"There were never such devoted sisters"

There is a saying that describes my feelings toward my sisters so well.

It goes like this: "I smile because you are my sister, I laugh because there is nothing you can do about it!"

I have the most amazing family ever. And yes I could not live with out my Brother and parents but I wanted to write a little bit about 3 of my very best friends. (get comfy because I am not sure how long this will take)

Elizabeth.....Or should I say Micky

"An older sister is a friend and defender - a listener, conspirator, a counsellor and a sharer of delights. And sorrows too."

-- Pam Brown


This woman is my roll model and hero and example. She always has the answers I need when I come to her for advice. She is so smart! Growing up she still had most of the answers but I was a scrawny little sister who didn't take advice well. I love being with her! She really is so much fun and is so good to me. When we were younger I used to want to go every where she went and do everything she would do. I know it wasn't easy for her but she still let me tag along and had an awesome childhood. I looked up to her so much and I still do!

She is so patient! Ok so here is a secret that may shock you. You should probably sit down for this. ....I was not the easiest person to grow up with. In fact I could be down right horrible. There was a time I torn all the heads off Liz's barbies because I was mad she wouldn't let me play with them. Despite my shortcomings and the rough years I created for her, Liz has been so patient and loving and I adore her!

She also is so much fun. I know that if I want to have a good time then all I need to do is hang out with my big sis and we can talk and laugh about nothing for hours! I am just as happy to sit in the middle of no where with her then I would be if I was doing the most exciting thing with anyone else.

Tressa Lee

"A sister smiles when one tells one's stories - for she knows where the decoration has been added."  ~Chris Montaigne



When Tressa was little I took good care of her. Protecting her from being teased by our brother, letting her sleep in my bed at night, and doing just about anything else she needed. But now I don't know how I would live with out her taking care of me! HA my mother calls her my personal assistant. She truly is so good to me. When I am late to work (and I often am) I say "Tress! Can you grab me something to wear and make sure it's ironed while I get in the shower?" Then after I am out of the shower I find this:

How lucky am I?

Really the only way to describe her is good. There is no one I know who has more Christ like love then Tressa. Some times I get a little jealous because I am not as good as this girl is. Oh well every one is different and needed in their own way I guess. And Tressa is definitely needed a lot in our family. This is truly an amazing and special girl as she stays up with me night after night listening to all my pointless stories about the day. I don't know what our family did to deserve a girl like this but I'm not gonna say a thing!

Rachel!!!

"It was nice growing up with someone like you - someone to lean on, someone to count on... someone to tell on!"
 ~Author Unknown



This girl is so much fun am amazes me EVERY SINGLE DAY!!! She has always been my mirror. Our own mother has trouble telling our baby pictures apart. And now she likes to do so many things that I do. She is 14 soon to be 15 and is turning into to quite the young woman. She is one of the smartest people I know and can quote a movie after seeing it only once!!! (It takes me about 20 times and then maybe I can paraphrase)

I love how she gets so into her books and shows that when there is an exciting part she HAS to share it with you even if you have never heard of the book and don't know what is going on.

She is so good at serving others. She is the youngest of 5 and puts up with A LOT! She bares it well though and is amazing. I love her to pieces and couldn't imagine life without her. I am always so excited when she decides to put down her book and come play with me!! I love it and it is one of my favorite times ever!!!!




"Our siblings push buttons that cast us in roles we felt sure we had let go of long ago - the baby, the peacekeeper, the caretaker, the avoider.... It doesn't seem to matter how much time has elapsed or how far we've traveled."  ~Jane Mersky Leder



Yep...I love my sisters! I know my life wouldn't be as great without them. Whenever I need anything they are always there for me! Just like the song says "there were never such devoted sisters". I am so lucky to have three best friends so close to me and who are my same size!!!

Popcorn popping on the apricot tree

Whew, Can I just say the last three weeks have felt like 3 months. Especially the last week and a half. In short my life has been pretty much put on hold the last week and a half while trying to help with a very time sensitive situation. I am grateful that I can help but it was little stressful. I just thought I would share a funny little story about just trying to find a little happiness in the week of craziness.

There is a family that we know from church that every single one of my family adores. They have 6 boys all under the age of 10. You can imagine how busy their mother is. ( she is amazing) Well we LOVE to have them all come over to our house. There are boys playing downstairs on video game. There are boys playing on computers. There are boys running around the back yard. There are boys running on the tread mill and then there are some stealing cupcakes from the table.

We always hate it when 7 or 8 o'clock rolls around and they have to go home and go to bed. Lame!! Their parents are always some much fun to have around to. I love Eve, their mother. She is always fun to talk to and has a great laugh!

Anyway, last week I spent a few days on the phone and driving around to different centers who specialize in the kind of problem that was going on and then talking to specific people I needed help from to remedy the problem. One of those days I was fit to be tied. It has been very clear why I felt I needed to come home this fall and I was happy to provide the help but as I drove around that night finishing up the visits I needed to make I was on the verge of tears. Then a BRILLIANT idea came into my mind. I needed a bit of happiness and I wanted to go over to this family's house to hang out with them because there is no way to be around them and not get that. Well that night after my last visit I ended up going home because it was pretty late by the time things were done. The funny part is when I got home Tressa had just gotten home from their house because she needed a dose of happiness and escape from everything going on as well. That little family doesn't even know how much they serve us. I didn't visit them so I had to settle for this video I took of one of the boys the last time they came over to play. Tressa laughed at me alot because I would watch it over and over again and giggle every time! Hey, I had a lot of stress to relieve. Thanks for the help buddy!!

Just a few Sunday thoughts

I wanted to take a moment and express some thoughts I have had recently. I am so grateful for my Heavenly Father and the fact that he truly knows each and everyone of his children. It's amazing to me how each one of us can be going through our own individual lives and we can see the hand of the lord in our individual lives. He's got a lot of people to keep track of and still his is able to do it and make it look so easy. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father fills me in on his plan for me little by little. As soon as I learn to not be such a control freak and let him take care of things everything goes so much better. Just this week things I have wondering about have all become so much clearer and I have been having some AW HA Moments. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father trusts me with serving his children and guides me on what to do and how to do it. I honestly would be so alone and lost without his help.

Dear Sister. (another pictureless blog.)

Wow I need to go to bed! But I also have to get this out. This blog was originally started as a place for me to get my thoughts and feelings out. I used to write it in the form of a letter to my sister. Because Liz is some one I look up to so much and just adore. I adore all my sisters and I am so grateful for each one and their goodness to me and how they will listen to me for hours on end. My life wouldn't be so amazing if I didn't have my sisters. Anyway, that's a post for another time. Right now I find my self needing to go back to the old school of this blog. So here it goes....

Dear Sister,
The last 4 days have been some of the most stressful days I've have in a long while. You know how through out life Heavenly father presents you with many learning experiences and choices to be made? HA Well I have had quite a few and they've been good ones!

The last few days fate forced me to reminisce on one of those choices I made a few years ago and that brought with it a quick condensed version of how to tie up loose ends and clean up that tiny little pile of dirt that you would much rather sweep under the rug. (It's so much easier that way but after much studying not the best way.) It amazing at how the little decisions in life can really affect your future. This weekend I reflected on a past decision. It wasn't little, but very life changing. I felt kind of like Pocahontas. You know, where she is at the fork in the river and trying to decide which path to take. Well my paths weren't quite as exciting as hers but I could still Identify.

I found myself with two choices. One was heart wrenching and the other was easier, but my gut told me it wasn't right. So do I cause my self the pain by taking the road less traveled? Or should I take the easy way out while undermining my intuition? As you know I stayed true to the promptings I had and through many tears took the road that wasn't easy. At the time I got many confirmations that it was the right thing, however after all was said and done I found myself questioning my logic every now and then. Especially after I saw another take the path I passed up an seemed to be successful.

After the clean up on isle 10 this weekend, I was driving around by myself thinking about it all. And one more time a confirmation came. But stronger and much clearer then the others. You know when Heavenly father tells you to do something and you don't quite know why? Then a while later you understand? This time I felt more like I had dodged a bullet. It felt a lot like how I imagine a soldier would feel if he was supposed to go on a dangerous mission but another went in his place and was broad sided by an attack. The soldier is so sad for the man who went in his place however so happy he is safe and sound. Does any of that make since? Is that bad to feel.

Wow the relief! Anyway, now that this weekend is over I feel like I can breath again! Thanks for letting me vent a little,

Love,
Your little sister

Halloween

This Halloween I had a really hard time deciding what to be. Actually every halloween I have the same problem. I will think about what I should be the whole month and stress about putting something together. THen I usually end up going into our basement and grabbing whatever I can find the day of Halloween and throwing it on. (they end up being the best ones too) The last three years I have pretty much only dressed up for work because I end up working every year on Halloween. But I still have fun doing it. This year I wanted to be an angel but this is how it turned out:


I was to picky when looking for my angel costume and had nothing when I was getting ready for work. Luckily my personal assistant was on duty and we went to work on plan B. I just wish my mom was there to help us with the nose and makeup. Here are a few pictures of the process:








I was so excited because I thought I looked pretty good! LOL But when I got to work people kept telling me how creepy I looked. It wasn't what I was going for but I got over it and laughed it up.

I also thought I looked like a green gonzo

Updates

Ok, so there has been a lot going on and yet I feel nothing has happened at all. I'll update you on the lastest. A few weeks ago Tressa and I went to a Tri-stake dance put on by our stake. Our stake never puts on dances and there is a reason for that. However, the new young YSA reps who plan the activities don't know that. I think I am the YSA that has been here the longest (6 years! WOW) and experienced the days we used to try to put on dances. So this year the reps planned a fall dance and invited 2 other stakes. I have invited my friend from PA and was going to meet him and his friends there. Right before we planned to leave I got a call and he was like "Deb where are you? There are only two people here." The tradition of Columbia hosted YSA dances lives on! Well Tressa and I showed up determined to have a good time. We walked in, made them dim the lights and grabbed all 15 people there and threw them all on the dance floor. We ended up having a great time and meeting some pretty cute guys. Here's a picture of Tressa and I after we had gotten home at 2 am. We were tired and had had a really good work out keeping the energy of the dance up.


Last Sunday we had our Primary presentation. I teach the CTR 7 class and I love it. They are a handful but they have so much life. Anyway, they all got up there in front of the ward and did amazing. Each one said their part and did it so well. HA I know I am just their teacher and it was their parents who helped them with their parts but I was very proud of them and thought I'd give them a shout out.

You know that Halloween is in the air when the makeup is on the bathroom counter. Us Allred girls have never been very big into make up but we still have drawers full. Growing up the most makeup I ever wore was mascara. Now I have added blush and a light powder to the club. I have never felt I have much talent for applying it. My mother, however is very talented and that is where the halloween part comes in. She has a talent for dramatics and can turn any cute as a button face into a scary, scared villan or an 80 year old man. So every year before an halloween party since I was tiny our bathroom has always looked like this.

Tagged

Okay so I am going to try to get this post done as quickly as possible. I have 4 minutes before my time limit I gave myself is up. So get ready set go!
(Kim I think I was the one you tagged since you don't have any other Deborah's on your blog list)

#1: I don't like to be alone. Okay so there are times where it just feels SOO good not to have any one around and to be left with only my thoughts. But for the most part I am so much happier when I have some one around. I don't even have to talk to them, but knowing they are in he vicinity makes me feel better. HA Tressa is probably rolling her eyes because any time I know she is in hearing distance I will start talking to her or yell for her to come closer so I can talk her her. But come on, I already know what has happened in my day. It's easy for me to run out of things to talk about when I am just with myself.

#2: I don't like my toothbrush to be dirty Or really touch ANYTHING that could make it dirty. I guess I am OCD in that area. I mean I put that thing in my mouth to clean it, so shouldn't it be clean as well? I usually stand it up in the little toothbrush holder so it's not touching anyone else's toothbrush and can air dry or I always have a cover to put on it. (of course I realized that when I put it in the cover it doesn't dry and breeds more germs but whatever. It helps me sleep at night)

#3: I like my name to be capitalized. When people write my name, for some reason it really bothers me if they do not capitalize it. Just seeing deborah instead of Deborah urkes me and for a brief second before I get over it I am annoyed with the person who wrote it that way. Even when I am feeling lazy while writing something and don't capitalize some one else's name I will capitalize my own. (but 9 times out of 10 I feel bad and go back and capitalize the other person's name too)

#4: Okay here comes the really weird one. I really don't like going to the bathroom. I don't know why but I HATE doing this. I don't know if it's because it is inconvenient or I'm too lazy but I usually hold it until I REALLY have to go. Even writing about this is stirring up my dislike for the task. (weird) My mother tells me I hated having a wet or dirty diaper when I was a little so I think it is something stemming up from my childhood.

#5: I hate dog hair. Our dog...wait, let me rephrase that. Tressa's dog Maggie, is a funny looking chow/lab mix and she sheds like it's her job!!! Really I have never seen so much hair in my life come from one living thing. And it gets ALL OVER and then you can't get it off! uhg, so annoying! Anyway, I have such a hatred for her hair that I do not allow Maggie in my room. I call it "The dog hair free zone". And if there is a blanket or article of clothing she has touched I will not use it until it has been washed. I also wont kneel on the floor during family prayer because her hair will get on my knees and then I will track it back into my dog hair free oasis. So instead I do a kneeling type of deal while balancing on my toes.

I really don't think you understand my dilemma here, but for the sake of time...it has been a 5 year battle with this issue and I feel like the dog hair is winning. So my strategy is just to avoid it all together.

#6: I like to have cute underwear. I have alot of it to. I blame my love of it on my time folding panties late into the night at Victoria's Secret. However this is not where it began. I have always been picky about my whitie tighties and never buy a pair unless "they call to me." Strange, I know. This is something I have discussed with many married girls or Returned missionaries time and time again. And they all have the same point. It usually goes like this:

"why do you even care what your underwear looks like? No one is going to see it. And it wont matter in a few years any way."

Well my dear married and RMed friends. Yes, it is very true. NO ONE else is going to see it. However I see it and it makes me feel happy. I guess it makes me feel edgy to know I am wearing something fun that only I know about. And since I am not married yet and haven't gone on a mission or made any of the fun commitments that go along with those things, I can indulge myself for a little while longer.

#7: I tend to speak very openly and honestly about myself. Some times I get a little too honest and make my father blush or say things to people who are practially strangers. Case in point: my sister Tressa and I were at a tri-stake YSA dance. It was all over and everyone was cleaning up. I was still on a bit of a high from all the dancing and energy and came up to my sister and this new guy we met that night to tell Tressa we were leaving. Well I gave the guy a hug and realized that his back was not as wet as mine. I promptly said : "Wow, your back is not as sweaty as mine is. Sorry about that. Usually it's the other way around." Tressa was shocked and let me know that probably wasn't the best thing to say to a guy we just met. The fact is I was more embarrassed about it so in a spit second before I thought about the words coming out of my mouth I mentioned it in hopes to get it out there and make me not so embarrassed. It worked for me until Tressa told me that was not something you usually say to guys. Ha you'd think I would have problems getting dates with comments like that. But somehow guys must think my weird quirks are.....I don't know, cute? Who knows but I am working on keeping my mouth shut.


I tag Cathryn, Liz, Olivia, and huh....Tressa