Just in case...

Sometimes listening to Pandora.com at work can be risky business. You never know what embarrassing song will play next, just because you liked one Jonas Brothers song, doesn't meant that you like them all the time...


It isn't always the music that it chooses to play that is the problem. Sometimes they have interesting advertisements that play in between you almost-always awesome playlist. Like the commercial about Playtex or something like such as.

Or, as your boss is approaching your desk, an ad that calls out, "Hey all you pregnant ladies!..."

Which prompted the conversation where Kevin tells me that it would be just fine if I were pregnant, but I would still have to work. I asked him if that meant he wanted a baby running around the office, and he told me that was fine. Probably for about six months, and then he would need more room to run around, and so it would probably be a good time to get a babysitter about that time.

This made me quickly scope out the office. The baby could sleep in the carrier in a little hollow right under my desk. We don't use the conference room that often, so I'm sure the pack-n-play could be set up in there if he needed to stretch out. And I wonder if Kevin couldn't mind having a little baby swing going right next to me...

Man, I'm just really lucky to have such a relaxed office. So much so that Kevin was telling me about a co-worker he had when he first started working as an architect, who brought her baby in to the office. He said that every once and a while, she would say, "Here, I have to do this," and she would pass off her kid and make one of the guys hold him. Considering that all the guys in my office are fathers, I'm not so certain that they would be completely opposed to me handing off my kid -- at least I know that they're all experienced.

And suddenly, this who thought train has gotten really strange, seeing as how I'm not likely to have children anytime soon.

Miniature Croquet

A friend of ours was turned 25 today. Knowing how traumatic it was for me, I knew we had to do something special. Luckily, I didn't have to do any of the planning. After eating some delicious Thai food (pumpkin curry -- it's my new favorite thing), we headed over to the Provo Beach Resort.

I've heard some mention of it, but didn't know exactly what it was. It's like, a Boondocks, only, instead of go-karts and miniature golf, they have a hot tub and surfing area, a place where you have to move stealthily through lasers like they do in the movies, high-wire ropes and the like, and miniature croquet (see the video above).

Miniature croquet probably doesn't sound like it is too complicated, but get the birthday boy, his brother, Megan and me together, and we had a hard time figuring it out. We spent the first 20 minutes on the first "section", and the attendant even had to come over and make sure we weren't confused (we were, but didn't want him to know it). It was OK though. I'm not certain I got the point system right, and I'm sure I gave the birthday boy more than he was supposed to get in the first round. But that's no big deal. After getting the hang of things, we breezed through the other areas. My ball only got stuck in the bonus area once. None of us effectively used the "poison" rule, though, and that might have changed things up  a bit if we had.

Miniature croquet laced with confusion and innuendo is just as fun an activity as anything else I've tried.

I don't know if it's a very "manly" sport. Between the mandatory rule of hitting the ball with the mallet swinging through your legs, and not being able to hit the ball clear across...anywhere, it lacks a lot of luster that original croquet brings to the game.

I really hope that everyone else had fun, because I enjoyed it. Five "sections" for $6 is probably an OK price, although, I'm glad that we had the area basically to ourselves. If we had felt rushed, it wouldn't have been nearly as worth it.

Happy 25th, Kade! (What state am I thinking of, now?)

Country Chic

"I hate country music."



I don't know how many times I have uttered, confessed, threatened and spouted these words. Or for how long. Though, I know that it was long before junior high school and continued well into my years in college. I associated country music with the likes of Travis Tritt, Randy Travis and Conway Twitty. Whatever that awful stuff that my dad took home in the form of cassette tapes from my Grandma's "successes" at garage sales and would then torture us on the way back from Lexington... I hated it.

And then out came artists like Martina McBride, Shania Twain, etc. Talented, yes. Beautiful, of course. But awful music! (I still hate the majority of her songs.) What is it about country artists that are obviously talented, but make some of the worst song choices ever?!
There has always been the occasional country song that one of my friends would listen to, and it was either catchy or whatever, and I would like it. But the genre as a whole, yiiiick.

Until, one day... it wasn't.

I think it has been a gradual process that was inevitable. After all, I was born in Kentucky. I have hillbilly roots, and it shouldn't be a surprise that I would eventually come to love that, and accept it. And then, of course, there are the calendars like Studs*N*Spurs, which my friend, Sabrina, so kindly gifted to me to years in a row. Sure, the models are all probably gay. But that doesn't make a shirtless cowboy in chaps any less attractive...

I remember being 16 and working at Bob Evans with the "Dream Team" - Adam Galley and me running the host stand and the cash register. I liked Adam, a lot. I found out that he was a HUGE Garth Brooks fan, and so I got into my parents' CDs and pulled out the two albums they owned of his. I hated it. You can't hate I've Got Friends in Low Places, but I really didn't like his other songs. I couldn't handle the twang.

Still, through the years, more and more country songs leaked onto my playlists, anyway. Artists like Dierks Bentley and Josh Turner made me perk up my ears. Music that I wouldn't listen to on the radio, I was suddenly watching the music videos on GAC and CMT. I also happened to read a few books that, while romanticized (one might even call them romances...), were about Old West cowboys... and well, I was a goner after that.

There's something about the southern charm and gentle respect that I just find to be absolutely attractive. I've always liked that slow southern drawl. And yes, a good fitting pair of jeans....

Plus, there's the fact that the celebrity country artists are surprisingly put together. They don't seem to be nearly as crazy as the rest of the pop star and reality television world. Yes, there's the scandalous LeAnn Rimes, and whatnot. But if you look at others, they've been married to their husbands and wives for years and years with no sign of trouble for the time being. It's encouraging.

I still hate some of the really gay country songs. But others like Then by Brad Paisley, or I Wanna Make You Close Your Eyes by Dierks, or She Wouldn't Be Gone by Blake Shelton... I just love them. The songs are sweet and sentimental, they're patriot and talk about God and more and more I find my radio on the country stations than I do any of the others.

It's very strange.



But it's not only music. I love the rustic, country looks. I love lace and burlap and weathered wood. And horses. (Will someone PLEASE take me horseback riding?) My grandma made this adorable cowboy quilt, and I've already called dibs. That quilt belongs to my unborn son... If he ever comes.

My newest favorite scent comes from Bath and Body Works and is called Country Chic. It's fabulous.

I guess my point is, you will not hear me using the above phrase ever again. I thought I would be more ashamed by this confession, but I'm not. I'm OK with it. I've accepted this about myself. I like country.

I like country music.

Ok, it's still a little weird admitting it. But I'm definitely going to embrace it from now on.

Friday Night

My dad called me on Friday and asked if I was on a hot date. The fact that I answered the phone suggested that I was not, of course, but I guess he wanted to check anyway.

He then suggested that I should be out with my girlfriends, hitting the town and looking for/picking up men.

It got me thinking. Even if I did trust my single friends to be good "wing-[wo]men", where in the world would we go to pick up said men? Bars? Obviously not. Clubs? No. So, where?

I'm honestly at a loss as to how to meet people anymore. If you aren't regularly going to parties and meeting friends of friends... if you don't go to school and meet new classmates... where do you go to meet people? No wonder so many have turned to online dating. It seems like the answer: a collection of people all looking for the same thing. I'm still not sold on the idea, but I see how and why people do it.

Before the internet, though, BYU peoples still met each other. Did more people just settle in to marrying their FHE brothers and sisters? I bet there was a dance every week, and they all knew where it would be and when it was. I bet the guys actually asked girls out on dates. I bet there was more intra-ward dating. What if the person didn't like their ward? Did they move? Probably.

On a completely separate, slightly more hilarious note, picture this:

Our ward meets for church in a class room with stadium seating. Melissa, me and then Matti were standing, getting ready to head out, when the Bishop came up and shook Melissa's hand, congratulated on her new calling (Yeah! Congratulations, Melissa! You're the new visiting teaching coordinator..................)

Anyway.

He shook her hand, and then I was next. No eye contact, a quick handshake, and then his other hand reached up grabbed my arm, and he propelled me past him so that he could talk to Matti.

I've been convinced that the Bishop doesn't like me for a while now. But, lately, the evidence has just been building.

Good-Bye, So Soon

The last few weeks have been hectic and busy, and wonderful. I started out the craziness with a trip to Ohio to see my brother graduate. Brad gets cooler all the time. He's so easy going and hilarious, and fun to be around. He's so good-natured, and he gets along with everyone.

Graduations are pretty boring. I don't recommend them. I do recommend trips to the motherland whenever you get the chance, though. It was fun to be home, see everyone, and participate in a the time-honored tradition of going to Kentucky to decorate headstones of family members past. I haven't been to my grandmother's gravesite since she died in 2003.

You know you are in Kentucky, because they memorialize your rockin' mullet when you die.

It was great to be around cousins and aunts and uncles. I grew up with them always around, and these last seven years, I haven't been as much a part of all the traditions and get togethers that we have, and I've missed it. The weather couldn't have been more perfect - mid-nineties with only a titch of humidity - and the only thing that was really bothersome was the discovery of ticks. Yes, ticks! [Take the time to shudder. It's appropriate, I promise.] We found one on Kelsie's back two days later! And it was probably more traumatizing for the adults than it was for Kelso; she was so good about leaning forward and letting everyone inspect and work to get it out.

I started reading the book Creeker while at my Aunt's house, and found that Memorial Day has long been called Decoration Day in the hills of Kentucky. The explanation the author gave of what the holiday consists of: decorating graves, talking about loved ones passed, etc., coincided with our own family tradition. I love that we have just a little bit of hillybilly roots.

I stayed for almost a week, and was still sad to leave. I just missed the Troy Strawberry Festival, which was sad. Even more so, because I didn't get to go pick berries like I wanted to. It helped to know that just a week later, my family would be coming to visit me in Utah. All except Mark, who is recovering from ACL surgery.

We started out their visit with a trip to Bear River Lodge. If you are ever looking for a beautiful area to ride ATVs or get away in a luxury cabin in the mountains, I recommend it. It was beautiful. And just a little bit cold. There was still snow, and Brad's shorts froze over night after he hung them out to dry. We went for a mini-hike, took a couple ATV rides, sat in the hot tub and had a really good time. The owner is a friend of my dad's (an old mission buddy) and he totally hooked us up.

Kelsie was hilarious because she climbed on the king-sized bed and immediately did this little dance and laughed.... non-stop for five minutes as she shifted from one foot to the other. It was contagious, and we were all doubled over, laughing.

Afterward, we headed down and spent some time with my Grandparents in Clearfield. We went to church and then headed down to hang out with some friends, the Belnaps. They have been friends with my parents  for some 20 odd years.

The Bollschweiler Family Reunion started on Monday in Bryce Canyon area. We stayed at the KOA. I don't have tons of experience staying at KOAs, but this is by far the nicest one. The restrooms were remarkably clean - which is the most important factor of anywhere I "camp". (I'm no camper.) Much to Dad's chagrin, we did a lot of hiking. But the area is beautiful, and unlike anything I've ever seen before. We made sure to take lots of pictures (Amy and Mackenzie, you need to get me copies of the ones I don't have ASAP) and hang out with the family. All the siblings were there, and with only a few cousins missing, it was really great to having everyone there and Utah really is a geologically interesting place. There are so many different places and things to see in one state - all different. It is incredible.

Mackenzie had to take off a day early because she was headed to basketball camp, and so Dad, Brad, Mackenzie and I left and stayed in a hotel in order to get them to the airport in time the next morning. Only, ask my dad, flying stand-by is a pain in the rear, and even though I had to go to work, their flight wasn't set to take off until later that night. I left them in Salt Lake to visit Temple Square, and decided to show my face at work.

Mom, Amy and Kelsie came and stayed with me for a few days. It was fun having Kelsie at church with me, because she's a turkey. I had to take her on the elevator in order to find a suitable place to change her diaper in between classes. She decided that the elevator was super fun, and later told us that she needed to be changed again. We believed her. So I let her push the elevator button, and up we went, only to discover that she really didn't need to be changed at all. When I said, "Kelsie! You just lied to me! You don't need to be changed!" She responded with laughter. Peals of giggles, that made me laugh right back. Because she's sneaky and cute.

She obviously had too much energy to go back to class, so I stood in the hallway while she ran up and down saying, "You can't catch me - I'm a gingerbread man!"

Everyone at church thought she was cute. And of course she is, but she is also distracting. I didn't mind, though.

Mom left Amy down in Provo so that she could spend some time with her parents, and so I went back to work while Amy met up with some old friends. We made sugar cookie dough, that has yet to be transformed into actual cookies.

It was just so great having them all around, and now that they have left, I wonder what the heck I'm still doing in Utah? Who's idea was it for me to come out here in the first place! Why am I so far away from my family!?!!! It is torture to say good-bye, and I swear it gets harder every time.

I miss them already.

Get Thee Hence

I have a confession:

I don't pray or read my scriptures like I'm supposed to. Like I really, truly want to.

I try to rationalize it. Because in my "good" phases, when I'm reading and praying the most, I think that I'm also facing more temptations and controversy in my life. Sometimes when I pray, the opposite thing happens. Or things get worse instead of better. Sometimes I think it is just better when I don't pray and read my scriptures, because then maybe I fall off of Satan's radar, and he doesn't focus all his attentions on me.

Like, if I manage to keep away from the "bad" things, and just barely get by with the "good" things, then I can float by and be OK.

But then, and not necessarily because (but certainly it doesn't help) I'm not doing those things, I feel myself falling into this pit of restlessness and become this bitter, mid-single harpy with no hope of things changing... and I just had an epiphany.

Satan is pretty good at using those emotions, too.

I know it isn't all him. Obviously, I have work that I'm to be doing that I'm just, not. But I can't escape him. And that, I know, is what prayer and scriptures are for.

Provo Historic Walking Tour

Our building is currently being polished to the hilt in preparation for our participation in Provo's Historical Building walking tour. It's been a long process that has included the coordination of deep cleaning, intense organizing and having walls painted and pictures hung. My "daylight bright" lights have been replaced with more antique-yellow bulbs and I have a new accent wall. It looks like it is 6 p.m. instead of noon because it is so dark in here.

Miguel and his cleaning crew; the painters; the carpet cleaners; the landscaper (i.e. the Lawn Nazi).... they've all come and gone. The only crew remaining is the window washers. They are a day late. Apparently their boss is out of town, and while they were supposed to show up at 2 p.m. yesterday, they didn't come until Peggy left a nasty voice mail on the boss' phone that they decided to roll in.

We have a beautiful stained glass window in our building and Peggy wanted to make sure that they knew to be particularly careful, anyway. But when they pulled up with tattoos, ears guaged, Kevin came in and asked, "Have you talked with them about the window? You better get out there, Peggy, they look a little rough -- they're drinking Red Bull!"

Not only do they drink Red Bull, but I've been watching as one of them carefully dangled a cigarette from his lips while washing the second story windows. I didn't know whether to be impressed or disgusted, which Kevin thought was funny.

Tonight we'll have about 300 people walk through our building and admiring the work Kevin has done in restoring and using the historic house our office has been in since around 1996. He did a lot of work in creating a beautiful office that will be honored at a ceremony thing after the tour. He's receiving some sort of award, which is cool.

The Provo Historical Society dug up information about the former owners of the building. It was a drug rehabilitation center before it belonged to the person who Kevin bought it from. Overall, it's a beautiful building that I like coming to everyday for work.

Practicing Adult

"I need to be better at going to bed on time. And getting to work on time. And I don't keep my room as clean as I should. And I definitely don't spend my money like I should. I'm not an adult."

"Yes, you are."

"Not a practicing one."

-Conversation between my roommate and me tonight.

Vest Prophecy

When we were little kids, my Grandma Armstrong used to bring us bags and bags of clothes that she would pick up on her weekly garage sale hunting. As younger kids, we looked forward to these bags of "new" clothes with excitement. One never knew exactly what Grandma would find. But as we got older and more self-conscious about what we were wearing and worse, where it came from, we started to be more picky and less grateful for the trash bags of treasures.

My grandma was very crafty. She wore shoes and vests and hats that she had puff-painted and had scads of buttons on everything. One of the things that she seemed to find for me at the garage sales were vests. Lots of vests! I remember particularly the ones that looked as though they had been quilted together and had buttons and bows and such.

My dad told us that if we didn't appreciate the items Grandma gave us, then we had to tell her ourselves. So one particular visit to Lexington, I told her. "Grandma, I do not like vests."

She made me try on her newest find anyway.

"I won't wear this," I said. "I really do not like vests."

And then she made a prophecy that I cringed at.

"You've just got to find the right one," she said, taking the vest from my arms and draping it over the recliner in her bedroom.

I didn't believe her. I swore never to wear a vest again.

I think about that conversation with my grandma every time I put on the black vest I like so much. It is drape-y and forgiving, and kind of cool. And I got it for less than $5. I think Grandma would be proud - although, she probably would have haggled down the price to 50 cents. I thought about it again when this past weekend I found a sheer, crocheted top and flow-y, tiered looking vest that I just had to have. I think it is one of my favorite purchases in a while. Although, I paid more than Grandma would have ever paid for it.

Grandma was right though. It just took the right vest - and for vests to come back in style - before I went against my vow to never put one on again. Who knew that she was a prophetess?

Attract the Best II

My favorite part of the seminar was the section Dr. Sherman called "Mechanics of Creation".

He talked a bout the "FIVE Cs" - and no, they were not diamond related.

1. Chemistry
2. Compatibility
3. Choice
4. Commitment
5. Creation

The first two, we have zero control over. So if we are looking for a relationship that is solely based on chemistry and compatibility, then we are probably doomed for failure. Chemistry mostly comes from a hormone called oxytocin, which is dubbed the romance hormone. Like a fire that is made of lighter fluid, the blaze is hot and bright - for about a second, and then it dies off. Or in the case of oxytocin, the blaze burns out in about six months. Of course there are important elements to chemistry and compatibility, but overall, these are things while making the relationship easier, are certainly not KEY to maintaining a long-lasting relationship. 

It's the next three, choice commitment and creation, that we have 100% control over. Once you've made the choice to be in a relationship, then you must commit to stick to that choice. It's as simple as that. Dr. Sherman brought up the example of a couple who came in and wondered whether or not they should be married. They had already made that choice years ago, and Dr. Sherman encouraged them to remain committed to that choice. 

I think that divorces happen far too often and with far too little work towards the relationship. I think that if two people are truly miserable - especially when abuse is involved - divorce is necessary and certainly appropriate. But it has become too prevalent in our society and I think if most people would work to stay committed to the choice they already made, then there would be less choice.

We didn't discuss the fifth C - creation. I don't know what the couple is supposed to be creating, though I have a sneaky suspicion that he was talking about married couples having babies. Of course, it could also mean the creation of fun and excitement and respect and devotion within a relationship, but I will likely never know.

The next topic in the seminar was entitled BOUNDARIES - the great relationship key. Whenever I think of boundaries, I immediately think of the boundaries that we put up in order to live chaste and virtuous lives. Boundaries must trump chemistry. And while that is a big part, it is not the only boundary that we should be setting up. The example that he used was excellent as he brought in the "happiest place on earth", where he literally meant Disneyland. Disneyland can be the happiest place on earth, but there are a few rules that you have to follow. There is a reason that the whole park is fenced. Those that are not willing to pay the price of admission are not allowed within the walls of the park. Those that pay, but do not abide by the park's rules are happily escorted out. You can't participate in the happiest place on earth if you are not willing to pay the price and stay within their set boundaries.

So, we are supposed to set up a boundary list that begins with, "Regardless of how I feel, I will/will not:..." Feelings can mess with a lot of things, and we have to remember that things done based on feelings can be to our determent. Feeling-based love will not sustain long-term; but behavior-based love does and can transform relationships. 

The Secret Dating Pool does not put up with crap, and if you do, you will not be attractive to them. As with stoplights, if it's green (or you are getting green flags) then MOVE FORWARD. But if you stumble upon a red light (flag) you ignore it at your own peril.

High standards predict a healthy, happy relationship.

The rest of the presentation was rushed because we were running out of time. He brought up the gender culture, which brought in a few laughs when he said that while we are all from the same planet, we speak different languages (womanese vs. manglish). In order to have a healthy relationship, it is important to bridge the culture gap. It was interesting to note that he told us that while men know that they are terrible communicators, women think they are wonderful. However, women are only great communicators towards other women (they speak the same language, after all) but they are terrible in woman-to-man conversations.

The last were just a few Dos and Don'ts:

DON'T marry a project - marry a partner.

DO have a four season courtship. (I wonder how many of my friends actually went through with this... everyone seems to get married so quickly in our culture.)

DO remember that character comes out in conflict, not in love. Conflict within a relationship is not a bad thing, as long as it provides growth.

DO remember that manners never go out of style. Manners communicate respect. If a person is rude, it is because they do not show the proper respect.

Attract the Best

For FHE a few weeks ago, we had a marriage and family therapist come and speak to us in a little workshop about dating and relationships and the like. It's not a single's ward unless you are bringing these topics up on a daily basis.

Jonathan D. Sherman was the therapist. He travels around doing presentations and stuff like this all the time, and does a really good job. I was more than impressed. He titled his presentation "ATTRACT THE BEST".

The first part of the seminar covered a few myths about dating and relationships. A lot of them, I knew were false, but a few of them were received as great reminders. For instance, did you know that the divorce statistic within the church is really not different than the rest of the US? I didn't know that. I had always been told that because the church emphasizes eternal marriages, that divorce was less prevalent in the church than out. It's not. It's about the same. Other myths included: There aren't any good ones left out there. Good chemistry is essential. Love is all you need - if you love someone enough, everything will work out.


When talking about the last one, Sherman used the example of a person applying for a job. In the interview, if it was found out that the person was completely unqualified and had no experience for the position, the employer would never say, "Oh, well, we'll take you on anyway because you love the job enough."

After we went through the myths, we were told that there is a "Secret Dating Pool" where all the great candidates for dating are located, and it's a trick to discover where they are. For one thing, people in the Secret Dating Pool don't do unhealthy. Unhealthy repels these people. Which means that you have to do a lot of self-work before you can discover where this magic pool of dating potential hangs out. And if you aren't looking for the pool, then you are just looking for the "best of the worst - the least idiot of the idiots."

I keep wanting to call Mr. Sherman, Dr. Sherman.... I'm not sure if he has that title or not. But from henceforth in this post, I will call him that. Even though, I am pretty sure his credentials don't include a doctorate. I just don't know what else to call him.

To begin your self-work, Dr. Sherman recommends that you ask, "Do you enjoy the company of you?" If there is any self-loathing or negative thoughts rattling around, that's not attractive. And you will never be admitted in to the Secret Pool. There are no "have tos" in life, which means that you aren't going to change because you have to. You change because you want to and you are ready to and you are working to change. "Most people don't change because they are shoulding all over themselves." You change by choice, not because you should change.


I really liked the way he explained the change process. As you go through the process, you are bound to mess up, but that's OK. The drawing on the left shows that as you put time into changing, it takes a lot of work. And then you end up reverting to your old self, and you bounce off the wall, going back to your original position. But then you don't give up. And you begin again and take the time and work to change and you fall victim to your old habits and bounce back. But as you continue to put the time and effort into changing, the amount of time between reverting back and making progress lessens, and eventually you make the realization and your transformation is complete, leaving you more time to think about other things. A lot of people will give up when they feel as though they will inevitably and always be whatever it is that you are trying to change. But if we realize that this is just part of the process, and that more work and time is needed, we can eventually become the person we want to be -- eventually becoming a more well-rounded, healthy person.


In order to decide what things we want to work on, we need to sit down and decide, "What is the truth vs. what is the lie." Meaning, we need to sit and look at all the things that we think about ourselves, and determine whether or not those things are lies we tell ourselves or if they are true, we can start to begin the change process. Furthermore, we should be looking at this list and listing out the truths that are good, too. We should be telling ourselves, "I'm good enough for God, and that's good enough for anyone." I think I'm guilty of selling myself short more often than not. Dr. Sherman says that the statement: I AM A CHILD OF GOD should blow our minds everyday.

Published in Woman's World

Well! It's happened... I'm in Woman's World  as the author of their romantic fiction story. It's so exciting!

The magazine offered to buy my story a few months or so ago, and I was thrilled with the idea, of course. I got the check a month or so after that, and then I eagerly waited for June to roll around to see my name in print. I knew that they were buying the rights to my story, and that their editors would probably rip it apart and put it back together again before actually publishing it. I thought I was fine with that. I thought that I didn't care, at all, how people changed and edited and modified my work to make it "better".

I thought.

When I read what was published, I had a mini-breakdown. Not emotional - although, somewhat panicked and hysterical. It was so beyond my recognition that I was afraid that I had sent the wrong version -- an earlier version -- of the story to them with my contract.

I went home and double-checked. Certain that I had made the biggest blunder in publishing history, that I had sent a rough draft when they had asked for a finished copy, I kept shaking my head and cursing myself. Why hadn't they told me! It would have taken one email, and I could have sent the right version! This isn't the story they purchased! Am I now in breach of contract?

I looked, and found that no, I had sent the right version. The end result is what they felt good about publishing in the magazine.

Huh.

So, I'm trying to shrug my shoulders and just be pleased by my name in print in a national magazine that I know at least two women (my mom and good friend, Suesan) purchase on a weekly basis. Even though, it's not really the story I had proudly signed my name to six months ago.

Once you've bought the magazine and read for yourself, if you'd like to see the unpublished version, I think I would be happy to send that your way. Just let me know.

Drawing Challenge Day #26 to the End

Can you believe how cold it STILL is in Utah? I beginning to believe that summer will never actually arrive. All this flooding that people are worried about - why? It's not like the snow is actually ever going to melt if it doesn't warm up. Slay.

Yes, I got lazy. But seriously.

I had fun drawing the little mouse on my Cinderella sketch that I drew another little mouse.

Seriously.

Drawing Challenge Day #21-25

I really want a farmhouse or a little cottage. Sans ticks.

I used to roll my eyes at people telling me that I would miss class. And then they would tell me not to, because they said I would feel the same way once I graduated. I was certain they were wrong. But every once in a while, I get sick of sitting at my desk at work, and I wish that I were instead walking around campus headed to a geography class - even if I did spend a lot of time sleeping.

Can you tell I was starting to get bored of this? But I really do need LOTS of money to pay off debt, to travel, to get out of BYU housing, etc. etc.

Drawing Challenge Day #15, 17, 18-20

Drawing Challenge Day #14

Choosing my favorite fairy tale was actually really hard to do. Ultimately, it was decided because this picture was easier to draw than Sleeping Beauty.

I love fairy tales. Especially the Disney versions. But I also really love Cinderella. The whole, rags-to-riches, dreams come true bit really appeals to me. I've typically enjoyed any spin on the Cinderella tale. Even the corny versions (like, with Hillary Duff).