I AM 27 DRESSES

Now I typically don't allow myself to even think this way and/or remind myself of all the disgusting bridesmaids dresses I've worn (please no one take offense to this--when I say disgusting I don't mean YOUR pink, blue, black, orange, or yellow dress...I just mean everyone elses!) but tonight I make an exception. I will be honest though and say that many of my friends have in fact chosen fine dresses and even let me choose my own dress but it's the symbolism of what the apparel represents that seems to "disgust" me--not the fabric or design itself.


I'll include photos so you can feel my pain with me.


Some of my most memorable moments have happened during the 12 hours I spent in these dresses:


Very first was my friend who was married on my birthday awhile back. When her family sang happy birthday to me at her wedding reception I actually burst into tears. Was I sad? Yes! Do I have any idea why? Nope.

Then was a wedding where my friends Mom looked at us both at the end of a REALLY long day and said: "the two of you look like strippers named tuti fruitie!" We were in Vegas. On the strip. I got nervous walking around after that. Didn't want to give the wrong impression!


July wedding in Utah? 102 degrees
June wedding in Vegas? 110 degrees
September wedding in Arizona? Extremely H.O.T.




I flew down to Mesa for a good friend's wedding. To avoid missing work, it was a "spend less than 24 hours in the arrival city" sort of a trip...and I managed to do it, yep, WITHOUT my temple recommend.

I was in an out of state wedding where I knew no one. And I mean not a soul besides the brides parents. So I sat by myself, in a corner, in the back of the reception hall yard, in the dark for 2 hours. I had just a perfect enough view of the happy couple through these windows that somehow managed to assist me in a more accurate realization of how pathetic I must have looked. Proud moment.

I started out young too! I was a flower girl when I was 7ish. But this time I actually got to walk down the isle. Were the people divorced? Yes. Were they divorced before I even really knew what divorced meant? They sure were.


Now if you haven't seen the movie 27 dresses let me explain with the following phrase: "Always a bridesmaid, never a bride." And it feels good!

We Were Five

Why am I lying awake at now 3:00 am thinking about this? When I was a freshman in the dorms at BYU I met 4 girls that became some of my very best friends. They are wonderful, beautiful, amazing girls all of whom I love like sisters. We would spend hours talking about who would get married first. But as if that wasn't enough--we would predict which order we would be married in. And I never imagined, even in my wildest 18 year old nightmares, I would be the last. The first was our sophmore year. Then one our junior year. Another our senior year. Leaving just two of us for the last 2 years. It was doable being single because with her we could whine and complain together. I had a sweet tender mercy honestly sent from the Lord. After all, being single and alone, in Utah, is probably one of the MOST traumatic things a 24 year old girl could have to endure, right? ;)

My Dad used to tell the two of us when we would complain to him, "saved the two best for last!" He's so sweet. He doesn't say that anymore. Now I hear, "Are you EVER going to get married?" In fact, last week I actually heard him vow to not go to anymore weddings until one of his daughters got married. Even he's run out of faith for me!

Then There Were Two

Well--my tender mercy has ended. She's getting married this week. And to a wonderful person. I keep telling her I wish he was a jerk so I could give her good reasons not to marry him. Blah. So now I really am the lone man standing. Wo-man anyways.

Side note: I L.O.V.E. every single one of the girls in the above mentioned description of my personal hell. You girls, if for some reason any of you see this, are THE BEST. I can't imagine my life without you and I would not have traded to share these "moments" with you for anything....well...almost anything! ;)

Just Can't Win

I'm looking for a way to deal with those that cheat the system. We all know them. They're pathological liars who refuse to face reality. Today at work I had a woman come to me saying the apartments next door were offering this remarkable deal--one that I can't and don't want to match. I have good reasons for this. Although it's likely no one would ever know, it ends up hurting me and those around me in the end. Don't take shortcuts! Do it right the first time. And be honest in the process of getting it done. Why can't people reach beyond themselves to see the consequences of their actions? But seriously...I'm looking for answers!

This blog should also be called: "entitlement"

What is up with people feeling entitled to EVERYTHING good and ONLY the good in the world? To them, I would like to say the following:

1-you CHOOSE to be happy or unhappy. Look for the good. I promise if you're upset with a situation, there is something you can do to change YOUR OWN PERSONAL VIEW!

2-you are not owed anything. Just because you have a difficult situation, does not mean you should be given free handouts. It's nice if they come along, but don't expect them! And don't be unhappy when you don't receive them!

3-Stop with the selfishness. Reach out. Touch someone else's life. Do good.

4-Also, the bullying has got to stop. I am so tired of people coming into my office thinking they'll bully their way out of the rules. You're not special. You're the same as everyone else. Thus, you will abide by the same rules as everyone else. No exceptions.

Now, I suppose this blog could be about me as well. I feel entitled to certain...shall we say "blessings" that have not and may not ever come along for me. I am constantly forcing myself to take a step back, reminding myself I am owed nothing. I don't live by my covenants in order to receive something in return. I do it because it's the right thing to do. Phew. So much easier to write than live at times!

But seriously people, look around and see who you can help. I promise if you want to do good you can and it will feel WAY better than getting $100 knocked off your monthly rent payment!

Top 10 Lessons from the week:

1- Cafe Rio with Hillary and Sarah = a GOOD time to evaluate Sarah's intelligence :)

2- Don't leave your work computer unattended for any amount of time with 3 Ute fans in your office.

3- It's a good idea to know enough about computers to get the Auburn symbol off your desktop when you fail at #2

4- Humanity, in general, is pretty dishonest

5- The conference center is 1.4 million square feet...and needs to be vacuumed

6- A gingerbread house will not stand with weight on only one side of it (or gingerbread "boat")

7- When Christmas shopping, I can't put the card down and Meech can't take it out

8- A large diet coke at 11 and a large Dr. Pepper at 1 are not caffeinated enough to replace insufficient sleep.

9- People of walmart . com will ALWAYS be funny when running on 4 hours of sleep from the night before.

10- Wrestling with the Pratt boys can be nothing but a good time (with lots of bruises)

The best way to spread holiday cheer is singing loud for all to hear!

A Charlie Brown Christmas...

Since my childhood this has been one of my two favorite Christmas movies. (The other will have to be a surprise for the future). Now, later in life, I realize why. I AM LUCY! We are the same! I hope you all enjoy this clip from the movie as much as I do:

Friend

My friend. Her name is Amanda Johnson but I call her friend; because that's just exactly what she is and what she will always be. Friend has been a tender mercy to me ever since I can remember. When I was a brand new missionary struggling to adjust to the lifestyle she sent me a letter that saved me from running as fast as I could back to the U.S. Friend and I seem to experience many of the same trials, events, and experiences at the same time--which has become my saving grace. Knowing I have someone to chat with that feels the same about life right now as I do is basically priceless and indescribable.

You see friend and I are the last of our group of college friends to get married. (sorry for bringing the attention of that to everyone friend) and I just don't know what I'd do without our consistently lengthy chats about guys and dating and marriage. A definite lifesaver!

Friend and I graduated from college together and shared our graduation dinner at the Chef's Table with our families. We wanted our families to meet because we are family. I call her friend but really she's more like a sister. (we even both invited "guests" that probably should not have been in attendance...haha)

Friend and I served missions at the same time so we've always had such great memories to share! Luckily she started a little before me and could lay out a little bit of a map for me.

I would suggest you all meet my friend. She's wonderful and I know you'll all love her just as much as I do.

Happy Fall Ya'll!

I feel I can say with a strong conviction in my heart...there is no where more beautiful than Utah during the autumn months. The trees start turning and the colors up the canyons will literally just stop you in your tracks.

Today my Mom and I went up American Fork Canyon on a drive to see these beautiful landscapes. I know the pictures don't even begin to do it justice but I wanted to share a little of our outing! I love how appreciative my Mom is of nature. Everything spectacular she sees she thinks of heaven and our Heavenly Father. I know I've said this before but she truly is the most amazing mother and woman. She teaches me to be grateful each and every day for all the marvelous blessings I've been given.

Thoughtful thought

"Hermana sigue con animo aun cuando parezca que no se ve la luz que alumbra el camino"