It's the Simple things really

I have stairs. It may seem like a silly thing to be so ecstatic about, but let me explain. The reason I am living in the house that I am right now is because when I needed to move it filled some of my criteria; it was still in the neighborhood, it was cheap, and I knew the people I was moving in with. Ever since I had befriended the girls in the house the sliding door to the backyard has been problematic. The distance between the bottom of the door and the ground was 1-1/2 feet, oh and did I mention there were no stairs? So up until recently there was a large steel utility chest that was a makeshift stair so that there was not such a drastic drop to the ground. Well sometime this last winter the landlord reclaimed the utility chest and so getting to the backyard has been interesting. I awoke a couple of weeks ago to the nauseating smell of cigarette smoke and the banging of hammers. Some men had come to give us stairs! When I came home after they were done it was great!! Not to mention it has been a great addition as far as seating goes for when we have BBQ's. It's the simple things in life really that give me the greatest joy. Riding in my car with the windows down and the radio on, waking up after a great night's sleep, laying on the grass at night to gaze at the stars. Isn't life grand?

Proud Auntie

Occasionally I am a sappy romantic

Unfortunately my sense of romance has been destroyed by the romantic comedy movie. I don't usually watch them and would much rather watch an action flick or a gritty drama. Of late I have been pondering what these movies have done to me. Maybe I am expecting too much from guys. After 6 or 7 dates am I wrong to be a little frustrated when my date continues to offer to shake my hand at the end of the date? I'm not asking for a grand gesture like standing outside my window with a stereo, but seriously, a handshake?! I would even settle for something other than a side-hug. Maybe a little hand holding and conversation to assure me that I am not wasting my time on someone who will never be emotionally available. Is that too much to ask?

I struggle on a daily basis with the walls that I have built up around myself. I have become so accustomed to being uncoupled that I have managed to convince myself that I don't need someone. Meanwhile I watch the people around me find happiness in having a partner to share their life with. And I know that it is a big fat lie because I want someone to share my life with. Someone to tell my stories to and go home to at night. Cynicism has become second nature to me and I am trying desperately to rid myself of it's cancerous influence. Matters are not helped by the fact that watching chick flicks makes me bitter that life isn't like the movies in any way shape or form. How twisted is it that we learn to long for romantic situations that are almost statistically impossible? I've let go of some of my cynicism but that also means I have started to admit that deep down I really am a sappy romantic. Admitting my sappy nature may be the first step to recovery but it also means that I have opened myself up to hope, and hope while good, can be a dangerous thing for someone so absolutely terrified of losing something that she doesn't even have....... yet.

The In Betweens

There are a couple populations of people in Utah communities whose needs have been largely overlooked until recent years. One such group is the special needs adults. In church there is a natural progression to things. Primary, Young Men's/Young Women's and joining of the adult population in classes. Where does that leave those with special needs? Individuals who through no fault of their own are not able to progress pass the mentality of a child or teen. I have discovered that in the Salt Lake Valley there are Special Needs Mutual's that are held weekly and give no regard to age or cognitive ability. I became aware of this group because my mother had been called as the chorister for the group that meets near her house. She has on occasion asked me to fill in for her pianist. I think this is a fabulous idea, it allows parents and the kids to network resources. If you know of a similar program in your area I urge you to get involved. As the Emperor would say, the force is strong with these ones. These people are such a reminder of how elemental our faith should be. There is nothing more pure than their love!

Cute? Think Again.

Women throw around the word "cute" a lot. Probably more than we should. It's one of those words that is so overused that it starts to lose it's meaning. So we transition to stronger words like "hot", "dope" or "sick." One of my friends recently got a new car and was told by all the women he works with that it was "cute." I should mention that it is a totally smokin' Ford Mustang. "Cute" should never be used to describe something as awesome as a Mustang. This led to a discussion about what cars are considered girlie cars and what cars are considered masculine cars. I have composed a list. Feel free to let me know how I did. These are not solid, just my general observations, obviously there are exceptions. Again, this is not a definitive list, I just didn't think that a Mustang should ever be labeled as "cute."

Girlie Cars

• Volkswagen Jettas


• Volkswagen Bugs (especially the new ones)


• Mini Cooper


• Geo Metro

Masculine Cars

• Trucks in general, but especially white trucks.


• Mustangs (Shelby especially)


• Mazda 3


• Anything with a "hemi" or diesel engine


• PT Cruisers


• Chevy HHR

Gender neutral cars

• Toyota Corolla


• Honda Civic


• Honda Accord


• Toyota Camry
  

Panda's are cute, but seriously?

So I was watching the Olympics tonight and apparently they needed some filler between sports and I had the "privilege" of watching a segment titled: "Panda Babymaking." I kid you not. Pandas are cute, don't get me wrong, but do I really need to know how they exercise the pandas for "optimal reproductive health?" The segment included showing trainers putting the pandas through leg squats. Seriously?!

A Tribute to My Awesome Roommates

I love my roommates! They will tell you that I am camera happy and that I also am a big fan of the candid shot.