How Embarassing

You know, someone really should tell that girl her skirt's stuck in her undies...

More Than You Want to Know

PS, the recipe for the dessert in the previous post is on marthastewart.com. Of course. Search for Chocolate and Raspberry Heart Napoleans.

I've been tagged a few times this week, some of which are the same questions. And since I haven't posted in over a week and blogging inspiration is low, I will succumb to the tag. This one is courtesy of cousin Melissa:

10 years ago:
14 years old. I remember having a decent size crush on Michael H. One summer day he sauntered in and sat across the pool from me. I played it cool. Didn't say hi. I thought if I sat there looking cute in my swimming suit, he'd surely be mine. He never was. And yet I kept that school of thought for many, many years. How I ever got married, I'll never know.

Snacks I enjoy:

-Chocolate chips. Not that great, but a good, reliable last resort these days.

-Cold cereal
-And in an attempt to seem healthy...fruit salad. Covered in whipping cream.

Things I would do if I were suddenly a billionaire:
Can we buy our way out of another year and a half of school and somehow bypass the residency match? Actually, I would put together an 'Ashley's Family and Friends' Amazing Race. We'd do the ultimate race with all the places the show has gone over the seasons.

3 Bad Habits:
Leaving my car unlocked with the keys in the ignition. But all this has changed since Koryn came home to find her house being robbed last week. Horrifying! They can take the car, I just don't want to find someone inside my car one day.

I like to let my dinner settle so I rarely do dishes right away.

I don't floss. (eew gross) Whatever, I never get cavities either.

5 Places I've Lived:

I've only lived in four. None of which are very exciting so I'm declining the question. This question is depressing.

Jobs I've had:
-Violin/Piano Teacher: I was not born to teach. Let me rephrase, I was not born to teach children.
-Janitor: The best. You would think I'd be a better cleaner but a lot of time was spent being teased by our boss. From getting pelted with water balloons launched from the roof, to getting the living daylights scared out of me from people jumping out of boxes in dark hallways, to admitting defeat and surrendering our spray bottle 'weapons' after he trapped us in the underground passage under the school. Good times.
-USU booth attendant: this job makes you bitter over time, but sweet parking perks!
-Couple accounting/tax preparation jobs
-University Professor: I still don't know how I fooled them into hiring me.

Things people don't know about you:
See below, I'm sure it covers this question.

Second Tag: 10 random facts

I really should do this about Justin, he has great stories. But here goes.

1) I haven't been pulled over since 2001. I guess I don't have the need for speed.

2) My parents used to call me the 'ice princess'. I wasn't. I was just really shy. And most people will attest I'm pretty oblivious. OK, I could give a good crusty look.

3) Even though I spent hours and hours perfecting violin pieces, I have the worst time remembering composers and titles. I was trying out for my second year in the Utah Youth Symphony and Barbara Scowcroft asked me which song I most enjoyed playing with them the previous year. I froze and said 'Um....the second one.' Smooth.

4) I sincerely want to learn Spanish one day. I can sing the words to most Mana and Shakira songs, but I don't know what I'm saying. Something about 'Where is my woman?' and 'Flies in the house'.

5) My dream is to own a breakfast/lunch cafe. I'm going to call it Small Indulgences. (And that's trademarked, no stealing! Ok, it's not trademarked but it would be really lame if you stole it because I won't be able to do this for like 20 years.) I want to make a special room with big cushy chairs and floor cushions where moms can come with their kids and have brunch together and read books. I'm sure it would be a logistical nightmare, but it sounds so nice.

6) I hated boys when I was in early elementary school. My mom forced me to go to Kenny J's 6th birthday party and I'm sure I had a scowl the whole time because I was the only girl. He turned out to be completely charming later in life. Then she made me go to Tyler T's little league football games and talk to him on the phone. Big football stud later. I really missed the boat. Then in 3rd grade Jason and Brady just kept loitering outside my house, trying to hit us with snowballs. I wanted my mom to make them leave but she made me invite them in for hot chocolate AND sit there while they ate. What was my deal? Even back then Brady was gooood lookin'. He looked like that hot kid from The Sandlot. And I don't mean J. :) Although he was equally adorable in those little red swimshorts in the swimming pool scene.

7) I have recurring nightmares about playing basketball and all but refuse to play now. I was never good at contact sports.

8) I had a celebrity crush on Matthew McConaughy (don't judge me). That is until this week when my friends had an impromptu intervention and I found out he chews tobacco, doesn't believe in deodrant, and has abnormally short arms. I am open to new suggestions.

9) I've had to jump start my car almost every day this month. It no-likey-the-cold and I let J have the garage since he leaves early in the a.m.

10) I asked J for my last random fact. "You take ridiculously hot showers, you rub the side of your thumb until it's raw, if there's a lull in a phone conversation you always say 'sooo.....', " Thanks. I asked for random facts not annoying habits!

The Three of Us

Last year I was in Texas on Valentines without the hubby. This year we saw each other for about an hour and a half. Things are looking up :) Good thing I have my gal by my side.

This morning we went and visited the fabulous Emily and met the irresistable Noah. Seriously, the cutest mug on that kid. While I was holding him his entire face melted into this endearing, wrinkled, upset look that was so adorable, I didn't even notice the accompanying cries. I can't wait for a newborn in my house.
We took a brisk stroll to The Cupcakery for a little Valentine's Day treat. Oooh, baby. Abbey and I shared a Grasshopper special. She totally pulled the 'if I lick and touch all the frosting before mom gets a bite, it's all mine' move. Nice try. Doesn't phase me anymore kid. I think it's such a bonding thing to take your little one out for a special treat so I was glad we got to do it today.
Justin wanted to take me out to dinner, but I declined. Why? All because I saw a recipe for this dessert and got stuck on the idea of doing dinner at home.
So I spent the rest of the afternoon making a special dinner for these two cheese balls. Hey! They're MY cheese balls and I love 'em. It was nice. Just the three and two-thirds of us. I love any reason to make a day fun. Especially days in gloomy February.

She wasn't as impressed with my dessert making skills.

Foux De Fa Fa

Bobby and Katherine introduced us to Flight of the Conchords--their little addiction de jour. This one is probably the least funny of them all, but of course, it's my favorite. I don't know why that always happens. Maybe because it kind-of reminds me of old Abba music videos.

I think I like it so much because the entire song is made up of the vocabulary from the first three chapters of my 7th grade french book. Which is good because that's all I remember. It makes me want to brush up on my francais. Something I should have done 10 years ago. One of the few times I actually used my french was traumatic. Allison and I were staying with some family friends in Belgium when I was 16. Their older daughter had a party one night with quite a few older boys who, of course, each kissed us on both cheeks when they arrived. So I was already WAY out of my comfort zone. Not too experienced with the opposite sex was I. So it got even worse when they insisted I say some things in french. They all spoke english very well, so it wasn't like I was a communication barrier at the party. I'm sure they knew it would be hilarious. And indeed, it was. I said a few things then tried to say 'I have a cat'. Well, how my french teacher taught me to say 'cat' was SOOOO not how it is pronounced and meant something rather obscene. I'm still mortified.

My favorite part of the song is where the girl says 'Ou est la piscine?...Parlez-vous le francais?' and he says, 'Uhhhh....non.' I should have left it at that as well.

When I'm Bored

J's been putting in slave labor at the hospital this week and I've been on my own. So what do you do? Well, if your friend's husband is out of town and that friend happens to have a flair for hair, you stay up way too late and cut & color your hair for fun.
Do you like the tag sticking out of my shirt? It's not a fashion statement. I'm just clueless and it usually is like that. Oh, and I didn't post a 'before' shot. Just know it wasn't pretty. I've never been nor wanted to be someone who obsesses about hair, but that leads to letting it go when it desperately needs a cut. You rock, LeAnn, thanks!

I've Hit a Snag

Allison's post reminded me of the project I put on hold last week. I'm making a picture book of all my brothers, sisters, in-laws, neices, and nephews for Abbey. Just a picture and a few things about them since we don't get to see them very often. I got through all the cousins on both sides for her book--here are my sister's kids:


















The kids were easy. Then it came time for the adults. I asked my family for a few of their favorite things to do right now or something about them. Here's what I've been given so far:

Allison: She controls the news, thereby acting as the literal gatekeeper of information for Salt Lake City, and in some cases, Albuquerque, NM; Phoenix, AZ; and Lebanon, PA.

Jeremy: "Jeremy likes guns." OR "Jeremy likes watching caged men trying to kill each other with their bare hands." OR "Uncle Jeremy is always packing heat and is within his legal parameters to fire if provoked." All very good choices for a child's book.

Noah: Uncle Noah knows nice people.

Sooo helpful. It's pretty obvious to see where my sarcasm originated.

Dear Abbey

A letter from Saturday:

Dear Abbey,

You were a bit of a pill today. I should cut you some slack because I'm pretty sure you are teething. You are 20 months and only have 10 teeth, so chances are they're coming. And you have that wicked cold that's been going around. It made you lose your voice which is actually pretty adorable. But whatever volume you lack when whining, you are definitely making up for in quantity. We had three moments of contentment today:

The vest. Finally I figured out you wanted to wear the vest and ONLY the vest. I think it makes you look like one of the Village People, but whatever. One minute of contentment.

Minute Two: taking stress out on the playdough. It helped mom too.

After your bath I let you put baby lotion in my hair and on my face. It was one of those days where I looked like a mess and my hair was gross anyway. It was totally worth minute three of contentment.

I'm still glad you're mine.

Love, Mom