Old School

I was cleaning out some things in my room and I found all my old High School Dance pictures. It was so entertaining to look through them and see all of my friends, and how they have changed since then. My sophomore pictures are hilarious...I sure hope I don't look like that anymore! So many good memories kept racing through my mind, it was fun to look through. I really had some great times and great friends in high school! It's weird to look at some of these friends and think, "Now they are married with 1, 2, or 3 kids!" Looks like I need to get on that! :)

(click on images to make larger)

Do I really look 18???

So, when I work at the American Fork Hospital I have to walk to the secretary's reception desk to get the patient's Creatinine level (basically to see if the patient's kidneys can handle IV contrast). I got to talking to the secretary and she brought up her son who just barely got back from his mission, and then started fishing for info on my relationship status. I kind of dodged that and mentioned I had a brother who has been out for 6 months. After I told her that she looked at me in shock and asked how far apart we were in age. I told her a little over 5 years, then she REALLY gave me a look. I told her I was 25 and she actually gasped. Then she said, "I thought you were 18!" ha ha ha ha! Seriously?? Does she think someone fresh out of High School can get a job in a hospital working with Radioactive tracers without any further education? Wow, but I guess I am at the age where I should be glad I look younger than I am (to some people anyway). Looks like I should get the boring scrubs instead of designs and prints, maybe that makes me seem younger too...who knows. Anyway, I thought it was pretty funny.

Bridal shower & game night

The other night I went to a bridal shower for my good friend, Melanie Moyes. We were roommates for a few years and became really close. I just can't believe she is getting married, girls are dropping like flies! I also got to see other friends of mine that I haven't seen in a while. I just wish it could have been a little longer so I could talk with them more individually to see what is new in their lives, looks like someone else needs to get married so I can get that chance (just don't count on it being me! ha ha).

(You can't really see my sister, Stacy, and Lu in the back (they are the tiny pin heads). I wish I would have noticed how small it turned out so I could have got a closer picture of them. I guess I'll have to wait for Lu's bridal shower!)

Then after the shower I went over to my friend, Cara's. Her sisters Meg and Kylee, Jake (Meg's husband), Mckay (Ky's boyfriend) as well as Kevin (Cara's brother) were all there. They were having a game night. We ended up watching the last bit of American Idol, then the guys were on the computer, so us girls had a good long chat about some events going on in our lives. It was really fun to talk and have fun. I totaly consider them my family!

(Kylee & I ...then Cara pullin one of her many faces)

Blast from the past

So I ran into some old pictures I haven't seen in a long time, I thought I would post them so when I print this off my posterity can see some of my awkward phases in life...although the "Allen" round face/chubby cheeks are a permanent thing, so maybe whoever lucks out with that gene can find comfort in knowing that they aren't alone. Don't worry, it kinda grows on you :)

My mom tried keeping my hair down with everything, including lotion- but failed at every attempt.

My first formal dance...I look like I'm 12!!!

My first little boyfriend, Steve

Our first experience at Lake Powell

So those awkward phases I was talking about... here ya go! There were more but they wouldn't download, probably for the better. Hope you have a good laugh!

Sincerity vs. Pity..?

So earlier this week I was talking with a co-worker. He's an older man in his 50's, and I walked in the room and this is what he said to me, "So I just got done talking to Ralph telling him that since you graduated from BYU unmarried, there must be something wrong with you." I kinda just laughed and thanked him sarcastically. I think he realized how that sounded because the next time I walked in the room he had me sit down and have a chat with him. He asked me if I was outgoing at all. I told him the truth, that I am initially shy until I get to know people, but even if I were interested in someone I would never pursue or talk to the person cause I worry that they would be thinking, "ugh, why is she talking to me." or because I was out of their league. Then he tried to tell me his theory...that I am intimidating to the guys because of my silence and being "very beautiful" ha ha ha. I laughed in his face of course.

Then today at work I walk in and he proceeds to tell me that he showed his son my profile pick. He wants to set us up even though he is 3 years younger than me. He then said, "I want you to date my son, you should take that as a compliment cause I don't suggest just any girl to my own children."....so yeah, do you think he went a little overboard trying to make me feel better about the previous work day? Yeah, me too! But I still thought it was funny. I love it when guys think they totally offend you and they feel like they have to make it all better.

Need Running Motivation?

I know I already posted something today, but that was early this morning since I couldn't sleep(having 3 HORRIBLE, realistic nightmares didn't help either, & after I woke up from the third I decided sleep wasn't worth it anyway).

Moving right along... you are probably wondering what the heck I'm doing posting such random, ridiculous pictures. Let me expain, and give a "thanks" to these artists! This summer I used to run a little over 6 miles 4-5 times a week. I was getting pretty good and increased my time each time. However, once the snow came and work started- running ended.

After ongoing holidays and feeding my face, I decided this morning that I was gonna try running on the treadmill (which I hate because it is so flaming boring!) I was dreading it, because nobody likes seeing how much they've digressed- and I knew I was just gonna plain suck it up. BUT- thanks to Jesse McCartney, Justin Bieber, Beyonce, and many more (I wasn't gonna find pics of every artist I listened to) I was actually able to stay motivated to their beat. So if anyone is my height (around 5'7") and like running a speed around 6.2 (or faster depending on the song) these artists have songs with a beat that goes exactly to my running pace. I'm sure you can adjust your speed depending on your height, but seriously I did a lot better thanks to them- and a lot of pent up energy.

Guest Annual THEME PARTY

(more pics below)

Every year our family puts together a Theme Party. It's usually the week after Christmas so people can make it from traveling to other family members (I just finally loaded the pictures so sorry for the delay). We have been doing this for years and have had quite the themes. We've done themes like German, Mexican, Hawaiian, Western, Sponge Bob, Mardi Gras, Rock Band, and others I just can't think of right now. We come up with the ideas and then let our family know what the theme is so they can dress accordingly. Last year's Rock Band theme was one of my favorites because a lot of people got into it. We also eat foods according to theme, and we decorate the house to go with it as well.

This year was a Pajama Party theme. We decorated the tables with different cartoons (cause every kid always wakes up in the morning for their cartoons!). We had a table for the boys with the Superhero Squad, we even got masks and the old-school army guys and helicopters to put as table toppers. We had a table for the little girls with all the Disney Princesses, which was topped with princess necklaces and rings. The other table was for the younger kids who like Whinney the Pooh (I personally can't stand that bear...seriously, he teaches kids to steal. Stealing honey is NOT ok! Dumb bear! :) ok I don't care so much about that, but he still bugs me- and sounds gay like he has a crush on Christopher Robin).

Everyone came in their PJ's and we ate breakfast-type foods like quiche, pancakes, swedish pancakes, grandma's famous rice pudding, fruit salads, cinnamon rolls, muffins, doughnuts, etc. It was quite a feast, and quite a mad-house. There were so many people and kids running around (and not every family even made it!). It was a lot of fun and I got to see some of my cousins I haven't seen in a while.

After we ate we had the traditional White Elephant gift exchange. People brought some creative ones this year. It was funny how into it the kids got. I got some Mickey Mouse binochulars, and my cousin was coveting them so bad. Needless to say I came out of the party empty handed, and a boy left with a huge smile on his face. I think I instantly became his favorite cousin. Hey, if that's all it takes I will do it! :) Anyway, these pictures are just a few of what I have, and they are kind of small but maybe you can get an idea of how the decorations and PJ's turned out this year.

(P.S.- Look for a little girl holding a doll with a Spider Man mask on and her side-kick Hulk pushing a stroller...I saw that and busted out laughing. It was so flippin funny. By far my favorite picture of the night. Oh, and if you are wondering- YES, you better believe I'm wearing a onesie!!!)

In Loving Memory

This evening my family was informed that a good family friend has passed away. She has been fighting stomach cancer, which spread to her Liver. I'm just glad their family was blessed enough to get to spend one more Christmas with her.

What makes this harder for me is that just a little over a year ago her daughter, Lindsey, passed away. I grew up with Lindsey my whole life and became good friends as the years went by and especially as we carpooled to High School together. She was very friendly, musical, artistic, and athletic so we shared a lot of similar interests. She happened to pass away while serving her mission in England. She was out running with her companion and dropped dead. The autopsy found no cause of death. My heart goes out to the Spjute family. Both women were truly amazing people and great examples of service.

Times like these make me pause to reflect on my own life. Why was I not the one to die? What is it that I haven't done yet that I'm supposed to do? Will I ever measure up to anything close to these amazing people? Today while sitting in class a girl speaking asked about our purpose here in life. My one sister leaned over to me jokingly and said something along the lines of "good question." I responded to my sister's comment saying, "I seriously don't even know what the point is for me." We brushed the comment aside, but I was left really thinking about it and seriously meant what I said. I guess I find my life kind of in limbo right now and like my life is never really going to make a difference like the two women mentioned above. Sure I'm a granddaughter, daughter, sister, cousin, niece, and friend. But in all honesty those positions can easily be replaced with the many other women in my life. If I were to pass on I can honestly and sincerely say that after the initial shock and mourning were over, life would go on without me without much second thought.

Ok, so that paragraph took a turn and it sounds like I'm suicidal. Rest assured that I am NOT. I'm just trying to make a point that I feel like the Spjute women had so much here on Earth with so many family members relying on them. She had 5 daughters and 1 son, with many grandchildren she could have lived for to help teach and love. I, myself, don't have that to offer for anyone at this time, nor do I feel it in the near future. I realize the Spjute women are probably busy and have work to do past this life at this time. I just wish for the remaining Spjute family that it could have turned out differently. I know our will isn't the same as God's will, but it doesn't make it any easier to accept sometimes.

Anyway, who knows when your time is gonna come up to leave this world. It's a good reminder for me to make every day I'm blessed with count. I've got a lot of work to do!!!

New Years Eve

I can't believe another year has gone by. It's ridiculous when you are talking with people and say, "that was 15 years ago" and you actually REMEMBER clear back 15+ years!

Anyway, for New Years Eve this year my friend, Cara, invited me to come to her celebration. She made quite the feast, so of course I was automatically in heaven. It was her first attempt at making a turkey and she passed with flying colors.

After we all ate we played a few different games like Uno, True Colors, then a tournament of Speed Uno until 3:30am while staying awake with the help of soda, candy, and chips (and every dip imaginable to go with it...I think I ate a whole bag myself!). When it came to the games- don't worry, I lost the tournament...what a waste of sleep eh? JK, it was a lot of fun and the time flew by. As for True Colors- I don't think I won many of the majority votes for the questions. There were a few though, one being if someone were to go to a high fashion party I was chosen as the person they would come to for advice...apparently the crowd I was playing with doesn't see me on a daily basis! And if I were to give someone a compliment I was the one person they would believe. I can't really remember the others, but some of the questions were kinda funny. Don't worry, nobody got offended so it was a success.

I took a few pictures but somehow most of them got deleted. I was able to save a few from my cell phone I took. This cute little girl is Cara's daughter. We've become good little friends and she is just so cute. Once I walked in the door she was standing right by my side as I sat in the chair so she could show me her game. Then when she was finished with her game she continued to stand by me and chat away, these pictures give you an idea of what she kept doing (showing me she could climb up on the arm-rest and smile. I took one picture, then she kept posing and telling me to take another. Oh the good old days when you liked having a camera in your face).

All-in-all it was a fun night. Thanks again Cara for putting that party all together! I hope this new year treats everyone well. Happy New Year!!!