Throw Back Thursday: Lost:Sept 2011

So I really REALLY want to get back into blogging again (sorry for the intensely long vacation...explanations forthcoming).

But its been hard starting back up again.  I'm out of the habit, not sure what to write about...

I've been writing for about 4 years now....and I've had some decent posts.....
Many that I suspect have been forgotten.

And now there is this whole #tbt and I have a TOTAL excuse to be lazy and resurrect old blog posts!

Plus a date I went on earlier this week reminded me of this one (This weeks' date was not similar...just saying)

And so...without further ado......

(from the days when I ran a lyrics blog....365 days, a song for each day)

Sept 9 2011
Lost         Micheal Buble

Ok so this song has really nothing to do with today...other than the title.  And I like the song so.....ready for the story!  ITS A DOOZIE

Tonight I went on a date with a guy I know from church.  He's a very sweet boy.  He wanted to show me a place called Devil's Ice Box (a cave here in Columbia).  Apparently it is a place you have to see if you are living in Columbia.  So we went to go see it and hike around the park it is in.

As we were going along we stopped for a break and he literally pulled out wine glasses and sparkling cider.  Yes my friends...we apparently fast forwarded to the proposal part of our relationship ;)

We chatted for a while just about random things.  And then started to head back to the car.  And this is when the wheels came off the wagon.  There was another trail that apparently lead to a sink hole we thought might be interesting to check out.  So we followed it.  And kept following it.  And kept following it.  We started on a "green" trail, and suddenly found ourselves on the yellow trail.  But of course....we had started on this second trail around 7 PM.  So we were now racing against time hoping to be able to get out of the interesting predicament we were in.

As we kept walking it kept getting darker.  We were so turned around and lost it wasn't even funny.  This poor kid kept turning to me thinking that some how I was the more spiritual of the two of us and would get a sudden prompting leading us down the right path.
Like I had any idea.  I might have been praying the entire time to get out of there...but I don't know if

"Oh my gosh I am stuck in the woods in the dark with a kinda weird guy and I am likely going to DIE...PLEASE GET ME OUT OF HERE" 

is really the best method of getting spiritual guidance.

Oh and did I mention it started to rain... cause it did.  And it got MUCH colder once the sun went down.

I've gotta say my favorite part of the night was when he suggested we start singing hymns.  Not sure if the purpose was for comfort or bringing the Spirit.  I mean I love singing..and love hymns...and I know we were lost...but still on a DATE!  Lets not sing...lets focus on getting out of this FREAKING FOREST!!!!!

I wanted to call 911 but he seemed to be protesting and not wanting to call.  I think it was a pride thing.  He wanted to get us out himself I guess.  MEN!  (insert serious eye roll here)
So I called my family hoping they could look up a map or give us a number for the park ranger who could point us in the direction of the parking lot.  They couldn't really help us out.  And by this point it was about 8:15 and seriously dark.  He tried his family.  But they preferred to make fun of us in our woe and couldn't help either.

Suddenly we saw a light...a light that looked like a street lamp.  So we starting going for it as fast as we could.  Then we realized there was a fence and a HUGE field between us and the light.  (Yeah we later found out we had make it to the WHOLE OTHER END OF THE PARK!!!!)

At this point I had had enough.  I didn't care if I wounded his pride.  I was NOT going to be stuck in these woods for another minute.  I was tired..and hungry...kinda thirsty..I had a blister (found a few more later tonight)...and I will be honest...I HAD TO PEE!!!  And there was NO WAY I was going off into the unknown woods...ON A DATE...even a bad date!!!!

And so I called 911 and talked to a very nice operator who was very understanding and kind.  I described as best I could where we were and how everything had happened.  And assured them at least 20 times we were ok.  Not too cold, not wet, not injured, not starving or dehydrated (not that this info was completely true...but I was on a date...so I had to be positive!)
Then they triangulated my signal (THANK YOU VERIZON!!!!!) And we stayed on the line roughly 45 minutes until the search and rescue party (which was already there for another lost group) came to get us.

They helped us hop the fence and then we walked across the field to their truck.  They then drove us about 10 MINUTES back to the parking lot where the car was.  But thankfully were rescued.

As we pulling into the parking lot, we were greeted by a fire truck, ambulance and several police cars, plus the park rangers.  HOLY COW!!!!  We got bombarded with questions amongst flashing lights.  I felt like I was at a crime scene.  But after getting all our information for their reports we were able to head out.

The guy I was with asked me if I wanted to get dinner.  And call me rude...but I told him "I think I need to get home"  It was 9:30 and we had left my apartment at 5:30.  And first dates should not be marathons!

I felt bad....because of all the people to get stuck in the woods with..he was better than most.
He is a perfect gentleman and did not take advantage of the situation like some guys might have.  And he remained upbeat and cheerful instead of cranky.  And he wasn't an obnoxious person to be around.
And he felt SOOOOO bad!  The poor guy was not planning on that being the way the night would go.  But it was certainly a memory.

(Of course I took a picture.....But to protect the innocent...I edited it a bit)

And in the tradition of the My Lyrical Life blog....
The song...............................

Dear Adam Levine...

Wanna Marry Me???

Like for reals though.

You is super talented...even live!  And many pop stars just don't lets be honest

And super good looking....

And the only guy I've ever found attractive with that many tattoos....

I feel like its a sign!

Another concert in the summer of concerts!

This time Kelly Clarkson and Maroon 5

And they ROCKED IT!!!!

Plus I got to go with the gals from work.

Best nurses in the world!

Wouldn't be able to make it without them!

Be Happy, Be Healthy!!!!

Though The Troponins of the 3rd Floor would take great care of you...we would rather not ;)

God Gave Me You.......

My sissies and I have a tradition.....one country music concert a summer.

Last year we hit up Rascal Flatts.

This year?

Blake Shelton!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Such a cool guy!

Plus lets be real-country concerts rock!

We got TEN TIMES CRAZIER FO SHO!!!!

He pulled out the old school cowboy hat....complete with wig for his older stuff!

SOOOOO PERFECT!

He sang a little Usher...YEAH YEAH!!!

But of course followed it with HILL BILLY BONE 

YEEHAW!!!!

(video not loading...sad face!  sorry guys!)

But honestly the best moment was the end.

The rain had held off for most of the night....but as he was doing the encore....it started up.  We had packed up our blanket and bags and had everything in our arms ready to head out after his encore song.

And then he played this extra song.

And me and the two coolest girls in the world linked arms and sang.  

We had a little moment there...and a few tears were shed.....

I'm the luckiest big sister ever!

(PS...I've always been slightly irritated that Blake gets the credit for this one...check out Dave Barnes version.........)

Be Happy Be Healthy

I Don't Want This Weekend to End

PRETEND this was posted July 22  hahaha




Ever gone on vacation and not wanted to come home?

Wait doesn't that describe every vacation??

hahaha


But really.
This weekend I got the opportunity to go with a few friends to a lake house in Indiana.
Can we say AMAZING!!!!

Like seriously gorgeous!

I have serious opinions about vacations.

They should be about relaxing.  Yeah do fun stuff...but don't over schedule or over do it!

Its been a crazy couple of months...some huge stuff....but mostly just the day to day grind.

So getting out for a bit was a welcome adventure.

Windblown...no makeup or hair doing....

Usually not a good look....unless you are on VACA!!!!

midnight boat rides

naps on the dock

late nights on the deck

lakeside sunrises and sunsets

tubing

swimming

floating

good food

good friends

good talks

PERFECTION

Like seriously....this picture has not been doctored in anyway....and was taken on an iphone......

GOOD GRIEF GORG!!!!

 It was very hard to go home.  VERY hard.  I didn't want to...but at least we've got the memories.

Smile Cause it Happened everyone!

And don't forget.....Be Happy Be Healthy!

Yes I Will Go With YOU!!!

Best part of living in St Louis

The insanely large amount of FREE stuff to do ALL the TIME.

For example.....
FREE JOSH TURNER CONCERT!!!!!!!

For reals awesome!



I got to go to with some really great friends.
And got to hear some really great music.

What exactly is Harrison looking at????

Poor Dan!

Such a FUN concert!

GORGEOUS!!!

I have such AMAZING friends!!!!!

Do I LOVE him???  YES I DO

#married #kids #whocares!

Be Happy Be Healthy!

My Walk in the Rain

I think my favorite Dr Suess quote could be amended slightly....or perhaps given a variation.

"Don't cry cause its happening"

Life happens.  It rains...sometimes a lot.

Usually you are just standing there minding your own business and the clouds roll in.

But sometimes...you see the rain clouds off in the distance and run right towards them.
And then suddenly you are soaking wet and shivering...and wondering how you got into this mess.


But does it really matter?
You are wet now....can't undo it.
So make the most of it. Let it make you better

Yesterday afternoon I went for a walk.  I needed some perspective on some CRAY CRAY stuff that has been happening lately.
And parks/walks are STELLAR for perspective.  (Like seriously...try it sometime!)


But problem was..the minute I left my house...the skies opened up and dropped an ocean of rain.

But all joking aside....it eventually let up a bit and so I went out....sloshed through puddles and got my perspective.


The grass doesn't grow as green without the rain...

This has probably been the rainiest June on record in good ol' StL.
And the grass and trees have never looked greener.
(PS...is there anything better than that rich forest green of trees??)

And the flowers.  The flowers are loving it.

Wildflowers have a rough hand dealt to them.
They grow where ever they can manage to find an open spot of dirt.
No one takes care of them.  They have to take care of themselves.

But they are strong because of it.  They survive the harsh sun...and relish every gust of wind and downpour of rain.

And so its official.  I love wildflowers...and parks..and walks in the rain with polka dot umbrellas :)

(probably should NOT share this photo since the lighting has me looking PRETTY ghostly!  Paste-y much?)


Also...totally in love with this song.  Its like the perfect soundtrack to my walk

also super obsessed with  THIS and THIS right now...more on that later.  But read them while you listen to this song.  It will blow your mind!!!!

(Congrats for finishing this mammoth long post!!!)

Now be happy and be healthy everyone!!!!

Pinterest Fun..In Pictures :)

I never post pics really.  And I'm going to try to better about that.  Starting with a very exciting Pinterest Adventure!

I've wanted to do this since I first saw it.  And pleasant coincidence??
I have this great friend who's kinda as silly/nerdy/cool as me!!!

Performing a bit of crayola surgery!

I had to include this one...though it is terribly embarrassing....but it just does a very good job of showing Dan and my relationship...him driving me bananas and me yelling at him :D

Notice how Dan only approved pics where you don't see his whole face...way to go DAN!!!!!


Also Baby Sister's response..."Dan's is cooler"  GOOD GRIEF!!!!!!!

Be Happy Be Healthy!!!!!

Summer Bucket List 2013

Last year I made a final summer in CoMO bucket list....but lets be honest-I didn't get a whole lot done on it....
I kinda underestimated how difficult and time consuming my last semester of nursing school would be.

So we are going to give it another shot.  This year, I will have Little Sister and Partner in Crime to help me out!!

So here's the list-with my colorful commentary of course!!!



-Luke Bryan concert...LITTLE SISTER!!!!!!!!!!  Even city girls want to shake it sometimes :)

-any sort of trip involving water and me breaking in the new SUPA cute tankini I just bought (lake beach, ocean beach, poolside-I'm not picky!)

-double date (likely with boys who we are not romantically interested in at all) with my Partner in Crime at the boat house

-Cards games....many in fact...the more games I go to...the more chances I have to snag me a cute, single professional baseball player wearing those awesome baseball pants...just sayin ;)

-picnics in Forest Park...also several will have to happen

-Zoo trip...lions and tigers and bears-yes please!

-Camping trip...please include s'mores, stargazing and awesome people.  Also lets keep it short cause this city gal can only do the no shower no toilet for more than 24 hours or so!

-The last 3 shows at the Muny..the first 4 are kinda lame

-Day trip to KC...maybe Memorial Day weekend????

-Twelfth Night..June..in the park.....don't knock the nerdy-ness of it.  It would be epic!

-Twilight Tuesdays....free music in Forest Park??  Also on Tuesdays...free music in Faust Park.  Both good options!!!!!

-Blake Shelton concert...would sure be cool...wink wink.....LITTLE SISTER!!!

-A legit blog photo shoot....I have NO good pics of myself to throw up here every so often...and sooooo...a plethora of crazy (hopefully good) pics will be taken to use when needed :)   Little and Baby Sister will be drafted

-Summer sales boys.......enough said wink wink


-Airport...a trip to the airport...which will involve lots of pictures, videos, hugs and tears  :)


And I'm sure there will be more!

It will be a summer to remember!!!!!

And if you are in StL...please...join in :)


Be Happy Be Healthy!!!!

Theme Song Thursday

Alright Peeps!

I NEED TO GET OUT!!!!!

I need to wear my modestly short skirt, my ankle breaking heels!!!!
A night out on the town, livin it UP!


But instead...I sit around and the phone doesn't ring.
And so I work

Its nice for the extra money.
But its super boring!


No offense to the over-50 crowd I hang out with at the hospital.
But really....you aren't very cool.
Sorry....................................



And so today I'm singing this song.
Cause dude(s)...you are totally missin' out.
And if you don't get "here" soon....I'm gonna stop wasting the pretty!

"I've gotta dress that'll show a little uh-uh

But you ain't gettin any uh-uh if you don't come pick me up!"

"Its not like you got any place better to be!"

(Seriously I think inside I'm a big haired blonde cranky country singer bahahahahahaha)

Be Happy Be Healthy everyone.

And go out......

for me.....

and then tell me about it so I can live vicariously!!!!!!!!!!

WORST DATE EVER

I wrote this a while ago

And I thought I would bring it back.....with an INVITATION.

Write about your own worst ever date and put it or the link to it down in the comments section.

Can't wait to hear what ya'll have been through.

Best story may get a guest post spot!!!!!!  ;)

so here we go...hold onto your hats.

DISCLAIMER:  Names and places have been changed to protect the pathetic.

Tonight I went on a date with A GUY I know from church. He's a very sweet boy. He wanted to show me a place called CAVE here in town. Apparently it is a place you have to see if you are living HERE. So we went to go see it and hike around the park it is in.

As we were going along we stopped for a break and he literally pulled out wine glasses and sparkling cider. Yes my friends...we apparently fast forwarded to the proposal part of our relationship ;)

We chatted for a while just about random things. And then started to head back to the car. And this is when the wheels came off the wagon. There was another trail that apparently lead to a sink hole we thought might be interesting to check out. So we followed it. And kept following it. And kept following it. We started on a "green" trail, and suddenly found ourselves on the yellow trail. But of course....we had started on this second trail around 7 PM. So we were now racing against time hoping to be able to get out of the interesting predicament we were in.

As we kept walking it kept getting darker. We were so turned around and lost it wasn't even funny. He kept turning to me thinking that some how I was the more spiritual of the two of us and would get a sudden prompting leading us down the right path. But like I had any idea. I might have been praying the entire time to get out of there...but I don't know if

"Oh my gosh I am stuck in the woods in the dark with a kinda weird 25 year old who hasn't done much with his life yet and I am likely going to DIE...PLEASE GET ME OUT OF HERE" 

is really the best method of getting spiritual guidance. 

I've gotta say my favorite part of the night was when he suggested we start singing hymns. Not sure if the purpose was for comfort or bringing the Spirit. I mean I love singing..and love hymns...and I know we were lost...but still on a DATE! 

Lets not sing...lets focus on getting out of this FREAKING FOREST!!!!!

I wanted to call 911 but he seemed to be protesting and not wanting to call. I think it was a pride thing. He wanted to get us out himself I guess. MEN! (insert serious eye roll here) So I called my family hoping they could look up a map or give us a number for the park ranger who could point us in the direction of the parking lot. They couldn't really help us out. And by this point it was about 8:15 and seriously dark. He tried his family. But they preferred to make fun of us in our woe and couldn't help either. 

Suddenly we saw a light...a light that looked like a street lamp. So we starting going for it as fast as we could. Then we realized there was a fence and a HUGE field between us and the light. Yeah we had likely make it to the WHOLE OTHER END OF THE PARK!!!! At this point I had had enough. I didn't care if I wounded his pride. I was NOT going to be stuck in these woods for another minute. I was tired..and hungry...kinda thirsty..I had a blister (found a few more later that night)...and I will be honest...I HAD TO PEE!!! And there was NO WAY I was going off into the unknown woods...ON A DATE...even a bad date!!!!

And so I called and talked to a very nice operator who was very understanding and kind. I described as best I could where we were and how everything had happened. And assured them at least 20 times we were ok. Not too cold, not wet, not injured, not starving or dehydrated (not that this info was completely true...but I was on a date...so I had to be positive!) Then they triangulated my signal (THANK YOU VERIZON!!!!!) And we stayed on the line roughly 45 minutes (it began to rain at this point ps!) until the search and rescue  came to get us. They helped us hop the fence and then we walked across the field to their truck. They then drove us about 10 MINUTES back to the parking lot where the car was. WE WERE SOOOOO LOST. But thankfully were rescued.

As we pulling into the parking lot, we were greeted by a fire truck, ambulance and several police cars, plus the park rangers. HOLY COW!!!! We got bombarded with questions amongst flashing lights. I felt like I was at a crime scene. But after getting all our information for their reports we were able to head out.

The guy I was with asked me if I wanted to get dinner. And call me rude...but I told him "I think I need to get home" It was 9:30 and we had left my apartment at 5:30. And first dates should not be marathons!
I felt bad....because of all the people to get stuck in the woods with..he was better than most.
He is a perfect gentleman and did not take advantage of the situation like some guys might have. And he remained upbeat and cheerful instead of cranky. And he wasn't an obnoxious person to be around.
And he felt SOOOOO bad! The poor guy was not planning on that being the way the night would go. But it was certainly a memory.

So when I got home...I called my mom to assure her that I was ok (hindsight being 20/20 I prolly shouldn't have called my mother and worry her...better to tell her the story afterwards right??) And I explained more of the story to her. I also texted my best guy friend and made him come give me a hug...cause yeah it had been a LONG night.  He I would have enjoyed being lost with!  His response to my statement..."I wouldn't have gotten us lost!"



And I know what you are all thinking.....no none of this was made up.  You can't make this kind of stuff up!!!!!!!

Can't wait to hear yours!

Be Happy Be Healthy!

My Adventures in the State of UT

Lets do it in list form shall we???


-I should never go anywhere without a GPS.  I get lost going places I have been dozens of times!

Source: rhodeislandprep.tumblr.com via Kelley on Pinterest

-Bad things tend to happen in 3s...early contractions, seizures, and allergic reactions...

-Weddings where you are one of the only single people there...not nearly as depressing as one might think.  It is actually a little funny when people talk about the void in your life and you reply "I'd like that void to stay JUST WHERE IT IS!"  Also trying desperately and obviously to avoid catching the bouquet is quite a treat!

-Holding babies who are only a few weeks old is very motivating as far as dating goes!

-Big Sister drives like a GRANDMA

-Therapy sessions with your best friend are ALWAYS more fun when done at 12:30 AM

-Rental cars are a PAIN in the YOU KNOW WHAT!!!!

-Never trust airport monitors....they will tell you that your flight is leaving 45 minutes earlier than your ticket says and will lead you to run across the airport at lightening speed because supposedly your flight was leaving in 3 minutes.  (ps....my flight left 20 minutes late....which happened to be 1 hour AFTER the mad dash across the Chicago airport)

-Traveling NEVER goes according to plan!

-The sign of a good friend is that you feel like no time has passed and you can just pick up right where you left off

-Satellite radio is GREAT.  They actually have a "spa" station!

-Classical music is not always relaxing.  Sometimes it is stressful...cause you feel like its time to go to battle or something!

-I have GREAT girlfriends!  They are so kind to have interesting love lives so that I can live vicariously!

-If I Were a Boy by Beyonce is just not a good idea.  Especially post break-up....oh dark places ;)

-That rubber duck you keep in your purse to entertain little things?  Never give it to a one year old on a plane....they are in a throwing stage...and you will lose it!

-Freshman ward testimony meetings at BYU are well....interesting!

-Always expect the unexpected news to come at the END of lunch....never the beginning


-The game Destiny is ALWAYS right and NEVER gets old...for some strange reason....cause it really should!

-Shooting a garter is harder than it looks.  Guys who would like to have this tradition at their wedding...start practicing NOW

-Tie-dye cake recipes on Pinterest...actually work!

-I am pretty sure I have already met my husband....he is all the good qualities of all my 92nd boys smushed together!

Wanna see some of my favorite shots????

LOVE LOVE my Freshman girls!!!!!!

Love my Sisters!!!!  Nice photo bomb Bias!

Pappy just caught her...HYSTERICAL!!!!!

LOVE LOVE and miss my 15/16 ers

excellent photography!!!!!

BACKMAN!!!!!

Traci and Catherine!!!!!!!!!!!!

AWWWWW  My favorite big brother!!!!!  Love you Matthew!!!

ITS MY GIRL!!!  LOVE YOU MEREDITH!!!!

JESS IS HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Most of HC 15....just missing dear Danielle  LOVE LOVE THEM!!!

BEST GROUP OF PEOPLE EVER!!!!!!!

ITS HALLOWEEN

I honestly am not the HUGEST fan of this holiday.

Gorging yourself on enough sugar to throw you into a diabetic crisis.
Purposely getting scared out of your mind.
An excuse for some to wear an EXTREMELY small amount of clothing.

Not really my thing.

But I do love fall.  And the parties are usually pretty decent.  And dressing up can be fun.

I've had some pretty great costumes the past few years....


Tin Man...
(this was not pretty to be honest....but it worked well)

We won awards for these ones!!!!

Junior year brought Miss Missouri 1910

Senior year was my goth year (I decided the night of...so don't judge its lameness)

no pic this year.  But picture my smileyness with thick black eyeliner, lipstick, nail polish and all black clothes.

I freaked a few people out lets just say!

Nursing school year brought a rocker chick.

I got lots of compliments on this one.  Mostly from my gentleman acquaintances.

Maybe it was the tight pants and the 3 inch heel knee high boots.......

(though I looked good...not sure I'm proud of this one!)

THIS YEAR????

Well ladies and gents...allow me to reveal my inspiration...

The final product picture will be posted tonight!

Happy Halloween!

Be Happy Be Healthy!!!!

The One Where We Went and We Went and We Went.....

Till we heard a BANJO!!!!!

(GOTTA LOVE IT!!!!!!!) This happened a couple of weeks ago..but I am FINALLY posting about it!  GOOD GRIEF!!!!! Favorite Quotes Whats out there...trees and trees and trees until you hit Kansas?  That isn't even the way to Kansas! An Arkansasan gave me this advice about beating the heat "Go skinny-dipping" sounds like a plan to me! If any person around us was Mormon...they know we were too...b/c there was definitely phrases like "The Law of Chasity" mentioned (and who says that but us weirdo Mormons)  Favorite Moments Little Big Town Scattering Smothering and Covering Born This Way :)

Harvard dancing to Call Me Maybe with a crowd of 1000s

The little girl brought up to sing Me and My Gang Gary forgetting some of the words to their old songs :) Favorite Pictures

(all the Rascal Flatts ones didn't turn out super good...it was too dark by that time :(  )

Be Happy...Be Healthy