THINGS I LOVE: R23

So after a post saying my heart hasn't been in this blog, here is a post on lipstick. If you know me at all, then you know my heart is positively COVERED in lipstick. And mascara. And occasionally winged liner. Lets be honest, my heart probably looks like Tammy-Fay, at least I hope it does.

Ox-blood was the thing this fall. I have one dark ox-blood silk shirt I thrifted a few months ago, but I flip-flop between loving it and feeling like Prince. Then there was this lipstick. I have worn its everyday since buying it. Gratuitous picture of myself to illustrate magic lipstick:

It's Sephora Rouge Cream Lipstick in R23: Crush. And I love it. Buyer beware, it is soooo dark in the tube and soooo vibrant on the kisser. You MUST wear lip liner and you MUST be valiant and true of heart, or it WILL come out grannie purple and you will freak out and run and hide yourself. Fret not, go and be awesome.Your teeth will look super white, trust.

THINGS WE WANT

Today I have to much free time and a lot on my mind, so I've got it in my head that I am going to WRITE.

That's why I like blogging. The words. I like when I read something and I think "Oh, I know that girl. She is me." The pretty pictures make me swoon and the clothes and crafts are inspirational. Comparison in the thief of joy somebody said sometime and boy, is it true. But the words are what tie me to blogging. If you ever want to have a laugh, go and dig up my old livejournal. Yeesh. I have been lackluster about my blog lately and I think its because there's just not enough heart here. I am a write. I am a word rambler. I am a story teller. In the new year I would like to change this, and put some real thought into making this blog what I want it to be: A record of me. A depiction of my life and what I'm going through that I can look back on, and hopefully one that others can commiserate with and say "Yes, I know that girl. She is me."

Anyway, this morning I'm thinking about the shame and the inner struggle that comes with WANT. I have been thinking a lot about Pres. Uchdorfs talk, The Good and Grateful Reciever.I often feel overwhelmed when I am gifted things. I do not feel worthy to receive them. My biggest fear is selfishness and self-absorption. What will people think if I make it known that I actually desire this or that? This battle has affected many parts of my life. Should I wear this outfit? What if people think I'm being flashy? Can I wear red lipstick? That's so much attention to my face. Can I tell this boy how I feel? What if it all turns out terribly? Can I write a blog? How vain!

Luckily, I usually push through in every inner struggle and I don't let the fears win out. But the struggle is still there! Confidence is hard won. As I grow older, it gets easier, but also presents a new level of crazy. Even now as I write this, I don't know if it makes sense. If I have touched the core of the issue. Hopefully you can make it out. Right now I want to be a better writer and a better memory keeper, and that scares me, but the desire and the results rule out the fear. Yes, I know this girl, this sheepish girl. She is me.

Awkward and Awesome Thursday

Awesome

• Our first married Christmas was great. We got an upright piano! And a home-made spice rack! Very excited about that one. 
• Jared's favorite gift was his light saber. 
• Le Miserable. Obsessed
• So many goodies. I am on sweets overload. 

Awkward

• I haven't been to the gym in a month. Oy vay. 
• The crazy amount of light saber pictures taken yesterday. 
• Santa brought Jared something special. 
• Barely being able to keep my eyes open through a midnight Christmas Eve service and sleeping straight through The Grinch. We've reached old fart status. 
• Also, this picture of Gilligan in a head scarf. 

• 
  

Odd Tuesday: Squeezable Bacon

The internet is my favorite. I owe it so much. I owe it my knowledge of MLA formatting, a million cat cartoons, any song at any time of any day that I would like to hear...all of it because of the interwebz. My time as a college student, when there seemed to be endless time to peruse tumblr and the bowels of its weirdness have gone to the days of yore, but I do still find a gem here or there.I'd like to dedicate Tuesdays to these little gold nuggets. Just the other day whilst Christmas shopping I stumbled upon a true gem: Squeezable Bacon.

While ol' Kev is a squeezable bit of bacon, he is not of whom I speak
(fun fact: I was scared of Kevin Bacon as a child, I thought his face looked like an evil skeleton; see also Sissy Spacek)

Squeez Bacon, bacon in a gelatinous spreadable form, seems to be German in origin. It has a shelf life of 12 years. TWELVE YEARS. I am at a loss. I mean really this shouldn't be so shocking to me, as i'm almost positive this bacon paste is exactly how they make the McRib sandwhich.  This will be a great stocking stuffer for my dear brother, Joel. 

Strangley, while I am repelled by this squeeze bacon I am still drawn to Baconaisse.

Why So Serious?

Want to have a good laugh? Draw eyebrows on the dog.

 These two love each other.

Gilly needs a haircut and it's almost Christmas!

Awkward and Awesome

Awesome

I need this sweater.

Blue orchid left in my kitchen, thanks J.

Rain.

Smell of my Christmas tree.

The Santa Clause.

Fenced in backyard for Gilligan to run and play

First day in a week I haven't woken up exhausted.

Upcoming crafts!

Awkward

Craving a McFlurry and then waiting 15 min while the lady in front of you loads up TWENTY FIVE MCDS GIFTCARDS and then the crazy lady behind the counter gives you a cup of ice cream with M&M's on top, no mixing. At least she gave me an extra little cup of mini M&M's for my trouble, and upgraded poor Danielle's treat...

Will it really ever feel like Christmas again until I have kids?

Being shamed by Joanne's employees.

Why is Vera-Ellen so freaking skinny in White Christmas?! Pictures don't do it justice.

There is only one decent Christmas movie on Netflix.

Jared barefoot running.

We didn't say lose... I might say tighten.

  I love the charm of older places. Our beautiful hardwood floors that creak in all the right places, the weird nooks and crannies that you just don't find in newer places. However I do not love the lack of storage.  Our last was positively bursting at the seams.This place is more roomy and we fit a lot better, so our house is slowly but surely becoming more organized and unpacked. I feel so much less disheveled in this apartment.We are still trying to whittle down our stuff. Not get rid of too much, but maybe think of different ways to store and use things that are important to us.

We are still in the market for a few things, another chest of drawers is one of them. I hate drawers I really do, but its impractical to hang everything, especially when your husband hoards tee shirts. I saw this trick on Pinterest and it worked like a freaking charm! You fold your things into neat little packages, and them put them in vertisally instead of stacking. I condensed three drawers into one and a half people! That is a legit pinterest trick. Heres the before and after shot. We were never able to keep our drawers looking to great, but a week after folding this way everything still looks spic and span!

While I was hard at work, this cotton headed ninny muggins drug a bra, a pair of leggings and an old hanger into a box of shoes and made a nest.

Friday Check In

Just a quick check-in. Jared and I have been moving all week and things have been hectic to say the least. We should have wi-fi by Sunday, woohoo! I love our new apartment so much! I'll be sure to give a full run down. For now, enjoy this super cute picture of Gilligan under my grandmothers Christmas tree and enjoy a few fun links for your weekend.

Christmas Music

Joanna has the best gift guides.

I'm gonna think twice before deeply inhaling the smell of old library books.

Obsessed with Caravan Shoppe. I bought the Fortunes Favor World Map.

This has been my favorite place to online Christmas shop so far.

I'm A Cool Mom

So Gilligan is my dog-baby, obviously. He is tiny, cries when I leave and relies on me for everything. I love him to death! But am I his Mom? I know a lot of people call themselves Mama and Pop for their animals, but I'm just not sure. I also know plenty of (mostly young) moms that find it insulting when people think of animals on par with children. While I'm not about to broach that subject, I always refer to him as my little baby, or my Honeychild, whatever I am feeling that day. Fun fact: I accidentally Voxer'd a friend of mine the other day as I was baby talking to Gilligan. Awful.

So what do you think?Should I own my Mom status? For all y'all instagram friends, I'm sorry you see his face so often, but honestly its a gift to the world LOOK AT HIIIIM.

PS Any tips for puppies who like to reel you in with kisses on the cheeks and then end with a bite to the nose? Devilish doodle....

Awkward and Awesome Thursday

Awkward

• When someone asks if you can do a cartwheel and you say OF COURSE and then you fall on your head. Time for some tumbling practice y'all. 
• Running across some LARPers in Memorial Park juggling/dancing/writhing around with fire sticks and nunchucks and belly dancing to new wave music....and then running across them again two days later across town doing the same schtick. 

Awesome

• New apartment and the lovely people who are helping us move. 
• Sleeping puppies. 
• Jared's mustache 

And as for Thankful Thursday, well I'm thankful for ALL of these things. My body that takes a beating like a champ, The fire dancers who held Jared and I's attention for nearly an hour, my current apartment which holds the memories of our first year as a married couple, Gilligan who was able to climb the stairs all by himself for the first time yesterday! Life is beautiful.

Jared and his mustache

 

Movemeber has done me good. Jared had a crazy looking hobo beard going on for the last 3 weeks, and then after turkey bowl he shaved a mustache. I actually find it quite debonaire. 

Here's to ginger 'staches!

WE'LL ALL BE LABRADOODLES!

Another one bites the dust! Last Tuesday we picked up the newest member of Team Alexander. Meet Gilligan Theodore the Labradoodle! We got Gilligan from Cowboy Country Doodles, a breeder here in my hometown. . The ladies who run it are beyond amazing and take great care of their animals. We kept his home coming a surprise so that we could enjoy it and not have to listen to any naysayers. Ol' Gillyweed has already brought so much joy to our household! He is a Medium F1B doodle who enjoys straws, carpet fringe and dive bombing sleeping people's faces.

Gilligan we love you!

Pack Rat

I've always been a sentimental person, a clutter keeper and the girl with the messy bedroom. Since Jared and I got married and moved in to a tiny apartment, I have done my best to keep the clutter at a minimum. It doesn't always work, but I have been ruthless in what we keep and what we don't. It seems every time I go into our closets, I come out with a bag full of give aways.

This past weekend we found an apartment that seems to fit us like a glove, the only catch is a moving date almost a month earlier than we expected. Last night I was moving along, steadily shoving old clothes into a plastic garbage bag until I came across this shirt. Maybe you can't tell from the picture, but this shirt is very very faded and because of that I almost never wear it.

This is also the shirt I was wearing when I got engaged. Memory is a funny thing. The thought of giving this shirt away made me feel so defensive and sensitive. Maybe it will go in the next round, but as for right now it is safely tucked away in my dresser. Do you have items like this? Clothes that are heavily laden with sense memory? How do you honor these things, and how many should you allow yourself?

The Perfect Red Lip

Hey remember me?

Ya I used to write blogs here.

I've taken the last few weeks off because I needed to. I needed a baby break and now I am back on the horse. Things haven't gotten less crazy around these parts, but the itch to write has returned.

So while I'm here, on the horse, why don't we talk about red lipstick. Boy howdy, I do love red lipstick. I love it and wear it so much, in fact, that my lips often turn into two crusty crusts. That lipstick sucks every ounce of moisture I've got! So whats a girl to do?

Lately, instead of lipstick, I've been coloring in my entire mouth with lip liner and then layering a balm based lip stain over the top. I find the look to be very customizable, as the lipstain lets you layer and control the intensity of color, while lending moisture and long wear. Up there I'm wearing MAC lipliner in Brick and Just Bitten Kissable Balm in Adore.

Have a nice day.

P.S. excuse my ever present eye bags.

Thankful Thursday

This week has been exhausting. I'm a person who gets overwhelmed in an instant, an emotional hypo ventilator if you will. I see the long list of To Do and immediately panic and think the worst of myself. Makes me feel like this:

zombie poppins

I can generally pull myself together in a matter of 10 minutes or so, and its like "Oh, of course. I got this." But, if you ever have a molehill that needs mountaineering, I'm your girl.

This is all to say, I'm thankful for my wits. I'm thankful for my mental and physical health. I'm also very very thankful for a support system at home, and of course peanut butter toast.

Thankful Thursday

No awkward today, all awesome. I'll check in with some A&A tomorrow, but for the month of November I've been invited by Amanda over at Sincerely, Amanda to share my gratitude in honor of Thanksgiving. I invite you too as well. Hashtag your tweets, instagrams, and whatever else with #30daysofthanksgiving.


Today I am thankful for my voice. I am thankful for my consciousness. I am thankful for my soul and the very essence of me. Have you ever thought about that? The fact that you are blessed to just be you? And to have the talents and even the weaknesses that you have? i am thankful for this. I am thankful for the woman I am becoming. I am thankful for the body that I have, flaws and freckles and bad hair and everything. I am thankful for the vibrancy of life.

Happy Halloween!

Halloween is my favorite holiday! Please don't come at me with arguments of Christmas, because that's like THE holiday, you know? There's Christmas and then there's everything else, including your birthday. This year has been pretty festive so far, though we dd have one major gaff. Our Jack-O-Lantern is terrible, y'all. We tried for Spock and ended up with Mangled Gourd. Oh well. Before we carved it up, we introduced Rory to the pumpkin. She went nuts trying to bite it and drag it off. Who knew?

Mixtape Tuesday

My friends Tyler and Kimmie have a precious blog where they post photos and things that inspire them. Today they posted this video of a performance by Feist. I am awe struck! This is so gorgeous and interesting.Thanks so much guys for cluing me into to this!If you're unfamiliar with

La Blogotheque, they make some truly amazing live recordings. Somehow they always seem so personal and intimate, like they're letting you in on a secret. This one of Beirut is a long time favorite.

As an aside, last night I was hanging laundry, and it seems every time I do so I find another one or two items to donate or throw away. Most of them I have known I need to get rid of for a long time, but they are so sentimental I don't want to, like the dress I wore on my 21st birthday. It's a bit too risque, in the sweetest possible way, for me now.  If anyone's interested in taking some hand me downs, let me know. I could save it for future generations, but I ain't got the closet space!.

The Walking Dead Is Gross

And I hate half the characters, but I am addicted all the same. Jared and I did literally nothing this weekend but laze about and watch our zombie stories and eat. And it was so so good.

Although I did get an insane migraine Sunday morning and was then plagued with dreams of walkers, not so fun.

We are very late to this monster mash, but at least it's festive. In the past week and a half we blew through both seasons of Walking Dead on Netflix and then had to sit through all those excruciating commercials last night, watching our first live ep.

So do you watch The Walking Dead? Do you hate Carl as much as I do (seriously guys, Carl ruins everything amiright?) What about Andrea and Lori? Ugh right? I'm very pro Daryl and Glen, and I guess Rick can stay too.

It also makes my heart sing that this show is set in GA. Another wonderful thing from GA? My future sister-in-law Lacey! Jared's brother Graham got engaged this weekend and wedding fever has already started sweeping the family.

Rainy Day Dreamer

I read this tip for listening to music online in the comment section of a YouTube video. Thank you random stranger!

Choose a great playlist on YouTube, Spotify, Pandora, whatever. Try starting here.Then, open a new tab and go to RainyMood.com.

It's perfect for zoning out working on homework, trying to sleep, hanging out at your desk at work. I've been listening like this all morning.

Good Cheer

Be of good cheer.

That sentiment has been on my mind almost constantly. If we can't revel in the now, if we can't have peace, will we ever find it? Cheer, happiness and gratitude should all be recognized daily.

The past few days I have been pretty useless. My back pain has me going from couch to chair to bed, all with a heating pad in tow. Our apartment is very small and it takes constant vigilance to keep clutter at bay. My dear Bird has been doing all the dishes lately, laying them carefully out on the kitchen table to dry. Clean dishes are a simple pleasure that should be enjoyed, especially when you didn't have to do them ;).

“Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you..."

Movies That Unhinge

October is my favorite. Jack-O-Lanterns, costume parties, ghost stories, and under 80 degree weather all makes my heart sing. October also brings Halloween Movies, which are are pretty much the best. I live for Practical Magic, Rocky Horror, Hocus Pocus, Nightmare Before Christmas, not to mention all the classic horror that comes on TV (The Shining is my personal fave). I love the hokey, the scary, the Disney Channel classics...but there is one movie which I refuse to watch every single year. 

Edward Scissorhands. 

I can be kind of a drama queen, this is true. I am a cry baby if I am anything and have always had a healthy relationship with my emotions. But this movie y'all. THIS movie. This movie turns me into a crazed emotional trainwreck, a freak, a weeping willow, a blubbering fool.I was going to post a picture of old eddie but i can't do it, I can't look at his pathetic gray face.

To be honest with you I haven't even watched the entire thing since I was probably 13, but the feeling I get when I think about it, sick to my stomach, skin crawling discomfort, is enough to keep me away forever. This weekend Jared flipped it on and I begged, BEGGED, for him to change the channel. What is it about Edward? Something about loneliness and outcasts? Knowing he was up there all by himself? I don't know but it really gets me. I turn into these kids who were apparently traumatized by The Odd Life Of Timothy Green:

Do you have a movie like this? When I was really young it was E.T. I couldn't finish that movie until I was in my late teens, and it's only because it's one of Jared's favorites so I kind of forced myself to finish it. Now I love it, but it was traumatizing to my 5 year old self. Another movie that does this is Saving Private Ryan and Master and Commander (the young boy who dies reminds me so much of my brother I lose it every time).

So tell me, is Edward Scissortradgedy THAT bad? Should I swallow my teenage fear and re-watch it? Will I love it as much as I now love E.T? Give me strength y'all.

The Weekender: Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

This weekend was jam packed. Saturday we got up and headed to the beach to watch the air show....for five hours. Rest assured there was a hat on my head and sunscreen galore so I didn't get burned. We had a great time. It was so relaxing to just lay out on the beach and watch the planes go by. When it got too hot we'd stick our feet in the water, but you couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day.

That night Jared and I had to chaperone a dance, so we got to debut this years Halloween costumes! I'm swooning over how they turned out, and we spent less then 20 bucks on the whole caboodle.

I gotta give props to the old bird, when he does something, he does it all the way. He was very meticulous about his soot placement. We stepped in time to Gangnam Style, Jared slow danced with his broom, good times and late night pumpkin Blizzards were had....

And then disaster struck. I'd been having back pains all week, and after dancing around like a maniac in four inch heels I was not in a good way. By the time we got home my back muscles were super tight and I looked more like the Bird Woman then Mary Poppins.

Hobbling around like a goblin, I went to ready the roast for Sunday dinner. It wasn't there. I checked the bag 3-4 times, hunted around my fridge-gone. We were having the missionaries over and I had literally nothing else to fix so there was only one thing to do. WalMart. We went to one, closed (how?!) we went to another and then this happened.

 

Yes my friends if you spotted a Mormon chick with really rosey cheeks riding a rascal in WalMart late late in the evening, it was me.   Suffice to say, by the time we got home I could barely move but the roast was got and we made it home. All in a days work.

It struck me that the two of us could run..

I am ready for the weekend! Jared and I are planning on going to the air show down by the sea. Jared will subsequently go through 2-3 weeks of dreaming of being a pilot, all will be right in the world. ;) Actually the air show was one of me and Jared's first "dates" when he came home from his mission two years ago!

 We were stuck in traffic for about 2.5 hours, and I had never been happier to be stuck with someone.

Awkward and Awesome Thursday

Awkward

• Finding the deal of the year at J.Crew and then purchasing the wrong size. Thank you Jared for being my boy-friday and making up for my rookie mistake. 
• 10 days later and we still have not unpacked our suitcases. 
• My deep desire to have a Halloween party, but the knowledge that there would be probably 3 people who actually showed up. Actually that's our apts max capacity so maybe its a good thing?
• Babies! Everywhere! Except for anywhere I could feasibly get to them and snuggle them. So many friends had babies these past two weeks and none of them can be pressed to my bosom. Sad day :(
• A Brussels Griffon on a swing is a happy thing. However, trying to then take pictures of said B.G. on the swing, with flash, will only enrage the beast and panic him. Sorry Chewy. 
• As an aside, I have more dog friends then people friends, clearly

Awesome

• I really don't want to say pumpkin flavored everything but I'm gonna go ahead and say pumpkin flavored everything. 
• Llama Del Ray 
• All those babies means I get to scour Etsy for vintage baby clothes and not feel like a freak.
• Halloween costumes are nearing completion!
• Hopefully this song doesn't contain any kind of creepy subliminal message because I've listened to it almost constantly the past few days.  
• Less then 80 degrees means I can cook again. Tonight it's Korean short ribs.
• This is my 100th blog post. Amen.

4 Things I've Learned as a College Grad

August marked my first year as a college grad. I decided to make a little list out there for all my peeps getting ready to move on to colleges, or still trying to make it through, worrying about the future, etc. I still have so much to learn, but here are my tips for now.

1. Make internships your top priority. Internships have gotten me absolutely everywhere. They got me the job I have today and the best experience I could ask for. Sure, you'll be required to take an internship to graduate, but why not take an extra one, just for your resume? Many internships these days do pay (all of mine did). Sometimes internships end after a few months and sometimes they are rabbit holes. All of mine has been portals to something waaay better.
2. Don't count on your degree teaching you much. This sounds terrible, and you learn great skills in college: time management, dedication, inter-personal skills, public speaking, etc... but there are SO many things you don't learn. For example, as a communications major and a working PR girl Friday, the  most important and useful classes I took in college were about writing, grammar and editorial skills. I'm sure a nurse or a doctor would have a much different experience with education. Do well in school,try your very best, but don't become disheartened when you loath certain classes. Chances are you'll never have to worry about them again *cough*statistic*cough*
3. Don't stress about graduating in four years. You want to take a year or two to volunteer/ go on a mission/travel the world/ hike the Appalachian trail? Go for it baby. My advice is to stay anxiously engaged (see vs 27). Moving forward and learning doesn't always mean uninterrupted semesters.
4. Make your life happen. Not a lot of people these days get jobs in their field straight out of the gate. Smart, fantastically talented people don't have jobs. You may have to do things you feel are "beneath" you, like doing extended internships, working part time jobs, substitute teaching, whatever pays the bills. But make things happen for yourself. Apply for jobs every day, even if you don't think you'll get them. Create opportunities for yourself. Want to get a job in sportscasting, open a cupcake palace or make movies? Start a blog. Opportunities often sneak in very very quietly and don't announce that they've arrived until they're ready to dash out the door.

Politics

In 2008 I voted for Barack Obama. I felt good about that decision, and to be honest with you I still do. I got a ton of crap for it though. Thanksgiving that year was almost unbearable. I am not a radically political person, either. I am a registered democrat but identify strongly with neither party. I would call myself a hard independent. I will probably vote republican this year, and to be frank I really don't care what you opinion is on the matter. I couldn't say the same if Rick Santorum was in Romney's place. To be honest,probably the only other Republican I would have felt comfortable voting for was John Huntsman, but I won't delve into that wormhole.

All of this said, today I went to read the NYT, which I do most mornings. I really need to invest in a subscription because I am constantly reaching my 10 article limit well before the end of the month. When that happens, a banner ad pops up. This banner ad.

I find it strange that the NYT would pick a creepy crazy eyed picture of Mitt Romney against a backdrop of shady figures, while they place a serene looking Obama against the American flag. I despise the stinking shroud that surrounds both candidates. I think they are both basically good people. I don't think Barack Obama is a bad man, and I don't think Mitt Romney is either.If I had my way, political candidates wouldn't be able to buy ad's on TV or the Internet and radio. Everyone would watch the debates and some in depth fireside chats with each candidate, and get to know them that way. Maybe one day this will happen, but probably not. Until then, I hope everyone keeps there eyes wide open when it comes to the media's political agenda, whether you watch Fox News or listen to NPR. Make your own decision, don't let anyone make it for you.

Back on the Wagon

I'm trying to get back into the swing of posting every day. I am doing so gingerly.

Posting every day keeps me on my toes, keeps my brain juice flowing so that my ideas can get all loose and start to bump and grind, start a real idea party up in my headzone.....um ya.

Anyway, speaking of bumpin and grinding, there is nothing I love more then some sweet sweet music. Jared has been digging up some awfully good tunes lately and I wanted to share with you! So, mixtape Tuesday on a slow Monday. Here ya go.

 

The Wilderness of Manitoba 

Long time no see...

Its been a spotty two weeks on this here blog. I do have good excuses, but I don't really care to share all of them as this blog is meant to be a very leisurely and pleasure inducing activity for me . Things have been kicking into high gear for me in the loveliest ways.

One excuse I will divulge is a long weekend in Salt Lake City! Jared and I went to his mission reunion and LDS General Conference. The trip was one of the funnest we've been on. We were constantly going going going. A session in the temple, running into old friends everywhere we went, and scoring tickets to ALL the sessions of conference, even though we arrived with just Sunday pm. Blessings galore! SLC I loved you and I hope to see you again soon!

 When there was no in-flight movie on our 5 hour trip out to SLC we were suspicious that the plane was a bit old....Confirmation came when we discovered the ashtray in Jared's armrest.

 We stayed with an awesome family Jared knew from his mission. Jensen's, we love you!

Awesome and Awkward Thursday

Awesome

• New baby laptop! Woop! The internets is now the Alexanders oyster!
• Heading out to Utah in a few hours.
• Riding the Rip Rock It at Universal Studios at midnight
• My sweet daredevil mouse Myrtle running so fast on her wheel that he tiny body was FLUNG out to the other side of the cage from centrifugal force.
• Brother number 2, the great JellyRoll Manning, got his mission call to Las Vegas West. 
• Lost 7 lbs! That's whats up!
• Finally logged into my Blood Alliance account and I have 900 points. That free duffle bag is MINE. 
• Essie Mojito Madness.

Awkward

• The large fat bulge on my arm I lived with all day because of the tourniquet wrap from blood donation. Shameful. 
• Halloween Horror Nights. Ask anyone, I am the jumpiest person alive. I think it is a testament of my inner grandma that I harumphed around all evening saying "This ain't even scary!". 
• Fresh new laptop and 0 time to use it. My blogging game has been put to shame lately :(. 
• Completely unprepared for the weather in UT. I am praying that a trench coat and a cardigan will be enough to keep me from freezing.

Shooting Stars

A picture from google earth of the Crab Nebula. This is what a star looks like after super-nova.

The first time I ever saw a shooting star I was 20 years old. I was in the passenger seat of a car, this guy I had been hanging out with was driving me back home. We were driving down my exit when I saw a quick flash of light. I was giddy. The guy scoffed at me and didn't believe I'd never seen one before. That guy was a jerk.

I haven't seen a shooting star since. Honestly, I don't get much chance to gaze up at the night sky these days. Jared and I went on a date a few years ago to the beach to try and look through a telescope, but it was very cold and I am very impatient and we were both very easily distracted.

I saw this article the other day and I am making it a goal to stay up and watch for this comet. Lucky for me, its supposed to be visible for up to 3 months!The comet, C/2012 S1, is "expected to be the brighest visitor to our solar system in the past century — a comet that'll be considerably brighter than Hale-Bopp (1997) and Halley's Comet (1986)."

Of course, there's a whole year between then and now, (it will arrive Dec 13) so maybe I'll schedule some lightweight stargazing in the meantime.

Did you ever go through an astronomy phase? I had a huge space camp phase, but I think it was more wanting a jump suit, the chance to ride in that G machine, and an obsession with Zenon then an actual desire to shoot to the moon.

Ensconsed in velvet

Are y'all aware that J.Crew is selling a pair of blush pink velvet jeans right now?! Don't even get me started on that beautiful blue pair. Just call me George Costanza.

The truth about mice

swingin' mouse pad

So of course I pick the mouse with rage issues. Once we got Dolly and Myrtle home, it was very very clear who had...issues. Myrtle wasn't delighted to be picked up and played with, but at least she didn't fling her body from your hand in attempted suicide, or squeak like she was being murdered at the slightest touch. But mice are skittish, right? Give her time, I thought. By Sunday evening though, we knew something had snapped in Dolly's tiny tiny brain.

Dollface would get on her wheel and run for literally hours. When she was done, she wouldn't bed down for the night in the cardboard tubes we had provided, instead she preferred to crouch on the cold hard wheel, never really sleeping, just staring off into the distance, eyes squinted. Up until then she would share the wheel, but never leave it. Eventually she had to venture to grab a nugget of corn or seed, and during this quick snack breaks, Myrtle ran for a turn on the wheel solo. Then all hell broke loose. Dolly sensed her beloved wheel was cheating on her, turned back quickly, and lunged at Myrtle, squeaking like a crazed banshee. She then chased her around the cage and started hopping on her and squeaking. This, my friends, is where I draw the line.

Suffice to say, Dollbaby the demented was returned and swapped out for a sweet little blonde we now call Puff (or Horchata if you're Jared). So far Puff and Myrtle have got along swimmingly and Myrt doesn't seem too terribly scarred from her times as a battered housewife.

Glam Puff Horchata Alexander enjoying a pumpkin seed

And thus ends an entire post on rodents. Who weigh an ounce a piece. Forgive me.

Why my dad is the best dad

My dad's been on the hunt for a new car. Yesterday he sent me this email, and it pretty much made my life:

"Today I entered the murky waters where new cars dwell. It is a dangerous and frustrating endeavor because found in these same troubled waters is the great white Car Shark Salesman. I could see them cruising the parking reef with wide toothy grins. They seemed to be colored in a dubious array of plaids and stretchy pants. The new cars glimmered in the sun and a seductive siren sound drew me in to certain financial oblivion. I had barely exited the safe environs of my own elderly but faithful vehicle, when the Shark gently laid hold of my arm and gently sank in his teeth. Reflected in the deep red clear coat of the car behind him I beheld my doom. 

[This message was found scrawled on a tire washed ashore at Flagler Beach FL]    

PS Love Dad    "

If you give a Kip a mouse...

Growing up there was a revolving cast of animals that lived in my house. We always had a dog, or a rodent, or someone else's dog or rodent. The full list includes foster hamsters and guinea pigs, an insane and devious pair of gerbils, 5 or 6 different dogs...there were a few stray cats, fish, etc. Basically anything we could drag home, we could almost always keep.

Occasional we got our hands on something more exotic. When I was 17, we took charge of two orphaned raccoon kits, Meeko and Wednesday. We taught them to fish for minnows in our bath tub. When we walked into the mudroom to their kennel, they'd start purring and chirping with excitement, reaching their little paws out toward you, longing to be held. They were like kittens with hands, allowing them to be 120% more mischievous then any house cat. They greedily drank from bottles, and they absolutely despised our dog. Eventually they had to be handed over to a raccoon rehabilitation site, but that was a fun few months.

My favorite pet, by far, was our fantastic dog, Scout. He was a mutt from the pound, small and black; a half bred Labrador who once ate an entire jar of peanut butter.  Dogs are the supreme pet, aren't they? I have nothing against cats, but as I've never been allowed to have one because of allergies, it's always been dogs for me.

A close second in the ranks though was our rat, Sassy. You are probably squirming in your seat thinking of rat tails now, aren't you? It's always the tails people bring up. Maybe now I'd have a problem with them, but at the age of 10, I was smitten and fully in love with our little rat. Sassy was incredibly intelligent and sweet. Rats are very social and love people.

Ever since I moved away from my parents house, I've wanted a pet. This weekend, a tiny little idea started growing in my brain. By the end of Saturday, Jared and I were proud owner of Myrtle and Dolly. They are fascinating, quiet, and surprisingly dramatic. I'll have to fill you in with the whole sordid tale, tomorrow.

For now, you know what they say, If you give a Kip a mouse, she'll probably want a puppy.