Fabulous Family Home Evening

This is the Idaho Falls Temple, but I really like it--mostly because I took the picture and it's so bright. 

I went to an AWESOME fireside tonight. We had the Rexburg Temple President come speak to us, and that man is fantastic. I seriously was so into the talk that I didn't even realize a whole hour went by. I'm normally so bored I don't know what to do with myself. It was a variety of reasons I think.

Reason Number 1: President Christensen looks like President Hinckley, so that was pretty cool. Maybe I'm the only one to see it, but it made me smile. It's probably the first time I've ever thought of a Prophet without seeing him on TV or having him talked about first. Sad, I know, but also I'd like to think of it as progress.

Reason 2: He was talking about the temple's influence on people who aren't taking it for granted. When I volunteered in the temple for the open house, I was able to see a lot people I knew from school and church, but also a lot of people that I knew or thought weren't members. I was able to see people who weren't probably going to get this chance again, for a while at least, and tonight I remembered how it felt to see people in the temple out of pure joy.

Reason 3: When President Christensen read a few comments from the cards in Perth, Australia, I realized again that the church really is the same all over the world and the feelings there are all the same. 

Reason 4: He wasn't preachy. The whole time I felt like I was just listening to a respected man that had important stories to tell. Honestly I only remember a few direct quote type things from his talk. Mostly I remember just the spirit and attitude of the meeting.

Reason 5: He told me things I didn't know. I called one of my friends right afterwards, left a message for her to call me back, went to a friends house and told her the story, and then when another friend called I told her. It's not even that earth-shattering of a fact, and I bet a few people already knew it. But I didn't and I was so excited. 

By the time I left the fireside I didn't want to go mingle and socialize--even though making friends would have been a great thing. I just wanted to bask in the feeling I had. I knew I had to tell people my story, so I didn't want to sit in the chapel all night. I really felt like I had been to the temple tonight. That's how great it was. 

I need to go to sleep now, but I hope this stays with me. 

Goodnight, goodnight!!

Aww, I miss Susan and Rachel!! I wish I still had the Bathroom Mix CD. But I don't, so I just have to guess what was still on it.

Guess what....I ate a hamburger today. Mmm!!! It was delicious. And I didn't even mind when the ketchup and mustard spilled all down my front. It was so yummy! And my roommate made homemade fries tonight--holy cow, SO GOOD! They were baked deliciousness. 

I'd like to be crafty. I think. Actually I'd like to learn how to do the simple things, like sew a button on. I get the general idea, but it's like wrapping presents. I just keep adding more and more thread (or paper and tape) until I'm sure it's done. I don't need or want to be the crocheting old lady in the back of church, but I do need a hobby. I'm not looking for a new job, but I still fear that spot on applications that ask for hobbies. Why do they want to know that? So they know what kind of fun they're yanking from your day? That's just not nice.  But yeah, I need a hobby. Hahaha, Freudian slip, I first wrote "yeah, I need a hubby." Haha oops :D

Guess what I've got....

....that's the game the doctors are still playing. They still don't know. But my glucose numbers were really bad, so they're going to test my insulin reaction next week. They found some early warning signs of Crohn's and NSAIDS too. But since I'm starting to feel better, they're not going to do anything about it right now. 

Yeah, so I'm going to finish my sloppy joe and call it a day haha!

Zero sleep, nachos, and car crashes

We had our final clean checks today, and instead of cleaning yesterday, I waited until Shannon got home from her date, at 1 am, and we had a cleaning party. I slept maybe 5 hours total, broken up very sporadically, and I was twitching when I woke up every time. My poor body. I slept through like 6 texts and 2 phone calls this afternoon. After we passed our clean checks I took a shower and took a nap. It was so nice. And then Andrew and his girlfriend made me dinner, and it was SO good!

Then I went to a demolition derby! It was so fun; I had an absolute blast! It was a big group of people, and we even snagged a lady in line so we could get a discounted group price on our tickets haha! 

There were really cool cars there, some crazy crashes and some yummy nachos. I couldn't finish them because there was too much cheese (I know, the power of cheese was too much!!), but what I did eat was delightful! 

And....I'm going on a date! I don't know when, or even who it is for sure, but I'm doubling with my friend and his new girlfriend. She and I hit it off pretty well, at least I think we did. And she's the one that asked if I wanted to go on the date, so she can't hate me!

I'm doing my laundry right now, even though I just want to sleep. Maybe I'll watch a movie or something to keep me up till it's done. I'm going to church tomorrow. Last week of the semester, but at least I'm going!

Ah, the power of cheese...

Haha, remember those commercials? Well, it's true. I had a rough day Monday with that rent stuff, so I said to myself, "Go eat that mac & cheese you've been craving for three weeks, what does it matter? Your day can't get worse!" 

So I ate it and felt FABULOUS! It was so good. And then I had a brownie....holy guacamole! So good too! I went to FHE and played Guitar Hero which was surprisingly fun. And, I was the last one to leave. I'm usually the first. 

I've felt great all week! Yesterday and today I've walked to work and around town. I have so much energy! I still can't do a lot of sugar in my diet, but that's good anyway. I tried a Jamba this morning and I'm glad I shared it with Stacey. It was huge! 

So, mac and cheese has healing powers. I've been feeling good for almost a week now. I'm so happy right now! 

Money, money, money, money...

 ...and my severe lack of it. I randomly emailed my manager's Sunday night asking for what I owed on my rent and when it was due. I was thinking, $150--tops--and probably not due til September or October or something. Well, I was wrong. Very, very wrong. I owe $545 by August 1st. Needless to say I freaked. After some tears and a nap, I was thinking a little more clearly and I got it down to $272.50 for the August 1st payment and again on September 1st. The September one won't be bad, but this one is scary. But I'll figure it out, I always do. I'm contemplating selling my car. I'm scared to be dependent again on others, but at the same time, I keep saying I'm sick of putting money into it and I'd be able to pay off some debts. We'll see though. I'm not even sure how much I'd be able to get for it.

Blah, being a grown-up isn't that much fun.

Lights, Camera, Action!

So this morning I went into the doctor with Kevin and got all hooked up to this real sexy getup so they could monitor the camera that's bouncing along inside of me. 

This is the HUGE pill they gave me. It was about the size of my thumb from tip to first knuckle. But it went down smooooth after I smiled, blew it a kiss and waved. I figure the technician that was going to have to watch this epic 8 hour movie of my insides should at least start out with something interesting!

So yeah, that's been my day. I finished another book. I only have one left from the library--I checked out 5 on Monday. Yeah, I'm pretty dang amazing haha!

Update: I got the computer off of me, and I go back on the 17th for results. Unless there is a cancelation, which I pray there is. I just want to know!

For Rachel

Hey buddy....here's why I asked about your song, and your apartment. I confess, I do not have a friend going to UVSC, I just needed a picture :)
As you can see, I have LOTS of time on my hands. Plus I took today off, so that just added to my mounds of time. But as cheesy and dumb as this probably is, it was fun to make and I hope it'll make you smile!
Love, me

Ice machines and foam noodles

I went out to Albertson's and Wal-mart and K-mart and Broulims this weekend. It was fabulous. I only bought those tasty little wafer cookies and some sushi. And rented some movies too. But at Albertson's they have an ice machine that prepares and bags it right there! And the helpful Albertson's lady even let us look inside the machine. So here's us being foolish with the ice machine. Sorry for the sad quality of camera phones, feel free to stop it whenever.

Then we went to K-mart and I forgot to take pictures there, but it was Kyle and Melissa against me in a vicious game of Hide and Seek/Marco Polo. And when they finally did find me, Kyle beat me with a pool noodle. Right in front of the pharmacy. And they didn't even care. Heartless folk. 

At Broulim's I saw the TA for my English class that I dropped and we chatted for a little bit, and that was all good. I'm sad I'm going to have to re-do my papers, but maybe we can work out a deal or something. Like, I grade for him and start where I left off. Yeah, that'd be nice. But I doubt it. But here's to hoping. 

Wednesday I get my camera test. I'm pretty scared to tell the truth. But hopefully they'll have some answers in a week. Otherwise I'll be getting quite sick of sushi, the only thing I've found that doesn't hurt me lots. Mmmm, I love it so much. I feel like a traitor to spaghetti. And those little caviars. I love those. Like I love capers. Which I haven't had since the last time I went to Johnny Carino's (hint hint to anyone that would like to take me).

I've got to stop making every post about food. It's damaging to me I think.

And Rachel: I'm still working on your surprise. I promise to have it by Tuesday. I think. Take my promise on the condition of feeling well. But I'm trying haha!

Late birthday wishes :)

Okay, so my birthday was Saturday and it was wonderful! I bought myself a HOT new outfit partially because I am losing weight and my clothes don't fit and partially because it's my birthday and I deserve it. Hahaha!

After shopping I went to a classic car show and saw like 4 of my dream cars...a '57 Chevy Bel-Air. None in my color, baby blue and white, but that's okay. 

Then I ate a hot dog and it was delicious, and I went 4 wheeling and it was scary and fun all at the same time. And then I went shopping with Susan and we looked for stuff, but shopping in town sucks and we didn't have time to go to the "big city."

Then I had a surprise party! Yay!! And we went out for sushi and, mmmm, you can't even imagine how delicious it was. Then they gave me mango guava ice cream that was delightful as well. Before sushi we went and fed ducks. They're so cute. 

Yeah, so that was my birthday. It was fun and wonderful and I'm so glad I didn't cancel it like I wanted to earlier in the week. Yup, that's all :)

Update

I'm at 140 now....5 pounds til the goal weight is reached. Ten for the gold. I get tested tomorrow at 730 in the freaking morning. But I'm getting sedated, yay!, but hopefully I don't say anything while I'm under that I don't want to say haha.

And then on Friday I should be back to work and hopefully they'll have results for me soon. They said a follow-up on the 19th, but that's still two weeks away and I'm going to need some food before then, or I'll easily have hit gold. 

Then it'll be my BIRTHDAY! And the doc said she'll dope me up so I can have my cake on my birthday--maybe I won't remember it, but I'll sure be able to have it. She's so nice :)

I left the house!

So I went to the 1964 concert last night. I made it a whopping half hour into it, yay me! I got really dizzy walking over there--partially, I'm sure, because I haven't done much in the way of physical exertion for a while--but Camille said that I got really pale looking too. Dang it. I'm already pale! 

*I MUST TAN THIS SUMMER!!*

The concert was good. Derek showed up, and even though he didn't have a reserved seat, sat with us anyway. But the staff never made him move, so it's all good. Sitting up for me is really hard--hence the lack of school this past week--so after a while I just needed to go back home. 

But something fun and not illness related:

I submitted a poem to a literary journal in North Carolina. I should know in like 3-6 weeks. My teacher says it's tough to get accepted on your first one, but I don't care--tough does not mean impossible! And I've finally got something out there! I'm really excited and I hope that they at least give me the benefit of a handwritten note. The guy on the phone seemed very nice when I called them, so hopefully he'll be the one to read it too. 3 weeks....that's right around my birthday, how cool would that be?!

And I need birthday ideas. I want to have a shin-dig of a party. I need to figure out where--I don't know if my house is gonna work, but it might--it is quite a bit larger than where I used to live. I want to send out invitations, but I need a theme first. I just might get really crafty on this one--gasp! I think I want a tiki party, but I want a pinata too. Can you have a pinata at a tiki party? Chocolate cake isn't exactly tiki either, but I'm having that so maybe it doesn't matter. And maybe we'll all go to the Splash park afterward--since it's free--and that'd be fun! Yay for living close!

Okay, it's party research time :)

So I got my results....drum roll please..............

NOTHING!

Which totally sucks because they still don't know what's going on. But I'll just continue to wait until Tuesday and hope they'll have some magical medicine. A friend asked me if it was psychological at all, like I've made myself sick in all of this by thinking about it. So I try not to think about it and then I get sicker and then I think about it. So I don't think that's it. But who knows, bodies can do a crazy thing.

I'm going to try and do homework tonight. It's D&C homework too, which means it's going to take forever and probably put me to sleep, but it's got to be done. I'm too far behind. 

Fun at the bookstore

 I nearly collapsed in the bookstore today. While looking at the Scriptures no less. I've also lost another pound or so. It's nice that people are noticing it, now i really feel like it's not just in my head. 

I'm in so much pain I'm going to watch Benchwarmers until I fall asleep. And I have no idea when or how I'll get my homework done or my clean checks. But if she wants to yell at me she can bring it. I just don't care anymore. I hurt and that's that.

I wish the doctor's could find an answer! I'll know tomorrow...

I saw my roommate's baby today and he is absolutely beautiful. And of course she looked amazing, which I know is something that I'm going to have to hope for myself, someday. Who knows how she looked early this morning, but right now she looks great. Congratulations Susan!

I have drank my weight (which is shrinking!) in Gatorade and water these past two weeks, but today I tried the Lime Rain flavor---SO GOOD!! Even with medicine mixed into it, holy cannoli, it was delicious! 

But I want a big, huge, gargantuan plate of sushi when I'm feeling better. 

 Something like this....mmmm yeah, that'd be good :) In all actuality I'd probably get 5 pieces in and feel stuffed. I wonder how the world of eating will change for me once it starts again. I'm supposed to meet with a dietician when they figure out what is going on. I'll do exactly as she says because I don't want to be sick like this ever again, but if she can get some sushi into my diet I will send her a Christmas card every year!

Okay, I need to whip out a poem for class...wish me luck!