Questions.

Thoughts to ponder and stories for each:

1. What about me attracts teenage boys?  Remember the Brit?  This guy is a cowboy, but no less persistent and no older than the Brit was.  Hey world, just a reminder, I'm 28.  Here is the email I typed up to HJolley detailing my night... feel free to skip it since it is lonnnng.

This guy (we will call him Cowboy) is somewhere in the 18-20 years of age range.  I have known him for like 8 months or something, since he was hanging out at Institute with Evan C.  They're in the same singles ward.  He wears a cowboy hat every day.  He almost NEVER removes it.  He wears a huge belt buckle and cowboy boots.  His hair was grown out and curly with a beard when I first met him.  He was funny and nice and I was nice in return, but honestly never even thought he'd actually be interested or anything.  I mean... he knows I'm old.... anyway...

So we always say hi to each other and he has come with us to get shakes after institute, etc.  I doubt he has any friends outside this circle, but he isn't shy.  He is just kooky.  I saw him at the Halloween dance and he hugged me - picking me up in the process.  I was like WHOA - you must be incredibly strong, bro.  Eeek

So I haven't seen him since then that I can think of - maybe a few times - but he cut his hair short and shaved his beard.  I asked him if it was to prep for a mission and he said yeah.  I was super excited for him.

So last night, I go to institute, and I walk past him to Courtney and Marissa (didn't even see him) and he stops me and grabs my hand and is like "Hey!"  so I said "Hi!  You sitting by yourself?  Why don't you come sit with us?"

ABORT

WHY AM I STUPID

I WILL NO LONGER BE NICE TO ANYONE EVER AGAIN.  ISN'T WORTH IT.

So he came and sat with us, then wouldn't leave me alone the entire meeting.  He was going through funny internet pics he had saved to his iPod and he wouldn't even let me listen to the class - just wanted to show me all of them and tell me why he thinks they're funny.  I looked over at Courtney at one point like... make it stop... bowl... and she just smiled and understood.

So he shows me a pic of his newest guns and I pointed to a couple and said I had shot those before... ABORT 

WHY AM I STUPID

At one point, he took my phone out of my hand and added himself as my friend on facebook, then told me when he got home, he was going to stalk my profile.... EEEK

so after the class ended, we were getting up, and Ryan C came over and was talking to us.  Cowboy then invited me to go shooting... which is not a big deal to me.  STEVEHALL! (a coworker who I have fun with, who is a tad ridiculous and has a name similar to STEVE HOLT! from Arrested Development, so I call him STEVEHALL!) also asked me to go shooting yesterday, but I am busy this weekend and also YOU HAVE A GIRLFRIEND, STEVE.  So I didn't think anything of it, but just brushed it off and tried to avoid having to answer.  I said, "HEy Ryan likes guns too!  Yeah, Ryan over here is a total enthusiast.  You guys should talk"

and I tried to leave.  bahaha.... but he followed, and then waited and talked to me while i was eating refreshments with marissa and courtney.  He kept showing us his battle wounds from his welding job and all the accidents he's been in.  I asked him what was on the radar mission-wise and he basically told me he doesn't think he'll go anymore.  For the record, neither did the Brit.

The director of the class told us all to have a great weekend and to "keep this one out of trouble" pointing to Cowboy.  Cowboy then blurted out, "Well I already laid the shooting date out on the table, but nobody wants to go with me!"  right in front of me. 

i was like oh craaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaap it's a date now???  how do I turn this poor kid down at institute in front of everyone??????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So then I again brushed it off with saying "Well you're so dang accident-prone, why would we want to go shooting with you!?"  and he gave me a spiel on how gun safety is his number one priority and he would teach me correctly blah blah blah

We finally were leaving, and he walked us outside.  Marissa and Courtney said bye and walked off.  He grabbed my hand and said "Come shooting."

and iiiiiiiiiiiii died

and then i said "ok, well, i'm busy this weekend..."

and he said "Ok, well, I'll get my double-barrel back from my uncle next month, so, maybe then" and I said "I do like shooting, but i'm busy.  bye!" and went to my car and laughed/groaned.

Then he started writing me on fbook and i haven't responded.  That's the end of the Cowboy story. For now.

Another funny one:

I called marissa and courtney and we went to get shakes and stuff after this whole ordeal went down.  They laughed with me and felt sorry for me and we ate our feelings.  While we were sitting at a car stall at sonic, this guy comes up to my car... grungy looking, cigarette in his hand, and comes up to my door.

He looked at me and motioned to talk to him.  Now, you know that I have been freaked out lately of predators and stuff... so I said, "NOPE" and locked all my doors!  I was like "I don't know what you're playing here, but I'm not into it."  

the girls said "Lindsey, he's just trying to back up his truck and needs you to move."  I guess they had seen him coming, but I hadn't.  I was like OH my word and rolled down my window

"I'm sorry, you just need me to move?"

"Yes... did you just lock your doors?  Jeez"

"Um, well, I didn't know!  Ok, I'll move"

and i booked it out of there, crying from laughing so hard.  The guy probably thought all Utah Valley girls are snobs.  He was wearing a UofU sweatshirt.  Oh man.  I don't regret it, because I believe in "better safe than sorry" but i was pretty embarrassed and couldn't stop laughing the whole drive home.  

2. Am I turning into one of those self-defense fanatics who I always thought were a little butch? 

Refer to the end of that email.  Also, I recently posted in my ward facebook page about being careful of this guy who joined all the local singles ward pages and asks for rides from UVU.  I felt creeped out by it - then found out later that the cops are warning girls at BYU about this exact situation and about a sex offender using this to get naive girls... So, I am now the ward protector and the bishopric even had ME make an announcement in Relief Society about it.  

STEVEHALL! also invited me to get my concealed carry permit with him and a couple other coworkers, so I went to the class and am in the process.  Eek!  I've never been the type you'd expect to pack heat.  I never expected myself to be that person.  I still am not, really.  We'll see.  

Head and I also went and took an archery class for her Christmas present.  I saw it in July and bought it for Christmas knowing she would die of happiness.  So, I shot a bow and arrow last night.  I made it in the red zone of the target, so watch out pervs!  In the words of Art from the Burbs "We are out to get 'em.  We are out to get them."

3. Do I have a life?

Yesterday, I got a spam text.  I started texting back because of this hilarious prank I saw (sorry for the bad language if you click on that).  Usually spam texts come from a 5-digit computer number, but this was a legit cell phone in Denver.  I texted back for hours.  Still no response. Those five responses from me continued and continued ... and continued.  I'm not even going to blur that phone number for their privacy.  Have at it, folks.

Also, I am so hooked on TV shows - it's sad.  I get super upset if I haven't seen the latest episode or if there are re-runs.  My current lineup: The Mindy Project, Parks and Recreation, Once Upon a Time, and Modern Family.  I watch an episode a day of Parks and Rec on my lunch break.  I am currently re-watching the 2nd season.  Love.  My friend Alison and I may or may not be having a "TREAT YO-SELF" day soon.

4. Can I really survive in the real world?

This morning, I ran out of gas in my driveway.  It took an hour of sliding on pure ice (look up any Utah articles today and you will see freezing rain and a kajillion car accidents), maneuvering my mom's car out of the garage past mine, buying a gas can, breaking the spout, replacing it with an old one from our garage, sweating, and pouring gasoline all over myself and my driveway before I was finally able to leave for work.  Sweet fancy Moses!

5. When will I get my deductible back?

Over Christmas, my car was backed into.  I didn't want to worry about waiting for her insurance to offer to pay for stuff, so I had my insurance instigate and they will get the money from her insurance.  My car was in the shop for a couple weeks or so, and I got to drive a precious little Yaris.  I love my car for the most part, but it is getting old.  My first thought was, "Please be totaled.  Please be totaled."  However, I'm grateful that it wasn't and that I don't need to buy a new car.  But seriously... I could use that $500 back... any day now.

There's my update.  

Let's hope the Cowboy doesn't follow through.

Big Apple Weekend

Sigh.  I♥NY.

Some gal pals and I got to go to NYC this weekend for a little vacation.  It. Was. Awesome.

Friday - Marissa, Ashley, Jessica, and I arrived at the Newark airport at about 4pm.  We rented a car and drove to Scarsdale (about a 45-minute drive that took us three hours in Friday night traffic.  No big deal).  Ashley's aunt/uncle live there and were letting us stay with them.  Ashley's sweet aunt made us dinner and we headed out to the city on the train, getting there around 8:45pm.  We went straight to Rockefeller Square to get in line for ice skating.  We waited in line until about 10:40pm, then skated until almost midnight.  It was gorgeous and awesome!  There was one guy who I can only describe as the skinniest/tallest black guy in leggings I have ever seen.  He was an awesome figure skater, and that's all I will say.  I included the video I tried to get of him.  Sadly, I didn't catch him doing his fully extended leg lift.

We walked around 5th Avenue and down to Times Square, and we enjoyed the lights and Christmas feel of everything.  It was so beautiful!  The red ribbon made entirely out of lights was stunning around the Cartier store.

Saturday - We took the train to town and got in line in Times Square for discount theater tickets.  Since the weather report I checked three different times before traveling said it would be in the 50s the whole time we were there, I was smart enough to not bring a coat.  Hello, I needed the suitcase space for the Chinatown haul I was expecting!  It was 33 degrees on Saturday.  Just FYI.  We stood in line for 90 minutes.

Got 1/2 price tickets to Phantom of the Opera!  We then walked to Central Park.  I have never really explored the park before, so that was pretty cool.  Starbucks hot cocoa does wonders when you're frozen, too.   We also stopped for a tunnel performance by a woman in some sort of Lady-Gaga-inspired lighted tutu outfit and her male counterpart with lighted boots.  They did some sort of ritual where they touched each other at different places on their arms, screamed nonsense words, sang operatic notes, burned incense, waved a wind tunnel instrument over a candle, and played the violin. We left when we figured satan would come out of the ground any second.

 I made sure to give the girls a tour of the Carnegie Deli (my fave) on our way back to Times Square.  We also saw Carnegie Hall and Radio City Music Hall.

The Church has recently put up all these ads in Times Square.  It was really awesome!

We ate at the Hard Rock Cafe (remind me to post the pic here) for dinner.  NYC on a Saturday in December is second only to London's Harrods on a Saturday in December.  You can barely walk down the street because it is SO crowded!  We waited for an hour for our table... at 3:30pm (pretty good, actually - though still weird for mid-afternoon), but the wait was 45 minutes at McDonalds anyway.

Ashley wanted to grab some earrings from Kate Spade on 5th before we left for Boston in the morning.  We had 1/2 hour before we had to be at the play.  We were 1.5 miles away from the store, but right by the theater, so we decided to take a taxi.  Hahahaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

As if we could get a taxi in that crowd!  We hailed every one we saw as we made our way up to 5th Avenue, and then arrived there before a single taxi stopped.  We tried Saks to no avail, then had 10 minutes to get back to the theater a mile away.  We were shoulder-to-shoulder with the crowds and couldn't move.  No taxis available.  A Pedi-Cab Rickshaw driver spotted us.  Eeeeeek.

"You girls need a ride?"  "NO, absolutely not."  "You sure?"  We thought for a moment and decided he might be our only hope.  "How fast can you get us to Times Square?"  "Five minutes.  This is the fastest way to go."  Ummmm fine.  We hopped in and had no idea what was going to happen next.

You can't see the tears streaming down my face or the hands clenched in terror.  Anyone ever taken one of these?  No, you're probably all too sensible for that.  We were screaming and laughing and lizzing.  At one point, there was a taxi bumper basically under my leg.  We almost killed a 90-yr-old who screamed "Oh!  You startled me!" and we watched her life pass before her eyes.  We were yelled at in entirely F-words from pedestrians we ran over or cut off.  We were honked at.  We were bracing for imminent death.

We got there in five minutes.

Still shaking, we recognized the two women behind us in line for the theater looked LDS.  We were right.  They were the second group we spotted that day and talked to.  The first group was in Central Park.  The next group was also at the play with us and had us take their picture afterward.  It was pretty funny.  Sometimes you just can tell.

The play was awesome, of course.  I was sitting on the edge of my seat!  I actually mean that figuratively and literally, since my long legs did not fit in that crammed theater, and I had to put the seat cushion up and lean on it while basically standing for the entire second half.  Good thing we were on the back row of the orchestra seats so I could do that.

Sunday - Jessica and Marissa stayed in NYC to see more sites (Jess had never been before).  Ashley and I took a day trip to Boston to see friends and family.  Ryan was leaving for a business trip right after Sacrament Meeting, so if I wanted to see him and make it to church, we had to get there by 10:30am to drop off Ashley and make my way to Belmont.  We left Scarsdale late at 8am.  The distance is about 200 miles and is supposed to take 3.5 hours.

We made it in 2.5.

I got to see Ryan and go to Sacrament Meeting with them!  I then took a nap and played with the kids once they got home.  Marissa was kind enough to let me eat dinner with them and hang out for a while.  Those kids are so stinkin' cute!

Monday - We drove into town and literally onto Canal Street in Chinatown, marking my second time driving in Manhattan.  We parked about 100 feet from the stores where I have been craving a shopping trip for years (since my last one... see here).  We paid $24 to park for two hours, but saved about $60 overall for not taking the train and subway!  I bargained.  I got offended when they said they wanted $150 for my LV bag.  What do they think I am, an amateur?  I laughed in their face.  I got it for $50.  I got one for Kylie at work.  A watch, two other bags, and my perfume.  We even ran into our fourth LDS-looking people.  The Stewart family I grew up with!  Christian won a bowl game that day in Syracuse.  Diane was my YW Leader and I taught Stephanie piano.  The loot:

I was pretty stinking happy.  They all fit in my suitcase.  I was surprised that I didn't go into a single back room this time.  They just open hidden drawers now right in the main part of the store, or have you wait on the street while they bring you the bag you point out in the photo to decide if you want it.  It was super.  

I found myself suppressing the urge to bargain for anything else I bought that day, whether at the airport, Dunkin' Donuts, a vending machine, whatever.  Love.

We drove straight to the airport afterward and made it in like 15 minutes.  It was awesome.  

Thanks, girls, for an awesome vacation!  I will miss our Toyota Yaris, our non-curse-words, and our giggling fits at 2am. 

Take Two.

I have officially fired the cup holder in my car.









After my last post, it should come as a surprise that I would be stupid enough to make the same mistake twice.



This go-around, it was a frozen hot chocolate from Kneaders.

As I went through the drive-through, expecting to pick up a nice smoothie, I saw their new holiday drink menu.  FROZEN HOT CHOCOLATE?!  YES, PLEASE!

I put it right in the cup holder and literally did not get 30 feet before it went soaring.

"Do you want whipped cream on that?"  "Yes!"  Yes, I did.

DID.

It was a mess.  I literally yelled this time, in my car, by myself.  "NO!!!  NO NO NO NOOOOO!!  NOOOOO!"  

I pulled into a parking spot (since I hadn't even left the dang parking lot yet) and ran inside for napkins and a tray to put them in.

Is it strange that while cleaning up the diarrhea, I was thinking, "I can't wait to blog this," and snapped photos?

This story has a happy ending.  My car smelled like cocoa all night!  I went inside and told them what happened, asked for another one and said I could pay for it, but they just made me one out of kindness.  Love that Kneaders!

Cup holder - YOU ARE FIRED.  FOREVER.  FAIL.

All I wanted was some enchiladas...

You know that feeling where you just think, "Man, I really have my life together.  I am strong and confident.   My life is truly charmed."


Me neither.


Take Wednesday's lunch, for example.

I really really wanted enchiladas. I was feeling it.  My gut was feeling it.  My brain was feeling it when I remembered the Wednesday lunch special at Mama Chus is enchiladas.  Boom.  Decision made.

When I got there to pick up my phoned-in order, I heard the waitresses talking to each other.  When I asked if my meal came with a drink and if I could get a Diet Coke, one of them in the back said to another, "Chico grande."  I thought they were talking about me.  I was sorely offended.  This is my favorite restaurant.  Do I have to stop coming now?  They are quite large, themselves.  The one helping me is "grander" than I am, so my thoughts immediately went to this movie quote (who can name it???) - "You're fatter than I am, why don't you go to camp!!?"

Once I got to my car, I remembered that chico meant boy... right?  Plus, it was mid-conversation - so maybe they were talking about something completely unrelated.  Maybe.

Still, I was in a sour mood.  I was not happy with that experience.

I put my Diet Coke in my cup holder, and drove off.  As I turned left onto 800 North, my drink fell right out of that holder and onto the passenger side floor.  It landed on the straw, upside-down, shoving the straw through the bottom of the cup, and dislocating the lid.  There is no shoulder on that strip of 800 North.  I just had to listen to the Diet Coke fizzle into the carpet while screaming.

"Right Lane Closed Ahead" sign once I hit University Avenue.

I pulled onto a dirt road and drove up to a business building lot.  The coke was completely gone, soaking into my car interior.  I was pretty upset.  Then - a stroke of brilliance!  I remembered that I recently started collecting napkins in my glove compartment!  I had several and used them all to clean up the mess.  I couldn't clean it all, obviously, but I felt better.  I ran up to the building and threw the napkins in the trash.

When I got back to my car, I picked up the enchilada box and as the lid pushed down on it, red enchilada sauce squirted everywhere.  All up my arm.  The back of my seat.  The arm rest.

Good thing I used all those napkins on the harmless Diet Coke.

Stroke of brilliance number two!  I recently purchased a pocket pack of tissues and had them in my purse, along with an old pack I forgot was in there!  I was able to use the two packs and clean up (most of) the saucy splatter.  Whew.  I went back to the building and threw away the soiled tissues.

When I got back to my car the second time, I got in with a huff.  Amazingly, my elbow went right onto the enchilada box, opening it, and letting it soar over my passenger seat.

OIJWOEIJFOIAJFAOEIJFAOIWERJO#I$J%O#I$JTOEIJFOIFJ

I picked up the spilled enchiladas with my bare hands and shoved them back in the box, then set the box on the ground outside my car door while simultaneously laughing out loud, screaming, and holding back imminent tears.

I now had no napkins.  No tissues.  Check the napkin they gave me with the meal!  Soiled in red sauce.

Rice in my seatbelt button.

Red, slimy, cheesy, greasy rice/beans/chicken all over my purse.
Red, slimy, cheesy, greasy rice/beans/chicken IN and covering my wallet.
Red, slimy, cheesy, greasy rice/beans/chicken all over the seat.
Red... you get the picture.

I picked up my wallet with my filthy hands and tried to take out the temple family names before they got messed.  They flew out of my hand and onto the ground outside.  I finally got them and threw them in the back seat.  I grabbed my wallet and keys and marched right into that building's bathroom.

After cleaning my wallet, I grabbed about 40 dozen paper towels, some wet, some dry, and headed back out to the car.  There was my meal on the gravel.  There was my car that people undoubtedly would have thought I just barfed all over in if they looked inside.  There was rice and beans on the ground by my door.

It was quite the sight.  I spent the balance of my lunch hour cleaning up my car.  Once I finally had to give up and get back to work, I was sweating to death and swore in vengeance that I would eat those heaven-forsaken enchiladas if it was the last thing I ever did.  And I did.  And I was exceedingly careful.

My life is a charmed one.

Mommy and Me: A Vacation in Two Parts

My mom and I got to take a trip together to visit her old stomping grounds, friends, and family!

Part One: Wisconsin!

We flew into Milwaukee, picked up my first rental car (woot), and drove up to Brit's house in West Bend.  My iPhone decided it would be fun to take me to the "sponsored" link in Grafton instead of the address I typed in.  That was exciting.  "Hey Brit, be there in 1/2 hour!"  "Hey just kidding.  1/2 hour later, and now add another 45 minutes!"  It was a beautiful drive.  I fell in love with Wisconsin.  IN LOVE!

I haven't seen Brit in a few years (and haven't seen Taytay in even more years).  Plus, I had not seen her newest child, Sophie!  We played with the kids and had a delicious meal (one of many this trip).  

Friday morning, we had quite an amazing experience.  Part of the reason for the trip was to figure out how to sell the cemetery plots we have for Oma and Opa (since they switched to SLC).  We knew they were in the Wisconsin Memorial Park, one of FIFTY cemeteries in Milwaukee.  My mom also wanted to see the grave of her bff growing up, Michelle Kindt.  Michelle died in a car accident when they were 15.  My mom was in the car and was one of two survivors.  Three people died, including her best friend.  My mom didn't really wake up until after the funeral had already passed for her best friend days later.  When I was born, she wanted to name me Michelle, but realized that might be a little too tough, and named me Lindsey Michelle instead.  I have always felt a connection to my namesake for that reason.

We had no idea where Michelle was buried.  My mom had never been to the site.  Since we were staying with Brit, and her Stake President is Chris Kindt (Michelle's cousin), we were able to get his number and do some detective work.  We ended up calling Michelle's two brothers, but they could not remember where she was buried.  They were very young when she died.  One said that he remembers it was on the way to Uncle Walter's, and that it may have been off Capitol.  Mom mentioned that the cemetery we were already going to was off Capitol, but they agreed it was too far west.  I did a little googling, and found this:

The same cemetery, out of 50!

We left for Milwaukee and went to the cemetery first.  It is almost a square mile big.  We talked with a creepy gentleman for a while, who clearly works with dead people all day, and found that the plots we were looking for were in adjacent blocks, about 100 yards apart.  He also showed us all the artwork in the main building, which we honestly didn't care about, but it was pretty.  "I can show you a 400-year-old reverse lampshade.  Yeah.  Come with me."  Umm... what?  "Remember the Chief of Police?  That's his crypt.  That's his window.  Isn't that amazing?"  Umm... yep.  He finally left us alone once we reached Michelle's grave.  It was rainy.  We were under an umbrella, emotional, and just stood there in silence for a few minutes.  We bought some flowers and my mom went over some fond memories.  It was really sad and sweet.  I was so glad I was able to be there with her for it.

After being told we needed to just sell Oma and Opa's plots on Craigslist and got the necessary paperwork for when that does happen, we left to see more of my mom's home town!

The last Milwaukee home the Strangfeld family lived in, and the only one in a neighborhood we could enter now:

 Lake Michigan, where my mom and her friend, Abby, would go to the beach and hang out on Lake Drive:

 The awesome homes of her friends growing up, on Lake Drive:

 The church my mom found her testimony in, had a reception in, and went to church in all growing up:

We drove back up to West Bend for the evening and played with Brit and the kids.

Saturday, we went to breakfast in Port Washington, a charming port town that made me really want to live there!  Apparently, this guy also lives there.  Yeah.  This is his house:

He is sure a long way from Screech Powers these days....

After touring and breakfast, we drove up to Plymouth for their Oktoberfest.  We were so excited to have that authentic German/Wisconsin bratwurst and party!  When we finally did find it, it was in a tent enclosure the size of a Sizzler, and there was a Polka band playing.  We left.  

We got back to West Bend, packed up, and headed off to part two!

Part Two: Illinois!

Mom and I drove down to St. Charles, to Kiera's house.  We were staying there for the rest of the trip and surprising Aunt Uschi for her birthday!  Side note - Brit's mom was friends with Uschi (coincidentally) when they were kids, and uploaded an actual video recording of Uschi as a Primary kid in the 1950s to show at the bday party!!

We got to Kiera and Josh's phenomenally gorgeous home and got ready for the surprise party.  Ushci thought she was coming over to babysit Benson and Cason while Kiera and Josh went to a work party.  Josh's boss is in their ward and lives down the street.  It was a perfect cover for the cars!  There were about 70 people there.  Tori and Jared flew up for the occasion from Utah as well.  Katie and Luke and fam drove from Ohio.  Uschi's friends and neighbors were all there.  The Blonquists did an awesome job of keeping it secret from Uschi for months!  Noel drove her over, we hid behind the walls, and shouted, "Surprise!" when she walked in.  She was in total shock and was mad that she was in regular clothes with no makeup.  Haha!!  She was greeted by her daughters at the door and screamed.  My mom and I waited in a corner so she could catch her breath and see all her friends before our surprise.  She finally came around to our area, and my mom walked right up to her.  Uschi stared at her for a second or two, not processing it... (looking in a mirror, maybe?), then screamed again.  They hugged for a good minute while we cried and adored.  It was so precious.  

 Here I am with Katie's son Spencer - who feels a closeness to his namesake, too!  He points out Spence in pics!

The party was 1950's themed.  I cannot rave enough about Noel/Katie/Kiera/Tori throwing this party.  Luke  and Jared were perfect soda jerks.  There was Elvis music playing.  People dressed up in '50s costumes.  It was so fun!  We danced and partied the night away!  

Poor Tori and Jared both got super sick that night and were out of commission the rest of their trip.  It was so sad!

Sunday, we went to church and then toured the renovations on Noel and Uschi's house in Batavia.  We had dinner there, and as proof that no good deed goes unpunished, I tried to help with the dishes afterward.  As I pushed a glass onto a shelf, it pushed another off.  That glass shattered on the counter and I screamed in horror.  Uschi's kitchen is sacred ground, and I offended.  It wasn't until she pointed out that the glass had crushed her favorite hand-carried-from-Mexico-glass-pitcher-that-she-bargained-for-and-loves, however, that I started bawling.  Josh seized the moment to get me back for years of torturous mocking for doing the SAME thing to my mom's favorite hand-carried-from-Austria-crystal-goblet-that-we-searched-for-again-and-love.  He had every right to do so, but I still yelled at him with great fervor, "JOSH!  I CANNOT HANDLE YOU RIGHT NOW.  GET OUT."  I was a mess.  It was so awful.  I still feel awful.  Anyone planning a trip to Mexico soon????

We said our goodbyes and left Monday morning.  I absolutely loved the trip and wish we could have stayed longer.  I don't get to see Kiera nearly enough, and I miss her so much.  I hadn't seen Brit in years - Katie and fam, Uschi, Noel, all of them!  I got to spend time with my mama.  I loved it!  

The big 2-3!

I turned 23 this week.








Hahaha.





Okay, I'm a little older than that.  In my mind, I'm still 23.  At Ward Prayer, they asked us what we would wish for if we were granted one wish.  I said "Turn back the clock."  I've reached that level of feeling elderly and wanting to go back.  I think my Singles Ward friends are surprised I don't live in a nursing home yet.

I had a thought the other day while stuck in traffic and having intense anger toward every other driver on the road... that maybe I could just ram my car into them and that will teach them a lesson.  Plus, it could be fun, like Bumper Cars.  Then I thought, "and then maybe I'd be in a coma in the hospital and lose weight easily."  Then... "and then what if I don't wake up for two years and two days, and when I do, I'm 30!!!!!!!!??!?!?"  That was the scariest thought of all.

So, having enlightened you on my thoughts of my advancing years, I shall now move on to the positives.  My birthday was AWESOME!

Thursday, 9/6 - Pedicures and Cold Stone with Tori.  You rock, girl.  My toes rock.  Thank you!!

Friday, 9/7 - We carried on last year's traditions with Tori bringing me McDonalds breakfast and then a trip to SLC for dinner at the Blue Iguana and walking around!  We were so tired and hungry and I was on a royal crankfest from the aforementioned traffic predicament.  This mini-trip cleared that all up and we were SO happy to eat that glorious food and be serenaded by our favorite missionary couple!

I slipped them a little tip and said, "Come sing to us again!"  They said they would, but didn't.  I guess the two dollars I had in my wallet wasn't enough for an encore.

We then walked around City Creek for a bit and drove home.  On the drive, I got a call from Spencer asking where I was at.  Heather deduced that he was in Orem!  "Wait, are you at my house?!?"  "I'm at MY house.... my parents' house."  Spence and Caitlyn came up for a surprise visit!  We got to talk with them for a bit and I was just so excited and happy!

Saturday, 9/8 - Had a party at Nickel City.  I didn't want to clean my house for hours and spend money on food for everyone, so I decided to take the party elsewhere this year.  We had fun and I got dead last on my team in Laser Tag, per usual.  I think I beat a 6-yr-old on the other team.  I think.

Sunday, 9/9 - I will spare you the details of the crazy morning, but Head and Tori made me pumpkin gingerbread chocolate chip waffles with homemade buttermilk syrup and real whipped cream.  I die.  We die.  It was bomb.  THANK YOU, LADIES, FOR AN AWESOME WEEK!!!  Spence then made coconut and chicken Paella at the Wilson's and we didn't have to prepare or clean up dinner!  It was SO GOOD.  We all loved it.  I couldn't stop quoting Estelle Costanza, though: "What am I going to do with all this Paella?!"  Creme Brulee custard for dessert... good night, nurse.  You can probably guess the next quote we all had a problem suppressing:

Spence and Caitlyn left, and we had cake and ice cream at the house with Oma and Tom.  Always a good time.  I recently watched Fiddler on the Roof and love the Sabbath Prayer scene with the candles.  I was trying to reenact that with my number-close-to-30 candles.

I then saw this pic on my phone and about died.  What the possessed?!??  HAHA

Andrea came by with Sof and Dia and gave me my annual salsa gift and some CUTE blocks that spell out "LAUGH" - so dang adorable!  Unfortunately, the salsa leaked and exploded yesterday, so there is no liquid left, just veggies I had to smash down during the commotion.  I was really looking forward to it.  I might still eat it.  Botulism can't grow that quickly, right???  RIGHT??

What a GREAT week it has been.  THANK YOU EVERYONE who participated in any way and made me feel special!  Thank you for all the Facebook posts and all the love.

You guys keep me young.






P.S. I just want to take a moment to express my love and sympathy to all those who lost loved ones on this day 11 years ago.  I was driving to school with Andrea when her car radio announced the first plane had hit the tower.  We watched the news in our classes that day and called loved ones.  I weep when I think of it.  In my last class of the day, Mrs. Crampton told us we would not watch the news, because Americans are about rising from adversity, and we would continue on learning.  If we stopped working, that was a win for the terrorists.  Though I can see her point, I was devastated that she wouldn't let us watch.  To those firemen, policemen, service workers, any others who helped remove people from the disaster, I offer my heartfelt thanks.  Lives were brutally taken that day for no good reason, as we all know, and I just wanted to say I will never forget.

Sigh. It is done.

to NURSING, nursing

TJ - It looks like I, unfortunately, will not be able to attend anymore at this time.  It may be an option down the road, but right now I cannot commit to this program.  Please accept my apology and give my spot to someone who can do it.  I greatly appreciate the acceptance.  I will hopefully get everything figured out in the coming years.

Thank you,

Lindsey Andersen