All Things Bright and Beautiful

Las Tres Caballeras

2012-01-31T14:38:00.000-05:00

I am a one-third piece to a threesome. Not THAT kind, but this kind:

Meet Las Tres Caballeras (which actually doesn't translate, but who the heck cares).

That's me (aka KK, aka Kayleecita, aka Medium Smokey)

Diane (aka Diana, aka Diana Kardashian, aka Little Smokey)

Jess (aka Yessica, aka Gask, aka Big Smokey).

Here are some of the things we like to do:

1. Go to Universal because Jessica's dad can get us in with his magical pass...

Marmaduke taking Kaylee for a ride...

Marmaduke taking the King for a ride...

Marmaduke taking Great Britton for a ride...

Getting crunk on Butterbeer!

Jessica was terrified to ride the Mummy ~~Roller coaster~~...Thrill ride.

...but she dominated it... TWICE!

2. We like to go to Disney because Diane's dad gets us in for free...

It is the most magical place on earth... until someone tries to walk in front of your camera... then you get looks like mine.

Made it to Venice, Italy this time!

Taking over the world, one Eiffel Tower and beret at a time.

We like to party... we like, we like to party.

Jess and I like to pose for pictures while waiting for the Monorail. Diana takes them whether she likes it or not.

Don't hate us because we're beautiful. M'kay?

we are very VERY responsible adults. For baby sitting rates, please send an email.

Practicing being a mamacita who knows her espanol!

Once again... we like to party... we like, we like to party (hard).

Whoa? Venice again? Twice in one day? We are quite the world travelers.

What can I say, I'm a girl worth fighting... for?

See above.

French chocolates = a boyfriend for Diana?

Ahhh there we go! Now its the World's Most Magical Place!

More on this epic group of ladies to follow.

January... Via Instagram

2012-01-30T13:31:00.000-05:00

Instagram is the best invention ever. Better than sliced bread. Better than facebook. Maybe even better than Pinterest. Maybe. It makes me want to takes pictures on a daily basis. It gets my creative bug going. It also makes me see and appreciate all of the things I wouldn't normally see nor appreciate. So, here it is, Kaylee's January 2012 via Instagram...

Martin Luther King Jr. Day cards with Olivia; Pancakes are the breakfast of champions; Sweet Tart Bug Gummies package made my day; Baby Mia and her chubby cheeks!

The fake nails are gone; Trench coat and my Christmas tree is still up; Snooki has nothing on my bump; The Groove bathroom is club Las Tres Cabaelleras!

Flowers for my birthday; Sunday night game nights; School = bad eating habits; My two Anthro purchases.

I think I'll do this once a month. Happy almost February! I'm pretty much dead after this weekend (two theme parks in two days). I'll post those pictures soon!

Wait? I What? I Won Something?!

2012-01-24T10:27:00.003-05:00

I read tons of blogs. Like really, TONS. A lot of the blogs I follow do giveaways. Most of the time I think, "It would be cool to win that," but its usually never cool enough for me to put in the effort to win it (well, except that one time on Mormon Bachelor Pad). Last Tuesday I entered the giveaway on Casey Wiegand's blog and it was something I really really wanted; a $35 item of my choice from BrideBlu. Today I was reading Casey's blog (like I do everyday. Its amazing. She is amazing. Please, check her out) and I noticed at the end of today's giveaway was MY NAME!

I literally started jumping up and down. In my office. While in heels. Yep, I am far too easily amused. This was definitely the highlight of my day. For sure.

Moral of the story: If you want to win, you must enter in the first place.

Profound. I know.

A New Year, A Rat and Well, Life.

2012-01-11T12:29:00.000-05:00

The past two months have been a bit odd in this here life of mine. Its almost as if I took a hiatus from being who I used to be, tried figuring out who I want to be, realized that I'm not sure of what I want yet and got all mixed up during. Now, I'm left with a new 22 year old version of myself still figuring out my life. Isn't it weird how you always are happy, content and think you have yourself figured out and then BOOM, you don't. I honestly think that is the beauty of life. You will never be completely figured out nor will you ever be completely stagnant in your own life. Things will always change. Things will always resolve. Things will always get better.

Enough of that stuff. On to more important things. More specifically, the rat. I'm really going to shorten this story, but man, is it a good one. I came back to my cottage after spending the night at my parent's home and really wanted to shower. I started the shower, and decided to go to the bathroom while I waited for the shower to warm up (trust me this is pertinent). Anyone who knows me well knows that I am a stickler when it comes to the toilet. I have to keep it clean. I have to have the seat cover down at all times (except for when in use). It cannot be gross at all (because, well, toilets are already gross enough as it is). So imagine my surprise when I opened the lid of the toilet that the water was brown. Then imagine the even greater surprise I had when I noticed a long furry tail. I slammed the seat back down, screamed at the top of my lungs and then started to freak out (all while doing the "heeby-geeby dance"). Once I gained control of myself, I ran over to my landlord's house and started pounding on the poor woman's door. "Oh no, is you hot water out again Kaylee," she asked. "THERE IS A RATTTTT.... INNNNN.... MMMYYY .... TOILET!!!!" I most calmly replied. She ushered me into her home and called her son to come and take care of my rodent problem. Rita (my landlord) let me sit in her living room while she and her son, Adam, went into my house, fully equipped with a pool bucket, a pool net and a small boat oar (I have been assured that this IS what the professional use). They have a massive window that give me a perfect seat for watching the house. Ten minutes go by. Rita comes running out and grabs a lid from the pool closet and then runs right back into my house. Ten more minutes pass. Then Rita comes running into the house and says, "I need to grab the BB gun." She has left my cottage door open and I see Adam running around inside. Apparently he removed the rat from my toilet and put it into the bucket, but then realized that there wasn't a lid. While he was waiting on his mom to bring him the lid, the rat jumped out and has been scurrying around my cottage for the last ten minutes. It has hid in my Christmas tree, my rug, my entertainment center, my desk, my dinning room table. Pretty much everywhere. Then, they leave the door open so I can see Adam take multiple attempts at shooting the rat. Who would have known that these rodents could survive five gunshot to the head? My rat did, all while spreading it's diseased blood over my house. At this point I was done and needed to grab some clothes and shower stuff so I could go change at a friend's house. I walked into what seemed like the bloody aftermath of a natural disaster. Rita, lovely lovely Rita, cleaned all the blood for me, but I still had to super disinfect my house. Eventually the rat was worn down and let Adam scoop him up and toss him into the back yard. I keep having terrible nightmares where a zombie rat comes into my house at night and tries to kill me. Nothing traumatic or anything. I'm pretty sure I'll never be able to watch this movie again:

This site has great information on what you should do if a rat is in your toilet. DO NOT SHOOT WITH A BB GUN.

Other than that, my last few months have not been very epic. I had a wonderful Christmas, a good New Years and a birthday. I'm starting to get slightly depressed over birthdays now. They aren't all fun and games as they used to be. Diana and Gask tried warning me that once you hit 22, its all downhill from there. I guess I am starting to believe them now. I think they were referring to looks though :)

I also have made a resolution to become a better person all around. No specific resolutions. I never keep them and almost always get disappointed in myself when I do't. This year, I will not set my self up for that disappointment. So far, my resolutions have been a success! What have you been up to? What are your grand schemes for this New Year?

True Love = Same Roots

2011-12-16T09:28:00.000-05:00

I read this over at the Nie Nie Dialogues and I thought how pertinent it is to my life. I have always struggled with this concept of being in love versus loving someone truly. It reminds me a lot of Ovid's fable of Baucis and Philemon.

"Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake and thensubsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to workout whether your roots have become so entwined together that it isinconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love isnot breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation ofpromises of eternal passion. That is just being "in love" which anyof us can convince ourselves we are.

Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away,and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Your mother and I had it, wehad roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the prettyblossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and nottwo."

-Louis De Bernieres

Oh, Blair

2011-12-15T11:02:00.002-05:00

I'm mildly obsessed with Gossip Girl and its only because of this gal, right here:

Blair Waldorf (ahem, I mean Leighton Meester), you hit the nail right on the head with this one. Story of my life.

Also, Finals are done (yeah!) and Alyssa and Ian got hitched on Tuesday (double yeah!!!), but they had their reception/ring ceremony yesterday and since I was a bridesmaid I got to do the whole 1940s style hairdo. I did pin curls which were not that hard, but looked insanely ridiculous on me while still being held up by the bobby pins. I'm sure both of my great-grandmothers were rolling in their graves when they watched me walk into the mall with my hair all pinned-up like a madwoman without any make-up on. How dare I go out in public without my hair done and my face on? Let's just say that while Alyssa was getting her make-up done by the lovely woman at the MAC counter, I was also putting my make-up on, for free while she wasn't looking. I don't feel bad because I totally bought blush. So what do you think? Should I do the pin curl more often?

I kind of love it, plus it ave me the perfect excuse to wear red lipstick. Also, my hair never EVER holds a curl, but after sleeping on it last night, I still had the perfect bounce this morning. Holla!

Lessons I Have Learned Over the Past Week

2011-11-30T09:15:00.001-05:00

1. Love is a battlefield. For reals. It is. Love isn't just something that happens. It is something you really have to work at. It's mostly a battle. Sing it Pat. On the flip side (yes, I did just use that phrase), not all is fair in love and war. I don't think.

2. You are insane to think that it's okay to skip out on your relationship with our Heavenly Father. It's so easy to distance yourself without even realizing it. I for one, think this world is hard enough to handle, so why would I push away my biggest guide through it?

3. Diamonds may be some girls' best friends, but mine, well, they are my actual friends, my family and Maureen (the sweet woman in my Debtor/Creditor class who always gives me a boost of confidence each week). Oh, and raw cookie dough.

4. Live the life you love. Love the life you live.

5. You must make yourself happy. As the only controller of your happiness, you really need to figure out how to make yourself happy before you can make others happy.

P.S.

2011-11-28T15:10:00.001-05:00

... yep this is what I need right now:

Words of Wisdom, From the Smartest Man I Know

2011-11-16T16:22:00.000-05:00

This is our family mantra (or at least it seems that way). Literally every problem I have ever faced or been confused over, one of my family members somehow ties this piece of advice into it. It doesn't always have to be love or relationships. Basically, this piece of advice will help you through almost anything. Thanks grandpa for making this quote second nature to all of us Watkins.We all love you for it.

Katie and Sam

2011-11-15T13:41:00.001-05:00

They got hitched this weekend. My very best friend got hitched. I cannot tell you how much I love this girl and how happy I was to see her enter into this next part of her life. Even more, I am grateful for the fact that she included me in on it. I'm sure there have been people more loyal and loving to her, but for some reason, she wanted me to be there by her side on this special day.

Katie and Sam have a love that is inspirational. Its the kind of love you can not only see, but one that you can feel. It is infectious. The Katie and Sam kind of love is the kind of love I crave... it is not only one of passion, but of true charity. Those two would do anything for each other. They would sacrifice everything most precious to them just for the other. That, my friends is true love. Katie's sweet words to Sam during their ring ceremony spoke so much to me. She told him that she didn't know why she was so lucky to have been able to meet him at such a young age, but that she was grateful for it. Katie, you were given that blessing because you are the most honest, sincere, loving and kind hearted human being I have had the pleasure of knowing. That is why the Lord knew that you would be able to love Sam, at such a young age, and make it through the trials that would come your way.

Katie and Sam., thank you for inspiring me. Thank you, Katie, for being the best friend and example a girl could have. I truly love you.

Here She Is...

2011-11-03T15:12:00.000-04:00

Nope, not Miss America, but she could be. One Day.

I'm one proud "Almost Aunt." She wasn't very happy that I was holding her up for the picture. I'm sure in time, she'll understand the whole "with beauty comes sacrifice" thing.

Little Mia, I am so glad you are finally here. We are going to have so much fun together, you and I.

I'm Now on Bloglovin'

2011-11-03T11:05:00.001-04:00

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Come and check me out!

Halloween (and October) Wrap Up

2011-11-01T09:15:00.001-04:00

It is over. The best month of the entire year is once again over. Good-bye October. Good-bye Halloween. Welcome fall. Welcome the holiday rush. We sucessfully wrapped up both of our parties and there was lots of fun to be had. One delightful addition was this lovely gal:

Olivia.

Her mom (Christina) is (was) preggo, so Ben and I got to have her for the costume party (speaking of, aren't our costumes legit?).

She is a Hello Kitty Bride (it's supposed to be a secret, I hope Olivia doesn't care that I just put it on the internet). Well, last night, I got to have Olivia for trick or treating because her mom went into labor! I woke up this morning to a text and a video of the newest baby Gwyn. She is precious! I cannot wait to go meet her today at lunch. Also, I can't wait to officially know her name (they were considering Mia. Regardless, I will probably call her Mia).

Olivia and I hit the jack pot last night trick or treating. She got 75 pieces of candy in less than an hour and I got around 55. Sweet deal indeed.

We fell asleep watching Casper and woke up to an addition in the family (I consider myself an honorary member of the Gwyn clan.... uh hem, Ben......).

Although I am sad that this year's October is over, I'm excited for the holidays and what the new year will bring! How was your Halloween? Did you dress up?

Until next October!

Fall Fest

2011-10-28T10:22:00.000-04:00

And so it begins, yet again! Last year, Ben and I had out first Halloween (excuse me, October) together. Since I love October and I love celebrating Halloween the entire month, I decided to have a couple of parties to celebrate. We had the 1st annual family pumpkin carving extravaganza and then the 1st annual costume party. They were evenly spaced out during the month and despite one major hiccup after the pumpkin carving party (the Motorcycle accident of 2010) 2010's October was wrapped up like a mummy.

Last year we were Margot and Richie Tenenbaum... No one knew who we were.

Well, this year, I unraveled the beast and during the whirlwind of full-time work and full-time school and full-time life, I have become frazzled this year. Where has October gone?! Where has all of my favorite part of the year disappeared to? This year, fall has slipped through my fingers. But tonight and tomorrow night I will reclaim Halloween and fall; I will host the pumpkin carving party and I will host the costume party and all will be grand! I just need to hide the motorcycles this year and finish mine and Ben's costumes.

What are you doing to celebrate fall and Halloween?! Link up and share!

My Mr. Big

2011-10-21T12:12:00.001-04:00

I just completed the entire series of Sex in the City. It was fabulous. The girls' style, advice and love were incredible. The story lines were fantastic and the love stories themselves would make any girl's heart twitterpate. I used to hear group of girls ask themselves, "Who are you most like? A Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda or Samantha?"

I had NO CLUE what they were talking about. I now know that I am a Carrie. Not just because I feel like I'm the leading lady in my own life, but because I'm the hopeless romantic that is always willing to go in for another knock out just for the hopes that they may not, in fact, knock me back out. Also, I have a secret fetish for shoes and I love reading and writing. Sue me.

The other day, someone compared my love, King Benjamin, to Carrie's love, Mr. Big. Long story short, Carrie and Mr. Big end up together, but after many, many, many, MANY MANY MANY, many, many trials (i.e. cheating, commitment problems, wrong timing, heartbreak, etc.). I honestly was shocked and mostly offended when my friend told me that Ben was a Mr. Big. I asked how they were even remotely alike and she said, "because he has a commitment problem." Time to get things straight people, I am with no Mr. Big.

King Benjamin is the most caring and loving, not to mention selfless person I have ever met (well there is my dad and grandpa, but it's all relative you know?). He loves me so much and I know it. Just because he hasn't proposed yet (and he will.... Amor, did you hear that? You will) does not mean that he has commitment issues. He is as committed as committed can get.

So, people, if you want to know how I, Kaylee, have a man that is anything like Carrie's Mr. Big then here are the facts:

1. Just like Mr. Big is to Carrie, Ben is the man I want to spend forever with.

2. Just like Mr. Big does for Carrie, Ben spoils me.

3. Just as Mr. Big effects Carrie, Ben makes my mind go stupid (in a good way, unlike Carrie).

4. Just like Mr. Big's driver does for Carrie, Ben drives me around because I hate driving.

5. Just as Mr. Big never tried to change Carrie, Ben lets me be myself.

So there you have it folks, King Benjamin is Kaylee's Mr. Big-Hearted and man, do I love the heck out of him.

I Don't Know...

2011-10-20T14:35:00.000-04:00

I honestly do not know what to blog about. I go through these phases where I want to blog like three times a day, everyday for a few weeks and I have to hold myself back. Then there are times like now, where I want to blog out of duty, but I honestly don't have anything that is worthy of putting on the immortal internet.

One thing I know is that I don't know how I feel about the new look of this blog. I want it to be clean and simple. I like the name. I hate the color yellow. Why did I even pick the color yellow?! I want a better layout, but for some reason, those are hard to come by......... Ugh. What does a girl do? The weirdest part is that I love to revamp others blogs and I do a pretty good job, but when it comes to mine, I have no clear direction.

Anyone want to offer clear direction?

Also, I'm getting disheartened by my wedding blog. I LOVE it. I really enjoy it. Problem is, I don't think anyone else does? I don't know how to get it out there. I don't know how to get the followers and make it successful. I thought that doing a give-a-way would help (who doesn't like free stuff?), but so far no one has even jumped on that!

Oy with the Poodles Already!

Any thought? Any ideas about this here blog or the other one?

This is What I Had in Mind

2011-10-11T17:13:00.000-04:00

When I went to Florida State, I was determined to be Chief Osceola's gal and ride in on my own horse and when he threw the torch into the ground, I would light it with a bow and arrow.

This is kind of what I had in mind.

On Finding the Right Man

2011-10-10T13:21:00.000-04:00

I just read an excellent book by a Mormon stand-up comedian named Elna Baker. When I saw her book in bookstores a year ago, I thought, "great, yet another book by an ex-Mormon that will embarrass the rest of us because she's venting about nothing." Nope. This book is hilarious. I literally, "lol"ed. Everyone, go out and read The New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance.

As I finished it last night, there was a huge nugget of wisdom thrown in there. While in Zambia, Elna got great advice from a 113 year old "sex doctor." She asked her how to find the right man. This was the wise woman's response:

Oh, so wise. I texted it to Ben last night and he responded, "and you'll still be my right woman when you're 113"

I've got the right man folks. Yes, indeedy, I do.

Wizarding World!

2011-10-10T12:54:00.001-04:00

Thursday I got to take off work and go to Universal and IOA (Islands of Adventure) with Jessica Gasque. Funniest thing, you see, I had never met her. EVER. She is good friends with a gal in my ward that I really like and simple correspondence over facebook turned quickly into, "Hey lets go to Harry Potter tomorrow." Then, when she told me that her pass would get us to the front of every line (literally it did. It was incredible), I was sold.

Here are my thoughts:

1. Butterbeer is AMAZING! (At one point, I actually thought I was getting drunk off of it and started to freak out. I was't so it was all good).

2. They portrayed Hogsmead and the castle PERFECTLY. So perfect, in fact, I started to almost, maybe, definitely, tear up.

3. Although the shops are really cool, the price of the merchandise is not.

Summary of Wizarding World of Harry Potter:

Butterbeer in a mug: $11.00

Fizzing Wizbees (that gave me a rash) and Peppermint Toads: $19.00

Individual House Robes: $100.00

Overall expereince: priceless.

Us and Jack Johnson's favorite people.

Popeye (lame!) and Olive (too legit).

First time we hung out, we got arrested.

I hadn't been to Universal since I was in second grade, which meant that there was no IOA yet and half of the rides at Universal weren't even there. It was so much fun skipping through the lines and getting to know Jessica better. This girl is legit. Not only is she hilarious, but she immediately makes you comfortable with her sweet demeanor. We both joked that it was like a blind date that we set up for ourselves. Overall, the blind date was great! I can't wait for us to have girl's night soon!

Reasons Why I love October: Take 1.

2011-10-04T10:00:00.001-04:00

1. The obvious, Halloween! This is what Ben and I are dressing up as this year:

2. General Conference. You can watch it here!

3. Anytober at Subway!

4. It actually is starting to feel like fall. Thus, I am starting to feel alive!

5. October Surprises. Mama Marzek started them, I've continued them and have also passed them along. I came into work today, ready to pass my surprises out and there was one already waiting for me on my desk!

*Check out the ones I'll be doing all month long on my wedding blog. They are amazing!*

I Am A Stitchin Machine

2011-09-28T10:20:00.000-04:00

Okay kiddies, it's grandma here, ready to share with you the coolest thing on the block. Ready (and no, it is not my ginger snap cookies)? It is stitching, aka needlepoint, aka embroidery, aka FUN!

I have been a stitching machine for about a month now. It all started with the dreaded $20 cat. I saw this super cute shop in Winter Park and thought that I should stop in and see what stitching was all about. The lovely, con-artist of a woman "helped" me to the cheapest starter kit they had. $20 poorer and with instant regret, I walked out of The Black Sheep with a stupid cat pattern that took me over 24 solid hours to stitch (seriously, it took weeks). I have the picture of it (I'm SO proud of it) on my iPad and am having trouble getting it off. Its nothing special. Seriously. Just trust me.

Then, this wonderful angel from above, named Meagan Meyerson, told me about her friend's stitching shop online. I went over, found what I wanted for $4 (had it emailed to me within a couple of hours) and bought the string for under $7. Ta Da! Instant gratification, super cheap and far less time consuming (not to mention wayyyyy cuter. I changed the colors from the one's that she suggested and I love how they turned out:

(I'll post the picture of my second one when I figure out what to do to get the picture off of my iPad. F.Y.I. I did this one and that one)

I've found a ton more really cute patterns online for FREE people. Yes, FREE! I'm working on this one right now and have these two to follow. I cannot even tell you how easy it is to do folks. It is SUPER easy. There, I told you.

So jump on this train to grandmaville and lets have a stitchin good time!

P.S. this song is what inspired the title. LOVE IT!

I Have a Dream

2011-09-22T11:57:00.000-04:00

This song fits my mood today.

Listen to it. Cry with it. Smile with it. Reflect with it.

Just promise me you'll listen to it.

It's wonderful. My dad and I are so dancing to this at my wedding. DIBS!

This is the Girl, Who Stole My Heart

2011-09-13T16:55:00.001-04:00

This is my niece. I like her. No wait. Scratch that. I love her. She is pretty dang cute.

(Auntie KayKay, please STOP taking my pictures)

(I'm so dainty and adorable)

(and sometimes, my life is exhausting)

(This is Ben, I think he liked her)

(oh, and I may have loved on her too much. So what, who cares)

An Amateur, On Being An Aunt.

2011-09-09T10:10:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday, Ryleigh Nicole! (well belated birthday... man I'm already off to a bad start).

Here is a picture of Pops holding you on your actual birthday. Ben and I had just left when they decided to let you be held. I was majorly bummed.

Yesterday (at an ungodly hour.... like 2:09 to be exact) I was woken up by Mimi telling me I needed to rush to the hospital so I could be there when you were born. Little did I know, that I would literally get to be there when you were born. Like in the room. When you popped out. It was exciting. You were perfect! Seriously, I have never ever seen anyone else come into the world as fabulously as you did (maybe that is because I've never seen anyone come into the world, but hey, let's not count that against you). Your mommy was stellar in getting you here. I have never met such a determined person that wanted to get her baby here. You're already so much like your mommy (whom I love, a lot). I was right there beside you when they weighed you in (4 pounds, 13.2 ounces), measured you (21 inches) and even gave you this horrible vitamin K shot (ask me about how much of a trooper you were during that). After that, I got to hold your hand for like .2 seconds and then you had to go to the nursery That's where you are now my little dinosaur! Mommy just told me that you will probably go to NICU now for a couple of weeks because you don't know how to eat yet (you and I know this is just because you want the special attention, and you're scared of leaving the hospital with mommy. Trust me I would be too).

As your aunt, I promise the following:

1. To teach you how to be a grandma (remind me to tell you about the time someone thought I was your grandma). I'm quite the professional.

2. To spoil you your entire life (I've already started).

3. Listen to you when you are really irritated with mommy or just can't talk to her about something. I'll always listen to you, good or bad (I'm not promising that I won't tell her later though... she is your mom after all).

4. Be at all your major life events (with the exception of when you have your first kid. I was there for yours and it was enough to last a lifetime, love).

5. Always love you, no matter what you do or who you become. I will always love you.

I'm so excited to be your Auntie KayKay (I'm determined to make you call me this). One day, I hope to graduate from being an amateur aunt to a professional, like my two incredible aunts (Jodi and Jamie). They have taught me all I know. One day, I'd like to be half of the aunt that they are. I'm about to leave work and go see you. Supposedly I'll be able to hold you today (FINALLY! The .2 second hand touch was not enough).

Love,

Auntie KayKay

Mr. Darcy Who?

2011-09-07T16:05:00.001-04:00

This is probably sooo high school of me (image that phrase said in a valley girl accent), but I have to do it. I've always loved (I mean LOVED) Jane Austen, but I've always secretly adored Jane Eyre with its Gothic romancy self. Why? Oh its not because Ben watched the BBC mini-series with me (and actually liked it... I think). Nope, its because of Mr. Rochester. His smolder. His flirting. His passion (why am I going on about a fictional character? WHY?!). I keep seeing all of these things on pinterest and etsy about waiting for a Mr. Darcy and "I want a Mr. Darcy"- this or that. Lame. I've always wanted a Mr. Rochester. I want someone with so much passion, he literally will beg me, on his knees while crying, to be his mistress after I find out he has a lunatic wife (not really the last part, but still...). After seeing the new rendition of Jane Eyre (I loved it. I know its not at all like the book, but I loved it), I decided that Mr. Rochester was steamy. So here we go; the moral of this post:

A lesson for all of those pathetic Mr. Darcy fans ;)

Just a Few...

2011-09-06T10:22:00.000-04:00

...things happening right now:

1. Lindsey is being induced, like in an hour, which means.... I will be an aunt soon! Come on little Ryleigh!

2. I love that yesterday was Labor Day, so my half of a Tuesday (see number 1) is really like a half of a Monday, but I come back to work on Wednesday (all paid for)!

3. As much as I hate having to go to classes, I have a pretty decent schedule (Monday & Tuesday, 7 - 9:45pm; Wednesday, 5:30 - 6:45pm).

4. I really love this guy. Not only does he fix my car's broken AC Compressor like a pro, but he makes me insanely happy as well. You are too legit King Benjamin.

5. I posted on my wedding blog, Quintessentially Yours. Check it out, yo. I need the following to make my dreams come true (so, please, make my dreams come true.... and send this to your friends).

Ugh.

2011-09-01T14:52:00.001-04:00

I'm sick. It sucks. Hope you aren't either.

The end.

Oh, and if I die, no black is allowed at my funeral.... and Lindsey can't play that morbid country song about dying young. It sucks too (not really, but still).

Guest Blog Post. Kind Of.

2011-08-25T15:21:00.002-04:00

Ben printed out a Tijuana Flats coupon earlier while I was at his office. I wanted to color it. So I did. As he walked me out to my car, he told me that I should put it on my wedding blog with the following post:

This is a couple who sells tacos. They like to sell tacos because it reminds them of Mexico. They are married. They went to Mexico. Now they sell tacos. They love tacos. They love each other.

The end.

.... Something like that. So there you have it. The guest post by King Benjamin Gwyn.

P.S. I hope we get to go to T.F. tonight and use this amazing coupon. *hint hint* amor.

The Three Sisters

2011-08-18T13:21:00.004-04:00

I have two sisters. Together we make the three Hornsby sisters. There is me, Kaylee, the oldest, most wisest of them all. Then there is Lindsey, the middle one, who is carefree and full of fire (and baby). Lastly there is Amber, The Baby, who is a perfect mixture of the two oldest. We all are amazing. We all are pretty (at least we ~~think~~ know so).

On Tuesday I got to spend time with both of my sisters, which is very rare for me. I got to go to one of Lindsey's doctor appointments for her and baby Ryleigh. Lets just say that one of the biggest downsides to pregnancy is the numerous doctor's visits you must participate in where you have to sit in the waiting room for two hours and spend only 5 minutes with the doctor. The bright spot in the visit for Lindsey was when me, yes her 21year old sister who is only 15 months older than her, got asked if she was the grandmother. I seriously looked at the nurse and asked, "Me? Me the grandmother? Nope. I'm only 15 months older than her." Even better was that the nurse was not only mortified, but she decided to tell the other nurses and doctors about her fetal (funny right?) error. Lindsey's doctor walks into the room and asks to see the youngest grandmother in the world. I told her that it was me and she said, "Whoa! Really? I wasn't expecting you," then proceeds to reference me as the grandmother. Sheesh people! As Lindsey and I left the appointment, we found "Loving Your Grandbaby" magazine. We couldn't help but take a picture with it. There was a great article on how I could better bring out my grandchild's potential.

That night Ben and I got to take Amber out for her 14th birthday, but a day early. I asked her where she wanted to eat and she said Panda Express. I know little Mimi loves her orange chicken, but I don't even think the Panda Express folks were prepared when she wanted four individual boxes of it (and then proceeded to finish them off, with class of course).

After the grub, we went shopping (trust me, Amber's digestive system needed the walking) where I tried introducing the now almost adult version of Amber to epic stores like Urban Outfitters, and my favorite, Anthropologie. She did not care for my "grandmother" stores (see above). Finally, she found a birthday gift she liked in Bath and Body Works and then Ben and I had to drop her back off at the temple (where the parentals were). Also, I later found out that while I saw using the restroom in the temple, Amber had stolen my iPad and had a photo shoot. Here is the evidence:

I really love my two sisters and I'm glad that I got to spend the much needed time with them. It's almost eerie how much we are alike sometimes.

Also, yesterday I got to go down to Tampa to see Chadwick's homecoming. Sara was fuuureakin out. I'm glad I got to be there with her. Check out mine, Sara's and Christina's posters.

Too legit.

She's Launched!!!

2011-08-11T11:02:00.003-04:00

There she blows mateys!!!!!!!! Up and running a day after I decided to make her, Quintessentially Yours, a Wedding Blog is now rip roaring and ready to go!

*Can you tell I'm more than excited with all of the exclamation marks I've used?*

To see her in all her glory click here.

Also, let's make this thing viral. Email it to your friends and have them email it to their friends. This is going to be exciting and thrilling and spectacular and anything else you can think of (well except for anything negative, like a failure. She's not going to be a failure).

Oh and make sure to grab a fabulous button right after you subscribe!

Dreamin' and Schemin'

2011-08-10T14:45:00.002-04:00

Today I have been dreaming and scheming of plans. These plans are what I want to do with the rest of my life. I've come to a few major conclusions that, once put all together, will make me happy....-ier. I guess I'll let you in on my secrets, and here they are:

1. I'm starting a new blog (in addition to my personal one). Its already in the works (I'm just waiting for my co-worker to get back from lunch to help me with the kinks) and it's titled "Quintessentially Yours." What kind of blog is this going to be Kaylee? I'll tell you! It will not be that craft blog I mentioned doing before (that plan crashed and burned a long time ago.... may it rest in peace). No siree, it is a fresh new wedding blog. "But Kaylee, there are tons of wedding blogs out there!" Trust me, I more than anyone know! Where do you think I devote most of my spare time? If you didn't know, it would be on several wedding blogs. One thing I noticed was there aren't very many LDS wedding blogs. You know, the kind that focus on modest wedding dresses (not the kind we have to trick ourselves into altering), pictures outside of temples, advice on how to plan a temple wedding (especially if you are dealing with non-member loved ones), oh and d.y.i. decor that us lovely LDS women are more than obsessed with! Yep, that is what my blog will entail. I'll let you know when that is up and running.

2. I'm also going to be opening an etsy shop. It will be called "Quintessentials." I am so jealous of all the girls/women who get to work from home crafting and selling their fun stuff with others. I am stuck behind a desk. I hate being stuck anywhere, let alone a desk with harsh lighting. So, I'm putting my talents to use (in my spare time, since I have no clue how to create a business proposal and get a loan or anything like that). Some of my talents include embroidering, reading, concocting and frosting (as in what jewelry does for women). I'll be making/selling, among other things, some amazing jewelry (mostly bracelets), hand embroidered bookmarks and homemade bath scrubs (that will be tried and true). Get excited for this people!

All of this leads up to end goal number three....

3. One day opening up the store, "Quintessentially Yours," which will be a full-on LDS bridal/prom/clothing/accessories/what-ever-else-I-want store in Florida for all of us gals who are tired of altering our clothes or flying to Utah for them, or even worse, having to wait on the mailman to deliver our online purchases.

That's the dream baby and by gollie, it's going to happen!Until then, I guess I'll keep dreamin' and schemin' away......

P.S.

In case you were wondering:

quin·tes·sen·tial/ˌkwintəˈsenCHəl/,

Adjective: Representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class

My Summer To Do List.

2011-08-04T16:25:00.002-04:00

To do this summer (a.k.a. the next two and a half weeks):

1. Make Lindsey's baby a quilt.

2. Make Christina's baby a quilt.

3. Make two pillow dresses for the above mentioned babies!

4. Make Ryleigh (Lindsey's baby) her tutu and coordinating onesies with matching headbands.

5. Get flour, sugar, spaghetti jars for that stuff in my kitchen.

6. Make dainty beaded bracelets.

7. Make brick bookends.

8. Refurbish my blog to be more "clean" and unique looking. (possibly come up with a new name?)

9. Start dressing cuter (like her) and start doing my make-up and hair daily (like her).

10. Start saving money for a new car/awesome camera/books from the Borders liquidation sale happening less than 3 feet from my cottage.

HAPPY SUMMER!

Truck.

2011-07-30T19:52:00.002-04:00

Last Saturday I was waiting for Ben to come to my house so we could hang out (a.k.a. do his homework) and he was taking F-O-R-E-V-E-R, so I decided to head over to the adorably quaint Lake Lily Park (like .2 seconds walk away from my house)......

As I sat on my bench (yes, I have now commandeered a bench and declared it to be my own) a nice, older man walked up to me and asked if I was a bible reading kind of girl. I told him, "yes I am, as well as a Book of Mormon reading girl." I guess this intrigued him because we then embarked on an hour long spiritual journey together. He was a Jehovah's Witness and I a Mormon. We never argued or got frustrated with each other, instead we just bore our testimonies to each other about simple truths that we each knew to be true (most of them similar, a few differing). Once our discussion ended, we realized we never shared our names with each other. Truck and I shook hands and thanked each other for letting us share our beliefs.

A few thoughts:

1. I am so grateful for what Adam and Eve did for me. By partaking of the forbidden fruit, I can now walk this earth and have an eternal family. Without their sacrifice, I could never have had that.

2. I am so grateful for the direct translation of the Book of Mormon. It provides the must needed insight to the things we learn in the Bible and because I know that it is a direct translation, I know I can take it as pure gospel truth, straight from the Lord's mouth.

3. Truck and I both know that we are sent here with a commission to share the truth and love of our Savior's gospel with those we come into contact with. I have been scared of this lately, but I am grateful for his example of fearlessly doing it.

The. End.

My Wish Came True

2011-07-21T08:58:00.003-04:00

My dad grew up in the space generation. When he was 9 years old, he witnessed the first man walking on the moon. Growing up, I remember him getting so excited for every space shuttle's launch. He would get us kids so excited to watch them launch and I cannot remember missing one since then. Living in Central Florida, so close to the coast, it is amazing at how you can watch them go up and get to be apart of the live excitement. I think it is due to my dad's enthusiasm, but I have always had a soft spot for the space program. My favorite part of all the shuttle launches were the sonic booms that can be heard as the space ship is welcomed home. As a little kid, those booms would wake me up and I would smile. It was home safe. When I was younger, I remember sometimes praying for the safe return of the shuttle and its astronauts; some other times, I would pray to hear the sonic booms.

This last and final shuttle launch of the Atlantis was kind of emotional for me. I don't really know why; after all, I am not apart of the space generation. I was at school when it was going to be launched. I knew what time I needed to go outside. Right as I was leaving the library on campus, I checked my email and on my yahoo homepage it said something about the shuttle being delayed. I should have kept reading because it was only delayed by less than a minute. I, however, thought I had plenty of time. As I drove to Ben's work, I kept checking my review mirror so I could see it. Apparently I missed it, but Ben's co-worker informed me that it was impossible to see anyway because of the cloud cover. I was a bit devastated. This was the first one I missed and it was the last one. Last night, as I said my prayers, I included the astronauts and then said a special prayer asking for the blessing of hearing those amazing sonic booms.

At 5:50 something this morning, I woke up with a smile on my face to those fateful booms. It is a great feeling. This morning, as soon as I got to work, I watched its landing. I hope you watch it too, as this is an amazing moment in American history. The words shared between Commander Chris Ferguson and NASA control are inspiring and completely patriotic.

God Bless America!

A Wonderful Weekend

2011-07-19T14:34:00.005-04:00

This last weekend was fantastic. I'm not entirely sure why, but it was. On Thursday night (early Friday morning), Ben and I went to go see the last Harry Potter installment. It was fantastic and oddly, I felt really sad by the end of it because it would be over. Sometimes I feel really weird admitting to how much I love Harry Potter, but that love comes from the fact that I am apart of the Harry Potter Generation. Harry and I were always the same age and I was apart of all the hooplah from the start. It was actually a little bothersome seeing all of these tweens running around at midnight acting all frantic and completely childish about the whole Harry Potter thing. I guess it shouldn't, but for some reason I wanted to yell at all of those wanna-bes talking through my movie, that they were frauds and that they probably haven't even read any of the books, but have only seen the movies. Its stupid and wrong of me, but hey, you sometimes can't help what you feel.... especially at 2:30 a.m. Plus, I had the epiphany that I am too old for the midnight showing. After seeing all of the Harry Potter ones that were available for the coveted midnight showing, I think I am done with that part of my life.... maybe... we'll have to see how I feel when the last two installments of the Twilight saga get released.

Friday, I got Ben to play hookie with me all day. It was wonderful having him around for a full day of whatever. Both of us are so consumed with our jobs and school that I feel like we really don't get to spend any relaxing time with each other. We went to the park to have my old co-worker Jen snap some pictures of us for her new photography business. She is amazing and you can get her info. here. It was hot and slightly uncomfortable but fun, all at the same time. Here are a few of my favorites. You can see the rest here.

I don't remember what we even did that night. I think we just worked on homework and watched a movie or something, but regardless, it was so great to spend that time with Ben. I was even able to rope him into going to the Valencia library with me most of Saturday to work on homework. Basically, Ben is great and I know how much of a sacrifice it was for him to just forget his responsibilities to spend the much needed time I needed with him. That's my King Benjamin, always sacrificing what he wants for what I want. How could you not love a guy like that?

A Few Random Thoughts

2011-07-06T14:03:00.004-04:00

A few random thoughts that have been on my mind:

1. P90X isn't so bad once you have trained your body to think that you are not, in fact, ripping every muscle in your body to shreds, when, in fact, you really are.

2. Why is everyone so obsessed with this Casey Anthony trial? I mean, I get it. What happened to that little, beautiful baby girl was horrible. HORRIBLE! But people who were under the impression that the trial would provide answer on what actually happened to little Caylee were plain stupid. It wasn't about finding out what happened to her; it was about whether or not the State had proof enough to send Casey away for life or send her to meet her maker. They didn't. It's sad, but end. of. story. buttttt just for humor's sake:

Can we all move on now? Like to more happier things :)

3. Sailing through the beautiful blue waters of this earth are ever present on my mind. In honor of that here are a few quotes:

4. I cannot wait until fall. It's crazy to think that my beloved month of October is only 3 months away! Dare I do this:

5. The earphones I wear at work, while transcribing Keith's dictations, really hurt my ears and give me the most horrid headaches.

6. My life is wonderful. I am so happy at this point in time. Even though my car is acting up (AGAIN!) and I have never been more busy in my life, my life is good. He is a big reason why:

7. Katie getting married to Sam in November and Alyssa marrying Ian in December makes me smile:

(I love how stoked they look. This is right after he proposed.... speaking of... Katie, let's stop playing phone tag so I can get the details!!!!)

(They're doing an "Up!" themed wedding. Too cute right? Also, Josie took their engagement pictures. I stole this off of facebook.)

SPOILER ALERT

2011-06-30T09:38:00.003-04:00

Anyone who knows me knows that I love spoilers. Ben is really bothered by this... I think. I want to know whats going to happen in any movie, books, television show, etc. that I watch/read (P.S. I already looked up who the Bachelorette is going to get engaged to. I had to know. If you do too, click here). Anyhoo, that was not where I was going with this post. Lately I have a dilemma and that dilemma is I cannot sleep. I can't for the life of me figure it out (well except for last night, I think I figured it out then). The last few nights I have been wide awake way past the point of tired. My bed isn't comfortable nor is my body. At first I chalked it up to P90X. Ben and I have started the torturous adventure of literally kicking out bodies into shape. My body has hurt so bad, that its almost impossible to get my seemingly broken body into bed. Last night I realized that besides the P90X there was something else factoring into my insomnia.

+ =

I have always read the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series. I love them. The four girls reminded me of a group of friends that I had growing up and in high school. Granted, we were never as close as the girls in the book, but the characters were so much like each of us that it was kind of eerie. Well (and this is where the SPOILER ALERT comes in) this book takes place ten years after the last book and the girls are almost thirty. Almost immediately the tone of the book is a little bit darker and more grown up than the last four (naturally). Also, almost immediately there is a lack of Tibby. Basically, she kills herself and this is right at the beginning. Great. But the whole book revolves around Bee, Carmen and Lena coming to terms with that and trying to figure out who the heck they are without Tibby. This book is so sad, but it is great at the same time. I am captivated by it, but I can't help but feel these girls sadness as I read through it. It is almost real and its really effecting me. This is why I love spoilers. If I had spoiled this for myself like I do everything else, I wouldn't have been surprised by the killing off of Tibby and would have been able to read through it emotionlessly. That is why I spoil things. I knew that Dobby would die in Harry Potter before I read those fateful words. I knew that Henry and Ugly Betty would break up before I could watch their magic unfold and then be disappointed by the breakup. Oh, and I totally called that Ashley, the bachelorette, would get engaged to JP. Now that was a pleasant not-so-surprise.

Okay, long story short, I have read this book every night before I try to go to bed. Each night I find myself really distraught and nervous with a looming feeling overhead. It is because I have read this book and feel stressed out for the girls and then I keep that stress within myself for some odd reason. This is why spoilers are a necessity in my life.

A Week In My Life

2011-06-16T16:09:00.004-04:00

Every week I make a to do list that helps me keep track of my week. I realized, after making this list who knows how many times, that its almost identical every week. This made me feel claustrophobic. Its like I'm one of those sheep everyone talks about when referencing people who don't deviate from their "schedule." I'll be the first to admit that I hate change, but I think it might be mandatory to throw a little change into this. So here it is, a week in the life of Kaylee....

Monday: Work, go to class, do homework for Tuesday night's class. (*Watch the Bachelorette at Amanda W.'s house... sometimes)

Tuesday: Work, go to class, do homework for Wednesday night's class.

Wednesday: Work, go to class, do homework for Thursday night's class.

Thursday: Work, go to class, volleyball at the church (although I haven't been going lately because I'm exhausted).

Friday: sleep in, head to the library to work on homework, date night with Ben.

Saturday: something productive, laundry, something with Ben.

Sunday: church, possible visiting teaching, make dinner and finish any homework left undone.

Then at the bottom of the list I keep track of the assignments I need to to and the notes I need to take for each class:

Assignments: Wills, Trusts & Estate Administration, Legal Research 1, English Comp. 2 (This is the 3rd time I've taken it because both FSU and Valencia refuse to recognize that I have passed it twice!), Legal Technology.

Notes: Wills, Trusts & Estate Administration, Legal Research 1, English Comp. 2, Legal Technology.

This Saturday's something productive is that Ben is helping me plant a small garden. Also, since this weekend is Father's day, I'll be busy doing father stuff, so that's exciting too. Pretty much that lousy piece of paper with my weekly life on it depresses me. I think I'll start to find random things to put on it to entertain myself like, "walk backwards for 100 steps," or "sing in the shower," you know, little things to make my rather mundane life a tad bit more interesting. I need a spark of liveliness added to this schedule.... or two....

I'm Going To Paris!!!!!!

2011-06-08T16:48:00.003-04:00

...hopefully. Oh Happy Day is giving the give away of a life time. No joke! Skip on over to the blog and have a happy day and maybe dream up a little Paris for yourself. For myself, I can already see the Eiffel Tower, the Mona Lisa smiling at me and the super cute striped shirt and beret I will be wearing. Yes. I can picture it already. Oh what a happy day it is!

Snakes, Crocodiles, India... Oh My!

2011-06-08T11:34:00.004-04:00

"If you are interested in total immersion into the culture of India (YES!) and enjoy rustic living (depends), apply for this trip to India with Professor Steve Myers. You will meet world renowned herpetologist and conservationist Rom Whitaker as well as the experienced staff at India's largest crocodilian breeding facility, the Madras Crocodile Bank (Sweet!). See how this famed facility is racing against time to save some of the most imperiled species on Earth. You will accompany the legendary snake trackers of India(wait, what? Did you just say, snake trackers?!), the indigenous Irula, as they collect venomous snakes for venom extraction which will go into the production of anti-venom. Learn about the secrets of the medicinal plants used by the Irula people. You will take a 16 hour train ride across exotic southern India to Agumbe Rainforest Research Station in the remote wilderness of the Western Ghats. This is the only King Cobra preserve in the world. (Okay. Now there are King Cobras? Like super poisonous cobras?! Seriously?!?!) Learn about the fascinating research which is taking place here with the largest venomous snake in the world as well as other amazing studies that are taking place here in one of the great Biodiversity Hotspots on the planet."

This is the course description for the short-term (meaning two weeks) study abroad trip to India through Valencia. I'm like 90% sold on going. I have had this super bad travel bug, well, my whole life. Recently it has been worse because all of my friends are studying abroad or have studies abroad and I'm jealous! India is one of my all-time destinations to visit. I really really want to go there. My problems for not being able to go abroad were money, the fact that I would miss Ben wayyy to much and the timing. This program is 2 weeks, right after finals and all of my friends' weddings that are happening in the same week. I will be there for New Years and my 22nd birthday, but hey, that could be legit! Also, the program can be paid for through my financial aid that I receive. I can also get scholarships for it. I can take two weeks off of work and I'll be back in just enough time to start Spring '12 semester (I'm pretty sure I land the Monday that classes start.... after a 28 hour flight). Right now I'm nervous, because I feel like something should be stopping me. Something has to because this is too good to be true (well, with the exception of snakes!). Only 9 students can go. I need to head over to Valencia and talk to the advisors and see if they have any road blocks for me (I'm sure they will). I think I"m going to go though the motions and we'll see what happens. Who knows. I might be in a foreign country in about 6 months!!!!

These are the pictures from the last trip that Valencia did:

(This will be me... with a snake and awesome hands)

(I will be in a picture similar to this one... I'll prob. be that girl in the front... She just saw a snake. It wasn't amusing)

(I will be that girl, about to get wacked with a cricket paddle-thing)

Nostalgia

2011-06-07T10:50:00.009-04:00

I have tired from music. The crap that is on the radio is lame. The CDs in my car are so overplayed that I'm starting to hate my favorite bands. Solution: my old iPod Nano, you know... the teal tall and skinny one with just the square face. I forgot that it has been sitting in my center console for over a year now unplayed. Once turned on, tons of memories came back from old times. I have some great music on that little thing. This morning, a Mates of State song came on (I'm even listening to it as I type this). The have brought back the most nostalgia so far.

(Amanda and I at the Mates of State Show)

(The show at Club Downunder I'm pretty sure we were standing right where the picture cuts off under the keyboard. We were super close.)

The Mates of State show at Club Downunder on FSU campus was the first concert I went to that actually counts. It is also the first "show" where I learned the difference between the words "show" and "concert." It was on a Sunday. I remember my bishop telling me that it was okay for me to go because I'm not doing it every single Sunday. This was a huge relief. My best friend Amanda LOVES them and I have always liked them. She put their albums on the exact iPod I just mentioned before so I could listen to them while walking around FSU's beautiful campus the week before. This, she said, would help me feel prepared for the show. Thanks to that show and that playlist, I automatically associate the Mates of State with FSU and my first semester there, away from home. This morning when the song came on in the car, flashes of walkways through whimsical trees covered in Spanish moss popped into my head as well as waiting for Amanda to let me into her dorm so we could sit on her bed and talk about life. I think of how grown-up I felt as I walked to and from my classes and how beautiful FSU is all year round.

(Amanda's Dorm. I waited on those stair so many times. Her room is the one on the second floor, second in from the stairs; the one in between the mini Christmas trees.)

(The most beautiful walkways ever.)

(I swam in this fountain multiple times.)

This song (in fact this band) makes me yearn for FSU and the life I started there. It was so new, so fresh and so open. I love my life now; I wouldn't trade it for the world. I can't help but feel the nostalgia though. It's strong today. That small time in my life was wonderful and Amanda and the Mates of State have a lot to do with it. They are the only two things that bring up that specific nostalgia that I have for Florida State. I want to go back. Just for today. Just so I can listen to this playlist while I walk around campus.

Young Girls

2011-06-03T14:42:00.005-04:00

“I get worried for young girls sometimes; I want them to feel that they can be sassy and full and weird and geeky and smart and independent, and not so withered and shriveled.” — Amy Poehler

Some words of wisdom. Ben and I went to visit his mother on Memorial Day and on the way back to Orlando, we stopped to get gas in Clermont. At the gas station there was a Lake County Truck full of teenage boys and girls, no doubt out having fun somewhere in Clermont (I'm really not sure what you do for fun there, but I'm sure its close to what we did in Leesburg.... nothing). These girls were young and cute. The boys were young and stupid. They had a song blaring in which every other word was f-this or b-that. One girl was pumping gas to the truck, which was being driven by a dip-doing boy. Another girl was on her phone with her finger in her ear trying to listen on the phone. I suspect that she was doing what I had many times before, trying to convince her parents that she would be home soon and that she wasn't out doing stupid teenager things and making some excuse as to why she was still out so late. My heart ached. I wanted to scream to those girls, "Go home! I'll take you home, but don't ride anywhere with those boys. They can pump their own gas and you don't have to think they are cool. Really you don't. Go home, get good sleep, be good students and do what YOU really like. Be good honest girls. Trust me, these years really WILL NOT matter a year after you leave. You probably won't even leave this town if you don't stop hanging out with boys like that. Go home, so you can have a better and happier life." I hope those girls heard me.

On to more eternal things:

Tonight Ben and I are going to Sam and Montana Carroll's open house. I cannot tell you how wonderful each of them are and I am more than happy that they are married for time and all eternity. Congratulation guys, I know you will have an amazing life!

Typography and a Little Harry Potter Wisdom.

2011-06-02T17:16:00.004-04:00

This blog hit its official 150th post last post! Waahoo! I feel like that is a big moment, and I completely overlooked it.

Thanks to the highly addicting pinterest, I have a little Harry Potter wisdom. I have also started a huge collection on pinterest of typography. I had no clue what that word was until I saw it on there multiple times. To show how much of a nerd I am and how inspiring Albus Dumbledore was, here are some of his quotes, all fancy-i-fied.

Most of these came from this blog via pinterest. Have a great Thursday. I know I will. This gal is visiting me tonight! I've missed her a lot.

It's Friday, Friday.

2011-05-27T12:41:00.004-04:00

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? NO! It is a Glee-d version of that horrible "Friday" song. In honor of Friday, here it is... I personally like this version better, but no one will ever be able to pick the front seat or the back seat like Miss Rebecca Black.

Also for Friday, Here is a free "free compliment handout." Print it out. Post it on your fridge. Post it at the post office. Post is somewhere and lets spread a little smile this weekend!

Tonight, my amor and I will be hitting up FAMU Law School's Law Library (law libraries are where I spend all of my free time now thanks to this paralegal program I'm in) followed by a quick trip to the Apple store to check out iPad 2s. I'm pretty sure I'll have one of those sweet puppies by the end of the night! What are you and you're amor doing this Friday night?

Not Fishing.

2011-05-25T16:18:00.008-04:00

* Disclaimer *

I am not posting this to fish for complements. I know any of my family members who read this will flood my comments section with things telling me I'm beautiful and people probably will think I'm crazy. I am aware of this. I promise I'm just being real here.

Lately, I have been feeling like crap concerning my body. At one time, I used to eat whatever I wanted and not suffer any repercussion. I was super active between soccer and the various other sports I did. Even the first few years after high school, when I wasn't nearly as active, I didn't ever really feel crappy about myself, because my weight stayed the same. Not anymore. My weight is something that I constantly think about... it is something I constantly worry about and it is something that absolutely is starting to depress me. I know I know I know, I am not fat. Clearly I am not, but I am 10 pounds heavier than I ever was. This isn't a big number and I guess I should consider myself lucky, but it freaks me out. Let me share my train of thought...

I'm gaining weight because I work full-time and go to school full-time, thus I have no time to work-out. I am commanded to take care of my body, so I should find the time... no excuses. Then finding the time for that makes me really depressed. When the heck am I going to sleep? Then I realize, that without exercise, I will become fat, and by becoming fat, I will be depressed and then be a horrible mother... Crazy... I know.

Basically, I am feeling like a lazy slob. I want to be fit and exercise, but trying to find the time depresses me and stresses me out. I don't want to be that person. I hated that person. I always thought those people were full of excuses. Anyone else feel this way?

I want to be this:

I should feel like this:

I don't.

T.U.E.S.D.A.Y.

2011-05-24T18:27:00.003-04:00

Today I got the $1 an hour raise I really wanted. I really hope it helps me continue to be patient as I grow within this job and helps me be a little bit more pleasant.

Usually I dread coming to class, but not this one. It's hard, but the teacher actually teaches and I feel like I'm back to my nerdy, school loving self again. Knock on wood.

Every time I think about Ben I smile. He really makes me super happy. I'm lucky to have a man like him in my life. Every girl should want one.

Should I go abroad, or shouldn't I? That seems to be the question on my mind lately. I really want to and I think I would love it, except I would miss letter "E" too much.

Disney is where I spent my last weekend. Amber, her friend Alexis and Ben were with me and we managed to hit up three of the parks. My feet are still killing me.

All I want is for my professor to show up........ Where is she? Class was supposed to start 6 minutes ago....

Yes, I am a lucky girl. I love my life, and this Tuesday is turning out to be pretty swell after all.

Jane Austen, Life Lessons and some Ice Cream

2011-05-11T09:17:00.005-04:00

Today is a good day. I woke up on time and without problem. I was able to not fall asleep in the shower like I normally do, so I had sufficient time to blow dry my hair (something that hasn't happened in the last two weeks). I arrived at work 5 minutes early as opposed to 5 minutes late and all of my work is caught up. My class tonight is supposed to be easy and I should get out early. Yes, today is indeed a good day. What could make it better? This, except it would be with my amor:

Who wouldn't want to go ride their bikes to eat some ice cream?

Another thought: I have been mildly obsessed with Jane Austen my entire life. Recently, through the magical world of the library, I have become even more obsessed with BBC and Masterpiece Theatre's renditions of her works. I find myself watching and re-watching these classics at least once a week. I happened upon an article with 12 Life Lessons Learned from Jane Austen. I completely agree with all of them.

1. You aren't nearly as special as you think. You may walk around like the heroine of your very own novel, but you're no better than any of the minor characters. You know--those dull, ordinary, conventional people you're forced to be surrounded by. Take a good look at them: that's you. (Emma)

2. Gossip is the highest form of wisdom. The most important things in life are the small, trivial, everyday events, the little moments of feeling, that people like to gab about. That's what the fabric of our years really consists of. That is what life is truly about. (Emma)

3. Humiliation is the fastest way of growing up. You're not as wonderful as your mama told you, and the way to grow up is to realize that. Growing up, in other words, means making mistakes. Only it's not enough to make mistakes: you have to feel them. Those moments of excruciating shame when you really screw up? Cherish them. (Pride and prejudice)

4. Your feelings are not necessarily right. Feelings are always about something, and that "something" is not itself a feeling. It's an idea, a perception of a situation. And because ideas can be wrong, the feelings that are based on them can also be wrong. So relax a little bit. (Pride and Prejudice)

5. Don't believe everything you think. We do not come to things with open minds, we come with all the ideas we've already acquired, and we can't wait to project them onto everything we encounter. Instead of discovering the truth, we end up with a very elaborate theory that bears no relationship to what's actually going on in front of us. (Northanger Abbey)

6. Keeping your eyes open is the best way of staying young. Forget Botox. Staying young means continuing to be open to the possibility that life can take you by surprise. Curiosity is the true source of joy. If you think you've already seen it all, you have. (Northanger Abbey)

7. Too much money makes you miserable. Being able to get whatever you want makes you awfully unhappy when you can't get what you want. And if everything is easy, then nothing really matters. The only people who can feel are those who have a sense of what it means to do without. (Mansfield Park)

8. Listening to people's stories is the nicest thing you can do for them. A person's story is the most personal thing about them, and paying attention to it is just about the most important thing you can do. Our stories are what make us human, and listening to someone else's stories--entering into their feelings, validating their experiences--is the highest way of acknowledging their humanity. (Mansfield Park)

9. Friends tell friends when they're screwing up. The true friend wants you to be happy, but being happy and feeling good about yourself are not the same thing. Being happy means becoming a better person, and becoming a better person means having your mistakes pointed out to you in a way you can't ignore. (Persuasion)

10. Men and women can be friends, because the sex thing doesn't always get in the way. Harry and Sally were wrong. Men and women can talk to each other, sympathize with each other, even share their intimate thoughts and feelings with each other, without having to be attracted to each other. Men and women can be equals, so men and women can be friends. (Persuasion)

11. Love is never at first sight. Lust at first sight, a whole train of fantasies and projections at first sight--sure. But to love someone, you have to get to know their character, not just their body, and that takes time. True love sneaks up on you. You never see it coming until it's already there. (Sense and Sensibility)

12. Arguing is the best thing about being married. If your spouse is already just like you, then neither one of you has anywhere to go. A friction-free relationship would be a desert. Conflict is good; disagreements are good; even fights can be good. Committing yourself to someone doesn't have to limit your growth: it can be the door to perpetual growth. (Sense and Sensibility)

I hope everyone else has a great day too and maybe gets lucky enough to ride bicycles with their amor for ice cream.

Feeling Generous?

2011-05-05T10:23:00.003-04:00

Anyone feeling a little generous out there? If you do, why don't you get me something practical, yet stylish all at the same time? I am obsessed with etsy and I pinterested upon this little gem of a shop. Go ahead, buy me this little trinket:

My address is 247 West Ventris Avenue, Maitland, Florida 32751. Thanks, I really do appreciate it.

Happy Birthday

2011-05-04T17:06:00.001-04:00

...to my favorite actress

Disney World.

2011-05-03T14:14:00.005-04:00

Lindsey was in the hospital this weekend so I took Amber with me to Orlando to have some fun. Ben put it properly when I asked Amber if she was having more fun with me than at the hospital. He turned to me and said, "Who wouldn't have more fun hanging out with you in your cottage and at Disney than at the hospital." Okay its true; almost anything is more fun than hanging out in the hospital. Regardless, Amber got to go to Disney on Saturday with Ben and I. We used the passes mom and dad had and went on over to Magic Kingdom, which was closed due to Grad Night. Then we went over to EPCOT, which closed an hour later. It was fun though. We walked around the countries and rode the Nemo ride (all crammed together in an oyster shell). Amber got a henna tattoo (far too overpriced) and we got shut down numerous times when trying to get a churro as the park was closing. I really enjoyed having Amber around for the weekend and I hope she enjoyed being around too (I did not enjoy her punching me in the face in her sleep... not a fun way to wake up in the middle of the night).

Also, in current affairs, I thought this was fitting:

To read about Osama's death go here.

P.S. I am still obsessed with the Royal Wedding...

I swoon....

A Little Gem

2011-05-02T16:48:00.004-04:00

In honor of my New York - Puerto Rico trip, enjoy this clip:

Orlando to NYC to Salt Lake, wait, I mean Puerto Rico?

2011-05-01T21:03:00.000-04:00

DISCLAIMER* This could quite possibly be wordy. A lot happened in the short 36 hour vacation and I tend to ramble. Just an F.Y.I. Also, I might abruptly cut it short in some places, because I have told this story many times and I tend to want to give the short version. Just another F.Y.I.

Months and months ago I babysat for a couple of buddy passes. I love traveling and never can really afford it so this was a perfect bargain for me. I fantasized for months about where to go with them; Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic or even Seattle, Washington. It seemed that every week I changed where I wanted to go, but every plan was foiled by expenses or timing. Finally, the festival of colors in Utah was coming up. PERFECT! Ben and I packed and planned and were on our way. Chad Meyerson, the awesome and amazing person who gave me his buddy passes, made it to where our layover from Orlando to Salt Lake would be in NYC and we could spend all day there. Chad told me that he would watch the flights because sometimes SLC to NYC and vice versa were tricky in getting on the flights, but we looked okay so far. He would email me before we left with an update. It was done. Ben and I would be in NYC all day Thursday and then SLC until Sunday night and would be back in Orlando by Monday afternoon. Thursday morning, I awoke bright and early and was probably wayyy to spunky for my traveling partner. In was stoked. I love traveling. Plane, train, car, boat, I'm down.

We boarded our flight to NYC no problem and let me tell you, JetBlue is legit. Ben hates flying because it is just not made for anyone over 5'8". JetBlue has "even more leg room" seats and they were not lying when they said even more leg room. We also had our own t.v.s with live Direct TV. Pretty sweet huh? Well after 2 1/2 hours we landed at JFK. Thank goodness Cousin Cathy lives in Manhattan and is an expert New Yorker. She helped us via phone, texting and facebook to get out of the airport and into the city. We had a hard time working our way through the airport to store our bags and actually finding the shuttle into the city, but we figured it out eventually. Our shuttle took us into the city and dropped us off at Grand Central Station where cousin Cathy was to met Ben and I. We had to wait a little but so we got to take a few pictures and roam around the station.

That place is magnificent! I cannot tell you how surreal it is to be in such a famous place. I couldn’t help but think almost the entire time in NYC of movies I had watched and famous scenes that were shot right were I was. Cousin Cathy wanted to make sure that Ben and I were really going to be able to get back to the airport, so after eating at a 3-story McDonalds, she taught us the Subway system. It’s not too tricky. You just have to make sure you don’t look like a tourist or that can mean danger.

Our wonderful tour guide took us to Rockefeller plaza (where she was proposed to) and we saw where the Today Show was filmed and the ice skating rink was up and running.

Next we headed up 5^th avenue where all of the fancy shops are (like Tiffany’s…. not only did I eel under dressed, but I wished Audrey was still alive to walk me through the place) and then we hit the Plaza Hotel and Central Park.

All of these places were more impressive that I would have imagined, not mentioning they all felt somewhat familiar. Once we made it through central park, we dropped Cousin Cathy off at her school and after repeating to her the directions on how to get back to the airport we left.

I am soooo grateful for her patience and loving help to get us through NYC. Once we left her school, Ben and I walked through Central Park, past the Tavern on the Green (I think it was closed or something; it looked rough) all the way to the American Museum of Natural History (you know, the Night at the Museum place?).

That place is HUGE! We only had about an hour in there, but we managed to see all of the big stuff (when I say big stuff, I mean things like a big dinosaur or a big mammoth, you know, the usual).

From there, we hopped on the subway stop under the museum and rode it to Times Square which was just starting to get busy and light up, for us I think.

Ben really wanted a slice of pizza that New York was famous for… after much walking, we finally found one.

Then it was about time to head back to our bus to take us back to JFK. On the way to the bus, we found another pizza shop…. Ben and I couldn’t resist. We bought another piece for the ride back.

Okay, now we’re back at JFK and we get to the JetBlue terminal and our gate. What do we see? TONS of people. I immediately start to freak. Literally, a full-blow breakdown. It turned into an over-full-blow breakdown when I went up to the desk and they told me that we weren’t getting on the flight to Salt Lake. That breakdown turned into a really really huge breakdown when I went to the help desk and they told met that no only was I not getting on the flight to Salt Lake City (there is only one NYC to SLC flight every 24 hrs!), but that I wouldn’t make it onto any flight to any airport in Florida. Basically, Ben and I were stuck spending the night in the JetBlue terminal of JFK. Luckily, Chad, who was in Costa Rica, was able to figure a way for us to get back home. Fly to Puerto Rico from JFK at 1 am and then fly back into Orlando from Puerto Rico at 9pm. I jumped on that opportunity. Too bad we packed for freezing cold Salt Lake.

That night Ben slept a bit (I couldn’t) and then at 1 am we flew to Puerto Rico!

We landed at 4 am and slept in that airport for a few hours. Then we headed to Old San Juan. Let’s just say that I felt way safer without a seat belt on in that cab than I did the entire time in NYC. They drive crazy, but they do it day in and out and they are so friendly that you can’t help but feel safe. Kind of. When we got to Old San Juan it was around 9:30 am and it was deserted. Everything was closed and no one was in the streets. Ben and I walked over (I more like drugged over… my feet were tired and I was tired as well as hot because I had on jeans and a ¾ length sleeves) to one of the 2 forts in the city.

It was huge! Ben and I are total history buffs so we eat that garbage up.

When we walked out of the fort where were probably a thousand students in the field flying kites! It was amazing.

At this point, I was dying of heat exhaustion (and I’m pretty sure Ben wanted to kill me for all of my complaining. What could he do? He can’t make it colder for me… poor guy). We ended up going into a Marshalls that was in the middle of the town and I bought a dress and Ben grabbed some shorts. We were then off to a restaurant that Ben’s dad and step-mother recommended. It was delicious and pretty authentic.

I had mofongo and some milk mixed with orange juice concoction. We walked to another fort and this one was even bigger!

Seriously, the fort in St. Augustine could have fit in it two or maybe three times. There were hidden passageways and dungeons and WWII additions.

It was crazy. The island is beautiful and we only got to see one tiny piece of it. I must MUST must go back to get the whole experience. I was so grateful for Ben and his amazing Spanish. I think he really enjoyed translating for me and getting to use it and I thought it was super hot. Our few hours in Puerto Rico have made me want to move to a Spanish speaking country.

I really hope Ben and I will be able to do that one day. It would be great for a couple of years and it would totally help with my Spanish. I was so angry with myself for not speaking up when I actually knew what to say. For instance, our cab driver asked Ben how many hours it took for us to fly to JFK from Orlando. I knew how to say “dos horas y media” (2 ½ hours), but I was scared and let Ben say it for me. I’m still kicking myself over that. Also, if you was to say excuse me (as in you want to pass through somewhere) you say, “permisso,” and if you want to excuse some one you say, “pardon.” I got those mixed up…. No wonder I got weird looks in Marshalls.

Basically that was the most eventful 36 hours of traveling. It was hectic and fun. It was wonderful and irreplaceable. It was fantastic. I don’t think I’ll ever have the opportunity to leave Orlando, Fl at 7 am to go to NYC and arrive back at 9 pm the next night from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Sorry for the long post, I’m just trying to archive memories here.

Royal Wedding.

2011-04-29T14:09:00.003-04:00

Just a few tidbits of the royal wedding. People, this is HISTORY! Kate looked beautiful and I'm glad that the importance and sacredness of marriage was highly publicized.

Kate's beautiful dress.

Soooo regal!

I would be smiling that big too.

Mr. and Mrs. HRH

Perfect tiny little kiss.

Thanks Will and Kate for letting the entire WORLD participate in your wonderful and intimate day.

Let Them Eat Cake.

2011-04-28T10:52:00.003-04:00

The worst exam for the worst class ever happened yesterday. I had been freaking out over it all day that I had made myself physically sick and a complete mess. It was so bad that I even asked Ben to meet me in a Shopping Plaza parking lot to get a blessing (he's awesome by the way and its even more awesome is that he's my home teacher too). I went in, I took the exam, blah blah blah. Nevertheless, I still let it effect me all the way to Publix where I needed to do some grocery shopping. I sulked all the way to the doors, drudged my way through self pity with my cart and ended up at the bakery. It was almost closing and there was this sweet old man there.

"What can the bakery do for you young lady?" he said. I asked him if I could pretty please have a free sugar cookie because I just took the worst exam of my life and I feel like crap. "One second. I can do one better for you." Then, that sweet old man presented me with this little treasure:

(Please excuse how horrible this picture's quality is. I usually sneak pictures with Ben's iPhone, but he wasn't there).

Sweet right? I heartily thanked the man and wondered around with a little more skip to my step. Cake helped. Thanks Publix for making shopping and post-exams a pleasure!

P.S. One more exam tonight and I'm free for a whole week! Now I just need to come up with $300 for books (the total cost AFTER half.com) within the next few weeks. Bight spot: I'm like 75% sure that I'm getting my 75% Bright Futures back. Sweet......

A Letter to King Benjamin.

2011-04-27T10:31:00.004-04:00

I don't think Ben reads my blog that often, but just in case he does, this is to him:

My Amor,

You make me happiest. I really appreciate all that you do. You are the perfect example of selflessness and charity (well besides the ultimate example, and you know who that is). You are always sacrificing to make me happy and to make sure that I am taken care of. I am so grateful for that – you don’t eve know. Your smile makes me smile. Your jokes make me laugh. I think you are the most hysterically funny person I have ever met. Really. I mean that. You make my dreams come true. You are my dream. Thank you for being you and thank you for loving me so well. I love you my amor. I really do. I hope you know that.

Love always,

Your amor.

P.S. I love this picture of you. It reminds me of the face you make every time I do something ridiculous. I love that face.

Cheating.

2011-04-26T14:52:00.003-04:00

I think it is a fair title considering it is finals week. I'm above cheating, but sometimes, like right now, I wish I weren't. Anyways, I really wanted to apologize to stumbleupon.

Ahem...

Dearest Stumbleupon,

I am so sorry I have not visited you in a while. Alas, I realize it has been at least a week or two and that normally I would see you on a daily basis. Can you find it down in your heart of hearts to forgive me? Where have I been you might ask. Actually, I am quite embarrassed to tell you. Not because its embarrassing of course, it tis not, but rather because of my infidelity that will arise from me telling you. If you must know, I have been visiting Pinterest on a daily basis. In fact, more like a twice daily basis. I know, I know. You never got that much attention from me. Lets just say its not you, its me. You are a great site for finding fascinating things on the internet. I am more drawn to the organization of Pinterest. That is all. I really hope that we can be friends and that you will allow me to frequent you in the near future, more specifically, when I am bored.

You loving stumbler,

jb0252

If you haven't heard of stumbleupon or pinterest, visit those links. You'll love me and then hate me for it later. Either way, you will find treasures from either one beyond measure. Pinterest is a little more elite and privileged though. You must be invited in to participate in its lovelies. Comment with your email if you'd like an invite.

P.S.

Pray for me this finals week. It's been a doozey so far and I've only taken one. Three more to go!

P.S.S.

While googling a picture for the finals week thing, I found a really funny, yet inappropriate for my classy blog picture. Best part, it was on a paralegal studies student's blog.

Staking Claim.

2011-04-23T11:50:00.002-04:00

Okay, I've been making a list in my head of awesome names for my future kids. Mostly boys. I really only want boys. I'm starting to forget these epic names! finally, I shall immortalize them in writing. Warning: These names are mine. If I know you or my sons will ever have the possible chance into running into your sons, you CANNOT use these names, please :)

1. Urban

2. Bronco

3. Dakoda

4. Maksim

5. Axle

6. Steele (he'll sport a mowhawk)

7. Miles

8. Harrison

9. Paxton

10. Owen

For the girls so far:

1. Lily

2. Audrey

3. Stella

4. Peyson

5. Honor

Alright, now I have them written down somewhere so I won't forget these little gems. Hopefully they man that is most fortunate to marry me will be down with these little ones.

Tomorrow Is Another Day

2011-04-20T13:33:00.004-04:00

I'm so obsessed with free movies from the library that I went and got a Maitland library card too. This library is across the street from my cottage and their fines are half as much as the Orange County public library System (not that I plan on getting fines, but you know, in preparation for those things you don't foresee). Every night for the past two weeks, I have fallen asleep to movies. Last Thursday and Friday I watch "Gone With the Wind." As far as I can remember, my mother would watch "Gone With the Wind" what would seem like every Sunday. I hated this movie. I hated it! It was so long and boring and I didn't get why the girl was so whinny. All of this was probably due to the fact that I was like 9 and had no clue what was going on. Therefore, how could I appreciate it. Now that I'm so much more mature and 21 I take back all of that whining I did on my own part. Its a classic. Its wonderful. Its romantic. I loved it!

Can't you imagine her saying, "Fiddle-dee-dee!"

When I was little, I didn't get the importance behind the whole smoldering glance thing. I get it now. I don't think Ben does though :)

If only we still got to live in houses like that and wear dresses like that and throw fits like that.

Oh well. All in all, I just wanted to apologize to my mother for always throwing Scarlett O'Hara type hissy fits over watching "Gone With the Wind" when I was little.

Also, this whole movie obsessed thing has made me realize a couple of other interesting facts about myself. Here they are, 5 Random facts About Kaylee You May or May Not Have Known About:

1. I like reading movies. Yes, you read right, read movies. This stems from the Hornsby Household. Our living room with the DVD player was right next to the kitchen. I would be watching a movie and mom would think it was the perfect time to clean the kitchen or the dishes, etc. One could never hear the movie over the water or clanking (it was a competition even when you would turn the volume up) so I started the habit or turning the subtitles on. Thus we have my love for reading all movies, English or not. Plus, you get the funny tidbits that people are saying in the background sometimes.

2. I love foreign movies especially French and Hindi ones. See No. 1.

3. I love to read in the bathroom. Not necessarily on the toilet or in the bath, but just the room. This also comes from the Hornsby household. Our house was always loud so if I wanted peace and quite I would go into the bathroom and turn the shower on, then sit on the counter and read. If I want to read, I still do this. I go into my bathroom, close myself in, turn the shower on, sit on the counter and read.

4. I am terrified of faucets and shower drains. I'm convinced that bugs will come out of them and hurt me. I go through painful efforts to avoid stepping on my shower drain because I know the second I do, a snake is going to bite me or something.

5. I think I am smarter than most of my professors. This, I think, stems from correcting almost all of them in class multiple times this semester. I really wish I could convince myself that they really were smarter than me so that I would take their classes more seriously, but alas, I cannot.

Okay, I'll end this rambling mess. Tomorrow is another day. A day I look forward to. Why? This girl:

She's coming to visit me! We're going to have a grand time with things including, but not limited to, macaroons, the temple, pools, volleyball and a picnic.

Oh and one last thing before I go...

I am totally in support of the Royal Wedding fanatics. You bet I'm going to be watching it next Friday. I've even signed their guestbook.

Jealous

2011-04-13T19:34:00.006-04:00

Be jealous, unless you happen to live in Orange County. We have a legit library system. Being broke helps me appreciate it even more. Not only can you check books out there for a couple of weeks at a time, you can check out up to 20 movies at a time for a week at a time. It is legit. I'm not talking about old movies that no one has ever heard of, we're talking about movies that just came out and tons of movies that are popular. Also, this includes television series. Like I said, it's legit. One movie I checked out was "Away We Go." My kind of movie. An indie flick with a couple trying to figure their lives out. Best part.... this house:

When I was little I feel in love with this house. It's in Sunnyside, Leesburg, Florida. It is beautiful and houses so much history. A woman in my ward grew up in the house and owned it even into her adulthood. I always wanted to befriend this old woman so she would will the house to me. She was in her mid- 90s when I moved away, so I'm sure she is gone now and I've missed my opportunity. Regardless, I've never forgotten this house. In Leesburg, teeneagers would break into it and would spread rumors of it being haunted (totally not true and I might have done this a time or two). Imagine my surprise as I'm watching this movie and then decide to settle in hedr family's old home......

No worries. I looked it up to make sure. This is the same house! Proof: The Director at the fornt door. I know that front door. I've walked up to it many-a-time.

Basically, be jealous of me and my awesome library privilages. Also, I am so jealous that this ficticious couple got to settle down in my realistic dream house.

It's All Mine!

2011-04-13T16:19:00.004-04:00

I have been wanting my own little place for a while and I honestly didn't think it would ever happen. As grateful as I was to my brother for letting me live rent free for a year, it got to the point where we both wanted out of that deal; he probably wanted me to start paying and I wanted something closer. Then I found this.....

Actually, I found a post on a bulletin board at the church. The description was perfect and I knew it would go fast, so I snatched it off the board so no one could take "my future place." I called and called everyday for about three weeks and left message after message for the people. No one ever answered. I knew it was too good to be true. About a month after that, I received a call from the lady wanting to know if I was still interested (heck yes!) and asked me to come check it out. That day I decided that I was moving (it was love at first sight) and within the next two weeks I had made it all happen. Its mine all mine and I LOVE it. The "cottage" is just perfect, plus it happens to be in a super nice area with great lakes to walk/jog around, a library right across the street AND a Jeremiah's Italian Ice in walking distance. I LOVE it.

P.S. I used Ben's phone to take the picture of my place. After I came back into the cottage, Ben showed me what he had been doing while I took it........

Creeper.... but a very very good looking creeper.

I want. I need. I will have.

2011-04-08T09:32:00.001-04:00

I really want this. I think I might have to eat some more Ramen noodles for a couple of weeks to afford it, but it's worth it to me.

E's Gold Bird Necklace

It's saying in Latin, "semper ad meliora," means, "Always towards better things."

And look how cute it looks on!

I love it.

Cow Theory

2011-04-07T16:47:00.004-04:00

There is the old saying:

I've been thinking about this a lot lately. I know a few people who are giving their milk away for free. Maybe not in an extreme sense, but still, in a way where they will be jipping themselves or already have jipped themselves, in the long run. Most people shrug this notion off. This morning it hit me. It's not necessarily the problem of buying the cow when you get the milk for free. Most people buy the cow, use their milk and then what? They do what any normal person does with the cow. The kill it and eat it and then keep the milk and meat. I know, I know, this is kind of an extreme comparison, but still, its true.

Someone I care about very much got into the habit of giving out milk, but not for free at first. As they got more comfortable with their "farmer" they started to loan out the milk. Now, the great and long cow/farmer relationship has hit a road-bump, the cow is stuck with no more milk. The farmer hasn't killed off the cow yet, but once he realizes he can just get the cow for the meat and not have to deal with the cow anymore after that, well than, that's what he's going to do.

This is probably completely random, but it boils down to this:

1. Don't lower your standards (or the standards of those who are trying to teach you if they aren't your own standards yet) for anything.

2. The farmer WILL NOT keep the cow. He won't. The cow always get used for something.

3. Don't ever put yourself in a position to be the cow.

I'm so tired of seeing people I care about settling and thinking that they will be okay with their decisions when they have no clue what the real consequences will be. Save yourself the heartache and keep that milk for yourself!

Okay, I'm done rambling now. A post and the pictures from mine and Ben's NYC/~~Salt Lake~~ Puerto Rico trip are soon to come. I think.

The Uncomplicated Life

2011-04-04T11:56:00.004-04:00

I stumbled upon this little treasure and thought it was worth posting.

You see, when we’re born we see the world in an uncomplicated way. We know what we need, and we ask for it. We like nice people, and we don’t like mean people. We sleep when we’re tired, we eat when we’re hungry, and we stop eating when we’re full.

As we grow older, we eat and drink to console ourselves, rather than addressing what’s bothering us. We overwork to avoid close relationships, rather than finding people we can trust to form strong bonds with. We hold grudges, play games, spend more than we make, want things we don’t need, and we get too far away from our basic human needs. In other words, we complicate things.

Here are 100 ways to uncomplicate it...

{perfect inspiration for a Sunday!}

1. Don’t try to read other people’s minds

2. Get up 30 minutes earlier so that you don’t rush/get a ticket while driving too fast/have to explain why you’re late/get fired

3. Get 8 hours of sleep per night so that you think more clearly

4. Stick to your budget

5. Start saving and investing every week, no matter how little you can spare

6. Balance your checkbook

7. Don’t try to be friends with everyone. Cultivate closer relationships with fewer people.

8. Don’t try to do business with everyone. Identify your target client and take very good care of them.

9. Before getting angry, ask yourself if it will really matter in 20 years

10. Focus on being a good person, not on pleasing others

11. Stay home this Saturday, and finish off that nagging chore that you need to finish

12. Kiss and make up

13. Make a weekly menu, and shop for only those items at the market

14. Ask your grandparents the best way to uncomplicate life, and try it for a month

15. Fill up your gas tank when it’s half full

16. Don’t drink alcohol when you’re tired, sad or mad

17. Pay your bills on time

18. Get an annual physical examination

19. Say “I love you” to your significant other and to your children. Studies show that more marriages last, and fewer kids use drugs, when these words are spoken every day.

20. For just one day, imagine everyone’s intentions are good because most people’s are

21. Give away clothes that haven’t been worn in two years

22. Throw out clothes that are in disrepair, and can’t be mended

23. When you have a conflict with someone, talk it out. Don’t let it turn into more than it is.

24. Know what your priorities are in life, and act as if they are your priorities

25. Tell the truth

26. Don’t cheat

27. Don’t steal

28. If you’re holding on to a ridiculous grudge, let it go

29. Clean your house weekly, so that it doesn’t become too large a chore

30. Do your best at work, or at school

31. Don’t eat when you aren’t hungry

32. Eat when you are hungry

33. Be yourself

34. Say no unapologetically

35. Cook simple meals

36. Don’t try to keep up with the Joneses

37. Pay off your car before buying a new one

38. Organise your desk at the office

39. Change your smoke alarm batteries when the clocks spring forward, and again when they fall back

40. Organise your important paperwork

41. Take only half the clothes that you planned to take with you on holiday

42. Help your children with their homework every night, and have an open dialogue with their teachers

43. Have white sheets and white towels in children’s rooms/bathrooms, because they’re easily bleached

44. Spend your time with nice people

45. Avoid drama

46. Don’t text or talk on the phone while driving

47. Turn off the television/video games/computer; they’re time consumers

48. Don’t engage in office politics

49. Refuse to gossip, or talk behind other people’s backs

50. Do the dishes right after dinner

51. Never go to sleep angry

52. Ask nicely for what you need and want

53. Walk 10,000 steps per day to help your heart

54. Do 20 push-ups before speaking in anger

55. Leave work at work

56. Don’t befriend anyone that isn’t trustworthy

57. Don’t envy others

58. Have your oil changed

59. Take vitamin C BEFORE you catch a cold

60. Don’t work more than 8 hours per day

61. Weed your garden weekly

62. Wash your car weekly

63. Have a spring cleaning month every year, and do one room at a time

64. You don’t need to be best friends with work colleagues, but build respectful partnerships

65. Don’t drink and drive

66. Don’t look for reasons to be angry or sad, look for reasons to be happy. You’ll always be able to find plenty of each.

67. Be friendly with your neighbours

68. Return emails and phone messages promptly

69. Schedule in free time

70. Don’t procrastinate

71. Do what you say you’ll do, when you say you’ll do it

72. Be more flexible when you’re able to be

73. Forgive and forget. End of story.

74. Break the consumerism habit…put a three month moratorium in place on buying anything not deemed a necessity

75. Start your diet on September 1, rather than January 1, so that you won’t also have holiday pounds to lose

76. Take care of any health issues or concerns

77. Have your tires rotated

78. Have your brakes checked

79. Have your eyes checked

80. Don’t let your imagination run away with you

81. Let go of perfection in others

82. Let go of perfection in yourself

83. Don’t try to help those that refuse to help themselves

84. Find a way to reduce your commute to work

85. Have an alloted amount of worry time per day/week, that you strictly abide by

86. Drink more water

87. Eat more salmon

88. Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill

89. Wear your hair in a classic, easy to care for style

90. Finish what you start

91. Wear classic clothes and shoes that never go out of style

92. Create a daily routine

93. Have a 1, 5, 10 and 20 year plan for your financial and life goals

94. Slow down

95. Eat out less often

96. When you ask your husband which outfit looks best, thank him for his answer and wear the one he liked rather than focusing on why he didn’t like the other one

97. Allow your children to grow up

98. Clean out your garage, and donate anything that hasn’t been used in the past year

99. Stretch every day

100. If a relationship is over, let it go

Love Locks...

2011-03-17T19:28:00.003-04:00

I talked about the love padlocks a couple of times. I'm super in love with this idea. While creeping on wedding blogs (this is a daily thing for me... I'm obesssed with wedding ideas, even though I'm not engaged or married), I found this treasure:

{STD} NOEMIE & LUDOVIC from STUDIO ARTIFICE on Vimeo.

Enjoy :)

via greenweddingshoes

Five Things for March

2011-03-10T15:07:00.005-05:00

This month I want to do the following 5 things...

1. Since I love Peeps so much and since Martha Stewart has a recipe in this months Living magazine, I want to make my own marshmallow critters...

2. Lately I have been obsessed with India and Bollywood films. Every year I see my friends out in Utah go to this festival where they come out covered in multicolored dust. This year, I want to do that.... So, I want to go to Holi in Utah (Holi is the festival of Colors, celebrated in India as the change of seasons)...

3. I want to finish Ben's scrapbook for his mother. I have been creating a scrapbook with all of her pictures of him growing up. It has urned into quite the task :) Here is one of my favorite pictures of little baby King Benjamin...

4. Pastel Macaroons have been all the rage this year, especially on the wedding forefront. They look non-threatening and easy enough, so in honor of Spring being the season of pastels, I want to make my own little batch....

5. Start toning my body again. I failed miserably with the gym goal. I was so good throughout January, but then mid-February I quit cold turkey from the gym. In the past three weeks, I have completely reversed my weight-loss. I need to go back......

I'm Dreaming Of

2011-03-07T10:38:00.004-05:00

The fantastic beach lifestyle of the 50s and 60s... Right now, I've been obsessing over the beach. I bought a few new bathing suits and have been planning a beach trip for once a week for the past month. Every time I bask in the sun, I kind of wish I was doing it like these pictures depict. I guess, to me at least, these pictures remind me of how simple life can be, but we make it more complicated... The beach is where I tend to forget life for a bit.

Ben didn't get to come with me these last few beach days. Honestly, I don't know how fun it would be for him to come to the beach with me. All I have been wanting to do when I get there is sleep. I fall asleep on the beach, but I tend to miss him most when I'm there. I think its the whole, "I'm here relaxing while he's slaving away doing something else," thing. Basically, I love the beach and I could love it more if Ben were there with me :)

(Get it Audrey)

Amor

2011-02-28T10:33:00.003-05:00

My amor, King Benjamin Gwyn, got me this bike as my Valentine's Day gift. It is so sweet and legit. He has started this hobby of bikes and I wanted one to ride with him. For weeks we scoured through Craigslist postings and finally found one I really liked. It was junk and the stupid and mean lady that tricked him into driving all the way down to St. Cloud for it totally lied to poor Ben about it's condition. Jerk. Luckily Ben found this bike last minute and completely surprised me with it. I love it and it is perfect to me, not to mention I look super cute on it right? Thanks Amor for treating me so well. You are more than loved!

Wednesday - A World Away 3

2011-02-23T10:21:00.009-05:00

Paris.... not a place I have ever really wanted to go before, but after checking out my friend Esther's pictures to France I kind of became obsessed.... My trip to Paris would be a pretty traditional and touristy experience. All of their must-dos are pretty obvious.

First, the mode of transportation I would prefer would be the traditional scooter. Depending on who is there with me, I'll either ride on back with my honey or a cute Parisian boy.... Either way, I'm going to look super chic and windswept the entire time.

My scooter buddy and I will race along the streets of Paris until we reach the massive round-about circling the Arc de Triomphe (aka the Place Charles de Gaulle). This massive structure represents the soldiers who died during the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars.

As I said before, I am also going to go with my one true love and place a padlock on the Pont de Arts and then we will throw our key into the water below signifying our never ending and unbreakable love for each other. We then will promise to come back together one day.

After such an exciting scooter trip thus far, I will want to stop for some grub at Cafe des 2 Moulins (or the "Two Windmills"). This is where Amélie worked. I loved that movie, so it is only fitting that I would stop by. It's named after the two windmills in the area, the Moulin Rouge (yes, the cabaret) and the Moulin de la Galette. maybe, if I got lucky, I could zoom past the Moulin Rouge and satisfy my urge of seeing the real one, since I love the movie so much, without seeing too many risqué things in the red light district.

I would then take my delicious grub and have a super touristy, yet totally romantic and epic picnic on the lawn in front of the Eiffel Tower. I'm sure I would have some delicious baguettes and maybe some cheese if I could find some that I liked not melted over something (I hate cheese, but I feel it would be very Persian).

Once lunch is over, I would get back on the scooter and I would head to Musée du Louvre. Who wouldn't go there? I mean the Mona Lisa, Medieval stain-glass, Ancient Greek and Roman statues and SOO MUCH MORE! I heard that if you were to spend 4 seconds looking at every piece of artwork in the Louvre it would take me three months to see everything! That is incredible.

One thing I would need to experience would be seeing the Palace at Versailles. The palace and gardens are bigger than the island of Manhattan. When I found that out, all I could think about where the New Yorkers who complain all about how far they walk to everything and then thought that back during Marie Antoinette's time, people walked all of those gardens for fun!

The hall of mirrors has more attempts at reconstruction in the 18th century than most palaces. After seeing the movie Marie Antoinette I would love to go and walk to halls. Maybe I would get to meet one of the Maries, I honestly wouldn't care which one.

At dusk, I'll walk along the River Seine where I will wonder if Jean Valjean and Javert really had an epic conversation and if Javert through himself into the river. I'll probably contemplate my life and all the happy things that I've been though and the hard times too. I'm also pretty sure I will be wearing black cigarette pants and a black and white striped shirt with a beret and red scarf. This will be ultimately Parisian.

Then, before I leave, I will have to meet up with Pablo Picasso at the beach.... and introduce him to the bikini like this lady did.

I'm really excited to be able to do this one day.It's going to be easy to want to be a tourist in Paris; most of the other places I have wanted to blend in. Not here. I want to try to be like everyone else.

Next week....

The Mondays Cure

2011-02-22T18:41:00.003-05:00

Okay, I was mistaken by what I needed to cure my Monday-itis. This is all I really needed:

The guy in the sunglasses, not me taking the nap. End of story :)

A Case of The Mondays

2011-02-21T15:56:00.005-05:00

Today I feel like this:

I need:

To = this...

Have a happier Monday everyone. This LIFE photo spread helped mine out a lot :)

My Crafty Side

2011-02-21T10:41:00.003-05:00

The beast is finished. After much more time than I planned (I really only had Friday's to devote towards the project) I have accomplished flipping my garbage pile find. I think for an amateur and for not knowing anything about refinishing, I did pretty awesome. Jillian helped me out a lot with this. It it weren't for her help, I would have been super lost. So without further ado, here is the entertainment center turned armoire...

As you can tell, I was pretty stoked to finish it. Now, all I have to do is see if I can even get it into my house. I realized about a week or two ago, that we might not actually be able to maneuver it through the hallway into my bedroom, so that will be the next fun adventure. Basically, I am super proud of myself and this awesome result from a little bit of determination and hard work.

Valentine's

2011-02-16T16:20:00.003-05:00

I love all minor holidays. Halloween, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day. Pretty much any holiday that still requires you to go to school and work, I love. Not only do I love them, but I tend to make them a big deal. It's weird, I know, and I partially blame my mother. With that said, I usually always get stressed out on Valentin'es Day because guys have it easy. Get one of these three things and you're good to go :

1. Card

2. Flowers (my favorite anytime of the year)

3. Candy

Girls, not so much. I'm pretty sure Valentine's Day was created just for women. I almost always have no clue what to do for my man. This year, that was not a problem.

1. Card. Totally found this awesome card online for like $15. No way was I paying that so I decided to duplicate it. Here is the end result:

2. Flowers. I think Ben would have thought me a crazy person if I gave him flowers so... moving on.

3. Candy. Ben doesn't eat a lot of sugar. Partially because its bad for you, mostly because he gets really sick from it. I'm pretty sure he's hypoglycemic. So I saw the idea for a fruit basket with these cute stickers to put on the fruit. I made it and I think it was a success. The stickers said cheesy things like: We make a great PEAR, I love you BERRY BERRY much, You're the APPLE of my eye, I'm BANANAS for you and ORANGE you glad you're my valentine. Here is the template via Twig & Thistle just in case you want to do this whenever.

Basically I succeeded this year and I was relieved. I love my Ben more than anything. He is the most amazing, humble and patient man I know. I'm blessed to have him in my life and I honestly couldn't have ever had a better Valentine than him (well, except for maybe my dad.... or grandpa....). Happy belated Valentine's Day!

P.S.

Ever since I figured out the whole April 23rd Spain Valentine's Day thing, I'm pretty sure I'm adopting that into my holiday excitement. Lucky Ben. He gets two days this year for me to overly celebrate my love for him :)

Wednesday - A World Away 2

2011-02-16T10:07:00.007-05:00

I don't know if it is because March and St. Patrick's Day are right around the corner, but I've been obsessing over Ireland for the past month. Green lush countrysides, eclectic cities and a raw a deep history (not to mention accent). What more could a person love? I love this little blog post idea because it is giving me the opportunity to find out things I would have never know. The world is beautiful; It must be discovered!

First, St. Patrick. Who is he? Why is he important? Did you know that he isn't even Irish? He was actually a Brittan and was taken captive by the Irish and made a shepherd. Pretty crazy that he would become their saint huh? I guess karma does work :) Any hoo, he escaped back to Britain and had an impression from God telling him to return to Ireland as a missionary. Every year on the last Sunday in July people climb mountain in Mayo County where he fasted for forty days. So whats the deal with March 17th then? It was a Catholic holiday to celebrate St. Patrick. Also, St. Patrick's original color was blue, not green, but eventually green became popular due to soldiers in the 1798 rebellion wearing green to make a political statement. Cool huh?

Other than St. Patrick, I want to go to Claddagh and have my love give me a ring. Legend has it that Richard Joyce of Claddagh was to be wed to his true love. While out fishing days before the wedding, his boat was captured by Algerian pirates and Richard was forced into slavery. Richard was sold to a wealthy Moorish goldsmith who taught him the ways of being a goldsmith. Richard created a ring for his love. Many years later he escaped and made his way back to Ireland and found his love. She had never married and they immediately were wed. He gave her the ring that he had made with her in mind. The hands represent friendship the heart was for love and the crown represented loyalty. To me, these are the three key things to a happy marriage. A note of caution, you wish bad luck with love upon yourself if you buy one; it must be given to you as a gift by someone who loves you. I'll get one of these one day, from someone I love and who loves me and we'll get it in Claddagh.

Anyone who knows me knows I love Halloween. The Irish have their own. It is still celebrated on October 31-November 1 and it is called Samhain. Not only is it their Halloween, it is also their new year. The Irish believe that the year was divided into two parts, the light and the dark. November 1 to March 1 represents the dark half of the year. In the olden days, the people would prepare a massive feast held for their guests of honor, their dearly departed. Everyone left their doors and windows unlocks so the spirits could go freely and a cake was prepared just for them. If a human were to eat the food left out for the spirits during the festival, they

condemned themselves to an eternity as a hungry soul.

St. Bridget's Complaint. Made famous by the movie Leap Year a woman can propose to a man on Leap day (February 29th). St. Bridget pleaded with St. Patrick to let women propose once every four years so they didn't have to wait so long for men to decide. Very interesting. I think it would be awesome just to go experience this in Ireland (supposedly its huge). I wouldn't personally do it because I think it is a man's place and not a woman's. It is still kind of romantic. Also, any guys who happen to read this, if a man refuses a proposal from a woman on leap day is required to pay a fine. Crazy huh? Also, next year (2012) is a leap year. Maybe I can check it out then :)

Ballycarbery Castle is one of old history. It is also the setting of an old Irish tale of Diarmuid and Grainne. Grainne was betrothed to Fionn and he was an angry old war lord. She fled from him with Diarmuid, one of Fionn's soldiers. They bounced around from place to place until they came upon Ballycarbery Castle. The view was supposed to be so beautiful they decided to make it their home. there are many beautiful castles in Ireland, but the area, County Kerry is beautiful and could make for a really romantic stay. I want to stay there one day and roam the castle ruins.

Okay, until next week, Slan (Irish for goodbye). Next week's destination...

Wednesday - A World Away

2011-02-09T09:10:00.005-05:00

Lately I have had a massive fear. That fear: never being able to quench the thirst that I have to travel. To most, traveling is a luxury and not mandatory. Not with me. I must travel. I need to travel. I will be a very unhappy person if I don't travel.I have no money to travel. Every few months I get into this funk because I'm restless where I am and want to flee and just experience the world around me and see it in all of its glory. Then I remember that isn't how I should be, yet I can't make those feelings disappear. I tried to keep it at bay with couch traveling... where you read travel books with tons of pictures so its like you're traveling (BUT not!). It didn't work. Thus I have decided to come up with some solutions:

1. I promise (and yes, my kids can hold me to this) to take my family on an epic adventure once a year, and every two years try to make it out of our country.

2. Until then, take a trip once a year. Even if it is just to Georgia or Alabama or Alaska. I think the whole long drive/plane ride once a year can quench it.

3. I'm blogging once a week about a place that I am dying to go to. Kind of like a mini travel book/blog post. So without further ado..... Espana!

I have so desperately been wanting to go to Spain. I have no clue why! I think it started with the Bachelorette season with Jillian and Ed and they went to Spain. It was so beautiful. The flowers, the culture, the people.

The Alhambra at Granada. This is where King Ferdinand and Queens Isabella lived. They are Spain's most remembered and beloved King and Queen. They were a very powerful crown and revolutionized Christianity in Spain. Their palace, Alhambra, is said to be the most beautiful palace in the world. Built during Moorish rule in the 14th century. The Middle Eastern architecture is stunning and I literally drool over the history.

In Pamplona I want to run with the bulls. The excitement, the tradition and the sheer terror are all things that I want to experience. In doing research, only 15 people have been killed since 1910 and it was mostly from stupidity (like the one man who decided to entice the bull with his red jacket). I want to sprint down the streets with people wearing red and yelling. It sounds magnificent to me.

On April 23rd, I want to be in Barcelona to participate in the romantic tradition of giving books and roses to my loved ones; it "lover's day." Supposedly, a dragons was slain by St. George and from the dragon's blood came a red rose which he gave to a princess. On this day, the men give the women flowers and the women give the men a book. That is my kind of Valentine's day. A book. Nothing could be more romantic to me (and when I say this, I mean an old book, one with history and meaning). Barcelona has an amazing history and is like an open air museum. Every where you walk there is history. I want to be engulfed in that.

Falles in Valencia. I thin I would need to experience it firsthand to truly understand it. From what I have read, it is a festival that lasts a week long. Each year, the neighborhoods of Valencia hold fundraisers for the festival and create a massive papier-mache statues (falles). During Falles, all the massive sculptures are burnt in a bonfire, thus igniting the entire city into flames (at least it appears that way). It is a festival held in honor of Saint Joseph, the saint of Carpenters. Supposedly it started out in the middle ages as a holiday where the carpenters burnt their excess wood to celebrate the spring equinox. One March, I will be there to witness this first hand.

Before:

After:

One day I will walk down Gran Via, Madrid, one of Madrid's liveliest streets. It appears to be similar to Broadway in New York. This to me would be the central apart of Madrid, the capital of Spain. Shopping, theater, tapas and culture.

There you have it. My trip to Spain. One day, this will all be true. Next week's destination....

Glitter and Gills

2011-02-07T11:46:00.002-05:00

Prince has been replaced by Prince Caspian.... Laura (my co-worker) and I went to go get a new fish for the royal fishbowl last Wednesday. Lets just say Prince-C is wayyy more active and hungry. I expect him to live long!

Also, I totally made some glitter shoes. These are for my friend who has been having a tough couple of weeks. I figured that getting glittery shoes in the mail would brightened my day, so I'm sending them to her. I'm making a pair for myself, so I will take pictures to put up on here as a step-by-step how to! Happy Monday everyone!

Pont de L'archevêché

2011-02-07T10:47:00.003-05:00

In Paris, people place padlocks on this bridge. They do it as a couple and it symbolizes their everlasting love and a promise to return to Pairs one day together. I want to do this.

January Evaluation

2011-02-04T09:10:00.004-05:00

Remember my 2011 Aspirations? Well to keep myself sticking to these little gems, I'm going to evaluate myself once a month. I feel like if I do this in writing (or typing) than it could be more humbling and help me stick to it more.... we'll see. Oh and along with this evaluation I have put pictures. They are at the bottom, so if you want to skip the goal mumbo-jumob than feel free!

Spiritual Goals:

This is sad, but the only goal I've really stuck to is the conference talks, mostly because I always have to have a back-up lesson prepared for Relief Society just in case the teacher bails. At the beginning of the month I was doing great about the scripture study and Teaching, No Greater Call, but alas, I have dwindled in that area. My excuse: I'm too tired when I get home and I can't seem to find time. I will find time this month. Also, I've tried leaving Sunday as a day of real rest, but I always have an assignment due that I have to get done and its not like I even procrastinated with it either! I can excuse this. Other than that I really have been relaxing more on Sunday and trying to reflect on what the Lord wants from me.

Physical Goals:

I have kept these goals for the most part (surprise surprise!). I do go to the gym at least four days a week and I work my butt off (literally... I have lost 3 pounds and have started to tone this beast!). I try to be physical on the weekends, but sometimes it is really hard because Saturday and Sunday are my busiest days of the week tying up loose ends and such. I'm still looking for a new sport to get into. I think Volleyball or biking. I've been going to Volleyball every Thursday and I'm starting to get better at it (a far cry from even being okay, but hey, there is improvement). Ben has recently started this biking kick and fixing up bikes and it is contagious, so I think I'm also going to get into that with him and start biking (great cardio).

Financial Goals:

I have been saving $50 per paycheck and that helps a lot. If I get a raise I'll definitely increase it, but for now that's awesome. This saving up is going to go to a down-payment for a new car by the end of the year I think. We'll see as the year comes to an end; I might not even be able to part with the Silver Bullet. Also determining a"want" from a "need" = INSANELY HARD! Especially when you are making more money and when you all of a sudden have decided to become the next Martha Stewart and be an intense kind of crafty lately. Between the armoire and visiting teaching and craft blogs I have been bit by the craft bug and its not going away. "Want" vs "Need" is proving to be an intense battle.

Educational Goals:

I have, so far, all A's and I'm thinking that this semester won't be so bad! My teachers are all okay. Some of them really irritate me because they have this whole God complex (because they are attorneys) and they tend to give out free legal advise in class that doesn't even pertain to the subject matter. For example, in real property class, if a student asks you "If my baby daddy don't pay his child support, so can I take his house?" you, as the teacher, should not start handing out free legal advise. That is stupid, especially when you can charge them at least $100 an hour for it! Other than that, I do have a personal relationship with each one of my professors and it helps. This is all getting me closer to my graduation goal.

Marriage Goals:

I have started to really enjoy who I am. I"m figuring out who Kaylee is and she's not so bad. I'm more comfortable in my own skin and I'm sure it boils down to making correct choices and walking by faith more often. I have been more prayerful and patient. Courting Ben is fun and as ready as I would be for marriage, I am okay (for now) with the dating side. How often do you get to have a pure and uncomplicated relationship free of the stresses of the world (not that ours isn't, but it could be worse!)? I'm enjoying that for the time being. Also, I have been crafting for my future home.... see above financial goals and the beast. This has been proving to be an easy goal for sure.

Personal Goals:

I'm pretty sure I have been blogging at least once a week. If not I feel like I have been a lot more and I'm enjoying it, so that's okay in my eyes. I haven't been cooking more, but I have been compiling recipes to try soon. We'll see if in February I can actually get into the kitchen! I didn't get to the temple this month, but I have already scheduled a day for February 18th. I hope that I won't let anything get in the way of that!

There are my goals. I'm pleased with myself and it hasn't been too hard (which might mean I need to switch them up and add more throughout the year). We will see what next month brings!

Before the Bouncing Souls and NOFX concert, I showed Spencer and Ben how to play "Chubby Bunny" which turned into Spencer making me a roasted marshmello with a torch.

Notice my leather pants? One of the three times I have been able to wear them!

The Bouncing Souls and NOFX concert... I have my mouth gaping open because I was in excruciating pain from the heels I decided to wear to a 4 hour concert at the House of Blues.

NOFX behind us.... I was stoked to have gone and ever more stoked to get to the car to relieve my little toesies... Awesome night all in all... Totally worth the pain!

Missing.

2011-02-02T14:57:00.007-05:00

"A friend who is far away is sometimes much nearer than one who is at hand. Is not the mountain far more awe-inspiring and more clearly visible to one passing through the valley than to those who inhabit the mountain?” -Kahlil Gibran

I have had many friends and even big friends, but very few great friends. To quote the infamous, at least in my eyes, Angelica from “Win a Date with Tad Hamilton”:

Angelica: Well is it love, big love, or great love?

Pete: What do you mean?

Angelica: Well, love you get over in two months, big love you get over in two years, and great love, well great love... changes your life. So which one is it?"

Lately I have realized that I truly miss these great friends even more and that I need to be a great friend to them and make more time for them, even I it is a quick phone call or visit. So here they are, the great friends that I am missing in my life right now:

Amanda Knowles. I stalked her into being my friend. I guess even at the early age of 7, I knew how much I would need Amanda in my life. She is always there when I need her and will always see the best side of me. She once dubbed herself my guardian angel, Mandy Lou Hoo, and that is exactly what she is. Amanda has made me an infinitely better person and I am eternally grateful for her presence in my life.

Laurel Marzek. She is the one who finally got me to ride the bus. I was eavesdropping in my 6^th grade reading class and found out that she lived right around the bend from me in my neighborhood. That day I went home and told mom that I would love to ride the bus now; she totally knew something was up. Ever since then Laurel has shown me what a truly big heart is and that determination is what makes a person successful; well that and their genuineness. I want to be more patient like her.

Katie Wallace. I loved her from the moment I met her. We just clicked and from there we were inseparable. Who knew that me sitting in on a missionary discussion would result in one of the most endearing friendships I have ever been apart of. It became a joke between us that we were practically in a relationship because we would spend every waking moment together. Even though we are in different areas, we won’t ever break up (I promise!) and she will always be my one and only “girlfriend.” Katie is love.

Sara Ranon. This is the most legit girl I can think of. Everything she is and does, I want to do too. Her style is amazing and her outgoing yet reserved personality is contagious. At first she may appear to be shy, but whoa! hold on to your pants when she wants to have fun because trust me, it will be fun. Sara has a vest for life and has a sincere heart; one that is hard to come by in a friend. I feel like I can always tell her anything and she won't judge me at all. Sara is very near and dear to my heart; I have done some major growing with her. I wish I could be more like her.

Jay Rhinehart. He is probably the only guy to make my true friend list. He stole Oreos (well not technically stole, but you know) for me at a volleyball activity and ever since he became a true friend. Jay showed a lot of patience in being my friend and in turn taught me more patience than I thought I could handle. He taught me to drive a manual and always looked out for me. Every girl needs a guy friend like Jay. If you don’t have one, I feel really sorry for you because they are invaluable.

I miss you guys (if you ever happen upon this). I promise to be the great friend that you in turn deserve for being my great friend.

Long Live the Prince!

2011-02-02T09:00:00.004-05:00

The lovely people at work bought me a fish for my desk. He lived in an all purple tank and was a prissy. I called him Prince Jacq (he eventually got an Eiffel tower for his tank so it had to be French). This is him:

Well Betta are tropical fish and since my office is at the very back of our building and is the coldest, four weekends of freezing to death in his water literally killed him. May he rest in peace. I'm headed to PetCo today for his heir.

*NOTE! Prince J lasted a month... by far the record for my fish. The last one lived 18 hrs (the longest living one before Monday).*

The Beast

2011-01-27T14:28:00.003-05:00

My "Lindy" has now turned into "The Beast." Last week my friend Jillian came over to help me start this thing. She's been dabbling in faux finishing and offered to help. Little did I realize that the massive wooden piece that I had obtained would require sanding. On top of that, I never knew how much time it takes to sand something. Lets just say that Jillian and I spent our whole day sanding just the exterior walls of the thing. We applied one coat of paint (which only took 15 minutes and that's supposed to be the fun part!) and then Jillian left. That means I spend the rest of my weekend sanding the doors and painting the inside and the rest of the outside. Luckily Ben snapped this oh so insanely attractive picture of me sanding in my "faux clothes." Good thing I didn't make Jillian do all of the sanding with me or she probably wouldn't have volunteered to come over tomorrow to start the "faux" part. Wish me luck!

P.S.

I want to be like Grace Kelly....

Off-Roading Machine

2011-01-25T15:48:00.003-05:00

Camping was awesome... I'm still waiting on Sara, aka Scarlet the Harlot aka Maggie Pie, to email me the pictures. After a lot of craziness we finally got out to the camp site late on Friday night. While the boys scoped everything out, Sara and I sat in the car with Ben's brother's girlfriend, Christina and her daughter Olivia (cutest little girl in the world!!!). I'm so glad that I got to spend the little bit of time I did with them and get to know Christina better. I totally was awesome too the Olivia fell asleep on me (even though she was in an insanely awkward position and seemed to love it). Christina is legit and I really love her.

I'm so grateful that Sara brought me the most glorious of all sleeping bags so I was super cozy all night. Probably one of the best nights rest I have had in a long time and I totally wasn't freezing despite the 42 degree weather. The next morning we all made left over hobos and eggs for breakfast (which turned into brunch and then lunch). After all of the breakfast shennanigans, we adventured on to the more epic part of the trip; Off-roading! Surprisingly, Ben let me and Sara go nuts with his Jeep in the sandy dunes of the sand pits. I was so proud of myself when Sara got us stuck in the sand and no boys were around and I got us out of it! All of the times I have gone mudding with Ben I guess I was learning at the same time. this is all that I had learned that helped get Sara and I and the Jeep unstuck (multiple times):

1. If your tires are still moving you're not stuck.

2. Switch between reverse and drive while moving the tires slightly to help get you unstuck.

3. Always keep it in 2 wheel drive (4 wheel drive is a last resort).

4. If ll else fails, switch it into 4 high and you pretty much can get out of anything with that beast of a Jeep!

5. You will never ever have to use 4 low, well, because the Jeep is legit.

I was so excited by my awesome getting us un-stuckness that I made Sara drive back so we could pick up Ben and show him the awesome ruts we made in the sand!

Pretty much the entire trip was amazing and I had a blast. I really hope Ben did since it was kind of his birthday party (Ben doesn't like birthdays. That was sooo hard for me to not make a big deal out of his birthday). By the way, Ben is 27 now. He seems to think that is old and I totally don't. If he's old then he sure is aging well. It did freak me out for like .2 seconds when he said, "Kaylee, I'm almost 30." Since I just turned 21, I decided that makes him Hugh Hefner. Which totally makes me a playboy bunny.......... or not. Anyhoo... pictures to come once Sara finally decides that it is more important to send me pictures after a 12 hour day than sleeping.

A "Lindy."

2011-01-17T11:10:00.005-05:00

I pulled a Lindy on Friday. Enough said.

As I was driving into Ben's neighborhood on his birthday/camp out adventure day, I noticed a pile of garbage. Ever since Lindy posted about her being the "garbage lady" I always look at other's trash piles as "Lindy piles" and try to see if anything in them is worth stopping over. Most times it is hard to tell because I'm zooming by so quickly (speaking of zooming quickly, did you know that the cops can clock you from the air now?! I do. It resulted in a $280 ticket). Not this time however. A massive armoire/entertainment center thing was in the garbage and an awesome chair. I pulled into Ben's house and from the car to the front door I yelled, "Amor amor amor amor!!!!!"(Ben's nickname). Ben came running out and I begged him to go grab it with be before anyone else did. We had to enlist Spencer in on it too because it is massive. I'm going to fab them up. Basically I have pulled a "lindy."

2011 Aspirations

2011-01-12T10:52:00.003-05:00

A couple of months ago, our Bishopric had a combined Relief Society/Priesthood meeting and discussed five areas of our lives that we needed to actively seek improvement in.

I usually don't make any goals for the New Year because I almost always fail within the first month. I guess that goal was to not set myself up for failure that year. This year, however, I decided to follow my bishop's counsel.

Alas, my 2011 Aspirations:

Spiritual:

Read a talk by a General Authority once a week.
Study my scriptures and Teaching, No Greater Call every day
Leave Sunday to truly be a day of rest (i.e. no school stuff and no week-day/strenuous activities)

Physical:

Go to the gym 4 times a week, but make sure to exercise daily.
Have a more healthy daily diet (i.e. actually eat a breakfast and don’t binge on sugar).
Find a sport to become active in again.

Financial:

Save $50 a pay period.
Save up to have the Silver Bullet fixed or for a new car.
Learn to determine a “need” from a “want.”

Educational:

Get mostly A’s in my classes and nothing lower than a B.
Build a relationship with each of my professors personally.
Be almost done with my 2 Paralegal A.S. degrees and History A.A. degree.

Marriage:

Start to really become the person I want to marry.
Pray more earnestly to have my Savior’s help and guidance in making this important decision.
Each month make or craft something for my future home.

I decided to add my own group in...

Personal:

Blog at least once a week.
Learn to make more meals.
Try to hit up the temple once a month (even if it is just to study out on its lawn).

Let's see what I can actually get done this year!

Fruit Salad, Yummy Yummy.

2011-01-11T09:51:00.004-05:00

One of my New Years goals was to take way better care of my body. I am not a young and active kid anymore, so basically I cannot eat whatever I want whenever I want it anymore. To start off the healthier New Year, I decided to do a detox-diet so I could wash my system out. Basically, the way I see things, my insides are like what my bathroom sink’s plumbing is like, full of crap and junk after 21 years of abusing it. This detox-diet is supposed to be the Drain-O to my body’s inner pluming system.

I researched a lot about these diets and the one that kept coming up was the lemon juice and cayenne pepper drink. I knew that if I were to stick to something for three days I would actually need to seem like I was eating. That one was out. Then I stumbled upon a gem; the three day fruit diet! I love fruit. I have three days! Winner winner, no more chicken dinner.

Day 1:

Make a protein shake with water (not milk so you can confuse yourself into thinking it’s a milkshake) every two hours and drink it. Then in between the protein drinks drink a huge glass of water. You do this for five meals and then for your sixth meal you get 2 eggs 3 oz of lean meat and a salad (aka lettuce and a few sprinkled tomato pieces) with 1 teaspoon of olive oil for dressing. It was not so bad, until I went bowling with some girlfriends that night. Basically bowling ally food is my kind of food. Not eating the onion rings and fries and chicken tenders was torture!

I wanted this:

And got this:

Days 2 and 3:

Instead of protein shakes, you eat a serving of fresh organic fruit every two hours and then in between the fruit servings you drink one massive glass of water. You also get the same thing for dinner as day one. Ben and I went out to a movie on Saturday night for our date night because we would be avoiding food. I have now discovered that movie theatre food is also my kind of food! Nachos, hot dogs, POPCORN! We almost broke the diet for the popcorn.

I wanted this:

And I got this:

Needless to say, I completed the three days of food torture. The end results:

I lost the water weight.
I crave eggs and salad now.
I drink a ton more water.
I’m aware of my sick addiction to all things fried.
I feel accomplished because I actually stuck to it for three days despite many temptations!

Semester Review

2011-01-05T15:57:00.001-05:00

You would think that with me having three weeks off of school that I would have got down to business and blogged since I pretty much had not because of being in school. Well, obviously I did not. I did get down to business- the business of relaxing and doing what I wanted with my free time that is!

I had a pretty great a redeeming semester. Here is a break down of my classes this semester.

Spanish 1 – HARDEST CLASS EVER! Seriously. I figured that since my boyfriend (novio) spoke fluent Spanish that it would be a breeze. Nope. Actually Spanish 1 only teaches you how to read and write Spanish. I can read it now, but no writing. I desperately want to learn it conversationally, but that’s not going to happen in a community college class room. After much hard work and lots of frustration, I got a B as my final grade in the class. The professor was pretty legit too. He always was willing to work with me and help me.

Intro to Paralegal Studies and Ethics – Pretty legit. I was kind of nervous at first. I thought I wasn’t going to like the program and was scared that I yet again picked a path of education that I did not want to venture down. I was wrong. I really liked it and the class was challenging, but I totally rocked it. My final grade was an A and the professor was awesome, although a lot of the class really didn’t like her teaching style (I totally did).

Human Biology – Can we say JOKE! I signed up for this class so I could have one night a week in class with Ben. What was supposed to be a 3 hour class turned out to be a 20 minute one each week, if it even happened at all. Our professor is a doctor who owns his own practice so he tended to not really care about teaching. He would breeze through his lessons and let us leave. We only had three grades in that class too: 1 Project (I got an A), 1 Midterm ( I got an 88 B) and the final (I got a 100 on). Please anyone, can you tell me how I ended up with a B in that class?!!!?! I was so ticked I called the professor and he told me he would change it. He still hasn’t.

Greek and Roman Humanities – Awesome. I love ancient history. My teacher was also ancient, but I adored her. My classmates were great to and we always had excellent discussions. I got all A’s on all of my exams and papers and projects so I came out with an A in the class. I was stoked to say the least. Plus my teacher told her I had some of the best papers she has ever read in her 40 something years of teaching. Suck that FSU!

One semester done at Valencia, 3 more to go until I get those 3 A.S./A.A. degrees. Now onto a semester full of Paralegal crap.

P.S. I totally think that no one reads this anymore :( Sad day.

Super-heros.

2010-12-10T17:15:00.003-05:00

I really love my parents. They have always given me everything I could have possibly ever needed and more. Today my sister and I were talking about what to get mom and dad for Christmas and we were discussing how much my parents sacrifice and the hardships that they have to keep to themselves to make us kids feel safe and provided for. I know quite a bit about their struggles, but I'm sure there is a world more that they have shielded me from because, well, they are my parents and they don't want me to worry about it. Lindsey shared with me a little story about something that she noticed my dad doing the other day and lets just say it brought a tear to my eye. I'm not going to openly share it because I'm sure my dad would rather know that it was a private moment for him, but regardless, it reiterated to me the sacrifices they make and the fact that they are more than just human. A human would break down in defeat; trust me, my parents have seen defeat. No, my parents are super-humans; they have made a great life for me and they are the greatest. I am so greatful for them and their emense sacrifices for me and my sisters. They are my super-heros.

More Girls Should Be Like Me

2010-11-10T15:55:00.003-05:00

A direct quote from Ben's boss Geoff, who I hope to work for!:

"Why can't more girls be like you?!"

I know that you all are thinking, "This is so true! Kaylee is amazing and wonderful and I want to be exactly like her!," but it's not what you're thinking. I went to go meet Ben at his office for lunch yesterday and while I was waiting somehow Geoff and I started talking about marriage. Geoff was telling me that marriage isn't, "Okay, lets go get hitched!," it's really, "Holy crap, I have to buy a ring and a honeymoon!" I told Geoff that if Ben and I get married, he's totally lucking out because I have decided that I want a pearl wedding ring (a fraction of the cost of a diamond and it's more "me" AND no other girl I know will have one!) and I'm the only girl I know that spends most of her time looking for the most amazing travel deals even though she has no money to spend. Thats where Geoff said, "Why can't more girls be like you?"

April and I were looking online to see what a pearl wedding ring would even look like (I'm silly and yes, us girls always look at crap like that). We ended up finding this website etsy.com *WARNING!* If you go to this site, you will become addicted and possible send all of your life savings, like me! Its this site were people have their own online shops to sell home made stuff... well I found my wedding ring, and its a whopping $40! Granted, it's not real, but I highly doubt that the real version of it would break the bank. Plus it could totally be my something blue right?

Five Things

2010-11-10T15:52:00.002-05:00

5 things that make me happy...

1. Having the life squeezed out of me.

2. Watching Bollywood/Hindi/foreign movies.

3. The thought of curling up to a fire on a cold day and reading a classic.

4. Bento's Mexican roll.... yum. yumm. yummm...

5. Listening to my music in the car SO loud that I feel like it's a soundtrack to the movie I'm living called Life.

A Great Weekend

2010-11-08T17:26:00.004-05:00

This last weekend was one of the best I have had in a while... I actually got to relax, and on top of that, Ben was able to relax too and we just had a great time. On Friday night we went to the church for movie night; it was Toy Story 3 and it was hilarious!!! I have never seen Ben laugh so hard in my life (he mostly laughs on the inside). I wanted to try playing Spanish music to see if he would react like Buzz did when they reprogrammed him. After the movie, a group of my friends all went to have dinner and desert at the Cheesecake Factory... yum yuummm yuuuummmm.... It was so much fun... I even got to have a whip cream fight with Ben. I don't know how we managed to get some of the "older" people in the group to go bowling at midnight, but we did. I haven't been in forever and I am still HORRIBLE! My first game I bowled a 45 and the second game I got a 97... at that point it was 2 am and we had a service project bright and early, so we left.

Orange County provides services to the homeless and lower income households in the county for free and these little fair like things. Well this one was more based around the family and spending more time together. Ben and I got assigned to watch the playground (it was freezing btw). I think parents saw us as two creepers chilling on the playground instead of as volunteers, so most of the kids stayed away from the playground. Eventually more kids come (I think as it got warmer) so we were able to somewhat volunteer. I even got to see saw with a precious 9 year old named Virginia.

That night Ben and I got to hang out and relax and then I even got him to hang out with me on Sunday after Stake Conference. Stake Conference was pretty cool. We got a new stake presidency. I don't think I have ever had a stake presideny that didn't include President Holladay or President Bush, and now they are both in this new one! Oh I forgot to mention that I am now the 1st counselor in the College Park Relief Society. I'm loving it so far, but it is a lot more work and dedication that I would have originally thought.

All Things Bright and Beautiful

Las Tres Caballeras

January... Via Instagram

Wait? I What? I Won Something?!

A New Year, A Rat and Well, Life.

True Love = Same Roots

Oh, Blair

Lessons I Have Learned Over the Past Week

P.S.

Words of Wisdom, From the Smartest Man I Know

Katie and Sam

Here She Is...

I'm Now on Bloglovin'

Halloween (and October) Wrap Up

Fall Fest

My Mr. Big

I Don't Know...

This is What I Had in Mind

On Finding the Right Man

Wizarding World!

Reasons Why I love October: Take 1.

I Am A Stitchin Machine

I Have a Dream

This is the Girl, Who Stole My Heart

An Amateur, On Being An Aunt.

Mr. Darcy Who?

Just a Few...

Ugh.

Guest Blog Post. Kind Of.

The Three Sisters

She's Launched!!!

Dreamin' and Schemin'

quin·tes·sen·tial/ˌkwintəˈsenCHəl/,

My Summer To Do List.

Truck.

My Wish Came True

A Wonderful Weekend

A Few Random Thoughts

*SPOILER ALERT*

A Week In My Life

I'm Going To Paris!!!!!!

Snakes, Crocodiles, India... Oh My!

Nostalgia

Young Girls

Typography and a Little Harry Potter Wisdom.

It's Friday, Friday.

Not Fishing.

T.U.E.S.D.A.Y.

Jane Austen, Life Lessons and some Ice Cream

Feeling Generous?

Happy Birthday

Disney World.

A Little Gem

Orlando to NYC to Salt Lake, wait, I mean Puerto Rico?

Royal Wedding.

Let Them Eat Cake.

A Letter to King Benjamin.

Cheating.

Staking Claim.

Tomorrow Is Another Day

Jealous

It's All Mine!

I want. I need. I will have.

Cow Theory

The Uncomplicated Life

Love Locks...

Five Things for March

I'm Dreaming Of

Amor

Wednesday - A World Away 3

The Mondays Cure

A Case of The Mondays

My Crafty Side

Valentine's

Wednesday - A World Away 2

Wednesday - A World Away

Glitter and Gills

Pont de L'archevêché

January Evaluation

Missing.

SPOILER ALERT