"I see my face in the mirror and go, 'I'm a Halloween costume? That's what they think of me?"- Drew Carey

Hello Hello again, once more I am terribly sorry for my delay in blogs, but last week was pretty much the craziest ever! As you all know I am a dressing up super fan, and this Halloween I'm happy to admit my cup had runeth ore with dressing up occasions, I joked with someone earlier in the month about how Halloween was like a week long event for me. Little did I know that was not a joke this year! Halloween was quite literally a week long extravaganza of dressing myself and others up in costumes to celebrate one of my most favorite Holidays!

It all started last Saturday I was researching last minute Halloween costume ideas for my informative speech in class that Tuesday and I came across some gems that I wanted to try out. Then Michelle came into town to keep me company and we went off to Walmart to gather some supplies! All of a sudden Michelle was hit by the costume bug and asked me if I wanted to hit up the annual halloween party some of here friends in Ephrata have every year, and like I mentioned before I had found an idea or two I was psyched out of my mind about. So the decision was final. Michelle purchased a pimp cup and some fake nails and I (as sad as it is to say) provided the rest!

Here's Michelle going for the ever popular Hood Rat look (yes that Jacket's mine and I do wear it on occasion, mainly when I want to throw some bows in the club or do a little gambling in Atlantic city)

and then here's me as an iPod dancer. . . . . do you get it?

A close up to prove it's actually me!

Let me tell ya this was not the most dance friendly costume!

Here are some winning looks from that party I quite enjoyed!

This chick is Amy Winehouse. . . complete with accurate Tattoos! (This was my favorite!)

Michael Phelps and his washboard Tummy stopped by!

Are you drooling or what!!!!

Here's one of Michelle's old homies, for a second I thought that was Gene Simmons but upon further observation I realized that is not the case!

That night was super fun, Michelle and I had a great time, dancing, drinking from her pimp cup, and repairing my costume every 15 minutes!. . . . but seriously E-Town knows how to party!

Sunday and Monday I got some help from the friendlies. These Guys let me dress them up so I could take pictures for my PowerPoint.

Here's Kent Law and Rhoan Ashby as Rock Stars. . . . straight out of Guitar Hero!

You know I had to make use of my Clock Medallion, so Here's Meredith Ottley and I as Old School Rappers!

Here's Andrew Hyer making a way better Pirate face then me!

SHHHH Nette's Sleeping. . . . Sleeping Beauty to be exact!

Here's jessica as a Hula Girl

These are my favorite. . . Why? Because Gwen always Committs!

Here she is doing the Maniac

This is my favorite excercise!

I would definatley take aerobics from Gwen!

Here she is as the classic Prom Queen!

And here is miss Rhen Ashby as a Diva and or Dolly Parton!

This is us posing in the ASB Office all together. . . aren't we fabulous!

Here's some girls from my speech class I suckered into dressing up as well!

All in all the speech was a big hit! I was even told one of my classmates used my ideas for her Boyfriend! The fun doesn't stop here people! That was just Tuesday. Thursday was the dance for the students at Big Bend! And even though my Mom actually did make me a Mermaid Costume! (Yeah dreams do come true) I'm not one to repeat stuff. . . . .that's no fun!

Here's Thursdays Costume of choice and probably my most favorite!

I decided I was a 60's flight attendant! I also have come to the conclusion that I was drag queen in a former life! Because I love wigs heavy make-up, eyelashes and over the top outfits. . . . like A LOT!!!!

This is Rhen and I with a little cape action (pretty sweet huh?0. . . I helped Rhen do her make- up and hair!

This is Devon Peterson, Natalie Lindley, and Brady Coulston. Devon is a soccer reff, and Natalie and Brady (who are engaged mind you!) Are Napolean Dynamite and Debb

Here's our fearless leaders! Karen (the Pumpkin) and Kim (The M&M)


This is Rhen with some of our ASB programmers. You've seen Andrew and that clock before, Then's it's Jeff Ranstrom as a viking, Rhen, and Virginia Valdez as a flower Child.

These are some of the running start girls! I was impressed with their get ups! Especially the Sailor girl! SOOOOOO Cute!

Isabel pictured in the middle here is my english and math buddy. She didn't have a costume so i hooked her up! She was supposed to be a pirate, but she's a gypsy instead!

Ok so let me just apologize for my friends here, apparently none of them knew about the big hubbabalooh that happened when Ted Dansen rocked the black face at Whoopi Goldberg's Friar Roast. I don't think people realize in my small little town, that some could take that as kind of offensive! I certainly hope none of you feel like that, My friend Ben here actually won twice with his little jamiacan number and he's pictured here with his Broseph Josh as a chick magnet (Homemade mind you!)




Some of our Basket ball Girls. I don't know what Katie Poston's supposed to be, but Brenna is SuperWoman, and Tianna is Department of Corrections. . . I think! Nice work Ladies!

Speaking of Basketball. . . . Heres' Angela Fales and Josh Shoumann as. . . . themselves????

Elliott a BBCC Alumni came as a Deviled Egg and next to me is Whitney Smith as a Go-Go Girl! Of course you already know Andrew and Brady

Ok Folks that night was super awesome as well, now on to the big show! This year we rocked the house at Time-out Pizza in Othello. Lynette and I supplied some tunes and get this people actually danced!!!!! I know right? Needless to say I was thrilled. You wanna know something I wasn't thrilled about though. the way my mermaid costume turned out in these pictures. . . . i think it was much better in person. . . . I hope anyway! But mad props to the Mommala for slaving away for two hours making the skirt for me! You are the best!

Here's is Nette and I The Mermaid and teh Bar Wench!

Nette Nette makes a pretty fly Bar Maid!

You know who else is fly Gwenny and Meredith! I wish you could see the details in these costumes!!!! AWESOME!!!

Kent as Mr. Rodgers showing us all how to lean like a Cholo!

Whitney looking tough in her Biker Girl Outfit!

Sochi Rodriguez Pictured here on the left was one of my favorites of the night, she had little woodland nympg ears and she had pieced this outfit together herself. . . including the wings! It was awesome!

Pictured here is Dereck as a Cholo (i think) Chelsea Herd as a lovely Purple Witch, and Bailey who was a bag of Peas, but people didn't handle her with care and so she had to remove it before she pea'd all over everything. . . . ha hahah h aha ha a ZINGER!

And of course here's Bishop Merral. . . . doing the jailhouse rock! (this was the end of the night, i think he was pretty tired!)

I'm truly sorry I do not have a shot of Ellerey and Elicia Ena because they where dressed up in the whole Mexican Mariachi garb complete with thick black mustache's! They where brilliant!

That night was fun! It started off pretty rocky and I really missed getting ready with my girls, that was the only downside! But it turned out way better then i expected! The whole week did actually, and it is definately a Halloween to remember!

Until next time!

Peace!

"On With the dance! let joy be unconfined; No sleep till morn, when Youth and Pleasure meet to chase the glowing hours with flying feet- George Gordon

High school times have been on my mind a lot lately, mainly because all my classes have high school students in the running start program in them and all my old High School buddies keep growing up and making adult decisions like marriage, children, and buying their own homes. Which makes me think "remember how not that long ago the biggest decision we had to make was more like what the heck am I gonna wear to Homecoming!"

Speaking of Homecoming, that is another thing that sparked my trip down memory lane. Our High School here in Moses had their Homecoming game and dance the beginning of this month and it reminded me of how I really lucked out, because all my Major High School experiences have been awesome! Today I've decided to share with you some of my dance photographs. Unlike my current dating life which consists of no boys asking me out, I got asked to all the dances I was eligible for (everyone after I turned 16) I never had a horrible dress or hair do that I hated, and I even won a crown or two while I was at it, so unlike my posting of my school pictures and stuff. There's almost nothing awkward to see hear, unless you don't like my outfit, then that could be uncomfortable!









SO here goes. . . . . .





























I turned 16 in December, which meant I was old enough to go to the Sweetheart's dance that winter, February 2000 to be exact! A lot of my friends started to get asked, and I was a little nervous no one was gonna ask me, then one Saturday I got invited to two parties. One by my buddy Karen Eide and another by Steven Butterfield. I got invited to Karen's party first, and had decided to go to that one when I received a call from Steven asking if I was gonna be at his house that night, I told him I wasn't gonna be able make it, and when my Mom overheard me say that, She promptly scolded me after I hung up with him, for turning down an invite when the boy actually called to see if I was gonna be there. She then made me call him back and say I changed my mind.









Well she must have had some kind of motherly premonition because turns out Steven and his best buddy Zach Eager intended on asking Brigette Peterson and I to Sweetheart's that night. They dressed up like Superhero's and gave each of us a bag of Sweetheart candies. Needless to say I was pretty grateful My Mom made me go. Because I had a blast!

Oh and another thing because I was always looking for attention back then, I found some leopard print slippers at Gottschaulks and decided to wear those to the dance instead of normal shoes (Another thing my Mother was not crazy about, but this time did not get her way), it made for a pretty sweet picture if I do say so myself. . . . .

I forgot to mention all these pictures are scanned from my scrapbook of them, hence the stickers and the crazy backgrounds!

Here's our whole group! Hey Dee. . . . .remember how you and I had the same material for our dresses. . . . .what are the chances?









Ok so pictured below back row is Zach Eager, Mark Butterfield, My Date Steven Butterfield, David Jones, Michael Hogsett, David Fackrell, and Commie Kevin (I'm not sure I've ever known his last name) 2nd row Brigette Peterson, Melanie Grant, Me, Dee Anne Green (Mecham), and Laska King. The last two in the front row are Crystal Rodebeck ( Bruce) and Lisa Hesse.

Homecoming my Junior year I went with Michael Duvall. He called me up one night and asked me to go. . . . . nothing fancy just cut right to the chase. Then one day Kyle Jackson and i where talking and he wasn't sure who to ask, so I told him he should ask Erin Caraway (Lawson) and right then and there (we where in the HS parking lot) he spotted, her ran up, fell to his knees and asked her to the dance. . . . that's Kyle for you!

I was excited he listened to me,because then Erin and I where in the same group and she was one of my best good friends! Kyle's Mom suggested we make masks because it was a Mardi Gras theme, so Erin and I had craft time at the Jackson's house and came up with these gems. I still have mine. . . . thank you!

This is like the sterotypical dance picture poise!

Apparently I couldn't get enough of Kyle because I then asked him to Sadie Hawkins! Probably because I knew he wouldn't say no! That was a super fun night, we planned an amazing Italian Dinner at Katie Jenson's (Reece) parents business. Ahh Homestead Gardens. . . . .so many memories! We decorated the place the night before and had a sleepover in the loft upstairs. That night after an amazing picture scavenger hunt we had dinner by candlelight while we sat on pillows at a lowered table! After the dance we went to my house and attempted to watch a movie. . . . I wish I remembered what it was. . . . anyway funnest dance ever!

Pictured here in the back David Price, Me, Kyle, and Danny Payne. Dee Marlette is somewhere in the middle there and then Callie Lybbert, Lena Campbell (Gilbert) and then Katie!

Here's a fun fact apparently my Mother's first Boyfriend was Leon Baker, and my Mom has always had a special place in her heart for him, His son James and I where a year apart and did a lot of stuff in High School together, and My Mother always wanted me to marry him. (He just had a baby with his wife 3 weeks ago, so that's a dream that probably won't come true) But he did ask me to Sweetheart's my Junior year, and boy was my mom excited!

Here's the couple shot of James and I. . . . man he hasn't changed a bit!

Yep. . . . .that's the same kid!!!!!! Awe Jamesy!

Here is our group photo the Boys in the back are James, Matt Pryor, and Dee Marlatte and then of course the ladies are Me, Lisa Winterton (Don't know her married name come to think of it) and Alisha Lancaster. That night we ate at JonathInns, which was actually where I worked at the time.

I can't remember if I've mentioned it before, but I was Homecoming Queen my Senior year, something I'm still a little puzzled how I actually ended up getting. I always considered myself a middle class citizen as far High School social classes go, and so actually getting nominated was a pretty crazy thing, almost dream like really. If any of you saw that horrible made for TV movie Niki Blonsky did for Lifetime called "Queen Sized", about the fat girl that wins homecoming queen, I'm pretty sure they patterned that after my life.

I've got a couple theories on how I won; it was either due to the fact that the other 4 candidates where the pretty popular girls that where all in the same friendship circle, so all loyalty votes had to be split, or Ivan Craddock, My Homecoming King stuffed the ballot box, which he had been known to do because that's precisely what he got caught doing when he ran for Senior Class President. Who knows, what I do know is, I got to wear a crown and cape and use my pageant wave I'd practiced for so long as a little girl, dreaming for the day I'd get to show it off! So there!

Another funny story is. . . . . I didn't have a date until like 3 days before the dance. I even got so desperate that I actually asked two different dudes. . . . which is something I DO NOT DO! Finally My good buddy Nathan Brown called me up and asked me, man was that a relief! We doubled with Calvin Stoker (Gwenny's Brother) and his date Ilene.

Here's our group shot! Yeah!!!

I would like to say I thought of this idea, but it was all the photographers, still pretty funny!

Sadie Hawkins my Senior Year was much like the Junior year in that it was super RAD!!! We ate Mexican food with Chop Sticks and we did this amazing video Scavenger hunt (Video this time not picture) and my most favorite memory was when we had to go to a drive in and either order something that wasn't on the menu or sing a Christmas Carol, I guess everyone doing the hunt had decided to hit up Jack in the Box for their drive-in, so by the time our group got there, they had apparently had enough and sent the manager out to give us a stern talking too! Before the manager showed up though we should have known something was up because everyone inside the restaurant was staring at us, apparently the intercom was loud enough for them all to hear us singing, "It's beginning to look alot like Christmas". We know this because miss manager mentioned something about it in her tyraid! Ryan Schmidt was my date that night, He was my Theatre BFF we did a lot of plays together and stuff and he was like the funniest kid ever in the world! He did a pretty sweet impersonation of that Jack in the box lady that yelled at us, and I remember laughing so hard that night especially when we re-lived the moment! Lena you remember how funny that was, right?

Here's our shots from that night!

Yes that's Gary Coleman on my shirt!

I know his sign and his colors are pretty contradicting, i should have warned him!

Nothing like a little role reversal!

Ok this might be slightly complicated! Starting from left in the back there is Callie Lybbert again and Ty Winder, then of course Me and Ryan, and then Katie once more with Roger Mar, Then You've got Brigette, Crystal Montoya (Harris) and Brandon Earl next to Lena and of course Theryn Herd. Jared Stones is holding the front row down!

Probably my most favorite date to a dance was Isaac Earl, we where in choir together and that kid made me laugh sooooooo much! It was funny because he asked me when he was dating Ashley Waites (Mar) at the time, I forgot why she couldn't go. . . . .Ashley if your reading this you should tell me if you remember. Anyway it worked to my favor because I got to go with one of my favorite people and it was just chill. To ask me, He left a note in my room that said "I'll wear Pants to the dance you can wear a dress. . . . .Will you go to Sweetheart's with me? Isaac Ken Earl PS Sorry I'm not that creative"! I thought that was pretty funny! Although I have to admit, i was super embarrassed he left it in my room, because my room was always pathetically messy. . . I mean not just a few things out of place messy, more like If people didn't know better they'd think I just got robbed. but oh well. . . . all water under the bridge it was a great night with a great dress and a great date!

Lastly there's Prom, Oh Ron Weaver! I think it was quite fitting Ron asked me to Prom. It was a bit of a pre-cursor to what my life would be like a few years later. He had supposedly liked me in high School, but he came out of the closet a few years after we graduated, so I think it was more he wanted to be me then be "with" me! Anywho, We did the Musical; Cinderella that year and after one of our performances some of us where at Shari's and Ron came in all tied up in ribbon and a sign that said "I'd be all wrapped up if you'd go to Prom with me?" or something like that! You gotta give the guy props for going out in public like that!

Anyway Prom was interesting, food was good we ate at Kiyoji's, and we doubled with Lance Garza and Amanda Yates. we where all Choir Buddies. That's about all I can say about Prom, Danny Payne and I where nominated for Prom King and Queen, but Stephanie Pimentale and Tony Lopez won, and my group left the dance early and went to Shari's where Ivan joined us, then I was Home by midnight. No crazy parties, stories, or Hotel room trysts! This is probably the most borring dance to report, sorry!

Is it just me or do I look totally jazzed to be in this picture!

True Story I'm wearing the same jewelry My sister did when she went to Prom.

I think I forgot to mention that my Mommalla made all my dresses. . . . every last one! Some of which she was sewing a few hours before my date showed up, but boy was I grateful for a Mother that sewed! It made dress shopping way more awesome and not so depressing!

So there you have it, thanks once again for joining me on the memory train! Thanks for sticking this one out! Maybe if your good I might post some of my pictures from my dance recitals as a kid. . . . .those are especially delightful!

Peace!

It's official, I've been back to school for a month now after my 2 year sabbatical, and let me tell you, it has not been as bad as I thought it was gonna be. I'm actually really enjoying myself and I feel really great about the direction my life is going!





The ASB had an opening for a Secretary and I go to church with everyone on the council, so it's safe to say I had a little bit of an "in", but out of 18 candidates I got the job, and I am an official member of the ASB as witnessed by my portrait on the poster, and my name tag.

















I'm learning a ton at school right now, here's a few things I've discovered. . . . . . .





1st things first I have decided that as far as my learning style goes 3rd times a charm. I have taken Pre-Algebra 3 times over the last decade and I'm now finally really understanding and actually liking the material! I got an A on my first math test this quarter, a feet I have not accomplished . . . um . . . . .ever! Also this is technically my 3rd year of college counting my time at byu-i, and this third time around I think I must have matured some because I'm actually doing my Homework and making it a priority and not totally putting it off to the last minute like normal. And when pondering my life I realized I had to take the written driving test three times before I passed it, and when I was in dance I didn't pick up the routine on the first try, I usually had it down by the 2nd or 3rd explanation. I guess that makes me kinda slow, but better late then never I always say!



2nd- All Woman over the age of 40 that go back to school use a rollie backpack! Upon discussing school supplies with my Mommala, it was suggested by her that I get a back pack that rolls. Well I promptly but the Kibosh on that idea because it was my understanding that packs of that nature are reserved strictly for Woman of a certain age, and I promptly informed my Mother I am not old enough for a rollie backpack. And sure enough I get to school and every "almost" middle aged Woman I saw had a pack on wheels! Literally, every single one I've come across! So HA! I was right!

and

3rd- Chris Rock once said "That's why they call it a Community College, because Anybody from the community can go!" And boy is that ever a literal statement. I can't believe the diversity I see in all of my classes. We got 16-17 yr. olds sitting next to the middle aged rollie pack crew, I got a velour track suit wearing, Louis Vatton bag sporting, latte every morning, and note typer on her mac lady, that sits next to the slightly creepy lumberjack looking boy with a WWJD baseball hat. I got Basketball players in the same group as "Don't Speak much English" Ukrainian Housewives. Boys with baggy Pants next to woman in Mom jeans, it's such an odd mixture of people! Completely fascinating, and it just goes to show, people from different backgrounds can unify when they have one common goal.


Things are great at the Radio Station a few weeks ago I got to fill in for Butch Bear's news hour for like a week and a half, and I got some pretty good feedback. I also got some should I say constructive criticism from a few people. Which leads me to something else I've learned, this being outside of school. Every one's a Critic! I came into class and this kind of crazy guy who's in the flight program at BBCC tells me he heard me on the radio and told me I sounded a little mono-tone when reading a story about a drive by shooting we had the previous week, and informed me I needed a little more emotion! And I was just like who is this guy???? Even if I did sound monotone who made him my radio coach. . . . .right? Anyway, then I went to Walmart one day and waved to this gentlemen I know from Church and the first thing he says to me is "I heard you on the radio. . . . you need to relax!" Apparently he thinks I sound good, but I'm reading too fast and I need to sit back and enjoy it. Now I'm all for critique's I don't expect to be perfect I made a ton of mistakes and flub ups, and I'm sure people will form opinions about my performance, I judge what I hear on the radio all the time, but really the only criticisms I take seriously right now are the ones from my trainer and Boss, because I know for sure they know what they're talking about, and also it's their job. I should probably get used to it, because I guess it seems pretty normal that once you put any kind of work out there for people to see or hear, it gets picked apart. I guess I'm learning to take the rough with the smooth.

In happier news Angie had her baby (did that go by fast for anyone else?) and I became a Quasi-Aunt (Auntie Em to be exact)! HOORAY!!!!!!!!

This is little Qiana Tamara Bates aka Qi Qi, or QT as I will call her! Yeah she's kind of a big deal! She's like pretty much the cutest thing ever, and I can't wait to teach her all about useless things she'll never really need know!

I love that even after giving birth Angie's still got a sense of humor!

Also I am currently house sitting for some people I house sat for almost 2 years ago. They have this super nice house on the golf course, My Dad dubbed it "The Castle" They are in Italy for 3 weeks and are paying me to eat their food, sleep in their big comfy bed, and occasionally feed their cat Charlie (he's got a pretty big dish, I don't have to fill it very often!)

Charlie is pictured here and he's pretty much my new best friend!

SO yeah things are good, I'm learning, lounging, and lovin' life!

Until next time. . . . . Peace Out!!!!!!

"The shoe that fits one person pinches another; there is no recipe for living that suits all cases.”- Carl Gustav Jung

So, things have been CRAZZZZYYYY lately! I apologize for my lack of blogging, but I just couldn't seem to find the time. More explanations to follow for my busy schedule, but for now a little idea I took from Tameka's blog a few weeks ago. . . . .

EMILY'S TOP 10 FAVORITE SHOES

1.

I have my employment with Payless to thank for a large portion of these selections. These first little numbers are red suede and they sold out within a week when we first got them in. They are horribly uncomfortable, but they look amazing on!

2.

These Teal Green Pointy Toe heels are another example of "Pain is Beauty"! I really like to torture myself, because I have these in Fuschia, and might go back for the purple if they're still in stalk! My favorite part is the little bows in back!

Side Note: Don't mind the heel grips on the inside of these first two pairs, I know it looks pretty tacky, but it was slightly unavoidable!

3.

My friends make fun of me because these look like little kid shoes, but I don't care because I think they are adorable! And I'm pretty sure they all know I have growing up issues anyway, so is it really that big of a shock?

4.

When I worked at the Payless in Idaho Falls, we got these in just as the furry boot craze was starting to take flight a few years ago, and because our area is always the last to get hit with anything trendy, I was pretty shocked these even got sent our way! Also shocking. . . . . the price tag! They wanted $35 dollars for those babies and in payless money that's like spending $200! At a time when the most expensive woman shoe was $19.99 and $35 dollars was like grocery's for a month, I was thinkin' ain't no way anybody would buy those, not to mention the fact that they looked like somebody skinned a muppet baby to make them. Needless to say I was right about the price. It took them two weeks and they went on sale, they where a clearance item in no time, and I snatched them up with my Payless bucks after they where marked down to $10 and essentially got them for free. I use them now when I want to get a good laugh, because those boots combined with these legs and it just screams comedy!

5.

Ok so one day I was working at the Down East Outfitter Kiosk in the Grand Teton Mall, and I was bored so I was thumbing through a People Magazine and I noticed Sienna Miller wearing a pair of knit boots, and I seriously thought they where the cutest things I've ever seen. I was checking it out further and found out her paticular pair cost like $250! Then a couple days later, I was walking past a store called Vanity on my lunch break and I came across these gems on the clearance table! Well due to my ridiculously large calfs and double wide feet, and meaning as the store catered to strictly the skinny and hungry, I thought no way these will fit, but did I try them on anyway. . . yep sure did. It must have been fate because they fit perfectly and have been keeping my feet warm every winter since! Bonus: they where $5 bucks. . . . dreams do come true!

6.

Yet another pair of little kid shoes, but these have music notes and guitars! Have you ever seen anything cuter??? and the inside is piano keys! Sent from shoe heaven!

7.

These are my favorite souvenir from San Fran! I got these in ChinaTown! They always come un buckled and they make my feet stink something awful, but I love them!

8.

If I could wear these everyday, please believe I totally would, they are by far the most comfortable Heel I've ever owned, plus they gotta huge boy on them that's adorable! I payed full price for these and have never looked back!

9.

I call these my "stunna shoes". I originally bought them for a Halloween costume but have continued to wear them whenever I need some attention. I won SpringFest Idol in these shoes, so you could also say they are pretty lucky!

Lastly. . . . .

10.

I have loved animal print since middle school, it's kind of my thing, If I had to pick a favorite color, I wish it could be this! 2nd to the brown pair these shoes are pretty comfortable too! They also grab attention, when I wear them to church boys even comment on them! I picked these as my number one choice because they embody everything I love about shoes!

That's all folks! Until next time. . . .Peace Out!