One week and counting

By this time next week Nik and I will (hopefully) be on a plane to Cabo San Lucas. After a two and a half hour lay-over in San Diego. With only one week left I am starting ot get a little nervous about getting everything together ontime. We still don't have anyone to take us to the airport at 4:00 in the morning. I am doing my best to catagorize what needs to happen in the next week, but I have not written anything down, so who knows how many times I will go over all this in my head. Nik and I are going to talk about it today and hopefully that will give me something to do this coming week. I am fine with doing the majority of the preparation my self, I mean, I am home all the time, but I don't think I can come up with everything that needs to happen, by myself. Well, wish us luck and pray for me. I am so nervous about going!

Photo Memories

I decided to take an idea from Amy and I found a few pictures that mean a lot to me and I am going to do a short tribute to them. I will try not to bore anyone.

Nik and I have a lot of pictures like this and this is by no means the first one. I like this picture so much because I think it was taken the day he came home from Atlanta. He had been there on a painting trip for Laser Quest and he was there like 4 days longer than he was supposed to be. Also, he almost missed my birthday. I think it was only like 2 days away. I was very excited to see Nik again. And his hair was SO long! It was nuts! I have never seen it that long since.

This is my beloved cat Ebony. I got her as a kitten from my aunt who accidently breeds cats. Ebony was pretty skittery and only friendly on her own terms. But she loved me and slept on my bed everynight. Sometimes I took a second chair when it came to room on the bed at night. It was worse than sharing a bed with Nik! Kidding! My family definatly had different views on Ebony than I did, and ultimately it was those views combined with Nik's allergies that decided her future. One of my favorite memories of Kitty was when she was still a kitten. My mom and I were down stairs folding laundry and this huge! moth comes flying in the room. Now neither of us is really scared of moths, so we didn't think much of it. Suddenly, in dashes the cat and in one fluid movement she is in the air, level with the light bulb, grabs the moth in her teeth and is down on the floor eating it. Litterly happened in less than 3 seconds. It was awesome!

This is the first picture of me and Nik EVER! It was taken on our second date. Vivian had just got a new camera for Christmas and we went to Quick Wits with her, Jake and her brother Andy. Vivian was taking pictures of everyone and I was talked into posing with Nik. Obviously Nik is better at it than me. It is an entertaining picture and I love that we have something from that early in our relationship. Oh, and that is one of the guys from Quick Wits in the back ground. I forget his name.

Thanks for taking this walk down memory lane with me. I hope to find some more great pictures to share soon.

Happy Birthday me!

Today I turned 23. Is there something about the odd years that make it seem older than it really is? Mom says that the odd years are the hardest, but I think she was referring to the toddler years. I remember 19 being so much cooler sounding than 18, and 21 is such a difference from 20. Twenty-three doesn't seem too impressive, but this year does have its possibilties.

Anyway, today was a great day. Nik took the day off so we spent the WHOLE day together! I was so excited to have Nik all to myself today. He even called himself my slave. Pretty cool huh? Nik even made me breakfast this morning. Jeanne commented that it was pretty amazing that he was up that early. He made me french toast and bacon and it was so good! I think he will be in charge of the french toast making from now on. After breakfast we went shopping. Nik got me a new pair of long pants at Plato's Closet. I was glad he was there, I like it better when I get his opinion on clothes. After that we went to IKEA because we have a good sized gift card there. We went through the whole store and came up with some good stuff. Little stuff, but good. We even ate lunch there. They have some pretty good food. Nik loved the meatballs. After the shopping spree we went to see License to Wed. I don't recommend it. I will admit that it was funny, and had some good lines. But I don't even think I could quote it if I wanted to. Either way, it was good company.

I received so many birthday calls and text messages today, I felt so loved. I am so grateful for places like FaceBook that allow me to be in contact with so many of my friends that I lost touch with earlier. My grandma Mitchell even mailed her gift on time so I got it today. Grandma is always good for a bag of candy and this year was no different. This year is the year of the Sweedish Fish. They are good but not my favorite, so anyone who would like to share, I am more than happy.

Now for presents. Vivian gave me a book called "Stich'n Bitch, the Happy Hooker." Pardon my French. It is probably one of the best books for crochet patterns and advice. It has easy to read instructions and really cute and creative patterns. I am really excited to have it. Jeff gave me a great Nightmare Before Christmas watch. It was in a coffin shaped tin and he even decorated the wrapping paper himself. It is pretty sweet. Mom and Dad gave me an undisclosed amount of cash to help me have fun on our Mexico trip. Mason took credit for getting me a cool beanie that has head phones built right in. I just hook my iPod to the attached cord and ta-da! Music! It is a little small, so we will see if it works when it gets cold. Nik gave me seasons five and six of my beloved Gilmore Girls. I am so excited because some of my favorite episodes are on those seasons. Amy just stopped by and gave her present of Gilmore Girls season One. This is great because you just can't have a series with out the first season. It's what started it all!

Well, that is my day. I am glad to have shared it with all of you. Thank you to everyone who sent me birthday wishes and to all those who thought about sending me birthday wishes.

ps-I am glad to hear that Kersten's back surgery went well, and that he will be returning home tomorrow to be with his family.

Hot dogs, Marshmallows, and Birthday Presents

Tonight we were honored to attend a very sophisticated hot dog roast for Amy's birthday. I use the word the sophisticated loosely, but there was great company! I love roasting hot dogs and marshmallows. It was such a great mix of activity and family, we don't aften get to see the Murray's. Since Nik and I were not able to go to our show, we we happy to make Mimi's party part of our evening. I have posted the pictures I took on the gallery site that I posted the link to earlier. I apologize for the quality of the photos, my camera was very sub-par tonight. I did adjust some of the pictures and they look quite a bit better. Some were completely dark and i got the people to show. Just another reason I need another one! *wish* Anyway, it was a great night and we all wish Amy a very happy birthday today!

Concert?

Tonight Nik and I had the oppertunity to go see They Might Be Giants at the Depot bacause I won tickets on the radio. We were so excited to go and have been looking forward to it all week. Today Nik drove his own car to work so he could meet me down there after work. See, it is a free show for 101.9 The End and they gave out WAY more tickets than there was room in the venue, that ensures a full house no matter what! Well, all day today we have not been able to make a decision on when to get there and whether or not we had a shot to get in. Neither of us can really make a decision and it is down to the wire. I am trying to give the tickets away now because we are really passive. I don't know if we would really have a good time if we are not excited for the show already. I feel bad about not going. i was so excited to have won the tickets and now we are not going. I keep thinking that this will be a once in a lifetime chance to see TMBG and especially for free. I think one of the things is that they are not one of "my bands". Not one that I listen to all the time or even used to listen to. I just know they are a big deal (or used to be) and so I am sure they put on a good show. Well, anyway. We are not going to the show and I feel remotely guilty, but I guess that makes room for two people who really wanted to see them. I hope we can find a deserving couple to take them off our hands.

Toothbrush update

I would like to report that the day after posting about my possessed toothbrush, I purchased a new one. Nik also performed a simple exorcism using modified "holy" water. I guess it worked, because the "spirit" has not come back to haunt my new toothbrush...yet.

Anyone know a good exorcist?

For the last few days I have had a very odd presence in my house. Well, in my bathroom to be specific. And, no, its not Nik. Although, his presence in the bathroom is often odd. Two days ago I was innocently watching TV in my living room and suddenly my electric toothbrush turned on. It was just sitting in the toothbrush holder next to Nik's, vibrating away. It took me three tries to get the thing to turn off! Besides this somewhat isolated incident, almost everytime I use my toothbrush and put it back in the holder, it will turn on again. Sometimes it does it when Nik puts his toothbrush away. I have decided that it is possessed. I cannot figure out why this keeps happening so I am begging for help! Does anyone know a good toothbrush exorcist?

Fiesty Red-Head

So it is time for a self esteem boost. Today I am going to talk about all the things love about me. And maybe some things that help make me better.

**I love my read hair. Nik always calls me a Fiesty Red-Head and I love it. I agree that I am fiesty and I have always loved my unique red color.
**My dark features. I agree that my skin is (very) pale but I love that I have dark brown eyes and dark eyebrows and eyelashes instead of the traditional blue eyes and blone brows and lashes. I think it gives my face more definition.
**I really do love my body. Of course I can come up with reasons I am not perfect, but overall, I am pretty satisfied with the overall look of it. Plus Nik likes it too, so that helps.
**I consider myself relatively intelligent. Unless I spelled that wrong, then the rest of this statement is null and void. I know a few big words and can usually use them correctly. I have a good memory for song lyrics, but usually not anything else. I did well in school and feel I can express myself pretty well.

I guess I couldn't come up with as many things as I thought, but I do have a few things I am grateful for.

**Good friends. I just got a long email from my best friend down in Provo and I was so excited I read it twice. I also got a call from a good friend from high school that carried into college. We are going to have lunch to celebrate our birthdays. I love my friends. I dont know what I would do without them.
**My mom. I was hardly ever home when I was dating Nik and I am so glad we still live close so I can visit her. I have been over three times this week already. I actually had to stop myself from just going over there today after the Comcast guy left. I had too much to do today and I have used the "i was at moms" excuse to not get anything done too many time.
**Nik. I am so grateful for my husband. He is amazing. He tells me everyday hoe much he loves me and how lucky he is to have me. It is a real help to me emotionally to hear that. I love Nik so much. He is amazing.

Bittersweet Day

Today was a bittersweet day. A couple things were good about today. One: I got to babysit sweet Ally baby! We had a great time and she even laughted at me. Real laughs! I love it when she laughs. I got to watch her yesterday too, so she even remembered me. We like to dance to the music that plays on one of her toys. She thinks I dance funny. I agree. Two: I got to see my mom today. I had left a basket of laundry in her washer the other day and I came to get it today and she had even folded it for me. It was great! I didn't get to stay long, but it was fun to talk. My dad came home after a while but he had lots of work to do downstairs, so I just got to say hi. Three: I got an email from the Passport people saying that my passport had been processed and I would be recieving it on september 17th. Yay! I was so worried that I would not get it on time to go to Mexico with our friends. Now we just need to find some plane tickets in time.

Now for the one that trumps them all. The problem is that this one makes the other ones null and void. I found out today that I am no longer in the running for the IHC job I wanted. Bummer. I was so down. Luckily I was with Ally at the time so I didnt have much of a chance to get TOO down on myself. But it is hitting me now. I kind of stopped looking when I got the interviews with IHC. So now I need to start looking again. I am really bummed. I am wondering about this trip to Mexico and if it will really happen even with my passport coming in time. If you know of any full time job openings I am all ears. Thanks.

Our family is growing!

On sunday we found our family would have another member! Before I give my mom a heart attack, I will specify that the new member of our family is a stuffed red eyed tree frog. We named him Terrance. Terrance the Tree Frog. He is so cute and he has spent everynight on our bed. We acquired Terrance as a birthday gift from Mom and Dad English. I am so excited that Nona spent the time researching places to find this special guy. Thanks guys!

New way to post

Today I got my best friend back. My laptop. I have missed him so much! He got sick and had to be taken to the computer doctor to get a new brain. But he is back good as new and anxious to be back blogging with me!

Along with his new brain, my laptop got some new program updates, the coolest of which is an iPhoto update that allows me to post entire camera downloads, or "events" to a website. In this case, it is mine and Nik's website. So I have posted a couple of the most recent camera events on the gallery portion of our website. These photos are available for the taking if there are any that you are interested in. Likewise, if there are any photos you know I have and you want, please let me know and I will make sure and post them so you can have them. It will be the easiest, fastest, and most sure way to get you these photos.

I am hoping that since this is easier than posting on the blog that I will post more photos of my life so you can all be included. I hope you all enjoy them!

http://gallery.mac.com/nikenglish#gallery