blue eyed boy meets a brown eyed girl

learning to say no

2012-02-02T09:41:00.000-08:00

i, like most people in my cutlure, have a problem of saying "yes".

even if means i give up my time to make dinner.

or eat dinner.

or work out.

or study for my extrememly important test coming up.

i'm not sure why i continue to say "yes".

it always brings me to tears.

lots and lots of tears.

so, instead of being roped into playing pinochle with

a friend and her 93 year old grandfather,

or playing the organ

(wth=what the heck. i have NEVER played the organ in my life!)

on sunday,

or being called as the ward choir pianist,

which i can't commit to anyway because of clinicals

my answer will now be "no".

let me practice a little bit.

"Laura, would you teach the lesson for me this week?"

no.

"Could you speak at a fireside on sunday?"

no.

no.no.no.no.no.

(sigh)

p.s. sorry blake. "NO" also means no more tears.

1.28.12

2012-01-30T15:13:00.000-08:00

saturday should have been a study day--

a day to catch up on reading and a test or two.

what did i do instead?

why go to the beach, of course.

{thank goodness Blake finally had a saturday off!}

january+california=bliss

p.s. are you on instagram?

you should be.

follow me @ laugawood

Sometimes it's hard

2012-01-24T15:18:00.000-08:00

photo via

Sometimes it's hard to understand things, to imagine them.

Events in history seem to be stories from a familiar book.

Those who have gone before us seem like characters from a fairytale.

Sometimes it's hard to give them the respect or admiraiton they deserve.

They were alive and breathing, heart pumping, muscles flexing, minds racing, hands touching.

Hands touching my hands.

Heart loving my heart.

Mind wondering about my mind.

Now my mind searches in the far away corners.

Looks in the faces of strangers in a crowd.

Unrecognizable--so what am I looking for?

A certain something, of course.

Sometimes it's hard to understand why.

Or how.

Or when.

Sometimes it's hard to know that they know more than you will know.

Sometimes it's hard to look in their faces and not feel anger and jealousy.

Sometimes it's hard to think about not thinking about it.

Sometimes it's hard.

think and thank

2012-01-18T19:56:00.000-08:00

"Years ago in LA, an old woman walked into the ER.

Doctor gave me orders to start an IV.

As I was looking for a vein to start it,

I couldn't help but notice some numbers tatooed on her forearm.

'Why would an old lady have numbers tatooed on her arm?'

For a moment I stopped, realizing who she was, what she was--

what those numbers were, what they meant.

'It's ok honey', she said, 'It was a long time ago. I'm fine now'."

photo via

story by my lab professor

homework

2012-01-16T21:29:00.000-08:00

it's hard to focus on oxygenation and acid-base balances

when your backyard looks like this:

ok people--i need study tips.

what do you do to focus?

December 2011

2012-01-08T19:13:00.000-08:00

i know, i know.

it's late--really late.

but i simply could not update my blog while spending time with our families in Utah.

so here is a quick recap of our December.

-i studied and passed my Pharmacology final {my first final at WGU!}

-tried to clean, shop and pack for our trip to Utah

-Blake and i celebrated our {can you believe it?} 2 year anniversary

we take turns planning it each year

{this year was my year}

so, i sent Blake a formal invitation to dinner at a surprise location

with instructions to "dress up".

{dress up as in business casual. Blake hates dressing up but i insisted}

i had him drive us to South Coast Plaza where we went to dinner at Seasons 52.

{please hit up this restaurant if you come to OC}

every meal there is under 475 calories, is super healthy, and delicious!

this is the only picture we took in December.

sad, i know. but i'll be better at taking pictures this year.

Utah Trip:

-shopping

-family

-lots of food

-BYU basketball

-cold cold COLD

-Huntsville, sleigh ride, Stanta

-family

-Christmas Day

-Mario

-chasing niece and nephews

-helicopters

-bowling

-family

-24 hour flu

-Nerts with Katie, Jeff, Mandy and Kevin

-breakfast with the Stokers

-gluten free everything!

we were spoiled in so many ways.

except there was no snow aka NO SNOWBOARDING.

did it ruin my trip.....almost.

Utah, we'll be back in about 6 months.

please don't have snow then.

home. it's relative.

2012-01-05T10:24:00.000-08:00

it's an interesting feeling i get when blake and i come back to California.

the weather here is so much nicer.

it's sunny and warm, welcoming me home with open arms.

but after the clean clothes are put in drawers,

and the food is in the fridge,

suitcases are put under the bed,

and the toiletries put away...

i feel vacant.

empty.

i'm not sure how but my family makes me whole.

the only way i can fill the gap is to have blake's arms around me.

and let's be honest--we can't do that all the time.

so hello to another busy season.

you leave me with no husband,

{hence a constatnt vacancy}

lots of studying,

and an empty heart.

welcome home.

Lido Island Yacht Parade

2011-12-19T21:26:00.000-08:00

every year here in SoCal there are a few boat parades around the different islands and harbors.

the yacht owners decorate (and some deck out)

their boats and drive around the harbor for the rest of us to see.

we didn't get there last year so when we were invited to go to a house

on Lido Island, we jumped on the opportunity.

yes, i know the pictures are blurry. sorry. but it's hard to get a good photo of lights like this anyway.

plus we were just using an iPhone camera.

anyway, here are a few of the best {aka our favorite} pictures...

{Blake's personal favorite}

year 2

2011-12-19T21:01:00.000-08:00

two years ago i married this dashing man.

isn't he cute?

he's even better in real life.

trust me.

thanks for an awesome two years Blake.

i've had the time of my life--and it's only just begun.

love you 40.

friday final

2011-12-15T13:22:00.000-08:00

what better way to spend a friday evening than to take

a pharmacology final?

i can't think of anything i'd rather do.

what finals are you taking/finished with?

Farewell, Attaccelli

2011-12-13T10:32:00.000-08:00

After a quick pick up of our apartment this morning, on my way out the door,

I jokingly told Blake to checkAttaccelli's cage

because I hadn't seen her in a while.

She usually runs around in the late evening or early morning

and she hadn't made a noise when I was cleaning.

On my way to work, I recieved a phone call

from Blake. Once I saw his name on my

Garmin screen, I knew what was coming.

Attaccelli, our beloved pet hamster, is dead.

(not to our lack of taking care of her. hamsters life expectancy

is about 2 yearsand we had her for about 2 years.

she also had lots of food and water, for those of

you who really don't believe me)

Farewell, Attaccelli. Your midnight runs and

cage nibling sounds will be missed.

Please read: The Christmas Story

2011-12-06T11:16:00.001-08:00

the most beautiful Christmas Story.

Please, read here.

thanks, Meliss.

p.s. what do you think of the new look?

Here in the 949...

2011-12-05T13:26:00.001-08:00

photo via

In the words of the Carpenter's,

"The sun is shining; the grass grass is green,

thr orange and palm trees sway.

There's never been such a day in Beverly Hills, L.A.

But it's December the 24th (or 5th)

and I'm longing to be up north..."

I have two conflicting worlds when it comes to Christmas: Orange County and Utah County.

Don't get me wrong, I love the weather here in the great OC.

We have lots of sunshine and warm days, even in the "winter".
However, when it's getting closer to Christmas I find it hard to get in the spirit.

I decorate our apartment (with the little decorations we have),

turn on Christmas music,

and burn a pine tree scented candle.

But nothing seems quite right.

This is the one (and only) time of year I really get home sick for the cold, frosty days of Utah.

There is something about the cold that makes it more like Christmas.

For now I guess I'll just have to endure the 70 degree weather

until we come home.

December 22nd here we come!

grown up Christmas list

2011-11-30T11:26:00.001-08:00

Last year I gave Blake a list of what I wanted for Christmas. He gave me wonderful gifts that were useful and some that were "just because" (like my boots, because I ~~insisted on~~ asked for them...). This year is different. Reflecting on the past year I have realized so many of my blessings. I have a wonderful family and I have been so lucky to spend time with them (in laws, that includes you!!). I have been blessed with he opportunity to get into nursing school. I have a brother on a mission. I have a job. I have an amazing ward and even more amazing friends. So, what do I want for Christmas this year? My answer, ( Blake I hope you're reading this) is something thoughtful. I don't need a coach purse or new boots. I really don't need anything. What I want this year is a thoughtful gift: a letter telling me how much you love me or the promise of a back massage. Maybe a picture of your favorite trip together. Something that comes from the heart. Need some help? I'm sure there are a few girls around to give you some ideas.

Catalina Island

2011-11-29T09:58:00.001-08:00

Instead of hitting the stores on "Black Friday", Blake and I went on a short trip to Catalina Island!

For those of you who don't know,

Catalina is a small Island about 26 miles off the coast of California.

Blake and I had two for one tickets (thank you Groupon!) for the boat ride

so we packed our backpacks and went across the waters.

I got a little sea sick on the way over but it was well worth the trip...

Blake and I in the harbor. Catalina is known for it's clear waters and warm weather.

We had 70+ degree weather both Friday and Saturady.

After hiking up to our camp ground, we unpacked our gear and went back into the city, Avalon.

We ate lunch, explored the beaches and old casino, played with crabs, went fishing and watched others scuba dive, snorkel and kayak

(something we plan to go back and do...when we have more time and money).

It felt as if we were in a different country.

The air was so clear and there was tropical vegitation all around.

Because it is hard to transfer certain things to the island, like cars, most of the inhabitants of Catalina drive golf carts. (There is a 25 year waiting list to get a car on the island)

Bikes are something we would also take next time. There is a $35 fee to ride around on the trails but we think it would be worth it. There is so much to see and bikes would have been the perfect form of transportation.

Saturday morning we went on a hike up the mountins. We were able to see on either side of the island.

(There is another island on the west coast of Catalina. Who knew?)

It was a very relaxing get away. Next time will you come with us?

Homeless for thanksgiving...almost

2011-11-21T12:06:00.001-08:00

Well, until Blake and I start a family of our own, or move back to Utah (not saying we ever will), we are considered homeless for Thanksgiving. Why? Simply because we have little family here in the OC to spend this holiday with. Last year we went to Santa Barbara with some friends for a few days. Needless to say we had a blast eating, running, playing endless rounds of Dr. Mario and spooning...don't ask. However, we cannot impose on them again (although I'm sure they wouldn't mind...). This year we were going to have Thanksgiving with Blake's aunt here in SoCal. But, they took a lovely vacation to Mexico, leaving Blake and I with no plans. What to do? Our Awesome Bishop and his family adopted us into their family and invited us to go with them. Thank you, Ohlwiler family! Can't wait to spend the holiday with all of you!

p.s. sorry for the spelling/punctuation errors! sometimes i blog from my iphone...not the greatest but very convenient. anyone else ever blog from their phone?

stress

2011-11-14T17:58:00.001-08:00

"Stress: a condition in which the person experiences changes in the normal balanced state."

if only you could understand how unbalanced my life is at the moment....

i'm going to take just a moment of your time to vent and then i've got to hit the books...again.

i'm working 35-40 hours a week.

i am now going to school 30-35 hours a week.

sometimes i get 8 hours of sleep.

sometimes i get to work out.

sometimes i get to grocery shop.

(sorry Blake...)

sometimes i get to eat.

sometimes i get to help with the laundry and clean .

(again, sorry Blake...)

sometimes i get to prepare my lesson for the Young Women of the Los Alisos ward.

but now...

i never get to play the piano.

i never get to cook real meals.

i never get to blog.

i never get to write in my journal.

i never have time for me.

and then they asked me to co-write a road show.....

i'll think about it

off into the sunset

2011-11-03T12:02:00.000-07:00

this was the last picture i took with my younger brother, {Elder} Seth Wood.

after many tears and hugs and smiles, we took him to the MTC and watched him walk away.

my mom said she knew my dad was walking with Seth.

i knew he was too.

as if the day was not emotional enough, we had to say goodbye once again as they took me to the airport, not two hours after we left Seth in Provo.

i honestly couldn't handle it.

so i cried.

all day. i didn't care who saw me. i didn't care who didn't.

as one of my mother's first grade students said, "my body was so sad".

i got on the plane and sat down in my window seat,

looking towards my house and my family who couldn't see me.

the sun was setting as we took off, yet as we flew west, we followed that sunset.

it seemed the sun would never actaully set,

like the day didn't want to end.

the clouds were trying to hold on to the last rays of orange and red.

they were successful for almost an hour.

as i watched the sunset and big dipper simultaneously from the sky,

i realized this day was symbolizing my feelings.

i didn't want the day to end.

i didn't want to say goodbye to Seth or the rest of my family.

but the end had to come.

and it's not really the end--it's the beginning.

best of luck to my missionary brother.

you will be missed like crazy.

love you 40.

all grown up

2011-10-25T12:44:00.000-07:00

my younger brother {the cutest one on the left}

will wear one of these...{except with his name...obviously}

when he goes here:

{ok, not really to the stock yards...just Fort Worth}

{photo via}

See you in three days Seth! Then it's goodbye for two years.

You'll be an amazing missionary!

save it for a rainy day

2011-10-17T10:34:00.000-07:00

When I was little, I had few chances to make "a lot" of money, but when I made a few dollars my mother would counsel me to "save it for a rainy day". And I did. However, I'm not sure I've ever been sitting around when it's raining and said, "I think I'll go spend that money I've been saving". In fact, rainy days make me want to say inside and read or watch a movie or play games. Who wants to go out in the rain and, even once items have been purchased, take them out into the rain while rushing to your car? I never thought I would do something of the sort...During my freshman year at BYU, I was heading to work in American Fork. I did not, however, make it past the University Mall in Orem. A blizzard hit and I could not see three feet in front of me. They closed the roads so I pulled into the Nordstorm parking lot and called work. They understood. I then proceeded to call my mom {it was the kind of situation where I needed my mom}. Her words of wisdom for me: " well, you can't come home or go back to your apartment. Why don't you go into Nordstrom and buy some Ugg boots. Get me and Becca some too. I wear a size 8." Now if you know my mother, you will understand that was completely out of character for her. Those boots were a luxury item and she is a very practical woman. But I wasn't going to fight her. So I walked into Nordstroms, shopped around, and ended up purchasing three pairs of Uggs. So, does any sort of precipitation inspire you to shop?

this and that

2011-10-14T08:36:00.000-07:00

AftFer a slight emotional breakdown, {sorry Blake}, I realized that I needed to write some things down so I don't forget how crazy life is for me right now. First of all, {but certainly not most important} Blake and I bought a lovely (old) bookshelf on Craigslist that we've been needing for quite some time now. It took us {ok...mostly Blake, but i did sand some shelves, the corners and put a few coats of stain on} a solid 16 hours of work to get it from this....

to this.

Now I just have to find a few pictures and things to add to our growing book collection to make it complete!

Ok, other than the bookshelf I've been studying for my skills test this weekend. Last weekend we had a two day run through of {basically} CNA skills that we will be tested on this weekend. ONE week to learn the skills. If we don't pass this test we are no longer in the nursing program and have to wait to start with the next cohort. Now, since I'm a CNA already it's no big deal, right? Wrong. It's do or die. The school has checklists that we have to follow exactly--or else we fail. I already have habits of how to do these things and now I have to deprogram my brain and tell it to do a whole new way?

Pray for me, ok?

Other than that I've been missing my family, especially my younger brother who is leaving on a mission in almost 3 weeks, and my brother and sister-in law who are having twins that can come into this world any day now. Good luck Jared and Amy! We wish we could be there when they come.

Shoes

2011-10-07T09:51:00.001-07:00

You know those hideous white nursing shoes you see nurses wearing that makes them look like they are stuck in the 80's? Yeah...I bought some of those yesterday. Favorite shoes? No. Comfortable even though they are almost unbearable to look at? Yes.I'm sure my back will thank me later.

glasses

2011-10-03T08:31:00.000-07:00

{photo via}

it's time to put on my reading glasses

{except i don't wear glasses...but in a figurative sort of way}

because school has started.

on saturday i began learning how to use all of the resources that WGU has to offer.

pre-assesments, homework, turning in assignments, taking tests at home via web cam

are only a few of the things i am preparing for.

i have never been so excited to start school.

but i'm afraid this blog will take a hit

as i may never have time to post.

how is your school going?

need a good laugh?

2011-09-25T17:37:00.001-07:00

http://www.wimp.com/daddylegs/

please, take the two minutes and have a good laugh.

blogability

2011-09-21T17:12:00.000-07:00

the title of this post, stolen from a friend who just passed the bar {congratulations Ali!}, has been on my mind lately. i have a whole lot of things to blog about-- i'm just not sure how "blogable" they are.

sometimes friends drive me crazy but i certainly can't vent about them here.

i wish i could put my dreams and aspirations into words but they never come out right.
posting about my church calling would be out of the question

and i'm not going to reveal all of my imperfections to the three of you who read this.

so, would i like to blog more?

yes.

can i blog about the personal things that really bother me or are pressing on my mind?

no.

so where is the line of "blogability"?

you tell me.

1 of 12

2011-09-19T09:54:00.000-07:00

Dear World,I have an announcement: I have been accepted into nursing school. I start in {about} two weeks on October 1st at Western Govenors University. It is an online program with my labs and clinicals in local settings and hospitals. The program is small--there are only 12 of us. The school has a non-traditional way of educating the students. At the beginning of each semester a "pre-assessment" is taken to determine how much information the student already knows on th subject. For example, some of the first classes are math, anatomy and physiology. Once I have taken the test on the courses, a study plan is devised based on what I already know and understand in those subjects and what I need to improve on. Once I have completed the study plan, tests and essays, I will take a "final". If I pass then I can continue onto the next courses, provided my labs and clinicals permit. It is a two year program in which I will received my bachelors in nursing. I can't wait!

one week

2011-09-12T20:14:00.000-07:00

one week really isn't that long.

you go to church once a week.

i get paid once a week.

there is only one saturday a week--

and i can wait patiently for all of these things to occur

on their weekly basis

however, when my main squeeze is away for one week

it feels like eternity.

Blake, come home already. sheesh.

i will never forget

2011-09-10T08:50:00.000-07:00

as our country prepares for a ten year anniversary of a terrorist attack,

i'm thinking of a seventeen year {really? it's been seventeen years?} void of my own.

the more i try not to think about it

the easier it comes to my mind.

i may have been young but i remember that day.

i'll remember it for the rest of my life.

Dad, you are not forgotten.

and i will never forget.
miss you.

Labor Day

2011-09-05T16:07:00.000-07:00

there's no better way to spend a Labor Day weekend than with...

a great friend {and her awesome husband}, in a place like this :

thanks for coming to visit Katie and Jeff!

September

2011-09-01T14:39:00.000-07:00

Dear September,

I'm very glad you're here. However, I feel like you pushed August quickly out of the way to present yourself to me. You see, August and I were just getting on speaking terms. After Trek, Lake Powell and my surgery August slipped right through my fingers and into the past. Don't get me wrong--I love you and all the excitement you bring with college football, the beginning of a new school year, and of course my birthday--I just feel like August was cut short.

Perhaps you could make up for it? I need to prepare for school and a new life of being a married student.

Once again I am happy and excited you are here. Let's have a great time in 2011!

Sincerely,

Laura

h.b.

2011-08-31T16:58:00.000-07:00

{photo via}

happy birthday dad.

i miss you.

need a good laugh?

2011-08-26T08:56:00.000-07:00

you're welcome.

(2 hours after surgery. and yes, i am still wearing that awesome accessory)

Deviated Septum

2011-08-24T09:36:00.000-07:00

Dear Septum,

Why did you deviate? Why couldn't you have formed straight--the way you were supposed to? You leave me no choice but to have you fixed. Tomorrow I will need your full cooperation as I expect this surgery to go smoothly. Also, if you wouldn't mind healing quickly that would also help. I have beaches to go to, friends coming to visit, family members to talk to and lessons to teach. Let's work together to make this as simple as possible.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

Laura Collins

a question for you

2011-08-08T07:41:00.000-07:00

two years ago, a boy {a special boy} took me to a park,

my favorite park,

where he lead me to a swing.

i love to swing.

on that swing were flowers, and a box.

he gave me the flowers and we sat on the swing,

watching a perfect sunset.

we talked about our hopes and dreams.

as our lungs were filled with the sweet August air.

he took the box and got down on one knee.

he asked me to marry him.

after making him promise me two things, i told him yes.

and i've never looked back.

early birthday present

2011-08-01T22:25:00.001-07:00

while blake and I were having/helping with a yard sale,

an excited friend told me about a keyboard next door—one with weighted keys.

I ran {literately} over to see it for myself.

It was beautiful. Glimmering in the morning sunlight,

It dared me to touch it’s keys.

I did.

It was love at first touch.

The owner had purchased the keyboard while learning how to play.

After realizing the commitment and effort it would take,

she put the keyboard behind the couch, basically new.

it was waiting for me to come along.

We gave her an offer—

Less than 1/7 of the original price.

She took it.

We celebrated.

After a small assembly and a little dusting,

It looks brand new.

Please welcome to our living room...{dramatic drum roll},Yamaha!

ready or yacht, here we come!

2011-07-28T08:39:00.000-07:00

who goes yachting for mutual? why we do, of course! our Bishop had a connection with a yacht--offered it to us, and we jumped on it. literately. have you ever been on a yacht? me neither. well, up until this week. it was {probably} my favorite thing i've done while living here in Cali.

at 35 feet long, I introduce the Hobby

Corona Del Mar

a little dancing

dolphins followed us out of the harbor

we went around Balboa Island

Thank you Bro. Hobbins for your generosity.

we all had a great time.

happy birthday {yesterday} blake!

2011-07-22T10:14:00.000-07:00

Here's to the birthday boy:

Although we both had to work, we still had a great day. For dinner we had ribs, potatoes and salad and ended our meal with a German Chocolate Pie. We enjoyed talking to our families and hearing their different renditions of the happy birthday song. Then it was off to the theater to see Midnigt in Paris. Funny movie--but it's one of those that you need to be in the mood for.

After all the fun, my favorite part was the time I had to spend with Blake. He has taught me many things but one of the most important lessons is to notice the little things. Blake truly enjoys the journey and he has taught me to do so as well.

I love you Blake! I hope you enjoyed yesterday as much as I did. I can't wait for bocce ball and the beach tomorrow!

from cali to jackson, utah, and back

2011-07-13T13:47:00.000-07:00

too much to tell. there are also too many pictures to look at {but this blog is for me, not you}

so if you're still interested, buckle up.

first we'll start out in Jackson Hole, WY:

Jenny Lake. Blake is holding Britton, our nephew.

Bar J Wranglers. Dinner and a show.

my pick of our {unedited} family photo

now to Utah with my family:

Lehi Rodeo and baby blessing.

Causey Dam--near my cabin. Lots of canoeing and kayaking.

Heber Creeper

Hiking up to Silver Lake up AF canyon

Lots of water and snow on the trail. Ice in the lake.

Fishing in the lake.

some of the best friends in the world.

it's always hard to leave--i cry every time even though i try really REALLY hard not to.

however, as we say our teary goodbyes and love you's, i try to look forward to my friends and "family" in California.

of course, this good lookin' guy helps me feel better on the way.

School

2011-07-12T09:38:00.000-07:00

Sorry it's been forever. Blake and I just retuned from a two week vacation in Jackson Hole and Utah. I have stories and pictures from that but for now...

As many of you know, I have been applying to nursing school. Last week WGU {the school I am applying to} called ms twice in one day. The first was to inform me that my BYU anatomy class and lab had been accepted by the nursing board {they wouldn't accept it at first but after a syllabus and letter from the department at BYU they finally agreed it was sufficient}. The next call, about two hours later, informed me that I had been accepted to their nursing program.

BUT, don't get too excited for me. The first call that day actually informed me of two things: my class had been accepted AND the particular program I was applying for has clinicals in Pasadena. This is about an hour and a half away from where I live, and with clinicals starting too early in the morning and ending too late at night {plus the horrible LA traffic} there was no way I could get there. {oh, and did I mention that my counselor had changed programs on me? I wanted to apply to the Fountain Valley hospital. She moved locations so I could start earlier. She was trying to be nice but it didn't work out for me}. To make a long story short, I kindly declined the offer only to re-apply for the Fointain Valley cohort which starts October 1st. I said no to a dream. It was hard.

On the bright side of things, I get to go to Lake Powell, which I would have had to miss, and I don't have to worry about school while Blake and I are on Trek {yes, we were called as a Ma and Pa}.

So now I am playing the waiting game once again. September will be when I find out. Wish me luck!

new design

2011-06-21T12:18:00.000-07:00

ok people--talk to me. do you like the new design of my blog? Is the yellow too hard to see? I'd love the feedback.

Peace

milk

2011-06-20T13:11:00.000-07:00

so here's the truth--i'm not particularly fond of milk.

sure i'll eat it with cereal or in my protein shakes in the morning,

but you will never find me asking for a glass of the stuff.

since living in California, i have come across a milk problem:

skim or 1%?

personally, i think skim tastes like water, but, they sell it at Costco for less than $4.

1% is my "favorite" milk, but i have to go to a different store to purchase the ($6 for two gallons of) 1%

as the Costco{s} near me only sell skim or whole milk.

why?

no idea.

it really bothers me.

alas, i must endure this hardship and continue going to multiple stores to purchase my groceries.

which milk do you like?

flex

2011-06-14T14:28:00.000-07:00

in these past few months, Blake and I have been {more} serious about p90x. at least 4 times a week we are doing push-ups, pull-ups, lifting weights, doing squats, wall sits, etc. all this exercise has allowed my muscles to flourish, growing into their {almost...} full potential. the other day as i was admiring my muscles in the mirror {I know you all do it too} I was so proud I called Blake in to show him my progress. I showed him my bicep and then he asked to see my tricep. I flexed with all my might, only to hear him say, " come on, flex!"

Thanks Blake.

I guess I'm not as toned as I thought I was.

:)

yum

2011-06-10T09:57:00.000-07:00

Lately I have been craving cakes, cookies, and cupcakes. since I cannot eat wheat it makes it extremely difficult to find such items {yes, even here in California where eating gluten free is becoming a fad}. if I want a neat treat I have to make it. a dream of mine is to open a gluten free bakery here in orange county--but that dream is lifetimes away. it doesn't make me feel any better when I see menus {out of Utah} like this:

Today's Menu Friday June 10
Cupcakes: Brown Sugar with Maple Buttercream, Red Velvet
Cookies: Snickerdoodle, Milk Chocolate Chip, Whoopie Pie
Bars: Peanut Butter Bar, Mint Brownie, Butterscotch Blondie
Today is Bread and Roll day!!!! :)

This bakery in Kaysville, Utah has the BEST bread, cupcakes, bars and cookies in the gluten free world.

I'll be there, dear sweet cakes, in only two weeks. save some treats for me.