Yesterday.

Yesterday *DEC 23rd* marked 1 year since Phil popped the big Q and I said YES. December 23rd, 2008 will always be a shimmering treasure in my trove of memories. I remember the excited jitters, the Christmas magic feeling, the glittering lights(most of my favorite memories are valued by their glitter-content) and the feeling of peace I had.  Phil was probably a little more nervous, but you'll have to ask him about that.

It was the start of our crazy and endless journey.  Life hasn't stopped being life. Marriage is no magic pill... Sometimes it feels a lot like "Mr. Toads Wild Ride."  We have hard times, easy times, responsibilities, joys, tears, a lot of laughter, and buckets of love... I'm just glad it's all with PG. (I hope you readied your barf bags) 

Looking back on this year the word "growth" comes to mind. I hope we never stop growing and learning.

Tomorrow is Christmas and I turn 24. ack! I get to spend my time with my wonderful and now gigantic family, reflect on my savior and all that he did, then hope that I can do a little good myself somehow. I get to hear my niece sing "baby Jesus is coming to town," walk around the temple lights with my sisters, hear my own birth story from my momma, and hand out my ill-wrapped but nonetheless fab-tastic presents. 

I'm looking forward with open arms to another year-in-the-life complete with it's own new experiences, bright adventures, graduations, travels, family, little discoveries, and cheer. All with my sweetheart. Onward we go!

Turkey lurkey.

the mini family at the tree farm

I would like to make a boisterous Martinelli's apple cider toast to yet another fantastic Thanksgiving holiday!

Things that made Thanksgiving something to give thanks about:

Hot crusty stuffing steaming dreamy smells around TWO houses, where we ate until we couldn't see our belt buckles. That's right... two Thanksgivings I said. Two turkeys, two million rolls, too many too good things to eat.

Sleeping in a house full of babies and family and laughing and tiny feet running everywhere. 

Sleeping like a baby under the radiating heat of an electric blanket made in heaven.

Marshy green hills, beautiful homes, and streets, and trees... Danville is pleasantville this time of year.

Tour de Jim took us around J-amily history sights in the beautiful SFcity in ONE. BIG. BUS. (which we filled by the by) Phil was a hit jumping off sand dunes at the beach. The day ended with zizzling chinese food (that's what the menu said!) yummmmmm.

A starry night rendezvous to the temple to gaze at Christmas lights and then fill up on Fentons ice creamy delights with friends. Did I mention we ate through this trip?!

An OC clan traditional Christmas tree cutting. The hunt for the best piece of green and then the chopping (thanks in large part to Philip and Dad OC) while others sit munching on popcorn and giggling and debating the tree's quality, size, height, superiority to other less fabulous firs.

Shopping for Christmas and hanging with mah sistahs and momma OC... Is it just me or does Thanksgiving have a lot to with it's big sister holiday?

Watching niece Claire (and a bunch of other kids) in Alice and Wonderland. It was WONDERful. The director (mother in law PAM!) was fantastic of course.

We came. We ate. We conquered. And we'll be back for TWO WEEKS of great memories for Christmas because I am lucky and my boss is nice.

A love letter to Facebook (or) The Great Chapstick Debate.

found via chapstickweekly blog

Utah is a very very dry place. like saltine crackers... The skin on my arms is so thirsty I sometimes hear the little mouths of my pores screaming FEEEEED MEEEEE! Of course that's nothing a little lotion can't fix. On the other hand are my lips. 

My lips feel like leaves or freeze dried astronaut ice cream. They are PARCHED. I am almost convinced they're shrinking. just almost.

So I put the question up to the good ole' facebook, not thinking much of it. It was just a cry in the wilderness screamed out from two crackling lips: "help!" 

Well facebook bffs all over had something to say (did they ever). I never before knew that lip care was a heated or universal issue. I never knew that friends far and near had a girl's back when she needed some serious de-chapping. I never knew the vast spectrum of options and formulas one has when one is facing de-lipifying disasters. 

I loved it. I loved hearing every how-to and helpful hint. I felt tickled warm and fuzzy over the whole thing. I also got a big fat kick out of reading each note and in my mind hearing exactly how each person would have said their two cents face-to-face. 

So this is my ode to the F.B. and to the friends with whom it keeps me close even after years and miles. When I have a problem big or (in this case) ridiculously small, I have a band of pals to come to my rescue with sage advice. 

Below for your enjoyment is the extensive list of smoocher remedies via the world and all of its' players.

Emily Holt

burts bees is THE best.

Kelsey Jones

softlipssss!!

Kristen Marchus

Burts bees all the way! Spokane does the same thing to me!

Scott Blatter

Mix a little honey with some fish oil, laced with garlic salt. That always does the trick.

Suzie Stevenson

Nivea is fabulous. It's the same thing as La Bello in Italy.

Regina Turner

try Aquaphor-- its for dry skin but works great for lips too! its prescribed for people taking acne meds who get super dry skin :)

Lizz Hounshell

don't listen to these people. Chapstick brand. is. the. best. (cherry flavored) trust the girl who used this while skiing/snowboarding for 10 years.

Jon Allen

Burts bees is legit

Kate VandenBerghe

Softlips fo lyfeeee

Lindsay Houts

What you shouldn't do is go on a 10-day backpacking trip and think that you're using chapstick, but really it's just SPF 15 for your lips. I mean, not that I would be that foolish. Just something I heard.

Josh Clark

Burts bees. Best in the whole world

Natalia Sophia Kroll

I agree with Burts Bees! Pom one is great!

Lesley Ridge

use some good ol' vaseline at night. it helps. alot.

Ashley Hanson

my trick for idaho/utah: burts bees in the day time, vaseline mixed with neosporin at night. it's the only thing that keeps my lips on my face.

Heidi Bromley Adams

Aquaphor is the best :)

Laura June Waldron

drink lots of water and I love Aveeno Essential Moisture lip conditioner with SPF 15--You can find it at Wal Mart.

Laura June Waldron

I also suggest a trip to California!!! :) Miss you and Phil!

Andrew Peck

gross. How are things otherwise? If your lips are gone, what do you need chapstick for?

Kirsten Fosse Leonard

Gotta go with the Auquaphor...if its good enough for a baby's bottom, its good enough for chapped lips

Megan Sheppard Ray

My very favorite that i have been loving lately is Bistex, the one with spf 30, it comes in a dark green chapstick tube. You will love it!

ps. Today I'm trying Burt's Bees Pomegranate... so far so good! 

I wear scrubs to work.

Thank the heavens for friends and family.

 Here is the latest chapter in the epic that is my job travails. 

Once upon a time I had this sister-from-another-mother named Jaicy (who by the way had the most beautiful blonde-brown curl tendrils when she was a tiny tot) and this Jaicy had a job at a lovely physical therapy office in the land of lindon Utah not so far from me, and just a year ago. 

When I moved to Utah, although she no longer worked there, she asked her boss about openings (because she is abounding with kindness and thinks about others all the day long). 

Then one afternoon 2 weeks ago something magical happened... A position opened up, a meeting was had, and training began. 

I was hired!

It might seem like a small thing. It might seem like a simple thing.

But to us

It's everything our little family needed.

I'm a receptionist, and I will recept' to the fullest. I have never felt more grateful for the privilege to work. Applying for jobs beat me with the humble stick. I never before grasped the unpredictable nature of life and I never realized that things could be out of my reach and control COMPLETELY (very frightening for the consummate perfectionist). I learned a lot about the value of work, I learned a lot about the word "frugal."

 I feel like a big drowsy weight has been sloughed off my shoulders. 

My brain is finally discombobulating (oh yeah its a word and as I typed it and saw no red line appear my heart swooned) from 1.5 weeks of training, protocol, computers, and general learning.

Enough about all of that though. 

Want to hear the highlight?

 I get to wear scrubs to work. Every. Day.

a very jamaican halloween.

I enjoy a good photoshop

The tag line for the 1993 flick "Cool Runnings" reads : One dream. Four Jamaicans. 20 below zero. You may remember it as...

the film with the dreadlocked chris rock look-a-like

the disney movie wherein people drop the A word

the childhood top 10 complete with reggae beats, olympic magic, and a very large John Candy (who also starred in our family favorite Uncle Buck)

However you remember it, Cool Runnings is one of those silly, mind numbing, and joyously entertaining bits of film you are sure to watch years later and still chuckle.

That's what we did. Four friends, two couches, some pizza pockets and a dvd. It was just as funny as it was way back when... and because we loved it so much... we dedicated our halloweens to its greatness.

"Feel the rhythm, feel the rhyme, get on up it's bobsled time!"

Halloween was a trick-or-TREAT (cracking myself up here) this year. We enjoyed a wonderful party with great friends, great snacks, and great party games. Everyone was full of smiles and carefree. What a good night. In the end I was thoroughly exhausted... or maybe the spandies were cutting off circulation? you choose.

ps. My momma O'C has joined the blog world. Find her here or on the sidebar!

Birthday Mom. Phil Mom. and the Weekend.

mom and me

three things to love

1. Yesterday (Oct. 22, 2009) was my momma's birthday. Mom had me when she was 24, just one year older than me. My dad says her hands were shaking when she brought me home from the hospital. She is a constant strength and love in our family. She is a champion with kids. She gives incredible advice and listens like only a mom can (for hours on end). Family and integrity are everything to her. What an example. She's also one of the most beautiful moms around. Happy Birthday Momsie.

Are you my mother?

2. I've called Phil "mom" twice this month on accident. Someone psychoanalyze this.

3. Jim, Celia, and Paige are coming to town tonight for BYU homecoming. Rarashishkoombah I am SO excited. We're itching for some more family visitors and this weekend is sure to fit the bill. Apparently there's a parade too, and I love a parade.

These pictures polaroided on ROLLIP via cjane blog. Neat stuff huh?

Laugh it off.

applying is the new working

Have you ever applied? I have. I'm trying to be open. With zen-like openness  (ok maybe zen is a little far off) I say " I-do" to every "would you like to apply?" that's within my range. The job-hunt process is completely brain melting. It is however also highlighted by little golden treasures like these below... 

The most ridiculous questions I have had to answer. IN. MY. LIFE.

1. Have you used crack, cocaine, or any other illegal narcotics?

a. never

b. I tried once

c. in the past 6 months

d. I use them regularly

WHAT?! Who on EARTH would admit their seedy crack habit on an employment quiz? I'm imagining some toothless junkie sitting in a shanty outside of Provo... filling out the same bubbles as I am. Twinsies.

2. Are you comfortable working around fur and pet dander?

I don't even want to talk about it... I said yes.

3. What is the value of all of the material (beyond basic office supplies) you have taken from your place of employment in the past year?

a. none- not applicable

b. under 5.00

c. under 50.00

d. over 50.00

What would happen if you said D? Would they report you to the police? Pencil you in for an interview and use it as an ice-breaker?

THEN. There are the (a) strongly agree (b) agree (c) not sure (d) disagree (e) strongly disagree... Brace your face.

When people don't share my point of view I get very angry.

I get in physical fights often.

If a customer is being difficult I would tell them to go somewhere else.

I get upset and stressed easily.

I am a very emotional person.

Lying to get ahead is OK with me.

If I think someone is wrong I usually tell them.

I always put myself before others.

Who are they trying to sift out with these subtle and oh so tricky q and a's? Who are the dregs of society that say "strongly agree?" I don't know. 

But what can we do?

Just laugh it all off

and laugh hard to boot.

Baby Tara.

Tara was born when I was 7 years old.  I vividly remember sitting with her in our Toyota van, she in her car seat, me in my seat belt outside of Richard's craft store (mecca of goodness) in Alamo waiting for momma. On her first birthday in Kauai we let her face dive into a sweet funfetti sheet cake. Tara used to have the cutest blond bangs and round brassy glasses. Was it the style for your bangs to start on the very tippy top middle of your head? We all had them. Tara used to dress up as a cowgirl named "one-eye." She makes us laugh on the daily.  At the ripe old age of 7 I already wanted my own baby so she was just perfect. I used to warn her about eating the poison red berries in the backyard, walking on and off the sidewalk, turning your back to the ocean... I still call her baby Tara.

Tara Rose got to visit this passed weekend and it was a much needed visit let me tell you. 

We soaked up frosty air and rusty leaves in Sundance.  We rode the chairlift and then warmed our chilly bones with hot cocoa and big fat candy lollipops. We said hello to everyone, because everyone said hello to us. What a lovely friendly place.

We ate at CPK twice because when your with your sister you don't have to be imaginative, you just have to be full and satisfied.

We watched movies on the fold out couch. 

We watched movies in the theater (actually sisters Tara and Camille ditched us to sneak into Fame while we watched The Invention of Lying, which we left halfway and wholeheartedly disappointed).

We went to general conference at the crack of dawn on Saturday. We soaked in uplifting perspectives. We walked around enjoying the temple's hugeness and beauty. We left with many questions about how on earth people curl their hair in perfect spirals here.

We took Phil's tour de BYU. We spent a lot of time playing with the science exhibits and pondering the density of neutron star.

We had so much fun, like an illegal amount. We laughed at Tara's brilliant Shakira impressions. We were three amigos (PG T and I). I told her she could move in and go to Provo High. No response. I guess we'll have to await her next visit and keep the couch open for her return.

There is nothing better than family. They know every bit of you... many more bits than one would like to admit to having. They can give you that golden piece of advice or sit with you and laugh at nothing in particular. They get you. They are absolutely positively priceless, and should visit often...court! 

Jim came to town.

This is father-in-law Jim. Doesn't he look like the life of the party? He is.

Last weekend he came to visit Camille, and Phil... and me too. We had a grand old time with Jim. We ate thai food, we watched the cougars beat colorado (I was in awe of the sheer volume of blue and white clad fans)... Jim and I hiked the Y on my first official "daddurday" (1,100 vertical feet in 1.5 miles), and the whole bunch of us got to watch Camille steal the show in her ward talent night. She directed and danced in a thrilling rendition of thriller (and might I add they did it all with 2 rehearsals). That family's got moves.

Tomorrow we have another visitor I am EXTREMELY excited about seeing... one of my wonderful sisters TARA (Courtney you are next if I have to kidnap you from your RA duties!). 

I'm so giddy I'm not sure I'm going to be able to sleep... or is that because of the fumes coming off of my latest furniture projects?

almost october.

Phil and (Ph)all last year

There are chubby orange pumpkins at the grocery store. They sit on hay bails by the sliding glass doors waiting for fingers to search through their pyramids to find the right one... just the right shape to become a cat, a witch, or a jack-o-lantern. When is the appropriate time to grab my own armful? 

The air feels even thinner here right now (hard to imagine) and crispier, like ginger ale. The tops of the mountains are blushing red with turning trees. The evenings are pure melted butter. It's GLORIOUS. 

I think fall is my favorite (at least at the moment). 

I've been cutting out little tiny paper bats. orange ones. purple ones. grey ones. I really need some black ones. I am dreaming of pumpkin smells and falling leaves. Crunchy crunchy delicious leaves. Where can I find a pile of leaves here in my little no backyard APT? 

Phil and I are brainstorming HALLOWEEN COSTUMES. Ideas appreciated. I am starting to really crave cheap candy.  We went on a walk this evening. This is something we like to do. It's free and makes me feel justified eating dessert. I had to put on a sweater which added to my excitement.

All of this to say it's almost October and I like it.

widdle me this.

Saturday

What to do on a yellow glowing afternoon in the great Utah Valley? That was PG and my question on this very Saturday. You see, we were getting cabin fever. BAD. In fact our temperatures were both hitting 100 degrees on the needtobreakfree scale by high noon mountain time.

There was only one problem. No ideas. Not a single shadow of an idea. That was until we remembered the internet (side story... in one of my lowest moments recently as a human being I asked Phil off-handedly... "how did people know how to get anywhere before mapquest?... cue lightbulb... Oh that's right. Maps!" I'm still paying for that with so much shame.) Anyway back to the world wide web; we googled (google is still magical to me) local provo events scrolled down to our desired day and what to our wondering eyes did appear but an exhibit.

Now for those of you reading who are unaware I love exhibits. ANY exhibit actually. I enjoy a good Egyptology or Natural History museum, and all things early American too but any space filled with learning and glass boxes and little explanations as to why said things are important enough to be in said boxes makes me just a special kind of joyful. 

Well this exhibition was a tad different. It was a one day display on (wait for it) WOOD. Carved, widdled, polished, painted... a Wood Sculpture Show to be exact. We weren't sure what to expect but we did know it was 3 dollars a pop and right down the street at the Provo City Library so off we jaunted to the wood chip festival and let me tell you something people, we learned. We gleaned from those tables full of little wooden cowboys and perfectly shaped three dimensional delicate curving maple leaves a new appreciation for the very rustic art that is carving. There were intricate sketches burned into planks and ostrich eggs carved so meticulously as to look like a perfectly starched globes of lace. We also saw a small child selling knives with a long and impressive rat tail...so Americana was definitely reached in full. And did I mention we got in for free? GRAND.

We finished off our Saturday with friends and candy and Jason's deli (california clubon croissant you are ecstasy to my soul) and dollar movies that are slightly more than a dollar (sue for false advertisement?)... moral of the story? A very good day indeed.

Phil and a hand carved set of chess

Did I mention the Provo City Library also houses a small display of local artwork including this beauty? Who knew Hilary Duff was so enshrined in the local library? Phil was happy to find her.

Below: me, a running horse mural and my favorite; the alpenhorns a la Ricola commercials.