Made this cute wreath

Garn. . . this one is for you.
Who knew you could do so much with just a little burlap and scraps of fabric?!



I made this cute wreath and told you like a month ago I would post a picture. . . . and then I got distracted by things like

this
coming up in my yard.

It is still on my door and even if it snows I refuse to take it off. Spring has got to come to stay at some point right!?

Always wanted to be a pioneer

And now I get to live out my dream!

There is something a little bit weird about that, but it is true. Ever since I was a small child (I don't actually think I was ever a big child, but that is irrelevant) I have really loved pioneers.

For those of you who are wondering: Yes, I read all of the Work and Glory Series and was in love with Nathan and Lydia Steed -- and everyone else in the books.

I had a pioneer bonnet that I wore when I rode my big wheel that my mom made for me. I was probably the only kid in the neighborhood who didn't wear a normal hat. . . nope it was a pioneer bonnet for me.
There was nothing flattering about it then and even less flattering now. . . . .



This summer our stake is taking a Trek and as a leader of the youth I am attending. I am sure that it will prove to be entertaining.

I am just happy that I can finally fulfill my pioneer fantasy and wear a bonnet and a skirt and pull a handcart. We had our "stake kick-off" tonight and it was fun to watch all the youth (and adventurous leaders) doing the stick pull, square dancing and playing games.

If you are jealous of my really flattering skirt and bonnet you can borrow it anytime you would like, but from June 16-19th it is mine.

(I also am going to be wearing the "re-purposed" Little Bo' Peep Halloween Costume from a few years back. . . who knew that it would double so nicely as a skirt and bloomers for Trek!?)

might be able to finish this quilt. . . .

It would probably take me like 15 years to complete, but don't you want it!!?

Lately I have been obsessed (okay, that might be a little to strong of language maybe I should go with mildly fascinated) with quilting and sewing projects.

Too bad that my sewing room has 3 unfinished quilts and too many other projects to count.

What are the websites you go to obsess over projects?
Moda Bake Shop is my newest found love.

Note: It is much safer and cheaper to just look at websites than it is to go to the actual stores. Something about touching fabric just puts me over the edge and then I have to buy it and then I have to feel guilty that I am still trying to finish the "3 years ago" quilt and then I have to shut the sewing room door and pretend it isn't loaded with unfinished projects. . . and then a few days later I forget and go to the fabric store again.
(I think it is worse than the pride cycle).

Summer can't come soon enough. I think I will write the following on every day during the summer that I am not "trek-ing" or "girls camping"

Quilt, Ride Bike, Run, Repeat

Loves Spring Dresses

I love spring because you can wear a dress EVERY day.

I'm shopping this weekend at the Riverwoods.



Not very often can you try on these beautiful Shabby Apple Dresses. I love them because they are modest and oh so colorful (if you want them to be) and just darling if I do say so myself.

So, even if Spring chooses not to stick around I am still wearing a dress or a skirt just to prove that my legs are ready for more sunshine and will be strong and hold out until they can be back to their tan little selves. . . . . which dress(es) would you pick!?

Plus, there is an Easter Egg Hunt. I might be to old to participate. I'm not sure.
Did I mention I got my tax return? Oh how I love shopping in the spring!

Reads the New Era

About 9 months ago, I was called into the young women program in the ward I attend. So, last time I was at the distribution center and they asked if I wanted to renew my Ensign subscription I decided that I should probably add the New Era to it as well. You know, to stay in touch with what the youth are learning, reading and being told. That was a few months ago.

Well, the anticipation has finally subsided and I received my first New Era magazine today in the mail. (well, i got it from the mailbox today. It has probably been there a couple of days)

To my surprise, and utter delight March's issue of the New Era is none other than:
A Special Issue

New Era Special Issue: Dating for Beginners.
this issue is intended especially for youth at the
threshold of the process of getting to know each
other, as well as those who have taken the first
steps through the door.

I can hardly wait to read it. I am pretty sure that this is going to solve all of my problems. Do you see how it says, Dating for Beginners !? I am wondering if I fit into that category again. 14 years apparently hasn't gotten me anywhere, so maybe I should go back to the basics. The promotional poster (which I am SO sad I didn't see until today) says that it covers the following topics.

Answers to teens’ frequently asked questions about dating. -- I've got a few questions of my own that I wish I could have submitted. Really, I just want to know who is answering these questions, because last time I checked (and I check pretty often) NOBODY has any answers to my frequently asked questions about dating.

What makes a person datable. -- Wow, this one could change my life forever. I hope that they follow up in the Ensign with on article on how to be marriageable.

Fun and inexpensive dating ideas. -- I've been a lot of cheap dates. Seriously, I hope that they put somewhere in this magazine that you should at some point in your life (like by your mid-twenties) stop with the inexpensive and realize that spending a little bit of money is okay!

How boys and girls can better understand each other. -- I think I'll tear this section out and post it on my bathroom mirror so that I can read it every day as I get ready. Bottom line, I don't understand boys at all, and i don't really understand myself either so maybe it could help me with that too.

Dating experiences and advice from Church leaders. - Oh, I've got experience and as a "church leader" (aka yw presidency member) I have a few things I would like to add if possible. If they tell me to just have fun and "enjoy dating" I might just lose it.

In conclusion they summarize the poster with the following:

"It is a little scary to knock on or to open the dating door, but this issue can help you through it."

What I would like to know is why I keep walking through the wrong doors, having doors slammed in my face and/or wandering around not being able to find the right door.

Oh dating how I love you.
Obviously I am just being sarcastic and I realize that this magazine is really for the youth and I have not doubt that it has great information -- for them.

Oh, and for those of you who were wondering:
The blind date went well, or so I thought, but he hasn't called back so apparently it wasn't as great as I thought.

Saints to Sinners

I think I should do it just for the name (and the really cool decal thingy). . . . anybody want to participate, because I can't do it alone!

Is debating

Should I? I've never run this marathon but it would get me training. . . . like I would have to start ASAP since this race is on June 12th.
Plus it says on the advertisement that it is "Pain you Enjoy" and if they are advertising that it has to be accurate right!?


Really, wanting to ride this again. It was the hardest 108 miles I have ever ridden, and 100% worth it. I might just be crazy enough to do it again this year. After-all when you have been nicknamed "the bone crusher" on the bike you kind of have to do the climbing rides. July 17th
(bone crusher story is too long to explain in this post, but I'll for sure post about it later along with another great story from the Rex Lee Run this past weekend. Lets just say that my legs seem to get a lot of attention)



This one I will for sure do if I get in. I don't know that I have any qualifying goals this year, but I have got to have some things to look forward to and keep me on my feet (and on the bike). This one is in my favorite month: October.


So, does that mean I need to find something to do in August and September!?
Any good ideas?
I'm thinking rest, ride a lot for fun, and run enough to be ready for St. George.

Between mopping my floor every day (I know it is an unhealthy addiction, but I can't really get away from it) and training I think I could fill up my whole summer and get a great tan doing it.
(the tan would come from running and riding of course. . . not mopping my floor)

I'm off to browse on-line for new running shoes and maybe some more spandex. Seriously, I can exercise and shop while meeting the same goals.
I like this idea more and more.

Isn't quite ready for tonight

How are you really ever ready for things that make you want to throw-up.

Like, going on a blind date after not having to go on a blind date for over a year. I'm back on the blind date circuit apparently. Funny how not even 2 days (seriously 2 days) after things ended in the relationship I had been in I had someone who told me that they had given my number out. I think it just hits you in situations like that, that you are back on the chopping block, right out in the open, vulnerable and hesitant, but knowing you can't just hide and wait for a miracle to happen.

It has been over a month now since what seemed like the end of my dating life and any sort of meaningful relationship as I knew it and I have been taking baby steps toward being ready (or willing) to "date" again. I went to a singles ward institute class, I had dinner with a family in my ward who wanted me to meet one of their "single guy friends", I hesitantly gave the okay to people who asked if they could give my number out (and then just cried after I hung up), but I have been making strides, even if they are not huge strides.

Putting one foot in front of the other has been the theme.

So, tonight I have my first official date (not sure what makes a date official instead of un-official). I might look normal, but I don't really feel normal. That throwing-up feeling is right at the surface.

I guess that could work to my advantage -- like if I throw up then I can just come home right?

Funny how when I was 16 I would have been dying to have plans, let alone a date on a Friday night and now 14 years later. . . it's kind of lost its luster.
At least now, at my age, dinner will probably be paid for with a card, not pennies and dimes from an after school part time job, oh that and I don't have my dad telling me what my curfew is.

Ready or not. . . . I'll put on my game face, and as far as the throwing up goes. . . we'll just see what happens.

I'm going downhill fast. Seriously. This is what I bought at the grocery store tonight.

Yep, both of those things. contradictory? yes. tasty? I tried the cheesecake middles for dinner tonight, so I can only speak for those. My vote would be somewhere close to: phenomenal (mine are chocolate graham not original graham -- still a close tie with the keebler grasshopper cookies) Maybe for dinner tomorrow I'll have the Lean Cuisine. It was 10 pm and I hadn't eaten so I felt like a cookie was the best choice.
I must be on the verge of a nervous breakdown to be making ridiculous purchases and choices like this.

Did I mention that I had just had my body fat tested at the gym and sat through a not influential enough talk about why I should hire one of the personal trainers at Golds Gym to achieve my fitness goals only minutes before I made the cookies for dinner choice. Yep, that is how it went down tonight.

Say YES to cookies.
Say NO to personal trainers.
Buy Lean Cuisine to make you think that you are healthy.
My life in a nutshell.