A bunch of girls

I have never considered myself a girly girl at all. Snakes, spiders, and mice have never made me squeal, I can move furniture with the best of them, and if there is a dirty or scary job I don't have much trouble gritting my teeth and getting it done. Now, that does not mean that if there is a man around I will fight over carrying the heavy box up three fights of stairs or who will change my oil. I am capable but not stupid. In fact, I'll admit that at times I've just played the helpless girl to get things I need done done quicker. Hey, I am not proud of it but it works. And usually I only use it as a last resort....ok not always. But I do usually only bust out my maiden in distress routine when I am at work and my male coworker has been asking for help for ten minutes with no response. But I digress. That is not what my post is about.

My father has been partying it up in Utah for the last week and so our house is pretty much and estrogen power plant.

It has been for a while but Dad or Eldon are usually here to Represent and mow the lawn. Today we had just finished up dinner and my mother was running out of the door to go visiting teaching. She yelled for my sister to grab the dog so she wouldn't run out into the drive way and as I was clearing my dishes the next thing I know Rachel, Tressa, and my mother (who is much like me in the fact that she mans up when she needs to) are all screaming like girls on the top of their lungs.

My first thought was "Oh great. My mother's visiting teaching companion ran over the dog." I sat there for a second or two and still heard the dog's tags jingling on her collar in the front yard so I thought I would investigate the situation. I found Rachel standing on the couch in the living room, Tressa running back and forth not quite sure what to do, and my mother jumping around in the entry way and finally bolting out of the front door all screaming at the top of their lungs while a black snake like this one: (okay, it was a little smaller) Slithered around our entryway.

I told them it was okay, walked to the kitchen grabbed the trash can while my sisters were still screaming and calling for me and proceeded to catch the snake. I will admit for growing up in the high desert of California my snake catching skills have become a little rusty. I am no expert on snakes and wasn't sure if it was poisonous or not so I was NOT about to pick it up. My mother who is afraid of nothing....except snakes ran to the car to go visiting teaching and left me with two screaming girls, one snake, a trash can and a stick. The stick was to thick to scoop it up and the snake was very good at dodging all my advances with the trash can. eventually I got him out side and chased him out of sight yelling at the snake while joking with my sister that if he slithered back I would get my machete.

All in all it was a very eventful day and I got a pretty good chuckle out of it. Don't tell my mother, because all night she has been walking around muttering about the snake, but I wouldn't be surprised if he pays a call again. However I don't think he will be as polite as to use the front door again. He didn't get the warmest greeting last time he did.

My Charmed Life

Today has been a really good day. I finally painted my room and I am pretty excited about it. My dad and sisters helped me and at first I was sad because the color was NOT the same as the color swatch I asked them to match it to. It's a light lavender! But I have gotten used to it and like it okay. That all has nothing to do with my thoughts tonight, but I thought I would give an update on my project.

When I was a teenager and used to complain my sweet father would turn to me and say, "Deborah, you have such a charmed life." I would roll my eyes and go on secretly wishing that whatever I was complaining about was different. Today I was down stairs in the basement cleaning out a few of my drawers in my old room for Eldon and I ran across a very sweet note from a dear friend. As I continued to go through my things I found pictures and other reminders of just how blessed I am and what a truly charmed life I really do have. I was reminded how heavenly father has blessed me to have so many wonderful people in my life who have brought me so much happiness. If you are reading this you can consider yourself part of that group.

I am so grateful and happy to be where I am in my life right now. I have had many wonderful experiences that I wouldn't exchange for anything. Some times I can forget who I am and the valuable qualities I posses. I wasn't necessarily reminded of those tonight when I went through my things in the basement, but I was reminded of what a good life I have had and how much I have to be grateful for. I feel like I am repeating myself a bit in this post, but I guess what I want to say is how grateful i am for each one of who who have taught me something during the long or short period I have known you and I truly am grateful for you.

Just a quick update: You can put the wedding bells and rice away.

Well, the news of my engagement last month traveled fast. Like ultra fast. I made about two calls to my family, one to my best friend, changed my relationship status on facebook and within 2 days it seemed like the whole world knew. Even people I don't speak with very much were texting and messaging me their congratulations. To everyone in that group I thank you. It is very sweet and encouraging to know that so many people are interested in the exciting events in my life. I now understand what a wonderful tool the Internet is in spreading news. However, I have found it is a little harder to reverse it.

Yes, it is true. You can take this as the editor retracting previous posts about finally choosing one guy. This is my official statement on my new relationship status. I'm single. It took me two days to notify everyone from middle school that I was planning on tying the knot in October and three weeks for people much closer to me to find out it was off. (And I am still getting congratulations and questions about my engagement.) Granted, I didn't make many calls or feel much like talking about it after it first happened, but I did fix my facebook profile and started to put the word out a few days after it was all settled. I am in no way ranting or upset. I feel worse for the people I am putting in the awkward situation when after they ask me when the date is I have to tell them there isn't one. I really do just appreciate your excitement. I am more embarrassed about the short duration of the engagement. False alarm.....sorry.

Now that I have set the record straight I am sure those of you who are just finding out or only heard the wedding is off have a few questions. And those who know me well wont be surprised that I am more then willing to answer them for you. First, I have nothing but wonderful things to say about Cameron. He really is one of the finest quality people I know. When we were dating I cared about him very much and was excited about the thought of spending eternity with him. However, after we got engaged I got a very strong feelings that it was not right and soon after Cameron came to me with similar feelings. It is kind of hard to deny what the spirit is saying when both of you feel it. I can't speak for Cameron but when we decided I was going to go home to MD everything became more of a reality and I wont lie, it wasn't the easiest thing. But I do know it was right and this is where the Lord wants me. I am grateful that he directed us both and we were able and worthy to receive the promptings.

I am grateful for the experiences and the growth I gained from spending my time with Cameron. Really I think he is amazing and will be a general authority one day. (and you can quote me on that) I told him that he shouldn't worry about getting married because if my track record holds true he will find a wonderful woman fairly soon. I swear I am the walking prep for eternal marriage course and I am very comfortable with that. He says he thinks I will get married before him.....So in order for me to maintain my 98% success rate I have come up with a plan. If you know any AMAZING single girls in the rexburg area bring them around because:

"Next up for bid is a date with Cameron Gardner. He's handsome, funny, spiritual and he's going to the highest bidder." (and may be if your cute the second highest;))

















Well, at least I think I'm funny. :)

What the weird?

I am officially frustrated! I wanted to change up my background and I thought that I could do it. I've done it once before, how hard could it be to do it again. Unfortunately I forgot that last time I had my roommate Cathryn who is a vetran blogger to help me! Just so you know.....I miss you Cathryn. (and not just for your sweet blogging skills) The instructions on the temptated website seemed so simple, and yet when I opened up the edit html thing in my blog to copy and paste in my template it was all like a foriegn language to me and I got so lost.....as well as my old template. I bet my brilliant computer science of a major brother could fix this... . HA So for now everyone will have to put up with my white minima background until I find some assistance. Ew. I am done being frustrated and will now go write the original blog I meant to write before I got side tracked and lost my template.

Memories

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

My new project

I have decided to be more productive. And to implement that plan I have fallen back on a few things I learned in my Time Management class. I have brought back my TO DO LIST and on that to do list was to blog. I am finding it hard to update this because I only have time after everyone has gone to bed and I am done with my day. And then I always get lost reading everyone else's blogs until I cant open my eyes any more.

Today I got quite a bit done on my to do list and was very proud of myself! Eldon called the day I got home and told us he was coming home for the fall. He went to school 10 days after his mission and has been going strong ever since. So he is taking a chill pill for the fall semester and coming home to be with his big sister! But while talking to my mother he mentioned that he would like MY room when he gets home. It is the best room in the house. It's in the basement, stays cool on hot humid days, and gives quite a bit of privacy when you want it. Plus it is dang big! At first I wasn't sure how I felt about him just deciding he wanted my room but after much thought I concluded I wouldn't put up a fight. See how mature I am getting?

So that day I started on making my new room upstairs mine. I am really excited to redecorate it and explore my new hobby. I discovered at school that I really like decorating. It is a fun challenge for me to look at a room and make it look good from nothing. It is fun but also so frustrating because I have never considered myself a creative person and many people know it takes me FOREVER to make decisions. So many times I come to a huge block.....Like deciding what color I want to paint my room. I felt like my mother wanted me to decide quickly (because she just wanted to start it and get it done quickly) After debating under what i felt was a lot of pressure I finally decided on a color called elegance. My parents laughed when I brought it home because really it is just a shade of White. But in my defence, it does have tint of pink in it.

When it is finally finished I will post pictures for all to see. I forgot to take a before picture when I started to move everything out but I will for sure post after pictures when it is finished.

I'm Home!

Well, I definitely have mixed feelings about being home. I didn't plan on being home this fall but it does feel good to be home and with the people in this world I love the most. I got on a plane at 1 pm in Salt lake City and 7 hours and one layover later I walked off into beautiful Maryland. I will admit I secretly had a few unrealistic hopes coming off the airplane but it felt really good to see my parents at the airport. It is very hard to describe the feelings I have right now but as I flew it to the airport I saw this view from my window.


I love DC and as soon as I saw that I felt like I was home. It is a little weird walking around my house because it seems a little bigger then i remember it. (I thought things were supposed to get smaller as you get older. HA oh well) And walking around my house in the dark is definitely a feat. I'll have to reteach myself. HA I also have no idea what I am going to do tomorrow. I know I start work soon but I don't know when. Oh good old Best Buy. What an adventure that will be again.

I do have a few goals and plans for the fall. I'll have to share them tomorrow because right now I have got to go to bed.