Kortekum

Dreams Really Do Come True.

2011-09-12T13:40:00.000-07:00

Well things continue to hustle and bustle as Steve and I make our way to October 22nd. After the sudden passing of the Speedy Burrito, (Rest in peace) we were able to stretch our pennies and make our first big purchase together. A 2002 Honda Accord that will hopefully drive us through the rest of med school and then some. Having both spent the last decade behind the wheels of... how do I put this nicely... not... new cars, you would have thought that we bought a Ferrari.... OOoooooh leather seats. OOoooooh a sunroof. Ooooooh a cassette player that works! We are stoked.

It may not be your dream car, it may not turn heads, but for two practical kids trying to get through the rest of school this is as close to a dream come true as we need.

.... we may or may not have pulled around the corner from the guy we bought it from to celebrate and to get some random guy passing to take our picture.

Save the Date!

2011-08-23T14:57:00.000-07:00

October 22, 2011... yup. It's happening. I'm getting married.

To: Steve Christiansen

Sealing: Salt Lake Temple

Reception:

Salt Lake Hardware Building

Colors:

Purple, Green, Grey and Cream

Mood:

Tuscany, Italian Street, bistro lights

Music:

Live Jazz band.

How We Met?

2011-08-23T14:28:00.000-07:00

Would you believe we met while I was crashing his party?

So it was the 4th of July 2010. I was gathered with a bunch of friends at Sugarhouse Park, watching the fireworks. As they came to an end around 10:30, we realized that we hadn't planned any festivities beyond that. We weren't in any rush to leave and battle the traffic of everyone else and their dog trying to get out of there too, so we were sprawled out on the grass trying to think of something to fill the rest of the evening. That is until my friend Andrew got a text from a girl he barely knew to come to a party around the corner from the park. Feeling up to meeting new people my car load agreed to go.

On the ride over Andrew, now in a car full of girls, was talking "game plan" to us. Ya know, how we were going to give the vibe out, and how to be approachable and all that. Mostly comical stuff, with a degree of honest advice. He challenged us all to give our number out to one boy, to which we all accepted.

Now I am not one to back out on a challenge, so I took it to heart and entered the party with high hopes for success. Unbeknownst to me, the man that would one day be my husbando was actually hosting the party that I was then crashing.

I got introduced to Steve as the home owner/host, and we bantered back and forth throughout the night. He was in charge and had to run off to check this or do that, but he would always meander back by me and I would check in on how he was doing with it all. Initially impressed by the fun conversation and his kind eyes, I was feeling pretty great about him asking for my number before I left... success!... In fact I was twice successful and actually gave my number out twice that night. But the other one doesn't really matter at this point. :)

We texted and bantered for a few days.
Went on our first date July 15th
Dated for a few months.
Took a little break.
Started dating again October 22nd, 2010. - Which you might recognize as our wedding date one year later.
Engaged July 1st
To be married October 22nd 2011.

July 1st, 2011

2011-08-23T13:10:00.000-07:00

Steve's family is really big on the 4th of July... every year they have festivities spanning most of the weekend and full of fun traditions, one of them being a BBQ at Rob (Steve's brother) and Hilary's house followed by the Centerville City fireworks, as was the plan for the evening.

Steve came and got me at around 6, and after a long day of studying, we turned on the music laughed and made our way towards Davis county. As we drove, Steve gave me a heads up that we may need to leave before the fireworks and go home and be lame for a couple of hours (aka - study)... this is common place for us so I thought nothing of it and just said "Sure".When we got there everyone was scattered, Hill was in the kitchen preparing the last of dinner, there were some out in the back playing catch with Jack, and just enjoying the perfect summer evening. Luckily we had our mitts in the car, so we joined in the festivities and started playing baseball... the perfect 4th of july past time, right?

The whole night was ideal, great hamburgers, baseball, basketball, dessert, laughing, chatting, teasing, it was fabulous!After the food was eaten and the calories burnt off in playing, and after Dr. Steve had given us all a lesson on the female reproduction process, everyone gathered their things and got all ready to go to the fireworks. We on the other hand gathered our things and as previously decided we said our goodbyes and headed back to Salt Lake.

Now Steve wass about to start his rotations come July 18th, and his first rotation is actually in Bountiful just a few blocks from Rob and Hilary's... so we swung by to see if we could figure out where he would be working. It is a super nice hospital 2 minutes for his brother's house. It'll be perfect!Once we saw that we started back towards home... we got about a few blocks south when Steve glanced down at the clock and said

Steve: "Ya know what... It's 9:30... what's another half hour. We should just go watch the fireworks!"

Not knowing quite how to respond, I answered with a question. "I don' really know what kind of supportive you need me to be right now? Do you need me to tell you that we should go study and that we have already said our goodbyes and that we are on our way and should continue? Or do you need me to throw caution to the wind and recognize that you have been studying all week and that a break will do you well?"

Steve thought about it for a minute and then decided for us that we would go back and watch the fireworks. I didn't mind at all, in all honesty I am always pro being-together, so that was music to my ears.We swivel swooped and headed back in the direction of Centerville.

Steve: "There are probably going to be too many people and it's probably too late for us to track down my family in time, so how about we watch them from Ryan and Emily's grandparents house, which is just a couple blocks away from where they are shooting the fireworks off from.. That way we wont have to worry about parking and can just park in the garage."

Me: "Perfect, sounds great to me"

We tracked down the house, which was vacant and had a for rent sign out front, and pulled all of our stuff from the car. When I had gotten into the car after the BBQ there had been some sparklers on my seat, and Steve had explained that he had taken them for us so that we could have our own fireworks, but now that we were going to watch the big ones, it was decided that they would entertain us until the big ones started. So we spread out the blanket and poured out the sparklers and started lighting.

I got a couple lit and handed them to Steve and I was working on lighting a couple for me as Steve went skipping and frolicking off around the back of the house. I didn't think anything of it, but come to find out, as soon as he got out of sight, he was running around frantically trying to find the things that his siblings had hidden for him in the bushes... I didn't see any of that though, from my perspective, he ran around with the sparklers, and came back only a few short minutes later as I was still trying to work on keep a couple of sparklers lit at the same time.When I finally got it down, I, unbeknownst to me, played right in to the plan and started to write things with my sparklers in the air.I love you. You make me so happy. Erika. Steve. Annemarie. Merrill. Christiansen. John... Steve was in the middle of spelling out my last name when the big fireworks started going on behind his head. I was instructed that he wanted to finish spelling out my last name, but that I should sit down and start enjoying the big fireworks behind us. He got the last couple sparklers lit and finshed out the last of my last name. s...e....n.

Pause.

Steve: "ok, one more"

w....i...l...l...y....o...u...m...a...r...r...y...m... ... ... e.

There I was sitting there on the grass, fireworks over head, and the man of my dreams in front of my pausing and staring at me from across the distance between us before he finished with the last e. My whole heart smiled as I watched him with loving eyes, finish spelling the words I have often wondered how I would ever get to. From there he ran over to his shoe, where he had stashed the ring box so I wouldn't notice it bulging out of his pants pocket, and he came over to kneel down by me, and told me that he wanted to spend his forever with me. I was sitting but came up to kneel with him, hugging him as I said yes.

At that, Steve got up, explaining that there were more surprises.He ran around the back of the house again and came back with 2 dozen white and red roses, and a cooler of sparkling cider and glasses. He gave me the flowers, which were so beautiful, and he broke out the bubbly. And by "broke out" I mean he had lost the bottle opener before we left Rob and Hills, so he had borrowed Rob's Swiss army pliers with an opener on it that didn't work and ended up just puncturing a hole right in the top of the lid. He fiddled with it for a few more seconds before he decided that it would have to do, and he poured us both a glass.We raised them both in a toast, and began to toast to us.

Mid toast, Steve's family, now back from watching the fireworks, strolled up to find us there on the blanket amidst the burnt out sparklers and cider. They were all so excited for us and took turns hugging us and congratulating us. They took pictures for us. Ooooed and Awwwwed over the ring, though they had all seen in and then left us to clean up and catch up with them later at the house.

There is part of me that always imagined my heart racing and tears flowing freely in a moment like this... but there was no racing to it, there was only peace.. A deep inner peace that I haven't found in very many places. The peace that comes when I know that I am loved and that everything will be ok, whatever comes our way. I loved that peace.

I love Steve Christiansen.

Ta-dah!

2011-04-27T08:35:00.000-07:00

Months after the due date, it's finally finished!! I'd like to give a shout out to my dad for letting me take over his garage for WAY too long and for his help. Mr. Head for not telling me that it was impossible for a girl of my woodworking experience (none) to make a bed. And for all those who encouraged and supported me through the whole process! :)

I have been encouraged by Steve to revel in this project's completion for at least a few minutes... So at this time I will make no mention of the next project coming down the pipe.

Project Update

2011-02-16T09:40:00.000-08:00

So the project is coming.. I realize the due date was yesterday, and I still need to paint, and attach all the pieces together... but it is coming. My last woodworking class was last night and I'm not going to lie, I'm a little bummed. It was fun! But it is probably for the best since a kind of creepy janitor, who is I would guess about 50, wanted to ask me out and I don't really care to see him again.

More updates to come... not with the janitor, with the bed.

2011-02-15T09:50:00.000-08:00

"What we ponder and what we think about sets the course of our life. Any day we wish; we can discipline ourselves to change it all. Any day we wish, we can open the book that will open our mind to new knowledge. Any day we wish, we can start a new activity. Any day we wish, we can start the process of life change. We can do it immediately, or next week, or next month, or next year.

"We can also do nothing. We can pretend rather than perform. And if the idea of having to change ourselves makes us uncomfortable, we can remain as we are. We can choose rest over labor, entertainment over education, delusion over truth, and doubt over confidence. The choices are ours to make. But while we curse the effect, we continue to nourish the cause. As Shakespeare uniquely observed, 'The fault is not in the stars, but in ourselves.' We created our circumstances by our past choices. We have both the ability and the responsibility to make better choices beginning today."

"You must keep both eyes on your target and not the ever moving mark. Remember that success is never about the chosen few, but always about the few who choose, you get to choose and your life builds from there".

-Warren Buffet

photo curtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/26473957@N03/5221149000/

New Years Resolution #2

2011-02-02T16:09:00.000-08:00

Little known fact... February is for finances... yup, I chose the shortest month to do the least-exciting resolution, figure out my monies. I can save but I am horrible at knowing how I saved. So that's the goal... nay, the resolution! 26 days and counting until I can focus on something a little more exciting.

Production Continues

2011-02-02T11:47:00.000-08:00

It's been just under a month and the bed is coming along nicely... I've definitely jumped in and learned a lot when it comes to working with wood. Like any project where you decide to learn as you go, I would like to start over and do it again with the knowledge I have now, but that aside I'm excited with how it is coming together.

This is the Speedy Burrito trying to be a truck.

This is me, SOOO dusty.

And this is where I left the bed drying. More progress to come.

Production Begins

2011-01-19T09:06:00.000-08:00

After 2 hours of safety videos from the 1960's, an hour of being shown around the shop, a date with my dad to Home Depot to get wood and cramming all of that wood into my 96 Chevy... production has begun on my bed. :) Look Dad! Aren't you so proud! Thanks for teaching me that "I don't know how" doesn't have to be a part of my vernacular.

More pictures to come! Unless I totally bomb it, in which case I'll post pictures of my next bon fire. ;) Wish me luck!

Gotta Keep Your Head Up... You Can Let Your Hair Down!

2011-01-11T09:39:00.000-08:00

The Power of Vulnerability

2011-01-10T09:00:00.001-08:00

New Years Resolution #1

2010-12-31T09:19:00.000-08:00

Make this bed frame by hand.

Woodworking Class: $89

Estimated Cost of the Wood and Supplies: $150

Estimated Savings: $1,161

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/farmhouse-bed/

Project to Begin Development: January 15th

Date of Completion: February 15th

Art

2010-12-09T14:11:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I think that the definition of art has been tampered with too much. There are too many people getting by with too little effort on too many occasions and calling it "art". They doodle on a page, drop some paint on canvas, click around on a computer for a while, call it abstract and hang it on the wall like it has earned it's place there. But it seems like most of the time I don't believe in it. Art is supposed to do something to you. It is supposed to take your heart and your eyes and your soul and change them so that they can't ever beat or see or feel the same again. It is supposed to change you within a few second, and then go on changing you as you walk away from it. When is the last time that happened for you?

In a world where there is maybe to much stimulus, or perhaps we have just forgotten the time and patience and thought and passion that the masters placed in their work, I think our definitions have become too cloudy... But this... this is different... this is by far the prettiest art I have seen in a very long time.

Thought of You from Ryan J Woodward on Vimeo.

Lifehouse

2010-11-16T09:11:00.000-08:00

So I was hanging out with Steve and Lifehouse yesterday listening to them sound check for their show that night and I was like, "Guys, hold on a second... I just realized that we don't even have a single picture together, how ridiculous is that!!" We all paused for a second of silence as we let it sink in, and then broke into laughing about how absurd it was... So, I'm not sure what happened, but in our giggles Bryce actually almost tipped his drummers stool off his platform, and he let out a high pitched shriek... Jason dropped to the floor laughing at him, Steve could barely breath, and my sides ached when we finally stopped. I think I was laughing more at Jason Wade's response than anything else.... But anyway, so after we finally regained composure, and after repeatidly having to tell that Bryce Soderberg his plaid shirt looked great on him, and 'no he didn't need to change before the picture'... we finally got one all together... it's about time!

Ok, so maybe most of that didn't happen, but I do have a picture with Steve and Lifehouse, so I'll let you wonder and sift through the rest.

It's OK. You don't need to know what happens.

2010-10-26T13:53:00.000-07:00

"I've learned, the hard way, that some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next. Delicious Ambiguity." — Gilda Radner

photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/latyrx/4456128819/z

#21 Full-Moon Lift Ride at Sundance

2010-08-25T10:30:00.000-07:00

Nothing like borrowing a bigger car from the parents, cramming it full of people in the form of dates, and caravanning up to Sundance for the Full Moon Lift Ride and dessert. I didn't even know such a thing existed, but it was super fun and I highly recommend it! The ride itself was pretty and peaceful... and leave it to Megan Paul to whip out pound cake and strawberries for everyone when the moment was right. :) All in all, it made for a great night!

2010-08-24T12:04:00.000-07:00

Never be afraid of an unknown future with an all-knowing God...The will of God will never lead you where the grace of God will not protect you. If God takes something out of your hands it is not because he is punishing you or making you to suffer. It is because he is making room for something better.

photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/8425606@N04/3369285316/

#13 Mini-Golf (Part 2)

2010-08-18T16:05:00.000-07:00

Now before you get all confused on me I have to clarify... just because there is a list doesn't mean once the things on the list are marked off, they can't be done again. Au contraire. We heard about an exhibit from local artists who put together a mini golf course that you could check out and play on for free. Who doesn't love that! The only catch was you had to wear these amazing booties.

If you feel like you are above the booties, perhaps you should talk to andrew who got busted for not wearing them!

You should also not pick up parts of the art work and move them... geeze Andrew! ;)

I hang out with such rebels!! What am I even going to do with these boys?

2010-08-13T13:44:00.000-07:00

"The secret of what I have been able to do lies in the One to whom I surrendered my life.

Christ made me what I am."

-Louis Pasteur

photo curtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/henriliriani/3844869283/

2010-08-11T14:57:00.000-07:00

“Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.” - Rumi

photo compliments of http://www.flickr.com/photos/tearsandrain/2868003710/

#20 Las Vegas/Logandale

2010-08-08T16:00:00.000-07:00

This last weekend marked the annual trip down to Logandale, Nevada! What's in Logandale you ask? Oh well two things. First: my dear friend Amee's wonderful family who just happen to be one of the best families you can find!!.. And as part of being so wonderful, they for some odd reason feel like they should open their doors, their fridge, and their home to us vagabonds traveling through! One this is for sure... They are good people!

Second, Megan Paul (aka Pegsy) just thought that she would get on her bike in Salt Lake and ride to Las Vegas. What the!! Yup, her and her coworkers saddled up a few mini vans and relayed it down for over 500 miles in the blistering heat. And we thought: This is something we have got to see.

Truth be told SHE ROCKED IT!

Note: it has taken swallowing all of my pride to be able to post the picture of this sign we made... I may or may not have tried to spell 'our' with an 'are', my internal spell check didn't catch it before the 'A' was already in place... dumb! As a graphic designer and ocd'ist/perfectionist when it comes to things like this, if I didn't love Megan so much I definitely would have thrown it away. "Sign, what sign? I didn't make a sign?" Oh well... don't judge me. I tried to distract from the sign with my crazy hair. What is even going on there.

This is Megan, tried and sore, just about to start her last leg of the race. Still rocking her great smile, and happy self.

After we sent Megan on her way we headed into Vegas for a random afternoon, of H&M, Lunch with Jackie, going to see a movie, and checking out the Peter Lik gallery. (which fyi is AMAZING!)

None of us had ever taken a picture by the famous Vegas Sign so we thought it'd be appropriate to take care of that.

Don't you worry, while we were there, we stumbled upon a pretty creepy Elvis standing by his pink Caddy, offering to take pictures for a 5 dollar tip. Sorry I don't care if you actually ARE Elvis, I'm not going to pay that, so when I told the man that I didn't have any money on me he offered to take a picture with me anyway. But that is not all he offered.

This is Mr. Creepy Elvis offering me himself and his car as a packaged deal! Gross!

No Elvis, I do not want "this"... whatever "this" is. Sick! No Elvis, if you throw in your car it does not make it any more enticing. No Elvis, I actually am NOT already taken, but for all intents and purposes, for you, I will ALWAYS say that I am. Oh and before I go Creepy Elvis man, you might want to lay off the tanning bed for a while.

Thankfully NOT yours, Erika

We spent the rest of the weekend playing with the Jensen's in all of their wonderfulness. Mark it off the summer list as another amazing weekend outing.

#19 Bangkok Grill

2010-07-24T15:18:00.000-07:00

A tasty treat down in Provo! As far as Thai food goes it was pretty good.

Let's just talk about how much I love Summer Sizzle Jensen!

#18 Go to a Concert

2010-07-24T14:52:00.000-07:00

So we went down to Provo to see Andrew Belle in concert on Thursday. It made for an exciting night out and a nice break from my crazy work schedule. Gotta love live music!

And as is customary I walked away with one of these little numbers, signed and ready to join the rest of my band t's.

#14-17 -- Price

2010-07-19T18:24:00.000-07:00

So turns out when you have weekend plans to go to

Price, Utah

everyone wants to know why...

Let me see if I can break it down for you.

14. Gourmet Smores

This is not your everyday smore, no I'm talking about key lime, dark chocolate and raspberries, apple cinnamon. Let's just say my world was rocked a little.

15. Price Utah Dinosaur Museum

No I am not too big to sit in the kiddy sand box and brush sand away from plastic bones.

Hey Amee... what is it?... love you!

16. Shoot a Bowling Ball out of a Cannon

Yup, this may be the BEST reason to go to Price, because the Marsing boys have made a cannon that will shoot a bowling ball a half mile. If you refer to the picture below the cannon you will be shocked to know that we shot a bowling ball from where we were standing over the top of the mesa behind us. Yeah. No joke. It was amazing! The picture below that is where we shot it straight into the side of the mesa and shattered the ball.

17. Shooting

Nothing like shooting a 22 with good friends... oh and for the record I may or may not have shot the golf ball off the stump on my first attempt (Note: I quickly abdicated the gun so as to leave everyone with the belief that I could do it again if I wanted to... cause I could.)

All in all it was an amazing weekend. Thanks Marsing family for letting us take over your basement, sass your children, eat your food, use your stuff, and wander your farm.

I know what you're thinking... I have the best friends ever... Don't worry, I know!

#13 Miniature Golf

2010-07-19T11:35:00.000-07:00

Nothing like joining the ward for the second annual Putt n'Giggle while marking off

mini-golf from the list!

I think we all learned our senior year of high school that the best way to document a time in your life is with really cheesy, poorly posed, awkward photos... if then, why not now?

When you are a senior you haven't really mastered the concept of direct eye contact, this is Dave in the classic glance away-snap/ uncomfortable hands shot.

Mike is sporting our tough guy pose, to all those seniors out there who have attempted this same look, I ask you now... How tough can you really be while flashing a peace sign? Just sayin'

Nothing like awkwardly embracing yourself against a wall or beam and peaking out to say... "I graduated" This doesn't look posed at all, right? It wasn't, this how Amee usually stands waiting for her next putt.

and ah yes, we can't forget the innocence of the face prop, or the high school musical jump pose.

All I can say is that I am so glad we documented this chapter of our lives properly!! Thanks to all involved for a great night!

oh yes, and...

Special thanks to Amee for being our flag when it got dark.

and props to Dave for schooling us all,

Way to go Tiger! (I can't remember your golfing name)

I wish I did

2010-07-09T08:23:00.000-07:00

I stumbled across some things I wrote years ago... I still feel the same:

Written Tuesday November 8, 2006
Does anyone else ever wish that they knew everyone??.... I'm not talking about making just a few more friends, because really my life has been overflowing with amazing people that I am lucky enough to call friends... that isn't what I mean... I'm talking about knowing EVERYONE! I get this dersire a lot.

Whenever I walk into a large group of people and I realize that I don't know any of them it makes me wish I did, just so we could all mingle on a different level...

Or when I am walking towards one other person down the sidewalk or through a hallway, all I want is to know them, so I can just stop and chat with them for a second or at least make it so they don't avoid eye contact on purpose.

Whenever I think of all the people that have come into my life and left an impact on it, I realize that I didn't know them before I knew them (if that makes sense)... And it makes me wonder who I am walking by during my day that would have the ability to change my life like others have. Maybe they could make me see something more clearly, teach me about something I never thought about, or just show me what makes them so great.

I have a feeling, or at least I can hope that this wish will come true when we all get to heaven... we'll just laugh about how we totally looked off into the distance, or pretended to play on our cell phones as we passed each other, just to avoid it being awkward... Little did we know that we passed one of our best friends in heaven, someone who knew us the best. We'll give each other a hard time about how many times we brushed by the other at a crowded place, and didn't think anything of it. We'll practically come to tears over the times on the bus, at an event, during a class, etc that we sat next to them for long enough to start a conversation ten times over, but because of "social norms" didn't. Just think about how many elevators you've shared, lines you been in, and lights you've waited at... how many places you've been with people you only think you don't know.

Doesn't it make you want to smile at everyone you pass... ya know, just in case! Doesn't it make you look at the people you wait in line with a little different, like you should talk to them, get to know them (again) Doesn't it make you just want to know everyone?

I sure do wish I did.

picture curtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/fabiang/2165849106/

#12 Jetskiing

2010-07-08T11:20:00.000-07:00

What better way to observe the 4th of July than joining with half of the state on Utah Lake and spending the day soaking up the sun and jetskiing. For those of you who don't know this about me, I was pretty much born on the water, and there is just something so right about every time I get back on it. It's not Lake Powell (my favorite place on earth) but I'll take what I can get!

A few observations from the day:

Aly still fits into the life jacket she used when she was little. Go Aly!

All my sisters have married great guys! Seriously!

My dad is a goof ball... and will still get in a jetski war with you... where you try to spray the other jetski with your wake.

My nieces and nephews are awesome.

We really shouldn't forget to floss.

And right after they take a bite of carrot is a perfect time to snap a photo.. Thumbs up Al, love you! :)

Great day! Thanks Parental Units!

#11 Bike Ride

2010-07-08T11:02:00.000-07:00

I may have wanted to sit on a donut the following day, but it was a great bike ride along the Jordan River Parkway.

fyi The American flag is to display how patriotic we are!

Cow Appreciation Day is almost here!

2010-07-07T09:51:00.000-07:00

C.A.D. as I like to call it (as of this moment) is July 9th 2010, and I know you are all counting down!! Oh and guess what!? Turns out if you dress like a cow and go to chick-fil-a you get a free meal... no joke, check it out.

http://www.cowappreciationday.com/

So dust off your cow costumes! I might just make a night of people watching to see who really will go all out for free chicken fingers! Amazing!

#10 Bon Fire

2010-06-30T12:54:00.000-07:00

Let'e be real, this is definitely going to happen more than once this summer. I love myself a good fire! But cross it off and cross it again because it's been done!

Note: For how many people were there, I sure didn't get a whole lot of pictures. Apparently there were only 4 of us... sorry to the rest of you!

Little-known fact: I ROCK at Chubby Bunny

We found a snake by the fire... Sarah Brown is brave and took care of it for all the men. I am not an expert on snakes but I think it was a python, or maybe even an anaconda.

.... IKEA Mirror

2010-06-30T12:52:00.000-07:00

I got a couple of requests to see the end result of the mirror purchase... here ya go.

#9 Buy IKEA Mirrors

2010-06-28T16:45:00.000-07:00

Have you ever sat so close to the steering wheel that you thought "Surely my legs would shatter if I were to get in a accident at this moment"... I have

Ya see that is what runs through your mind the whole way home after cramming two... I repeat two... 70" IKEA mirrors into the back of your Chevy Corsica. It might not look like I am sitting that close, but rest assure, I am.

I'd like to publicly thank Amee for being in on it with me, IKEA for providing a rocking deal on a sweet mirror, The "Speedy Burrito" for exceeding our expectations and being a long enough boat to handle the inches, random man in the parking lot for helping us tie those suckers in, and Dad for helping us hang them.

#8 Sizzlefest

2010-06-28T16:23:00.000-07:00

What is Sizzlefest you ask? Oh well, it is...

All in all it was an amazing weekend!!

#7 Monkey Bread

2010-06-24T10:46:00.000-07:00

So I'm a pretty big health nut ;) and this falls right in line with that. Butter, Sugar, Cinnamon goodness! It may take a few years off the end of your life, but I figure that everything will be hurting, I'll be senile, and what's a few more days. I'll eat monkey bread and die happy thanks!

Thanks Megsy for posing with it!

Good Things to Come!

2010-06-24T09:21:00.000-07:00

Let It Go - By T. D. Jakes

2010-06-22T08:29:00.000-07:00

There are people who can walk away from you. And hear me when I tell you this! When people can walk away from you: let them walk. I don't want you to try to talk another person into staying with you, loving you, calling you, caring about you, coming to see you, staying attached to you. I mean hang up the phone.

When people can walk away from you let them walk. Your destiny is never tied to anybody that left.

The Bible said that, they came out from us that it might be made manifest that they were not for us. For had they been of us, no doubt they would have continued with us. [1 John 2:19] People leave you because they are not joined to you. And if they are not joined to you, you can't make them stay.
Let them go.

And it doesn't mean that they are a bad person it just means that their part in the story is over. And you've got to know when people's part in your story is over so that you don't keep trying to raise the dead.You've got to know when it's dead.

You've got to know when it's over. Let me tell you something. I've got the gift of good-bye. It's the tenth spiritual gift, I believe in good-bye. It's not that I'm hateful, it's that I'm faithful, and I know whatever God means for me to have He'll give it to me.
Stop begging people to stay.
Let them go!!

If you are holding on to something that doesn't belong to you and was never intended for your life, then you need to......
LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to past hurts and pains .....
LET IT GO!!!

If someone can't treat you right, love you back, and see your worth.....
LET IT GO!!!

If someone has angered you ........
LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to some thoughts of evil and revenge......
LET IT GO!!!

If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction......
LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to a job that no longer meets your needs or talents
LET IT GO!!!

If you have a bad attitude.......
LET IT GO!!!

If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better......
LET IT GO!!!

If you're stuck in the past and God is trying to take you to a new level in Him......
LET IT GO!!!

If you are struggling with the healing of a broken relationship.......
LET IT GO!!!

If you keep trying to help someone who won't even try to help themselves......
LET IT GO!!!

If you're feeling depressed and stressed ......
LET IT GO!!!

If there is a particular situation that you are so used to handling yourself and God is saying "take your hands off of it," then you need to......
LET IT GO!!!

Let the past be the past. Forget the former things. GOD is doing a new thing for you!!!
LET IT GO!!!

Get Right or Get Left... think about it, and then ...
LET IT GO!!!

"The Battle is the Lord's!"

#6 Outdoor Movie

2010-06-19T15:32:00.000-07:00

I love myself a good outdoor movie!

We watched this movie... it's a good one. We had a grand ol time debating whether Spock is attractive... I personally think he is is too pointy, and that his blunt bangs just aren't for me. Sorry Sarah/Megan... I just don't agree.

And good news the blanket full of strangers that decided to lay their blankets down RIGHT next to us only had to get mad at us once for talking and goofing off. Every party has a pooper that's why we DIDN'T invite them. Dear Blanket of Strangers, how bout next time you give us at least a two foot buffer, then maybe our talking wont have to include you.

#5 La Puente Mexican Restaurant

2010-06-19T15:13:00.000-07:00

Sad day, I forgot my camera... but Amee had never been to the Mexican Restaurant a few blocks from our house, so it was on the list. Yummy mexican food... check.

#4 Shaved Ice

2010-06-09T19:49:00.000-07:00

A summer must!

www.jpgmag.com/stories/11886

#3 Hiking Donut Falls

2010-06-09T19:10:00.000-07:00

Nothing like tromping through the snow as a great start to summer. I'm glad that we went early because we learned a few really valuable lessons. 1. If there is a chance of getting stung or bit by some unknown insect you should probably bring a Summer... who needs an eagle scout when you have have Sizzle to rub some dirt in it.

2. Don't leave home without Amee, who might not be the one smearing mud on your ankle but she will surely hold you hair back for you while you do.

3. Sometimes the road is slippery, find some friends, hold on tight, and keep climbing. - Chinese Proverb.

4. Make sure you stop and take family photos.

and senior portraits.

oh and Dear Park Ranger, you should really think about making an easier way out, it was a tight squeeze.

#2 Nick-n-Willy's Pizza

2010-06-09T14:30:00.000-07:00

One must try anything that claims to be "world famous," right? What if they aren't joking and it really rocks your world? I forgot to take a picture of the pizza or us eating it, so this one will have to do. I'm not sure it was THAT famous, but for a pizza, it was tasty!

#1 Make Banoffee Pie

2010-06-09T14:25:00.001-07:00

Banana-Toffee... mmmmm.... It's rich, tastes like you are eating an ice cream sunday. It's delightful! Special Thanks to Jon Lloyd for introducing me to the goodness from the UK. I cringe to think of what my life will be like had we never met.

The Summer 2010 List!!

2010-06-09T14:08:00.000-07:00

So the summer before last, or was it the one before that?... either way, a few summers ago while living in Provo, Whitney Beck-Ferry, Chelsea Olsen-Roper and I created a list. We were charged! It was the beginning of summer and we had a whole lot activities we wanted to participate in while the weather permitted. So, one night when we were feeling particularly fun and motivated we made the list. Everything from toe-painting to hiking, restaurants we wanted to try to things we wanted to bake...

75+ things on a piece of paper then created one of the most fun summers I have ever had. Ya see, when you are bored it is really hard to think of something to do, but if you have a list then you just reference it and do whatever you can. Best cure for boredom ever!

.... that being said I'd like to announce that the Summer 2010 list has been created!! over the course of the next few months I will attempt to document all that we do and see. One thing is for sure, we're gonna have a really good time!

Don't ask me how, Just don't!

2010-06-09T12:13:00.000-07:00

http://www.musicphilosophy.co.uk/

2010-06-03T17:29:00.000-07:00

"And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet

and the winds long to play with your hair."

- Kahlil Gibran

photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/azzammerchant/3100950023/

Dear Summer: I'm glad you're back. Love, Erika

2010-06-03T16:57:00.000-07:00

Remember when summer used to be like this...

Previous night-8/9:00 sleeping in until we were done sleeping

9:00-11:00 - hanging around in our pj's eating breakfast and watching cartoons

11:00-1:00 - playing outside

1:00-1:30 - eating the lunch that mom made

1:30-6:30 - playing outside

6:30-7:30 - eating dinner

7:30-dark - playing outside

dark-bedtime - playing around until someone made sure I bathed, brushed my teeth, read me a story, kissed my forehead and tucked me into bed.

In retrospect, if one feels like they didn't take advantage of that time like they should have, can said person sign up for that again?

How cruel is it that an addiction to summer is formed before grown-up life tells you that it isn't always going to be like that... I feel robbed! If you see me outside in my bathing suit running through your neighbor's sprinklers when I should be at work, don't be alarmed. Turn away if you have to. Just pretend like you never saw me... or better yet, forget where ever it was you were going and join me! Consider this post, me knocking on your parents door and asking if you can come out and play.

Oh and if you decide to take me up on my offer I'm going to need to you to leave your worries and baggage inside, we can't run around all day with worries and baggage... they are way too heavy!

Photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/mja/2696452140/

Old Seeds

2010-05-24T16:43:00.000-07:00

I walked into the backyard to find my 91-year old grandpa standing there in his fisherman's hat over a dozen or so newly planted seeds. I knew they were there from the fist size spots of darker earth amidst the winter packed flowerbed, and the old shovel propped up against the side of the house a few feet from where he now stood...

"Whatchya doing Grandpa?"

"Oh just planting some seeds."

I turned to match his gaze and followed it to a small stack of seed packets on the table.

"I don't even know if they will sprout, I've had these for a few years... But we'll see?"

I take a few steps over to the small pile and only then do I notice their age.

1989... a few years old? My grandpa was planting seeds almost as old as I was! Years? Try a couple decades. I couldn't help but smile at the whole situation. The seeds that have been around long enough to see 5 presidents in office, the 50 cent price tag in the corner proving how simple it would have been to update his stash, my sweet Grandpa in his weathered form, and all the hope that hung from his words.

"Yeah, Grandpa... We'll see."

If I didn't love that man so much I probably would have laughed at him... but I do... and I didn't. In fact, I later realized just how often I do the same thing. Sometimes, no matter how much life I have seen or how many lessons I have learned, I keep on planting the same old seeds. Ones of selfishness, or discontent, indifference, cynicism, or fear. The list is long and I've been planting them for years, maybe even decades. Why? I'm not sure. Maybe because I keep hoping that they will grow into what I really want. Or maybe it's because I am too stuck in my ways to update my stash, whatever the reasons may be they aren't good enough.

No, it's probably about time I laugh at myself and give up the hope of those seeds ever working for me. Fact of the matter is, they never have.

how cute is this man!

sprout photo courtesy of: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gidget/123968999

2010-05-23T22:06:00.000-07:00

I think it should rain every Sunday night... after the drives, and walks through the park are over, after you drift off to sleep in the sunshine or feel the soft breeze blowing through an open window as you read. After a long week of work, an exciting weekend play, and a day of rest, we should all retire to our homes and our bedrooms, the busyness should fade, life should quiet, the skies should open, and the world should listen. That's the sound of everything starting over. No matter how long last week felt, no matter how many things did or didn't get done from your list, no matter who you were or what didn't go your way, it all starts over from here. This week holds every possibility. A fresh slate. A new day.

I sit here tonight watching all that I carry wash down the streets and out of sight, drifting off to the subtle reminder that we get so many chances to do it better.

Wash it clean and let's begin again.

picture courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/digitalgopher/2220007960/

Love this!

2010-05-22T09:44:00.000-07:00

2010-05-21T15:38:00.000-07:00

2010-05-19T21:18:00.000-07:00

"Sometime people are beautiful. Not in looks, in what they are" - Mark Zusak

All I can say is that I am surrounded by beautiful people.

October 2010

2010-05-19T14:22:00.000-07:00

So I am going. It's at the top of my list of things to see in my lifetime... and I'm going! Rome, Milan, Florence, Cinque Terra, Venice... I am going!!

The Cutting Edge of Balloon Delivery

2010-04-28T21:12:00.000-07:00

Let's review some interesting facts about balloons and gas....

Best... Video... Ever!!! I'd like to thank Elise Chilton Curtis for bringing this glorious video to my attention!!

World's Most Uncomfortable Saddle

2010-04-09T14:56:00.000-07:00

Oh, Craigslist... always good for a laugh.

Like a ghastly specter from your darkest nightmare, this saddle has returned from the grave seeking vengeance. Its previous master thought it had banished it to the blackness of the abyss for good, but nay, it was only for an epoch.

Features:
*Steel rails forged by LUCIFER himself
*Genuine Auroch hide seat provides maximum chafing

I am reaching the end of my strength, as the madness contained within this dark artifact threatens to consume me. I cannot merely throw this adamantine saddle on the rubbish heap, lest some unwary passerby become transfixed by its lightless glow. No, I must only give this to one with the courage to look into the bloodshot eyes of insanity, and the strength to master it. A wizard with the cunning to master this beast gains an ally of unspeakable power: the ultimate theft deterrent. At the moment the thief straddles your steed, his fate is sealed. Eager for revenge upon mortals, the saddle will visit his arse with blisters that rival the torment of fire and brimstone... a dire lesson he will not soon forget. This same fate will befall any unworthy mortal who in his arrogance, attempts to mount the saddle of doom. Are you worthy?

It'll work... He's sure

2010-04-09T12:30:00.000-07:00

“Some people, in order to discover God, read books. But there is a great book: the very appearance of created things. Look above you! Look below you! Read it. God, whom you want to discover, never wrote that book with ink. Instead He set before your eyes the things that He had made. Can you ask for a louder voice than that?”
— St. Augustine

Do you have any idea how amazing this world really is? Two weeks ago I went and saw the movie Hubble 3D at the Clark planetarium, and yesterday I sat down and watched two episodes of planet earth for the first time... PEOPLE!... SERIOUSLY?? I just want to shake the world and say "How can anyone go on believing there isn't a God?" How can you look anywhere and not see that everything is shouting otherwise? How can you break above the clouds in an airplane, or lay in the grass on a warm sunny day, with the world moving around you and miss the inexcusable evidence of the divine?

I literally shook my head... there, in the family room, to myself... I don't understand....

But then again... the more I thought about it the more I realized that I am missing some of it too. Though I have never found doubt enough to question the existence of a Creator, for some reason, in my corner of His work, despite all I see, I somehow STILL place limits on Him... I don't understand that either.

He can swirl together worlds without number, but as for making sense of MY chaos, I'm not so sure.... REALLY, Erika? He can blow the sand in the Sahara to fertilize the Amazon jungle (no joke, Planet Earth said so) but I still doubt what he can do for me... No, I miss it all the time. One day I hope I figure it out. One day I hope I stop doubting. One day I'll trust Him to create and stop looking over His shoulder with my interruptions... "Are you sure that goes there?"... "There is no way that is going to work?"

It'll work... He's sure... Trust Him! We have no reason not to. He exists and He created everything else.

We're marching on.

2010-03-31T14:04:00.000-07:00

"So many hills we had to climb

Almost without our strength
but we kept.. slowly marching on
Time heals the wounds we couldn't close
Blood sweat and tears dried up
We're okay... we kept marching on

There's so many wars, we've, fought
There's so many things, we're, not
But with what we have, I promise you that
We're marching on, we're marching on, we're marching on"

OneRepublic and Timberland

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0ozcHGK028&feature=related

2010-03-31T13:24:00.000-07:00

Everything's Right!

2010-03-31T12:33:00.000-07:00

I got to see one of my favorite artists in concert last night. Matt Wertz opened for Five for Fighting and you better believe that I was there front row center.

Got to meet him.

Purchased this little number.

And had an amazing night!

I'd like to thank Eva's for providing an incredible meal... including, but not limited to, the pork chop special from last week that you made for me this week even though it wasn't on the menu! mmmmmmm.....

Summer "Sizzle" Jensen for dinner, for being a first hand witness to my rantings about Eva and for the amazing company all night long. I can't think of anyone I would have rather stood next to for a few hours.

Five for Fighting for putting on the concert and arranging Matt as their opening band... Brilliant!

and Matt for being one of my favorites, and for the amazing music.

Shake the Dust.

2010-03-29T22:54:00.000-07:00

Anis Mojgani performs Shake the Dust at HEAVY AND LIGHT. from To Write Love on Her Arms. on Vimeo.

"When the world knocks at your front door, clutch the knob tightly and open on up, and run forward into it's widespread greeting arms with your hands in front of you, fingertips trembling, though they may be."

Love this

2010-03-19T14:37:00.001-07:00

2010-03-19T14:28:00.000-07:00

I haven't put all my eggs in one basket... but now it just seems harder to keep track of them.

Photo is from here

2010-03-19T14:17:00.001-07:00

It's not when you can handle it that the Lord will step in. No, intercession will come when it extends beyond your ability. So as you struggle, in the moments that you feel alone, it is helpful to recognize those moment as proof that the ability must then exist within you to take on the challenge. And though you need not cease relying on divine assistance, it is then our responsibility to search deeper within ourselves to find the ability that heaven knows we have.

2010-03-16T16:24:00.000-07:00

"Tuesday, after a reckless and used day, I was running without a chance to stop and chat at the sky, and finally I stopped for a breath in the evening. And suddenly I was caught by the scenery... painting a picture of you. "

Sarah Mason "Tuesday"

Endurance

2010-03-16T15:45:00.000-07:00

"Giving up is a denial of the Lord’s loving capacity to see us through all these things. Giving up, suggests that God is less than he really is. It is a denial of his divine attributes, and also a denial of our own possibilities. We should therefore, see life as being comprised of clusters of soul-stretching experiences. Even when these are overlain by seeming ordinariness or are wrapped in routine." Neal A. Maxwell

2010-03-11T10:13:00.000-08:00

So I've referenced the safety kids a couple times in stories:

like this one

or that one

and I thought I would give you a better idea of what runs through my head from my childhood.

Take home message: I had a great childhood!

2010-03-10T14:51:00.000-08:00

So I have been staring at this picture for a while now, and I have decided that I feel the same way sometimes. Like any way I turn brings with it it's own obstacle. There is the ledge. Windows I can't fit in to. A door that I can't seem to maneuver through. Stairs that I have no idea how to get up. And darkness to hide any other options.

When I try to back up I meet resistance. When I move forward... resistance.

But I am trying.

Yes, even though my direction stinks and my timing is really good at making a fool of me, I'll figure it out sooner or later. Persistence will break down the wall. Patience will help me through the doorway. Effort will push me up the stairs, or curiosity through the darkness.... And maybe one day I'll have the courage to take on the ledge.

Photograph by Brent Lewin

http://www.pdngallery.com/gallery/pdns30/2010/

He's Back!!

2010-02-22T12:25:00.000-08:00

Just a few shots from Wednesday!!

It's so good to have him back!!

Is it excited in here, or is it just me!

2010-02-17T12:33:00.001-08:00

2 years, 2 days and a few hours ago my little brother tightened the tie around his neck, buttoned the front of his suit and placed a tag in his front pocket with two names on it, Elder Johnsen and Jesus Christ.

As I stood there watching him walk out the door labeled "missionaries" I couldn't quite figure out how the 19-year old that made his own sound effects for passing cars on the freeway was going to spread the gospel. No, who were we kidding, this was the kid who still thought it hilarious to make a fake fart with his mouth and blame it on you. I almost ran after him in that moment, calling the whole joke off and taking him back out the way we came… But I couldn't, there was a look in his eyes that stopped me. There was a light that had been slowly flickering brighter with each day since the moment he committed his heart to serving the Lord that kept me in my seat with tears rolling down my cheeks. He was a missionary.

Now, 2 years later, I stand in awe at what God can do with willing soul. From the moment that he let Him, God went running with every one of Stan's strengths, his outgoing nature, his humor, his quieter sensitive side, his big heart, and positive attitude and together they never looked back!! They have spent the last 24 months giving every last ounce of effort to the people of DC, and I can honestly say that have never witness a more positive missionary! Through rain, shine, flood, snow, accountability, agency, disappointment and joy, I never once heard him complain. No, there wasn't a single moment when his weary exhaustion outweighed his hope and dedication. He has been teaching me about selfless service and hard work since he walked out that door.

I sit here this afternoon in anticipation and excitement reflecting on all that I have seen happen under the tag with two names on it. There is no way I could have anticipated all the lives Stan was able to change, and all the work that he was able to do. I think if I was going to sum up all that I have learned from his choice to serve an honorable mission it would be in the humbling reality that only God knows what we are truly capable of.

Words from Stan's last letter to me:

"I know the world is crazy and satan has most of the world by the neck... but no matter what satan will try and do we will always be on the winning team, because we know that God lives and that Jesus is the Christ! It's a good feeling isn't it!… I love being able to see the world and how crazy it is out here, it really strengthens me and shows me that I must stay close to the gospel. I have seen TOO many people taken out by satan and the temptations of the world, and to see how sad and lonely they all are makes me so sad!! But I know that the gospel can brighten everyone's light within them and the fact that I have been able to see that happen is the coolest thing ever!!! To see the light of Christ in someone go from a "flickering pilot light" to a "Fiery Inferno" is the coolest!! It is so sweet and it has made me so happy that the lord has trusted me with this important message and has given me the full-time opportunity to share it!"

He IS a missionary.

2010-02-14T13:26:00.001-08:00

Remember how I came home late Thursday night to a mysterious and large package on my kitchen counter addressed to me? And how in my tired stupor I thought "Oh dear, what did I buy that I don't even remember?" And how I opened it all the while racking my brain as to what I guess I needed so bad and so quickly that I didn't even take the time to store the purchase in my memory. And remember how I was so confused to find a Make Your Own Ukulele Kit in the box, concluding that I probably didn't purchase this because I, up to that point, didn't know that they existed... and Remember how it was followed by an overwhelming excitement and feeling of being loved when I realized it was from Jenna in Canada because she saw it, thought of me, realized how much I would love it, decided my birthday and christmas were too far away, bought it and sent it anyway, just for fun!! Remember that? I do, and always will. Thanks Jenna! You're beyond the best! Miss you a whole lot! And love you a whole lot more!

p.s. I am now one more step closer to this

GO USA!!!

2010-02-12T10:55:00.000-08:00

Is anyone else as excited for the Olympics to start!? Tonight is the night! I highly doubt they will be able to top Beijing's Opening Ceremonies, but still!!

I don't know what it is about the Olympics that thrill me so much, but I have some ideas...

1. The fact that for two weeks the world swallows all of their unhealthy competition and gathers together like none of our differences matter. (fyi: they don't)

2. Every single athlete has an amazing story of triumph, dedication, passion, persistence, and sacrifice, which are things I think we could all use a little more of.

3. I love those little spotlights where I go from knowing nothing about a person to being their biggest fan in a matter of minutes. I've decided that everyone should have a 3-5 minute synopsis video of how cool they are and the things that they have been through to get them here! Something tells me that we would have a lot more heroes, and a lot less judgement.

4. I get to go! Yup, I don't have tickets to anything, but just thought I'd respond to the clarion call from the world to gather.... Don't mind if I do!

5. It means I get to go see my sister, her fam, and this face!!!

Let the games begin world... I'm watching!!

Laugh more.

2010-02-05T16:20:00.000-08:00

and just eat it already.

2010-02-01T15:21:00.000-08:00

"Even now, all possible feelings do not yet exist, there are still those that lie beyond our capacity and our imagination. From time to time when a piece of music no one has ever written, or a painting no one has ever painted, or something else impossible to predict, fathom, or yet describe takes place, a new feeling enters the world. And then for the millionth time in the history of feeling, the heart surges and absorbs the impact." - The History of Love

V-day

2010-01-26T18:41:00.000-08:00

Ok... I realize this post is about two weeks early, but as the holiday isles at the grocery story turn a familiar shade of red and pink, and people start planning for or around that day, I once again have found myself reflecting on the many responses that I have witnessed to this occasion.

Valentine's Day

It is so interesting to me. What was set out to be such a wonderful holiday, with nothing but love in mind has somehow caused all too many to reflect the opposite of that, the lack of love, the loneliness, like the world is giving them one large white wash with the reality that they aren't dating anyone. Maybe I'm missing something somewhere. Maybe I have overlooked a reality or two, but I don't get it?

When we were young this day was great! Decorate a box, put it out on your desk and feel the love. Treats, candy, notes, cheesy cardstock with your favorite cartoon characters requesting that you become their Valentine, it was amazing! You both gave and received with everyone you knew... Nothing but joy! What happened?

Somewhere along the way we stopped looking at it like a day to tell everyone that we love them and started looking for a specific kind of love to fill some home-made void. We started reading too much in to the way that love is shown, and consequentially we start seeing a lack rather than an abundance... like somehow the fact that we have people to love and who love us every other day suddenly doesn't cut it. No, on February 14th we force love through the pigeon hole that we all created for it to pass through. It has to come from someone of the opposite sex, and in the form of flowers, candies, stuffed animals, big plans, nice dinners, and sweet nothings. Why?

Sorry, I'm not fooled. If you have ANYONE that you care about.... ANYONE that you love, then this is another wonderful day set aside to tell them. If you have a family, if you have friends, and if you are lucky enough to still be able to call them up on the phone, or write them a note, or stop by to visit then this day should be looked at with anticipation and excitement.

So I say to you all dreading it's arrival... Why don't we just love everyone... like we used to.

Nothing but joy can come from it!

Cupcakes and Puddles

2010-01-20T15:45:00.001-08:00

Sometimes I wish I had a little more time to try being someone I'm not.... not in a lose track of myself sort of way, and not in a fake way either, ewe... but in the adventurous sort of way.

For instance, right now I am not someone who get's paid to make cupcakes. I got quite a ways into my life before I walked into my first cupcake shop and realize that someone is seriously getting paid for that! How would it be?... I have no idea.

I'm also not someone who always carries around a nice camera and instead of just sitting there, twiddling their thumbs, can be found squatting down by a puddle taking pictures of the sky it reflects. For the most part my camera just sits in the corner of my room, reminding me that I totally forgot to take it last time I did something exciting, dumb!

And I don't ever twiddle my thumbs... what's with that?

No something just isn't right about not having the time to twiddle my thumbs while my cupcakes bake and my photos download to my computer... if I want to. I just wish I had more time to try and be that person, and a lot of other people while I am at it. If you think about it (which I have) I figure there can only be two possible outcomes.

1. I find that I actually don't like being that way... maybe I'd get a couple weeks into it and realize that I hate being sticky with frosting all day, and while I was squatting trying to get a good shot off I ruined another pair of pant, and my thumbs hurt... at which point I would just stop, turn around and come back to where I am now, not a big deal, and at least I would know...

2. I realize that I'm happier that way, and I twiddle my thumbs on down that road for as long as I feel like being that person.

It kind of makes me sad to think of all the things that I don't know I'm passionate about. All the things that would speak to the deep parts of my soul with excitement and curiosity. Life should have more time for those kinds of pursuits. Maybe tomorrow I'll try a little harder to be someone I'm not.

2010-01-20T15:39:00.000-08:00

it's the best advice I've seen all day! (not surprising since I haven't left my cubical, but still... good advice)

2010-01-19T12:41:00.000-08:00

"When he thinks he has attained, then is he in danger. When he finds the mountain he has so long been climbing show suddenly a distant peak, radiant in eternal whiteness, and all but lost in heavenly places, a peak whose glory-crowned apex it seems as if no human foot could ever reach–then there is hope for him. Then there is proof that he has been climbing, for he beholds the yet unclimbed. He sees what he could not see before. "

- George McDonald Knowing the Heart of God

2009-12-23T13:32:00.000-08:00

Walls.. I have a lot of them. I built them all by hand with my trials, heart ache, stubborness and pride... some out of necessity, others out of luxury, some because I didn't know what else to do. It's funny because if you were looking only at the time I have put into building them you would think that I like them. When you notice how high they go, and how thick they are, you would think that they were all placed there on purpose. But if you walk up close you will see my handprints worn into the plaster where I have pushed with all my might against them, wishing they would fall. You would see where the mortar has been chipped away at, in desperation, when I was suffocating inside.

No, if there is anything that I would change about the last quarter of a century it would be the walls that I have built. I look back at the time I spent building them, and the oft times back-breaking work that it was (especially the higher they got) and my soul aches to have that time back, to do it differently, to spend that time healing instead... and if that wasn't enough, that ache pales to the reality of the people that I have walled out. Why do we keep teaching each other how to build them? Is it to block out the pain that others will cause us, or is it so that we don't have to see the pained faces of the people that we hurt. I admit to both. There are my walls of self preservation, and defense... but in the darker corners of my life I have walls sadly built just high enough to not have to see what the hurt that I have thrown over hits. We think that we are the only ones who hurt when we close off, we think that we are the only ones who feel anything when we stand alone in our fortress... but what we can no longer see is that there are hand prints on the other side of our walls too. As I try to knock down my walls those prints are what break my heart, to know that we all too often feel alone for no reason.

Maybe that's what draws us so much to the infinite love of kids and of heaven. No walls.

Maybe that's why we can't feel that love more often... Walls.

2009-11-22T10:47:00.000-08:00

So after multiple requests to see the letter that I received from the post office, here it is:

October 20, 2009

"Dear Postal Customer-

Your letter carrier recently informed me that you are destroying other people's mail. While I understand your frustration at getting other people's mail, it is a federal offense to destroy first class mail that is not your own. If you get mail addressed to another person, you can write on it, "not at this address" and put it in the outgoing mail.

Your carrier is aware of this problem and makes every effort to deliver only your mail. Please help us with this problem and we will continue to do better.

Sincerely,

Heidi Clark

Delivery Supervisor "

Yup... I've been caught, the cat is out of the bag, my habits have finally caught up with me... what?... False. For the record, I have not, do not, and do not plan on ever destroying anyone else's mail. Perhaps I should send this letter in return.

Dear Heidi,

It has recently been brought to my attention that my mail carrier is a liar! While I understand his/her frustration, having to live many hours of his/her day in that 5 x 5 box of a car, it is still a personal offense for him/her to regard me as a federal offender, and to go around spreading rumors that I destroy other people's mail. If you get any more comments like that from him/her, you can write it down on a piece of paper, stick it in an envelope, write "return to sender" on the front, and give it back to my mail carrier.

I am now aware of the false gossip problem that exists within the US postal service, and I will make every effort to not move to Switzerland in an offended rage. Please help me with this problem and I will continue to live my life as a law abiding and courteous citizen of the United States of America.

Sincerely,

Erika Johnsen

Delivery Recipient

2009-10-31T14:10:00.000-07:00

So I have thought a lot lately about the language we use... Each one of us began our lives without a single word to explain how we feel, emotion without description, objects without names... and from day one we have been not only learning those words, but also defining them. Sure when I was little you could point to a crayon and say "cray...on" and I might copy you, but it wasn't until you held up another, and then another and repeated the same word that I began to associate the stick of colored wax to a name. Even after 25 years I am still asking "what is that?" and learning about the world that surrounds me.

Thought provoking, right? ok, not really... but what grasps my attention lately is the process we all go through to define the more abstract things in this life, and how that is, in a sense, one of the main reasons we exist, the very purpose of experience... Unlike a crayon, or a toy, we are given words like... love, patience, strength, pain, peace, kindness, compassion, endurance, envy, embarrassment, disappointment, forgiveness, or character, and we are asked to define them with our lives.

You could give me the dictionary definition of strength, sure. You can point at it and repeat it again and again, but it isn't until I see a single mother of four dry her eyes and say "we've got this" that the word begins to take shape.

You can tell me about peace while you try to define it, or you can drag me through the chaos of life and kick up all the dirt around me, let it pass, let it settle, let it work out, and I'll know.

You can point at paragraph in a history book and tell me about character, or you can surround me with people who live their lives the best they can with what they have been given, and I'll write the definition myself, with each of your pictures to caption it.

Yes, we learn those more abstract words in school, how to spell them, and what they mean, but I have come to believe it is only to help us recognize and continually define them ourselves. Perhaps at the end of my life, when all is said and done, and all words defined, I will leave along with my history, my dictionary, and it will spark in someone else's mind the beginning of their own definitions, or at least the desire to find them.

Love:

2009-10-31T13:36:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I think we define our words too well though. We get too specific and funnel our experiences down through too tight of a hole, especially with love. We have had decades of experience with the word and we think we know all that there is to know about it.... what it looks like, what it does, how it responds, and how it feels... but if you think you've defined it I can almost guarantee you are missing it. Some of the best advice I have ever picked up in the last quarter century is in this powerful statement:

Just because someone doesn't love you how you want them to, doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.

Or in other words: broaden your definition of love a little. Push at the edges and make sure that you aren't trapped inside it. Or that your aren't boxing anyone else in it. You will feel so much more love from those around you if you aren't waiting for it to appear in the form that you are expecting it to come. The world comes alive with love when you realize that it isn't particularly dignified, or structured. Sometimes it comes in an embrace, or in words, or where you are looking, and more than not it doesn't. I'll have you know that I've felt love from fruit snacks more than I have flowers. I've heard it in silence, and I've seen it in tired eyes straining to stay awake to listen. I have heard it in the sounds of a hammer, and caught its smell in something burning on the stove. I've been lifted by it's weight, and carried by its concern. 99.99% of the time it isn't where you'd think to look, but it's there.

Don't get me wrong though, I'm still defining it, and just as I am sure that I have found it in the most uncommon places, I also know that I have missed it too. Oh so many times. My definition was too small, and my eyes too closed.

Just because someone doesn't love you how you want them to, doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.

2009-10-31T12:43:00.000-07:00

Flight 451 from Arizona to Salt Lake City... we left early enough to watch the sunrise from 35,000 feet, or something like that.

I've spent the last 5 days doing what all should do more often. I read a book, spent a day putting together a puzzle, played with a 6 year old, took a nap outside in a swing in the sunshine, watched a couple movies, went to the temple, taught that 6 year old how to frog sit, got up and went to bed early.

I feel a bit like the sunrise this morning, like I'm recharged and ready for another day. Like even though I've risen over this life every morning... I'll do it again today... because all things possible lie before me. It'd be pointless to turn back now!

2009-10-20T13:05:00.000-07:00

I was young, probably 4 or 5, and I was following my mom around on what, to a five year old, felt like a 4-day trip of errands. We had found ourselves in yet another stretch of aisles and items, and I don't know if I had just secretly pulled too many things off the shelves. or if I had stood up one too many times in the cart, but either way, the score was Erika 1, Cart 0 and I was had taken to foot, and to perusing the colorful grocery items that some distributor had thoughtfully placed at my level.

Lost in my own thoughts, I came from them only to find myself alone. insta-panic!

Where was mom? How long had I been staring at the promise of a toy in the box of Trix? When was the last time I ran into the back of her and the cart, not caring to look up before my forehead found her legs? Had that even been her? Did I ever look up to check? She gave me life, but could I really tell one denim'd mom-leg from another? Would I have enough to eat if I was never to be found?

OK, ok... just calm down, let's think this through... you know exactly what to do, Erika... Somewhere in the recesses of my mind someone hit play on the well worn safety kids cassette tape. "Look for a mother or grandma with children" of course!

Within moments I was seated on the counter of some register listening to the comforting voice of the red vest next to me who assured me that we would find my mom "Mina Johnsen, will you please come to customer service desk, Mina Johnsen, please come to the service desk" ...

Rewind to the panic.

-Where was mom? Turns out she had just rounded the corner of the aisle I was standing in.

-How long had I been looking at the Trix? about 10 seconds?

-When was the last time I had run into her legs, about 11 seconds ago, which is why she thought I was rounding the corner with her.

She got around the corner, realized my absence, and turned around only to hear her name being called overhead.

The conversation that ensued later was priceless:

"Ok, Erika, first of all, I'm so proud of you. Way to do what I've taught you to do, You did everything you were supposed to. But next time, when you think you are lost I want you to stay where you are and count to 30, and if you STILL don't see me THEN go and get help"

Ok Mom.

I think I have needed that conversation a few times in my life. When I look up to find myself not sure where I am or what happened to the plan I was following, sometimes I freak out a little too quickly. I go running off after solutions and answers. I pull on the shirt tails of strangers asking for help and send my cries to be found to the sky... when really... sometimes all I really need to do to be found is to stay where I'm at and count to 30. When I am patient enough to do so I usually realize that I was never lost to begin with. My answers are coming for me, and most of the time they are just around the corner.

2009-10-12T18:10:00.000-07:00

So I have turned in to someone I hate... ok maybe hate is a lot strong, but I have turned in to someone who has a blog but never uses it. How bad has the problem gotten you might ask? Well since the last time I actually wrote anything, I have been laid off, found a job, found another and am two weeks away from the transition. Now, this is when you scroll down to see how long it has really taken me to do all those things, don't worry just a few short months... Ha! Isn't my life the most random thing on the planet. I have over compensated for the rest of you being stable and doing what you are supposed to. Who else is going to keep you on your feet if it isn't me?

So Simple!

2009-09-07T13:46:00.000-07:00

typcut.com

2009-08-19T17:08:00.000-07:00

Sarah Mason

"Tuesday"

This IS!

2009-08-03T12:38:00.001-07:00

And I thought I had problems!

"We have cows that keep pooping and it's more than we can handle. Every day there is more cow crap piling up and my husband is starting to panic. He works at Jiffy Mart and doesn't have the time to figure out what to do with all of it. I work too, and I dread coming home each night only to see the cows have pooped another mountain. Please, if you know what can be done about this situation, please let us know as we are at wits end. The stench is becoming unbearable here and I can hardly eat my salad right now as I type this. "

This is Not a Joke!

2009-08-03T10:00:00.000-07:00

and I quote:

"Howdy all,

I'm looking for a makeup artist to make a HELLBOY mask

I just want 2 half horns that I can apply to my forehead

Please get back to me with a price quote, I'm looking to spend at most $75 plus I can add up to 5 free movie passes to the Megaplex theaters(20,17,13,12,8)

Respond to this post"

Isn't this amazing! Seriously People! I feel like this is a legitimate request at a great price... I mean he is going to throw in a pile of movie passes people... it doesn't get much better than this!!

Thank you Mr. Hellboy Mask man. You made looking for jobs not so daunting today!

Great Concert!

2009-07-30T10:04:00.000-07:00

So this is what I did last night.

I went and saw Greg Laswell and Elizabeth and the Catapult in Concert! It was awesome, this was a song that Greg and Elizabeth did together. I didn't have video so this is some other night from their tour, but you get the gist of how awesome it was! If you have never heard of either of these people, they are worth checking out. I promise!

2009-07-28T12:52:00.000-07:00

So I have to pause from my DC update and tell you my amazing story of the day... So I just got my "I Love Boys who Volunteer" t-shirt last weekend! I created the design for USU Alternative Breaks to help them fund raise for their spring break last March, and just last Saturday received my own. I was of course stoked, and I have since received nothing but positive feedback where ever I wear it. Every other person I see seems to have something to say about it. I like it. I think I am going to thoroughly enjoy owning it.

But anyway back to my story... so I wore the previously described shirt to the gym this morning, and didn't think much of it. In fact in my work out I had forgotten that I even had it on. I was lost in my own world of thoughts and music in my ears, just about to call it a day and head to my car, when I realized that I was our of water. Not a problem, I'd fill it up on my way out, right?

It was on my way to the fountain that I glanced over to the weight machines and was caught a little off guard by a man motioning me over to him. I of course, having no idea who this man was, assumed he was motioning to someone else. But then he did it again, and I realized, Nope those come-hither fingers were for me. Pause... let's talk about how random my life is... was this a normal looking man, No. Was he my age, No. Was he like 50+ years old, Yes. Was he wearing a pirate patch, Yes. Heaven forbid it be an attractive young adult with a desire to sweep me off my feet... I don't have that kind of luck. No instead I get the creepy old guy who might be missing an eye or a childhood that allowed him to play pirates. Don't worry... It just gets better from here.

Conversation:

Man: So you love boys who volunteer?

Me: Remembering my shirt and my manners, I shoot him an half smile and laugh it off.. yeah.

Man: Well I'd like to volunteer to take you out on a date.

Me: (What!) Oh sorry I'm actually dating someone. (False)

Man: Well can I at least be the man on the side?

Me: (Awkward) Oh, nope sorry I am a one man kind of girl.

Man: Why are all the good ones taken?

Me: I don't know... Sorry. Have a good day.

I quickly got my water and got out of there... What was this man thinking? Do I look like a pirate-patch-twice-my-age kind of girl? Is that the vibe I give off? Is that my problem? Was he imagining that I would whole heatedly agree, that we would of course not wait, leave right then, get lunch, drive into the sunset headed towards the ocean, board his ship and sail away together to spend the rest of our lives searching for gold and pillaging other ships? Or..... if I was in fact dating someone, did he really think I am a pirate-on-the-side-kind of girl. I don't know what a girl like that would look like, but I assure you that it doesn't look like me. She'd probably have big thick hoop earrings and a parrot on her shoulder, I don't have either.

Sorry mister pirate man, not today.

Not ever.

Nation's Capital on our Nation's Holiday!

2009-07-25T10:51:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I have been back for a while, but that doesn't mean that it didn't happen or change the fact that I need to blog about it. Especially since Stanford (my brother on his mission in DC) is going to check and see if I posted anything about it on his next P-day.

So I got to go to DC at the beginning of July!! I had never been before, and since Brianna is out there for the summer I thought that now would be as good a time as any! I almost didn't make it... I took a red eye flight to save a few bucks, right? And had a connecting flight in New York to save a few more... Sure. The first leg went as smooth as one could expect in an isle seat for 5+ hours in the middle of the night. I am usually great at plane sleeping as long as I have the window, but this was brutal! So once landed in JFK I walked zombie-like to my next gate and sprawled out across a couple chairs. With the lady announcing the boarding planes throughout the airport every few minutes, I couldn't really imagine getting too far into a sleep pattern. "She is SO loud" was about my last thought. Two hours pass, boarding begins, sections are announced, people stand and make their way to the plane. The passed out girl in the corner doesn't stir. I can only imagine how many people looked awkwardly on thinking "oh man, that is so sad, she is totally going to miss this plane!" Thank heavens for the sweet couple who probably looked at me and saw a glimpse of their own daughter in my tired face. They nudged me and asked me if I was on this plane? It was the final call. I gathered my few belongings, thanked them kindly, and staggered on in a daze, grateful just to have made it.

I got to go to the DC temple! Oh my heavens it was beautiful! I don't recommend participating in a session on about 3 sketchy hours of sitting up sleep, let's just say I wasn't as attentive as I prefer to be, but besides that it was AWESOME! The rest of that day was shot because I was sooo tired, so we went grocery shopping and just hung out at B's house.

On the 4th I got to watch the parade and play around the mall with what I am pretty sure was 3/4ths of America!

One of my favorite parts was that I got to see Elder Johnsen!! Yup we met by Utah! It seemed appropriate! It was so exciting watching him come racing around the corner of the WWII monument on his bike, sticking out like a sore thumb in is shirt and tie! I got to meet his companion and the guys that he lives with. I got to see him interact with all the people seeping out of the millions to talk to the missionaries. I don't think I have ever thought about how many times a missionary has to answer the question, where are you from? It was ridiculous! We talked for a good hour and a half by the Washington monument! It was just great to see his cute face! He's just the same goof ball that left a year and a half ago, but his eyes flicker with a little more maturity and understanding. Beyond the hassling and the joking it is evident that he has grown up a lot, and that he has added layers to his foundation!

Once he left. we all just played games on the grass, and relaxed in the sunshine waiting for the fireworks which most definitely delivered! Then we waited in line with most of America trying to catch the Metro back home! I am pretty sure I saw my soul mate on the ride back, he was this good looking guy standing on the other side of the car, and due to the packed nature of the metro I had no where to look but in his direction. Had there not been a million people between us I am sure we could have made something happen, but alas when we both got off on the same stop I tried to quickly exit, and just as quickly as he had entered my life he was gone. One day there wont be a sea of people. One day.

All in all, it was a great day!

I figure that is enough read for one day! More to come...

Thumbs Up!

2009-07-20T17:45:00.000-07:00

So I have a problem, and I can't permanently fix it because I need my opposable thumbs. I have fallen into the horrible habit of giving people the thumbs up A LOT.... too much. I didn't mind it happening on occasion, but I have exceeded my max lately and can't seem to stop! It is a recent development, and it is entirely subconscious because every time I catch myself giving them now, I think... NOOOOOOOO..... but it's too late, there they are, in true hitchhiker form, out for the world to see. Blast! This is just like the clapping summer of 2007, where for a while every time I laughed I would clap too, like applause was needed... It was ridiculous! Argh!

You thought I was joking.

2009-06-17T21:20:00.000-07:00

(This call might be monitored for quality assurance)

Man: How can I help you?

Me: Hi, um... yeah I have a really random question for you...

Man: Ok

Me: Uh... Do you sell... nose flutes?

Man: (said with extreme confusion and a laugh trying desperately to come out) What is a nose flute?

Me: Ha, um, well... Ha it's just this... uh, little piece of plastic that you.... you stick it under your nose and then it comes over your mouth and then, and you blow into it.

Man: Um, (chuckle) I've never heard of one of those.

Me: Oh, uh, Yeah um.. I hadn't either, I saw this old guy playing one on YouTube... and I thought it was funny, and I just thought it would be funny to own one. But... uh... I don't really know where to go to get one.

Man: Ha, um... Yeah I don't think we sell those... I mean... not that I know of.

Me: Oh... yeah it was a shot in the dark, uh... I saw one on amazon, but didn't really want to pay shipping and handling for something so ridiculous so I was just calling to see if you sold them

Man: Yeah sorry I don't think we do.

Me: Yeah it's fine, plus I wanted to be the most random phone call that you received today.

Man: Yeah I definitely think you will be.

Me: Well... good... hey thanks for you help.

Man: Yeah, good luck.

Me: Thanks

It only took ONE phone call before I realized that anonymity and shipping and handling didn't sound so bad after all... I bought a set of ten nose flutes to make it worth my money! I really am going to start a band now!

I'm Starting a band!

2009-06-16T11:08:00.000-07:00

I have a new calling in life...

Yes, mark my words, I WILL own and play a nose flute!

Don't Le the Bed-Bugs Bite!

2009-06-11T09:29:00.000-07:00

They weren't joking! That is a serious warning ladies and gentlemen! I woke up Saturday morning in the comfort of my own bed, safe and sound from the world and all it's madness... or at least that is what I was thinking until I found a tick burrowing into my abdomen. Who gets a tick in bed... at home... in Holladay. Don't worry... I do! For those of you assuming that I must have been frolicking in a field somewhere, or deep in the woods camping, rest assure that the events of the previous day were all inside I just have an EXTREMELY random life! Nothing like a brush with lime disease to start your morning off right!

(I would post a real picture of a tick but all the pictures in the google search were unsettling)

Oh the places we will go...

2009-06-05T22:31:00.000-07:00

So I am completely overwhelmed tonight... After the list of things to do today had each been checked off, I found myself running in two hours late to a barbecue with my high school friends. Kicking my heels off into a corner, I sat down amidst the people that fill the pages of the story of my life. As we sat there chatting, laughing, updating, and reminiscing I once again remembered just how rare I have it and how blessed I am. When I tell people that I am off to a high school friends party I often get weird glances, and random responses of people who have long since lost touch with most everyone from their high school days, or an occasional few who get together with theirs once every other year or so. It is in talking to those people that I have come to find that what I have, and that what I all too often take for granted are the best friends anyone could ever ask for. EVER.

They are the kind of friends that you instantly feel yourself around. Strike that, they are the kind of friends who you instantly feel better than yourself around. All the fakeness that the world promotes becomes so transparent when I look around the room to real, genuinely good people who have each helped mold me into a better person. There are no acts, it's not a show, it's not a contest, my success is theirs and theirs mine. It is a close knit group of girls who have loved and supported each other through some of the best and hardest moments a decade can throw at you. There is something so overwhelmingly comforting about being around them, it is hard to explain. They have been there through it all...

They are the kind of friends who will drive up to Logan to check on you when they fear you might be spending too much time with Frat boys. ;)

They are the kind who will keep inviting you to everything even after months and months of missed occasions when school got to busy to break away from.

They are the kind of people you picture when you think of laughing until you come to tears (or honking until you can't breathe)

They are the kind who will talk you through a break up, or a make up, a success, or a let down, a new move, a new baby, a new pairs of shoes, a bad day, bad news, bad hair cut, love, loss, and all the leftovers.

They are the kind of people who inspire you, encourage you, and strengthen you to become more than you ever thought you could be or would be...

They are the kind of people who I know I couldn't live without!

When I think of where we will go from here girls, the things we will see, the life left to live I have no doubt that I will find new meaning to the quote:

"Understand that friends come and go, but for the precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young."

With each passing day even with our busy lives and hectic schedules know that you are the precious few that I intend to hold on to. Here's to a lifetime of friendship in the making. Wrinkles and walkers here we come!

I LOVE YOU GIRLS! Thank you for it all!

I DO NOT Have An All-Terrain Head

2009-06-04T00:10:00.001-07:00

Monday night... It had been raining... Summer and I were walking back from our friend Dan's house when we came across a large puddle. Not a problem. She had her flip flops on and I had my Keens.

for those of you who have yet to hear me rave about these shoes perhaps it will mean something to you when I say I almost love them as much as my camelback! Yeah... I love them that much! They are honestly the best shoe I have ever owned. They are the only ones I really trust to keep my feet from hurting, they have amazing traction, and I can go over any terrain in them, including the vast stretch of puddle before me. Once safely through the dangerous inch or two of water on the ground, I looked down to remember how much I love those shoes and I began to give poor Summer my spiel about my Keens. I made it a point to emphasize the ALL-TERRAIN part of them by hopping from the sidewalk, to the grass, to the grate, to the flower petals which had fallen below the bush, to the... oh wait... I couldn't proceed... why... because in my excitement looking down I had ran my poor head straight into that thorny, prickly, bush and and was now both stuck and humbled by the reality that I DO NOT have an all-terrain head. I let Summer laugh at me as she should, slowly pulled the stretched strands of my hair from the madness, and walked the rest of the way home wondering if Keen makes helmets because I obviously need one!

I've Heard About YOU!!!

2009-06-03T23:16:00.000-07:00

Same incredible walk home from Dan's on Monday night... still Summer and me.

(Enter man in mafia looking car with a thick Greek accent who slows to a stop and rolls down his window)... conversation went something like this.

Mafia man: Girls, you help me?

Summer: What was that?

Mafia Man: I find small kittens in parking lot. I am worried. I am looking for anyone who is missing cat.

Summer and Me: oh... um..

Mafia Man: They are very small, I find them and... here... come... look... They are very small. (Man proceeds to open his car door, leans over to look at something below the passenger seat, and motions for us to come look)

Summer: Oh yeah, uh... I see em (from a safe distance where in all reality she probably couldn't see them.)

Mafia Man: (Still leaning) Come here kitty. I worry bout choo. You see them?

Summer: Yeah

Mafia Man: You are just saying you see them... come, look.

Now I don't know how you were raised, but all my life I was given examples of what might happen if I was to be abducted. I am pretty sure all of them included a black mafia looking car offering something appealing, and a persuasive man trying to get you to just "come and look at what he is offering" I imagined myself a little younger but the rest of the equation was there. Was this the abduction that I had prepared myself for, or was this just a normal man who liked the sleek look of a black lincoln. Where is the line? When do I run? When do I follow the engrained words to the safety kids song:

"Sometimes you just gotta yell and scream,

Sometimes it's the only thing to do,

noisy as a fire truck

you've just gotta open up

and get the crowd's attention turned to you"

Or when do I say he might just really have found kittens in the parking lot and is really legitimately worried about them? Was this a sweet man, or was this THE MAN.

Summer inched toward the car slowly, obviously fighting her own childhood instincts as well, while I inched up close enough behind to grab her if he decided to try anything, but far enough back that he couldn't grab me too, and I could either throw myself on the front of the car, or do as the song suggests and yell like the dickens.

Mafia Man: I have big dogs at home who make cat sandwich if I bring them home. I know pretty girls love cat. You take them?

Me: Oh... I actually don't like cats.... I'm a dog person myself.

Summer: Yeah I don't like them either.

Mafia Man: Oh... Ok. (man deflates, closes his door, gives us a worried smile, and drives away)

Good News:

1. All the safety kids tapes I listened to as a kid are still safely stored in the recesses of my brain, and will probably save my life on an occasion or two. (or maybe just help me memorize my phone number)

2. Turns out this was just a nice man who has a love for animals and lincolns

3. Now I have another random story!

4. I don't own a cat

5. And I am here to blog about it.

Good Luck Mr. Mafia Man... I hope you find someone who takes the kittens off your hands before your dogs do!