Stick Witchu

Once upon a time, (about 5 years ago) I used to make many music videos. I was known for it in my ward. I would choose a song and find people that wanted to be in the video (which people were usually asking me when my next video was going to be), choreographed and directed it and my friend Jesse would film and edit the video's. Video's such as Jump for my Love, Spice Girls & Vibology all got done 5 years ago, but after filming Pussycat Dolls, Jesse just wasn't feeling it, so this music video got pushed to the side. Maybe a year or two later I decided to go over and get the video footage from Jesse to see if I could edit it and make it into a music video. Obviously it has been sitting around for a while still. At first I didn't have a good video editing program. When I got my MacBook Pro last year, I decided I could check out the video editing program by finally doing the music video. I still put it off for a long time.

Friends.... tonight I finally finished it. Its not great, this is the first video I have edited. If Jesse would have done it, it would have been tons better, he had a talent for it. Hopefully I can develop that talent. A music video is better than no music video though in my opinion. So, Sara, Lauren, Tessa, Bryn & Krista... and my blog readers...after 5 long years, here is the "Stick Witchu" music video! Enjoy!

Captain EO

That is right my friends! "Captain EO" is finally back at Disneyland where it belongs. I could not be happier. "Honey I Shrunk the Audience" was there for WAY too long. I was over it after the first time I saw it. Captain EO on the other hand... #1- 80's Fab #2- Michael Jackson (enough said) #3- My first 3D movie ever #4- Reminds me of my childhood. #5 - Singing and Dancing and M.J. saving the world one song at a time. It doesn't get much better than that. It's cheesy for sure, but so was everything in the 80's.

I would tell you that I was so pumped to see this again because I had not seen it since I was probably 6 years old, but that would be a lie. I have Captain EO on my ipod. Maybe I found it online, don't judge me. I was VERY excited to see Captain EO again in 3D and in its rightful home and where I saw it for the first time 20 years ago. It was exciting. I loved it. Every minute of it. They added something (or maybe I just don't remember this as a kid), they have the floor bounce to the music... so its like your dancing. Its kind of funny / awesome.

After the movie my friend needed to use the Lou, so I went into the store. My eyes were then lead to a table of Captain EO shirts. NO WAY!!! Yep! You better believe I bought one. It was hard to decide between the different shirts. It was a toss up, I almost got the shirt of the movie poster, but in the end I decided to get the shirt that he wears in the movie... which is pretty awesome. You better believe you will be seeing me wear this gem around.

If you happen to go to Disneyland in the near future, go see Captain EO. You will not regret it.

Song Bird

I have been feeling the need to do more crafts lately. I miss being creative. I have a bunch of stuff that has been sitting around the basement since I moved to my place a year ago. The picture below, I have had for MANY years. Don't get me wrong, its cute, but I needed change and my style has changed over the years. But... I didn't want to throw it away.

So... I decided to spray paint the frame (which apparently is my new favorite way to switch things up) and I turned the picture over and put some copied sheet music on it with a little bird. And Wa La! New decoration.

Guess where I put it? Over my piano of course. Doesn't that seem appropriate? Anyway, a fast and easy craft, but I was still able to use my creative juices and end up with some a new cute decoration that I really like. If I ever want the old picture back... its still there on the other side.

Chad & Clara

My brother asked me if I could take pictures of him and his wife Clara for their Christmas Cards. We took these on Thanksgiving day. It was freezing, but we got some good ones. Here are some of my favorites.

Thanksgiving Day

For the past 4 years I have spent Thanksgiving in Utah. Not a big deal, I am still spending the holiday with family. Usually my parents come up, but this year was a little different. I was invited to spend the Holiday with my oldest sister, Kristy's in law's. The Bourgeous Family! For some, this might be a little weird (spending a holiday with your brother or sister in law's family) but not for me. I love the Bourgeous Family.
It is funny, when Kristy married Jess, I met Jess's family at the wedding for the first time. I didn't really talk to them and I didn't really think I would see any of them ever again... maybe when they had a baby or something. Things did not turn out that way though. When Lori and I backpacked Costa Rica for two months, Lex was serving his mission there and we found him while we were there and got to hang out with him for a bit. Then after I had been living in Utah for 4 years, Blythe became my roommate. We were roommates for two years and became very close and this also meant that her brothers came over lots and I got to know them and spend lots of time with them. And of course I have seen lots of their mom, Robyn... especially when Blythe was planning her wedding. So as you can see, I was more than happy to spend Thanksgiving with not only my oldest sister Kristy and my little brother Chad and his wife Clara, but with the Bourgeous family as well. The parents were in town from China, so it was a nice treat for their family to be together.
The afternoon and evening I spent catching up with Blythe, Rob & Lex, playing with my nieces and nephews and of course we got to eat a major meal. I can't remember a Thanksgiving where I liked every single thing that was on the table. I did this year. Yep, that's right.... Mom and Dad, I even loved and ate the green beans! What was on the table? Turkey, Green Beans, Sweet Mashed Potatoes, corn (with cream cheese in it), Cranberry Sauce, most amazing homemade (by Robyn) rolls, shrimp, homemade stuffing and to drink some black cherry ginger ale drink. YUM!!!!

I was in heaven! I love Thanksgiving. The only bad thing about being invited somewhere else for Thanksgiving dinner is that you don't get the left overs to eat the next day. I so wish I had a turkey stuffing sandwich right now. :o( On my plate, I took a little of everything... which I think most people did. Except my brother in law Jess. Take notice of his plate (bottom picture). It made me laugh.

Here is everyone eating. The kids had their own table in the other room. They had a great time.

I asked if there was anything I could bring to help with dinner. The only thing they wanted me to bring was a pie. So...of course I brought my favorite that I learned from my sister Lori. Chocolate Haupia Pie, which is always a huge hit. But I was not the only one that brought pie. After a little break from dinner, they brought out 5 pies! That includes mine. I have never had so many pies at Thanksgiving before. They were each different too. My favorites (besides mine) were Pear Cheddar Pie & the Lemon Truffle Pie. YUM!!!!

Here is me and B (aka Blythe) I miss having her as a roommate. And then Lex with the Bourgeous dog Zoe, who followed everyone around all day and night hoping for people to drop their food.

Me with Kristy's kids. My cutie patutie nieces and nephews that I adore. Grant now says my name really well and it is SUPER adorable.

Me with the siblings that were there. Kristy & Chad. The first picture is was taken because my brother Chad has recently lost 28 pounds. Kristy said she couldn't tell until he put his arms up in the air and then he looked a lot skinnier. She told him if he wants people to notice his weight loss he should walk in the room that way. ha ha. Great job Chad on your weight loss!! Keep up the good work!

Turkey Treat

On Monday for FHE, we joined with another group and my group was in charge of the activity. Since there are only about 4 people now from my group that actually come and I have a partner that doesn't do anything let alone show up.... this means I was in charge of the activity. I wanted to be festive, so I decided we would make turkey treats. We were few in number, but the people that were there told me that they really enjoyed this activity. This made me happy since I don't have a lot of support in the FHE department.

I think they turned out really cute. If you would like to make these... here is what you will need.

Oreo's
Whoppers
Receses Cups
chocolate frosting
yellow or orange frosting (cake decorating tip)
Candy corn (might want to plan at the end of halloween to get these for your project because as soon as Halloween is over stores skip to Christmas and apparently don't sell Candy Corn for Thanksgiving even though I think they should... this is why we substituted candy oranges)

These are easy to put together, just look at the pictures. Use the frosting to make everything stay together. Here is how they turned out!

Cute Right? So cute I decided to make more and take them to Thanksgiving dinner today. They were cute to have as decoration and the kids also enjoyed eating them. :o)

Confessions of a Brunette on the Internet 41

I am thankful for...

My family (including in laws, nieces & nephews & extended family... Love them all)
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
The good friends in my life
My Health
My Job at Novell
A functioning Body
A nice home to live in
Growing up in Santa Barbara
Good examples in my life
A car that runs
The opportunity to travel
My creativity
Photography
Good food
How far I have come with my weight loss goals
A living Prophet
Beautiful Nature
Technology and easy communication it brings
Music
My talents that I have
Straight teeth (and the braces that got me there)
The scriptures & The Ensign
Tina as my roommate
Having family that lives near by
Sleep (and my warm comfy bed)
Laughter
Smiles
Dancing
Singing
Learning new things
Books
Crafts
A clean house (when that happens)
Love
Not having any debt
A steady income
Service
The kids I tutor
Living in a place that has the seasons (even though I really dislike the winter, it has a few good things about it)
Everything my parents have taught me and given me and helped me with.

I could go on and on. I am very blessed and thankful for a lot. I hope you think about all that you are thankful for today. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Photo of the Week 39

I am a sucker for ivy growing on buildings. The University of Chicago is absolutely beautiful and covered in ivy.

Wrenn Family

My sister Lori wanted me to get a few family pictures for them while I was home.

 This would have been a great one is Zach was looking and William wasn't done taking pictures. ha ha

 A picture of me and my beautiful sister.

Rain Boots

My nephew William loves his rain boots! He got some good use out of them this last weekend.

I'm Thirsty

So maybe I went to Disneyland on Saturday, and maybe it rained for a few hours when we first got there.

Did I have an umbrella? No. Did I have a poncho? Nope. I frolicked in the rain and drank lots of water. In the process of getting water from the water fountains, I noticed how pretty a couple of the water fountains were. So.... I decided I wanted a picture, because I thought it would be funny. Pretty soon, I was on my look out for every water fountain I could find.

Can you guess where these fountains are located within Disneyland & California Adventure Park?

Arlington Theater

Friday night I met up with two of my good friends from Santa Barbara (Holly & Violet) and went to my favorite theater to see Harry Potter 7 (The Deathly Hallows) Part1.

The theater and the movie did not disappoint me. I never tire of the Arlington Theater. It is just beautiful. I have yet to walk into another theater that compares (besides musical theaters). It is modeled after the Spanish feel of my hometown. Every time I visit home I realize how much I miss being there.

The movie was just as good as I remember the book being. I can't wait until July for part 2!

At my Harry Potter party, one of my friends asked the following questions which I thought were great, have thought about, and now I am going to ask you... (for the Harry Potter fans)

#1- What would your patronus be?

I know this probably sounds weird, but I would want mine to be a peacock. Something about those tail feathers just seems like it would be cool... and it would fit me. Although I just took a quiz online and it told me my patronus would be a wolf. mmm....

#2- What would your 7 horcrux's be and where would they be hidden?

I think mine would go as follows.

1- My Camera card (inside my camera) which would be in the cliff of my favorite beach lookout spot in Santa Barbara

2- My birthstone ring from my Grandma that I would have in the bucket of the well in the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland.

3- Somewhere In Time Sheet music that I would have hidden in a cabin up at Dinkey Creek

4- My massage therapy book which would stay on my book shelf

5- My ipod which would be always be with me

6- One of my Origami Cranes (which will be a tricky one since I have left so many of them so many places, but mine will be located at my sister Jamie's house on top of the refrigerator

7- My marble elephant that I bought in India. This will be located in the bottom of the ocean off the coast of Santa Barbara.

Now its your turn to answer.