Aspartame

So I gave up carbonation and caffeine back in 1998. I am happy drinking plain water and really like the taste of it, usually. This week I was at the store and they had a big display for crystal light single serving mix-ins. I forgot that they contain aspartame. Aspartame and I are NOT friends! I put one in my water bottle which means it was even watered down since my bottle holds 32 ounces. Within 10 minutes of drinking about half of this, well... yeah. So I guess the rest of these are going to my friend's house who is trying to give up the caffeine herself. (This is one of the many reasons as to why I don't chew gum. It too wreaks havoc upon my gastronil intestinal tract.) ok I realize that is all probably TMI BUT Dude, you are the one reading this. You should know better by now if you regularly read my blog. hahaha

Lessons Learned

Pot Calling the Kettle Black

Do you ever have those experiences where someone says something to you and you just want to say...UH Hello!?! Isn't that the pot calling the kettle black?

Fortunately I controlled my first impulse, stepped back and now I can just sit back and laugh!

A Big Milestone

I reached what I consider to be a large milestone for myself today.

Drum roll please....

I did NOT cry at the end of Pirates 3 today!

Could it be because I have been watching it pretty much every day for the last 2 weeks? Yes I have been watching it every single time it has been on TV. Those of you who have Encore know that it has been on all the time. Rick teases me that I watching nothing else. I had to point out that Pirates 1 is the only movie I have ever been to the theater 3 times to see it. Not even Harry Potter got me there 3 times! (It might have been 4 but I know 3 for sure.)

Now don't get me wrong, my heart started to palpitate and I really thought I wasn't going to make it. I chocked up and all still but no actual tears fell this time. I did almost start crying at the very very end though, something I have not done before. Granted this is only one time so we shall just see what happens next time I watch it. This may have just been a one time instance.

Michele Needs...

My friend Heather posted the "Needs" blog and I had to follow suit. (Ok maybe I didn't HAVE to because she isn't here making me do it but I felt like blogging and this sounded like a fun idea.)

To find out what YOU need Google your Name + needs (Michele needs). Then see what you need!

Michele needs...
1. to hire a goon (Ok this one makes me giggle because I actually picked up on the same game off someone else's blog!
2. help adjusting her body regularly
3. to create names for her imaginary friends
4. to learn to be more careful with her Voodoo (hehehe if you only knew)
5. the following info for your demand to count
6. to get laid in the to ten list?? (they put the question marks in, not me)
7. every advantage possible to attain this goal
8. something more with pictures, videos personal blog, interests, information about me and more
9. to shut the $%*@ up (oh my!)
10. our get well vibes

My oh my, Google knows me well! HAHAHA

Ushering at the Draper Temple

Today I was given the opportunity to serve at the Draper Temple Open House. Please forgive me, those of you who have been on the tour as I have many friends who aren't in Utah and others who haven't been on the tour.


For the open house, guests are asked to park at one of 4 parking lots located at churches near the Temple. From here guests watch a 12 minute video about Temples, then ride a bus to the Temple. Once there they go through a silent tour. Along the route are many ushers placed to smile and guide you along. Then there is a meeting house where people can grab a cookie, water and ask questions. After they board a bus and return to the meeting house where their car is parked.
So today I was able to be an usher on the bus ride to and from the Temple. Not only did I get to stand outside with a colored placard, mine was red, I was to read a pre-written speech specific to the Draper Temple. The PA system on the bus did not work so I had to stand about 1/3 of the way back on the bus and speak in my outside voice while trying to balance myself as the bus went around corners.
Let me tell you some of the things I learned, was reminded of today in case you missed them while on your tour.
- The exterior stone was imported from China
- The interior stone is limestone imported from France
- The dark wood is African Cherry imported from the West Coast of Africa
- Ground breaking was Aug 8th 2006 - it took 2 years and 5 months to complete the temple
- The acreage of the Temple site, including the parking lot and meeting house next door is 11.9 acres
- Moroni is made from fiberglass with gold leafing done by 2 local artists
- The windows were pieced together by hand by local artists
- Moroni is 13 feet 8 inches tall
- The rooms were hand painted by local artists

A few additional things not written into my speech that I know are...the building where many of the windows were made, such as the etched glass, burnt down just after I think it was 38 of them were finished. Only one was damaged. The main theme for the painting, carpet and upholstery is the Sego Lily, the Utah state flower. It is painted into the trim of many of the rooms and is the design on the upholstery. It is etched into the windows and pieces of glass throughout the building and it also cut into the carpet of the Celestial Room.
The Draper Temple holds the largest sealing room in the world. It regularly holds 65 chairs...I counted them. The next largest is set for 45, of course there is room for a few more chairs in both and standing room as well.
What can I say, I am in love with the building. (And yes, the photo in this blog was taken by me.)

Professional Photography

I have a friend who is a professional photographer and she is having a great SPECIAL for Easter.
Check it out Heather Gardner Photography
I think the best part of the deal is not only do you have someone with great insight, you get all your photos on cd! That's right, you can share them with the world. All for only $50 which includes the sitting fee and an 8x10
Most people I know would love to have photos of their little ones all decked out in their Easter Best. Or just some great spring photos. Rick told me that the flowers are starting to pop up at Temple Square. Easter is the week after conference - April 12th. You know that there will be plenty of flowers up by then and you could have a great family photo with you and your kiddos with Spring just shouting in the background. Seriously...CHECK HER PHOTOGRAPHY OUT!!! :)

Our View of the Draper Temple

This is the lovely view we have every day as we come around the corner of our apartment building. Up there in the centerish area is the new Draper Temple. The tennis courts in this photo are our first choice for playing as they are directly across the street from our home to give you an idea of how close we are to the park. This coming Tuesday, March 10th, I get the opportunity to be an usher inside the Temple during the afternoon. What a wonderful opportunity I have due to our living in this stake. I am excited for the blessings from this and for the Spirit I am sure to feel while being there.
(We were able to go through the open house during the first week.)

Uh-Oh

Two days ago I was making a tasty breakfast of fried potatoes. I left them on the stove, came into the computer room/Jeff Gordon bedroom to check my emails. Rick said, are you watching those? I said yes! I came back in and realized that they were burning. Enough so that they set off the smoke detector! I am so lucky that I have such a wonderful husband...he LAUGHED! Then he opened the windows and got the ceiling fan going to clear things out. Not only that, he wanted to eat the potatoes. I decided, well only one side on some of them are burnt so why not. The were still mighty tasty if you ask me and apparently they were to Rick too because he polished them off.

Dinner with the 1st Presidency

Rick has had so many wonderful opportunities during these past 6 weeks while working for The Church. Just yesterday he was standing in the hall and Dallin H Oaks walked past and said hi. Last night he was invited to be an escort to the First Presidency from the Church Office Building tunnel up through the elevators in the Joseph Smith Building. This means he is there to make sure that all traffic is stopped for them and to run the elevator. He is able to turn it off so it does not stop on any floors for anyone else. It becomes a private elevator. Then once they and their wives are all ready to eat, along with any other family members they might bring along, Rick gets to join them. This is all in a private room on the 10th floor of the Joseph Smith Building. I can't wait for him to get home tonight to tell me all fun adventures from tonight!

Yes or No

1. You can ONLY answer Yes or No!
2. You are NOT ALLOWED to explain ANYTHING unless someone messages or comments you and Asks!

Kissed any of your facebook friends? Yes
Been arrested? No
Kissed someone you didn't like? Yes
Slept in until 5 PM? No
Fallen asleep at work/school? Yes
Held a snake? Yes
Ran a red light? Yes
Been suspended from school? No
Totaled your car/motorbike in an accident? Yes
Been fired from a job? No
Sang karaoke? Yes
Done something you told yourself you wouldn't? Yes
Laughed until something you were drinking came out your nose? Yes
Caught a snowflake on your tongue? Yes
Kissed in the rain? No
Sang in the shower? Yes
Sat on a rooftop? Yes
Been pushed into a pool with all your clothes? No
Broken a bone? No
Shaved your head? No
Blacked out from drinking? No
Played a prank on someone? No
Felt like killing someone? Yes
Made your girlfriend/boyfriend cry? Yes
Had Mexican jumping beans for pets? No
Been in a band? No
Shot a gun? Yes
Donated Blood? No
Eaten alligator meat? No
Eaten cheesecake? Yes
Still love someone you shouldn't? No
Think about the future? Yes
Believe in love? Yes
Sleep on a certain side of the bed? Yes
Talk in your sleep? Yes
Laughed until you peed your pants? Yes
Passed gas on an elevator with others? Yes
Spend too much time on Facebook? Yes
Play a musical instrument? Yes
Lived outside of the country? Yes
Been skinny dipping? Yes
Gone sky diving? No
Dated someone longer than you should have? Yes

Photo Tag

While stalking today I came across a photo tag. I have moved so many of my photos around that I have NO idea what the winner is going to be today so I thought I would take a chance and play along. The "rules" are go to your my documents/my pictures then pick the 4th folder(or album) and post the 4th photo. Our winner for today is... One of my ornaments I bought in Cancun. This was taken back when I was planning on doing the ornament posts each day in December. Obviously I haven't finished moving 2008 over to my external hard drive. Guess that is something I need to work on. Nevertheless this photo is fun because it reminds me of both Christmas and the Warmth of Cancun.
Consider yourself tagged if you read this far.

20 Firsts

1. What was your FIRST pet's name? I had 3 goldfish when I was 9. I don't know if they even had names. Maddy fed them fruit roll ups and they died. I had a bunny for a few days...Sadie. I took her back to the pet store where I worked because she smelled.

2. What was the FIRST concert you ever went to? hahaha Nelson as in Ricky Nelson's sons. Tyketto opened for them. I have their album and still love it but no Nelson music. I actually left Girls' Camp to go to it. I missed all the rain and was able to get a shower mid week.

3. Where did you go on your FIRST date? I went to the Men's Association Dance aka Cheap Date at Skyline High school with Todd Meadows. I had been skiing that day and fried my face. I probably shouldn't have worn a hot pink sweatshirt! For the record, I was a sophomore and the dance was 3 weeks before my 14th birthday. I was also asked to it by 2 other guys but Todd was first. I was not asked to another dance the entire time I was in high school.

4. What was your FIRST job? Does baby sitting count? I made good money at it. The first job with a W-2 was working at a pet store. I hung out at Pet Set all the time so the owner decided to start paying me!

5. What was your FIRST car? 1980 or 81 Mazda RX-7 I had to replace the engine. The car was tiny but fast!

6. Who was your FIRST grade teacher? Mrs. Judd ~ She was mean BUT we had singing time every morning. That was AWESOME!

7. Where did you go on your FIRST ride on an airplane? I think it was when I was 18 months old and went to Phoenix. I am told I refused to get into the pool. My mom was able to float out in the middle of the pool while I pushed my stroller around the deck. (Dang what an irresponsible mother!)

8. Who was your FIRST best friend & do you still talk? I have known Katrina Clawson most of my life. Due to facebook, we still talk and even get together.

9. Who was your FIRST kiss girlfriend/boyfriend or otherwise? My first kiss was with Boone Brammer, yes that is his real name. Funny story...his aunt and uncle are some of my family's best friends! I still talk with his cousin on facebook regularly. He never was a boyfriend though. I think I would have liked that. As for an actually boyfriend...the one that I would consider my first real boyfriend rather than just "hanging out" I think was Jafar. Ok I don't remember his real name and that is what the following boyfriend called him since that is who he looked like. He was skinny and had a little goatee if I remember correctly. (I was 18 at the time.)

10. Where did you go when you FIRST left home? I went to Utah State when I was 24. I had my own 2 bedroom apt and it was great!

11. Who was your FIRST love and do you still talk to them? My first real love was Walt. I thought I was in love with others but it wasn't real as I couldn't be myself with them. Walt was when I was 24 (I think) and yes we still talk and are very good friends. (Don't worry, Rick knows who he is.)

12. FIRST tattoo? Never had one

13. FIRST piercing? I pierced my ears the summer after 7th grade while my mom was out of town. My siblings noticed immediately but one of them told her. I got in trouble and had to take them out. I had them re-pierced when I was 19.

14. FIRST movie you remember seeing? I know that we went to Tron at the drive-in when I was really little. I remember bits and pieces of it but still couldn't tell you what it is about.

15. Who was your FIRST roommate? Rick other than my siblings

16. Who would be the FIRST to speak at your funeral? The bishop to welcome everyone, duh

17. What is the FIRST thing you'd grab if your house was on fire? My dvd's and cd's which I have burned with everyone on my computer so that it is easy to grab if there were a fire

18. Who was your FIRST celebrity crush? Ricky Shroader or that kid who was on Our House. I think his name was Chad something and I think he is gay.

19. Where was your FIRST sleepover? I think I was 7 and most everyone else was 8. It was for Becky Cushing. She had the coolest carpet in her basement, it had a hopscotch and other things on it. Molly, the only other person I knew there, told me about the boogie man. I ended up coming home. It felt like it was the middle of the night but it was probably only at 10:30 at night. We made carmel apples too! (Soemthing very coinsidental to this...Becky lived across the street from where the Elizabeth Smart family lives. Molly told me that the boogie man would come and get me. Little did she know that years later the boogie man would come and kidnap a girl on that same circle.)

20. Who do you think will be the FIRST person to re-post this? No one, I just "stole" this off someone's note on facebook. =)

Oh Crap, I Forgot

Oh Crap, I forgot what I was going to say is a staple in my vocabulary. Today it applies to the great blog I thought of at some point either last night or today. That is part of the problem, I don't remember when it was I even thought of my blog. If I could, then maybe I could figure out what it was. Until then, well this will have to do as my blog for the day. SMILE!

The Most Romantic Movie Scene - EVER -so I think

I didn't used to consider myself a romantic but apparently I am. I have loved the Pirates of the Caribbean movies from the start. I don't think there is another movie I have seen more times in the theater than the first one. The second, eh it was ok. The third, well the included scene in my opinion makes up for the rest of the movie when it is lacking. I will watch the entire movie just to get to this scene. I know what will happen and yet I cry EVERY SINGLE TIME!!! So yeah, I guess I am a romantic. (I suppose it helps that I think that Orlando Bloom is just plain Dreamy. And yes I even cried when watching it just now when making sure the video worked.) Right about 1:41 is where the tears totally kick in.
If you haven't seen Pirates 3 but plan to...do NOT watch this video unless of course you are up for a "spoiler"