Things I Want

Okay. It's time for me to be shallow again. I've had a really hard, uh, while. Who knows how long it's been now. So, I'm going to make some goals and some wishes (that have nothing to do with what I REALLY need for a "successful" home life), and see if that cheers me up.

Graduate. With SOMETHING. (realistic estimate: 2 to 4 years)

Have a clean and organized house with no remodeling projects. (realistic estimate: 6 to 12 months--oh, yeah, but then we move)

Learn to sew--a lot better than now. (ongoing)

Get an awesome TV, and a Wii to go with it. (realistic estimate: ask me when Robert gets a paycheck)

See the world before I'm 80. I've always wanted to see the ruins in Belize. (realistic estimate: hopefully before I'm 80, and probably after we get the Wii)

-Goes along with learn a foreign language and use it in a foreign country (Canada or Mexico would not count)

Read more of the classics. (ongoing)

Learn photography better. Maybe break down and buy photoshop instead of using gimp. (ongoing)

Get a real gemstone and look at it under the lights in the big room in the religion building at BYU. (long story--longer realistic estimate)

Get to my goal weight. (realistic estimate: 1 to 60 years--80 is going to be awesome)

Do something new--something cool no one else I know personally has done yet. (hmmmm. . . don't know how to estimate that one)

Take pictures at Time's Square. (1 to 60 years)

Laser procedures (hair removal, lasik, scar removal maybe?) (Again, ask me when Robert has a paycheck)

Be in a choir. And I don't mean ward choir. (This one seems kind of hopeless since my singing gets worse every year, but it would be SO cool)

I guess I'd be okay without most of these. Just not super okay.

Things I absolutely DO need?

Finally be okay with past hurts. REALLY believe in God. A good relationship with my kids and spouse--especially spouse. Aaaand, maybe it sounds shallow, but a paycheck would be nice.

Oops, can't catch up like I'd hoped. And the abridged pregnancy story.

Looks like we didn't put some of the pictures on our external hard drive that I'd thought. So St. Patrick's Day, Birthdays, fish and frog huntings, will just have to wait until later.

But do not be dismayed. I've finally decided to post a giant long post about how we were and weren't and were pregnant, etc.

I'm pretty sure none of you actually have the time to read the whole thing--so here is the abridged version:

Kept hearing a phantom baby.
Spiritual experience=really excited even though it wasn't part of my plan.
Hinted at birthday party.
Other primary presidency members asked when I was morning sick during my sharing time.
Despite morning sickness, bloating, the inextinguishable desire to sleep, and that pinkish spotting I've only gotten when pregnant--all 4 of the actual diagnostic tests were negative (including the one at the Dr.'s).
I finally get some heavier brown bleeding and decide it's my late, light period.
Had to write an embarrassing email telling other presidency members I was NOT pregnant.
Thought up all of the reasons why another baby right now was more than wrong for our family.
Missed next month's period too. Called Dr. Nurse said it was normal for up to a year after weaning!
I had another 'light period' only a few days late after strenuously exercising. Figured the Dr. must be right.
Some clothes stopped fitting me.
Upped my exercise and diet program (I had been doing really well previously).
Decided my hormonal problems from puberty must be making me sick. Got really depressed.
Nearing my next period, wanted to avoid the uncertainty and didn't want to call the Dr. again.
Was certain I was NOT pregnant, but took a test anyway--just to see if I needed to see a Dr. for other reasons.
The test was immediately positive. I cried and called Robert.

Princesses and Ugly Stepsisters

I always wanted to be a tomboy when I was growing up--that's what was cool to all of my friends. But I know deep down inside I really wanted to be a princess. I loved Ariel (because she had red hair) and Jasmine (I guess I had a thing for the midriff). I hated Belle (still not sure why). Anyway--one Sunday I was having way too much trouble with my bangs, so just before church, I decided to hack them off (see photo). As I was straightening my hair with my hair clip--I felt a little closer to a princess. Maybe even related to one:

Happy 4th Anniversary, Honey!

Isn't he cute?

A few things we've accomplished together these last four years:

Mastered the kissing thing (lol)

26 months of pregnancy

1,157 days of parenthood

Magnified 10 callings (we hope)

Took a class together (that was really fun)

Bought first car

Made it through numerous heated conversations

Went to Hawaii (thanks Mom and Dad Johnson)

Sang at the Stadium of Fire

Excelled in BYU choirs (at least one of us)

Graduated from BYU (at least one of us, again)

Took a road trip from Utah to New York to Florida and back

Bought second car

Moved across country

Bought first house

Remodeled much of that first house

Finished first year of medical school

And so much more! . . .

We may have also digressed a bit--we are certainly not as lovey-dovey as we were once, and it's not as easy to spend time together because of our increased responsibilities . . . but I love being married to you, Robert. Love-Loves.

My First Paycheck

I've never ever had a job. Sad, huh? I always feel silly when I would have to write up a resume in my English classes at BYU. My references would pretty much be people from church and school (and in the beginning, I still used the four families that I babysat for--each only once or twice). It's not that I didn't work. My family had a cafe for awhile, and I was a cook. I didn't get a salary so much as an allowance--$10 a week--and that was more than I needed. . . . I also gained a healthy dislike for greasy hamburgers and french fries (or "freedom fries" as my dad began calling them--it was a little embarrassing).

Yadda, yadda, yadda . . .

Anyways, what I was getting at is I FINALLY GOT A REAL PAYCHECK! my client even sent me a five dollar tip! Alt-erior Design has started to pay off :D. I guess that means I'm an entrepreneur. Sounds fancy ;D. I almost feel like I should wear a suit jacket or something.

AAAAAND . . . there's another client's check on the way! It's not going to pay off Robert's loans a year sooner or anything, but maybe I can find some more maternity clothes. One day I'll make the website bigger and post more often, but that day is not today--or any day in June--or July.

Love My Life!

Today is a good day. I have some great friends. My husband is awesome. The kids are tolerable. We're having a girl. Aaaaand I have a trillion things to do. (I much prefer that to nothing to do.)

Here's my list:

Get ready for Robert's sister Michelle (will we finally paint the baseboards and/or move around the bedrooms?)
Ward Activity tasks
Primary tasks
Visiting Teaching (I think we're going to try to visit all 5 sisters this month)
Prepare for long trips to D.C. and Utah (can we fix that portable dvd player?)
INDEPENDENT STUDY!!! (Due on June 6th! and I'm only half done!)

Is that it? I feel like I'm forgetting something. . .

I know I'd really love to add "go to the temple," but I'll probably wait until we get to Utah for that--as much as I miss it.

Ho Hum

Haven't posted in forever. . . busy, busy, busy. . .

thought I'd put up a picture:

Our long-lost friends the Halls. We got to see them on Saturday (and they have TWO kids now--crazy). Awesome game night and ward choir memories. . .

I Am Pathetic: A Confession

I feel like a do a relatively decent job on my VTing. . . at least I did until today. I've only really been contacting the active sisters on my list. Yesterday, one of the other sisters came to church, but I didn't know it was her until she had left. Then today, I got a call letting me know that the other sister is going in for surgery! I felt awful! I should have been the one letting others know that she needed surgery. . . how horrible.

Anyway. . . this was actually the month that my companion and I were going to try harder to see them (pshhhaw--didn't/won't happen this month). . . so that made me feel a little better--but I still hadn't contacted them: I didn't know what to say. "Hi, this is Ali Mae Johnson, you don't know me, but I'm your VTer." Well, that's basically what I did say. . . and my sisters are AWESOME! I talked with both of them for quite awhile (both have been major sick, and I really could/SHOULD have helped them. . . but I'll make sure I'm there for them next time). I'm really looking forward to getting to know them better. I kind of assumed they would reject me or something, but they so totally did not!

HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY

I just wanted to let everyone know how happy I am. Robert has been so good lately. The kids have been so good lately. I've been so good lately (lol). Friends have been so good lately. Times have been so good lately. The weather has been so good lately. . . and. . . WE'RE HAVIN' ANOTHER BABY!!! Can I just rewind the past two days and live them forever? Pleeeeeeease? (Okay, I would take out the backpain, the restless nights, a less-than-great haircut, and some unfortunate things that happened to some friends, and then I would add a BBQ with all of the friends we weren't able to see (pretty much everyone of them)--but other than that. . .)

Here's some pics so you can see how happy we are (basically everything is on Saturday, becuase I wasn't too dizzy or tired that day, but Friday was awesome too--Robert played in the backyard with the kids and I swung in the hammock--then we rented "Fireproof"--totally cheesy, but it left me wanting to be so much better--I highly recommend it).
The wind was perfect--no running involved :D.

Enoch likes to pick up rocks at the beach and throw them in the water--just like big sis.

Weeeeeee!!!

(Another one of our self-portraits. . . lol. . . we'll get it down someday :D--maybe if I would actually edit my pictures. . .or stop wearing glasses. . . or not make Robert look directly into the sun. . . [*post lost to incoherent mutterings]. . .)

I Am Stinkin' Mad--and It's Making Me Dizzy

So far my pregnancy has been pretty awesome. I wasn't super morning sick--Robert knows how to ease some of the back pain (although my pelvis has pretty much split in two, and he can't put that back together). I've done better with my weight gain (although technically I should have gained about 3 pounds less--ppphhhht). And I've completely accepted the fact that I waddle, and sometimes I don't look pregnant--just fat. After the first two, I get it. I've even embraced the carpel tunnel (I got that with Enoch--and it's slowly coming back full force--seriously, worst pain ever [yes, it can be comparable to labor--it just doesn't last as long]).

So. . . I was feeling pretty well off. . . WAS. . . This morning one of my biggest pregnancy fears came true. My glucose test came back "slightly elevated" (4 points out of the good range) and they want me to come in for another one. Ugh. My family has diabetes, I have some of the "susceptible" signs, and obviously my optimal BMI and I aren't best friends--in fact, we stay as far away from each other as possible. I started getting extra dizzy a few days ago--I almost called Robert at school to let him know I might faint--so I kind of figured the glucose test might not go well. At least the baby's probably okay. I just want to be able to drink as much orange juice as I want without getting dizzy--and I'm already a fainter.

Okay, Complain, Complain, Complain. . . I was bound to get diabetes some day--might as well be now. I'm not even sure I have it yet. I shouldn't freak out right now. I'll freak out Monday--I'll probably know by then.

Can You Tell What We Spent Our Tax Return On?

Okay, not ALL of our tax return--most of that is going to more responsible things. . . like paying off the student loans. But Robert's and my birthdays are right around the corner. . . so we HAD to get something fun, right? Okay, not right. . . but I'm going to keep telling myself that :D.

a) food

b) a cute baby

c) fingernail polish

d) Canon XSi DSLR camera that took all of these pictures

e) Hint: it's "d"

I feel a little guilty. . . DSLR cameras run about 1K dollars (of course ours wasn't nearly that bad--I love ebay--we got a great deal [about 200 less than retail] and a lot of bonuses, like an extra battery and a 16 GB memory card!) I'm not used to spending money (*stop laughing, Robert), so it took us a long time to decide whether or not we should buy a new camera when Robert's broke last year (in fact, Robert told me I could get one for Christmas, but I didn't think we could afford it then). We thought a 60 dollar point and shoot would be enough. It wasn't. I HATE taking pictures with that thing. It works in a pinch--but it's not much fun. Taking pictures and digi scrapping is what I DO (one day I would LOVE to be a photographer--I still have a lot to learn, though--I'm no Suzi). . . it was miserable to be without Robert's camera. We missed so much. There are almost no pictures of the kids during the months we only had our point and shoot. I am so happy now. (It's kind of scary--I didn't realize how materialistic I was :D. . . j/k). Don't you love how it takes pictures? I've taken a picture of every meal I've made since we've got it. It's so much fun that I've been cooking prettier foods so that I have a new subject to take a picture of. . . I LOVE THIS CAMERA! I can't wait to learn more about it!!!

And now you know just how greedy I can be. . . okay, actually not. Robert keeps it in check a lot :D.

Brisco County Jr.

Did anyone else out there LOVE this show? To be honest--I was too young to really understand innuendo when my family watched it (I would've been about 8). . . although I do remember some parts that weren't exactly high quality television. . . so I don't exactly recommend this show. But. . . it was my favorite growing up. I remember being at dinner and we all had sat down, and then I remembered the show was on, and all of us got out the tv trays and went down to the family room to watch it.

I think this show gave me my first real movie star crush, too. What? You don't think Bruce Campbell is a hottie? Okay--he looks a little different than I remember :D. But I do remember a pretty vivid dream where there were all these bad guys trying to get me and my family, and I locked myself in the bathroom, and Brisco came and saved me. . . (*sigh).

(I was eight--it's okay that I was pathetic).

Besides Brisco, though, I really LOVED the professor. He's hillarious. What is his name? I really can't remember. What other movies does he play in. . . It's going to bother me that I can't remember!

Fantasy

I've noticed that a lot of my posts are pretty depressing lately. (Seriously, go to some of my first posts--I don't even sound like the same person!--Sad, really.) I'm not incredibly sure how to get my old self back right now, so I'm gonna fake it. . .

Sometimes when I had a hard day when I was a teen I would write out better scenarios for myself in my journal--and sometimes they would sorta come true (for example--I wrote one about marrying Robert). Here's hoping this one comes true. . .

*My goodness, it's taking me a long time to come up with one--ummmm, okay, here goes*

Nana is potty trained. Enoch is done teething. We're on our way to Utah to drop the kids off at Grandma's for a week. While we're gone, the bedroom carpets and kitchen floor are being replaced. . . we shouldn't smell too much glue by the time we get back.

After spending a day with the family and getting some quality family pictures (our first professional ones EVER [unless you count homecoming, and my sister-in-law that did a great job on our wedding day--but those are just of Robert and me], Robert and I head off to Disneyland (obviously I'm not pregnant--and I can definitely fit into my jeans again). We spend all day riding all the rides, park hopping, trying out a bunch of the fun places to eat, and holding hands in line. And in the Haunted mansion (I do NOT look up in the first room--that part is just too much for me) we get to sit close to eachother. The ride also gets stuck in front of the singing busts for a minute, and we get to see the whole thing (I love those guys). We get great pictures of us on the roller coaster and with Pluto and Mickey and Goofy (I have a great camera). It's just a lot of fun. We stay for the fireworks, and reluctantly go home.
At night we watch some of our favorite Disney movies that we can't with the kids (like Pirates, and Narnia). Our hotel is amazing. It's really high and the view of the park is utterly breathtaking. Robert surprizes me with two chocolate truffles (the same kind we had on our honeymoon), and a bouquet of white roses. Then I drift off to sleep in the clean white linens so I'll be rested for the next day.
We head over to Universal Studios--take the tour and go on all of the classic rides. We eat at Hard Rock Cafe (Robert's never been--I think). Another day we go to the beach. (Apparently, I've found a swimsuit by then.)
Then we fly off to NYC. We see a Broadway play. We go to the top of the Empire State Building. We go shopping in ridiculously expensive boutiques, and we even try on rings at Christie's and Tiffany's and maybe some other places (of course, they all cost more than 30$, so no diamond for me. . . yet). I finally get to see if Grimauldi's Pizza lives up to it's reputation, and take a tour of the Statue of Liberty. We fill the day with all sorts of fun things, and get to talk to eachother all day. We fly home--Grandma and Grandpa are coming for a visit--so they bring the kids in a few days (not that I would EVER actually ask them to do that! lol). We get some time to work on a few things at home (I finish my independent study classes!) And. . . we're refreshed and ready to take on anything. . . almost.

Okay, now that I've wasted Enoch's naptime daydreaming. . . I should probably get some work done.

Some More Great Business Ideas:

So far I'm having a lot of fun with Alt-erior Design. I think it has a lot of potential. I don't get many comments, but I've already gotten quite a few emails (apparently I come up under the google search "painted brick"). I'm thinking maybe I have a knack for this new product stuff (or at least reinventing the wheel). What else has been running through my mind lately. . .

Maternity Depends


The duo-itor/keyboard (still working on the name). . . Now you and yours can work together without buying two computers (did I mention that it stinks that Robert's laptop broke--right when I decide to start an online businessy bloggy thing)


The Critter Crib (A crib that is more entertaining--resembles a hamster habitat--complete with wheel and feeder bottle)

And speaking of critters. . . Groundhog Taming Camp (Can't get rid of your groundhogs--*embrace them! Groundhogs could make great pets--ours is named King George.)

*We do not recommend that you actually embrace them.

I'm Laughing on the Inside. . .

Or rather. . . he, she, it is.

So. . . I finally was able to schedule an ultrasound--then I had to reschedule for a week later so Robert could be there. . . I'm almost 24 weeks. It has been hard to wait so long.

We took the kids so they could see the baby, and so they could be there when we found out if they were having a brother or a sister.

So the answer to the poll is. . . It's not Both--It's NEITHER!--(uncooperative/modest/sleeping may also be used).

Fortunately, he, she, it did not let the technician see the spine well enough either--so we get to go back in two more weeks (so long?)--and see if the baby will show something.

I think we might have gone during naptime--no matter how much the technician bounced that proby-thingy into my bladder, the baby WOULD NOT move. At first I was a little worried that it wasn't alive, that is until I saw it had a good heartbeat. Odd, because it likes to kick me quite a lot otherwise.

Anyways--here's the pic we got. (I think UVRMC has higher technology). Does it look like a boy or a girl to you?

Poll

Okay, I don't know how to do one of those official polls, but I'm curious. . . What do you all think I'm having? Girl, Boy, Both? Let me know. With my other two kids I KNEW, before they were born even, what they would be. . . this one? Ummm. . . not so much. I've gotten mixed signals. We find out on Tuesday for sure (unless the technician gets mixed signals too ;D)

CPCC

Cuddle Prevention Committee Chairperson

Robert has given me a new title. Poor guy. When I'm pregnant I can't stand people touching me. It used to make me really sick--now I just altogether avoid it. Occasionally, I'll hold my babies on my lap or give them a hug--but any long-term closeness (*shudder). Maybe it's my ever-growing, uncomfortable body--or maybe it's my heightened sense of smell (when I'm pregnant Joanna and Robert kinda smell weird--at least Enoch doesn't). . . I'm not sure.

I feel bad for Robert. He has to gargle with mouthwash for a good 30 seconds, then make sure his lips are completely dry before I can let him peck me on the mouth goodnight. Very annoying. And he pretty much sleeps on the very edge of his side of the bed--because there is a strict no-touching policy (I am SO warm at night). I'm pretty sure one night I'll sneeze in his direction and blow him right onto the floor.

Well. . . I'm like 21 1/2 weeks along. We're over half way there. It will be better soon. Hang in there, Sweetie.

Good News

I promised my next post would be positive, didn't I? I suspected things had been hard for so long that they would have to be better soon :D

Good things today:

I have been able to breathe through my nose again for most of the day, and Nana didn't snore last night, so her cold must be leaving as well.

I got to eat a key-lime pie yogurt. I LOVE yogurt. We haven't been able to go grocery shopping for maybe two months (as in I've sent Robert out for the basics, but not much else). It's so nice to have a fresh stock.

Last night one of the cashiers at CVS wouldn't let me return a DVD, because she questioned my integrity (thought I was trying to return it for more money than I paid. What?!! I had the receipt). I was pretty shaken up, but today I talked with a manager and she returned it, no problem--and I was able to use up all of my ecb's on all of the things I wanted/needed to get :D

Nana, me and Enoch all took a nap today. . . at the same time!

Robert is gone for the evening again--this time he's going out with the missionaries after school and choir. That boy sure likes to keep busy. . . but I think we're gonna be able to handle it a lot better tonight (not like last night when he went to the gym). I'm gonna make dinner while the kids are still asleep, and we'll all have a movie night.

The house is rELaTivEly clean--I'm about to clean it some more right now.

Well. . . maybe that's not the MOST positive post ever, but I really am happy right now, and that's a huge improvement :D

Wow, I'm Emotional

Well, I tried to call my mom to complain to her, but it was kind of hard to say anything--she was really excited about geneaology, and I had to go take care of the mess the kids were making before she finished telling me about her stuff. So. . . I'll just complain here :D You guys are used to it, right?

I'll spare you Saturday. This will already be too long.

I woke up feeling pretty sick at 3ish am Sunday morning. I gargled with generic listerine, went back to bed, and felt a little better. We have really late church, so I took my time to get ready. I scanned and printed some pictures from the friend for Nana to color, got the kids dressed, and Robert got together a diaper bag. The kids were also feeling ill, but I had responsibilities for primary, and Robert had to play the organ, so we decided that Robert would take them home after sacrament and I would stay for primary and another meeting.

That was the plan.

We took two cars up, and got there 20 minutes early. I was glad to see that the Hunters had already started setting up chairs and were finishing up. I went to the bathroom to try and pull myself together and put something on under my eyes to hide how tired I looked. Just as I was finishing, Enoch decided to climb in the sink and turn the water on himself. His pants were soaked. It looked like he had had the worst imaginable accident. Ughhh. . . well, I took off his pants and left his only-half-soaked tights on (yes, we put our little boy in tights--his dress pants are so thin).

We made our way to the front pew. Nana and I sat down, but Enoch wanted to help the priesthood put out the sacrament--and he screamed each time I picked him up. What?!! He's never done that so much in public before. I went up on the stand to tell Robert we would be in the back. . . but we were only there long enough for wonderful Jolyne to offer Enoch some "maroon" leggings (THANK YOU, JOLYNE). Enoch continued to scream, and we continued to find less conspicuous places to sit. We ended up in the RS room, where Enoch took off the "newsletter" folder, losing a thumbtack (yup, that was us). I got down on my hands and knees (which is getting harder to do every day) to look for the other thumbtack while both of my children escaped the room and started running and squealing all down the halls. I think that's when I lost it. I never did find the thumbtack--I hope it didn't hurt anybody.

It took me awhile to get both of the kids together again, but when I did, all I could do is tell them we were leaving. (We never even had time to get the crayons out.) I put on their coats and gathered all of our things (actually Robert found some of the toys we left later, so not ALL of our things) and started heading out the door. That's when Robert caught me. He convinced me to stay. (He's amazing, and can get so much more done than I can--I think he thinks I should be able to do as much as him--and I should, but I don't). Anyways, he said he'd take care of the kids (they both needed diapers right then. . . that's right. . . I couldn't believe it either). He left Nana with me, and I sat in the dark RS room as she ran out into the sunny foyer to do a little dance. I was too frustrated to care. I was just trying not to cry (darn hormones).

Well, my godsend came in. Lacey was heading toward the mother's room and could tell I wasn't doing so well. She sat by me and told me that she would be able to handle primary, so I could go on home. I really hope she was okay by herself. I feel bad that I had to go. Robert came back with Enoch, and I did go home--with the kids. I'm not sure I was stable enough to drive, but we made it safely home--with Nana crying the whole way for Daddy and for juice (I kept giving her juice on the ride home from the temple Sat, but there wasn't any left). I put a chicken in to roast (I didn't worry about spices, so it was a little bland), monkeyed with the winkflash pictures for the ward valentine dance (you can too--we finally got them up), got Nana some juice (She was really cute--she kept bringing me two cups to fill, one for her and one for me--then she'd get two more. . . of course it wasn't as cute when I found out that she was taking them out of the sink instead of out of the dishwasher like I'd thought), called my mom (as I mentioned), and found the kids swimming in a pile of chocolate syrup on the kitchen floor, and drinking a cup full of the same. They were so cute, especially Eenie with his chocolate goatee, that I ran and got the camera. I was still on the phone with my mom through all of this (she probably would have let me go earlier if she knew what the kids were doing), so I couldn't handle the camera as well. It fell on the floor and broke. That's right. . . that's the second camera in less than a quarter--at least this one was only 60$. The words from the phone at that moment, 'The blessings that have come to our family as a result of doing this geneaology. . . ' That's when I had to say goodbye. I put the kids in the bath and started washing the chocolate out when Daddy came home. He asked me what I was doing when the kids got into the chocolate, and I lost it again. He finished dinner and helped get the kids out of the tub. I spent the rest of the evening getting stains out and fixing the camera (I think I fixed it--we'll see). I hope I never have to lose it so much in one day again--my eyes hurt, and it doesn't help my runny nose.

Okay.

I promise my next post will be a happy post.

6 Things Tag

I can't resist a good game of tag. It makes me think of gradeschool a little. Thanks, Cicely.

1- Post the rules on your blog.
2- List 6 random things about yourself.
3- Tag 6 people at the end of your post.
4- Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Six random things:

1. When I was in gradeschool I used to spend hours in the nurses office/bathroom trying to stop bloody noses (my own, of course). I would get them at least once a month. I had my nose cauterized like three times to "treat" them. It wasn't very effective. When they got really bad, my dad, also the principal/superintendent of schools (depending on what grade you're talking about), would come to my classroom, have me lie down on the floor and he would kick me really hard in my bare feet. It hurt. I know pretty much every remedy for bloody noses, and that one works the best--all your blood rushes down to your feet instead of out your nose. I prefer submerging my nose in water until it stops, though. Yeah. . . that's much nicer.

2. In kindergarten, the boys liked to tease all of the girls about how they were "kissy killers." I'm guessing that meant they thought girls just wanted to kiss them, so they should avoid girls at all costs (except to taunt them, of course). I got really tired of it, and one day I chased down a boy that was teasing me (his name is Scottie Montgomery) on the playground, somehow we ended up under a table in the classroom with all of the lights off (I think maybe I found him hiding there). I tackled him to the ground, and laid one on him (I don't remember if I got his lips or just his cheek). He told on me to the principal, but the principal was also my primary teacher, and she knew what was up, so I never got into trouble (and thankfully I never became the exclusive "kissy killer" on the playground--that would've been awful). My next kiss was over the alter in the Manti temple, and it was MUCH more awkward. For example, all of the lights were on ;D

3. We used to have church in my family's dining room--it was a little disruptive when my dog got loose, and the missionaries (when we finally got them) had to sit on the stairs so the little kids wouldn't go into our bedrooms. For a very long time, I was the only person (besides the branch president) with an official calling (I was chorister), and I even had that calling a few months before the branch president was called! Things functioned a little differently in Stanley. I'll have to post more about this later. I don't think you'd believe everything that went on with that branch. . . it was quite the comical experience.

4. I am super scared of hanging people--like to the point where I wonder if I saw something when I was really little that I'm mentally suppressing. There's a towel hanging over my bedroom door, and I will have to remove it before I am able to sleep. I don't like to walk under trees--especially at night--because I'm afraid I'll be walking under a. . . I can't even bring myself to type it. (*Shudder). I'm going to have nightmares tonight.

5. I've been to four different high schools. The hornets (technically I wasn't in the HS then, but all of the grades were in the same building), the panthers, the orioles, and the warriors. None of them had the same colors. And none of them included the color purple (quite the disappointment). All of them were contained in one or two buildings except the warriors--my favorite school ever!

6. When I was 16, My parent's had a cafe. We worked hard to clean it up and remodel it (the previous owner used it to store his many possessions, and it was pretty filthy). There was a 50's theme. The waitresses wore poodle skirts, and there were pictures of cars on the walls, a juke box and a black and white tiled floor with a red barstool--oh, and a BEAUTIFUL stainless steel soda fountain. We worked in it (all day long). Becky was a waitress, so she would get tips (sometimes 50$ a day), and she was allowed to keep them. I was the cook. No tips--even though I would have to pour a coffee and clear a table pretty often. I complained enough that my dad started paying me 10$ a week. I don't think we could've afforded that, though. I wish I hadn't complained. I didn't really need to buy anything. So much drama in that place!

I tag some family with six letters in their name--Robert, Beckah, Rodney (:D=Dad), Rachel, Machel, and Cheryl