Interest in Pinterest

I have faithfully stayed off of the Pinterest ban wagon since the website's inception creating much self-adoration for being able to avoid the web based creativity boosting, recipe snatching, fashion alerting charm of Pinterest. My avoidance of the Pinterest party ended this weekend. I spent some time with my sister who has a Pinterest account. I found myself looking over her shoulder saying, "Oh, I love that. Ah, that is so cute. I need that in my life. That looks delicious.. etc. etc." After taking over my sister's seat and sending myself 20 something emails from the sight as reminders of things she talked me into creating an account.

 

Once I created my account I spent hours, I mean hours for the rest of the weekend pinning, diet plans and holiday decoration ideas and favorite quotes and motivational workouts.  Am I going to do or create all of the things I "pinned"?  Maybe, possible, hopefully most of them, we will see.  What my main point of this post is, is that I like Pinterest.  Resistance is futile.  I am a beliver.  My house, my hair, clothing, diet and nails will now likely all become products of Pinterest.  Thank you world for making me not need to use my own creativity, thank you for giving the recipes, ideas and inspirations I need.  Here is to the start of a very long, likely mostly one sided hopefully long and fruitful relationship!

Laurann and Pinterest Est. 10.6.2012

Lately....

In an attempt to catch up with what I have been doing, I thought I would write a summary post of highlights and then work on getting back on track to regular posting. Here's what I have been doing lately...

 growing strawberries...

 finished another semester of school... nine classes to go (Yay!)

making changes to the back yard....

participated in the Race for the Cure...

went to Portland for the REAL vs. Timbers game!

Best game Ever!

Sick of being SICK!!

I have been sick for three weeks now.  The first week I was sick I went to Instacare and was diagnosed with an infection in my glands. 

I was given a couple of prescriptions for some meds. Some pain killers and some "Magic Swizzlsus" with liquid lidocaine to numb my throat.

When all of that went away I was left with a nasty cough.

I self medicated with Nite-time cough. I was so excited because I hadn't bought cough medicine as an adult. It really works. You take it and you stop coughing and you sleep through the night. It's brilliant.

This week along with having a lingering cough I woke up with a sore throat, headache, swollen eyes and feeling absolutely exhausted. I pulled out the big guns for treatment this time.

A prescription for antibiotics, cheez-its, cheese flavored popcorn, almond joys, and peanut butter m&m's. Seriously over being sick... I am feeling better already!!

He Saved my Day!!

It snowed in Bountiful yesterday a tiny bit, maybe it was kind of a lot bit.  Maybe not a lot bit, I might be exaggerating, but it was very wet and very heavy.  I am trying to be a good neighbor by keeping my section of the sidewalk clear for walkers and such.  I was outside this morning sweating, shoveling, heaving the snow to clear the way and my neighbor came to save the day.

He came from across the street with his snow blower to save my day.  I don't even know his name.  Today he is my favorite neighborhood man.  Thank you very much favorite neighbor man for saving my day!

Finals - UGH!

Why didn't someone remind me when I decided to go back to school that I would have to take finals?  I somehow didn't think about that.  I have been working on my finals for the semester all week.  I felt cramped working at my desk at home so I moved to the kitchen table.  Those of you that know me well know that I don't like a messy house.  My kitchen table has looked like this for days and it is driving me crazy.  Two finals done.. two to go!!  I am so excited to be done!!

Who's Counting??

I recently started working on my master's degree.  I wasn't sure what to expect.  I thought it would take some extra time and was prepared to spend a decent amount of time studying.  Ya, well, I spend a lot of time studying.  More than I expected.  Which, is okay because I am learning and want to push myself to do good.  The bad thing about all the studying is that my social life is suffering.  A friend called me on a Friday night to see if I wanted to go to a movie.  I love going to movies and a few months ago I would have said, yes, absolutely but this time I said, "Um, call me again in 19 months and we'll be friends and go to a movie?"  He laughed in my face and said, "Are you serious?" I said, "Ya, I am. Sorry, I have so much to do for school."  In lieu of this story, I decided to make a paper chain to count down when I finish my degree.  My darling neices colored all the papers for me.  Eighteen of them, one for each month until I finish.  But, who's counting???

Before and After

Before

 After

I had been growing out my hair for over a year.  A few months ago I decided to cut it.  I generally have short hair so I didn't think it would be a big deal and was looking forward to a change.  I miss having longer hair.  So, it's back to growing it out again...

Happy Harvest

I feel very proud of the fruit my back yard produced this year.  I am still having issues with my cherries and them getting worms.  Although, I had them sprayed this year they were still infected.  I was worried about the other fruit in my yard as well but everything else did wonderfully. 

My parents came down a few weeks ago.  We picked grapes, plums and pears.  I got the biggest bushel of grapes I've ever had.  I feel like they would win the at the state fair.  I was very proud.  My mom, bless her soul has spent countless canning it all.  Juice, jams, jellies, syrup and more.  She is amazing.  I'm so grateful for the happy harvest I had this year.  Yummy!!!

Project Baby Jonas

The company I work for has an affiliated charity that helps children with illnesses.  The name of the charity is Reliance Foundation.  A particular family contacted the Foundation about helping them purchase a head stone for their 3 year old son, Jonas, who died of Spinal Muscular Atrophy.  The disease is a condition that weaknesses the muscles in a persons body.  Some of the first muscles to atrophy are the neck muscles.  This makes it so the baby can't swallow so they have to get a feeding tube.  This also makes it so they can't hold up their own head.  Eventually everything just shuts down.  The life expectancy, I believe is supposed to be two years.  I'm not 100 % sure about that.

As I heard the story of Baby Jonas I was so sad.  I was talking with the executive director of the Foundation one day and she was explaining the need to help raise the money for a headstone for Baby Jonas.  I told her I would love to help and offered to have a yard sale at my place.  The executive director's kids were so great to help organize, advertise and work at the yard sale.  We made all of the money we needed plus a little extra.

We asked people to make donations of items for the sale.  My garage was full of things people brought to donate.  People were also very generous with the cash they gave.  It was a great day to remember the words of the hymn... "Because I have been given much I too must give." I hope to have many more opportunities to help special people like sweet little Baby Jonas.

I love PoPCoRN!

Something I am sure you didn't know about me is that I love PoPCoRN!  Especially and preferable  movie theater popcorn.  Yep that is right the extra butter coated salted heart attack causing goodness!  I crave it and love it!  The butter and salt, not the heart attack! When I go to movies I usually only get a small bag because if I were to get a tub like they sale that could feed a small village in India I would certainly have to wear spandex pants everytime I went to the movies. 

I had an incessant craving during work a few weeks ago.  I couldn't stop thinking about it.  There is a movie theater across the way from my office.  I drove over, went inside to the concessions.  Bought a small bag of popcorn with extra butter.  Turned around walked out and felt as though I were in heaven.  Who gets to eat movie theater popcorn for lunch?  Apparently, I do and I loved every kernel of it!

32nd Birthday FINALLY!!

I had my 32nd birthday on July 13th and I could not have been more happy!  I love my birthday very much and make sure that everyone knows it is coming.  I am not one of those people who just sits quietly by and hopes everyone will remember.   I am the girls that tells everyone (including people in the grocery store) and expects them to remember! (Yay!)  Well, when I turned 31 I hated it.  I don't know what happened but I was not happy.  Everyone should be happy on their birthday and I just wasn't.  I wasn't all the way through out the whole year either.  I perked up a little when we got to 2011 but I couldn't wait to be 32.  When I was in my early 20's and in college I remember thinking to myself.  I can't wait to be 32.  I thought that by the time I was 32 I would be established, I would hopefully be a little smarter, a little better and settled in to living a happy, healthy life.  As I turn 32 I can say I have accomplished all of those things and I am very proud and happy.  The next goal birthday I have set is 45.  I am excited to get there and see what has happened.  After 45 comes 70 and after 70 comes 100!  I can't wait and yes you heard me right, I want to live to be 100!!  Happy Birthday everyone! Happy Birthday Me!

To Flood or Not To Flood?

My parents live in Morgan on a street called the Island Road.  The street is called the Island Road because it has a river that runs down both sides of it the make the road an Island.  In years like this year the question is posed, "Is it going to flood or not flood?"  Until now my parents house has not flooded.  They have made some preparations such as....

Placing a mound of cow manure by the river and....

Pulling up the carpet in their basement. 

Some things in Morgan however, have flooded including my dad's field.

It looks a little more like a lake these days than an alfalfa field.

The flooding isn't all bad.  It gives the kids a  new place to play as you can see here. 

Will my parents house flood this year? Who truly knows.  The question comes up truly every spring.  Is it going to flood or not flood.  I hope they will be able to stay dry for another year.

Les Miserable

I have always wanted to see Les Miserables on broadway.  It is one of my favorite stories ever written, ever!  I have seen the movie of Les Miserables with Liam Neeson and I highly recommend it.  My friend Aubrey got tickets for Les Miserables here in Salt Lake at the Capital Theater.  She invited me to go with and I was elated! Although I was tired and our seats weren't great, I had a fabulous time.  The music was amazing.  The stage and of course as I mentioned, I love the story.  It was a great night.  Thanks so much to Aubrey for the invite!

Some Good News

I got some good news today.  I received the email below.  I'm so happy.  Back to School I go, I hope.  I'll know for sure in a couple of weeks... but, so far, so good!

Laurann,

Your application to the Distance MBA Program at Colorado State University is complete and been reviewed in the College of Business.  Your GMAT waiver request has been granted.  You are being recommended for admission to the Graduate School.  The official admission decision is made in the next two to three weeks.

Thank you.

Rachel

Graduate Admissions Manager

College of Business

110M Rockwell Hall - West

1270 Campus Delivery

Colorado State University

Fort Collins, CO 80523-1270

I did it..

I did what I said I was going to do.  After the Royal Wedding on Friday I was fascinated with the hats the women were wearing.  Yesterday I went out to buy myself a hat. Ta da!  Do you like it?  I can't even wait to wear it. Yay!!

Hats

I didn't watch the Royal Wedding Prince William and Catherine but I did look at the Pictures afterwards and my favorite part of the event are the hats.  Look at these hats. I got the pictures from Mail Online. Their absolutely amazing.  Why don't we wear hats.  I love them so much.  Can you imagine how much time would be saved doing our hair if all the women in the United States started wearing hats.  I love it!  I'm going shopping today for hats!!! 

Can I Have a To Go Cup?

I have asked for a to go cup at a restaurant several times before I leave.  A couple of the reasons are, I love to drink from a straw,  I love to have my drinks with ice and I love having a lid on my cup.  Well, some brilliant person came up with a design for a reusable to go style cup.  As you can see I have purchased several of this style of cup and I love them.  I always have one near by.  And I'm always happy because I feel like I am drinking out of a real life to go cup.   One of my favorite things, I'm weird I know but I love my to go cups. Ha!

Let it Snow

This is what my backyard looked like when I woke up this morning.  Let it snow on April 26th.  Will a chance for me to wear my new swimming suit ever come?  I just want it the sun to come soon and stay for a while!!

Blossoms on the Cherry Tree

I woke up this morning to blossoms on my cherry tree!  I hope that means Spring is truly here and no more snow will come.  Last year the cherries had worms. I was so sad.  I've sprayed the trees and been watching it closely.   A few more months and we should have some good fruit to eat.  I am so excited!!!

Glitter Toes

My friend Stef gave me glitter toes.  She literally painted my toe nail with clear nail polish and dumped red glitter all over them.  I'm so happy! I love them so much! The paint has stayed on forever!!!!  Glitter toes... one of my new favorite things!!!