Things I am Thinking About Today:

1. To the men at BYU, boxer butt is bad enough, but garment butt is 100 times worse. Please pull your pants up.
2. I think I speak for the women of BYU when I say that I am really glad that November is over.
3. I ruin everything when it comes to relationships. I am like a parasitical infection that devours and consumes any potential of happiness.
4. I really want to make fudge, and then eat the whole batch.
5. Next semester when I'm gone, I will probably get really depressed, not talk to anyone, and then lose the ability to tactfully communicate with people. I'll probably acquire Asperger's.
6. I think PMS affects me a lot.

Dear Family,

I really miss you today. I want to be home for Thanksgiving. I mean, extended family is great and all, but I really like you guys. I like how all of us pitch in and help cook, even Jim. I like how Beth and I watch an insane amount of movies until our eyes want to bleed from staring at the television/computer screen. I like all the food we make that isn't necessarily traditional. I like Dad's pumpkin pie. I like how we sometimes go Black Friday shopping because it feels like an after Thanksgiving requirement, but we always regret it. I like going to Portland and watching the tree lighting the day after Thanksgiving. I like hanging out with you guys.

I wish I could be in rainy Camas with you.

Also, I miss the cats.

Love,
Debbie

On Not Dating:

My mom told me that boys don't ask me out on dates because
a) I'm not blonde,
b) I'm short,
and c) I don't smile enough.

Perfect.

On Staying Active:

I hate running. I'm a swimmer, not a runner. You would think that if you were good at one that you could potentially be good at the other. However, the endurance doesn't transfer at all. Whenever I run, I feel like my internal organs are going to slip out of my body. Maybe if I worked on it, I could build up running muscles and come to enjoy it.  Although, why would I do that when I could just go swimming and enjoy it right away? Swimming is better for you anyways.

Anyways, the other day something possessed me to go running around the lake. It was probably all the junk food I ate on vacation and consequential flabbiness feeling. It was also one of those rare lovely, sunny days. So I went. I actually kind of liked it. I mean, not the running/dying/uterus bouncing part. I liked being out on the trails. The lake was gorgeous that day, I saw lots of wake-boarders face plant in the emerald water as I was panting along. Blackberries are just coming on here, so all along the path plump blackberries were ripening quickly in the sun and dangling dangerously over the trail. The air smelled like blackberries. Among the blackberry bushes, scattered wild blueberries were struggling their way to the surface. It was lovely. Oh, and there was this hot indie, bearded guy running without his shirt on. Mmm. Maybe running isn't so bad. And maybe I'll go again.

View of Lacamas Lake from the trails. A little piece of paradise only three minutes from my house.

On Relating to Madonna:

I am pretty sure that I have achieved a whole new level of coveting and materialism. There's this gorgeous dress at Antropologie that costs a little more than a month's rent at my new albeit a little run-down apartment in Provo. It's pretty pathetic, but I have now dreamed twice about this dress. So, my priorities are a little out of whack, but it's so, so pretty. Oh, what I would give.

Happy 26 years, Mom and Dad!

Happy Anniversary to my parents! Here's to 26 years of marital bliss, and to an eternity more. You are both an example to me in all aspects of life. Most especially, I have learned what a solid, happy marriage is. Marriage is love, friendship, compassion, romance, laughter, communication, support, compromises, and trust. Thank you for showing me that. Although, while I think it is great that you love each other so much and are best friends and everything, the kissing in the kitchen when your children are in the vicinity has got to stop. Okay, okay, it's a little sweet.

Why is Paul Newman so Hot?

Not only that, but he is a champion of successful Hollywood marriages. He and his actress wife, Joanne Woodward, were married for fifty solid years. When asked about his complete fidelity he simply said, "I have steak at home. Why go out for hamburger?" While being called a steak may be a little degrading, it's still pretty sweet coming from him.

The Summer Solstice:

Happy first day of summer! We celebrated here in Portland by having our first day with over 80 degree weather! Someday I am going to celebrate this day by spending all day and all night under the Reykjavik sunshine.

10 Things I Would Rather Be Doing Than Nannying:

One of my summer jobs is nannying a nine month old and a two year old. It is awful and great at the same time. Pros: Fantastic learning experience, sometimes they are cute, money. Cons: cleaning up sticky surfaces, poopy diapers, crying/tantrums. Today I feel particularly exhausted. Anyways, the babies are taking their afternoon nap, so I am sneaking a little break on the computer.

Jacob, no telling.

Things I would rather be doing today:
1. Sleeping.
2. Reading Far From the Madding Crowd.
3. Sleeping.
4. Working at the pool.
5. Sleeping.
6. Actually seeing my friends.
7. Sleeping.
8. Going to the gym.
9. Sleeping.
10. Watching Lois & Clark.

The Airborne Toxic Event -- Changing

A great follow-up to Sometime Around Midnight.