New Harry Potter trailer

**Just ignore the Spanish subtitles**

Redneck fire alarm

We've never used this in Arkansas before, but it seems like a good idea!

Amanda is watching Scooby Doo tonight!

I don't wanna

This has been a week of doing things that I don't wanna to do.

Going to the doctor for an annual check-up (enough said!)

Flu Shot - I got mine this afternoon because my co-workers talked me into it. If my arm falls off I'm going to sue. If I die, I am so coming back to haunt them!

Having blood drawn - After my doctor's appt on Tue, I went over to the lab to get some blood drawn. They were trying for 3 tubes. My tiny little veins did not want to cooperate (as usual). They got one tube from my hand (which took a long time as the blood was just drip, drip, dripping slowing out). Then that vein stopped and I started feeling all cold and clammy. I was afraid I was going to faint right there. How embarassing that would be! After 10 minutes of resting, I was ready to try again. We switched to my left arm - no blood coming out there.

Now I had to get a new phlebotomist (they only get 2 tries) who tried my right arm. Surprise, suprise no blood there either. She decided to call over another person. So we were down to my left hand and after that it would be my feet. I was just praying for my blood to start flowing. I guess those rumors about me being an ice queen might be true. Anyway, they finally decided that they could run their tests on just one tube. Thank goodness. I really wish that there was just some spot on my body that I could touch the tube too and BAM it would have my blood. Then maybe you could also touch your medication to that same spot and BAM it would be in your system.

Homework- tonight I have to write a proposal for my writing class. I don't wanna!!!!!

Amanda is going to Snowbird tomorrow to ride the tram.

I like a good mystery

As far back as I can remember, I have always enjoyed mysteries. When I was in kindergarten we received prizes for doing good jobs, sometimes it was candy other times we got pennies or nickels. The prizes and money were kept in an egg carton that the teacher stored on a top shelf. One day the egg carton disappeared. My class was devastated! I immediately went into detective mode along with a couple of my friends. We searched all over the classroom and the playground for clues. We interviewed suspects and I think at one point I even suspected our teacher. I never did find the money or the prizes. However it was in that moment that my love of mysteries was born.

Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, Scooby Doo, Encylopedia Brown, Trixie Belden, and Nancy Drew were my constant childhood companions. As I grew older I discoved Hercules Poirot, Miss Marple, and Sherlock Holmes.

Television also provided lots of great detectives for me to learn from. Sunday nights were spent watching Angela Lansbury on Murder She Wrote. My parents and I would try to outguess Jessica Fletcher and figure out the killer first. I was also fascinated by Matlock and Perry Mason.

Of course my favorite board game was Clue. To this day I own at least four versions of the game - Scooby Doo Clue, Deluxe Clue (complete with poison chalice), Clue Mysteries, and even a dvd version of Clue.

Now as an adult my bookshelves are still filled full of mysteries. I adore suspense and mystery movies. Just give me a rainy day and I'm all ready to pop Rear Window into the dvd or grab my copy of Murder on the Orient Express. I love that shivery feeling I get when the killer is closing in (even if I already know what is going to happen).

As Halloween approaches I recommend you curl up with a blanket or a loved one and check out some of my old favorites:

Dial M for Murder

Rear Window

To Catch a Thief

Midnight Lace

Watcher in the Woods

Cape Fear


Amanda is watching a cheesy mystery on Lifetime.

I want to win a free purse

Check it out - on Oct 15th Handbag Planet is giving away a free purse every hour. To enter to win all you have to do is put in your first name and your email address. They promise they won't share your email with anyone else!

Go to http://www.handbagplanet.com and check it out!

I'm thankful for . . .

This morning I had the opportunity to attend General Conference with my father. I love General Conference because the talks always help me remember how much I have to be grateful for. So I thought I would share a few of the things I am thankful for in my life. You are welcome to share your own list in Comments.

Rain & thunderstorms

The Temple (this picture is of the Los Angeles temple where my parents I were sealed as a forever family)








My parents - who are so encouraging & loving towards me.

My Friends


Books - there is nothing I love to do more than read. I am grateful for amazing authors like Jane Austen, Agatha Christie, Dorthy Sayers, and Wilkie Collins whose books continue to fascinate and intrigue me.

My mobility - I am so grateful that I can walk and run (even though I don't run very much, unless something is chasing me).


My love of animals. (Here I am feeding my cat & dog out of my sippy cup - which I would also drink from)



I am grateful that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Every time I read my scriptures or go to church I am reminded that I can be a better person. I am also reminded of how much God loves me. In this day and age (when violence and sex is so prevalent in the media) it is so important to have these positive influences in our lives. I am very thankful to have them.

Amanda is trying to mentally prepare for another week of work.

Sarah Palin & Tina Fey

I think the Presidential election campaign has been very interesting this year. I have been watching quite a bit of news coverage as well as all the debates. Last night was the Vice-Presidential debate with Joseph Biden and Sarah Palin. As I listened to Sarah Palin, I couldn't help but think about Saturday Night Live and the amazing parody job that Tina Fey has done. Call me shallow if you want, but I think that is my favorite thing I've seen so far this election season. I realize that they are mocking Sarah Palin but somehow I don't care. I am a Republican and a Sarah Palin supporter and I still find this parody hilarious.

First watch a portion of Katie Couric's interview with Sarah Palin (no need to watch the whole thing)



Now watch Tina Fey as Sarah Palin and Amy Poehler as Katie Couric. It is comic genius!



Amanda is going to General Conference on Saturday.