Santa's Little Helpers

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Beware of the Dog House

This video is AWESOME. Check it out at http://bewareofthedoghouse.com/VideoPage.aspx.

Christmas at the movies

There are so many great Christmas movies to watch this time of year. I still swoon every time Bing Crosby croons a ballad or Danny Kaye dances in White Christmas, even though Paul makes fun of the "Snow, Snow, Snow" song and always says Rosemary Clooney looks like a man. Jimmy Stewart's promise in It's a Wonderful Life to lasso the moon for Donna Reed if she wants it is quite possibly one of the most romantic gestures I have ever heard of. I get teary-eyed everytime the old man with the snow shovel embraces his estranged family at the end of Home Alone. And I find myself quoting Elf pretty much year-round because it is so over-the-top hilarious.

But last night, Paul made me watch a totally different kind of Christmas movie. I had no idea that Gremlins was a Christmas movie. Have you seen it? It was absolutely awful. Quite possibly the worst Christmas movie ever, although Die Hard takes a close second in my book.

But the completely ridiculous part of it all was that those freaky little monsters actually scared me. Its completely moronic to be scared of claymation beasties running amuck on an unassuming small town the night before Christmas, but I was truly disturbed. I like scary movies that are intense thrillers, but throw in a deranged creature with pointy teeth and a tendency to use claws to draw blood and I end up with nightmares. And to top it all off, there was the absolutely frightful acting. That is two hours of my life that I will never get back. Shudder.

'Tis The Season!

With Thanksgiving behind us and December underway, Amy and I are so excited for the Christmas season to finally be here! I am one of those people who won't listen to Christmas music or break out the decorations until AFTER Thanksgiving is past, even though lots of stores around here have had Christmas items on sale since Halloween. Sadly, this year Amy and I are not putting up a Christmas tree since we don't have room in our apartment and all our ornaments are stored in a closet at Amy's parents' house.

One of the best parts of this season, in my opinion, is how everyone gets together with their family and friends to enjoy one another's company. Today we went to my parents' house in Alpine and got to spend time with my brothers, sister-in-law, parents and grandmother.

Their tree is beautiful and my mom put festive decorations all over the house.

Even Bosco had his Christmas bells collar on!

My mom set a beautiful dinner table and prepared a wonderful meal for us all to enjoy together.

After dinner, we had fun sitting around a roaring fire and playing card games while Christmas music played in the background.

Even though its only the 7th of December, today was a great beginning to the Christmas season. I look forward to many more family gatherings, tasty food, and other wonderful Christmas traditions. I hope you all have a very merry Christmas season this year!

French Macarons

Mac-uh-ron, not macaroons. I know my last post was about staying focused, but hey, even when I am focused on school, a girl's gotta eat, right? These were uh-mazing. Found the recipe here. Crispy outside, chewy soft hazelnut and chocolate inside. Yummy. Now I just have to keep myself from losing control and devouring the whole batch. I gave some away as a precaution.

Paul's photo, by the way. Do I have a talented husband or what?

Focus, focus, focus

This is where I spend my days.


These are what I spend my days reading.


This is how I spend my evenings. In PJs, studying at my computer.


I have final exams for the next two weeks. In law school, your grade is based entirely on how well you do on the final exam. There are no quizzes. There is no homework. There is no extra credit. Needless to say, this next two week period will be incredibly stressful. The Law is all-consuming this time of year.

But being completely honest, and this should surprise no one, despite all my griping and wailing and complaining, I get a major rush taking exams. There is just something about the proctor saying "Begin," jamming in earplugs to silence the drone of fifty other students clickety-clacking away on their keyboards, and feeling the seal of the exam packet tearing open. It just gets my blood pumping. Its the same feeling I had even in grade school when standardized tests were administered where we had to fill in the little bubble sheets with our Number Two pencils.

Sheesh, I just re-read this post and I am mortified at how nerdy I am. Oh well, there you have it world - another confession of my complete geekiness. Wish us luck!

Naked Out of Necessity

Here is a photo of our rings that I took a couple years ago. I guess Amy didn't remember I had these photos, so here you go.

As you can see, a cleaning/repolishing is desperately needed, so the two-day separation from our rings is well worth it...although I have noticed a substantial increase in the number of girls smiling at me, checking me out as I walk by, and asking for my number... I think tomorrow I will just need to stay indoors.

Naked

Last night Paul asked me for my ring so that he could take it to the jeweler to make sure the diamond is still set securely after almost 5 years, and to have it cleaned and polished or whatever it is they do to make it sparkle. And now I am sitting in the law school trying to study and I keep having this nagging feeling, then I look down and realize it is because my ring finger is naked. So I make a pouty face, try to study again, and five minutes later I find myself looking for the sparkle again. Diamonds may not be my best friend, but I sure am missing mine today. Maybe tonight I will have to hunt down an old CTR ring to get me through tomorrow until I get my own ring back. And no, this is not a photo of my ring, just one I pulled off the internet. Our wedding photos, including pictures of our rings, were taken with film, not digital. I really should get them scanned someday.

Twilight

You know I had to get in on this. If you haven't read the books, you probably won't get why this is so hilarious and why I was crying in the law school from laughter when I found this on MSN. To see the full thing, follow the link at the bottom.


BELLA: So did you do the chemistry homework?

EDWARD: Like, 100 years ago.

BELLA: No, seriously. Quit making jokes about our age difference. I have to do my homework before I go home and cook my dad his dinner.

EDWARD: You are a magnificent flower and the sweet cherry atop my life's sundae. Marry me and your life will be distilled bliss, for I do not eat food that requires cooking, and I am rich enough that your chemistry grade matters not a whit.

BELLA: Um, let's not talk about what you eat.

EDWARD: Your wish is my command, fragrant blossom.

BELLA: I don't understand how you can say that. I'm just a plain, awkward girl who needs to strap herself to the commode so she doesn't fall off. Accident-prone is my middle name.

EDWARD: I will sneak into your bathroom and offer my steady, marble-like arms as your supports. No harm shall come to you, my pet.

BELLA: OK, but you have to be really quiet about it and stuff, because my dad is, like, the police chief and even though he can't cook his own dinner, he will totally OWN your undead badonkadonk if he catches you.

EDWARD: (Laughs) Did you just see that? I sprinted to the end of these mossy rocks and back in less time than you took to say badonkadonk.

BELLA: Kiss me unchastely, you sexy beast.

EDWARD: Let's do your chemistry first, and then we shall go for a ride in my Volvo.

BELLA: See? I am ugly. My vampire boyfriend doesn't even want to neck.


EDWARD: Oh my Gosh! What happened to your ears! Did someone hurt you, my love?

BELLA: What? I can't hear you. I'm wearing my earbuds and rocking out. Have I told you today that you are gorgeous? Your torso looks like it's carved from marble. Who cares that your skin's so cold... more I have to wear a blanket when we snuggle? You're yummy!

EDWARD: OK, if you can't hear me, then I will whisper the words I've longed to utter for a century. I love you. Love, love, love, kissy, kissy.

BELLA: Um, Edward, I was just kidding. I can still hear you when I have my earbuds on.

EDWARD: I meant every word of it. You are the sweet love of my life. My nostrils flare to embrace your intoxicating scent.

BELLA: Do you have any Tic Tacs? I feel like I should, I don't know, eat a breath mint or something. We're going to kiss soon, right?

EDWARD: I fear my passions will overwhelm me. Let us just hold hands and take another ride in my swift, swift Volvo.

BELLA: Can't hear you. Earbuds.

See? Hilarious, I know. There's more at http://movies.msn.com/movies/galleryfeature/lost-twilight-script/?GT1=28127.

Ego

I know I have an ego, and let's be honest, doesn't everybody who has a blog? I mean, weren't blogs created as a way of showing off our so fun, seriously fabulous lives? (I really don't think there is anything wrong with this, I am just laughing at myself right now. Sorry if the humor doesn't come across.)

Anyway, today my ego was stoked in a good old-fashioned way that hasn't happened for me in a while. I was applauded. I'll spare you the details of just why I was applauded but it basically had to do with me analogizing legal writing to a cream-filled cupcake. I'll allow that it was a brilliant argument (ego, I know), but a glow of pride made my chest feel warm when my peers started clapping.

Oh the applause didn't last long, just a second or two because it was the impromptu kind, but while it lasted I remembered other times I have been applauded in life: graduations, at my wedding, blowing out birthday candles, and in 6th grade when I played the Cowardly Lion in the "Wizard of Oz" at a community theater. There is nothing quite like it, and I just felt so good.

I think we should all clap for each other a lot more often. You know how there are all sorts of emoticons like smiley faces and winking faces that you can type with? Somebody should invent one that does applause. Its not like I'm asking for a standing ovation, right? Just a way of showing how remarkable people are. Like the way I feel about my friends (i.e., you).

De-frump my life please!

It is about this point in the semester every year when I go into melt-down just before kicking into overdrive. I realize that I have no clue what is going on in any of my classes, panic, feel paralyzed for a couple days and avoid thinking about it by reading lots of fun books that have absolutely nothing to do with "The Law," then pull myself together and go to work. I'm in the work stage now, thankfully.

Which unfortunately means that I am deep down in the frumps. Is it socially acceptable to wear running pants or yoga attire to school every day? They're a step-up from pajamas, aren't they? What if I have a nice work-out jacket that matches? It is just so much more comfortable than jeans and when I am studying hard core, comfort is the most important thing. And chocolate. Which only adds to the frumpiness as I find myself placing schoolwork as a priority over gym time. I know, crazy right? To top it all off, the stress gave me a cold-sore which is the crowning glory of all things frumpy.

So at least I could de-frumpify this blog. The black is so sleek and brooding and sets off photos well I think, but who knows, maybe I'll switch it to a light gray or white within a day or two. Now if only I could figure out how to get a really cute blog banner. Or new shoes. Goldenrod-yellow ones.

Wanderlust

I'm sitting at my carrel, one of maybe six in our law school that actually has a view out the window at the giant Y gracing our mountain, and writing this post because something really rare has happened today. See, I have a favorite question. I ask myself the same question at least once a day. Sometimes I ask other people too. I ask, "If I could be anywhere else in the world right now, where would I be?" I don't think about the finances or travel time involved. Its more like a snap of the fingers and I am there. Kind of like the game where you spin a globe and blindly stop it with one finger to discover a new location, except that this isn't blind. I choose the spot. Its somewhere I want more than anything to see. Often it is Machu Picchu or the Taj Mahal. There are days when it is a white sand beach in Fiji or an empty dark alcove in Notre Dame.

But today I spun the globe of my mind and did a double-take. Today I want to be right here in Provo. No exotic destinations come to mind. Utah is NEVER a top pick. Honestly this is a first. I think it is because the sky is dark with stony, swirling clouds and black raindrops that are just starting to tug on the dark gold leaves adorning the trees around Provo. While I was driving to school, I rolled down my windows despite the chill just so I could feel the wind whip against my face and neck and smell the rich fall air. And now, warm and dry in the law school, leaning back in my chair to see past my reflection in the dark window glass at the Y, I just can't think of anywhere else I would like to be.

Tomorrow will be different and that's okay. My wanderlust doesn't mean I am dissatisfied with my life, it just shows the adventure in my personality: I always want to experience the new and different. The world has so much to offer. So many places of beauty. Today, Provo is that place for me.

Now be honest and don't think about it: If you could be anywhere else in the world right now, where would it be?

The Roaring 20's

Happy Halloween!! A friend from law school, Brooke, threw a swanky Speakeasy party for Halloween. She and her roommates completely decked out their house and had live jazz, drinks, dancing and card games. The place was filled with flappers and mobsters. Paul carried a Tommy Gun and I wore my hair in finger waves.
Study partners, Amy and Brooke.

Glamming it up and fixing a loose bobby pin, all at the same time.

A guy and his doll. (Please note my fabulous maroon shoes and Paul's tommy gun case).

The party was the bee's knees!

To do list

Paul was telling me this morning while I was rushing around throwing my bookbag together about all the things he is going to do today (because he has no classes on Wednesdays). Today he will:

1. Meet with one of his students to go over an assignment.
2. Work on his dad's birthday present.
3. Play tennis with a friend from law school. (Paul is totally going to smoke him, trust me).
4. Start outlining for his classes.

Then after a pause, he tells me, "And I have to look sexy doing all of this."

Not a problem, baby.

Sunday Baking

On Sundays, I like to bake something sweet. Today, it was apple pie. There is something about a sunny fall day that makes a slice of warm pie even better. Paul peeled the apples. I made the crust and the filling.



I told my sister-in-law that I would post this recipe, so here you go!

Pastry for 2-crust Pie

2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1/3 cup shortening
1/3 cup cold butter
4 1/2 to 5 Tbsp cold water

Sift flour and salt, then cut in shortening and butter with a pastry cutter until about the consistency of small peas. Sprinkle water over the mixture, one tablespoon at a time, stirring gently with a fork. Roll out pastry on a floured surface for bottom crust, then gently lift into a pie dish.

Apple Pie Filling

3/4 cup sugar
2 Tbsp flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp cloves
1/8 tsp ginger
6-8 apples (Jonagold, Gala, Granny Smith - I like a mix)
1-2 Tbsp butter

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut apples into medium-size chunks. Toss apples with all remaining ingredients until coated. Taste slices of apple to make sure they are spiced the way you like (sometimes I go with more cinnamon or nutmeg depending on how I feel), then fill pie crust. Dot with butter. Roll out top crust and cut a slit in it for venting. Gently cover apple filling with the top crust. Press the crust edges into a decorative pattern, then brush with egg-wash. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until golden.

Seeing Things Clearly

When I was five years old, I walked out of my optometrist's office wearing seashell-pink-and-gold-rimmed glasses with lenses so thick that I remember them as being cloudy although I know they were clear. And I saw leaves. On trees. Individually. I was amazed.

I woke up this morning with scratchy red eyes pleading with me to forego the contact lenses I have been wearing for much longer than recommended because I always forget to change them. The poor baby blues begged for my backup glasses, but vanity is an overriding factor for me when it comes to my eyes. So I busted out a fresh set of those flimsy, slippery little miracles that saved me from forever being stuck with metal and plastic appendages to my face. My eyes are singing with relief right now and when I walked outside I noticed the leaves on the trees. Individually. And I was five years old and amazed again.

Maybe I should just get Lasik?

Legal Humor

I was acting as bailiff for Moot Court last night and heard the following argument -

Judge: "But Counselor, a person's political persuasion is not an immutable characteristic or something you are born with like race or gender or a disability."

Appellant: "Your Honor, that depends on what State you are from."

Happy Birthday Amy!

I am commandeering this blog to wish Amy a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY, whether she likes it or not! She's my best friend and I'm her biggest fan. Although I may only be "Number 10" on her list, she knows she's at the very top of mine...

Why This Week Has Been Great (or in other words - My Life When We Turn Off The TV)

We got back to our nightly constitutional, which I have missed, and the fall air has been chill and rich with the smell of wood fires and decaying leaves. (Sidenote: Paul says I have to explain that a "nightly constitutional" is an evening walk, but you know that, right?) Both of us powered through a couple of great books and actually discussed the IDEAS in them (yup, we're super-intellectual now). We sat on the faux-grass sidelines of an indoor soccer field and watched my superstar sister tear after the ball and tear up her knee. I spent more time in the scriptures and less time on the couch. And sans noise destractions, my creative juices started flowing and I have been writing again.

The week has been so wonderful that I plan to forego most television shows next week as well. ANTM and Heroes aren't that interesting this season anyway.

Fall Break

This weekend, we drove south three hours to visit Arches National Park. Rather than writing all about it, I decided to let our photos do most of the talking.

Ten things that make me smile

1. Juice dripping pink and sticky down my hands from a blushing end-of-summer peach.

2. Planning and scheming about my next "world tour."

3. Sweat beads on my forehead during the last set of crunches in a good workout.

4. Seeing that someone has commented on my blog.

5. Rainy weather (Am I warped? Yes.)

6. Opening a new book and reading the first sentence.

7. Photos taped on my law school carrel (Eiffel Tower, Trevi Fountain, Prague Castle at dusk).

8. Shopping trips where the clothes don't just look good on the mannequin.

9. Really, really loud music.

10. Paul.

Taboo

Sometimes I feel lonely. Like the summer I was 11 and all the other girls turned 12 in the spring so I went to Primary by myself for 6 months while they went to Girls' Camp. Or my sophmore, junior AND senior years of high school in North Platte, Nebraska. Or yesterday when I found out that literally my last married-but-no-kids-yet friend is pregnant. I so admire and respect and love my friends who have kids. They are wonderful examples for me. Not being able to have children doesn't make me sad or depressed or angry or even jealous. But sometimes it makes me feel lonely.

Big Flower

I love cardigans. Seriously, I wear one every single day. I am such a nerd, I know. Anyway, cardigans are comfortable and colorful and make it easy to adjust for temperatures which fluctuate wildly in the law building (some rooms are freezing, others are burning up). But lately, I have been feeling like my cardigans are just a little . . . blah. I don't feel stylish or inspired when I wear one. I need to find a place that makes cute cardigans with embroidery or embellishments or something.

So I decided to experiment in creativity. I bought a flower at a craft store for a buck, cut off the stem with wire cutters, and secured it to the front of my cardigan like a little brooch. Pulled my hair up in a vintage 'do, wore a ruffled shirt underneath, and voila - I had something new and different, reminiscent of 1948. Totally my own style - perfect. At least I thought so.

Then I went to school.

One of the first comments I got was from a professor who asked me why I was wearing an artichoke. Okay, so yes my flower was kind of big. And yes Paul laughed at me when I found it in the first place and teased me that I should rig it to squirt water at people. But an artichoke? Really? After feeling self-conscious all morning and getting 20 or more comments before lunch ("are you going to a wedding or something?" "Hey Amy - oh, um, nice flower"), I decided that it was either time to take my big flower off or it was time to own it.
I decided to own it. And I felt fabulous.