101 in 1001 Monthly Update

1. Make a wreath for my front door
2. Go to the Texas State Fair - 10/4/10
3. Eat a meal from a food truck
4. Go to the symphony
5. Go 1 week without watching TV
6. Finally buy wedding pictures...
7. Hang wedding pictures
8. Go to the ballet with Jed - 11/27/10
9. Go to The Sixth Floor Museum
10. Finish my T-shirt quilt I started 2 years ago
11. Go to the Ft. Worth Zoo - 10/2/10
12. Lose 20 pounds!! - 11/3/10
13. Lose 20 more pounds
14. Go snorkeling again
15. Catch up on 30 Rock - 12/6/10
16. Eat vegetarian for a week
17. Go to a Rangers game
18. Do a ropes course
19. Write in my journal every day for 1 month
20. Go rock climbing again
21. Go back to school
22. Take a picture each day for 3 months
23. Ride a train
24. Bear my testimony in church
25. Get my picture taken by a professional (good thing I know some great ones)
26. Get our family photo taken by a professional
27. Swim 10 continuous laps
28. Get a dog
29. Visit NASA
30. Family prayer and scripture study every day for 1 month
31. Visit San Antonio during a holiday
32. Join a choir - 10/10/10
33. Make a sourdough starter
34. Go white water rafting again
35. Pick up the violin again
36. Go to a rodeo
37. Buy cowboy boots or hats - 11/6/10
38. Get in the car and drive 2 hours in one direction with the windows down and the radio blasting
39. Visit all great-grandparents' grave sites
40. Go to the Dallas Temple
41. Take Jed to a jazz bar
42. Fly a kite
43. Go to a haunted house with Jed - 10/25/10
44. Complete Couch to 5K Challenge
45. Do a 5K
46. Get my palm read or fortune told
47. Go on another cruise with Jed
48. Help build a Habitat for Humanity house
49. Make Mom's cinnamon rolls - 10/30/10
50. Make Theresa's cinnamon rolls
51. Go to Schlitterbahn with Jed
52. Buy a homeless person lunch
53. Have a baby
54. Watch the Zombie Walk - 10/16/10
55. Pay off Jed's car!! - 10/19/10
56. Go fishing with Jed
57. Be 100% debt-free
58. Ride horses
59. Go to the Dallas Aquarium
60. Dance to a vinyl record
61. Take a cooking class
62. Get an SLR camera
63. Skydive
64. Visit Gettysburg
65. Make out in the rain
66. Go to Six Flags with Jed
67. File my own taxes without calling Daddy
68. Make a hole-in-one
69. Take a hot-air balloon ride
70. Change my own oil
71. Go to NYC or San Francisco with Jed
72. Take an art class
73. Jump around in a mosh pit again
74. Go to a circus - 10/14/10
75. Deep clean my bathroom
76. Visit Laurel in California
77. Ride a motorcycle
78. Get a TX driver's license again - 9/29/10
79. Go one week without carbs
80. Dance barefoot
81. Get all dressed up and go to a fancy dinner
82. Get on a bike again
83. Buy myself flowers for no reason
84. Go camping in Texas with Jed
85. Go camping on the beach
86. Go to the beach with Jed
87. Donate blood again
88. Spend a night with the lights off, watching a lightning storm - 11/15/10
89. Go to the Grand Canyon with Jed
90. Have a meaningful conversation with a beggar
91. Paint pottery again
92. Join a bowling or softball league
93. Watch a movie at a drive-in
94. Grow and eat my own vegetables
95. Sing karaoke again
96. Take the Riverwalk boat tour - 11/6/10
97. Don't eat out for 1 month
98. Go to the batting cages with Jed
99. Donate plasma
100. Eat fried green tomatoes - 11/6/10
101. Do 1 correct push-up

Friday Foto Fix - Car Title & San Antonio Trip

Jed paid off his car!!

We took a trip down to San Antonio!

 Mike and Kim on the Riverwalk boat tour.

 Us on that same boat...

The cowboy hat I bought on the Riverwalk!

Tower of the Americas!

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for fantastic friends.
I am thankful for my wonderful family.
I am thankful that I get to be with my entire family for the first time in over two years on Sunday!
I am thankful for the opportunity to celebrate the birth of my Savior, Jesus Christ.
I am thankful for the Christmas season.
I am thankful for my knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I am thankful that I haven't had to deal with snow so far this winter.
I am thankful for a warm place to live.
I am thankful.

Yikes!

We got this postcard in the mail today:

Yeesh! It's days like this that I'm thankful that we don't have kids...
I'm kind of glad that they warn the neighborhood when dirtbags like this guy move in, but it kind of makes me uneasy too. : /

Sunday Funday

Merry Christmas!

Friday Foto Fix - Texas State Fair and Shriner's Circus

Texas State Fair

We went with Emily and her kids - such a fun night!

Here are Nate and Jed workin' hard for the money.

"Everything's Bigger in Texas"!!

We loved the petting zoo - so many random animals.

We rode this beast. It was exhilarating! Like your garden-variety-swings-ride on crack.

Shriner's Circus

I know, I know, everyone's been to a circus and they're all the same. But this was my first circus, so I had to document it.

4 Different Types of Labs

 Hubby sent this to me. I laughed out loud. Happy Tuesday. :)

Five Facts

1. Cutting onions doesn't make me cry. True story.
2. I have recorded a song in a professional recording studio.
3. I have high arches.
4. I have never eaten a Philly cheesesteak.
5. I don't have good balance.

Friday Foto Fix - Hair & Family

This is how I woke up yesterday. Notice the hair. I wasn't lying.

I went home in September when Tom came home. This is the fam at the airport.

Angela found one of Jeff's old baseball gloves. And the shenanigans began...

Jed and I gave this huge box to my nephews and they had hours of fun in it. Go figure.

Firehouse Subs. Good stuff.

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful that we got to spend Thanksgiving with one of my sisters and one of my brothers.
I am thankful that it's December.
I am thankful that Christmas is right around the corner.
I am thankful that my weight loss is on the right track.
I am thankful for Jed.
I am thankful for the possibilities that the future holds.
I am thankful for my health.
I am thankful that neither Jed nor I have any addictions or real hardships.
I am thankful for Jed's job.
I am thankful for our Church.
I am thankful for good friends whom I can rely on.
I am thankful.

Lauren Conrad Strikes Again

Remember this post? Where I took in a picture of a beautiful haircut and came out with something...else?
 Well, I waited 3 months to let my hair grow out before going back to the stylist (this time I went to a different place, for obvious reasons). I think that my hair's grown out long enough to try for the Lauren Conrad hairdo again. So what do I do? Bring in the same picture of LC and expect that the new stylist will be able to capture my vision.

The stylist was a pro - she was quick and knowledgeable. She told me that since my hair wasn't long enough to do the exact length, but the cut would be the same, just a little shorter. No biggie, I was expecting that to some extent. What I did not expect was to walk out of there with the "1990's Rachel Green look".

Sigh. It's big, it's round, it's unruly. The bangs are the only redeeming part of my hair at this point. Lots of ponytails and half-up do's for the next few weeks...

Now, I have learned my lesson.
I, Ali Goodell, do solemnly swear to NEVER take a picture of Lauren Conrad to a hair stylist again.

101 in 1001 Monthly Update

I've done quite a bit this month!!

1. Make a wreath for my front door
2. Go to the Texas State Fair - 10/4/10
3. Eat a meal from a food truck
4. Go to the symphony
5. Go 1 week without watching TV
6. Finally buy wedding pictures...
7. Hang wedding pictures
8. Go to the ballet with Jed - 11/27/10
9. Go to The Sixth Floor Museum
10. Finish my T-shirt quilt I started 2 years ago
11. Go to the Ft. Worth Zoo - 10/2/10
12. Lose 20 pounds!! - 11/3/10
13. Lose 20 more pounds
14. Go snorkeling again
15. Catch up on 30 Rock
16. Eat vegetarian for a week
17. Go to a Rangers game
18. Do a ropes course
19. Write in my journal every day for 1 month
20. Go rock climbing again
21. Go back to school
22. Take a picture each day for 3 months
23. Ride a train
24. Bear my testimony in church
25. Get my picture taken by a professional (good thing I know some great ones)
26. Get our family photo taken by a professional
27. Swim 10 continuous laps
28. Get a dog
29. Visit NASA
30. Family prayer and scripture study every day for 1 month
31. Visit San Antonio during a holiday
32. Join a choir - 10/10/10
33. Make a sourdough starter
34. Go white water rafting again
35. Pick up the violin again
36. Go to a rodeo
37. Buy cowboy boots or hats - 11/6/10
38. Get in the car and drive 2 hours in one direction with the windows down and the radio blasting
39. Visit all great-grandparents' grave sites
40. Go to the Dallas Temple
41. Take Jed to a jazz bar
42. Fly a kite
43. Go to a haunted house with Jed - 10/25/10
44. Complete Couch to 5K Challenge
45. Do a 5K
46. Get my palm read or fortune told
47. Go on another cruise with Jed
48. Help build a Habitat for Humanity house
49. Make Mom's cinnamon rolls - 10/30/10
50. Make Theresa's cinnamon rolls
51. Go to Schlitterbahn with Jed
52. Buy a homeless person lunch
53. Have a baby
54. Watch the Zombie Walk - 10/16/10
55. Pay off Jed's car!! - 10/19/10
56. Go fishing with Jed
57. Be 100% debt-free
58. Ride horses
59. Go to a Cowboys game
60. Dance to a vinyl record
61. Take a cooking class
62. Get an SLR camera
63. Skydive
64. Visit Gettysburg
65. Make out in the rain
66. Go to Six Flags
67. File my own taxes without calling Daddy
68. Make a hole-in-one
69. Take a hot-air balloon ride
70. Change my own oil
71. Go to NYC or San Francisco with Jed
72. Take an art class
73. Jump around in a mosh pit again
74. Go to a circus - 10/14/10
75. Deep clean my bathroom
76. Visit Laurel in California
77. Ride a motorcycle
78. Get a TX driver's license again - 9/29/10
79. Go one week without carbs
80. Dance barefoot
81. Get all dressed up and go to a fancy dinner
82. Get on a bike again
83. Buy myself flowers for no reason
84. Go camping in Texas with Jed
85. Go camping on the beach
86. Go to the beach with Jed
87. Donate blood again
88. Spend a night with the lights off, watching a lightning storm - 11/15/10
89. Go to the Grand Canyon with Jed
90. Have a meaningful conversation with a beggar
91. Paint pottery again
92. Join a bowling or softball league
93. Watch a movie at a drive-in
94. Grow and eat my own vegetables
95. Sing karaoke again
96. Take the Riverwalk boat tour - 11/6/10
97. Don't eat out for 1 month
98. Go to the batting cages with Jed
99. Donate plasma
100. Eat fried green tomatoes - 11/6/10
101. Do 1 correct push-up

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for modern medicine.
I am thankful for urgent care clinics so that we don't have to go to the ER every time we get hurt.
I am thankful for health insurance.
I am thankful for Jed - he's amazing.
I am thankful that we were able to visit San Antonio recently.
I am thankful for Jed's job.
I am thankful for my jobs.
I am thankful that we were able to see Jesse this week before he entered the MTC.
I am thankful that the holidays are near.
I am thankful that I get to see my family soon.
I am thankful.

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful that I am down 20 pounds from my heaviest this week!!!
I am thankful for anesthesia.
I am thankful for good friends.
I am thankful that we get to go out of town this weekend.
I am thankful for a "free" gym at our apartment complex.
I am thankful that the weather is getting cooler.
I am thankful that I found my camera that had been missing for a week.
I am thankful for phones, internet, and all of the other ways that I am able to keep in contact with loved ones who live far away.
I am thankful for inspiring people and for their stories.
I am thankful.

But You Don't Have To Take My Word For It

I am not a reader. But I'm trying to be. I mean, I have all the time in the world, so I might as well expand my brain, right?

I just finished an incredible book. It was recommended to me by one of my sisters and I would highly recommend it to any married woman out there. It's called The Proper Care & Feeding of Husbands and it was written by Dr. Laura Schlessinger. You may have heard her talk show on the radio. She is a "take no crap from nobody" kind of lady and she is really good at what she does (Marriage and Family Therapy).

Anyway, the book is about how to get what you want out of your husbands (not in the usual manipulative way...) and how to find ultimate happiness in your marriage. It was a huge eye-opener to me and I would recommend it to all wives.

101 in 1001 Monthly Update

1. Make a wreath for my front door
2. Go to the Texas State Fair - 10/4/10
3. Eat a meal from a food truck
4. Go to the symphony
5. Go 1 week without watching TV
6. Finally buy wedding pictures...
7. Hang wedding pictures
8. Cook a turkey
9. Go to The Sixth Floor Museum
10. Finish my T-shirt quilt I started 2 years ago
11. Go to the Ft. Worth Zoo - 10/2/10
12. Lose 20 pounds
13. Lose 20 more pounds
14. Go snorkeling again
15. Catch up on 30 Rock
16. Eat vegetarian for a week
17. Go to a Rangers game
18. Do a ropes course
19. Write in my journal every day for 1 month
20. Go rock climbing again
21. Go back to school
22. Take a picture each day for 3 months
23. Ride a train
24. Bear my testimony in church
25. Get my picture taken by a professional (good thing I know some great ones)
26. Get our family photo taken by a professional
27. Swim 10 continuous laps
28. Get a dog
29. Visit NASA
30. Family prayer and scripture study every day for 1 month
31. Visit San Antonio during a holiday
32. Join a choir - 10/10/10
33. Make a sourdough starter
34. Go white water rafting again
35. Pick up the violin again
36. Go to a rodeo
37. Buy cowboy boots or hats
38. Get in the car and drive 2 hours in one direction with the windows down and the radio blasting
39. Visit all great-grandparents' grave sites
40. Go to the Dallas Temple
41. Take Jed to a jazz bar
42. Fly a kite
43. Go to a haunted house with Jed - 10/25/10
44. Complete Couch to 5K Challenge
45. Do a 5K
46. Get my palm read or fortune told
47. Go on another cruise with Jed
48. Help build a Habitat for Humanity house
49. Make Mom's cinnamon rolls
50. Make Theresa's cinnamon rolls
51. Go to Schlitterbahn with Jed
52. Buy a homeless person lunch
53. Have a baby
54. Watch the Zombie Walk - 10/16/10
55. Pay off Jed's car!! - 10/19/10
56. Go fishing with Jed
57. Be 100% debt-free
58. Ride horses
59. Go to a Cowboys game
60. Dance to a vinyl record
61. Take a cooking class
62. Get an SLR camera
63. Skydive
64. Visit Gettysburg
65. Make out in the rain
66. Go to Six Flags
67. File my own taxes without calling Daddy
68. Make a hole-in-one
69. Take a hot-air balloon ride
70. Change my own oil
71. Go to NYC with Jed
72. Take an art class
73. Jump around in a mosh pit again
74. Go to a circus - 10/14/10
75. Deep clean my bathroom
76. Visit Laurel in California
77. Ride a motorcycle
78. Get a TX driver's license again - 9/29/10
79. Go one week without carbs
80. Dance barefoot
81. Get all dressed up and go to a fancy dinner
82. Get on a bike again
83. Buy myself flowers for no reason
84. Go camping in Texas with Jed
85. Go camping on the beach
86. Go to the beach with Jed
87. Donate blood again
88. Spend a night with the lights off, watching a lightning storm
89. Go to the Grand Canyon with Jed
90. Have a meaningful conversation with a beggar
91. Paint pottery again
92. Join a bowling league
93. Watch a movie at a drive-in
94. Grow and eat my own vegetables
95. Sing karaoke again
96. Take the Riverwalk boat tour
97. Don't eat out for 1 month
98. Go to the batting cages with Jed
99. Donate plasma
100. Eat fried green tomatoes
101. Do 1 correct push-up

50% off Outerwear at Old Navy

1. Go to oldnavy.com and pick one piece of outerwear.
2. Enter code: OUTER50.
3. Get said item for half off!!
Code good 10/26-10/28.

You're welcome.

Monday Memoirs

On Friday, Jed and I had a fun date night. We went to Chipotle for dinner and then watched the Rangers cream the Yanks! We're going to the World Series!! Such an exciting game!

We woke up early on Saturday and went to help out with a service project. Our city and two other surrounding cities got together to clean up and beautify some homes in the area. The house we were working on was super close to our apartment, so Jed and I dropped our car off at home and walked there after we checked in.
Clouds started rolling in in the morning and we had some sporadic light rain, but we plowed through. We took down a fence and put up a new one, painted all of the trim of the house, planted a tree, and cleared out some brush and debris. Not five minutes after we finished securing the new fence, the winds picked up really strong and rain started pouring down. We scrambled to get all of the tools put away and then the sirens starting going off and we took off running toward home. Yes, I ran! I wouldn't have been able to run as far two weeks ago! :)
Anywho, we spent the rest of the day inside, watching the storm. It was a good day.

Yesterday was pretty low-key. I went and visited two women from church, then we went to church, then we went to choir, and then we had the missionaries over for dinner. I made my mom's tortilla soup. One of the missionaries doesn't like Mexican food or anything resembling it. Poor guy ate a whole huge bowl of it before he told me. :( 

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for modern medicine.
I am thankful that we found the source of my pain and are working to treat it.
I am thankful that Jed and I weren't trying to have kids any time soon, because the news would have been a lot harder to take.
I am thankful for my job.
I am thankful that I am starting to get out there and run.
I am thankful that the weather is getting better.
I am thankful that Jed paid off his car this week!
I am thankful.

PCOS

I went to the OB/GYN this morning. He said that I have cysts (which I already knew) and I do in fact have PCOS. We will not be addressing the cysts at this time, but I will have to start taking a daily pill. He also said that it may take anywhere from six months to upwards of three years for my body to be ready to accept a pregnancy.

I am ok with this. Jed and I weren't even planning on starting to try until around April of next year anyway.
The pill that I'll be starting is used not only for PCOS, but it is also prescribed for people with pre-diabetes (interesting, huh?). It helps with blood sugar and will also speed up my metabolism. Rock on! Killing two birds with one stone! So, really, I am ok with this. :)

Monday Memoirs

I went to my first ever circus on Thursday! It was fun! I can't believe I never went to one as a child - it was a child's dream! Thanks for taking me, Jed!

We went and saw Toy Story 3 at the dollar theater on Friday. I had already seen it, but it was Jed's first time. I cried again... great movie.

Oh, Saturday! What a day! We went grocery shopping in the morning (woo!) and then we drove in to Dallas. We ate at Twisted Root and then went to the Zombie Walk and took some pictures. We went swimming later on that night and then bought me some new running shoes (because I run now...)! Such a fun and productive day!

Sunday was just your average lazy Sunday. Nothing to report.

Couch to 5K Link

I've had a few people ask me for the link to the Couch to 5K Challenge, here it is: Click here. I got the link from Susie Barlow, so props to her! Thanks Susie!!

Proud Day

Today was a GREAT day! I weighed myself this morning and I'm a little over a quarter of the way to my weight loss goal!!

And I also did Day 2 of the Couch to 5K Challenge!!

Today is a proud day. :)

Couch to 5K Challenge

Today is the day. Today is the day that I start the Couch to 5K Challenge! Wish me luck!

Monday

Monday will be the first day of my Couch to 5K Challenge. Now that I posted it, I have to do it, right?

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful that we got to go to the zoo this weekend.
I am thankful that we got to spend Aidan's birthday with him.
I am thankful that we had the boys sleep over on Sunday night.
I am thankful that we got to go to the State Fair of Texas on Monday with Emily and the kids.
I am thankful that baby P was all better this weekend and got to come hang out with me yesterday and the day before.
I am thankful that I was able to go to the doctor yesterday.
I am thankful for modern medicine.
I am thankful.

Something's Wrong

**Personal Post - don't read if you can't handle it**


About a year ago, I started having occasional pain in my abdomen after love-making. The episodes got worse and worse and then I started having them randomly, for no reason, every so often. Then I my hair started falling out in droves and I started having breast tenderness/pain. I hadn't had insurance since last May, so I just rolled with the pain because paying out of pocket to go to the OB/GYN was financially not an option.

A few weeks ago, after a particularly painful couple of days, I started doing research online to see if I could self-diagnose myself, or at least come up with some possibilities. I came across what's called Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or PCOS, and it sounded like I fit the bill. I called an OB/GYN registered with our insurance, scheduled the next available appointment, and called it good.
Ironically, we went out with some friends that same night and found out that my friend had PCOS. What are the odds? She recommended her OB/GYN; I called the next day to cancel my appointment with Joe Shmoe and scheduled an appointment with "Dr. Sak".

At the appointment, I told the doctor my concerns and he checked me out, drew some blood, and sent me to get a sonogram. The tech told me that she saw at least one cyst on each ovary. I have an appointment in two weeks to go over the results of the blood test and the sonogram.

Ali-Haps II

Here are some more Ali-Haps that my mom reminded me of:

*Going around the whole neighborhood with my wagon, picking up all of the newspapers off of other people's yards/porches, and bringing them home for my dad because I knew he liked to read the paper.
*"Washing" my dad's car with a brick.
*Throwing my mom's friend's car keys in our ivy bush because I liked her so much and didn't want her to go home. My mom tells me that they looked for over an hour for those keys.
*Cutting little slits in the upholstery of my dad's car with the cute little retractable blade I found in his glove box.
*Leaving crayons in my dad's back seat on purpose so that they would melt. (My dad's car took a beating from me.)
*Cutting my bangs up to the hairline because they were getting in my eyes too much.

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for my new job.
I am thankful for the sweet baby girl I get to care for.
I am thankful that I finally got my license.
I am thankful for the alone time I have every day.
I am thankful that I get to choose what I do each day.
I am thankful to Alyssa Paul for the 101 in 1001 idea - getting my "to-do" list in writing will help a lot.
I am thankful for Jed pushing me to work out when I don't want to.
I am thankful.

Five Facts

1. I have been through 2 DUI checkpoints, one in Kansas and one in Ohio.
2. I am not good at video games. At arcades, I play the game where the machine pushes the quarters off the edge.
3. I almost always order chicken enchiladas at Mexican restaurants.
4. I hate parades. I think they're pointless and a huge waste of money.
5. The older I get, the less I care what my driver's license picture looks like - this morning I didn't even shower before I went to the DMV. : /

101 in 1001

I got this idea from Alyssa Paul. The goal is to do 101 things in 1001 days' time.
1001 days from now will be Monday, June 24, 2013. I'm not so concerned about the date as I am just getting through this "bucket list".

1. Make a wreath for my front door
2. Go to the Texas State Fair
3. Eat a meal from a food truck
4. Go to the symphony
5. Go 1 week without watching TV
6. Finally buy wedding pictures...
7. Hang wedding pictures
8. Cook a turkey
9. Go to The Sixth Floor Museum
10. Finish my T-shirt quilt I started 2 years ago
11. Go to the Ft. Worth Zoo
12. Lose 20 pounds
13. Lose 20 more pounds
14. Go snorkeling again
15. Catch up on 30 Rock
16. Eat vegetarian for a week
17. Go to a Rangers game
18. Do a ropes course
19. Write in my journal every day for 1 month
20. Go rock climbing again
21. Go back to school
22. Take a picture each day for 3 months
23. Ride a train
24. Bear my testimony in church
25. Get my picture taken by a professional (good thing I know some great ones)
26. Get our family photo taken by a professional
27. Swim 10 continuous laps
28. Get a dog
29. Visit NASA
30. Family prayer and scripture study every day for 1 month
31. Visit San Antonio during Fiesta
32. Join a choir
33. Make a sourdough starter
34. Go white water rafting again
35. Pick up the violin again
36. Go to a rodeo
37. Buy cowboy boots or hats
38. Get in the car and drive 2 hours in one direction with the windows down and the radio blasting
39. Visit all great-grandparents' grave sites
40. Go to the Dallas Temple
41. Take Jed to a jazz bar
42. Fly a kite
43. Go to a haunted house with Jed
44. Complete Couch to 5K Challenge
45. Do a 5K
46. Get my palm read or fortune told
47. Go on another cruise with Jed
48. Help build a Habitat for Humanity house
49. Make Mom's cinnamon rolls
50. Make Theresa's cinnamon rolls
51. Go to Schlitterbahn with Jed
52. Buy a homeless person lunch
53. Have a baby
54. Go to Las Vegas
55. Pay off Jed's car
56. Go fishing with Jed
57. Be 100% debt-free
58. Ride horses
59. Go to a Cowboys game
60. Dance to a vinyl record
61. Take a cooking class
62. Get an SLR camera
63. Skydive
64. Visit Gettysburg
65. Make out in the rain
66. Go to Six Flags
67. File my own taxes without calling Daddy
68. Make a hole-in-one
69. Take a hot-air balloon ride
70. Change my own oil
71. Go to NYC with Jed
72. Take an art class
73. Jump around in a mosh pit again
74. Visit a concentration camp
75. Deep clean my bathroom
76. Visit Laurel in California
77. Ride a motorcycle
78. Get a TX driver's license again
79. Go one week without carbs
80. Dance barefoot
81. Get all dressed up and go to a fancy dinner
82. Get on a bike again
83. Buy myself flowers for no reason
84. Go camping in Texas with Jed
85. Go camping on the beach
86. Go to the beach with Jed
87. Donate blood again
88. Spend a night with the lights off, watching a lightning storm
89. Go to the Grand Canyon with Jed
90. Have a meaningful conversation with a beggar
91. Paint pottery with Jed
92. Join a bowling league
93. Watch a movie at a drive-in
94. Grow and eat my own vegetables
95. Sing karaoke again
96. Take the Riverwalk boat tour
97. Don't eat out for 1 month
98. Go to the batting cages with Jed
99. Donate plasma
100. Eat fried green tomatoes
101. Do 1 correct push-up

Ali-Haps

When I was young, my section in the family Christmas letter was always riddled with silly things that I had done over the past year. Things like eating gum off of the sidewalk, telling my teacher that one of our family rules was "we do not drink out of the toilet" (we didn't even have a dog), hiding from my babysitter and yelling at her that she wasn't my mom, burning my hair because I wanted a haircut, getting my finger stuck in a small hole in the oven door, etc. These funny events in my little life were called "Ali-Haps".

Last night I was told about an Ali-Hap that I don't even remember from a lady who used to be in our ward. I'm sure she won't mind if I copy and paste part of the email she sent me:
"...I thought to myself, I know [E. Busath], and [L. Busath], but I don't really remember Ali Busath...then I did remember something about you [...] Were you about 5 when you moved to San Antonio? Well, anyway, this is what I remember...shortly after your family moved to Tx I received a phone call--it was you inviting my family to your birthday party--which was several months away. You had gotten the ward list, gone upstairs with the phone, and started calling people on the ward list and inviting them to your party! Your mom was mortified--but she had to think it was funny, too!"

Classic Ali. I was a crazy, independent, silly, and impulsive. I always kept my mom on her toes. And now I'll probably have three kids just like me. Heaven help me! ; )

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful that we got to go to Emily's house for dinner on Sunday.
I am thankful that we were able to go out to dinner with the Lackeys on Monday.
I am thankful for new friends - "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship".
I am thankful that Jed gets home from work so early every day.
I am thankful that our disposal is fixed.
I am thankful that I got to meet my Little Sister on Tuesday - she is sweet.
I am thankful that Jed does nice things for me.
I am thankful.

I Am Inspired

After watching this video and crying by myself on the couch, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to share. This is such an inspiring man and, although I don't know him personally, I am so proud of him and happy for him. Enjoy.

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for the possibility of a job nannying for the 6-week old baby girl of a lady at church.
I am thankful for good friends, however far away they may be.
I am thankful for our new phones - they are so sweet!
I am thankful that we are starting to feel like a part of society/our community now.
I am thankful for the power of prayer.
I am thankful.

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful that my sister called my today and we got to talk for a while.
I am thankful for insurance and our upcoming dental visits (even though I dread it).
I am thankful for air conditioning.
I am thankful for the rain that we've had this week.
I am thankful that we made some new friends this last weekend.
I am thankful that we got to have the missionaries over for dinner on Sunday (one of them looks exactly like Jason Bateman). [Oh my gosh! I just found out that Jason Bateman and I have the same birthday!]
I am thankful.

Jed's Phone Evolution

Well, Ali had such a great idea that I decided to copy it. Here goes......

In 2001 I got the Motorola V120C with US Cellular. It was the smallest cell phone I had ever seen up to that point so I wanted it. The crappy thing was was that in 2001 I was the only kid in high school who had a phone so it didn't get a lot of use. It sat in a corner for 8 months until I went on my mission.

On my mission the DL's got to use these beauties, the Nokia 3285. It was a downgrade from my last phone but I got REALLY good at that snake game where you eat the dots.

In 2005 I got a Sony Ericsson T610 with T-Mobile. I learned how to make my own ringtones with this one. Sony Ericsson was one of the only phone manufacturers that had the ability to use any MP3 as a ringtone at the time. Most other phones used polyphonic ringtones or you had to buy them from the store.

In 2006 I signed up with ATT to get those roll over minutes. It turns out I still haven't used any of them in my 4 years that I have been with ATT. I picked another Sony Ericsson, and my first and only flip phone: the Z520a. My boss also has this phone.

In 2007 my friend Jerr sold me his Samsung Blackjack, my first smartphone. I still have it and use it as a backup phone. I liked this one because I uploaded a nintendo emulator. This was a really powerful phone and I still like it better than my current phone...

which is another Sony Ericsson. The W580i Walkman phone. I like it a lot but its no smartphone. Well the screen has cracked in two different places so that means it is time for a new phone.

My new phone will be the Droid X! It comes in two weeks and I cant wait. We decided to get this phone because of the awesome camera on it (8 MP and two flashes) and the display is amazing. Also, it is on Verizon's network so the third party apps aren't restricted like they are with ATT. So yea its gonna be sweet.

Friday Foto Fix - Phone Evolution Ed.

This is the first cell phone that I had ever seen in real life/used. And I thought that it was the coolest thing ever.
[Nokia 5110]

In college, I got this sweet thing. Best phone I've ever had, present phone included, because it was so fast and easy to text.
[Nokia 6810]

Then I got something like this. Didn't really care about it because it sucked when compared to my old phone (but I wore that old phone down and it broke).
[Have no idea. Couldn't care less.]

Then I got this little number. Thought it was awesome when I bought it, but it wasn't as user-friendly as I thought and it weighs as much as a premature child.
[AT&T Tilt by HTC]

Moving on...
This beauty will soon be mine. Wipe up that drool - I know, it's awesome! Can't wait!!
[Motorola Droid X]

I've been a loyal AT&T/Nokia customer for a while now, but if I stayed with AT&T I would have gotten the iPhone. I wouldn't have minded so much, except Apple is a selfish, profit-seeking (Heaven forbid!) company and they don't allow 3rd-party apps. (Jail-breaking is just too much effort.)

And since I'm all about cheaper/free-er apps, we're going with Verizon/Motorola!

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful that we got our new love seat this weekend - last one in the whole DFW area!
I am thankful that we got to try Good 2 Go Taco this weekend.
I am thankful that we were able to hang out with Emily and the kids this weekend.
I am thankful for my new calling (I think): Relief Society Secretary.
I am thankful that I was able to spend a few hours at the food bank on Tuesday.
I am thankful that I didn't have to go back to school this week.
I am thankful that Jed was able to fix the Wii after a power surge this week.
I am thankful.

My Day

I watched The Price is Right while I ate breakfast.
I went to the food bank for a couple of hours.
I had a crash course in Ebonics from a guy who works there.
I made hundreds of meals for under-privileged people.
I came home and made up a chicken enchilada casserole recipe in the slow cooker.
I got the mail and cleaned up a little bit.
Jed came home and we ate dinner.
I worked a little on my job and my calling.
Now I'm ready to watch Teen Mom. Yup, I love that show.

Friday Foto Fix - Tom's Homecoming

The (Ohio) family the day Tom left.

And the day he came home.

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful that I was able to go home and be with the family this past week.
I am thankful that I got to hang out with Tom.
I am thankful for my wonderful family.
I am thankful to be home with Jed again.
I am thankful for the intense rain storm yesterday, and that it brought the temperature down for a day.
I am thankful that my car passed inspection this morning.
I am thankful that I don't have to go to work every day.
I am thankful to Emily for giving us a microwave.
I am thankful that I got most of my favorite book read during my trip.
I am thankful.

Monday Memoirs

I flew out to Cleveland on Thursday because my younger brother was coming home from his mission. I got there about 10 minutes before him and had to run across the airport to his terminal before he landed. I was the first person to see him, the first hug. Nobody knew I was coming except my older sisters, who were really great at keeping the secret from my mom.
I let Tom walk out first and then I waited a few minutes before I walked out. My mom was shocked! It was awesome - best surprise visit ever!

We went camping as a family on Friday night. So fun! We did foil dinners and smores and "Nutella-banana pies". Dad fell asleep early, but the rest of us stayed up pretty late and had a great spiritual discussion.

On Saturday, we hiked through the woods and then went to these really cool rock formations in the middle of nowhere. It was really sweet!
We went to this incredible Italian place for dinner - best place I've been to in a long time!

Mom and Tom spoke at church on Sunday and did a really good job. Tom and I sat in on the investigators Sunday School class; that was ...interesting. Everybody kept going off on tangents and stuff.
We had a great shish-ka-bob lunch and then I read A Tale of Two Cities out in the backyard - the weather was fantastic! Dad left on a business trip, but it was good to see him while I did.
At night, we watched The Three Little Pigs on Faerie Tale Theatre and then we watched What About Bob? too.

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful that I was able to pull off a great surprise today.
I am thankful that I got to be the first one to see Tom get off the plane.
I am thankful to be in Cleveland with my family.
I am thankful that Tom made it home safely.
I am thankful that Tom served a valiant mission for our church.

A Hairy Situation

This was my hair two weeks ago:

This was the picture I brought in to the salon:

This is what I said to the lady:
"And could you also thin my hair? Thanks." (My hair is SUPER thick and I get it thinned every time I cut it.)

This is what she did:
Cut the top layer shorter than the rest in order to "thin it out". (Usually they use thinning shears underneath the hair.)

This is what I walked out of the salon looking like (the smile is fake - I was livid):
Oh, and she didn't get a tip - I've never stiffed a hair stylist before.

Does THIS look like....................................................................................THIS???
Uh, not even close!!

Since the lady did an awful job on my hair, and didn't even really thin it out, I had to go out and buy a pair of thinning shears (I wasn't about to go back and ask her to to thin it out - she'd probably just take more off the top!). Now on top of the haircut, I spent $15 on thinning shears. I shouldn't have paid for the haircut in the first place, I know.

The good thing is that now I can thin my hair in between cuts. And I know which salon NOT to go to!
This is all of the hair that I thinned myself:

This is the color of my hair after I dyed it "Dark Ash Blonde" (and left it in for 10 minutes longer than I was supposed to):

Yeah, not really blonde, at all. More of a honey color.

I feel like I look like a 30-something soccer mom. No offense to yous guys, but I'm 24! And I don't even have kids!
It is easier to manage, but I'm still not in love with how it looks. Give it two months and maybe I'll like it. After it's grown out. :/

Monday Memoirs

On Thursday, our friend from Jed's home town, Dan, came to visit us. Our first house guest! We were going to go to a baseball game, but the pansy boys decided it was too hot. It was only like 101. I could see if it had been 105, but 101?? Come on guys!
We drove around downtown Fort Worth, went to the stockyards, and had some yummy BBQ and the local place, Charby's. Dan hit it off with the waitress and had her rolling! What a charmer! ;)

On Friday, Jed came home for a few hours in the morning and we all went to brunch at this quaint little cafe where all the old regulars were chatting it up. Cute place, good food, lots of Cadillacs and Buicks in the parking lot.

After I got Dan safely on his flight (PS - the DFW airport charges you $1 to be on its grounds, from 0-30 minutes, no matter what - super lame) and Jed got home from work, we had another one of Jed's friends over. Sergio was Jed's roommate at Gravytrains and he was in town for work. We were going to go out to dinner, but when he got here, he said he wasn't hungry, but would watch us eat. No thanks. So we chatted for a long two hours and then he left. And we were right on his heels because we were supposed to have left to go to my sister's house to help her move an hour earlier.

We ended up being of no help to her move because it was so late by the time we got there. But we all went out to dinner anyways, so it worked out.

On Saturday, I watched the kids while the menfolk moved the heavy stuff and Emily directed traffic. Their new house is nice and big, and we have our own room and bathroom there! Woo!

Jed got a new calling yesterday. Deacon's quorum advisor - teaching on Sunday. He's excited about the activities and scouting and stuff, but this may be a challenge calling since there are only about 2-3 boys who come each week and 2 of them have ADHD. I have faith that he'll do a great job and he will be blessed, as well as the boys.

Today I did Jillian's 30 Day Shred for the first time in probably 6 weeks. I really think it's harder to come back than it is when you start for the first time. But I'm going to stick with it!

Friday Foto Fix - Aerosmith Ed.