For whom the bell tolls.

Since I was two years old, I have lived a block and a half from the bells. And for as long as I can actually remember, the bells have tolled three times a day, 37 chimes each time; once at 8:00 am, once at noon, and once at 6:00 pm.

The bells have signified different things through the years. When I was younger, the 8:00 bell meant that I was late for school and had less than five minutes to get my butt out the door. In the summer time, the noon bells meant it was time for tuna fish and potato chip sandwiches. And later, after I discovered the amazingness of Gilmore Girls, the 6:00 bell meant it was time to tune in.

Overall, though, the sound of the bells meant I was home. Home from college, the cabin, Paris, or Boston. Just like the smell of my grandma's cinnamon bread or the feel of the wind on my face as I'm flying through the air on the trampoline, those 37 chimes meant instant comfort, instant regression back to my childhood, instant happiness.

But this latest trip home? I was not greeted by my favorite, familiar sound. Instead, I was greeted by a weird, annoying tinkle.

They changed the bells.

And I am not happy about it. And I am sure that Pepper (my cocker spaniel, may he rest in peace) would not be happy about it either, as one of his favorite daily activities was howling along with the bells three times a day (I hope they're chiming for you up in that big backyard in the sky).

As far as I'm concerned, the only bells that are supposed to tinkle are those little tiny ones that rich people use to summon their hired help. The stately Catholic church (one of only two in a town dominated by LDS churches on every other corner) with gorgeous stained glass that I've lived around the corner from since I was two deserves a loud, booming bell, one that chimes thirty-seven times, three times a day.

And so, for anyone that has watched as much Gilmore Girls as I have, I'm going to have to channel the episode where Luke and Lorelai break the bells. But instead, I will be doing the opposite-restoring my favorite bells to their original glory.

A question...

What to do with this here blog of mine?

One Step Closer...

The application process is complete. I have already been accepted to two schools. Still waiting to hear from my number one choice. It will be a while, considering I just mailed the packet today. Now comes the part where I normally freak out, talk myself out of it, wonder how I could ever leave this place, these people, this life?

But this time? It's different. I'm ready to leave. I've spent the last four years doing the same things. And while I have too many wonderful memories to count, I'm ready to make new ones, with new people, in a new place. I've finally realized that I need to do this for myself, that I can't worry about anyone else, that I can't worry about missing out on things. Because that? Just leads to me missing out on my own life.

So yeah. I'm ready. Ready for something new.

A dose of cuteness.

We went to the hockey game on Saturday night to celebrate QS's birthday. As we were driving there, we had a little discussion with the Princess about what age she was going to be that night.

The Pro: "Now Princess, if anybody asks you how old you are tonight, you're going to say three years old."

Princess: "But daddy, I'm four!"

The Pro: "Yes, you are, but just for tonight, we're going to pretend that you're three so we don't have to buy you a ticket."

After some chiming in from the BFF and myself, I look over and see the Princess' eyes welling up with tears.

Princess: "But can I still be four years old?"

It just doesn't get cuter than that.

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On a sadder note, today i ran over a squirrel. And I didn't even know it until the cheer king made me look in the rear view mirror. And then I saw the poor thing twitching. And I just couldn't bring myself to run him back over to put him out of his misery. I am officially going to squirrel hell, where the poor little guy will run me over everyday as my punishment.

The cheer king did try to make me feel better by telling me that the squirrels are over-populated in Boise and that I was just doing my job controlling the problem. It didn't really work; I still feel horrible.

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Stay tuned tomorrow for a story about our epic Monday night karaoke adventure. Two words for you: legend. dary.

An addendum. Or three.

As per the usual, I left some of my favorites out yesterday. And that just won't do. Once again, click the pictures and away you'll go!



One of Brandy's most coveted items is a diamond-encrusted toothbrush. And something I do believe she put on her Christmas list. Brandy is the queen of lists; add that to her love of Ryan Reynolds and Soul Decision and we're basically best friends. She also does one of the best features in the blogging world-The Secret Project. If you like Post Secret, you'll love this. And it always gives you something to look forward to on Mondays.

I just very recently discovered her. And big surprise? She took three months off to travel through Europe. Her difference? She did it alone. CRAZY! And? She just recently left home to start a new life in Boulder, Colorado, something I'm considering as well. Plus, she loves Barnes and Noble and likes to have dance parties in her kitchen. We're pretty much the same person.



And last, but certainly not least, is Miss Challis. It's funny how you can go to junior high and high school with someone and not really know them at all until like five years later. And while the majority of my classmates blog about their adorable children (which is cute, but just another reminder of the weirdness of my hometown), Challis writes amazingly hilarious posts about her domestic abilities (or lack thereof) and airline adventures. And I'm sure we can all relate to anyone who loves cookies as much as this girl.

And that wraps it up. I even double-checked this time. I'm currently watching the Olympics and having mini panic attacks as the lady figure skaters take to the ice. I seriously can't watch when they do their jumps. If they fall, it feels like I fell. And then my knees hurt. I'm sure it's all their fault (my knees, not the figure skaters) that I'm not a professional athlete; after all, I totally could race down a giant, icy ski hill and kick ass while doing it. Maybe in another life. Only two more days left in Idaho Falls. And six more days until I go back to work. Not sure how that's going to go. I'm going to have to brush up on my cat-sweater-selling skills.

Back again...

What up everybody? So glad ya here*. Once again, it's been a while. Probably far too long. But that's what happens when you're living life. Or so people tell me.

At the moment, I am home in Idaho Falls, recovering from a tonsillectomy and septoplasty. Basically, I had my tonsils taken out, my turbinates reduced, and my septum straightened. All because of a little thing called sleep apnea. I know you might be asking "isn't that all a little extreme?" And to that I say, it's better than my other option, which was this:




That is a CPAP Machine. Being the single girl that I am, my doctor and I agreed that this wasn't something I wanted to deal with for the rest of my life. It's hard enough finding someone in this big, crazy world; now just imagine having to explain that giant contraption to anyone I chose to invite into my bed. That's hot, right? Except not so much.

And so surgery was underwent. I was actually really nervous about my recovery; the postings on the message boards I found online weren't the most comforting ('worse than childbirth,' 'burning pain of the hell-like variety,' 'someone kill me now.' Not really what you want to hear the night before surgery). Thankfully, I recovered much better than normal and I already notice the difference in my breathing. Not sure about the snoring, as that is hard to monitor when I'm asleep.

Anyways, recovery has been good. Very lazy. Blogging is definitely helping me pass the time. As in, reading other people's blogs, not writing them. Obviously. And so, I thought I would give a shout-out to some of my favorites. Because if I like them, everybody should like them. Click on the picture and away you'll go!

Yes and Yes is a great one, especially because she actually gave up her job, her home, her life-as-she-knew-it to travel the world, explore new cultures, and expand her horizons. Hello? That is my dream. So not only does she have great advice and great stories, but she also interviews really interesting people. The latest? A transvestite.

This is honestly one of the most random blogs I have ever read. You never know what you're going to get, but you can always count on it as being hilarious and well-written.

Kathleen is just a very relatable** person. She left her hometown and moved to Vegas to be with her boyfriend, she's homesick, she has great fashion-sense and she tells great stories.

Miss Jamie Varon is another one of those dare-to-live people. I discovered her right after she moved to Italy. Just because. She also appeals to my entrepreneurial side; she started Shatterbox Media and also made national news when she used Twitter to help her get a job. She is also the new roommate of this girl down below...

...and together, they provide some very entertaining writing. Nicole is basically what I aspire to be, although with not so much of a focus on sex, seeing as how I don't have all the experience. She talks like she writes, which has always been one of my favorite styles. Basically, she's crazy and don't we all need a little more crazy in our lives (of the good variety, of course)?

Basically, my day is made anytime any of these ladies post. And with them in mind, I am going to try and be a little more consistent with my blogging. We'll see how it goes.

But now, I need to see to my nasal rinse. Such an exciting life I lead. Who wouldn't want to read about it?

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*That's right. I busted out some Coolio.

**Apparently, relatable is not a word. Which is ridiculous. How else can you describe someone who people can relate to? I think it's time I start my own dictionary. I'm sure it would be helpful to all.

Christmas Time

Everyone has heard that song "My Favorite Things.' Especially at Christmas time. A few of my favorite things are potatoes, glitter, and lists. Thanks to an extremely boring night at work, I present to you some top 10 lists all about Christmas time.

Top 10 Christmas Songs:

10. 'Last Christmas'- Pretty much anyone can sing this, but my favorite versions are by Jimmy Eat World and miss TSwift.

9. 'Alone This Holiday'-The Used (For when you're in a not-so-cheery mood.)

8. 'Good King Wenceslas' (An underrated classic.)

7. 'Christmas, Baby Please Come Home' (Cher and Rosie O'Donnell do a mean version. And by mean, I mean awesome.)

6.'Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays'- N'SYNC (annoying my family for a good 11 years.)

5. 'Santa, Can You Hear Me?'- Britney Spears (even better with choreography.)

4. 'Song for a Winter's Night'- Sara Mclachlan and Jewell

3. 'All I Want For Christmas is You'- Mariah Carey (also annoying my family for as long as I can remember, They're traditionalists.)

2. 'Do You See What I See?'- Martina McBride (I wish I could sing just so I could sing this song.)

1. 'The Christmas Song'- The Raveonettes (If you've never heard this song, stop what you're doing and listen to it. It's everything Christmas should be. Happy, sappy, traditional, untraditional, and just plain amazing.)

*Honorable Mentions: 'Winter Song' by Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson, 'A Valley Winter Song' by Fountains of Wayne, and 'Christmas Day' by Dido.

Top 10 Christmas Foods:

(In no particular order, because really? They're all just that good.)

10. Spinach dip (with or without the spinach, it's always delicious)

9. Lil' Smokies

8. Mashed potatoes

7. Turkey

6. Bubble Bread (made by my aunt, eaten by all, known for it's carmely, butterscotchy deliciousness)

5. My mother's peanut-butter fudge (locally renowned and extremely hard to make)

4. Apple Cider (made with that little box of goodness sold at Hallmark. Only acceptable form)

3. Munner Toast (Something I haven't had in waaayyy to many years. And kind of a family secret. And so it shall remain.)

2. Breakfast Quiche (Perfected by the Grandma)

1. Funeral Potatoes (love the crunchy cornflakes on top. Google it.)

*Honorable Mentions: Hot chocolate (should cider not be available), pumpkin pie, and rolls (with lots and lots of butter).

Top 10 Favorite Things About Christmas:

(According to me, of course. In order, but only according to my mood at the time the list was made.)

10. Shopping (Love finding the perfect present.)

9. Going Home (Love the Family. And the Friends.)

8. Sledding (See #2.)

7. The Smells (cookies, fire smoke, Christmas trees, oranges, and peppermint.)

6. Parties

5. Secret Santa

4. Presents!

3. Decorations (Especially lights. And candles. And anything with glitter.)

2. SNOW! (It's not Christmas unless it's a White Christmas.)

1. Going to bed with all the anticipation of a 12 year old. Waking up as a 12 year old. Spending the day doing pretty much the exact same things you did when you were actually 12 years old.

*Honorable Mentions: Christmas cards (sending and receiving), all the delicious food mentioned in the previous list, and my recurring Christmas dream.

Whew! I think we covered it all. With that being said, Merry Christmas to all and to all a good time!

(Please to stay tuned for the best of 2009. I know you can't wait.)