Seis meses. Six months.

Thanks to Limher's mom, I am currently enrolled in free Spanish classes at her casa. Once a week, I learn all the basics to the Spanish language. This will come in handy when I'm (someday) lost in Mexico.

Seis meses have passed since August. Excuse me? Can you please explain where the months are going? Somehow in the last six months I have attended two new schools, started a second job, quit that second job, received a promotion at Lifetime, and, oh yeah, got married!

This post is dedicated to Mr. Williams and six things I've learned about being married to him...

1.) Even if you don't like taking pictures, you always look good in them. Especially pictures taken right before a fun date. Yay for date night and Phantom of the Opera!

2.) Your beard means the world to you.

3.) You have chameleon qualities. Your ankle changed at least four shades of purple and yellow after you sprained your ankle during basketball.
4.) Basketball is a man's sport.

5.) You are a good cook! Not that I didn't believe you in the first place... but after our Potato Bar Dinner, I was sold. 6.) You love children. You want like twenty of them. Thanks to you, all of the children in our lives (including this fine young fellow, Brady) choose you over me.

I can't wait for our next seis meses together! Viva la Williams!

Laundry news.

While folding my laundry...

I turned on the TODAY SHOW.
I learned a simple tip to staying happy: make your bed each and every morning.
You'll feel "in control of your domain" and a deep sense of accomplishment.
I tried it; it works.

While folding my laundry...

I saw a commercial for Jiffy Peanut Butter.
The little boy who makes him his own school lunch.
And manages to make one for his mom.
Admittedly, I became a little choked up.
And afterwards, I made myself a PB&J.

I'm glad I folded my laundry.

Today is January 14th, 2010. Happy Thursday, everyone. Today, I remember our dear friend Megan Marie Wall Whitworth. We've missed you these last four years! I wish I could put flowers on your pretty headstone today.

I am so sorry for families and friends of those affected by the earthquake in Haiti. My prayers are with you.

May we all be a little happier, live a little better, and be a little kinder to one another. Why not start today?

YES!

Observation #1: Productivity pays off.

I follow the counsel of my good friend, Anna, and use a planner. How else would I manage a life juggled around reading chapter books and cooking enchiladas? Thanks to another wise mentor who we will call Kent, because that is his real name, I learned the importance of meticulously diagramming hectic weeks. It's all about visualizing and committing to the times and tasks on the paper. When I see "9:00-9:45: run to Gardner street and back" I know there is no turning back. I've become a blood sister with my conscious and am obligated to do my weekly chores. I vote YES to Productivity. Actually, my obsessive compulsive behaviors have been harbored for a long while. This was all re-iterated to me Saturday when my niece found a paper from my elementary school days. If only I had a picture to show you all. The contents included a detailed list of times and activities for my 10th birthday party, along with back-up plans (in case no one wanted to play my games). I blame my O.C.D. on all my time I spent playing alone in closets and my childhood/adult obsession with Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Observation #2: Maybe this explains everything



I just felt like it was time to make this popular again. Thank you to Junior Miss for giving me the opportunity my senior year of high school to wear silly clothes and dance on stage. I vote YES to letting all those childhood inhibitions go.

Before I forget... I finished Hunger Games and it was VERY good. I need a couple of days to soak it all in; the plot line is anything but light. Next, I'll finish Suzanne Collin's series and then jump into the Tunnels books. Also, I have finally received in-state status at ASU! This is huge. Take $10,000-$3,400 and that's what I'll be saving. What a headache its been- I'm grateful for my "pleading" prayers, getting answer to prayers, and now my "thank you" prayers.

Maybe this font wasn't the best idea...

Yesterday, I watched (most) of the movie Julie and Julia. For the most part, I enjoyed the storyline. After all, it is a story after my own heart. In 2002, some girl named Julie performed the exact notion in which I intended to become famous. Her solution was exquisite: take Julia Child's cook book. Next she sautéed, grilled, cooked, and baked her way through 365 days of Child's finest recipes. It takes the creativity of one young talented writer to change the way all writers think of themselves.

So I begin the forward movement towards my career as a writer. It's my turn to embark on the new endeavor for 2010 of bettering my writing technique and skill. Unlike Julie Whoever, I will not be using food as an outlet. (Outlet for writing, that is.) Instead, I'll have to resort to the beauty found in everyday monotony. In simplistic terms, I will use this blog to do exactly what I've been doing: write about my life. In all, I hope to use this next year and decade to reach the level of distinguished writer. Or something. Now is the time for influx of creative ideas...

Just as I've always known, to be well-versed you must be well-read. Before I start school again, I will take and make time to read. First book: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Mom says its good, so it must be.

The Astronaut Farmer film is playing on my DVR, making me feel like I can make it to the moon, or rather be a decent writer. It's a new year and a new decade. Let the innovation in our own lives begin!

On a less than serious note: Sherlock Holmes is a great movie! Ryan and I saw it on New Year's Eve and fell in love with it. I want to see it again. Taking dance classes is therapeutic. For my exercise today, I attended one at the gym. I definitely never knew my hip rotators worked as well as they do. Lastly, Ryan and I have become obsessed with making our own salsa. I don't think I'll ever buy the store bought kind again. (That sounds very anti-Capitalistic of me, doesn't it?)

Hope your holiday was as good as mine! Happy New Year.

Sounds fishy to me...

You want an update? A new post, you say? How's this for ya....

I just ate a whole bag of these. That pretty much sums up what we (mainly I) have been up to. Needless to say, school ends next week and I can focus on a more healthy diet. Until then, you know what I'll be doing...

You've seen the Jane Austen movie, Emma, right? Gwenyth Paltrow captivates me. Call me cliche, but you can never go wrong with Jane Austen. I watched it today and remembered the huge amount of closure Jane brought in to this world.

I feel like I've had a really long day. It's like I've been watching a pendulum swing back and forth, all day long. A funk has been hovering over me for the last 48 hours and I'm ready to turn the lights out and sleep until Thanksgiving. "My goodness, it's like the blind date that wouldn't end!"
-Jennifer Lopez in The Wedding Planner.

Ready for some happy time? Check this out...
I saw this play for my very first time on Thursday! Oh, I loved it. I have no claims to being a huge Broadway junkie. But this playbill will be the first to start my collection.

Take a picture, it lasts longer.

Pictures are great for a plethora of things:
Capturing memories, retelling stories, blackmail... the list is never-ending.
Here are some pictures I've needed to unload from my camera so I can document the side notes of my life... because I appreciate those side notes.

Ashley Chapman became Ashley Palmer on October 16th. And the week before we had a fun little bachelorette party for her at The Cheesecake Factory. She's got the cutest smile, huh? Oh, and don't worry. Those bottles are sparkling drinks, alcohol free. However, we did drink them from shot glasses. I felt it was totally appropriate.

All the girls. We're all "party party party!" With all of our busy schedules, it is so nice to get together with the girls and play catch-up. A great method for de-stressing. Note to self: find two black articles of clothing that match. Sorry, Mom.

Many times I am amazed at how creative my husband is. I came home last week to THIS ingenuity.

Ryan loves his sunflower seeds.
And he loves his handmade funnel. Includes: paper plate, super glue, and tape.
For my birthday, I was pampered with cookies and cakes galore. Ryan bought me tickets to Phantom of the Opera! I am stoked. Unfortunately, Ryan was sick all weekend so (fortunately) my mom graciously brought us dinner and muffins. One muffin included a star candle for the birthday girl. Ryan wanted to be in my pictures. This is us posing for my birthday blow-out.
It was time for Ryan to give me my space and glory. Right here we have the real deal.
We enjoyed my mom's muffins so much. Nothing spells L-O-V-E like brown sugar.
Here is the finished product. Not included in this picture are the four other muffin wrappers I defeated that night.
Just us lovin my birthday. Nursing Ryan back to health has been a process. Now I'm sick. And I cut my foot open. I just hope this isn't an omen for my 22nd year.

I think in my 22nd year I'm going to stay away from sharp objects and wear closed-toed shoes.