisiana - 1999 trip with Jess & Phuc
Mississippi - Same trip as above
Alabama - Outlets - same trip as above
New York City - downtown with Amanda & Brynn in 2006
New Jersey - to visit Amanda in 2006
Illinois - to visit Jess & Phuc & go to Nauvoo

Lizzie Lou

 

Today is our neice's birthday! She is turning the big ONE! I decided, that since she lives in Texas and can't really talk on the phone yet, I'd make a little post about her!! Little Lizzie Lou has the ability to wrap you around her finger in a matter of seconds! All it takes is one of her sweet little smiles and perhaps a squeal, and after that she is irresistable! We don't get to see her often but we love her all the same! So, Lizzie Lou, when you are old enough to read this and to hate the nickname I've given you, just know that on this, your very first birthday, when you are eating birthday cake and being coddled by gran and papa (who came to visit you), that Uncle Nate & Aunt Clar are thinking of you and celebrating this day too! We love you!

A Trip Down Memory Lane...

I am 8 years old. My long brown hair is tied back into a side swept ponytail.It looked nice at some point in the day, but my excitement for all things fun has tugged at it quite a bit! I am sauntering down 2nd East with Lisa who lives around the corner and who is one of my best friends. We walk for a block where we meet Jenny at the corner. We walk a half a block and meet Anita at her house. There we are... the four of us... pennies in hand with a great mission to fulfill. We are going to the Island Market. You know, that obscure little market on the Island... where they sell overpriced groceries, have a cashier that looks like Woody Harrelson and (the best part), the store that gives you full access to the penny candy - which is every child's dream. Our mission is clear. Exchange our pockets full of pennies for a sugary treat that is sure to make the dentists checkbook happy. As we walk the extra block and a half, we chatter endlessly about boys, our pesky siblings, the sleepover we are going to have tonight. We finally make it. We go to the second aisle, we take a brown paper bag in hand, we plant our knees firmly on the ground, and we carefully and lovingly pick out our favorite flavors. We take the sack to the counter, dump the contents out (I know, completely unsanitary), and proceed to give the cashier a headache as we painstakingly count out every piece of candy and every penny that goes with it.


Awww... the joys of penny candy. It is a shame and a travesty that penny candy is no longer penny candy. A recent caffiene and sugar rush stop confirmed that the world is in economic crisis... penny candy is now two pennies... but ya know what, I sucked it up, grabbed a bag, planted my feet firmly on the ground, and carefully and lovingly picked out my favorite flavors... When they start charging three pennies - that's when I'll cause a scene...

Perspective

We Went For A Walk Tonight...

And We Were Graced With The Presence of God!

Personality Profile Quizzes!

Nate's

Clar's

Crock-Pot Western Omelet

So, my good friend Brynn makes this tasty breakfast Omelet - in the Crock-Pot - for some Sunday mornings! I've been so excited to get the recipe so I thought I'd share it with the rest of you!! Enjoy!

1 32 oz pkg frozen hashbrowns (cubes or shredded)
1 lb ham - cooked and cubed
1 medium onion - diced
1 medium green bell pepper - diced
1 1/2 cups shredded cheese
12 eggs
1 cup milk
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper

1. Spray the inside of the Crock-Pot with non-stick spray
2. Place a layer of frozen potatoes on the bottom of Crock-Pot.
3. Add a layer of ham, onions, green peppers and cheese in the order listed.
4. Repeat the layering process 2 or 3 times ending with a layer of cheese.
5. Beat the eggs, milk, salt and pepper together.
6. Pour egg mixture over all layers, cover and turn on low.
7. Cook for 10 - 12 hours or over night!

Brynn swears that it "smells so good when you wake up... yummm..." So, try it, taste it, love it!! The End!

When Cloning Goes Wrong

I got an e-mail with these pictures quite a while back and I enjoyed them so much that I didn't want to delete them! Thanks to Blogging, I know have a way to keep them and to share them! If you can click on the collage to enlarge it and see the pictures better - do it - these are pretty funny!