I can't spell any of these words.

My list is long.

My list of things I would prefer to do is longer.

Tonight B-man and I watched "Memoirs of a Geisha." It was a very interesting, albeit sad and kind of stressful, movie. I did not realize that Japan had such diverse culture during WWII even. The life of the Geisha, and the meaning and "rituals" behind it were very interesting. Though, is is based on the book... which was written by a man... who was definitely not a Geisha. So... take everything with a grain of salt. Especially things men say.

Today I turned in beautiful, honest work. We do these reading journals, and for the fist time I didn't just do it for the sake of doing it. I really did my homework to learn and to ask questions. This is a new thing for me. There might be more of it.

Tomorrow I have a test, and a presentation. I'm not really sure what I am going to do. I will probably have to take my computer tomorrow so that I can work on it. But I know I will not be able to get a lot of work done just because I really need to pay attention in my class so that I can learn. That's how I learn... the listening.

I wish I could write more, but my husband just pointed out that I have homework and sleep to catch up on. Boo. I was enjoying this blogging thing.

We had a party!

It's time to get your party hats and decorations out....

Why? Because it's ZUKO's BIRTHDAY!!!!!

He's my wittle puppy!

Happy Birthday!

Today our little puppy, Zuko, turns one year old! It's crazy how fast the little bugger grew!

This was when I first got him. Her was so tiny and could fit in my hand. He's probably only a few weeks old here.

Compared to Gretel her was itty-bitty! Not that he's huge now, but he has grown considerably!

Then he grew these huge ears and this super long snout. He's too cute for his own good.

Now he is considerably longer, larger, and muscular. BUT, he is still the best snuggler in the world, and very home. Such a tolerant dog, great with kids and with other dogs. Good thing, the vet told us that he'll probably live to be about 20 years old!

Happy Birthday my Puppy Love.

A bit about me...

*your cell phone? ~Usually dead. I kind of like being able to go about my life without the constant interruptions of my phone. If you need me leave a message. I'll get back to you. Or better yet - send me an e-mail.

*your hair? ~shoulder length, with what used to be purple/pink streaks that have turned red now.
*your mother? ~is awesome.
*your father? ~awesome, but not as much as my mom.
*your favorite food? ~Macaroni and Cheese, bananas, wheat thins
*your dream last night? ~B-man was leaving for something, my Mama was mad at me, and some girls from high school where there. Weird dream.
*your favorite drink? ~ lemonade
*your dream/goal? ~I aspire to be a happy, thinner, crafty, kinder version of myself. I'm always working on that.
*what room are you in? ~the office
*your hobby? ~sleeping, taking pictures, being crafty.
*your fear? ~being alone.
*where do you see yourself in 6 years?~ being a Mommy.
*where were you last night? ~watching TV with my hubby and painting
*something that you aren't? ~studious.
*muffins?~ warm ones.
*wish list item? ~Honestly - I have everything I need, and most of what I want. If I could get anything else it would be to improve on my home organization or to improve my disaster readiness/food storage.
*where did you grow up? ~college.
*last thing you did? ~edit pictures
*what are you wearing? ~ lounging clothes?

*your tv? ~inherited from my parents.
*your pets? ~ Gretel (dog, 11 y/o Australian Shepard mix), and Zuko (dog, 1 y/o, Chihuahua Spitz mix)
*friends?~ My husband, Chrissy, and an expanse of friends from my youth that now cover the globe.
*your life?~ blessed
*your mood? ~unmotived
*missing someone? ~extended family
*vehicle? ~honda civic
*something you aren't wearing? ~bra!
*your favorite store? ~wal*mart...Target... JoAnn's...
*your favorite color? ~BLUE
*when was the last time you laughed?~I'm always laughing. I married B-man!
*the last time you cried? ~ I cry all the time. I'm just crazy like that.
*your best friend? ~B-man.
*one place you go to over and over again? ~bed
*facebook?~ all the time
*favorite place to eat? ~ any where, as long as they serve chicken.

So, there you had it. My life all bundled up into a neat little package.

Live.Laugh.Love

Brandan's Christmas present to me was a beautiful silver locket. I had wanted it engraved, but when he bought it, he wasn't sure WHAT to engrave on it. Since I haven't legally changed my last name I think he gets a little nervous about pushing things on me. Regardless, I went with my new set of initials, JNR. I think it looks like "junior" but that's ok.

You know what I love about being married? Doing nothing. I love doing nothing together, and I intend on enjoying it while I can. We watch TV together, or do our own thing, at the same time. Last night we watched a show on the History channel. We watch a lot of History. I think today I am going to let him play Sims 3 while I go work on my crafty craft projects.

I love that my hubby supports me in all of my crazy and random hobbies. I painted this last night as we watched the history channel. This canvas was left over from a previous art project, and it was just waiting to become something. I had planned on doing something like "reed" in coke red and the coca-cola text to go in my red kitchen, but I just didn't have the time, inspiration or energy to make that work. Maybe next time. For now I just have this.

My mother has a a sign in her home that says "Live well, Laugh Often, Love Always." and I have always really like it. So, I decided I would do my own version of it. A constant reminder to enjoy what I've been given. To appreciate waking up at 11 and B-man cooking mac'n'cheese for me, and him taking the dogs out so I don't have to. He does the little things that make me feel spoiled. I love him so much.

I need more time in my day...

If days had 100 hours in them I would still never accomplish what I want to. Here are a few pictures of my current projects.

1) Mommy & Me quilt.

Fabric: Figgy Pudding by Basic Grey for Moda

My mom and I made the quilt, and then I used a friend's long arm machine to do the actual quilting. I just need to finishing hand stitching the binding, and then it is done!

A close up of my quilting.

The trees on this quilt are 3-d, so it's a very fun, graphic quilt. I love it. =)

2) Brandan's Quilt

I made it for Christmas last year, and still haven't finished it. The sewing is all done, but I need to clip the edges and wash/dry it so that it becomes all fluffy.

3) I started making stockings with the left overs of the figgy pudding fabric, so now I just need to get them ironed, sewn together and put the binding on. All of the cutting is done. lol.

There is a lot more things I want to do, but these things need to happen first. I just need to remember "I enjoy this stuff!" lol.

A little preview...

A small hint of what's to come!

Snow, Snow, go away...

Seems all of our family is snowed in, and we are snowed out. We had intended on driving up to VA today, but no such luck and the weather is being ridiculous. So I am homemaking fudge and sugar cookies, cleaning up around the house, and packing for our eventual trip north!

Welcome Home, motivation!

I really like blogging. But blogging takes time, and lately all I've wanted to do was sleep. Thankfully, and a little adjusting of my body chemistry, I'm awake. I even do dishes and laundry now!

Recently I spoke with a nutritionist, after a trip to the doctors of course. I was told that I'm too pale, anemic, and having kidney/liver problems. So... a few days later, I'm working on this "whole foods" things. Going "organic"... lol. It seems more like a fad, but I think I will manage. Brandan doesn't mind so much, since it means I put time and thought into the meals and we don't go to prepare dinner and have no food in the pantry. One day I will be one of those super prepared people who plans out menus and what not, but for now I just buy the "organic" version of whatever I was buying before + more green food. We tried edemame (spelling?) tonight. I added it to my fried rice. So... it was soy bean, broccolli, corn fried rice. I don't think I cooked the beans the right way (despite following the directions to a T...) so I will have to give it another shot. But Brandan was a good sport and told me it tasted good (I'm sure he would've preffered chicken to the soy beans, but in the middle of finals I can't do the two meals thing... plus... I would probably want the chicken too and then my calorie count would be blown and then poof! I'd probably gain twelve pounds just for thinking about the delicious ice cream I got to consume thanks to the low-cal version of dinner we had. So... take that!).

School is almost over. I have three take home exams, and a filmed test on Tuesday. Tomorrow will be test day. Tuesday I am meeting up with my Botswana-friend to do another take-home exam, and then I am taking my filmed-test... and then I will be free to gallivant around my house in pajamas and a leopard print apron making bread a cookies! I got this... clay baking pot thing from Brandan's mom for Christmas, so I am going to christen it by making bread in it. I have all of the ingredients, so now I just have to do it!

So... now I am going to go swiffer the kitchen because yesterday it snowed and Gretel tracked in mud. Despite the cuteness of her pay prints around my house, I don't think Brandan likes it very much!

Picture Time:

Four Score and Seven Years Ago...

So, I got a text message today suggesting I update my blog. Now, I could update with everything I have been doing lately, but that would be extremely boring as all I've been doing lately is school. Lots of school. Back in October I got really sick, I had a kidney infection, was anemic and sleeping far too much. So... when I wasn't in class or doing homework I was sleeping!

Now I am trying to catch up on all of the stuff I've been missing! Brandan and I are doing well. Our house is put together, our two dogs are perfect, and our fish is just bubbly! Brandan is enjoying his work, but looking forward to actually working in an office again!

I am currently in the middle of crazy exams! I have a paper I should be writing at the moment, due in like... 4 or 5 hours... but I figured this wouldn't take too long! On Sunday I went and interpreted for Deaf Awareness day at Dollywood. It was a lot of fun and a good experience. I am really starting to step into the "interpreter" shoes and enjoy what I am studying, instead of constantly worrying.

Tomorrow Brandan and I are heading up to Northern VA to spend some time with our families, so that should be a hoot, albeit a lot of driving! That's ok. Brandan could use the practise. In the meantime I am going to go write my paper about the affects of having a deaf child and how that changes the family. Good times!

PS: My title is an ode to a recent assignment I had... interpreting the Gettysburg Address. Yippee

One month down, a bunch more to go!

So yesterday was our one month anniversary. I didn't feel like cooking, and so we went to eat at the Texas Steakhouse. It was pretty good. Then we went back to the house and watched out Netflix, Baby Mama. I guess it didn't get rave reviews, but I thought it was pretty funny.

School is definitely rolling now. I took my first quiz this week, and I got a 90% on it. I have two more, and I definitely need to study for them. I'm kind of frustrated because I ordered my books online, and I only have 3 of them right now. I definitely need the rest to get here ASAP. I guess two of them were sent to my parents' home, so Mama is sending them to me now, and then the last two are coming from Great Britain... so they have quite the trip to make. If they don't get here soon then I will be forced to go and buy them some where else. I should look and see if I can borrow them from the library. I guess I can do that after class this evening.

Other than school... life is great. Being married is so good for me - a person who hates to be around people, but hates to be alone. I know it probably bothers Brandan that I never want to go out and do anything, but I try to step out and have some fun. It's hard. He spends all day at home, working, and wants to get out, and I spend all day out and about - and I just want to go home and stay there. We need to find the balance. Still working on it.

He is so good to me though, and I couldn't have asked for a better man. Life, for the first time in... ever... is purely good, and I love it, and him.

The whole story.

I have it all.

The groom, the dress, the petticoat.

The shoes, the flowers, the viel.

The table decor, flowers galore,

And we got it all on sale.

------------------------------------------------

Round and round again...

I feel like every time update it starts with "I haven't updated in a while." but to be honest my life is pretty crazy right now. I'm not working a "real" job right now - but helping the future in laws (FINs) remodel their entire house is almost like a fulll time job. Plus errands. I seem to run a ridiculous amount of errands. As soon as I'm done typing this up I am going to head out and go buy a new ligth bulb for my headlight, which decided to die two days ago..

A few days ago Brandan and I were offered tickets to go see the Red Sox play the Phillies in Philidelphia. So we road in his car for a few hours and then we got their, watched the Red Sox lose (sad day!) and then drove back. Today I got up and went with my family to get a tour of the Pentagon. I guess we got put on the list like two months ago. Who knew. I knew it was happening, but I wasn't sure when. So yesterday my mom called me and was like "are you going with us? we're leaving early?" What's a girl to do? I got up at 6 in the morning, and went to see the Pentagon. Nothing to special, to be honest. There is a lot more fun to be had in DC, so don't put it at the top of the list. Apparently we knew some one who died in 9/11 at the Pentagon. And I learned that there is one purple water fountain in the Pentagon because when they ordered the water fountains to put into the building, the company didn't have enough silver/gray ones, so they sent one purple one. lol.

It was a fun trip. Now I've got a list of things to do that is a mile long. Some times this week I hope to send out invitations, since today is officially two months away! Lots to do!

I need to get going and run some errands but who knows, maybe I'll update again before I get married!

PS: I built a website! You should check it out!!! www.reed2009.com

If you can't say anything nice...

Over the last week I have started many blog entries, but generally I get about two words in a realize I don't have anything nice or positive to say. It's kind of a problem. I am home for the summer, and getting used to living with a bunch of people who don't quite grasp "personal space" or "personal property" is very challenging.

Last summer flew by so quickly. This year flew by so quickly. For all the nights I spent whining and complaining to Brandan that time was never going to move and it was going to take forever for this summer to get here... I was wrong. It feels like just last month Brandan spent the night at my apartment for the first time, the weekend he helped me move in. Everything in between that is a blur. The week we spent together at Thanksgiving, the entire month that we were glued together for Christmas break. It seems like those long weeks in between visits were mere seconds now.

Considering how quickly a year has flown by (Brandan and I will have been together for a year this Thursday), I know that the next 95 days are just going to disappear. Sometimes I think "maybe I'm not ready for this" but I know it's what I want. I know that I am ready to start this new portion of my life. If 12 months seems like nothing, then three months is even shorter.

Lately I have been trying to just bite my tongue. I'm not very good at it, but I am sick of arguing with people. It's not worth my energy, and I don't want to spend the next three months just fighting. I want to remember the last three months of "single life" as something better. I don't know. I'm just kind of rambling now. It feels like, everytime I open my mouth, regardless of intention, some one takes it the wrong way, or twists it to something that they can be offended by. I hate feeling like I'm the bad person, and the only thing I can do is shut-up. I guess it's good practise.

Don't say anything at all.

When it rains it pours!

So, this is... ironic. Generally "when it rains it pours" I think of bad things, but at this particular moment, I'm thinking about all of the people who have helped me over the last few days. Aside from the guy hitting my car and that whole day, yesterday and today have been wonderful (in most regards) as well.

Yesterday I was packing up all of my stuff, and I had just started considering moving it to my car when the thunder rolled and the thought of lugging super heavy boxes from my car to K's basement was very un-appealing to me. I packed some more, and then realized it wasn't raining all that hard yet. I still wasn't excited about carrying some very heavy boxes (I know... who puts all of their dishes in ONE box... not smart people, that's for sure), and so I called around to see if any one could make a few trips with me to help me move my stuff. After two "no answers" I finally called a friend who lives way out in West Knoxville. He's rather reliable, so I knew he would answer his phone. I was kind of hoping he was home, so I wouldn't feel so bad about not wanting to move my stuff in the rain - but he was actually just across the street. I was pretty happy at this point, even in the rain - help is better than no help. But then he did me one better! He was like "there's a bunch of people here with cars, I'll ask them to come too!" And five minutes later I had three cars and three guys there to help me. 

I felt like crying.

Then today, I went and picked up the part for my car, and took it over to Bill and Jen's. I know Bill is pretty handy with automobiles, and I had asked him to help me. There was a bit more damage to my car than I had originally known, but Bill was able to fix it any way, with the help of a hammer and a zip tie. I know it's silly - but I am so greatful for both Bill and Jen! Bill has helped me so many times, and Jen has too. I know that I can rely on them, and trust them - and at a time when I feel uncomfortably alone and stressed, just knowing I have some good friends is very comforting.

Ok - enough mush.  <3

Rubbing my eyes to sleep...

So, I had a wonderful amazing day - and I was really excited to come and blog about it. But then I ate dinner, and told a bunch of people, and sat down, and played on facebook... and I'm a bit less motivated. Regardless - I feel like sharing. I'm going to number the "Happy Events" of the day, to make it easier to follow:

1. I finished my last exam this morning - and I am done for the semester!
2. My WEDDING DRESS IS HERE! Here being my parents' home - but that will be where I reside in just four days.
3. I packed up a good deal of all my stuff.
   
   Now the good stuff!
   
   
4. When I went to put the "good deal" of all my stuff in my car, my front blinker has been... shattered. The pieces where all over the ground. I wasn't too upset - it's the same side that got dented in April of last year. Figured it would cost $50 for the piece, and it look easy to repair... BUT:
   
   as I'm standing there I notice a guy standing by his car on his cell phone. I turned to him, to ask if he saw who hit my car and he was like "I hit it. I thought I was going to have to wait forever for you to come out here! Just let me know if you want me to pay for it, or if you want to go through insurance."
   
   What? He had been waiting on me for 30 minutes! Any who, I know that getting a ding on your insurence as a 20 y/o male is probably the last thing you want, and I was fine with having him just pay me for the parts. So he gave me his name, number, and insurence information - just in case.
5. I was ironically on my way to the store to buy more tape to close up my boxes, so I didn't have any tape to secure what was left of my blinker. I collected the pieces, borrowed some masking tape from the front desk, and then headed off to Kelsey's to drop of my stuff, since:
6. Kelsey is letting me store my stuff in her basement for free over the summer - and subsequently she is saving me a couple hundred bucks!
7. I got to Kelsey's, and awkwardly backed into her drive way. We each carried one box tot he basement, but these were not light boxes. I mean - I'm trying to pack efficiently, so as to not take up too much space in her basement. So these were "MAN" boxes. When we went out to the car, who should randomly be walking in front of her house, but a set of Elders! Yes. I know. How perfect? So the Elders came and helped us carry the rest of my MAN boxes down to the basement. I was so greatful at that moment. I don't get mushy too often, but after we finished and I was driving away - it felt like a hug from heaven. I knew at that moment that Heavenly Father was watching out for me - even the little things.
8. I went to Krogers and bought some tape. I then proceeded to put together the pieces of the broken plastic light covering. I was only missing a tiny piece on the bottom corner, but other than that - I taped it back on and the light looks fine, the bulb is protected, and it should hold for a while.
9. Leaving Kroger I decided to stop by an auto parts store. I had already gone to one, and they had told me they couldn't get me the piece I needed, but I was just crossing my fingers, figured since I was out that way I should try any ways, and low and behold! The guy ordered it, and it will be here on Saturday!
10. I called the guy who hit my car, and told him the price, and we were going to meet up - but I guess he was headed out of town when he hit me, and he won't be back until after I leave. So he's going to mail me a check - with the back up that... I still have his insurence info.
11. Got back to campus, parked my car, got and and started walking when to random guys walked up to me...
    
    "Did your car get hit earlier today?"
    "Umm...yes...?"
    "We saw the guy, and waited around to make sure he left a note or something so... did everything work out?"
    
    
12. Then I got to tell them that he waited for me to show up, and that everything is going to be a-okay!
    

So. Not only did I pass all of my classes with flying colors, but the guy who hit my car waited around to tell me, it's an easy fix, the missionaries had perfect time, I got some delicious KFC, I taped my car back together, and there were other people looking out for me! 

I'm definitely feeling the love. So... how was your day?

Zippidee-doo-daa, Zippidee-ay!

My oh, my - what a wonderful day!

So today Brandan got a letter in the mail. An official offer for the job! Yes. The dream job. I don't know if I've blogged about this before or not. 

A few months ago Brandan was e-mailing with the boss-man, from the summer internships he's worked up in DC for a government agency. He was e-mailing his boss to say he would not be able to take a full time position with them because he was going to be living in Knoxville TN (so I can finish school) and the boss-man said "Oh, well I still want you to work from me, so I'll hire you as a contractor and you can work from home."

Um. Yes. That really happened. Wowzers!!! lol. So in anycase. They had been hammering out details and even though Brandan felt like the job was the real deal, and it was happening and we were stable and didn't need to worry... I was worrying. What if things didn't work out. There was no back-up plan. That was it. Our only hope. So when he got the letter in the mail with the official job offer, and an actual $alary number, and information on health insurance and dental insurence and retirement plans and company investing and so and so forth!!! Yeah!!!

I guess he is still trying to bargain for a bit more $$$, but as of right now - life couldn't get better. My life became real when I got the ring, when I filled out the marriage application, when we started buying things together - for us, when I was looking at apartments, and imagingi our life together. But now - it is real. We're not poor starving college students any more. We've got a salary (!!!) and we're working on a budget and golly-jeepers it's exciting and scary and crazy all at the same time!!!

Plenty of sunshine coming my way, zippidee-doo-daa, zippidee-ay!

Umm... yah!

School is almost done. Here's the list of "to-do's"

Voice Jury

ASL Linguitics Exam

Special Occasion speech for Public Speaking

Pack

Clean

Get out of Tennessee for the next few months.

Yup - that's everything! Almost done... almost done...

On moving to Virginia:

Brandan (aka Hapmon) and I (Webstergirl) were having a lovely conversation earlier about the joys of moving north. This is my life.

Hapmon: I don't like the idea of commuting, but I feel like it's a necessary evil

Webstergirl: I know, it just seems more logical to live further south than to pay an arm and a leg to live up north.

Hapmon: no kidding!

Webstergirl: but, I love you, and if sacrificing my limbs will make you happy....

Hapmon: I understand... I'm trying to decide which will fetch a higher price. Your arms or your legs.

Hapmon: Maybe there's a doctor that could help me appraise them.

Webstergirl: I'm going to guess the legs.

Hapmon: Ah... I do like your legs though, this will requie more deliberation.

True love.

A perpetual state of boredom.

The list of homework continues to grow as my ability to pay attention slowly dimishes into nothingness.

I bought a wedding dress. Yes ma'am I did. (Ma'am because I don't think there are any boys who read this blog, but if you happen to be male, then insert "sir" into the predescibed slot). It is terribly cute and has been described as

"Unique!"

"Beautiful!"

and

"Fantastic!"

among other things. I don't really want to post a picture because occasionally Mr. B pops his little head in over here and I would hate to ruin the surprise! I will just say that there is a lace jacket and a large bow involved. Woot!

Also, in regard to wedding accomplishments:

• Designed invitations, and I'm a currently working on acquiring the needed supplies.
• Started working on the decor. We're having the ring ceremony and reception at my parent's home. Currently we are set to have an "au natural" ring ceremony, complete with picnic blankets, in a grove on their property, followed by a reception in the backyard under a canopy of lights and lanterns strung between the forest and the house.
• BRIDESMAID DRESSES! Yes, I picked them. Yes, they are freaking amazing. We are making them ourselves. My mom, and a friend of hers are, I'll help if I am in the right state at the time. But we choose dark brown and cream/khaki colored heavy linen fabric to recreate this beautiful 1950's wrap dress. the darker colorw ill be on the outside, while the lighter color will be on the under-dress bits.
• I have also managed to gather the majority of my addresses! Yeeeeha!

Aside from all of the wedding fun that I've been up to, I got to go home for Easter and see the fam. Mr. B and I drove up to north on Thursday, arriving in the wee morning hours of Friday. We then slept four a few hours before getting up and going over to his parent's home. There we were given a mutlitude of fun kitchen things and random furniture pieces for our future home. The rejects and mis-fits.

Saturday we spent the day with my family. The same amount of sleep was had, but the morning started with French toast instead of cheerios. I unknowingly dragged Mr. B to a fabric store with my mom and her friend. I thought we were just returning some fabric when, in actuality we were buying more. So B walked around looking at random art supplies while I was torchered into picking a dress pattern and fabric. It was bad. I had to watch him with his puppy eyes and growling stomach as he said "no worries, I'm fine." If I had known that was the plan, I would've left him at home! After the fabric store boredom we went home, dyed eggs, had company, ate dinner, played "never have I ever," had cake and rice-crispy treats, said goodnight to every one, and then stayed up until 1 am talking about finances.

Sunday I woke up thinking church was at 9, but it wasn't, so I went back to bed and got up at a more reasonable hour.

Food

Packed

Sacrament Meeting

Hugs

4 hours of driving

1 hour nap

4 more hours of driving.

Tennessee.

That was my weekend.

I have a friend who is hosting a bridal shower for me this Friday, so I am pretty excited about that. I don't really know what to expect, but I think I have about 10 friends who are going to come. It should be fun! And now I am just avoiding homework. I think I shall go and take my nap now. Woot!