Miss Kayla Dawn

Dear Kayla, I feel like you need these.  I'm not sure where
this feeling is coming from, but it's definitely a feeling I am
having.  $35 - $38 via UncommonGoods.com

Miss Brittany Ingalls

And THIS will be purchased shortly, I'm sure.

Just a stone's throw from "Simply genius," this patent-pending, palm-sized pebble takes the guesswork out of water conservation by tracking how much water you use in your shower. Inspired by a hotel sign prompting guests to "please use water sparingly," inventor Paul Priestman hatched a useful way to put the plea into action.How it works Once you've programmed this pebble, it signals a yellow light at your half-shower mark and flashes red when it's time to turn off the faucet. The real genius This pebble incrementally shortens its suggested stop time, training you over weeks to use water wisely. Have fun with your timer by turning it into a clean game of race-against-the-pebble!

Just a stone's throw from "Simply genius," this patent-pending, palm-sized pebble takes the guesswork out of water conservation by tracking how much water you use in your shower. Inspired by a hotel sign prompting guests to "please use water sparingly," inventor Paul Priestman hatched a useful way to put the plea into action.How it works
Once you've programmed this pebble, it signals a yellow light at your half-shower mark and flashes red when it's time to turn off the faucet. The real genius
This pebble incrementally shortens its suggested stop time, training you over weeks to use water wisely. Have fun with your timer by turning it into a clean game of race-against-the-pebble!

SO, ma'am, I think this is worth the $10 - via UncommonGoods.com

Kitchen Post.

Ok, that's good for now.  Here are some dream kitchen gadgets that I'd love to own.  Hmm.  I wonder if I can work these into my measly little budget.

Sushi Platter - $50 via UncommonGoods.com
Features an indentation specifically for Soy Sauce.
My dad would love this.

Glass Oil & Vinegar Cruet - $70 via UncommonGoods.com

Apple Corer - $10 

Heat Changing Arcade Mug - $8 via ThinkGeek.com

Days Ago Refrigerator Timer - $8 via ThinkGeek.com

Pac-Man HotHead Pot holder - $15 via ThinkGeek.com

Samurai Sword Chop Sticks - $13 via ThinkGeek.com

Nest 8 Nesting Set - $50 via YankoDesign.com

"Elevate" Utensils - $40 via YankoDesign.com
Innovative weighted handles to keep tools away from
touching kitchen surfaces. Clean and hygiene-friendly
utensils meant for every kitchen. 

The 'Bowl Board' - $69 via YankoDesign.com

Yanko Design will be joining the links list....

The 'hot/cold' mug.  Hmm.  Perfect.

I need this watch because I get stressed reading analog clocks.

"Hug" Salt and Pepper Shaker - um, too adorable. 

All of these geeky goodies came from Yanko Designs.  Christmas is coming up soon, right?

And if I ever get busy enough I'll get one of these...

http://www.yankodesign.com/2010/09/30/timed-organizer-in-a-book/

http://thedailywh.at/post/1216280732/life-altering-diary-upgrade-of-the-day-wonjune

This, ladies and gentlemen, is the greatest little life helper I've seen in a long time.  Conveniently, a little watch is right in front of your face for reference every time you consult your planner.  I want one.  See the full review at the dailywh.at here.

So here's how today goes.

It is day 3 of my little personal challenge.  I promised myself to do the next bouldering comp at the Rock Haus next time one rolls around, which is apparently in December.  Erk!  I shook on it with Brad, Tony, Trevor, and Mike at the gym and if I don't do it I have to buy each of them a hoodie.  Why a hoodie?  Wellll Brad and I have this little inside joke.... apparently he only has 1 hoodie to his name, or so it would appear, which he wears every day of the winter.  So.  I promised him I'm gonna get him a new hoodie if I don't follow through. Besides the comp, I made this goal to climb 4 out of 7 days each week.  SO far, I'm 3 for 3.  That's just because I rock.  This challenge is two-fold.  1.  Get in better shape.  2.  Control/mediate my spending habits. 

And the reward is a new iPod.  Shoot.  I want it.

 What I'm finding is I just need consistency with climbing.  I'm already doing so much better.  I am bouldering at an almost 300 level - I guess that's a V2 or V3 which isn't bad considering how terrified I am of heights.  I made some big moves that scared me so bad and I'm Sooooo glad I did.  I red-pointed some 5.10s and finished one with a little crack climbing, too.  I feel so good - which is the goal.

Not me... yet.  Climbing outdoors is a different beast.

 AND another little goal I've got is to brain wash myself into understanding my worth and my talents.  This little number is hanging all over my room:

I like it.  I think it's cute.  And I'm already feeling a little better.

Let them eat...

Thing to make #3
http://www.ohdeedoh.com/ohdeedoh/look/look-panda-bread-091127

Thing to make #2
http://www.notmartha.org/tomake/piesbakedintinyjars/

Thing to make #1

Rainbow Cake
http://nicolehill.blogspot.com/2010/09/art-gallery-party-part-ii.html

Remind me to make these and throw a Halloween party.http://nicolehill.blogspot.com/

http://nicolehill.blogspot.com/

Giant Bubbles via http://thatshappy.blogspot.com/

Alone with my Giant Soap Bubbles / Sly Lebulleur from issole on Vimeo.

Stolen!

Thanks to my lovely friend Nicole at sarcasmforbreakfast.blogspot.com, I am planning on making one of these for my mother for Christmas.  Maybe I'll even by one...?  Who knows?

Two things.

First. My tonsillectomy is tentatively moved up to October 6 - as opposed to Thanksgiving Break. Ah!

If you were thinking that that is a mouse, you were right.

Second.  I am increasinly more skeptical of mass-marketed food.  Thanks to Geekologie, this morbid dining experience has been brought to our attention.

HA!

Created by Oatmeal

Exciting Library Time!!! Weekly finds.

Chinese Laundry

Apparently these can go in the washer.

d.i.y. MUST HAVE.

http://www.pickles.no/whirl-it-lampshade

The things you see at work.

While working in the TSC computer lab, a guy came in and handed me his Aggie card - I glanced at his wallet and asked him what it said.  He laughed and showed me this beaute.  Haha.

This isn't for your eyes anyway.

Today I had a conversation with a friend - it was a pretty good heart to heart, really, and I love him to death.  One of those friends where despite the length of time that has passed since meeting, you can just pick up where you left off.  That kind of friend.  Now.
Disclaimer:  If you are reading this, and you know me, don't talk to me about it.  I don't really want you to be reading this anyway.  I just need somewhere, anywhere, to record what I'm feeling and to release the toxins and tears that are flooding my body.

"You two are too different anyway."  This is something that, out of being polite and open-minded, I didn't contest as boisterously as I felt in my head.  'What do you mean we were too different?  Don't pretend to know what our relationship was like.  You have no idea... the hours and hours we spent just loving being with each other.  You don't know.'
However.  I respect your opinion and know that in your ignorance you said some incorrect things.
"He is the happiest kid I know.  You should see him - that guy is just so happy right now."
Sure, it's nice to hear that he's doing well.  But, ultimately, and women you know what I'm talking about - that was more like a punch to the gut than anything.  I almost welled up with tears there on the spot.  And I almost slapped him, too.  As much as I care about him, life has been notably easier when I don't have to think, care, or remember that I once dated and loved a man who left me for his non-belief in God.  I wasn't cheated on with another woman.  I was left for a lifestyle.

Anyway.  Don't talk to me about this.  It's a little too hard to spill what I'm really feeling..  Out of consideration for my privacy, just let me pretend to be happy today.

Another thought. More positive than the next.

Seth: I'm a very self-conscious person

 me: You are good at compassion

 Seth: thank you erin

11:24 AM me: Listen to this thought

 Seth: ok

 me: When we go through hard things, we have open wounds

  and then it takes time for those wounds to heal

  and they scar

  leave a mark

  they're fine, but we remember how it was

11:25 AM and the thought of feeling it again is enough to veer away from something similar to it

  When we meet someone who is/was/has experienced the same thing that we got our scar from

  we can either relate to them on a deeper level

  or disregard the similarity

11:26 AM but when we acknowledge it and talk about it and share our experiences, we're essentially opening that wound up again - just enough to re-feel everything we felt again

  all for the sake of another person

  YOU are good at compassion

  and you feel it so deeply everytime that it is so real

 Seth: that's beautiful erin

11:27 AM me: for people like us that feel so intensely it means EVEN more that we would be compassionate - because it is SO uncomfortable and close to life to relive those memories

  but we love love love like there is nothing else

  and we just keep re-opening those gashes because it helps other people heal

11:28 AM Seth: it feels so good to know you know me like that, that you can verbalize that phenomenon,

  I want nothing more than for shauna to feel healed and confident and repaired

11:29 AM because I can see how that would change her

11:31 AM how that would make her be so important to other people in her life, her kids, family friends. I want her to know life is good, people are good, loving is good and trust and that hard things inevitably lead to value. I want her to be able to feel comfortable in her own skin. she needs to learn and develop her innate sense of wonder and curiosity about the world without the fear of crushing betrayal.

11:32 AM every person in her life that didn't cherish her reaffirmed her belief that the world is a dark place where hurt lies in wait for the time when you let your guard down.

11:33 AM and every time she wanted to let her guard down she was hurt.

11:34 AM so the walls get higher and the glow of love got pushed down deeper and deeper until she was this stone wall and her thoughts and feelings which were deep and huge and incredible were stuffed down with the glow. she lived on the surface, loved on the surface until she could only identify the superficial.

11:35 AM I can't expect anything for myself for awhile. that will come later

  ok

  I'm good.

 me: :)

  well

  it's fascinating, isn't it

 Seth: it really is.

  and scary

  its for keeps

11:36 AM maybe I should let her read this

 me: well

  I can post it to my bloggggggg

  I was thinking I might

  at least the part I wrote

 Seth: you really should. just post the whole thing

  it would be really interesting

Poor McDonald's. Bad Rap.

Five reasons NOT to go to McDonald's anytime soon.  This one's for Shane Trane.

1.

McDonald's Serves Customer A Used Burger

2.  

Maggots Cleansed From McDonald's Coffee Maker

3.  

Does McDonald's Really Have The Worst Burgers?

4.  

New Ad Blames McDonald's For Heart Disease

5.  

5 Kids Meals With Adult-Size Calories, Fat

homework diversion.

ShareSomeCandy.com

Post Secret

the oven is burning my cookies.

So.  Let's rescue the night and do something to raise my spirits because the oven monster is burning my cookies. Here is a short list of things that make me happy.  And.  This wouldn't be complete without Jessica.



I love my house I love rock climbing I love Autumn I love designing I love singing I love cooking I love baking I love friends I love boys I love flowers I love sleep I love learning.

Phew.  Cookies.  Please be with me!

Sitting at work.

So I'm sitting at work in the 'information commons' of the Merrill-Cazier Library.  For the most part, this is a pretty awesome job. I only wish that I had photoshop and illustrator to work on some random projects.


Last night, thanks to my self-imposed 'sleep pressure' that I always fail to fulfill, I didn't get much sleep.  I tried to go to bed AFTER Britt had already gone to bed.  This is always a mistake.  For whatever demented reason, my body knows when I want it to sleep - and it just won't comply.  Instead, I find myself tricking my body into sleeping by falling asleep with the bedroom light on and Britt still working on her homework.  This way, my mind/body THINKS I'm just doing what I want - as always - and thus has the choice to go to sleep or not.  When I turn the lights out and expect my body to fall asleep - oh contrare!  I lay awake for hours.  Thinking.  You know what I'm talking about, I'm sure.


ANYWAY.  Yesterday, Sheth (Shauna + Seth) and I made these muffins.  Ironically, the house was full of non and used-to-be Mormons.  How appropriate.  I went home.  Tried to sleep. And this is what happened at 3 in the morning. 

Mormon Muffin Recipe
	Ingredients
	2 5 1 2 4 1 5 1 4 2 1	cups teaspoons cup cups each quart cups teaspoon cups cups cup	boiling water baking soda shortening sugar eggs buttermilk flour salt All Bran Cereal 40% Bran Flakes walnuts (chopped)
Directions: Add soda to boiling water and set aside.  Whip shortening and sugar until light and fluffy.  Add the eggs slowly.  Mix well.  Add the buttermilk, flour, salt and mix again.  Add the soda water very slowly.  Gently fold the cereals and the walnuts into the mix. Spoon 1/8 cup into greased muffin tins.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.  Let cool for 5 minutes. Muffin mix must sit in the refrigerator over night before baking.  Muffin mix will last one week, covered and refrigerated.  Yields 3 dozen muffins.

Hard to see.  This is just a screen-shot of my email inbox, since I'm not on my personal computer.  Mary  asked if I would help her come up with a new design for her blog.  These are 3 quick little headers I whipped out.  Then, try as I might, I still couldn't sleep.  Perfect. MMMk.  So the other day I was sitting with my new co-worker, Tara, who is getting married.  This, (obvi), led to my searching and perusing wedding blogs.  Irk.  Zzzztt.  Well.  I found some preeetty neat-o stuff.  This is one of my favorites:  The brooch bouquet.   and and  Tell me.  How classy is this?  I don't know if it's something that I'd do for my wedding... but maybe. AND finally.  I love stumbling across neat things on the interwebs.  For example.  This little blog is a treasure and I can (bashfully) totally see myself doing this kind of crafternooning later on in life.  Hopefully I become thrifty in the near future.  Here is a favorite from her stuff:    Before.  duh. AND After.  Darling.

Before I hit the books....

So, I'm just about to sit down and do a lil math homework, my lil lip-stick!  Colin made me promise that I would read the Book of Mormon every day.  Every day!!!  So.  Here am I.  Sitting at my desk.  Ready to read the pages after the title page.  Progress, huh?

My brother is such a sweetheart.  I visited his friends at work today and the three of us wrote a short letter to him on his mission.  Ima bake him some cookies for eating.  

This is the Introduction.  Key words:

• written by prophets - not journalists.  
• prophecy
• revelation
• "...and tells men what they must do to gain peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come."
•  as a new and additional witness that Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God 
• and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.
• will also come to know by the same power that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world

The Testimony of the Three Witnesses.  Key words:

•  his voice
• by the power of God, and not of man.
• Oliver Cowdery
  David Whitmer
  Martin Harris

Three things.

Note to self:

I am thinking about making some meatballs. BUT FIRST:

Even though I don't feeel very happpy today (like, smiley/giggly/blahblah) I am grateful for a few things.

1. How did I get lucky enough to find a job? I feel sooo blessed to have a job - and one that works right into life.

2. Erik Wynn. You're never gonna let me forget that I wrote about you on my blog, dangit. But, you are such a good friend. I appreciate everything you're doing/you've done for me since we've been good friends. Why don't you come over for dinner?

3. I took them for granted before, but I am grateful for goals. Weird sounding, I'm sure, but if you ever get stuck in a rut where the idea of progression doesn't even cross your mind, you may agree with me. I'm trying to find my direction again. Goals, progress, improvement, etc. Those things are a real source of confidence and motivation - all things that I need.

to start off.

I'm always a little nervous, trying to figure out what to say, how to say it.... SO, I'm going to start with something that I can shoooow you. My most recent impulse buy. And I'm so excited for it to get here - because it means it's AUTUMN!!

Here she is. My little perfect sweater/hoodie/warmcuddlyperfectness item.

And, for your sake, I hope you like/respect this purchase, because I basically stole it. Not to mention it's going to be so perfect for the coming cold weather misery that is Logan, Utah.

Story #2: Today, I am indeed sitting in my bed, windows wide open, breathing in the rainy outside smell. Freezing (finally), after sitting here/sleeping here for the last 12 hours with a fever. My throat is no longer throbbing, but revenge is so sweet, and it won't know what to do when the doctors take a knife to it and cut out those wretched tonsils that have been 'blessing' me with Strep Throat 2xyearly since I was 5. Get ready, because it's going to be something to blog about. Circa Thanksgiving twentyten.

Story #3: Scary thing is happening tonight at 6. Imagine ME standing on the edge of a very high cliff. That's about how I feel at this moment, this prelude to the hysteria and joyous singing... irk. I'm gonna have to stop alluding to this 'thing' at a later date, because currently I can't even swallow the idea myself. Can't exactly shout that to the cyber world now can we? Obvi. No.

Story #4: I have short, boyish hair. I think it's borderline adorable, but it might also be on the less-than-feminine side. Is that ok?

(sidenote: OK? Acceptable? And why do we all feel the need to consult each other on what exactly is acceptable? It's my hair. I do what I want.)

Story #4: I know. I see it, too. All I'm gonna say is I'm just not ready to move on yet. Don't force it. I'm listening to thesixtyone and it's perfect rainy day music. All I need now is some nice autumnal-esque food to match.

Photo time: These are pictures from my blackberry because i don't have a camera.

French Silk Pie(s)

This is one of my favorite recipes; although I like to mix it up, a lot.  Try substituting White Chocolate for the unsweetened baking chocolate; top with raspberries and blackberries.  To.  Die.  For.