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!

 

A Woman's Worth

By the time the Lord made woman, he was into his sixth day of working overtime. An angel appeared and said, "Why are you spending so much time on this one?"

And the Lord answered, "Have you seen my spec sheet on her? She has to be completely washable, but not plastic, have over 200 movable parts, all replaceable and able to run on diet coke and leftovers, have a lap that can hold four children at one time, have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart -and she will do everything with only two hands."

The angel was astounded at the requirements. "Only two hands!? No way! And that's just on the standard model? That's too much work for one day. Wait until tomorrow to finish.

"But I won't," the Lord protested. "I am so close to finishing this creation that is so close to my own heart. She already heals herself when she is sick AND can work 18 hour days."

The angel moved closer and touched the woman. "But you have made her so soft, Lord."

"She is soft," the Lord agreed, "but I have also made her tough. You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish."

"Will she be able to think?", asked the angel.

The Lord replied, "Not only will she be able to think, she will be able to reason and negotiate."

The angel then noticed something, and reaching out, touched the woman's cheek. "Oops, it looks like you have a leak in this model. I told you that you were trying to put too much into this one."

"That's not a leak," the Lord corrected, " that's a tear!"

"What's the tear for?" the angel asked.

The Lord said, "The tear is her way of expressing her joy, her sorrow, her pain, her disappointment, her love, her loneliness, her grief, and her pride."

The angel was impressed. "You are a genius, Lord. You thought of everything! Woman is truly amazing."

And she is!

Women have strengths that amaze men.

They bear hardships and they carry burdens, but they hold happiness, love and joy. They smile when they want to scream.

They sing when they want to cry.

They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous.

They fight for what they believe in.

They stand up to injustice.

They don't take "no" for an answer when they believe there is a better solution. They go without so their family can have.

They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.

They love unconditionally.

They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards.

They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding.

Their hearts break when a friend dies.

They grieve at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left.

They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care about you. The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning. They bring joy, hope and love. They have compassion and ideals. They give moral support to their family and friends.Women have vital things to say and everything to give.

However, there is one flaw in women,

It is that they forget their worth.

Twilight Spoof

I promise you - I'm not obsessive about this! I saw this on another blog and thought it was hilarious... the last 10 seconds are the best! Anyway, watch & laugh - it's pretty funny!

The Greatest Show on Earth

Today was a big day for us! It was our very first Circus! (Nate went to one when he was really little but didn't remember it, so we'll consider this one his first!) Lynnette was able to get great tickets through her work, so we loaded up and drove down today! I felt kind of like a kid at Christmas Time! There was so much going on and the stunts were freakin' amazing! Seriously - they did some crazy sh...tuff...


After the show, we went and had some lunch and this question came up. "If you were to join the Circus, what would you be?" My answer was either the girl on the rings who was extremely graceful and apparently very strong, or, the guys on the bouncy rings... (I'm not sure how else to describe them - they were like huge, AWESOME, bouncing donut things...)


Jack did great! He got a little restless because he didn't quite understand that we were just supposed to sit and be amazed so he got passed around quite a bit, but we had a good time with him - as always!


Nate's answer to the above question would be the Tiger Tamer! (He would look hot in the tiger print vest that was being worn... insert sexy meow) The animals were absolutely beautiful! There was even one who was sprawled out licking her paws for a few minutes - kind of reminds us of another cat we know!


The elephants were quite entertaining! They had some pretty cool tricks that they did - and I loved how they held each others tails with their trunks! (I've got an "awwww, that's so cute" button when it comes to animals doing tricks.)


Sam was quite amazed by the whole thing! The poor guy has been sick but he was a trooper! After we finished eating, he was lagging behind so I helped him out a bit... if you ask him, he'll tell you there are two rules to getting a piggy back ride from me - no throwing up in my hair and no farting on my hands!

We enjoyed our first circus quite a bit and have concluded that yes, it really is, The Greatest Show on Earth!