Monday, September 22, 2008

Domokun's Target Halloween Special

Kevin and I love our Domokun ... and this is just AMAZING. Just another reason to obsess over Target

Friday, September 19, 2008

Let's Go!

Let's Go Dodgers!! Almost there!!

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Politics

Does anyone else feel like they are watching a fight between Preschoolers while watching these immature words being thrown back and forth between Obama and McCain? I'm not really a huge follower of politics ... I'll be the first to admit that. When I do turn the t.v. on and start watching the updates on the race, I can't help but feel embarrassed that these are our future leaders arguing about lipstick, he said-she said fights, and more.

I'm sorry, but I would rather watch these politicians out on the streets and helping people. Maybe using their money to help our Schools and Hospitals rather than be dressed up in suits and reading other peoples' words ....while comparing people to animals.

This isn't personally against one canidate or another, it's the whole political group that I just don't understand. Does anyone else feel this way?

Friday, September 12, 2008

Always a child at heart

This post from "C Jane Enjoy It" made my day. No, not just my day.. my MONTH. I hope it gives you as wide of a smile as it did for me.


When Chup and I drove to the cousin's house to pick the children up this afternoon Claire came out of the house with sad eyes.

"What is wrong?" I asked (always with a hint of panic).

"Well, it's just that we were going to go to the Secret Store. But now you are here."

Ahh the Secret Store.

When Stephanie was old enough to understand currency, but young enough to not rebel against her mother-given bowl cut, she had an uncontrollable sweet tooth. Candy, candy, candy always on her mind. Along with the desire for treats was another constant in Steph's life, her cousin (from across the street) Katie D. Katie D and treats. That pretty much sums up the first sixteen years of my sister's life.

One day Steph and Katie D were wondering around Wymount Terrace which is the glorious kingdom of student housing for married BYU students. As luck would have it, they discovered a miniature convenience store hidden away behind the student housing office. And behold, there were freshly baked brownies, cookies and chocolate donuts in plastic encasing ready for consumption! Who knew?

From that day forth, Steph and Katie D did just about anything they could to raise money for the benefit of Secret Store shopping. They went so far as to start a dried flower business built out of the old playhouse in the backyard. You could get a wreath of crusty roses for five dollars. Or a spray of browned daisies for your mantle (perfect for any season!) As I remember, Katie D was the wizard behind the business, while Steph did most of the design. But all orders were celebrated with a trip on a bike to buy the freshest donuts in town.

And here we are, a generation later still finding the joys in a trip to the Secret Store. How could we not oblige Claire and her wadded-up-dollar-bill-toting cousins?

So Chup and I drove them past the old church, over to the Wymount housing offices and parked in front of that very same store that Steph visited so often. That is when it dawned on me that it was still a secret to me as I had never before been inside.

"Wanna drink?" I asked Chup as the kiddies filed out of the car.

"Let's see . . ." He replied sarcastically reminding me that one cannot get a hard core drink on BYU campus. No Coke. No Mountain Dew. No Dr. Pepper. Nor Mr. Pib. Something about caffeine and addiction, I think. Good for us abstaining Mormons.

"Gaterade?" I suggested.

"Good enough." Chup succumbed.

The Secret Store is no bigger than an average master bedroom's closet in a newly constructed home. It looks to be fifty years old judging by the frosted brown linoleum flooring. There were two fridges, one for drinks, the other for BYU Farm dairy products. I first looked for Steph's beloved chocolate donuts, but only found mint brownies with a violent amount of kelly green frosting. The children grabbed ring pop, ring pop, ring pop, ring pop and skittles. A Fresca for me. Thank you.

After all the treats were purchased I took a moment to imagine Steph there twenty years ago. A smile pushing back her ample cheeks, short hair with bangs barely obstructing her vision, and of course, dazzling freckles. And there was Katie D counting out each penny. Giving Steph her cut of the dough with palms out flat. Then I could see Steph turning to the baked goods with eyes as big as the cookies inside. I couldn't help but think that I'd give just about anything in the world to have those days back.

Then, looking down at Claire and Jane laughing with their cousins as ring pops were placed on left index fingers, I realized.

I did have them back.

Monday, September 8, 2008

New! The Secret Life of Bees Trailer (HQ)

I love this book :) I can't wait for this movie to come out ... it looks amazing. What an amazing cast of people too!

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Show me some love!

I added a new add-on to my blog that I thought was neat. I know some of you actually follow this blog, but I really don't know who else! On the right hand side, I added a "follower" add-on. So click on it and add yourself to my "followers." And if you have your own blog, it's a good way to showcase yours to other people and spread the word.

Thanks!

Friday, September 5, 2008

Love for NieNie

Within the last year, I have become a fan of an amazing blog called The NieNie Dialogues. My Mom had entered the "blog world" lately and has found some fun blogs to keep up with. I found Stephanie's blog because of this, and instantly became addicted. Stephanie is amazing: she is always putting up amazing and retro-feeling pictures, has fun stories of her family and herself, and it was just an addicting blog in general.

Last week, Stephanie and her Husband were in a plane crash, unfortunately killing the Pilot and badly burning both Steph and her Hubby. Stephanie's Sister made a post on Steph's blog .... telling the unfortunate story to all of NieNie's blog fans. This was such a sad story, and I found myself constantly checking the blog for more updates. Apparently I wasn't alone .... hundreds and hundreds of other blog visitors were leaving desperate messages on the site wanting more information and asking "How can we help?!"



Stephanie's blog was so wonderful that it has attracted SO many others to want to help and keep up with the progress of the family. Stephanie and her family would always release balloons into the sky to celebrate birthdays and such, and as a tribute to Stephanie and her Husband, millions of families across the U.S. and other countries are now releasing balloons into the air and filming it, sending the videos with love and prayers to the family. I can't even begin to go on more about all the other things people have come up with to help out, but to put it simply it has been so moving that it even caught the attention of The New York Times.

Stephanie and her Husband are thankfully pulling through all the surgeries, skin grafts, etc. Poor Stephanie's body was burned over 80% , but she has been pulling through and the Doctors are just thrilled and shocked at her progress. Her sister has been taking care of the children, and she has made her own blog to give daily updates to all of Stephanie's fans.

So I'm including a link to this story for you guys to go check this all out if you get a chance. This whole story has made me feel SO inspiried. I feel for this family so much, and I just have so much respect and love for them all. They have kept a stiff upper lip through all of this and you can just feel the love by reading these blogs and comments. It's a daily encouragement for me to read, and hopefully will become one for you too :)

cjanerun