Pillow Fight

Sometimes I go through bouts of insomnia that affect my ability to function greatly. A couple of months over the summer I couldn't sleep much at all, but I've been doing better lately.

Now, I have another problem sleeping. My little dog, Charlie, has started doing something rather odd. I'll be sleeping on my side, on half of my pillow. When I roll over, my head is suddenly 6 inches higher and resting on something rather hard and uneven. Then, I feel the thrash below trying to get me off. Charlie has started sleeping under my pillow. Of course that wakes me up, I try to get him out and situated, and then it takes me a while to get back to sleep, then the old rinse and repeat. He did it again last night.

Charlie loves to burrow in blankets, and I know he likes to sleep under pillows. But, he's never done it while I was using the pillow before. I tried explaining to him, that is okay during nap time, but not okay during the middle of the night. I don't know what this new thing is about, but if I don't get some sleep.... Well, he's lucky he is so darn cute.

Trivia: A little shout out to the premier of the Office last night. 100 Points to the first person to answer: What are three basic movements of Parkour (specific to Parkour)?

100 points = 1 Schrute Buck; 10 Schrute Bucks = a bundt cake (flavor of your choice) or cash value *1000th of a cent per Schrute Buck*; If you still don't know what a Schrute Buck is....maybe you have insomnia too. It does cloud your ability to think.

Summer Sun...

So, Friday night we went to the Rockapella concert at Thanksgiving Point. We got there early to get a spot, and found one by the sound booth (it provided perfect shade). It was a great concert, and I really fell in love with Rockapella all over again. Not only are the amazing vocalists, but they are funny and very entertaining.

Saturday, we were able to go to a fundraiser for a woman in Riverton Utah. She has a rare form of breast cancer, and her Ward decided to hold a carnival/fair event in her honor. A friend of ours plays in a band called Forty Days, and they agreed to play at the activity for free. We went to see the band, and we were also able to purchase some things to help with the fundraiser. The band plays a variety of stuff...country, rock, etc... They were really great, and have only been together for a couple of months.

It was really hot and humid on Saturday, and I got a little too much sun...so consequently I slept the rest of the afternoon away. It kind of lingered today, and after Church I took a Sunday nap. I love those naps, but they usually prevent me from sleeping Sunday night. We'll see...

Let's see...some trivia. How about this...in honor of breast cancer awareness, 50 points to everyone that either completed a self-exam today or encouraged a friend or loved one to complete a self-exam today. Just comment for your points. Go to I AM THE CURE for a breast health quiz and lots of cool information, and check out this link for instructions on how to do a self exam.

100 points = 1 Schrute Buck; 10 Schrute Bucks = a bundt cake (flavor of your choice) or cash value *1000th of a cent per Schrute Buck*; If you still don't know what a Schrute Buck is....maybe you got a little too much sun too.

This summer so far....

My, oh my, it has been a long time since I posted. We have had a very busy summer.

It started with Memorial Day, and a visit to Uncle Art's grave. Then we had Niel's birthday...on his actual birthday we had a special dinner with his Mom and Step-Dad. I made an ice cream cake...it is sooooo not easy to put icing on an ice cream cake. The next day was his adventure. It was a fun day, after we got Clara Belle back in the house (thanks to our neighbors). First, I surprised him with a trip to Ogden, and our first visit to the Ogden Temple. Then I took him for an adventure at ifly for some indoor skydiving. He was nervous at first, but after watching a few people he was excited to go. I couldn't get the video to rotate...not on facebook either. grrrr

After ifly I took him to dinner at Ruby River...now that was a good steak.

We took it easy on the 4th of July...although we did watch fireworks at Thanksgiving Point (from a distance...in our car). The dogs did not enjoy the fireworks.

We had a little time to relax and hang out. We spent some time with friends and with the pups.

We got to go to the Symphony concert at Thanksgiving Point, for free.

We then had a great time at the Westover family reunion in Springfield Oregon.

Clara Belle spent most of her time in the room...because she wouldn't be nice to anyone. Ohhh......poor little girl. She was even dubbed the Clare-Wolf by Niel's brother Casey.

There were lots of games....

there was lots of singing....
(Drew, 4 years old, took this picture).

and lots of kids....


We even had a disco skating night...

Niel wiped out a couple of times...

this was the time he wiped out while trying to take his skates off...

My most favorite part was going to the coast. It was cool, cloudy, and just plain perfect...

We still have a lot left to do this summer. I'm exhausted....

How about some trivia...so someone can win a bundt cake.

100 points to the first person to correctly answer this question:

What is the average temperature of the ocean off the Oregon coast?

100 points = 1 Schrute Buck; 10 Schrute Bucks = a bundt cake (flavor of your choice) or cash value *1000th of a cent per Schrute Buck*; If you still don't know what a Schrute Buck is....Maybe you drank too much sea water.

Crepes

We had some friends over on Saturday for a brunch. It was very yummy (scrambled eggs, bacon wrapped sausages, hash browns, banana smoothies, cinnamon chips with fruit salsa, and crepes with strawberry cream cheese filling). It was so yummy. One friend wanted the recipe, so I typed it up for her. Another friend suggested we put our recipes on our ward's cookbook blog.

So, if you are interested in the recipe for the crepes and filling, it is now posted on the PL 1st Ward Cookbook Blog.

100 Points to the first person to answer the following: Crepe is a French word, but it is derived from the Latin crispa, meaning what?

100 points = 1 Schrute Buck; 10 Schrute Bucks = a bundt cake (flavor of your choice) or cash value *1000th of a cent per Schrute Buck*; If you still don't know what a Schrute Buck is....I've got nothing...I'm so ashamed. Again... Maybe I've had too much cream cheese.

Book Review: Austenland

Well I haven't written anything Jane Austen-ish for a very long time. I just finished reading Shannon Hale's Austenland, and I thought that was just the ticket.



This book is about a woman named Jane (of course), and she's got a lot going for her (career, friends, apartment, Pride and Prejudice BBC version on DVD)...and a lot not going for her (love life). She ends up on the vacation of a lifetime in "Austenland"...living and breathing the world of Jane Austen for 3 weeks. It took me about half the book to really get into it. I loathed the character Molly (Jane's best friend). Once we got into "Austenland" however, I really began to enjoy Jane's take on the world and herself. Being one of those girls that has dreamed of living in Regency era England and finding my own Mr. Darcy, I understood the allure of the place. It ends a bit predictably, but nonetheless it was a solid story.

The thing that puzzled me (as it has with other books recently) was the way that Hale seemed to lower her "standards" so to speak. It seemed as if certain topics and words were pulled out just to fit in with mainstream audiences. I thought these certain topics and phrases/words were gratuitous, and they felt forced. I was disappointed in that, and consequently rate the book 3 out of 5 stars. It was worth reading once, but I won't pick it up again.

My favorite part of the book is the dedication:

"For Colin Firth
You're really a great guy, but I'm married,

so I think we should just be friends."

How about a little trivia? 50 Points to the first person to correctly answer this question: Colin Firth plays a "Mr. Darcy" in two films; Pride and Prejudice is one, name the other.

100 points = 1 Schrute Buck; 10 Schrute Bucks = a bundt cake (flavor of your choice) or cash value *1000th of a cent per Schrute Buck*; If you still don't know what a Schrute Buck is....I find your lack of information to be astounding. Lady Catherine would not approve.

Number Six

For Niel

You liked my roommate...but I liked you. I like to think that I stole you away.

Remember the first birthday we spent together as "just friends." "That's what we do in a herd." I love inside jokes.

Remember when we had the talk on the hill by the Marriott Center.

Remember our first kiss in front of the Provo Temple.

Remember our first official date, and that we had a tag-a-long.

"I'm just trying to snuggle."

"Now you can get some cheese!" <---I bet you don't remember that. Let me refresh your memory...we were playing that game Mafia...and I was sure you were the murderer...my bad.

I remember driving to the Temple that morning...just the two of us. Do you remember walking inside together?

I remember crying as the sealer talked about eternal families, and Grandma Bea held my hand.

We took three rolls of film on our honeymoon...all with a broken camera. But, we can share the memories together.

We were married three years when we got Charlie...but I can't imagine my life without either one of you.

There are so many things about you that I love...your sense of humor, your wit (even though it isn't always in service), your kindness, the way you allow yourself to grow and learn, I love that you cry while watching It's a Wonderful Life (don't be mad that I told), I love your terrible memory...and not because it generally works in my favor...but because it is a part of you, and there are a million more things I love.

I love that you love me...with all my faults.

Now, we have Clara Belle...still no human children. You are cuddling her right now. You'll be a great Dad someday.

You are my best friend, and I can always count on you. During the difficult times, it is nice to know that "we're in the same boat." I'm glad I'm in the boat with you.

In another six years our lives will be completely different. What will we be talking about then? What will our world revolve around? Whatever it is, I'm glad it will be with you.

Pupdate

Well, the pups are doing well. Both Charlie and Clara Belle are improving both in health and their relationship. We go to the vet again on Tuesday.

Clara Belle is a bit of a drama queen and kind of moody (typical girl). Niel even asked me if she was having doggy PMS. But, she is super sweet. She is my shadow, loves to cuddle, and loves to be rubbed. She'll nudge your hand if you stop petting her. She also has tons of energy, and loves to be outside. One minute she likes Charlie and wants to play, and the next she is growling at him.

Charlie is my baby, and is getting much better. He gets really excited to see Clara Belle. He comes closer and closer to her everyday. But, just when he wants to play, she's moody again....and when she is high energy, he's not interested. Charlie does not like being outside too much, and he loves to sleep late. They are so different, but it is nice to have them both.

Anyway, all is well at casa de pero. (I'm sure that is terrible Spanish).