Nikon ... Glorious Nikon

IT's HERE! It's FINALLY HERE! This means that I will be back to blobbing in no time. My camera got here yesterday - and though Aislinn said that I need to take a picture of it, I just couldn't figure out a way to bend the camera lens around on itself to get the shot. So, you have a ridiculous shot from the internet.

But, from what I can tell - I really like this camera. It's very nice. I am not sure how I feel just yet about having to change my lense to get a broader shot of things - but, otherwise - I am liking it so far. Takes some REALLY nice pictures...

Anywho -just thought that I would share the news. Looks like you will be seeing me a lot more on the Blob - after all... when I can take pictures, I am a lot more chatty...
LOVE ALL YA'LL!

My Last Will and Testament

So, I know that this is a gory subject to be on about - but the Journal Jar has spoken, so I am going to post it right here for all to see. My Last Will and Testament.Actually, this topic is quite a long one to post about. I took a death and dying class when I was up at the "U". Great class... helps to address the serious issue of death. After all, we are all going to die at some point in time. Are you prepared for it? I know that I am. And I have prepared myself in a way that some might find a little bit unappealing. I have already written down my last will and testament (to be altered as needed) AND, I have already written down my wishes for what I want my funeral to be like. These are important things to know so there are no arguments when the time comes for your family to deal with this rough situation.

I will make sure that everyone knows that my Will has been printed and is in my lock box on my dresser. Also, a copy of it is on the computer, and I am certain that my husband will carry out my wishes to the best of his ability. I have a DNR in place and I am an organ donor - I do not want family members to ever dispute over what should happen to my remains. If I die horrifically, cremate me. You can't have an open casket anyway... Spread my ashes in a garden and I will be just fine with that. If you can have an open casket, maybe I die of natural causes, then by all means - do so. But I do not need the most expensive casket they have available.

If I should die from some sickness or disease, I recommend cremation - after all, I could come back as a Zombie. Should this happen, I really encourage you to prepare yourselves.You will know that I have turned into a zombie if you have buried me and I suddenly appear from out of my grave, dissheveled, dirty, and bent over kind of funny... if I make grunting noizes, if I haven't brushed my hair, and if my clothes have dirt on them - AND IF YOU SAW ME DEAD - you can pretty much guess that I have turned into a zombie.... Now, I have also decided to post things on how to identify me as a zombie, and how to protect yourself. My disclaimer is that should I come back as a zombie, I don't really want to hurt you - but I probably will...
Now that you have been thorougly prepared - please carry out my wishes so I don't come back and try to eat you. Many thanks.

Journal Jar STRIKES Again!

Recall an outstanding family trip or Summer vacation you experienced as a child:

((Can we do a fade back since it was so long ago?))

Actually, my parents were divorced as a young child. BUT, there were two separate trips that I found to be most memorable. The first one was a camping trip that my mother took us on. We went to Arkansas for a week. Little Rock was so impressive - I remember walking through a haunted bath house. Pretty neat. But, that's not the most memorable part of it. Oooh no - it was the lake and the nintendo incident.

The Nintendo incident occurred on this trip, where my mother asked my brother to pack up his things before we went. She didn't check things out and when we got to the campsite, it turns out that Cameron had packed his nintendo, and nothing to wear. Maaaaaan, shoot my mama was madder than a disturbed hornets nest. It was terribly funny but at the same time, not funny at all... Depending on which way you looked at it.

Ooooh, but that wasn't going to stop us from having fun. My mom is awesome. She rented a "party barge" and a wave runner, and we spent time out on one of the clearest, cleanest lakes that I had ever been in. At one point I dropped my sunglasses in the water and they sank to the bottom, but we were able to still swim to the bottom and see them well enough to find them. Best lake... really. I loved that place.

Now, there is a slight side story in dealing with this party barge and that darn waverunner. Cameron somehow managed to figure out how to do donuts on that thing. When you do one Juuuuuuust right, it makes a huge wave and gets everything soaked. So, here's the scene - all the girls were up on the party barge and my mom was serving everyone lunch. Cameron was out on the water on the wave runner... not too far from the boat - but far enough away that no one would get wet.

(Disclaimer - those in the above picture are not members of my family... now, we will proceed). Lo' in the distance, a speck of a waverunner - coming up on us.... It was Cameron... and he was comin' on fast... My mother was sitting in her chair watching him and saying that he better not come up on the boat that fast... then cameron turned the wheel and a Spray of water went everywhere - my mothers sandwich was drenched and in the water... I remember that bread floating along - it was so funny... One of the most memorable vacation moments...

Then there was the story of Six Flags, the Family, My Dad, and a flip flop. My dad took all of us kids to Atlanta Georgia and while we were there we went to Six flags. (My favorite ride at that park was the ninja). So, my dad wore his flip flops ... I guess so his feet wouldn't be hot or something... who knows. I mean, I know how it feels when you go on water rides and you are wearing sneakers - sucks... all the squooshing and slooshing all day... Anyway, whatever the reason - he wore his flip flops.

Along come Ashley - who continues to walk behind dad, and during the day she steps on his flip flop heel. He told her to knock it off - oooh but she just couldn't help herself. It had to be the flippity sound or the floppity sound - one will never know... but she stepped on his flip flop and it broke. Dad was flip flop less...

oooh but it didn't end there... then he spent what seemed like an eternity looking for another pair of flip flops. I don't remember what happened - or if he bought some from the gift shop or what... but I will never forget the snap of that shoe... oooh man... too good.

Have you Ever Appeared on Television

Have you ever appeared on television? Tell about it if you have -Actually, no - I have never appeared on Television - at least not that I know of. Though, there is an interesting tale of a time when my siblings and I got a hold of a video camera and made many different "Mini Movies" including some commercials. My dad has these in his possession and mentions them when he is trying to get you to do something... I - unfortunately for myself - have the most movies , because I was a camera hog. Oooh, there are movies of me exercising, doing dishes, singing loudly, and having you tour my home as though I was the dude from Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. (except I was a LOT more entertaining).

So, can't say that I was ever on TV - but I can say that there is a lot of footage that should it make it to TV I might die from embarrassment... hmm...

Childhood Activities

What activities did I enjoy as a Child that I enjoy now as an adult?

Well, this one is hard. Most of my favorite activities now were not childhood things. For example - I love to cross stitch. When I am really in the mood to do it, I can cross stitch for hours and hours without stopping. Seriously. Ask my best friend - she can vouch for this! (She does it too... Shhhhhh, don't tell!) So, I love Cross-stitching. But I really learned how to do it when I was about 13 years old... So, not really a child. But, it should count, right? I am twice what I was when I was 13!!I also love to scrapbook. One of my favorite past-times. I mean, really. I will collect anything and everything just for the sake of cutting it up and gluing it back into a book. But, I didn't do this as a child either. I did do a lot of collecting as a child - that should count! I still collect things. part of my incredible packrat capabilities!
I also am a big fan of cooking. Have been since my early teen years (maybe earlier than that). So, at a young age I was quite the gal when it came to Macaroni and Cheese. I could also make a MEAN PBnJ. Brownies were a specialty as were cookies (though I will have to tell about my evil cookie experience some other time). Anyway, Back to me being a kid - Well, I was big on pretending. My dad and mom would both be able to tell you that I was the kid that didn't care if I played with someone or if I played alone. I was actually pretty good at playing alone. I had quite the active imagination and I did better by myself (I think). I didn't like it when other people would mess up my game play. Now that I am all growed up and got little-uns of my own, well, there is still a great deal of pretend play. They don't always catch on to my wild schemes and ideas, but it's still a lot of fun. Sometimes they get into it, sometimes they don't - but I don't think that's a part of me that will ever go away. Keeps life interesting!
As a young lass, I also swam. I love swimming still - I am a total water baby. I was competitive as a child and I am just as competitive today when it comes to the water sports that I do. I might be having trouble with my weight - and I might LOVE to eat, but I love the water just as much and will challenge anyone that thinks that they can beat me. they might be able to, but I will re-challenge them when I am doing a little bit better. Rest Assured, it won't be too long before they LOSE! BWAHAHAHAA!As a child and as an adult, I love to be outside - I love to go camping and just be out. OUT is good. I like to go to national parks and see the different settings that our dear father has created for us. Trees as tall as you can look! Rock formations shaped by the winds. Gysers, mountains, trails, flowers, trees... I love the outside... have since I was a kid - and will forever.
Which brings me to gardening. I love to have a garden. I like to work in the yard and work with plants and flowers and things like that. It's something that was passed on by my Grandpa Ross, and maybe even my Grandpa Singleton. Somewhere in the history is a garden... and somewhere I found that I love it. The smell of the soil, the pulling of weeds. It's hard work, but it's so lovely when it's done. I loved working in the yard as a youth, when we lived in Texas. I would trim the hedges and weed and mow... and one day I will have a yard again and I will be back at it again. I love dirt.

More about what's been going on...

I know that there is this wonderful Journal Jar topic, just waiting to be delved into. I mean, everyone really is just DYING to read about activities that I still enjoy from my childhood - but that's just not what I want to type about presently.

I feel great today. Lively, wonderful, splendid, and all of the other fantastic adjectives. I really just feel like expressing myself. It's Friday. And though my lovely sister does a day in pictures, I still do not have a camera so I am not able to follow in her footsteps here. But, this week has been fantastic for me just the same. There have been a few ups and downs... I will list some below:

UP - Danny Gokey made it through on American Idol (as he should)
Down - I weigh 186 and am NOT happy about it...
UP - I started a great Body for Life program and I feel phenomenal today! (After all, I've made it for 5 days now)
Down - I have these headaches in the morning now... not cool.
UP - I discovered a new delicious recipe for breakfast or snacks!
Down - My tummy is very hungry because it loves food as much as I do and it wants me to eat more.
UP - Temple night - I did two Willie names... felt great.
Down - the aching in my knees and elbows from the lifting of the weights
UP - Rick is home for the week - and doing great in the study that he has been participating in.
Down - While home, there is more cleaning and laundry to do - Why can't the house just stay clean?!!?

Anyway, I feel very accomplished this week. I feel like I am getting something done with myself, and I feel great about it. Right now - I just feel fantastic - and I am grateful for the pushing of the eldest sister to get me into the Body for Life program. I look forward to my butterfly transformation over the next 12 weeks... I'm gonna ROCK the Casbah!