Halloweener

I love Halloween. Let me say that again: I LOVE HALLOWEEN!!! I love everything about it, from the season that it falls in to the chance to dress as someone I'm not. Also, I just like a good excuse to throw a party, and halloween gives me one.
A good portion of the last few days has been devoted to preparing my home and my costume for said party. My plan for this year is to go as a gypsy, but in order to do this I had to made a few portions of my costume, along with a trip to the d.i. My costume is just about finished, I just need to accessorize a bit, but hopefully it'll be a good one. I have this funny thing about buying costumes... I hate doing it. When we were growing up our parents always made our costumes, and they had to get creative, like, for instance, the year I decided I wanted to be a mermaid. Kudos to my parents for that one. Needless to say, my parents have a large selection of various costume bits and pieces that have been worn over the years, from "Where's Waldo" to the tooth fairy. We cooked up some crazy costumes.
Also, a little sick but I can't help it, I've already decided what Steve and I are going as next year... so someone better throw a party!
I'm turning into quite the little Betty Homemaker. I've been cooking a lot more often, and I've signed up for a cooking class for newlyweds offered through my ward. I've been learning how to sew, as well. I made the major piece for my Halloween costume (see a previous blog with a picture of the "French Flea Market Apron", and I've still been quilting up a storm. I set up a filing system for Steve and I to keep track of important documents, and I've almost got the spare room cleaned out completely. My goal was to have it done before the Halloween party, but I don't think I'm going to make it. We've still got quite a few empty picture frames and framed pictures from the wedding reception and I have no idea what to do with all of them. I guess I'll save them for Christmas and re-gift. I hate doing it, but they're nice frames.
Speaking of Christmas, I've already started buying/making gifts. I've got Steve's big gift, it's being shipped currently. I've also got my mom's gift already. I told Steve what I want for Christmas, let's see if he remembers.
As for other things, Zach seems to be doing well, but is excited to get to Hawaii. He sent home a few pictures from the MTC and it looks like he's having some fun as well as learning. We send him packages, letters, and emails regularly so he's been voted the Elder most loved by his family. I just keep sending him encouragement and reminding him of what a good missionary he'll be.
I think that's it for now. I'll give you another update when I work later this week.

Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street?

This post is brought to you by the letter N... and the number 10. So, without further ado, 10 things having to do with the letter N:

Nursing (duh): Nursing is my calling in life. Not only is my career, but it's what I LOVE to do. I can't imagine any other career for myself.

Natural hair color: I haven't seen mine since high school. Do I care? No. If I did I would stop dyeing it.

Nails: I love having my nails done. So relaxing.

Nellie: My Great-Grandma Nellie was an amazing woman. She was a great example of how to be a wonderful wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend. I can stand to learn so much from the woman she was. She's also going to roll over in her grave when I name one of my daughters after her. She hated the name Nellie.

Nice: Something I haven't done enough of lately is being nice. I should work on this.

Name: I love my name. Good job mom and dad.

Noodles: I love that place. Wisconsin Mac 'n Cheese is my fave.

Neutral tones: The easiest to decorate with... I like 'em.

Nerds: My family, my friends, my husband, myself. Nerds are the only way to go.

New Shoes: I love new shoes. Especially if they're hot and inexpensive.

If anyone else wants to play, let me know and I'll give you a letter too!

Tag-a-roo

8 Favorite TV Shows:
Scrubs
Grey's Anatomy
Ugly Betty
Chuck
Diners, Dives, and Drive-ins
What Not to Wear
America's Next Top Model
Ace of Cakes

8 Things I Did Yesterday:
Dishes
Made lunch
Texted Steve
Cut quilt blocks
Took a nap
Came to work
passed some pills
Watched Chuck online

8 Things I Look Forward To:
Getting my eyebrows waxed
having my name off the condo mortgage
Halloween party
Halloween costumes
Going to bed
Getting the heater fixed
My patient going to sleep
Real food

8 Favorite Restaurants:
cafe Rio
Dragon diner
Tocano's
Lonestar
Chili's
Z'tejas
Joe Morleys
Crown burger

8 Things On My Wish List:
Working appliances
Trip to Disney World
Sewing machine
To not feel sick
Super hot jeans
To see body worlds
Hot shoes for every outfit
New dress

8 People To Tag:
Lena
Nik
Christi
Elmo
Paris
Vee
Mom
Anyone else who wants to

One for the books

What a week this has been... and it's only Thursday night. Sunday was Zach's farewell, and it was a really great day. I won't go through everything here, but if you're interested in reading more about it you can check it out on my mom's blog here. Zach's talk was awesome, and we could all feel his readiness to serve.
On Monday night I was working my first shift of the week when I got a call that my grandma was in the ER downstairs. It turns out she'd tripped over the dog and broken her arm in 2 places. She was admitted to the hospital and scheduled for surgery on Tuesday morning. What was supposed to be about a 2 hour surgery ended up being about 4 when the surgeon got into her arm and discovered multiple bone fragments floating around. She now has a metal plate holding her humerus together and another holding her wrist together. She's still in the hospital and having a grand old time climbing out of bed, pulling out her I.V., and just causing general mayhem. It's true that nurses make the worst patients.
Wednesday morning was "D-Day" for Zach. We packed up the family, Kel included, and headed to P-town. We stopped for sandwiches at Sensuous Sandwich, I highly recommend it to anyone that's never had one, and then made our way to the MTC. There's also much more information on this in my mom's blog, but it was a good day to. We could all sense Zach's readiness to go and I think that made us more willing to let him go. His blessing he recieved when he was set apart was incredible, which I think helped ease our minds some. He was promised greatness and I know he'll live up to it.
Other than that it's been a pretty standard week, I've started making a few more baby blankets and I'll post pictures when they're done. If you're a mommy-to-be (whether for the first time or not) let me know and I'll be happy to do one for your little bundle of joy.
Also, just a small plug for Halloween... Steve and I are throwing a party and would love it if anyone who wants to could come. Costumes are encouraged.

Raindrops on Roses...

So, fall is officially here, and with the drop in temperature I tend to cozy up in a blanket and think about some of my favorite things. So, without further ado, I share them with you: Giraffes... I don't know why, but I love these guys. I finally got Steve to take me to the zoo and I spent forever chillin' with the giraffes.
The French Flea Market Apron. I'm making myself one. For real.
Fall colors. Oh please, can we drive through the canyon?
Utah Football... Nothing says Autumn like a bunch of dudes in red tossing around a pigskin.

Homemade soup. Delish!

Lately I've taken to quilting. I love using Amy Butler and Michael Miller fabrics.

It's sweater season, finally!

Finally, I'd just like to take a minute and talk about my awesome brother, Zach. He leaves on his mission on Wednesday for beautiful Honolulu, Hawaii. Zach, I know you probably won't read this, but I just want to let you know what an example you are to me and to Steve. You honor your priesthood, always live your standards, and truly shine with the light of Christ. The people of Hawaii aren't going to want to give you back at the end of your mission. So, little brother, go out there and be the example I know you are. Serve the next two years whole-heartedly and I know that Heavenly Father will bless you and help you grow in ways you never thought possible. While you may be missed here at home, we know that you will truly fall in love with the people of Hawaii as much as they will fall in love with you. So, on that note: a big, fat "Hugsies!" and one last "Hey, little brother."