Birthday failures and the state I hate

Yesterday was Adam's birthday. I failed to complete the most difficult/coolest quilt in the world so I couldn't give him that. Luckily, the non-idiot in me ordered a delightful movie off Amazon for him about a week ago and I paid a zillion extra dollars to ensure it would arrive by last Friday and thus, in time for his birthday. This way I could at least give him a little something. Amazon sucks and I want to punch it in the face. Adam got nothing...big fat nothing...I feel so bad. I did buy him some dinner at Aristos (rocking Greek food...I highly recommend it) though so I guess I'm not the worst significant other in the entire world...but I'm close.

Now, on to the state I hate. Today, and probably for the next two weeks, I hate that stupid oven-mitt-look-alike state. You know, the one with the great lakes. It looks like a dog is attacking an oven mitt...and the two portions don't even touch...it should be two states. Ok, the childish vendetta against Michigan is due to the business trip my Adam just left on. He'll be gone for two crappy weeks and I believe that if Michigan simply didn't exist, he wouldn't be gone right now. Perhaps he'd be in another state though...and then I'd be harboring this silly grudge against some other state...maybe one resembling a pot or a bag.

Archie...corn maze...really?

This was in the Deseret News today (and by today, I mean yesterday)...

...an obsession, perhaps, taken a bit far?

Husband Tag

I am currently husbandless but I have an almost so here is my tribute to my fella...

Adam Kyle Kay

1. Where did you meet? We met at the West Jordan Outdoor Pool in 2003 (probably before but that doesn't count).
2. How long did you date before you were married? We dated for almost 4 years before becoming engaged and will have been dating for 4 years and 9 months when we wed.
3. How long have you been married? We've been married for -8.83 months.
4. What does he do that surprises you? The extent to which he worries about me sometimes catches me offguard. My asthma terrifies him. He even bought an air purifier. I've just made us look a bit nerdy/sickly/elderly perhaps...meh.
5. What is your favorite feature of his? I like his mouth, torso (althought it's barely there...sorry, sir, you're skin and bones), and of course his inguinal ligament. I think he's a good looking fellow.
6. What is your favorite quality of his? He's very nice and caring. It's a good contrast.
7. Does he have a Nickname for you? Oh sure, plenty. Too many to list. We mostly just call each other ridiculous names to get a good laugh.
8. What is his favorite color? It depends on what for...I think it's green lately but it changes.
9. What is his Favorite food? He likes ice cream and baked goods (particularly pumpkin chocolate chip cookies and blondie bites). He's a fan of Mexican-ish food...he rather enjoys Taco Time. He also likes Outback and Tepinyaki...good enough.
10. What is his favorite sport? Boxing. That says a lot too...he is a major sports fan. I'd say football, basketball, and cycling would follow in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th places.
11. When and where was your first kiss? Thursday, September 23rd, 2004. We were in his apartment. He said he'd help me "study" for my Bio test the next day (failed it).
12. Favorite thing to do as a couple? We love watching/going to movies. We also enjoy cooking/eating, playing games, napping, playing video/arcade games, and babysitting the nieces.
13. Do you have any children? That's mightily too hasty.
14. Does he have a hidden talent? He is a genius writer, can play the harmonica/guitar, and is a smarty pants...he dominates at trivial pursuit and has been on Jeopardy...he'll also not be jazzed that I exposed the latter. I think he is also strangely good at video games...especially the older ones but I have nothing to compare with.
15. How old is he? He'll be 26 in a couple days. He's not glad.
16. Who said I love you first? He did...funny story...I think I've already blogged it.
17. What is his favorite type of music? All kinds...really...old country, classic rock, punk, jazz, rap.
18. What do you admire most about him? I admire how sweet and self-sacrificing he is. He is happy to help anybody and always helps me. He wants to take care of me (i.e. working a job he loathes because it pays well and he thinks I need a house). He is close with his mom and adorable with his neices.
19. Do you think he will read this? Yes...probably not for quite a while but he'll get around to it...Sorry if I said something I shouldn't have...much love mister.

Tags for all!

The Alaskans, Anniversaries, and my car

On Saturday morning, we closed on the car. It still needs some quality cleaning (the top is obviously rarely up...can't even see out the back window) and I haven't driven it since driving it home on Saturday as it needs to be licensed and registered. Now, I was thinking I could clean the top and get some lovely seat covers and take some great pictures of it for this blog...then I saw that Aliese posted pictures of it and I'm going to be lazy and just steal them! Here they are...scrapped and all!

The back seat is very very small...a toddler would get claustophobic back there...so, the B.I.L, Darrin, squished in and I dare say he loved every second of it. The picture below is on the freeway...apparently the windshield didn't protect him the way it did us...I saw this face in the rear view regularly and couldn't help but giggle. Sorry B.I.L..
Ok...so, the pictures don't really show the actual car...I'll get around to it. Now, Saturday night was our (Adam and Jen) 4 year dating anniversary. It was also my grandparent's Freeman 60th wedding anniversary. As 60 is a far more impressive feat...we neglected our own celebration and opted to gather with my big ol' family for some dinner and such. You'd think I'd include pictures of my cute, old grandparents but my attentions couldn't be strayed from the Alaskan cousins. They're so cute! Becca is nearly two. She's had tons of health complications (heart troubs/surgeries, etc.) and it was great to see her being a normal (mostly) little girl.

Above, she's clapping for herself as many children do. Instilling self-confidence? Below are two videos. First: Hayden and Dawson (Becca's brother) taught her the "Push it" song from High School Musical. I'm not real familiar with it but it didn't make it any less cute. She continued doing this randomy throughout the weekend. So cute! Second: Becca does the actions to the Popcorn song.

I didn't realize I'd be recording my own voice...cute...also...the sibs were were the kids were facing doing the actions to the song so Becca and Dawson wouldn't look at me. Also...if you listen closely...you can hear Becca say the words in the first one. She has a really really soft voice (her oxygen levels are quite low and she always is breathy). She once popped around a corner and "yelled" Boo in an attempt to frighten me but I didn't realize she was trying to yell. Cute kids though eh?

Some updates and a tag...sorta dull...sorry

I got a new (to me) car today! Apparently this is a popular occurrence for many and I've jumped on the band wagon. It's small, cute, and old. I'll post pictures some other time. Also, I've finally put a step forward in this wedding planning process. We have a tentative date of June 20th and a potential locale. I'm hoping for Wheeler Farm. I think it's pretty, rustic, and it's a place of my ancestry. We'll see how it goes though. Nine months from today and we'll be hitched...quite an exciting thought.

Now for this tag...

• I am: Jennifer, a daughter, a sister, a friend, and engaged.


• I know: I'm blunt and stubborn but I won't ever change.


• I have: a cool guitar, a pretty ring, and a very small convertible.


• I wish: I were done with school and married.


• I hate: school.


• I miss: the days when I was allowed to be less responsible and more care-free.


• I fear: windows and dying before getting hitched.


• I feel: crappy and congested...I'm having allergy troubs.


• I hear: some Gilmore Girls.


• I smell: nothing...due to the previously mentioned congestion.


• I crave: usually muffins, currently hot cider though.


• I search: my cluttered room for various misplaced items.


• I wonder: if there are any clinical studies associating college with poor mental health...I hate school.


• I regret: basically nothing.


• I love: Adam, my family, and muffins.


• I am not: decisive...at all.


• I believe: that I will one day make a difference.


• I dance: On occasion...although dancing may not be the correct term...I'm not great.


• I sing: all the time.


• I cry: more now than I did before high school graduation. I think I must have developed a soul of sorts...I used to be dead inside :)


• I don't always: tell the truth...I don't even have good reason to lie...I just do it sometimes.


• I fight: less than I used to.


• I write: papers for crappy school.


• I win: sometimes...at cards, guitar hero, the occasional sporting endeavor.


• I lose: my sunglasses (at least monthly) and my keys (maybe weekly)


• I never: have quite enough time.


• I confuse: my priorities.


• I listen: to anything. I almost always have to have noise around me.


• I can usually be found: in my room or at Adam's house.


• I am scared: I'll be massive as an adult (I'm doing what I can to prevent it)


• I need: a much better allergy pill...more money...a degree.


• I am happy: when I'm not in school and when I am with family, friends, and Adam.


• I imagine: a lot of things...I sometimes even confuse occurrences in my imagination with reality.
• I tag: everybody who would like to be tagged.

A double tag from the sister

Olympic Tag

Basically, list 8 things in each category in honor of Phelps winning a record 8 gold medals...Since I'm an avid "Phelps Phan," I definitely feel obligated to complete this!

• 8 favorite restaurants: Grandpa Maddox's, Haagerman's, Peach City, Bluebird, Center Street Grill, Outback Steakhouse, Apollo Burger (Only the first two or three are actual favorites...the rest just filled the gap.
• 8 things that happened today: Great day! I attended the baptisms of 3 of my primary kids, I bought fabric (and got judged) for Adam's boxing quilt (it'll be tight!), I ate lunch at Haag's (previously noted as fav), I bought two T-shirts (something I've been craving), I showered quickly (rare...not the shower part...the quickly part), a lady asked if Adam was my husband and I said almost, Adam and I mocked at a large woman with fanny pack after she was mean to us (rude maybe...but funny), and now we're gonna go hang with his fam. Did I study?...Well no.
• 8 things I'm looking forward to: Being married (note: I didn't say getting married), new house stuff, being graduated, grad. school, being gradtuated again, this rockin' quilt I'm gonna make, fall break, more sleep.
• 8 things I love about summer: Longer days, no school (atleast this past summer), water sports (but not this past summer), camping!!!, having money, being allowed to spend money, more stuff...I don't want to keep doing this one.
• 8 Olympic events I like: Gymnastics, Swimming, Volleyball, Skiing, Sledge Hockey, Figure skating, water polo, curling (just kidding).
• 8 things on my wish list: More Adam time, being done with school, vacations, more money in my pocket, getting this house we want, seeing friends and family more, ...I think I'm done with this tag. Sorry...not fun.

Freakishly long tag about stuff we have and haven't done:

Basically, you bold/change the color of the numbered items you'd participated in...Be warned! It's a lengthy process.

1. Touched an iceberg (but we wanna go to Alaska which would be the place to do this...also I think I may have but I also make up memories)
2. Slept under the stars
3. Been a part of a hockey fight
4. Changed a baby's diaper (only me)
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Swam with wild dolphins (Alaska...)
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a tarantula
10. Said "I love you" and meant it
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris (future Tour de France trip...)
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea (just Adam...on his cruise...I HATE cruises)
14. Stayed up all night long and watched the sun rise
15. Seen the Northern Lights (Alaska...)
16. Gone to a huge sports game
17. Walked the stairs to the top of the Statue of Liberty (just Adam, it was closed when I went because of 9-11)
18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
19. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
20. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment (while telling your boss the name she plans to name her baby sucks)
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Bet on a winning horse (heck yes! I'm the champ at picking the good ones...I even won a trifecta!!!...uh...not to encourage gambling...)
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill (some of the best days!)
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping (christening!!! SO exillerating!)
27. Taken an ice cold bath (just Jen...when sunburnt...and in Logan before we had our heat turned on)
28. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar (Adam used to do charity work but said beggars, I once threw two quarters at a Navajo and then he sang to me in his native tongue...)
29. Seen a total eclipse (we both think we have...)
30. Ridden a roller coaster
31. Hit a home run (just Jen...I know...funny...once in 6th grade and again in church softball)
32. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
33. Adopted an accent for fun
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors (only stateside though...maybe oneday)
35. Felt very happy about your life, even for just a moment
36. Loved your job 90% of the time (not currently...only in the free churros and video games day...my job is ok...Adam's is loathesome)
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (since money doesn't directly link to satisfication)
38. Watched wild whales (Mexico baby!)
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Gone on a midnight walk on the beach (Mexico baby!)
41. Gone sky diving
42. Visited Ireland
43. Ever bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited India (we like to eat cows too much)
45. Bench-pressed your own weight (Adam...not me...I can probably get half though...I suck)
46. Milked a cow
47. Alphabetized your personal files (...files must be a grown up thing...)
48. Ever worn a superhero costume
49. Sung karaoke (While both of us have...and love it... Adam once won a contest...)
50. Lounged around in bed all day
51. Gone scuba diving (one day)
52. Kissed in the rain (we've kissed outside while it was raining but it's not really the same thing...is it?)
53. Played in the mud (uh...that was my nickname for heck's sake...and the infamous mud wrestling fun...)
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Done something you should regret, but don't
56. Visited the Great Wall of China (only Adam)
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class (only Adam...although I wanted to as a child)
59. Been in a movie
60. Gone without food for 3 days
61. Made cookies from scratch
62. Won first prize in a costume contest
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Been in a combat zone
65. Spoken more than one language fluently
66. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone
67. Bounced a check (not an actual check...maybe a check card...our credit is great now though!)
68. Read - and understood - your credit report
69. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy
70. Found out something significant that your ancestors did (Adam has a major boxer and a famous pirate in his line, I have William Clayton, Farr ice cream, and the first mayor of Ogden, both of our ancestors were at Promintory Point for the Golden Spike business)
71. Called or written your Congress person
72. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over (kinda)
73. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
74. Helped an animal give birth
75. Been fired or laid off from a job (Adam's been canned...I've been demoted not fired though)
76. Won money
77. Broken a bone (Adam's arm and hand, I fractured my wrist)
78. Ridden a motorcycle
79. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph
80. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
    
81. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing (really...the takeoff and landing...really?)
82. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days (I wish!!! Cool!)
83. Eaten sushi
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read The Bible cover to cover
86. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about
87. Gotten someone fired for their actions
88. Gone back to school...after the summer...
89. Changed your name (soon...so I counted it!)
90. Caught a fly in the air with your bare hands (freaking Mr. Miagi!)
91. Eaten fried green tomatoes
92. Read The Iliad
93. Taught yourself an art from scratch (just me...several instruments...not taught well)
94. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (heck yes)
95. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt (just me...I used to be really mean)
96. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
97. Been elected to public office
98. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream (just me...I guess Adam isn't as pleased with the match as I am)
99. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
100. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
101. Had a booth at a street fair
102. Dyed your hair
103. Been a DJ
104. Rocked a baby to sleep
105. Ever dropped a cat from a high place to see if it really lands on all four (not THAT high)
106. Raked your carpet (wha?)
107. Brought out the best in people
108. Brought out the worst in people
109. Worn a mood ring (just Jen)
110. Ridden a horse
111. Carved an animal from a piece of wood or bar of soap
112. Cooked a dish where four people asked for the recipe
113. Buried a child (...I attended a baby's funeral which was very sad...I hope I never experience this)
114. Gone to a Broadway play
115. Been inside the pyramids
116. Shot a basketball into a basket
117. Danced at a disco
118. Played in a band (just Jen...the PLOT...interesting)
119. Shot a bird
120. Gone to an arboretum
121. Tutored someone
122. Ridden a train
123. Brought an old fad back into style (really?...someone will single-handedly claim this?)
124. Eaten caviar
125. Let a salesman talk you into something you didn’t need (cleaner...steaks...)
126. Ridden a giraffe or elephant (just Adam...and a camel...so cool)
127. Published a book
128. Pieced a quilt (just Jen)
129. Lived in an historic place
130. Acted in a play or performed on a stage
131. Asked for a raise (just Jen...kinda awkward really)
132. Made a hole-in-one (in mini golf)
133. Gone deep sea fishing (Alaska...)
134. Gone roller skating
135. Run a marathon
136. Learned to surf
137. Invented something
138. Flown first class (only Adam)
139. Spent the night in a 5-star luxury suite (my hotel in NYC claimed to be that...don't know how)
140. Flown in a helicopter (only Adam)
141. Visited Africa (one day...doing humanitarian work)
142. Sang a solo
143. Gone spelunking
144. Learned how to take a compliment (honestly...just Adam...I'm not great with it)
145. Written a love-story (I guess)
146. Seen Michelangelo’s David (one day)
147. Had your portrait painted
148. Written a fan letter
149. Spent the night in something haunted (claiming to be)
150. Owned a St. Bernard or Great Dane
151. Ran away
152. Learned to juggle
153. Been a boss
154. Sat on a jury
155. Lied about your weight (yeah...Adam lies up...I lie down...not to extremes but on occasion)
156. Gone on a diet (kinda...not really...kinda though)
157. Found an arrowhead or a gold nugget (arrowhead...no nuggs)
158. Written a poem
159. Carried your lunch in a lunchbox
160. Gotten food poisoning
161. Gone on a service, humanitarian or religious mission (one day...a medical humanitarian one)
162. Hiked the Grand Canyon (only Jen)
163. Sat on a park bench and fed the ducks
164. Gone to the opera (just Adam...interesting eh?)
165. Gotten a letter from someone famous
166. Worn knickers
167. Ridden in a limousine
168. Attended the Olympics (Me: winter, Adam: winter and summer)
169. Can hula or waltz
170. Read a half dozen Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books (barely though)
171. Been stuck in an elevator
172. Had a revelatory dream
173. Thought you might crash in an airplane
174. Had a song dedicated to you on the radio or at a concert
175. Saved someone’s life (we've both been lifeguards...but I once did the baby heimlich...successfully...!)
176. Eaten raw whale (wha? gross...Adam says "cool")
177. Know how to tat, smock or do needlepoint (Jen)
178. Laughed till your side hurt
179. Straddled the equator
180. Taken a photograph of something other than people that is worth framing
181. Gone to a Shakespeare Festival (Jen)
182. Sent a message in a bottle (a pop bottle...I got yelled at for littering)
183. Spent the night in a hotel
184. Been a cashier
185. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
186. Joined a union
187. Donated blood or plasma (just Adam...My blood's no good...I don't have the HIV though...don't jump to conclusions)
188. Built a campfire
189. Kept a blog (really?)
190. Had hives
191. Worn custom made shoes or boots
192. Made a PowerPoint presentation
193. Taken a Hunter’s Safety Course (only Adam has although I should...considering...anyway)
194. Served at a soup kitchen (only nice ol' Adam...same place he held meaningful conversations with the beggars)
195. Conquered the Rubik’s cube
196. Known CPR
197. Ridden in or owned a convertible
198. Found a long lost friend (...run into old friends...too young for the long lost...)
199. Helped solve a crime
200. Responded to a NJP newsletter ( I guess I don't know what this is)

Feel free to be tagged and pick and choose what you do...hope this wasn't too long for you all...

Scorpion Delight

Here's the video of Adam and Alec eating scorpion, Leo wouldn't try it (the only Chinamen among them was too chicken :)...). You have to watch it twice to get the full effect of both guys' reactions.