Do yourself a favor.

Watch this.



And then watch part two. And then part three.

Amazing.

Dear School...

Please don't kill me. I know you haven't in the past, and I really should trust you, but sometimes I'm unsure. I think we can both manage to be civil. I promise you, Imma try real hard to do well and actually learn stuff. Please just let me get some sleep and some good test scores...and maybe send me a few friends? I'd reeeeeeally appreciate that. I believe in teamwork, pal. Together, we can rock this.

Thanks, sincerely yours, yada yada,

Kelsey

Oh, one last request? Leave me a parking spot tomorrow morning? And when it starts to get cold, please don't make the stairs icy. You know I gotta hike up and down those real fast, and we don't need any injuries/fatalities. Kthanks.

Aaaaand one more. Please get rid of that preachy guy by the statue. I don't believe in yelling about the bible...and I'd really hate to accidentally yell at him. So let's work on that. Kthanksbye.

Where has the summer gone?

I could tell you...but there aren't enough words. How about pictures instead?

A little venture to Paris while chilling in BL

He Is We concert

Have you ever toured the conference center? Go! Right now!

Hiking with Bailey...before she moved to Logan...

Sometimes your BFF goes chalk-crazy on your driveway...

Me and Buddy at City Creek for my birthday! (The Big 19...)

We do love a parade...

And we love fireworks!

This is how we rode trip. BL round 2!

This...needs no description.

 

Of course I spent a week in Cedar City and didn't take any pictures. But. It was a blast! I've never seen so many amazing shows in my life. If you ever get the chance, just go. It's phenomenal. Also, if you ever have the opportunity to see Titus Andronicus? Do it. It's my new favorite Shakespeare play. Just. Go.

...and all that jazz...

Top of the Rock

Ricky Martin? Sick? Sure he was...

Arise and seize the men....day....

Hey there, Naked Cowboy...

So...I think that sums it up rather nicely. Throw in a picture of my bed and my office and it's complete.

And where will I be for the next two weeks?

Okay...not actually in London, still in my bed. But. Summer Olympics are the bomb.com. So...I'll see you in two.

you've got mail.

Nora Ephron passed away on Tuesday. What a genius woman. Sleepless in Seattle, Julie & Julia, and of course, my favorite, You've Got Mail. I can think of no better way to honor her than with a movie night.

And with that, I now sit the floor, staring at Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks, creating a beautiful story. 

And maybe I'm quoting almost every line along with them.

Never mind the fact that I have to be up in five hours. There are more important things to be done.

Question: why haven't I seen When Harry Met Sally?? I feel like that might be a sin...and something to change in the next week of my life.

Also, sometimes my mom makes a face that reminds me of Meg Ryan. Maybe that's why I like this movie. That, or its charming story line and dialogue. Either way.

My head is starting to get fuzzy...

Sometimes you have a bad day.

Sometimes Mondays just suck. Eloquent, I know. But it's true.
So. Sometimes you gotta fix that.
So you text your best friend, who helps you justify every emotion and frustration you felt throughout the day and offers to bring you candy.

Then you drive around and listen to Daniel Powter. That's right, "Bad Day." Going for a cliche, folks.
Then you read this talk. And then watch this video. And maybe you cry your eyes out and it's fine.
Then you watch Friends and then you go to sleep. 
Because "a good laugh and a long sleep are the two best cures for anything."
And that is how it's done.

nursing 101...a day of rest?

Today was fun...? Susan's first full day at home...some lessons learned:

--4 visitors before noon? Too many. Any visitors at all?...might be too many.
--There are many uses for squirt bottles...
--Having somebody feed you isn't as bad as it would seem...
--Too bad you have to break both your arms to get new jammies.
--What do people without families do??
--Free books on the iPad--winning.
--You don't have to put on make-up if you're not going anywhere.

I forgot my camera cord or else I'd share some sweet pictures of Susan's wrapped-up forearms and purple thumbs...or maybe you're not missing out on much.

nursing 101

I'm starting a mini-series. We could call this a lot of things. How to cope with an ailing grandmother. What to do when a senior citizen climbs on a counter and falls to the demise of both her wrists. Rest Home Prep.
But for now, we'll call it Nursing 101.

On Friday afternoon, Gramma Susan was cleaning out cupboards at school. When her step ladder wasn't tall enough to reach the high shelves, she stepped onto the counter. Whether she stepped back or slipped on papers, no one actually knows, but she went down and fell straight on her hands. She somehow got herself up and made her way to the faculty room to find people before she zoned out for a minute. After an ambulance ride and a few hours in the ER, she had a two-hour surgery to get some plates and screws placed in her wrists. She didn't get much sleep in the hospital, so she did everything she could to get outta there by 8:30 am. She's so very happy to be home, even if we can't leave her alone for a week or two. As we all embark on this fun little adventure, she and I figured we better document since she can't write anything down...(not like she keeps a journal anyway...)

As neither of us have had much sleep in the past couple days, we're going to bed now. Hopefully, if we haven't killed each other by the end of each day, we'll share a few lessons learned. For now, Susan would like to add a poem:

Scratching itches, straightening britches, sleeping on the floor
I have to do all these things til I can't anymore
Just a little old lady with a couple broken arms
We're trying to keep her from the funny farm

...she gets real funny when she's taking meds. This week is going to be an interesting one.

Friends (the TV show and the people)

So...I accidentally went to Walmart last week? I just needed one movie, one five-dollar movie. But...like that was going to happen. Thirty-five dollars later, I had three movies and the first season of Friends...oops? Naturally, I've spent almost every evening since then watching Friends and laughing my guts out. It's one of my favorite shows EVER. Dear friends, come watch Friends with me.

Also, dear friends, thank you. I had such a great day today, and it was because of you. So many of you. Mom, Sarah, Micaille, Bonnie, Becca, Liz, Kate, other Kait, Manda, Liv, Tessa, Bekah, Em, ALL OF YOU. I am the person I am because of my friends. I'm so grateful to be surrounded by such amazing people. I don't know what I'd do without you. ALL OF YOU. Thank you, friends.

STOP IT.

Remember President Uchtdorf's talk? And how great it was? I do. It was great.

But.

I think I know where he got the idea.

help wanted.

Now hiring a guidance counselor for my life. I'm looking for a new job, money for school, perhaps a new career plan, and apparently new teeth, since mine have cavities. Advice and monetary donations gladly accepted.

paris

Paris. It's on my bucket list. Three times.



Il faut aller à Paris au moins trois fois. Une fois quand on est jeune, une fois quand on est amoreux, et une fois quand on a de l'argent et qu'on peut vraiment vivre bien.

Somedays I just want to go. Go to Paris. One way ticket. How beautiful would that be? So very.
Also, it would cost a semester of tuition. One way. But still, a girl can dream.

Sometimes when I imagine Paris, this is what I see. This, and Audrey Hepburn.
Please do yourself a favor: go watch Paris When It Sizzles. Wait, let me rephrase. Come watch Paris When It Sizzles with me. Fantastic film.

Micaille and I are planning our 20-day Europe trip. Six days in Paris, five in Italy, and six in Greece. It's only going to be the greatest three weeks of my life. Let's go. Now.

lovely

I loved today. 

I (kind of) love Accounting. I may hate school, but Accounting and I? We're friends. I love that it makes sense to me. I love that I enjoy studying it and do well in that class. I love that, although it may not stick, it's given me a temporary plan for my life. 

I love my friends. I love we can stay close, even if we're hours apart. I love that some of my best friends are over twenty years older than I am. I love that some of them are years younger than me and haven't moved off to school without me. I just love spending time with all of these amazing people that surround me. Hugs to you all!

I love the gospel. I love the joy it brings to my life. I love the way I feel when I study it or get to listen as people  share it and bear their testimonies. I loved the discussion I had with my home teachers today, and I love how excited we get for General Conference. I love that we have the opportunity to hear from our living prophet and his apostles. I love the gospel, and I love that I can say that I know the church is true.

second spring break...

...you know, like second breakfast? And quite honestly, second spring break was better than first spring break.  As much as I love babysitting...I love not babysitting even more.

*Dear reader: this post may contain rambling. And might be boring. I'm not telling you to not read it. I'm just warning you.*

As much as I don't like school right now, I do believe getting an education is valuable, and I'm hoping that it will benefit me at some point in my life... Anyway, I think education is important, but I also believe in doing what makes you happy. So...maybe I took a day off school and just took a break. And honestly, last week was amazing. Besides the big things, like the Kelly Clarkson concert, Beauty and the Beast, and the midnight premier of The Hunger Games, I just did what I wanted. I slept in a little, read a lot, went shopping with my mom, played with friends, and just had a great time. Not to mention, the weather was fantastic all week long! It was super great. I believe in ditching school, I really do.

Of course a second spring break has to be followed up by a fabulous weekend! I actually spent Friday night doing homework...but I guess that just helped to make Saturday and today even better. Saturday brought an amazing Relief Society program that has left me with Hilary Weeks stuck in my head for two days and a great desire to read Daughters in My Kingdom. The beautiful weather then took me to my porch for some homework and a music-listening party. That, of course, led to a Diet Coke drive with the windows down, then an hour of intense piano playing. Topped off with another round of Hunger Games and ice cream, Saturday was completely great.

I love when greatness carries over from day to day. Choir practice? Great. Church? Great. Family BBQ? Always great. Then I found a spider in my room...that wasn't great. But I digress. Julia Hunt invited me over for group scripture study, and I think that was my favorite two hours of the day. We read the first seven chapters of Moroni and it was absolutely amazing. It's not often that I really study my scriptures like that, and it was so great to be able to discuss them and look at them in different ways. It was just a really great way to end the weekend.

Well...I guess it isn't over yet. I'm watching The Sound of Music. Because Julie Andrews is my hero and it just fits in with this perfect weekend.

Thanks for reading that. As a reward, here's a little gem for you:

No words. None at all.

spring break, part 1

You know how in movies and Gilmore Girls, all the college kids go to Florida or somethin and party real hard for a week? Well, I asked my parents about that a couple weeks ago. They said that wasn't real....bummer. Instead, I'm out here in Salt Lake babysitting while my aunt and uncle are in Mexico. Wha?? Yeah, MEXICO. And here I am...hiding from Lydia and really wishing I could go back to sleep.

I mean, really, I love the children. But sometimes...sometimes I have to put myself on time-out so I don't scream or hit them. When Will started crying last night because the pizza only had cheese on it. Or when Lydia cried because I walked up the stairs before her. Sensitive little children, these are.

Preschool and elementary school are such blessings. Get the kids to go do something else for a few hours, it's just delightful.

I hope I don't get in trouble for letting them watch so many movies. I just figure they should be able to party while their parents are gone...and so should I, because it's my spring break.

Early bedtime? Also beautiful. But it does back fire, right around 6:45 each morning. UGH. I don't even get up that early for school on a good day. (Okay, I do, but oh so unwillingly.) At least the boy knows how to make his own peanut butter toast.

The parents will be home in 13 hours. Maybe Lydia and I will make a paper chain and count down the hours. That'll at least give us something to do.

Thanks to my mini road trip to Rexburg last weekend (hey there Idahoes!), I haven't slept in my own bed since Thursday night. I really miss it. Really really really. I'm so excited, I could cry.

I feel like just babysitting for spring break would not be showing my gratitude for this beautiful week off we've been given. So, for part 2 of this break, besides a little working, I've got Zumba, yogo with my girl RyLeigh, a tea party, gelato with my pals, lunch with my SCSFBFFFEWC, dinner and a show with PJ and Shoes, a potential IKEA trip, and maybe even another high school musical. Gotta pack it all in, right? RIGHT.

On another note, today is Pi Day. Not pie, but 3.14. Ya know, math stuff. But...we could still celebrate by eating pie, yeah? Yeeeeeeah :)

dear world...

Dear gym,
Can't we all just get along?
Sincerely,
Every muscle in my body.

Dear teachers,
I assume the reason you're all giving tests this weekend is because we students won't remember anything when we come back from spring break. Well I guess the joke is on you, because I've already forgotten everything and school doesn't get out until Friday. Ha!
Sincerely,
Exam-buried college student

Dear Joseph Kony,
You're a mean guy. In the words of my buddy Antoine Dodson, "you don't have to come and confess, we're looking for you and we gonna find you."
Sincerely,
(just about) Everyone on Facebook

a hate-hate relationship

College and I aren't getting along too well as of late. It certainly isn't for lack of trying. Well, it wasn't. I tried, I really did. But now...I just don't love it. So I kinda don't do my homework and sometimes I don't go to class and WHATEVER. Isn't that what college is? Not actually going to class? Just humor me and say yes. Thanks.

I have a professor from hell (sorry) and her awfulness is kind of making me want to drop out right now. At first, she was hilarious and fun and I was really excited for the class. But now, she doesn't give any criteria for the papers and takes away points for dumb things. Seriously, I misspelled one word and lost four points. She's from Spain, she doesn't even speak English! And, I'm sorry, but I didn't sign up for discussing feminism and rape and sexual abuse for three hours a week. I'm just really not sure why this woman is still allowed to teach. Oh hey, let's watch an R-rated movie in class. Because that for sure is my idea of a good time. Seriously!! The woman is ridiculous. This class should be zero stress, and it's been driving me UP THE WALL for weeks. I would drop out in two seconds if it wasn't giving me six credits. Dang college.

This all has caused me to eat cookies and watch movies instead of doing my stats homework. Too stressed to focus. I think there's something wrong with this picture? But I'm too out of it to decide what that would be.

Okay. Sorry for being a downer. I'll tell you a joke to make up for it!

There was a plain Cheerio who loved a frosted Cheerio, but the frosted Cheerio wouldn't marry it (do cheerios have genders? Whatever.) because it wasn't frosted. So the plain Cheerio got frosted and the two Cheerios married. At the reception, a Cheerio went to get a drink, but couldn't decide between milk and punch. The line for milk was long, but there was no punch line.

Haha get it?? No punch line? I guess I'm easily amused :)

Thanks for reading, friend. Any advice for putting up with crazy people would be greatly appreciated...as well as any new jokes :)

also...

Here's a little gem for ya....what can I say? I'm a sucker for cat videos.

 

It done been declared.

I miss blogging about real things. That's probably why I don't post very often? Everyone around my house is gettin kinda tired of our holiday celebrations...but it is get a new name day! My mom is Sharon, Nick is Rick, I'm Chelsey, and my dad is Daryl. (spelled like Daryl, but pronounced Da-rell...) Anyway. Good times.

But there's so much more going on in my life...or so I like to pretend. But I have fun school stories today! More like just a review of my classes, but still, cuddle up and get ready for this :)

Women's Studies--my word. I don't even know what to say...except that my teacher is on my hit list and it might be nice if there were some people who aren't quite so liberal in there with me...I think that sums it up nicely.

French--this is where I start to miss high school. While I do sit at the party table, it doesn't even compare to the Cherme and all of the fun we had out in the hall. No one could ever compare to Madame Clark or Monsieur le Prof...Quite honestly, Madame Hansen terrifies me. But it's mostly okay because she looks like Dorothy Zbornak (Bea Arthur) on Golden Girls. So.

 Madame Hansen....

...and Dorothy Zbornak...am I wrong?

My stats class...that's a party? I really do appreciate the simplicity of it in comparison to calculus. I also appreciate the fact that my teacher wore the same green and blue sweater every Wednesday for six weeks in a row. You can imagine my disappointment when he wore a black sweater last week. He always either looking at the ceiling or reading off the powerpoint slides. I generally only use this time to text Micaille. I consider it productive :)

Nutrition? Let's not even go there.

No, I changed my mind. Let's go there. I was supposed to be taking this class at the high school with Amanda and Brooke...but as there were only 8 people registered, they cancelled it. LAME. So now we're stuck doing it online...and it's zero fun. Not that I ever expected nutrition could or would be fun? But I did expect that of college...kind of a let down. Anyway, I mostly just can't wait to be done with it.

Accounting. That's mostly the reason that I decided to blog today. Because I really like Accounting. (I can't say I love it just yet, I feel like it might be a little too soon for that.) And I like it so much that I've declared it as my major. Feel free to throw confetti and party right there at your computer :) But really, it's the only one of my classes that I enjoy and that actually makes sense to me. I just really hope that I do like accounting itself, not just having Matt Mouritsen for a teacher. (But if he would just teach all of my classes that would be great!) I met with a career counselor this morning who showed me all of the classes I need to take and such...I just love having a plan! Let's hope it sticks around for just a little while.... :)

Groundhog Day!

Okay campers! Rise and shine! And don't forget your booties, because it's cold out there! It's cold out there every day. What do you think this is, Miami Beach? Not hardly.

That's right, it's Groundhog Day!

Now, in preparation for this day, we had Crepe Day Observed on Sunday, and a delicious day it was. Why not today, you might ask? Because today was our annual Groundhog Day movie and pizza party :) 

Robintino's and Bill Murray. It does not get better than this. I promise.

This movie is so dang funny. We only watch it once a year, but we really need to pull it out more often. We're basically dying over here. Want in? Come on over next February 2nd :)

PS--six more weeks of winter?? What is this?? Well, as long as it still doesn't snow and I can wear short sleeves outdoors, then I think we'll be okay :)

spunky old broads day

Freedom from car insurance would've been ideal....but I don't think our customers heard about Car Insurance day because work was very boring. But I guess I didn't mind. Being paid to play on Pinterest isn't such a rough life.

SPUNKY OLD BROADS. It's only my life goal to become one...or just a Golden Girl :)

                         

Seriously. It's my all time favorite show. Sure it's kinda dirty, and what's so exciting about four old ladies? Who even knows. I just love it. Someday...that'll be me... 

as the month's end approached...

...we got real bad at celebrating holidays. By we, I mean me. I accept full blame. Mostly because I never wanted to change the white board. But we kept on going...sorta.

We didn't have time for puzzles, but I'm pretty sure every day is Curmudgeons Day. Aaand we ate an entire bag of Fritos. So. Go team.

My mom made us appreciate bubble wrap from afar :( And then she escaped! Because apparently people can go on trips and leave their favorite daughters at home with their crazy dad and brother. Psh. Whatever.

The extent of my art inspiration was researching le Palais Garnier for French class. Paris. It's art all by itself.

So, with that, we close January. Hopefully February will bring some more fun keep not snowing too much :)

a week's worth of fun!

Sorry I'm slow...

We just have too much fun celebrating our holidays and I forget to blog about it...something like that.

I apologize for the length and excessive pictures...maybe I'll reward you with a story if you make it to the end?

Almond Roca is delicious. And SUPER EXPENSIVE. In case you weren't aware.

But...still worth it.

Allow me to quote my Aunt Alison, regarding buttercrunch:

"So, making some buttercrunch tomorrow? Whatever that is. No way it's tastier than this [in reference to our peanut butter popcorn]. Maybe it's the crunchy bits of tast that get in the butter after you rub it on your toast- straight from the fridge- cause you didn't have the foresight to bring your butter to room temperature?"

Um...sure Alison. Sure it is.

I hugged my little brother. That was weird. But it only has to happen once a year, right? :)

Oreo and I had a pretty deep Q and A session. It went something like this...

Oreo: "Can I get down?"

Me: "No, it's question time. What do you want to ask?"

Oreo: "Can I go outside?"

Me: "Nope. What else?"

Oreo: "Can I have some Greenies?"

Me: "Well...I guess...but only if you'll answer my questions after."

Oreo: "Can I get down?"

I guess this isn't much different from any other day...

Our yummy chocolate pie!! Thanks Bowmans :)

My fam wouldn't do the measurin feet thing, so I made them write "I solemnly swear I am up to no good" on a piece of paper so we can cherish our handwriting forever...or something like that :)

We tried to figure out why we appreciate beer cans. What would we put beer in without the cans? Well, bottles...cups...but I guess cans are cool. I mean really, it makes such a difference for me...whatevs.

Micaille: "Are you celebrating by being opposite of Macintosh day and PCing it up in your very own bedroom?"

...it's like she knows me or something...

This is our Mac :) Hi there Mac!

Okay...I failed. I didn't eat peanut brittle. Or discuss Australia or talk with an accent. And I don't have a spouse. So. Next up...

Chocolate cake day :) We're fans!

And you can get your very own mini cake for only 2.99 at Smiths. Not bad at all!

Oh boy, was this fun. Here's a tip: go to the party store the week between Christmas and New Years. Everything is on sale...including Christmas kazoos :)

Well congrats! You made it to the end! You're a peach :)

Hmm...a story. Well maybe you'd like to read something about school? Or maybe my love life? Oh, I think we'd all love a story about that. Unfortunately, no such thing exists.

Hmm...story...

Hows about a video instead? This is much more entertaining than a story about my life could ever be...

Remember how I said I'd vote for the Garlick guy just because his name reminded me of bread? I'd almost vote for this guy just because of this video, even if he has nothing to do with it. Do enjoy, kids.

forever in blue jeans

Say hello to fabulous popcorn. (Hello fabulous popcorn!!) We found a little treasure...this one:

YES. Reese's peanut butter popcorn. We made it. And it's DELISH. Recipe here: http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/reeses-peanut-butter-cup-popcorn/

Blue jeans. I wear them every day. I cry when they rip or wear out. They are my absolute favorites. Don't they deserve a holiday? I sure think so.

Also, Neil Diamond. Forever in Blue Jeans. Favorite song...possibly ever.

a plethora of terms

Please watch this. Right now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DW1lxwsK5_Q

Now tell me you didn't cry from laughing so hard.

Winnie the Pooh. Sigh. I love it SO much. And the newest movie is only an hour long...so maybe I watched it twice? It's certainly justified...right?

Please tell me you've read the book. I did. You can read about it...if you want...right here:

http://misskelseylyn.blogspot.com/2011/02/winnie-pooh.html