Jammin'

I'm a little bit obsessed with music. And by a little, I mean a lot. I don't know why, but for some reason I think that almost every single song ever written was meant for me. Conceited much? Maybe. But I have decided to share some of my favorites with you...these are the songs that I NEVER skip on my iPod and the ones that I am dying to hear on the radio. But remember...if you like them and jump on the bandwagon, I get credit for it. :)

-Garth Brooks: What She's Doing Now

-Adele: Someone Like You

-Christina Perri: Arms

-Green Day: Wake Me Up When September Ends

-Tilly and the Wall: Let It Rain

-Florence + the Machine: Dog Days are Over -- I just want to say that I knew this song WAY before Eat, Pray, Love made it famous. Like 9 months before.

-Fountains of Wayne: Hackensack

-Eminem: My Name Is...

-Jimmy Eat World: Hear You Me

-George Strait: Marine Del Ray

-Les Mis Soundtrack: Stars

-Tim McGraw: All We Ever Find

-Jack Johnson: Enemy

-Kalai: Be Still My Soul

-KISS: Beth

-Alan Jackson: Between the Devil and Me

-Iron & Wine: Flightless Bird, American Mouth

-Fleetwood Mac: Dreams

-Hawthorne Heights: Decembers

-Brand New: The Boy Who Blocked His Own Shot

-Miranda Lambert: Bring Me Down

-Finally Friday: Catch a Glance

-Kenny Chesney: You and Tequila

-Chicago: If You Leave Me Now

-Steve Holy: Come On Rain

-Randy Porter: Condition of Desperation

-Tanya Tucker: Jose Quervo

-Duran Duran: Rio

-Marty Robbins: El Paso

-Rogue Wave: Eyes

-Andrew Bird: Fake Palindromes

-A Fine Frenzy: Almost Lover

-Dwight Yoakam: Fast as You

-Queen: Fat Bottomed Girls

-Glee Cast: Marry You

-Dan Fogelberg: Run for the Roses

-The Beatles: Yesterday

-Charlie Daniel's Band: The Devil Went Down to Georgia

-Gnarls Barkley: Crazy

-Owl City: The Saltwater Room

-Blake Shelton: She Wouldn't Be Gone

-Adam Levine: Moves Like Jagger -- OBSESSED

-We Shot the Moon: Hope

-Mumford and Sons: The Cave

-Death Cab for Cutie: Follow You Into the Dark

-Pat Benatar/Cyndi Lauper/Glee Cast: Total Eclipse of the Heart

-The Lemonheads: Into Your Arms

-The Ataris: The Boys of Summer

-Garrett Hedlund: Hide Me Babe

-Beyonce: Listen

-The Eagles: Best of My Love

-Chris Ledoux: Ridin' for a Fall

-Phantom Planet: California

-Miranda Lambert: The House That Built Me

-Merle Haggard: Silver Wings

-Foreigner: Juke Box Hero

-Garrett Hedlund: Timing is Everything

-Jim Sturgess & Joe Anderson: Strawberry Fields Forever

-George Strait: Last in Love

-Theory of a Dead Man: Not Meant to Be

-Coolio: Gangsta's Paradise

-Brad Paisley & Alison Krauss: Whiskey Lullaby

-Reba McEntire: You Lie

-Zac Brown Band: Colder Weather

-Quietdrive: Birthday

-Glee Cast: Hello

-Timbaland: The Way I Are

-Jason Mraz: Please Don't Tell Her

-Guns 'N Roses: Paradise City

-Rupert Holmes: Escape (The Pina Colada Song)

-Sublime: Santeria

-Neil Diamond: Hello Again

-Tiffany: I Think We're Alone Now

-Maroon 5: Won't Go Home Without You

-Billy Joel: She's Always a Woman

-Ben Folds Five: Brick

-Michael Jackson: Will You Be There -- Free Willy, anyone?

-Dashboard Confessional: Stolen

-Sugarland: Stay

-Coldplay: The Scientist

-Joe Nichols: She Only Smokes When She Drinks

-OneRepublic: Come Home

-Kenny Rogers: The Gambler

-Chamillionaire: Good Morning

-Vega 4: Life is Beautiful

-Big & Rich: Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)

-Secondhand Serenade: Stranger

-Jet: Look What You've Done

-Imogen Heap: Hide and Seek

-Nirvana: Smells Like Teen Spirit

-Toto: Africa

I know this list is LONNNNNNNNG, and believe me, I trimmed it down a LOT. So if you ever get bored and want some AWESOME music, give it a little look through. You won't be disappointed. :)

Who doesn't like free stuff???

Guys. Another giveaway from those cute girls at Pretty Life Anonymous. And let me tell you, these bracelets are ADORABLE. I want one. If I don't win, I may just have to buy one for myself. But, by the power of positive thinking, I'm pretty sure I'm going to win. :)

Let me tell you a funny story...

So this past Sunday, there was a fireside for my stake. (Sidenote: the guy who was speaking rocked. Back to the story.) Caitlin and I were running just a teeny tiny bit late, and had to walk in after it had already started. My brother was saving us seats, which was very nice of him. But they were on the other side of the chapel, in the front, with 2 guys sitting on the end so we had to climb over them. Everyone was watching us walk in...I'm just glad I didn't trip off of my heels and embarrass myself. So we get all seated, and I see this guy staring at me. I was a little bit confused about why he was looking at me so much since I did not know this person. I could tell right away that he was handicapped, so I kinda just smiled and turned my head. Next thing I know, he gets up from where he is sitting on the front row, walks back to my bench, climbs over the 2 other fellas, and sits right next to me. He shakes my hand, gives me a hug and says "Best friends? Best friends forever?" I was a little confused, so I just kinda nodded my head. Then he grabs my hand, holds on for dear life, and lays his head on my shoulder. After like 7 minutes, he switches hands, and interlaces our fingers, slides a little closer, and tries to pull me as close as possible.

Now, I had no idea what to do. And I could not stop laughing. And every time I looked at my sister, she busted up laughing. It was a little comical. After about 15 minutes of hand-holding, my new BFF let go of my hand, jumped up, climbed back over the top of the 2 gentlemen, and went to find a new girl to sit by. He proceeded to do this throughout the fireside. I think I counted about 9 other girls he went over to. And here I thought I was special.

After President Samuelson was done speaking, the stake graciously provided us with brownies and ice cream. Cait and I were standing around talking to some friends, when my new found friend sneak attacked me from behind again and grabbed my hand. The others looked on in confusion as he layed his head on my shoulder (which was no easy task since I am so tall and he wasn't really). He apparently got bored with me again, and moved on to his next sighting, leaving me wondering what the H just happened at this CES fireside. And I still don't know his name.

*Disclaimer: I have absolutely no issue with handicapped people. In fact, I think they are great. I have no intention of offending anyone with handicapped family members. I just thought this was a funny story, and one that has gotten a lot of laughs out of me and the people witnessing this humorous experience. :)

B.A.R.G.A.I.N

Who doesn't loooooooove a good deal? Well. Let me just share with you this rockin' blog that I was introduced to. It's called The Pretty Life Anonymous. These 2 sisters never buy any item of clothing that is more than $25...and most of their stuff is thrifted (I don't know how they find such cute stuff at the DI, but that is another topic for another day).

Currently they are having a giveaway for some of the cutest earrings I have ever seen, and I don't even really love earrings that much. Check it out. Maybe you'll win...although, if you do, I'll hate you because that means I didn't win.

Sibs.

I have a pretty great family. We're really funny. I think if someone based a sitcom after us, it would do really well (except they would have to throw in all of that Hollywood-trashiness stuff). Here is why I like them:

TASHINA
Back when we were growing up, I think she thought of me as her stupid little sister. We fought ALL. THE. TIME. Constantly. I blame that on the fact that we shared a room for wayyyyyy too long. Now she is all married and has 3 super kids. She's an excellent mother and someone I would look to for advice when I have my own kids. Because we were too busy fighting, I never saw her testimony of the Church when we were younger. But I see how much she loves the Gospel while she teaches her kids about it. She's also pretty stinking funny. I love going shopping with her, especially because she is so bluntly honest if something doesn't look good on me.

A shared talent.

JONATHAN
Oh Jon. Jon is the perfect fit for our family. Seriously, Tashina could not have picked someone who better fit in with us. He is like the protective older brother that I never had. I value his opinion on things over most anyone else. He always knows what to say to make me laugh, even if it is highly inappropriate (those are my favorite ones!). Jonathan is a top-notch dad. Those 3 little munchkins love him so much.

This was Baby Girl's first fishing trip!

JD
Brudda. From the time we were little, I always knew Brudda would be in either the military or law enforcement profession. He is always the first one to stick up for me, or anyone else that he cares about...ever the protector. He is so generous and always doing things for people. I am so proud of him and respect him so much for what he does for our country.

Bahahahaha this cracks me up.

CAITLIN
My sissy. We have the same sense of humor...and that makes for some funny shiz. We are forever cracking the same jokes or quoting the same movies at the same time. People think it's planned...it's not. We are just that awesome. She is a freaking awesome basketball player, a talent that I envy (I was never as good as she is). Not too mention she is BEAUTIFUL. I'm glad that we are as close as we are.

San Diego 2009...we got some of the weirdest looks.

Some people are just lucky to be blessed with awesome sibs...looks like I was one of those people. :)

Blog Block

I always feel like I get writer's block when my life is in a good place (which it is right now). My words seem to flow so much more elegantly when I am angry and have to vent about something. You would think that it would be opposite--that I would have a lot to say when I'm content with the way things are. Clearly that is not the case. Whatevs.

Anyway. In case anyone is wondering, I am doing great. I have a job that I love and a boss that I hate. I loathe driving in traffic every single day, but I suppose that it is just something I have to deal with. I love being able to pay my bills without having to stress about money. I love that I can go to a movie and not feel guilty about it. I was dreading going to my singles ward after I moved home, but I surprisingly am having a ton of fun with it. I was just called to the Sports Committee, which is actually pretty awesome. I love sports and it is forcing me to get involved. Last night, I got nailed by a bat during a softball game. I have a pretty sweet bruise. Love me some war wounds.

The only bummer I foresee in my future is Cait moving again. I have looooooved having her home. She is the person I can be my absolute self with and she gives me the confidence to be the bold person I once was. On the plus side---NO MORE ALASKA!!!! That's right. She will now only be an hour and a half away instead of a day and a half. She'll be playing at CEU, down in Price. It also means that we will get to see her play! I can't wait!

Awhile ago, a friend of mine had a link to a blog of an awesome girl back East. This girl has been through a ton and I have really enjoyed reading about her struggles and accomplishments. It really puts my life into perspective when I have days that all I want to do is whine. She kinda rocks. Keep it up, girl! And good luck with your move to DC!

I wish I had something more exciting to say. But, alas, I do not. My life is kinda boring...but a content boring. I'm sure it means that something crappy is going to come up, just to keep me on my toes. Or to give me something to blog about. Welp...bring it on.