Blogger Award

Katie gave me my first blog award a long time ago. I have put off fulfilling the duties of my first blog award because I am having problems thinking of what to write. I am suppose to write ten honest, obscure facts about myself, which is difficult because Katie doesn't want me to write about me getting married. It is going to happen, sorry.
1. I think it would be cool to write a book. I have been toying with the idea for a while. I read several book blogs by authors I love, I just don't have any ideas of what story to tell. I just know that I love telling stories, they just tend to be other people's stories.

2. I am a published poet. I like to write poetry and have several scraps of paper with little lines that I want to work into a poem.

3. I love my extended family. I love my fremily and friend. I want them all to come to my reception. I have no desire to have any of them at my actual wedding. The only people I want there are my mom and dad, my older brother and his wife Jason and Velika, and my younger brothers Kenyon and Jarom (Jarom unfortunately can't come because he is on a mission, which is okay). I might make an exception for a close friend or two, who are close to me like sisters (you know who you are), but other than that, I noone else. My only defense is that Austin's family can't be in the temple and he doesn't really care if anyone comes for him.

4. Austin and I were thinking of eloping and just having the reception on January 2nd. Don't worry it would be to the temple. Unfortuately it doesn't appear that that will be an option, in fact December 30th is looking a little dicey too.

5. I never wanted to move back to Arizona when I graduated from BYU. I was thinking more along the lines of Massachusettes, but Heavenly Father had a different plan for me. I still want to move away from the western United States for a while. I have been here most of my life and have discovered in the times that I have been away that I really enjoy having seasons.

6. I want to get my PhD. There is no reason for this other than I want to be called Dr. Kelsi. I think it sounds so sophisticated, yet approachable. I like to learn new things and do research as well, which are problably better reasons to get a doctorate degree than just the title, but the title is pretty cool too.

7. I am lonely much of the time. I suppose this is my fault, but when I move back to Thatcher, the people that were here before were mostly gone and most of the YSA that I could hang out with just graduated from high school and have different things that are imprtant to them and being from a small town, the clicks were already established. I just didn't want to break the mold I guess, so I turned to books.

8. My first name came from a billboard on the side of the road for a grocery store chain that has since bit the dust. There was a store in Mesa for a while that my mom went shopping at a couple of times when I was a little girl. The chain name was spelled differently (Kelsey's), but yep, I was named after a billboard.

9. When I see a really nice car, I tend to drool. It doesn't matter, the make or model, but I drool. I tend to claw my window if a lifted truck with good exhaust goes by (ask Lisa, she has witnessed this behavior). I like classic cars better than newer ones, and prefer Fords and Cheveys to Dodges on trucks. I want a 60's era Mustang and Corvette. I already have a good truck (well almost).

10. I have the hardest time saying that I am going to do something and then doing it. This is more of a personal problem, like saying to myself, "I'll do the dishes today," and then actually doing the dishes. If I am accontable to another person it is a different story, I'm there, I'll do it, it is just with myself that I have this problem.

I lope you enjoyed reading my honesty. Now for my nominations.

Liz: I am so glad you commented and that you found me. It is so nice reading about your family.
Rebekah: I have always looked up to you. I will admit that I have been jealous of your accomplishemnts, but your sweet spirit and perseverance are inspiring to me.
Charlo: I love your quarky personality. Your blog almost always makes me laugh and brightens my day
Holly: I love that you put everything out there for everyone to read. You are an awesome mother and blogger.
Molly: I miss spending time with you. I have fond memories of painting your room and just talking. You are a total babe and I love you.

Suicidal rats

I had a rat in my house. Well, I guess technically it is just Austin's house right now, but my things are there. I have to wash all of my dishes underneath the sink, I heard it crawling around on my pots and pans last Thursday. It has gone now though. Friday night/Saturday morning it decided to quench its thirst in the toilet and couldn't get out. Let me start at the beginning.

We started suspecting something last Saturday after discovering that our mouse traps had been tripped. We bought some sticky traps on Wednesday thinking that it was a fast mouse and not getting stuck in our snap traps. Thursday we found that whatever was in our house was getting in the trash can. We put a sticky trap behind the garbage can. On Friday morning, Austin discovered that that particular stick trap had disappeared. Friday evening we looked under the couch, found the trap and a rat tail stuck to it. Needless to say, I was thoroughly grossed out. The rat had chewed its tail off to get away. We put the rat trap that my mom had behind the garbage baited with a flaming hot funion. I decided that I had no desire to live with a rat, so Friday night I explained to Heavenly Father how I felt and I would be greatly obliged if a way would be provided for the rat to leave. Saturday morning, Austin found it drowned in the toilet. It could be that it was thirsty after eating a flaming hot funion that we use for bait, but I know that it was Heavenly Father answering a prayer.

Because of the masochistic, suicidal rat Austin spent Saturday morning cleaning the bathroom instead of taking engagement pictures with me. I woke up early so we could get our pictures done and then spend the rest of the day doing birthday things for me (that was his plan, not mine). However, MS rat changed that. We took our pictures in the afternoon instead (I'll post them later). I had a good birthday weekend anyway, and there is NO RAT IN MY HOUSE!

Driving back from Wilcox...

...our conversation went something like this:

Austin picked up a gummy worm that had two gummy worms stuck to it and was pulling them apart with his teeth

Me: (after an internal debate) sexual (think of the way Katie says it)

Austin: you are one dirty little girl...you stayed too long in Utah...which you wouldn't think would be the case

Me: You can thank Katie and Amber if they come to the reception.

Ponderings of a bored soul

I really should get up and do things, I have a vehicle, but I lack the ambition. I can only walk around Walmart so many times. On Tuesday a went on a shopping spree, but that is about as exciting as it gets here. I got myself a sweater for engagement pictures (when I saw it, I thought of Katie and her fall style, but we will have to see when I take the pictures), a pair of jeans because they were desperately needed, some cute undies for when I am married, and I tried to get a black shirt for Austin to wear for our engagement photos but he had too broad of shoulders to fit (pretty much if he hugged me, the shirt would rip). Austin and I also saw a skunk that night. I don't know what it is, but I have seen more skunks when I am with him than I ever thought possible.

The weather has been lovely lately. I leave the windows open most of the day and the house stays perfect. The cooler weather is putting me in the mood to make soups: french onion, clam chowder, beef stew, etc. I am even tempted to make homemade bread, but that might not happen since I have not mastered that yet and I would be a little self conscious serving it to Austin (I know he wouldn't care, but I do). I also saw these really cute mini pumpkin pies on a food blog yesterday that I want to make, but I haven't got a mini muffin tin, so I am sad.

Well, I need to go so I can shower and then pick up some things at the store. Have a good day/week/month, depending on who reads this.

Sock monkies, silk flowers, and sickies

I keep telling myself I should write a post, but I can never think of anything when I am sitting at the computer. I love sock monkeys and so Austin found one at Walmart and got it for me. I have no idea why I have such an affinity for sock monkeys, but I do. They are just so friendly and happy. Picture from here.

I went shopping for silk flowers a couple of weeks ago. I found all of them at Hobby Lobby, except for the white daisies. I found those at Ribbons and Lace. I had a hard time trying to find black ribbon to go around grip of my bouquet, I guess black satin ribbon is in high demand (come to think of it, Halloween is coming up and that might explain the lack of black ribbon at craft stores).

Austin and I have been sick. First he got sick the weekend we went shopping for the flowers. Then we were okay for a few days, after which I got sick. I guess that is what I get for kissing a sick man. Oh, well it was worth it.

I need to keep myself busy. My dad got a new job down in Mesa and so my Mom and Dad are down in Mesa all the time, so I am left home alone (not without wheels though, I get to drive around a 4 wheel drive Suburban with a sound system) with nothing to do and no one to talk to. I look for jobs and watch movies (mostly Smallville, but I have to get my fill of chick flicks too). I can only do so many things for the wedding in Thatcher, but going down to Mesa for a week would be just as boring. Any suggestions would be welcomed.

He finally asked me...

...and I said yes!

Yesterday he said he was going to go by Clonts today to see about the ring. When he came by after work I asked him about and he said he forgot (we spent the last three days together, I was thinking he just wanted to see me). I thought, no big. I have a ring on my right hand I wear on my middle finger that my brother made, and before we left to the store, Austin stole it from me and wouldn't give it back. I didn't really think anything of it until we were on our way to our trailer (it is tiny, but it is ours and we can afford it) so we could eat dinner (he said he would make me dinner, which was wierd, but I didn't pick up on that) and he put the song to Michael Peterson's "From Here to Eternity." We got to the trailer where I had my soup, cheese, and chicken strips while he ate his sandwich and chicken strips. I kept bugging him about my finger being naked and I wanting my ring back. This went on for about 45 minutes, until he stood up and got my rings out of his pocket (I noticed there were two when he put them in his hand and just picked up the one Kenyon made me). He held out the hand made ring and then got really nervous/awkward and then showed me my ring and put it on my finger. I waited for him to say something, but he couldn't so I stood up and asked him if he was going to ask me. Then he said, "Kelsi Rose Burrell, will you marry me?" I said yes and then kissed him. He just is so shy about this sort of thing, so it was perfect for him.

I am getting married!

Better late than never...right?

I would like to start this post by apologizing to Stephanie Black (regardless if she reads this post). I said I would read and review her new book Methods of Madness before the end of August. I had it read last week, but I procrastinated my review. I am sorry. You can take back your book if you want (although I would probably cry). Without further ado, here is my review.

(image from Deseret Book)

I thoroughly enjoyed Methods of Madness. I read the first chapter and then put it down (I was reading another book and wanted to give Madness my entire attention), but I wondered what would happen the entire time I wasn't reading it. The characters were real and their actions and emotions kept me interested. I will admit that I had one of the antagonist (there are two) guessed by the 3rd chapter, but the other one I totally didn't pick up on until the end. I was also slightly frustrated with the use of a knife. Staphanie used a knife as the weapon of choice in her last book Fool Me Twice, so it felt slightly redundant. I would give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

My Wedding Dress...

I found one, it was more expensive than I wanted, but I got a free tux rental, so to get us both dressed, it will be cheaper than we budgeted for. I know my dress will have to be altered, but it has what I was looking for. The only down side is I have to wait until December before I can actually try on my dress. It has to be special ordered because I want fushia as the color and that takes time.

I had the weirdest dream on Saturday night (after I found my dress). I don't remember much of it, aside from Austin was there and I was wearing a wedding dress. Saturday night was filled with totally weird dreams.

So does this mean I'm...

...engaged?

You see, Austin and I have been talking marriage and he has talked to my Dad, he bought a ring (it needed to be resized, so we don't have it), but he has never actually asked me to marry him.

I would like to post a cute picture of Austin and I together, but my computer is still broken, so I don't have any. My dad found the part, so I may get my computer back soon.

Last night I...

tortured my boyfriend. We had a bet and he lost, so he had to watch Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince. This weekend he will be tortured even further because he has to watch Confessions of a Shopaholic, Twilight, and in order to preserve some of his manhood, Transformers (I have yet to see the first one). Austin really shouldn't bet against me, I am too irresistible for him. I have won three times without trying (really hard that is).

Addendum

As a follow up to my previous post, I went to the doctors on Tuesday. I have a an infection in both ears and a lovely sinus infection. Every time I hiccup or burp, my ear makes a noise. It is really bad when I have to blow my nose, which is often, because my ear makes this loud pop-squeak that is painful. Tuesday night my ear wacked out and I almost passed out when I was out with Austin. I scared the poor kid. He was watching me instead of the road on the way home and he had to walk me inside (it is usually just to the door) because I pretty much fell out of his car when I got out. Yep, I am smooth. He was really sweet about it though. He even called this morning before lunch to make sure I was okay.

My sweet boyfriend

I started to feel sick yesterday and after I went to lunch with Austin today, it got worse. I have a sinus infection, I hate sinus infections. I called Austin and told him that I wasn't feeling good and that he didn't have to come over, I sounded pathetic, because my throat is sore too. Well he did end up coming over and he brought me a present. He gave me a get well card and a little stuffed pug. This is me pretending I feel wonderful, even though I feel like death warmed over. I am really happy that he thought to get me something.

I have named him Austen after the pug in the Mormon version of Pride and Prejudice. I just thought it was slightly ironic that Austin gave me a pug and the pug in the movie was named Austen. I suppose I have a weird sense of humor, or it could be that I haven't been thinking clearly all day. You pick.

Ewwwwwwwwwwwwww!

My mom and I were folding underwear, when we saw this: We were guessing some grass or roots that the dogs might have brought in, perhaps even a dingle berry. I got up and leaned really close to discover that it was non of the above. It was a scorpion. I am not fond of scorpions at all as per my previous post. It wasn't as big as that scorpion, but it was bigger than the tiny ones that we usually have around the house.

I dreamed about Tom Cruise

Last night, I had a dream about Tom Cruise, and I kicked his butt. It was great. He tried to throw away stuff from my art locker and I went all kung foo on him. I rock.

Toilet Paper Dodge Ball

I am on my ward's activity committee, so I had to help plan FHE last night. I decided that I should introduce toilet paper dodge ball to the singles of the Gila Valley. I think it was quite successful. So I would like to thank Amber and Brandon for showing me the best game of dodge ball ever.

Camping

I got to go camping this weekend, and I had a blast. I went with Austin (my boyfriend), Keith (Austin's good friend), Rose (Keith's girl friend), Robert (Keith's son), and Thomas (Rose's brother). Rose and I got to sleep in a trailer while the boys stoically slept on the ground outside with the skunk. Okay, Austin slept in the suburban because he had no desire to wake up to a skunk.

We got to the campground after dark and were eating dinner. I kept hearing a rustling in the grass, and just catching the tip of a white nose. Well I finally caught the culprit in it's black and white glory (it was so cute). Luckily, the flashlights chased it off without scaring it, so we didn't get sprayed. I was so glad I was sleeping away from the ground.

The only downside to our outing was that Keith and Robert wake up at 5:00 am everyday. I much more a 9:00 am kind of girl, so being woken up at 5:30 am by a rambunctious 2 year old is not my cup of tea. Needless to say, I am very tired and want to go to bed since I have not had a nap all day and that is how I get through a day that I have to wake up early for.

I am going to bid you all goodnight so I can work on my lesson and program for tomorrow. Ciao!

Once again, Old Mill 123

I was down in Mesa last weekend hanging with my friends. I was talking to my mom and mentioned that one of my friends pinched my butt. Having had this happen before from my roommates and friends up in Utah, I was not weirded out. My mom looked at me weird and I said, "it isn't my fault I have a cute butt." My dad happened to walk in the room at that moment and about had a coronary. Not over me proclaiming that I have a cute butt, but because I used the word "butt".

Summer Reading

Since I have a lot of time on my hands, I have been reading. I started off with "must reads before you die" and I can't say that I was impressed. Then there is my standby of Newberry books, that I almost always love. Then I just went off on tangents and read whatever I wanted. Hear in no particular order are the books that I have read starting back in April.

1. Lord of the Flies by William Golding
2. The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
3. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
4. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
5. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey
6. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle
7. A Wind at the Door by Madeline L'Engle
8. A Swiftly Tilting Planet by Madeline L'Engle
9. The Arm of the Starfish by Madeline L'Engle
10. Dragons in the Water by Madeline L'Engle
11. A House Like a Lotus by Madeline L'Engle
12. Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
13. The Giver by Lois Lowry
14. Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry
15. The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry
16. Waiting for April by Scott M. Morris
17. Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
18. New Moon by Stephanie Meyer
19. Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer
20. Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer
21. The Host by Stephanie Meyer
21. Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke
21. Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke
22. Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
23. Chickens in the Headlights by Matthew Buckley
24. Bullies in the Headlights By Matthew Buckley
25. Mutiny on the Bounty by Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall
26. Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevens
27. The Princess Bride by William Goldman
28. Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
29. Never Cry Wolf by Farley Mowat

I might have added some that I have started to read earlier than April, but I have read all of them this year. Plus I have started to reread the Leven Thumps books (by Obert Skye) and I get to review a book by Stephanie Black (an LDS author) named Methods of Madness. I am excited to see what new books I will read before the summer is out.

I blame it all on Old Mill 123

I went to a dance tonight. I had fun, despite Austin being sick and not coming with me. The DJ was giving prizes to couples depending on where they were standing on the floor. One of these prizes was an inflatable monkey, won by a young man named Isaac. During the next slow song, my friend Kassi turns to me and says, "why an I not surprised that Isaac is dancing with his monkey?"

Fill in the rest Amber, Katie, and to some extent Somer and Lisa.

My brother the photographer...

This is what Kenyon did last night during the thunderstorm. He is much braver than I as he had to stand in the middle of nowhere waiting for lightning to strike. I like this one because the lightning has gaps in it. It is just behind other clouds, but it still looks cool. This one is my favorite. I would like to crop out all the black around it, but I just like the ball of light at the base of the strike.

Answer to prayers

My mom has been having some health problems lately. She has had to be in the hospital twice in the last 2 months and the ER once. Since my dad go laid off from 3DP, we haven't had any insurance. We have been trying for forever to get Mom on the state medicaid program to no avail. She has been denied 3 times and has jumped through every hoop that they have put before her. Today, after another interview, she was approved for three months (April, May, and June). I know that it will not help in the future, but that is what we really needed. So, prayers really are answered.

I have no idea...

Last night I went into the bathroom to rinse my ears with peroxide (I think I have an ear infection). I turned on the light and started to reach for the q-tips when something moved by the Kleenex box (next to the q-tip box). It was a scorpion. Not a little one that have been around my house before, but a huge one, at least two inches long. Needless to say I squeaked. Kenyon came running and killed it for me. I hate bugs!

The Book of Jer3miah

I really should be sleeping right now. It is after 3:00 am and I am finding myself addicted to a show produced by a class a BYU. It is really good. The plot is suspenseful, I have jumped a few times when things happen. I like it because it has things from the scriptures put into a modern story. If you have ever been to BYU-Provo you will recognize some of the places (it makes me want to go visit my friends). Really you should go watch it. http://www.jer3miah.com/

Memories

This week I have been thinking a lot about the good times I had at NaturalCare working in the warehouse. One reason is I had corn dogs for dinner tonight. John use to have corn dogs for lunch, and if I forgot my lunch he would offer one to me. I miss John. I really should call him...

The other reason is slightly more embarrassing. I had a coworker named Charlo who would say random things while we were working. I love her for this, it made the monotonous tasks pleasurable. One of the things she said to Rachel was, "if I pee on you, don't take it personally, it just means I own you" (we had been discussing dogs marking their territory for some reason). Well, Sunday, my dog peed on me, so I guess she owns me. I was sitting on the futon watching a movie and my dog looked up at me with big brown puppy dog eyes so I picked her up. Next thing I know, I feel something warm and wet. That was not a look of "I miss you and want to sit by you" it was a look of "I need to go outside." In my defense she has been very clingy lately.

I had to change my closes and wash the sheet and futon cover. I was not happy. Oh well, I got revenge today. I gave her a bath, trimmed her nails, and shaved her (bath day is not her favorite). Not only did she pee in the house, she also has been rolling in the dirt, so she had a bath coming to her. [Insert evil laugh here].

Really weird dream

I had the strangest dream last night, okay it was this morning. I went up to Provo to visit my friends. I went to Old Mill, and I was let in to 123, but everyone ignored me. It was so sad Josie and Somerset wouldn't give me the time of day. As bad as that was, it wasn't the worse thing that happened in my dream.

When I got to the apartment, Amber was giving some sort of eulogy for Katie. Yes, Katie had died and nobody told me. To make it worse, Amber was acting like a jerk about it.

I was so sad when I woke up, I was almost crying. Amber, Somerset, and Josie wouldn't act like that. Between Katie dieing and everyone acting not like themselves, it was a horrible way to spend my sleeping hours.

So, Amber, Katie, Josie, and Somerset, I hope all is going well. Love ya!

Bugs, take 4

As if I haven't had enough encounters with bugs the last couple of months (a cockroach in my cup, eating a bug, having one go down my shirt, and all the bug bites I have had), tonight I had a bug up my nose. A live bug. I would really like it if all of the bugs would leave me alone.

Dearest Friend,

I am so happy for you at this time in your life. You are getting married and starting a family with a great guy (even though I have never met him, I am sure he is). I have been sad that I can't share everything like we use to because of the miles between us, but I still think of you has one of my best friends, and I thought you felt the same. The day we spent in the temple was one of the best days I had had in a long time.

When I got your wedding invitation yesterday, I cried. Not because you are getting married, but because I feel you are cutting me out of your life. There once was a time, not too long ago, when three hours meant nothing to us, not even 15, I would have been a bridesmaid in your wedding. That hurt, but what hurt more was that you didn't invite me to your ceremony. I thought I was your sister and you were certainly the one that I never had.

I thought we shared a bond. You were the one I ran to when my life was a chaotic, and you ran to me when life got messy. When did that change? I know we have both been busy and poor since you got home from your mission, but I thought we were still best friends. I guess I was wrong. My best friend would have meant it when she said she was sorry, instead of sounding like you were apologizing because you though it was the right thing to do.

I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. I have been feeling more and more left out, even before your mission. You were distant that afternoon we spent together before you went to the MTC. Then the evening we spent together when you got home I felt left out of the conversation. I haven't been on a mission and that is all you and Pain talked about. It was like you gals were a member of a secret sorority and I wasn't invited because I hadn't served a mission. I had things I wanted to share too, but I wasn't included.

I thought about not going to your reception, not to get even, I doubt you won't even notice if I am there or not, but because I think I might cry for what has passed. I am going, but only because I promised your sister that I would spend time with her. So, I will see you on June 19.

(This is here because I am too chicken to tell her. It is her wedding day after all, and I don't want to ruin it for her.)

Bugs, bugs everwhere

I hate mosquitoes and ants. I want them all to die, at the very least to stop biting me. I found more this morning. Does anyone have any idea about stopping them from eating me alive?

Whiskers tickle

I have discovered that whiskers tickle when kissing. Do I want Austin to shave, nope.

I am not happy

I love living in a small town, really I do, but I hate the bubble effect. I am having to delay my plans because there are people around here that have been hypocrites and looking at whether or not a person is a member of the church instead of the whether the person is a good person or not. This hypocrisy goes both ways though. There are people that hate other people just because they are members of the church. It is the lamest thing and I am so angry and hurt.

February 14, 2009

On this day the Gila Valley Temple was started. I got to go to the groundbreaking. I loved it. The words that were spoken made me want to be a better person and go to the temple more. They made me want to be more loving and a better example to everyone, member or nonmember. I was inspired to better live my religion, instead of being a casual bystander. Now, within a year, there will be a temple 3 miles from my house (how cool is that?!?!). I even got to help dig. Sorry that the pictures are not so good, but I only had my phone. I didn't even think to bring a camera until I was at the site, oh well.

Nicki and Shawn's Wedding

(Notice the Cinderella dress of awesomeness)

After weeks (okay months) I finally am putting up pictures of my friend's wedding that I went to in March. This is Nicki. She is amazing in so many ways. I love her. She married a good, somewhat goofy guy named Shawn. She had her fairy tale wedding, complete with a castle (there is actually a little Gus-gus from Disney's Cinderella with a scoop of cake in his hand behind the flowers). They are so cute together and I am happy for them, although I did sneak out of their reception to call Austin. I am sad that they are going to Alaska for the Summer and then moving to Flagstaff to go school. Love you guys!

How long?

I was talking to Austin last night and he told me when he first started to like me. Before I moved up to Utah, he asked me out on a date. I would have to look in my journal for the exact date, but it was in early 2006. From that time, until he asked me out again in September or October of last year, there was no one else. I feel kind of bad though, during the Pioneer Day celebration last year, I stood in line for kettle corn (the line was abysmally slow and long). I saw Austin a couple of times and we had said hello to each other, but nothing else. I kept hoping he would come up and talk to me, and he stood off to the side of the kettle corn tent hoping that I would see him after I was finished in line. It was raining and he stood there getting soaking wet, hoping that I would come talk to him, and I didn't.

Essentially, we are both nerds who liked each other for a long time before we actually started dating, although he has me beat. Three years. I would tell him how cute I think that is, but he doesn't like be called cute. No worries, I told him I was very flattered and I appreciated the compliment. Pretty much I am unforgettable and irresistible, he never stood a chance.

I love wildlife

Kenyon graduated from Eastern Arizona College on Friday night. Jason and Velika came up so we were all together. Except for Jarom, he is on his mission, which is where he is suppose to be. Anyway, as we were sitting in the stands, looking for Kenyon, I spotted him, took a breath, and turned to Jason to say I saw Kenyon, and inhaled a bug. Jason told me it was just extra protein, yuck. So everyone is now in their seats, and as we are listening to the speakers, a bug flies down my shirt and stays. I felt it flying around in my woman pocket for fifteen minutes before I was finally able to get rid of it. I told Jason I had a bug down my shirt and he said it was just looking for its friend that I swallowed.

We got home after the graduation and I let the dogs out. The wind was blowing, so we had closed the dog door. As the dogs go out I see a lizard in between the two flaps on the door. I inform my parents of this, since the dog door is in their bedroom and then lock the dog door so the lizard can not come in anymore. My plan was to go out back and get it out through the back flap, but my dad decided to try and push him out through the front and the lizard decided to try living indoors for a while, because it is now under my parent's bed and crawls up on my dad's night stand. I like lizards, but I have no desire to sleep in the same room with one (my dad works nights, so I sleep with my mom). I am not looking forward to going to sleep tonight.

I love the country and I love wildlife, just not when it is on my person, in my cup, or in my house.

I don't want to write

I have been experiencing a writers block lately. I haven't wanted to write on my blog or in my regular journal. I don't know why, I just haven't wanted to write. I like writing. I actually remember things better when I write in my journal, even if I don't write the exact thing in my journal. I can also keep track of what the date is too.

On another note, Austin and I have been dating for three months now. It has been a good three months. I am nervous about where we are going though. I set a goal many years ago to get married in the temple. Austin can't take me there (yet) and I don't know that he wants to get so he could take me to the temple. So, I have been thinking about what the best course of action will be for me and for Austin. I am not asking for advice, I am just putting my thoughts on paper (yes, I realize that this isn't paper).

The most disgusting thing

Last night I came in after saying goodbye to Austin. The lights were all off because my mom was trying to sleep on the couch (my dad works nights and sleeps from about 2-10 pm so we try not to disturb him, hence my mom was on the couch). I go in the kitchen where we have a water cooler. Since there is a counter top right next to the cooler, we all keep our cups there. My cup was dark blue (I can't see anything in my cup without light). I knew I had left water in it so I pick it up and start to drink. I had taken a couple gulps when something hit my lip. "That's strange, I wonder if I accidentally knocked chicken fat in my cup," I think to myself (I had been skinning chicken for dinner). I turn on the light and there in the bottom of my glass, is a dead cockroach. Yes, cockroach. I drank water that had a dead cockroach in it. When I realized this I freaked out; I washed my mouth out with Listerine, spit multiple times, almost hurled. Even now I am gagging. Needless to say I got a new cup, one that is clear so I can look in it before I drink.

Last night I...

...was asked to dance by a senior in high school. Yep. It's true.

There was a dance at the institute and I felt like dancing. Austin didn't go, but that wasn't going to stop me from having a good time. When I got there, I found out that it was senior's night (no there weren't a bunch of old people, the high school seniors were invited), I might not have gone had I known that from the get go, but I was already there, so I stayed. The most lame thing about the dance was they left the lights on, because obviously, us young single adults cannot keep our hands to ourselves.

Well, back to the high school senior. A slow song had started to play and slowly, all the girls around me were asked to dance. I was left standing by myself. Then here comes this young looking kid, and he asks me to dance. He was really nice and actually did a good job of keeping the conversation going (I could tell he was really nervous, it was his first YSA dance after all). I was humored that he was so young.

Cooking today

Today I feel like blogging. I really just want to let the whole world, okay the few the proud that actually read my blog, know that I was in the mood to cook and let everyone drool over my success.

For dinner, I made French Onion Soup. I changed the recipe a bit. I used apple juice instead of white whine, more apple juice instead of apple cider (I thought it said apple cider vinegar, don't ask, I don't know), and Fontina instead of Gruyere. I used a baguette because I knew that it was a crusty bread and could stand up to the soup. It was very good. I would like to say that I took pictures, but it all got eaten before I had the chance.

For dessert, I made peanut butter popcorn (thanks for the blog Katie). I like it. I would like a little more peanut butter to popcorn ratio, so the next time I make it I will probably add more. Again, it isn't my picture, it was gone before I could get the camera.

Power

Today the power was out for three hours. I really have no problem with this, except I was trying to cook dinner and I needed my stove, which is electric. Truly, necessity is the mother of all invention. Here is what I learned while I had no juice.

1. Using the grill is always a good idea
2. Battery operated drills can power food processors
3. Even though salad tastes better cold, warm ain't half bad

Thank goodness I have a brother around that thinks up solutions to my problems in the kitchen at the drop of a hat.

Serious?

Austin and I have been going out for over two months now, and he finally let me meet his parents. I was pretty surprised that he did. His mom is cute and his dad reminds me of a cross between my Grandma Redmer and John (yes I know it says grandma). I am interested to see what they have to say about me. I will have to see what Austin has to say about that tomorrow.

Why?!?!?!?!

Why, WHY, WHY!? That is all I have to say.

Yea for lunch

Today, even though I was sleeping when he called, I got to go to lunch with Austin. I can get ready in a hurry when I want to, despite what my family may tell you. Spending an hour with him in the middle of the day was great.

I didn't get the job at the Marriott that I interviewed for on Friday. To be honest, I didn't think I would, nor was I too excited about it. I want a job, but that probably wouldn't have bee the best fit for me. I have an interview with a doctor's office tonight at 5:15. I am interviewing with the two doctors and the office manager. I really want this job. I know both the doctors and I am good at being a clerk (so I have been told), I just need someone to give me a chance.

Dear Aunt,

Did you watch conference today? I know sometime you think other thing are more important, but I promise you, nothing is of more importance than sitting at the feet of our church leaders and hearing the words God wants us to here.

I would like to call your attention to President Uchtdorf's talk this morning. You have asked me for my opinion on several self help books. I have been hesitant to tell you, but now feel no inclination to hold my tongue, that I don't think your answers will come from reading any number of self help books. If you want to be delivered from the ties that are holding you back, the answer lies in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Self help books are based on theories that can not be applied to everyone in every situation. The only help that is truly all encompassing is the Atonement that Christ gave for all of us.

Through Christ's Atonement, we can have ever lasting peace. I know that times are hard for you right now. I know that you are wanting to be delivered from those that have you trapped. As President Monson told the Priesthood last night, the burdens may not be lifted, but your back will be shaped to bare them. Do not look towards scholars to help you, for their advice will fade when no longer in vogue, look towards your Redeemer, because he will never lead you astray. His help is individually geared to you. He knows the pain and trials that you have because he carried them alone. His arms are waiting to carry you through the quagmire of life right now, if you will just let him pick you up, instead of pushing him away.

I know you may think I am asking a lot of you, but forgive them. Do not let their actions have power over you. Elinor Roosevelt was correct when she said, "no one can make you feel inferior without your consent." They may win the legal battle, but you can win the eternal one. You are a remarkable woman, capable of enduring their persecutions. You can love them and forgive them because Christ did first.

I love you, and pray for you daily.

Love,
Kelsi Rose

I'm good

I know it doesn't matter, but I totally called Elder Neil L. Anderson as the new Apostle. Ever since his preisthood session talk about the little kids with the water guns, I have loved hearing him speak. Then, when he came to dedicate the temple lot, that was pretty awesome.

Addendum

To pour salt on an open wound, the three phone calls from Austin that I missed, they were to ask me to lunch with him. Yep would have done that in a heartbeat. Stupid phone, stupid vibrate. I always knew that sleep was overrated and now I have proof. I missed lunch with Austin.
That pretty much says how I feel about that.

On a better note, I have another job interview next week, but this one is a full time position and I would be getting paid more. I interviewed with them before I moved to Utah and would have gotten the job then, had I not gone to BYU to finish my bachelors. Maybe I will have a job, that would rock.

I think I am a ditz

I was in the ER last night with a friend from 7:45pm until 1:45am, so I turned my phone to vibrate (I'm a rebel, it should have been turned off). After I got home from the hospital, I was awake until 4:00 de-stressing. I was really tired and I ended up sleeping (not solidly, I had to get up a couple of times for family scriptures and my dog) until around 12:30.

The first thing I usually do, when I get out of a place where I have to turn my phone off or down, is I turn it on or up. Last night, I didn't do this. So, when I checked my phone at 2:00pm, I had 4 missed calls, 1 for a job interview (luckily, the company is doing interviews tomorrow and not today), and the others from Austin (who almost never calls me, let alone while he is at work).

Of all the days to have my phone set to vibrate, why did it have to be today?

Why so...disappointed

Monday night, I saw Dark Knight for the first time. It isn't the type of movie I usually watch, but everyone said it was so good, so when a friend said that they were watching it, I wasn't going to say no. The acting was good, Heath Ledger did do an intriguing joker, but I wasn't that in to it. I seriously didn't think that the movie was worth all the hype. I will probably never watch it again, seeing as the only part of the movie I found enjoyable was snuggling with my boyfriend for two hours.

I guess my true beef with the movie was they made morals situational, like there is really no black and white, just shades of gray. The thing is that 99% of the time, morality is black and white. What is wrong will almost always be wrong, and what is right will always be right, irregardless of the situation. I have the same problem with Pirates of the Caribbean. It is just my thing.

To all of those who liked the movie, more power to you. If you like other movies in the future, I will still see them based on your reviews.

Nasty

I spent today cleaning my brother's bathroom. It took my mom and I 3 hours to get all the nastiness cleaned up. I would like to say that I have before and after pictures, but I don't. I think my arm is going to fall off from scrubbing the ceiling, walls, and shower stall. I couldn't breath through the mask I was wearing to protect my lungs from spores. I also lost my finger prints because of the bleach I used to kill the mildew and mold. Seriously, I was only asking $25.00 (I would never clean that bathroom for free, it is too distcusting), but I am defintely getting more out of this. Possibly a free dinner.

Now I can use the upstairs bathroom without feeling like I will get a disease.

Am I really that vain?

Today I had to clean up the yard so I was dressed in grubbies all day. Lo and behold, at 4:45 Austin comes over to see me. I was really happy. He usually doesn't come by unless I call him. Then it occurred to me that I look fug, really fug (fantastically ugly, or so ugly it's almost an art, per Shara at Svedi Pie). I had on a huge shirt with paint all over it (Katie, Amber, you know the shirt), nasty hat hair from being outside working, and holey pants. Austin has seen me much worse, much much worse, but we weren't dating at the time. The thought crossed my mind that I should run and hide and pretend I wasn't home. I didn't, I was excited I got to see Austin.

Now I have You're So Vain going through my head. Am I really that bad?

Tired

I don't know why, but driving always tires me out. So, I think I will go to bed early tonight. I also have the stake enrichment tomorrow and I would like to be awake for that. So, nighty-night.

A 2 1/2 year promise

A long tima ago, two of my best friends and I made a promise that the first opportunity that presented itself after we were all endowed, we would go to the temple together. That day was Thursday, March 12, 2009. What made it even better was I was able to spend much of the day in the temple doing Baptisms for the Dead and Initiatory, as well as a session with Jenelle and Emily.

I love them dearly and the only thing that could have made the day better was if Emily could have been there the entire time with Jenelle and me. I can't wait to go back again with them.

Cravings

I have a craving for pizza. Not just any pizza will do, it has to be this pizza: I do not care what anybody says, Spinato's is the best, BEST pizza I have ever had and I have yet to taste any pizza that comes remotely close.

I also have a craving for here: There are other burger places, and I will admit that Red Robin is an the expensive side, but I am quite fond of them. Red Robin holds sentimental liking as well as good food. Plus they have amazing Freckled Lemonade (their strawberry lemonade).

Oh to have a job and a set of wheels.

Wish you were here...

This week I am down in Mesa helping my mom take care of Jeffrey because Velika had surgery. We came down on Friday morning because Kenyon was a groomsmen, and I wanted to go to the reception. The reception was fun, although I got a bit bored after about an hour and then I went and sat in the truck and talked to Austin for 40 minutes. I think he would have came down to Mesa on Saturday and visited with me if he had money for gas (his current vehicle has horrible gas mileage and a 40 gallon tank).

We talked again today for a half hour. I would have rather been in Thatcher today than in Mesa, but I am glad I get to spend time with Jeffrey this week. My frustration at this point is I have no idea when I will actually be going home. I am pathetic enough to say every once in awhile, "I miss Austin." What is incredibly pathetic about that is I usually don't see him during the week because he is really busy and is the go to guy for just about everyone. He is getting better though, he came over twice last week, so if I was in Thatcher instead of Mesa this weekend, I would have seen him three times (I am his first girlfriend, so he is learning).

I have felt deprived for the past couple of days. I have been without my computer for two, almost three days. It makes me feel like I am out of the loop. I don't have access to news stories in Thatcher accept online, I hate when my in-box gets cluttered, and I can't blog stalk. Now that my computer is up and running, I will be back in the loop.

The Story of "Love Story"

I first heard the song "Love Story" while I was waiting for my mom at a doctor's appointment a while ago. I loved the song, but had no idea who sang it or what it was called. Fastforward a few weeks to yesterday. While Austin and I were out, we caught the tail end of the song and the annoucer says, "that was 'Love Story' by Taylor Swift."

Austin and I have discussed my severe dislike, nie unto hatred, of Taylor Swift. I made the concession that I did like "Love Song" and Austin said, "Good, cause that is your ring tone on my phone." My little heart went pitter-patter and I pretty much am full of warm fuzzies because of it.

I still do not like Taylor Swift and my affection for "Love Story" in no was induces me to listen to any more of her songs. I still think she is whore and dresses like one. Perhaps I am too harsh on her, but that is my problem, not yours. Oh, and I think my Romeo and Juliet picture is hot.

New Book

I just found out that there is a book coming out in August about rempaging unicorns that gore people to death and virgin warriors that track them down. It is called Rampant by Diana Peterfruend, and Lenore at Presenting Lenore is giving away her ARC copy. You should totally go check out the review and sign up to win your own copy too.

Stalking

Can I say that having people blog stalk me makes me happy. Acctual stalking creeps me out, but blog stalking is okay. It makes me feel loved.

3 Nephi 11:29

My house has been very contentious lately. I am not liking it. I do not handle contention very well, so it is very hard for me. I try and help keep the peace, but it isn't working. In saying that, I will say that I am not perfect and have contributed to the contention at times, but I am learning. Help, I want to cry. 3 Nephi 11:29

Tagged

Here are the rules:

1. Go to your my documents/my pictures

2. Go to your sixth file

3. Go to your sixth picture

4. Blog about it

5. Tag six people
During the summer we have two humming bird feeders up. One Sunday it rained most of the day and during the breaks the humming birds would come out in flocks. They didn't care care how close I got, they would still eat.

Now I tag Amber, Molly, Lisa, Charlo, and on the chance that they read my blog Holly and Alicia.

The Temple and Snuggling

I went to the ground breaking for the Gila Valley Temple on Saturday. It was pretty good. I have pictures to post, but I have to get them off my phone first. I got to see my old stake president (he still remembered me even though I haven't seen him in 6-7 years) who is now a member of the 70's.

I also got to snuggle with Austin. He has great potential since that was his first time snuggling with someone. His shoulder is very comfortable. I almost fell asleep on it as we were coming back from the mountain. I had been awake since 5:30 and I couldn't keep my head up.

Poor, poor Austin

He is sick and can't come visit me today. He was out in the cold desert last night picking up a car for scrap metal. He didn't go to work today. He hates missing work. That is how I know he is really sick. Hopefully he will feel better tomorrow.

Mini Diploma

The BYU Alumni Associaton just sent me a mini diploma. It is really cute. I have no idea what to do with it, but it is too big to fit in my wallet like they suggest. Yeah for graduating!

That Tickles

Tonight I did something very impetuous. I have never done it before and I don't know that it will happen again. I was talking with someone after he took me off-roading, essentially saving me from a boring weekend. I told him he was a good uncle to his nephew and I was already really thankful and happy that he took me out tonight, that before we parted I kissed him on the cheek. I didn't stick around to see what he would say or do, so tomorrow could be interesting.

I know this may not see like much to some, but I have never kissed anyone at all, be that in the cheek or lips. None the less, it has been a couple of hours since and my lips are still tingly.

Jenellie

My dear friend Jenelle cam home from her mission on Monday. I got to great her at the airport. It was good fun. Jenelle tends to stick her tongue out in pictures. My parents wonder where I get that tendency from...

I also got to spend Thursday evening with her, Emily, and Heather. I love them so much. They are all so adorable, I am thankful we are friends. Those girls are one of the main reasons I miss living in Mesa.

100 with a chance of snow

This is my 100th post. It took me a year, but I have made it. I suppose I should be grateful for this blog, it helped me get started writing in my journal again. There are just somethings too personal for me to write for the world to see until after I die, so all of you will have to wait until then to get all the juicy details. Sorry.

Something wonderful happened to today. After many months of wanting, I finally go to go up Mt Graham and play in the snow. You may ask who is my most favorite person in the whole world for taking me up the mountain and making my entire week and month to this point? That would be this lovely gentleman: Austin. Yep, he knew I wanted to go up the mountain, and today he had time (actually he didn't plan anything for today after work) so up Mt Graham we went. I was finally able to make my snow angel that I have wanted to make since October, I believe. I know it is hard to see, but the sun was going down and the snow was more ice than snow so it was difficult to make to begin with. This is the best day I have had for a while.

After we got back form the mountain, we went out to Cluff Pond and looked at the night sky. The weather was perfect, there wasn't a cloud in the sky. I could have stayed out there longer, but the other couple we were with were getting cold and one of them had to get up early so we came home.

All in all, it has been a good day. I wish I could have more days like today.

A bit of randomness

For some reason tonight, I am a little down. I put in one of my favorite movies (Muppet Christmas Carol, yes I know Christmas is long over, but I LOVE the movie) in the hopes it would cheer me up, but it isn't working. I think that perhaps my melencholy is brought on by my current situation. I really want to get gone and move to Sheridan, Wyoming; but at the same time I am already missing the people I know here in Thatcher.

My dear friend Jenelle is coming home from her mission on Monday. I am excited to see her, but I am not going to get to see her much before I leave. I am spending next week down in Mesa, partially because she is coming home and partially because my Dad flies home Thursday.

It is strange how all the plans I make for myself change in just one heartbeat. I think God laughs sometimes at my plans. I am sure He appreciates my prepareation, but He knows that if I feel a prompting to do something that doesn't fit in my plans, I will change my course. I may not do it willingly, infact I complain about it sometimes, but I do it. I have found that my life goes much more smoothly when I follow the promptings instead of kicking against the pricks.

I didn't mean to wax philosophical or anything, but those are just the things on my mind right now. Well, I should go before I write something I may regret.

I am lame...

...because it didn't occur to me till right now to do a shout out to my 'rents (even though they will never read this) for being married for 29 years yesterday. I told them "Happy Anniversary" but I forgot to mention it here, even though I was on line and even made a post yesterday. Luckily, I know they still love me...I hope.

Sheridan

My parents love living in a small town. Aparently, Casper isn't small enough for them. Casper is about the size of Flagstaff, AZ. Sheridan is about the size of the Safford/Thatcher area. I can't say that I am disappointed in this. I love small town living, but getting a job in a small town is more difficult than in a city. Wyoming has a good economy so I am hoping that that will help, but I also know there is a small town mentality that can make it difficult for outsiders to fit in. So this is the new plan at the moment. My Dad is up in Sheridan right now for work and is having a good time.

GoLYTELY

My dad will probably kill me for making a post about this, but the humor is too great to pass up. My dear dad is having a colonoscopy, hereafter the "procedure." In order for the procedure to take his colon has to be completely clean. He can oly have liquids the day before and he has to take a very strong laxitive to get everything out. Well, this very strong laxitive is called GoLYTELY. The title is a complete oximoron. He will be doing anything but going lightly. Poor, poor Daddy.

Psychology

This is why I changed my major:The field of psychology encourages not taking responsibility for your actions too much for my taste.

The post with no name...

Have you ever wanted to write something, but can't think of a thing to say. I am having that problem right now. The urge and desire to write are upon me and I am having problems coming up with something to write.

The remodeling on my house is suppose to start on Thursday.My parents are very excited. They have been waiting five years to get things done. The only sad thing is that they have to move after it is all finished.

In case you were wondering...

I am sure all my faithful blog readers (that is, if I have faithful blog readers) have wondered why the title of my blog is, "Little Bunny Foo-Foo." In honor of my 100th blog coming up, and to make me one more cloder to 100, I thought I would share with you all why my blog is thus titled.

Back in my carefree days of youth (about the age of 21-22), I would go around singing the song, "Little Bunny Foo-Foo." When I couldn't sing out loud, I would say the words in my head and do the actions. Eventually the entire song with actions was truncated to doing bunny ears in front of me. This has since become my sign in the game Signs and a trademark move when I'm around Jenelle, Heather, and Emily. Oh yes, and Cari too.

This story would be incomplete if I did not mention that Little Bunny Foo-Foo turns into Bunny Viper if he gets mad, so don't make the bunny mad.

Sleepy Daddy

My Dad had a late night for New Years. He was out later than my brother and I were (shame on Daddy). Well on New Years Day we went down to Tucson for the fun of it. We left at 9:30 am and got back at 6:00 pm. He was tired enough to take us out for dinner (yipee, I didn't have to do dishes). Well, after dinner we watched a couple of movies. This is how my Daddy "watched" the movies: Isn't my Daddy so cute. To think that he didn't like dogs that many years ago.

Salud, Dinero, y Amore

I just sneezed seven times in a row, and my nose still itches so there could be more coming...