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A Girl Should Be Two Things: Classy & Fabulous. - Coco Chanel

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Sunday, August 22, 2010

I Feel Pretty, Oh So Pretty!

Today I felt extra pretty. I'm not vain. I usually just try to look decent and that's it. Sometimes I get jealous of people that are really tan, because I don't have that ability. My roommate Tina and her visiting teachers were all talking about how tan they are. Then I mentioned how white I am. Tina then looked at me and said "Tracy, you make white look good". I felt better after that. ha ha
Back to my point. There are 3 main reasons why I felt extra pretty today.

#1- This week I went and got a pedicure. This makes me happy.



#2- Yesterday I went to my good friend Nicole (she is amazing), and got my hair done. Went darker again. I love it. You can't tell in this picture (maybe you will be able to tell in future pictures) but there is a hint of violet/red in my hair. I think its awesome. This makes me happy.



#3- I dropped another pants size! Never in my life did I think I would be able to accomplish my weight loss goals I had been setting all my life. I would love to drop one more, but I am going to rejoice with how far I have come. THIS MAKES ME HAPPY!!!



So yeah, I'm feeling good today. It also helped that I got a ton of compliments on my hair and how skinny I looked today. Thank you friends for making me feel good about myself. :o)

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Life's a Garden... Dig It!


Every Spring, I look forward to planting flowers out on my patio. I love coming home and opening the back gate and seeing tons of beautiful flowers. I love that you smell them as soon as you walk in too. I find it relaxing to water them every night and I love to watch them grow. A lot of the flowers bloom at different times, just recently it has been my sunflowers. Also love to see some of my plants come back the next year bigger and even more beautiful. Tina & I have also enjoyed many nightly chats out there with different friends. It really is a great place to hang out and I plan on taking full advantage of it until it gets too cold for me to sit out there at night.

Since we have a different patio this year than in years past, it is a different layout than our last one. I hated it when we first moved in and didn't know what I would be able to do with it to make me enjoy it this summer. I made it work, because I love it now. Only downfall is that our outlet outside doesn't work, so I couldn't run the fountain this year. The Salamanders are still living in it though. They have completely lost their gills and look totally different now. They are cute, but I should probably let them go back in the wild.


I also found another little creature back there. I had one that visited last year too. :o) Read about that here.


Here are some pictures of the patio this year.



Here it is at night with my antique jar lights.



Some of the many flowers that have been blooming in my garden.


Dear Summer, PLEASE don't leave me!

Friday, August 20, 2010

Animals of Springville

Before FHE on Monday, Jeanna and I took a little trip to visit some animals in Springville. We were going to our Bishop's house in Springville for FHE anyway... so just a little detour. We ended up being late because we were having so much fun with the animals.

Here are just a few animals you can find in Springville...



Then there was our favorite, well, until he bit Jeanna. That was too bad. Besides that, we had fun. I have always had a love for animals.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Confessions of a Brunette on the Internet 27

I would like to announce that I have finally jumped on board and started reading "The Hunger Games". I just have heard from everyone that they are the best books ever and I don't want to feel left out when people talk about them. You know? Like the people that didn't read the Twilight Series? I feel sorry for them. I'm being sarcastic if you can't tell. But seriously... I will let you know how I like the series when I am done.

Wait, is it August? Or January? I forgot when I looked outside and saw how gloomy and cold it was. As long as it doesn't snow, I think I will be okay.

I think there is a spider living somewhere in my bed. I think this because every morning I wake up with new itchy bites. The other day... I had 4 bites all in a row. Does this gross anyone else out? When I finally reached 9 bites on both legs... I took my bed apart looking to kill the little sucker. I didn't find him, but hope it's gone now. No new bites since. Ewww

On my way to Nate's reception, I was listening to the radio and busting out to Archie's new song "Something Bout Love". Love it. Can't wait for his new album to come out next month. Anyway, I was singing a long to the song and I looked in my review mirror and saw that the guy in the car behind me was singing along to the same song. I just laughed. Too bad he couldn't see me doing the same thing. It is rare when this happens, so got to appreciate it when it does right? I certainly did.

I have fun/funny friends. I love it. Jeanna and I rode to FHE together. We took my roommate and my neighbor back with us. Jeanna happens to have the old EFY classics playing in her car right now. I never went to EFY, but I have all the music memorized from the years that all of my friends went. When she went to drop us off, we didn't get out of the car, we just kept singing along and requesting more EFY songs. So... we took a drive to the gas station and then she tried dropping us all off again. We got out the second time. I loved it though. One of the highlights of my night.

Last Sunday I decided I wanted a change of scenery, so I went with a friend of mine to the new ward they created in our stake in the spring. I have to say that I am super jealous of their church time. 11am. The people in the ward were nice, but what stood out to me was the last hour... relief society. It was a unique experience, so much so that I thought it was blog worthy. They first started the meeting with handing out home made treats to everyone, which someone volunteers to bring every Sunday. Then after the good news minute they spot light a few girls, say something great about them as they snap for them. The R.S. Pres calls out "Snaps Girls Snaps!" And everyone snaps for them. I looked around as I snapped. Some people are loving it and some people you can tell can think it is silly, but they do it anyway. It made me laugh and I turned to my friend and said "This is like Legally Blond Relief Society" and my friend said "Actually, that is where they got the idea". So I have now nicknamed their relief society that. After all the announcements and snaps, a couple girls came in and had taken all of the Elders Quarm's ties and passed them out to all the girls in R.S. Our job was to find who's tie we had at munch and mingle and talk to them. Ha ha ha. I have to say.... as silly as all of this was, I had fun. We still had an amazing spiritually uplifting lesson by a girl that I adore, but is it so wrong to bring in a little fun, laughter and bonding? In the end, I actually loved it even though I was totally making fun while I was there.

I don't usually leave work for my lunch break, but I needed to go to the ATM. So I was driving by my house and towards the Provo Cemetery. The traffic was really slow and I am wondering what the heck is going on. Then I look a little harder and there are two firetrucks on both sides of the road by the cemetery. They had the firetrucks ladder's connect over the road with a flag hanging. As I drove closer, there were officers standing by each firetruck and were saluting. I had never seen this before. It was awesome... in a sad way, because I only assume it means a fireman or something like that died. I just caught the very end of it. So I wasn't able to get a good picture. It is situations like this which is the reason why I always carry my camera in my purse. It was an awesome site to see. Touching too. Since I couldn't get a good picture, I found some pictures online that are close to what I saw... so you get the idea.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Photo of the Week 25

Another picture from New York. I want to go back for another visit!

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Need a Laugh?

So my good friend Nate (the one that just got married) sent me this email the other day. Usually I dislike forwarded messages, but Nate doesn't send them unless they are pretty funny. I thought this one was. In fact, I found myself laughing out loud with this one. I could totally see some of my friends being like the graphic designer in this situation. Enjoy! I hope it brightens your day.

Why Never to Ask Favors from the Designers

Story goes: 
Shannon (the secretary) has lost her cat and was asking David (the graphic designer) to help her with a lost poster. This is their email correspondence... You can find the guys site here.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.15am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Poster

Hi
I opened the screen door yesterday and my cat got out and has been missing since then so I was wondering if you are not to busy you could make a poster for me. It has to be A4 and I will photocopy it and put it around my suburb this afternoon.





This is the only photo of her I have she answers to the name Missy and is black and white and about 8 months old. missing on Harper street and my phone number.
Thanks Shan. From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.26am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,
That is shocking news. Luckily I was sitting down when I read your email and not half way up a ladder or tree. How are you holding up? I am surprised you managed to attend work at all what with thinking about Missy out there cold, frightened and alone... possibly lying on the side of the road, her back legs squashed by a vehicle, calling out "Shannon, where are you?" Although I have two clients expecting completed work this afternoon, I will, of course, drop everything and do whatever it takes to facilitate the speedy return of Missy.
Regards, David.
From: Shannon Walkley
Date:
Monday 21 June 2010 9.37am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Poster

yeah ok thanks. I know you dont like cats but I am really worried about mine. I have to leave at
1pm today.

From: David Thorne
Date:
Monday 21 June 2010 10.17am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,
I never said I don't like cats. Once, having been invited to a party, I went clothes shopping beforehand and bought a pair of expensive G-Star boots. They were two sizes too small but I wanted them so badly I figured I could just wear them without socks and cut my toenails very short. As the party was only a few blocks from my place, I decided to walk. After the first block, I lost all feeling in my feet. Arriving at the party, I stumbled into a guy named Steven, spilling
Malibu & coke onto his white Wham 'Choose Life' t-shirt, and he punched me. An hour or so after the incident, Steven sat down in a chair already occupied by a cat. The surprised cat clawed and snarled causing Steven to leap out of the chair, slip on a rug and strike his forehead onto the corner of a speaker; resulting in a two inch open gash. In its shock, the cat also defecated, leaving Steven with a wet brown stain down the back of his beige cargo pants. I liked that cat.
Attached poster as requested.
Regards, David.

 



 From: Shannon Walkley
Date:
Monday 21 June 2010 10.24am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

yeah thats not what I was looking for at all. it looks like a movie and how come the photo of Missy is so small?

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.28am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,
It's a design thing. The cat is lost in the negative space.
Regards, David.
From: Shannon Walkley
Date:
Monday 21 June 2010 10.33am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Thats just stupid. Can you do it properly please? I am extremely emotional over this and was up all night in tears. you seem to think it is funny. Can you make the photo bigger please and fix the text and do it in colour please. Thanks.


From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.46am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,
Having worked with designers for a few years now, I would have assumed you understood, despite our vague suggestions otherwise, we do not welcome constructive criticism. I don't come downstairs and tell you how to send text messages, log onto Facebook and look out of the window. I am willing to overlook this faux pas due to you no doubt being preoccupied with thoughts of Missy attempting to make her way home across busy intersections or being trapped in a drain as it slowly fills with water. I spent three days down a well once but that was just for fun.
I have amended and attached the poster as per your instructions.
Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date:
Monday 21 June 2010 10.59am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

This is worse than the other one. can you make it so it shows the whole photo of Missy and delete the stupid text that says missing missy off it? I just want it to say lost.


From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.14am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster






Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.21am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

yeah can you do the poster or not? I just want a photo and the word lost and the telephone number and when and where she was lost and her name. Not like a movie poster or anything stupid. I have to leave early today. If it was your cat I would help you. Thanks.


From: David Thorne
Date:
Monday 21 June 2010 11.32am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Awww

Dear Shannon,
I don't have a cat. I once agreed to look after a friend's cat for a week but after he dropped it off at my apartment and explained the concept of kitty litter, I kept the cat in a closed cardboard box in the shed and forgot about it. If I wanted to feed something and clean faeces, I wouldn't have put my mother in that home after her stroke. A week later, when my friend came to collect his cat, I pretended that I was not home and mailed the box to him. Apparently I failed to put enough stamps on the package and he had to collect it from the post office and pay eighteen dollars. He still goes on about that sometimes, people need to learn to let go.
I have attached the amended version of your poster as per your detailed instructions.
Regards, David.





From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.47am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Awww

Thats not my cat. where did you get that picture from? That cat is orange. I gave you a photo of my cat.
From: David Thorne
Date:
Monday 21 June 2010 11.58am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Awww

I know, but that one is cute. As Missy has quite possibly met any one of several violent ends, it is possible you might get a better cat out of this. If anybody calls and says "I haven't seen your orange cat but I did find a black and white one with its hind legs run over by a car, do you want it?" you can politely decline and save yourself a costly veterinarian bill.
I knew someone who had a basset hound that had its hind legs removed after an accident and it had to walk around with one of those little buggies with wheels. If it had been my dog I would have asked for all its legs to be removed and replaced with wheels and had a remote control installed. I could charge neighbourhood kids for rides and enter it in races. If I did the same with a horse I could drive it to work. I would call it Steven.
Regards, David. From: Shannon Walkley


Date:
Monday 21 June 2010 12.07pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Awww

Please just use the photo I gave you.


From: David Thorne
Date:
Monday 21 June 2010 12.22pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww



From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.34pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

I didnt say there was a reward. I dont have $2000 dollars. What did you even put that there for? Apart from that it is perfect can you please remove the reward bit. Thanks Shan.


From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.42pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww





Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.51pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

Can you just please take the reward bit off altogether? I have to leave in ten minutes and I still have to make photocopies of it.


From: David Thorne
Date:
Monday 21 June 2010 12.56pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww





From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 1.03pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

Fine. That will have to do.






Monday, August 16, 2010

Chic Coat Hanger

I am always looking for way's to beautify my room. I don't want to overdo it.... but there are just some things that could use a make over, you know? After I made the Chic Mirror with my friend Desiree, I thought to myself... why not use the same concept from making the mirror and make.... other things. Like a coat hanger? Of course I wouldn't really hang coats, but remember when I blogged about my hat obsession? Well, I guess I also have a scarf obsession, which maybe I will blog about when I start wearing them again when it gets cold (which hopefully will not be for a long time *wishful thinking*). Right now I have this cheap little plastic hanger that they barley hang on. So... I decided to remember how I made the mirror and go for it.  It didn't take as long as the mirror thank goodness.

I must say thank you to Jeanne for coming with me to Home Depot. For some reason that store kind of intimidates me. Like its a man store or something. Also want to say thank you to my brother in law, Jess. He helped me screw everything together since he has tools and I do not. And when I brought all the stuff over, my niece, Reanne (age 7) says. "Hey, it smells like Home Depot!" I told her that was exactly right because that is where I bought the stuff. I just thought it was great that she recognized that the smell of Wood & Paint reminds her of Home Depot which sells those things. It made me laugh.

*Side Note* When I was spray painting the wood and such, I used my pointer finger the whole time. I was spray painting for a while. After I was done, the tip of my finger was half numb. I figured it would just go away, but it still is kind of numb 3 nights later. That can't be normal right? Yikes... hope my finger doesn't fall off.

Okay, I'm going to stop talking now and show you the pictures.

Here is the plastic thing I was using before (Please note that is is also broken. Why has it taken me so long to replace it?)



Here is what I made to model after my mirror!



I love how it turned out AND it is more sturdy than the other one. Another successful project completed!