this world is ours - let's make it beautiful

i'm putting these here because i have lost them once & have found them so i don't want to lose them again; 


this one: 


http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Southwestern-Pasta-Salad

&& this one: 

finishing a semester has never felt so good. i'm tired still, working a lot more and i'm puppysitting. that reminds me, i haven't taken any pictures. i'll get on that. been really busy w/christmas shopping & work. today ruth picked me up and her and i went all over christmas shopping. i'm really excited because i got most of my stuff. i just have to get something else for tyler & daddy & i'll be finished. i came home and tyler came over. we wrapped a bunch of stuff and then went to dinner for a post-semester dinner with mom and dad at babbo by my house. it was really good. i came home and started cleaning my room - it desperately needed it. i vacuumed and re-did a bunch of stuff - feels good to have a clean room. i got new sheets today! they have owls and trees and they are SO cute. flannel, too, so they will be warm. maybe i can find/post a picture of those. i dropped my computer off at frys last night, so i don't have one right now. i'm actually using brother's while he is out on a date. but yea i got that done & now i don't know what to do? maybe i will start crocheting cute/creepy things. :] or i have a handful of things that i can wrap, as well. i'm tired. tomorrow tyler, dad & i are going to make brother & garrett's guns. & then dad and i are going to frys - get a loaner and some christmas stuff from him. :] what else? this blog is super choppy and random. but i'm tired and my brain is not functioning at full capacity. with a 3 month old puppy at home, sleep is a rarity. he slept on my face last night. and on my neck. and my chest. it was nuts. but i'm going to get some sleep tonight, i'l make sure of it. i have to go - maybe i will do christmas cards. we'll see. have a good night everyone. i won't be so far away. :]

So I've wanted one of these Starbucks tumblers that I haven't been able to find ANYWHERE. They are super popular so whenever a Starbucks gets them in they don't last long. Tyler was looking around and found a guy selling them for $28/ea. with free shipping!! I've never found one for under $35. So he ordered two (one for each of us) and now I will have my very own!! :) Early Christmas presents are the bestttt.

In Progress: Running With Scissors

- Food, Inc.
<3 Augusten Burroughs:
- Sellevision
- Dry
- Magical Thinking
- Possible Side Effects
- A Wolf at the Table
- You Better Not Cry
<3 John Elder Robinson
- Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Aspergers

<3 replacement battery for my macbook pro.
<3 new case for my macbook pro. (like this one)
<3 cute moccasins.
<3 good booklight.

That sounds REALLY lame, I'm sure. But it was a reading we had to do for Microbiology. It was out of one of the scientific reference journals we were assigned. It was really interesting because it talked about all the different ways that we can be infected with a Flu virus. It also talked about all of the different ways you can tear down your immune system and how different medications and food attack the good guys who keep you healthy so that you really can't fight anything off after a long time. It was really cool to see all of the different ways we compromise our immune systems without even knowing it! ...Lamest entry ever, I know. :)

1. I have been with my boyfriend, Tyler, for 4 years. We met before I graduated high school and it's been a fun ride. He's been with me through a lot, and I wouldn't take any of it back. :)

2. I work at ASU in the Nursing Advising Student Services office. I'm basically an administrative assistant with a student worker status. :)

3. I'm a full-time student and have recently changed my major from Dietetics to Food & Nutrition Management.

4. I have 3 dogs. 2 that live with me and 1 that lives with Tyler. Tucker is a black lab & Casie is a mutt.  Jack is my Yorkshire Terrier that Tyler got me for our 2 year anniversary. I have a guinea pig named Lasagna and a Betta Fish named Pish. I'm not sure that I ever want to have kids of my own. I love children, but I'm not sure that I am ever going to be able to handle that big of a commitment. That's so permanent. I'm young though, everyone says that will change.

5. I very often regret not doing better in high school. I just coasted through and did the bare minimum to pass and get out of there. I wish everyday that I had spent more time on my work and more time getting involved. I always think that it would be awesome if I could go back and do it again.

6. I am really not a fan of the cold. (Other than for reasons stated earlier.) I'm from Phoenix, so I'm not used to any kind of cold weather, and I freeze rather easily. I'd never move from here though, I don't think. I can handle the heat pretty well.

7. I played softball from 6th - 8th grade. I wasn't a big fan of the idea of playing on the team in high school(something i regret, always) and I started playing slow pitch in January of last year. It's a great way to end the week.

And the seven people I'm giving this award to:

1. Armina at Armina's Ami-nals

2. "Shorty" at Securityville

3. Jane at Free Amigurumi Patterns

4. Maartje at Tizzalicious

Okay so I don't have 7 people I'd send it to. But. Here are the 4. :)

new addition to our thanksgiving feast:

1 can mandarin oranges, drained
1 can diced pineapple, drained
2 cups flaked coconut
1 cup maraschino cherries
2 cups mini marshmallows
1 container sour cream 


i think we may just use 2 cans of diced fruit cocktail. hmm. 

things that WERE accomplished this weekend:

<3 anniversary date.
<3 grocery shopping w/dad.
<3 making tyler's birthday cake.
<3 making loaded baked potato soup.
<3 watching football w/tyler, octavio, & xavier.
<3 dropping the nascar tickets off to chris.
<3 cleaning pig pig's cage.
<3 cleaning tyler's room, folded clothes, etc.
<3 posting pictures on my blog!

things that WERE NOT accomplished this weekend:
<3 cleaning my room.
<3 doing my anatomy coloring.
<3 doing my statistics homework.

so tonight tyler & i decided will be a drinking night? he plans on getting me drunk. so we went to the new Total Wine by my house and we got a bunch of random liquor. haha. we got:

So yesterday was our 4 year anniversary. It's crazy to think back that far and realize all of the things we've been through together. I am happy he & and I have been together this long, and look forward to many, MANY more anniversaries together.

This year I got off of work & he had a driver come out and get me. I got in the Excursion and he had flowers with him. SO cute. The driver took us to the nail place by my house & Tyler paid for me to get a manicure. I've been talking about it for some time, and we actually had talked about going tomorrow, but this was so much cuter. :) After that, the driver took us to my house to change and get ready, and we went to dinner. We hung out at CPK and ate, and saw Cisco & Cece. We had some time left and we went to The Gelato Spot and got some dessert. After that, the driver took us back to my house, I changed into comfier clothes and we went to his house and watched Monsters vs. Aliens. That movie was awful, but that's alright. :) It was a great night overall. He's the best. & he's SO good at pretending like nothing is going on and lying to me. But, I guess I can forgive him. :)

Ingredients

3 leftover baked potatoes

2 teaspoon(s) margarine

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

3 cup(s) vegetable stock

1 tablespoon(s) chopped green onion

3 cup(s) skim milk

1 cup(s) half-and-half

Whipped sour cream or unflavored yogurt

Shredded colby cheese

3 green onions (whites and greens), finely chopped

Directions

Pare the potatoes, reserving the skins, and dice.

Melt the margarine in a skillet and sauté the onions until tender.

In the container of a blender, combine 1 cup of the stock and the potato skins. Process on high until smooth.

In a soup kettle or Dutch oven, combine the milk, potatoes, the sautéed onions, the mixture from the blender, and half-and-half. Bring to a boil, and immediately remove from heat.

Place a dollop of sour cream in each bowl, sprinkle with a little cheese, and spoon the soup over the top. Garnish with green onion, and serve immediately.

my life right now is spinning wildly out of control. i can't keep up! i'm trying to keep my head above water, but it's so hard!

this week:
- homework date w/bethany tomorrow
- studying anytime i'm not asleep, working, or in class
- working out, riding the exercise bike, etc.

next week:
- anatomy test monday
- nutrition test tuesday
- microbiology test thursday

basically i'm stressed out and trying not to get sick in the meantime.
i want to write more, but work is nuts right now, and i have to go! maybe later, but i doubt it.

i'd like to make something like this for each person at work:
http://www.joann.com/static/project/0511/PC00002.pdf

everything around me has been nuts lately! i don't even know how to keep up with all of the things going on. i should have read my last entry to figure out what i already talked about. but i'll just start a new little list of the craziness.

<3 work is alright! it slowed down for a couple of days, and i got caught up! but it's starting up again monday for the next two weeks.
<3 tuesday brother, matt, and i went riding at rio verde. it was a long ride, kind of scary, but i did it. we found the river, which means water and dirt and mud. and you  bet your ass i took full advantage of that. so i have to clean my quad this weekend. it was so cool.
<3 i got sick today after lunch. it reminds me how amazing it is that i kind of conquered that whole mess. but it's not all the way gone, and i have to remind myself of that sometimes. i guess that's what it was today. a reminder.
<3 tayler and i have been hanging out. it's dumb because her phone is still off, so it's hit and miss. but we went to some craft stores so i could get that bunny fanny pack made for jenn. she loved it, btw. and she will take some pictures of it and then send them to me so i can post them.
<3 last two games of the regular season are tonight. we play ATV and One Hit Wonders. then the tournament starts next week, double elimination. i think xavier is coming tonight and bethany is bringing her new boyfriend. aunt lee will be there, too. tawyna was supposed to play, but i guess she has strep or something. i'm not sure who is covering for her, but i told mike and we decided it was beth's problem.
<3 tyler and i might be going to the fair on saturday, but i think we might just wait and go next week during the week so it's not so busy.
<3 tayler, tyler, and i will be hanging out on halloween. tyler and i have been trying to figure out what we are going to dress up as. we went to walmart to buy patterns yesterday but i realized i just don't have the time or money to make anything like that this year. next year, maybe.
<3 november 7th is my registration date for next semester, so on the 1st the schedule comes out and i will narrow down some classes. then brent and i will go over it and figure out exactly what i'm going to do. i'm ready for school to be over. but i was talking to matt, and i'm like WTF am i going to do with my life when i'm not a full time student? i couldn't imagine working all day everyday. EWW! haha.

i have to get back to work. i will finish this later. :)

this weekend was a little intense. i think i'll just make a short post that includes a few highlights. :)

friday:
<3 got out of work 30 minutes early, thanks sara!
<3 softball at 8:30. won one & lost the other.
<3 bethany, james, & riley came.
(they brought my bday cookies)
(bethany called me a fickle friend...)
<3 tawnya, chris, & christopher came.
<3 tyler spent the night, we went to bed around 11:30/12.

saturday:
<3 tyler & i woke up and went to harbor freight.
(got a bug zapper, and some WD-40 for dad)
<3 got ready and went to the lucas oil off road races!!
(had a great time, the spot was PERFECT)
<3 there was a bus of drunk college kids. kinda obnoxious.
<3 tyler and i got into a fight.
(it was about me having male friends, i got angry though, and he knew it.)

sunday:
<3 woke up early, had breakfast, and headed home.
<3 dropped off our stuff & tyler and i went to wash our vehicles.
<3 came home, showered, and went to get lunch.
<3 ate, watched some football, and i worked on stats.
<3 finished two hw assignments and a quiz for stats & anatomy coloring
<3 rode bikes with tyler to granada park, fed the ducks in the dark.
<3 mom told me it looked like i had a baby bump. better start working out.

that's the end of my weekend. nothing amazing, just a bunch of random things. the thing between tyler and i isn't really resolved, but eventually it will be. i might post more about it later.

agenda for today:
<3 got some hotchocolatecoffee & mom brought me to work.
<3 work, anatomy lecture, anatomy lab, and then more work!
<3 home (not sure how, yet), dinner, and stats quiz & midterm.
<3 clean pig pigs cage. it is due for a good cleaning, i just haven't had time!
<3 dollar store to get halloween bags to fill with leaves for shredded stuff at work. :)
<3 going to the Y to get a free ASU membership w/tayler after work!

that's it for now. i'm sure i'll find more things that i need to add to it throughout the day! happy monday!

jenn wants me to make this for her by thursday, shouldn't be too hard:

bunny fanny pack

so friday was NOT a good day. i woke up and was miserable all day. i had the most intense cramps and felt awful for the entire day. tyler picked me up early and i went to his house and slept, because i had an extra hour of time at work. then we left to softball. when we got there i realllllllly had to pee because we were stuck in 5 oclock traffic forever. so i put my stuff down and went to run to the bathroom. when i did, i pulled something in my knee, and it hurt really bad. i got over it, only felt it if i really bent my knee, but i did alright for the two games. i actually hit a triple! :) we did amazing both games, and really played like a team. i think it was our new team shirts!! haha. but then umm. so we went to frys electronics to get tyler a bridge, and got a ton of comments on our shirts. then we came home after getting wings and stuff, and i went to sleep. when i woke up, i went to stand up, and i couldn't bend or straighten my leg. i hobbled into mom's room and she could see that my knee was swollen. so i tried walking on it some and i couldn't. my i couldn't bend it at all or it would shoot pain up my leg. i was pissssssed. so i iced it and heated it most of the day. i went to sams club with mom and dad, refused a wheelchair, and hobbled all around the store. i regretted that afterwards. my calves are SO sore today, using muscles i've never used before. haha. but thats how the day went. then tyler and i watched star wars 2. and that was that.

when i woke up today it doesn't hurt as bad to walk, but my entire leg is swollen. my mom wanted to take a picture of my feet, but i said no way! haha. so now i'm being forced to keep it up alllll day. (well, until i take tyler to the football game in a couple of hours). that's kind of okay, though. because i totally have to study big time. i have an anatomy test AND an anatomy practical tomorrow. and then my statistics midterm opens tomorrow. plus i have my microbiology lecture task to turn in. so it's going to be a crazy study-filled day. i think i will veg out in front of the game. :)

**to-do today:**
<3 study for anatomy test
<3 study for anatomy practical
<3 microbiology lecture task
<3 statistics chapters

today started off as a very, very grouchy day! and although i did not end up being late to work, i am still a little bit grouchy. my body just won't wake up, or come out of this funk! although i discovered a few minutes ago perhaps why i'm so grouchy, but that's beside the point. >(

last night i had a great time with tayler! got off of work and then met up with her in front of taylor place. then we walked around downtown looking for food, FYI, NOTHING is open after 4 down here. we ended up going to Z Pizza and i had a salad. she ate some weird curry yam something pizza, FUNKY business. :) then we realized that as we were walking to the park to watch the water, that we didn't have paper for the mock practical. so we went back to her dorm and got paper, then went and hung out in ucent until it started. i walked her back towards her dorm and brother picked me up at 8, and then brought me home. dad and i left to fill my truck up with gas, and then we went to bashas'. their frozen michelena's dinners are 10/$10 so i got 5 of those. :) that was my night. talked to tawnya for a little bit, but she wasn't super excited/talkative really. made me sad.

today i have a 40% off coupon for borders, and i have no idea what i want to buy. i've been really wanting to go buy a new book, but i don't know what's out or what's good anymore. i don't have time to read, really, either. so i should probably just save my money for now. until i find something i absolutely need. not that i "absolutely" need anything right now. haha.

tanae just invited me to go see paranormal activity with her tonight. i'm really scared to go, but i want to. it sucks because it doesn't play 'til midnight. but it's a limited engagement thing, so it's not always playing. i don't know...i want to, but i'm a chicken. haha. when people faint in the theatre, that doesn't sound so enticing to me. even if it's only 86 minutes long. we will see. :)

**things to be excited about today:**
<3 mr. hall said there is no lecture due online today!!
<3 it's thursday. that means it's almost friday which means it's almost the weekend so i can sleeeeeep!

hello, mr. happy, rainy wednesday! thank you for being so pretty outside! today is a good day! i woke up really early, got ready, and then mom & i went to target. found a couple of cute things there, and then she dropped me off at the lightrail so i could go to school! made it to school early, but not too early, and went to class. class was disturbing because he showed us a lot of really disgusting pictures of infections and warts and all kinds of nasty business. but i made it through! after class, tayler walked with me to work, since it was nice outside. so far at work i've filed close to 100 files, and started putting together packets for the information sessions. and i'm still doing that, but i got an intense urge to post!!!

tonight after work i am meeting tayler. not sure what we are doing! probably going to her dorm to hang out, and then figure out somewhere fabulous to go for dinner?! the college kid budget doesn't support "fabulous" so it might be something like subway...haha. but we will hang out and study until we have to go to our "mock practical" for anatomy at 7!! that will be exciting. haha. it's fun hanging out with her!! and her bf's name is tyler too, so that's cool. (random, perhaps? haha.)

what else has been going on?! i'm not sure. umm. i've decided that i really need to stop buying starbucks! because although my vente unsweetened black tea lemonade is so entirely tasty, it's impractical on my budget. i have a lot of things to buy with this check. like part of the phone bill, some black shoes (i don't have any black ones), umm. and i know there are some other things, as well. so i can't be spending over $3 a day. i will just have to figure out how to make my tea at home into a tasty black tea lemonade. that shall be my goal for this weekend. i just have to figure out where to find unsweetened lemonade. unless it's just lemon juice? that makes sense...hmm.

**notes to self:**
<3 kaitlin said that lemon juice would work! totally trying it. probably not until this weekend, though. :(
<3 october resolution: no starbucks or convenience places unless absolutely necessary! sad day, sorry mr. hotchocolatecoffee.
<3 cran-pomegranate ocean spray just add water things, SO GOOD! new favorite.

this weekend was different. it was a totally different change of pace for me, but i think i really liked it. the only bad thing is, my sleep schedule is so off now, and it hurts. :(

more to come later on today, hopefully. time to get ready for work & school.

so i've decided to take action in cleaning out my life. it starts with little stupid things. yesterday i spent an hour on facebook cleaning out crap. i cleaned out my applications and people and just stupid stuff. and then i started working on my school stuff, and my planner, and that kind of thing. today i worked on my laundry and my room, got that all organized and pretty, and next i'm going to start working on me. i gotta start eating better and taking vitamins. i'm not treating my body very well, and i can feel it. i am probably going to clean my truck today, regardless of whether or not it is going to rain, just because it feels good when it's clean. i'll clean out my purse, and anything else i can think of.

the rest of my weekend will be spent doing homework & studying. i have a lot to study and i'm going to accomplish it. today we are going to make chili for dinner. tyler & i are probably going to make it together. we went to lunch today with mom at souper salad, and it was fabulous. i forgot how much i liked that place! even though i ate too much and was in pain for a bit...haha.

i have big plans for myself, and this time, i'm not letting myself down!

i'm officially starting to feel like i've accomplished some things. today i worked an extra hour, i rode the light rail home, got dinner, and started on homework. i got about 50-60% of my re-test done while watching house(good episode, LOVE that show) and did my microbiology lecture task that is due thursday. i also read my assignment for microbiology tomorrow(most of it, i have to finish reading it tonight or tomorrow after i get home from mesa before class). i went for a walk with brother around the neighborhood, we walked about a mile, and talked about the stresses of employment. i came home and watered the yard for dad, and now i'm talking to tawnya online, kind of texting tyler but not really, and considering sleep. i am thinking about reviewing the last couple of lectures worth of notes for nutrition because i have a feeling we will be having a quiz tomorrow, since the test is next week and we haven't had a quiz yet.  anyways, i'm tired & my contacts hurt. (yes, my CONTACTS hurt, not my eyes. shut up) and i'm going to sleep, i think. goodnight.

i can't believe it's already 7PM on sunday night. today drug ass, and now that the game is on, the clock won't stop turning! haha. :( that means that the week is coming in like, 12 hours. LESS than twelve hours. i have to be up in 11 hours!!! :( the cardinals are stinking up the stadium. thanks to DRC(hopefully they take him out right now). tyler and i made onion rings for dinner, while mom made sliders. it was a really good dinner, but i feel really sick right now. typical. too much grease, probably. haha. i printed off my histology ppt for tomorrow for lab, and now i'm relaxing. i'm supposed to bring my jump drive, but guess what! I LOST IT! ugh. i'm so mad at myself, i can't even explain. so i have to go to wal-mart tonight and buy a new one. most people aren't going to be open after the game is over, since it's sunday and it will be after 8. i have had the laziest day ever today. i've not really done anything. tyler and i got home from his house around 7:30, and we took tucker to the vet at 9. we went and picked up starbucks and gas, and then came home and did NOTHING. got lunch at KFC for everyone at 1 and then picked tucker back up at 3. he loves to be home. he makes us all so very happy when he is here, haha. i'm tired and my body is quitting on me. it's only 7, and i have to go all the way back up to the store tonight!! :(

my anatomy teacher never posted our grades from last monday. and he didn't post up the make-up exam obviously if there isn't anything to make up. i'm pissed. but what are you going to do?! haha. this is a very whiny post today.

don't even get me started on being lectured by my brother about how the "f word" is a bad word, and i shouldn't use it. and how he doesn't like it and doesn't like to say it. and all of this crap. haha. UGH! garbage.

THIS FOOTBALL GAME!!! is pissing me off, too! haha. :( alright, i'm going to quit whining and make myself useful. in babes lap sleeping 'til the game is over. :) goodnight!ish. haha.

PS/ i'm buying the pink one tonight. haha.

so today i am at work! and i realize that i am again falling behind on my posting. okay i'm not really falling behind, i already fell behind. i'm doing terribly at trying to catch up! i've accomplished my anatomy and my microbiology exams, and i'm still waiting on my scores on though. i did my two lab quizzes monday and got a 100% and a 60%. not bad for feeling like garbage! i'm at work, and it's not SUPER busy, but there is enough to keep me busy. i need to go to the little dorm store down the street and pick up some chapstick! my lips hurt REAL bad!!! (hehe) my throat is like garbage again, and i'm annoyed. it's hurting, and ugh! why?! why won't this go away? :(

anyways! (got distracted by tanae, and now i don't know what i'm talking about anymore). oh btw, tanae calls me Pearl now. haha. because i'm one of her only white friends...i thought that was funny. haha!

so i don't know what else to post about. i have some nutrition homework due by midnight? that's always exciting. and i have been studying stats when i don't have much going on. i don't have any coloring pages due next week, and no quizzes to study for, so that helps!! it's nice to have a break from that. next week: histology...UGH. haha!

softball will be fun tomorrow! we are working on a t-shirt design (beth and i are) and my design is going to be the one we use, but we have to figure out what color the shirt is going to be, now. our team is doing really well. right now we are 3-1. we just HAVE it this season, and everyone is doing really well. our morale is way up, which feels great as a team. hopefully i will start feeling better and tyler and i will be able to go out with the team after games. haha. i just have to shake this thing!

tawnya and i have been talking about hanging out, and last night we were supposed to but she didn't text me when she got off like she was supposed to. no big deal, i just waited until 10:30 and went to sleep. i shouldn't have waited that long, but oh well. that's a whole other complicated deal.

i have to get back to work. this was really random and dumb. i'll try and think of something even more interesting to post about...hmm.

Beg at top of Head, with A, ch 2.

Rnd 1: Work 6 sc in first ch.

Place marker in first st for beg of rnd; move marker up as each rnd is completed.

Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st around - 12 sts.

Rnd 3: *2 sc in next st, sc in next st; rep from * around - 18 sts.

Rnd 4: *2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts; rep from * around - 24 sts.

Rnd 5: *2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 sts; rep from * around - 30 sts.

Rnds 6-12: Sc in each st around.

Rnd 13: *Sc2tog, sc in next 3 sts; rep from * around - 24 sts.

Rnd 14: *Sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts; rep from * around - 18 sts.

Beg stuffing Head and Body.

Rnd 15: *Sc2tog, sc in next st; rep from * around - 12 sts.

Rnd 16: Sc in each st around.

Rnd 17: *2 sc in next st, sc in next st; rep from * around - 18 sc.

Rnd 18: *2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts; rep from * around - 24 sts.

Rnds 19-30: Sc in each st around.

Rnd 31: *Sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts; rep from * around - 18 sts.

Finish stuffing Head and Body.

Rnd 32: *Sc2tog, sc in next st; rep from * around - 12 sts.

Rnd 33: (Sc2tog) around - 6 sts.

Fasten off.
FACE

With B, ch 2.

Rnds 1-5: Work Rnds 1-5 of Head - 30 sts.

Fasten off.

LEGS (make 2)

With B, ch 2.

Rnd 1: Work 4 sc in first ch.

Place marker in first st for beg of rnd; move marker up as each rnd is completed.

Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st around - 8 sts.

Rnds 3-15: Sc in each st around.

Fasten off.
ARMS (make 2)

With B, ch 2.

Rnds 1-12: Work Rnds 1-12 of Legs.

Fasten off.

EARS (make 2)

With A, ch 2.

Rnd 1: Work 4 sc in first ch.

Place marker in first st for beg of rnd; move marker up as each rnd is completed.

Rnd 2: *2 sc in next st, sc in next st; rep from * once more - 6 sts.

Rnd 3: *2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts; rep from * once more - 8 sts.

Rnd 4: *2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 sts; rep from * once more - 10 sts.

Rnd 5: *2 sc in next st, sc in next 4 sts; rep from * once more - 12 sts.

Rnds 6-11: Sc in each st around.

Rnd 12: (Sc2tog) around - 6 sts.

Fasten off.
TAIL

With B, ch 2.

Rnds 1 and 2: Work Rnds 1 and 2 of Head - 12 sts.

Rnds 3 and 4: Sc in each st around.

Stuff lightly.

Rnd 5: (Sc2tog) around - 6 sts.

Fasten off.

HEART

With B, ch 4.

Rnd 1: 2 dc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, 3 sc in last ch; working along opposite side of beg ch, hdc in next ch, (2 dc, slip st) in last ch.

Fasten off

FINISHING

Following package directions, attach safety eyes to Face. Sew Face to Head, and Ears to top of Head. Stuff Arms and Legs lightly and sew to Body. Sew Tail to Body. Sew Heart onto Bunny. With A, embroider a straight st nose. Weave in ends.

http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/mini-pumpkin-whoopie-pies?autonomy_kw=whoopie%20pie

Makes about 20
FOR THE COOKIES
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch-process)
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup vegetable shortening
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed dark-brown sugar
1 large egg
1 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
FOR THE FILLING
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup canned solid pack pumpkin
Pinch of cinnamon
Pinch of nutmeg
Directions
Prepare cookies: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt into a medium bowl; set aside.
Place butter, shortening, and sugars into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on high speed until smooth, about 3 minutes. Add egg; mix until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Mix in half the flour mixture, then the milk and vanilla. Mix in remaining flour mixture.
Drop about 2 teaspoons dough onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper, spacing 2 inches apart. Bake until cookies spring back when lightly touched, 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer baking sheets to wire racks and let cool 10 minutes. Remove cookies from baking sheets and transfer to wire racks using a spatula; let cool completely.
Prepare filling: In the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, whip together cream cheese, butter and confectioners' sugar on medium speed until smooth, about 3 minutes. Add pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg; whip until smooth, scraping down the bowl as necessary.
Pipe or spoon about 2 teaspoons filling on the flat sides of half the cookies. Sandwich with remaining cookies, keeping the flat sides down.

things i've accomplished today:
.took tucker to the vet w/dad at 9
.got breakfast w/dad at dunkin donuts
.cut coupons for our shopping spree
.went shopping for lunches & snacks this week w/dad
.picked up tucker from the vet
.watched the home opener game
.made homemade chicken noodle soup
.made cranberry oatmeal cookies
.made granola with dad
.cleaned lasagna's cage
.gave lasagna a bath
.made baked ziti with dad
.went to target w/tyler for tupperware
.cleaned up my room a little bit
.packed up my new backpack for tomorrow
.ordered a new iPod case
.charged my iPod
.paid some bills
.showered
.installed new iPod udpate

cousin made me cookies & got me this book!!!:

my birthday was successful. brother got me a great and thoughtful gift. in a little wooden box with some glass seed beads and a glass turtle charm to make into a necklace! so i have to figure something out to make that super cute!! :) last night was fabulous. our team kicked ASS!!! debbie's kids made me brownies, and we all shared them after we dominated last night. 2-0! the team is on FIRE!!! :)

tyler got me my scooter!!! and dad got me my backpack! the backpack isn't cute, and it's HUGE, but it's awesome. it has a built-in lunchbox, and everything! so i don't have to bring two bags! that's exciting. here those two are, and then i'll take another pic of the stuff brother got me tonight. :)

i forgot to post about my new major declaration that happened on thursday. it was a really big step for me, but brent at work sat me down and helped me realize what would be better for my strengths and weaknesses. i'm glad i'm still a nutrition major. but i'm no long a "dietetics" major, i'm a "food and nutrition management" major. this is more the business/management side, but i can take it anywhere. community nutrition, school lunch programs, culinary, anywhere. it's hard to adjust, but only 1.5 semesters left, and i will have received my BS in Food and Nutrition Management. i can see it now...goodnight.


...loving this new layout, btw. :)

"That was the thing. You just never knew. Forever was so many different things. It was always changing, it was what everything was really all about. It was twenty minutes, or a hundred years, or just this instant, or any instant I wished would last and last. But there was one truth about forever that really mattered, and that was this: it was happening. Right then...and every moment afterwards. Look, there. Now. Now. Now."

so...i've been failing intensely on keeping my blog updated. but i hardly have time to breathe.

my life right now is out of control. if i'm not in class, i'm at work. and when i'm not there, i'm on the light rail. dad and brother have been pretty nice and picking me up and dropping me off, but i'm not going to allow that anymore. it's a waste of everyones gas and time and i feel bad. i get home, dead, and eat dinner, and then struggle to find any sort of motivation at all to study. i go to bed, and then start it all over again. haha. chemistry is going to be over tomorrow, and that will be nice not to have to worry about that. but i had to spend this whole weekend doing that.

aunt marsha is here, and aunt lee and the girls and girls came over saturday. mark, lindsey, chad, and zack showed up for a little bit too. we all hung out, but i was way too tired to have very much fun. haha. i was more concerned about falling asleep. i've been waking myself up around 7:45-8 this weekend. that's good, but bad because i need the sleep!!! tawnya was supposed to show up saturday, too, but she ended up working on this project for school or something all night. and then she told me she would come over on sunday at 10, and i never heard from her. it sucks, but i can't really do anything about it, and i'm so drained i can't worry about it a ton. would i like the break, yes. but i don't have time to be upset or anything.

today i've been relaxing and studying for my chem. final tomorrow. went to QT and got an iced tea lemonade with brother. mom and marsha went to go see uncle warren in tucson. i guess he's really not doing too well. that makes me sad, but i'd rather him not struggle too much longer, at the same time. dad and i are going to sprouts and to get stuff for lunches and snacks for work and school sometime, too. i gotta go get my water filled, as well...man i can't even keep track of it all. at least i've accomplished a load of laundry, one down, one to go!

i don't know what in the world else i can post about. my birthday is on friday, and i relaly don't care? haha. i don't have time to worry about what's happening at the end of the week. we start our fall season of softball, play two games, 6:30 and 7:30, and then i'll be so dead i will want to crash. dad and i talked about it and we will just celebrate together saturday, on his birthday. do the present thing and whatever else. i get my first paycheck will be friday, too. that will be really nice. it won't be much, but it's a hell of a lot more than i have right now.

alright, well i must make lunch for all of the boys, switch the laundry, and study more chem. here i go!!

i want to make this!!!

instructions:

Materials:
Lion Brand Pound of Love - White
Caron One Pound - Yellow
Red Heart Super Saver - Black
Size US-G/4mm Crochet Hook
Size US-H/5mm Crochet Hook
Pink Embroidery Floss
9mm Safety Eyes
Polyester Fiberfill
Blunt Darning Needle

• NOTE: Pattern is worked in continuous rounds. Do not join or turn.
Use stitch marker to indicate beginning of round.
• The yarns listed is the yarns I used. Size may vary with other yarns.
• NOT SAFE FOR SMALL CHILDREN.

Abbreviations:
SC = Single Crochet
HDC = Half Double Crochet
Ch = Chain
Rnd(s) = Round(s)
Beg = Beginning Sts = Stitches
2tog = Crochet 2 stitches together (decrease)
* = Repeat stitches from * to end of *

Head:
Ch 2
Rnd 1: Work 5 sc in second ch from hook = 5 sc
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around = 10 sc
Rnd 3: *Sc in first sc, 2 sc in second sc*, repeat from * around = 15 sc
Rnd 4: *Sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc*, repeat from * around = 20 sc
Rnd 5: *Sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc*, repeat from * around = 25 sc
Rnd 6: *Sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc*, repeat from * around = 30 sc
Rnds 7-12: Sc in each sc around
Rnd 13: *Sc in next 4 sc, sc 2tog*, repeat from * around = 25 sc
Rnd 14: *Sc in next 3 sc, sc 2tog*, repeat from * around = 20 sc
Rnd 15: *Sc in next 2 sc, sc 2tog*, repeat from * around = 15 sc
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing; position safety eyes and stuff head
firmly. Sew opening closed.

Body:
Ch 2
Rnd 1: Work 5 sc in second ch from hook = 5 sc
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around = 10 sc
Rnd 3: *Sc in first sc, 2 sc in next sc*, repeat from * around = 15 sc
Rnd 4: *Sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc*, repeat from * around = 20 sc
Rnd 5: *Sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc*, repeat from * around = 25 sc
Rnds 6-10: Sc in each sc around
Rnd 11: *Sc in next 3 sc, sc 2tog*, repeat from * around = 20 sc
Rnd 12: *Sc in next 2 sc, sc 2tog*, repeat from * around = 15 sc
Rnd 13: *Sc in next sc, sc 2tog*, repeat from * around = 10 sc
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing; stuff firmly. Sew opening closed.
This will be the base (or bottom).

Arms: (Make 2)
Ch 2
Rnd 1: Work 5 sc in second ch from hook = 5 sc
Rnd 2-6: Sc around
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Do not stuff.




Legs: (make 2)
Ch 2
Rnd 1: Work 5 sc in second ch from hook = 5 sc
Rnd 2-4: Sc around
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Do not stuff.

Ears: (Make 2)
Ch 2
Rnd 1: 5 sc in second ch from hook = 5 sc
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc = 10 sc
Rnd 3: Sc around = 10 sc
Fasten off, leave a long tail. Do not stuff. Fold in half.

Bow: (Make 1)
With Yellow Yarn,
Rnd 1: Ch 6
Rnd 2: Sc in second ch from hook, ch 1, turn.
Rnd 3-6: Sc across, ch 1, turn. Do no ch 1 at last round.
Fasten off, leave long tail for sewing.
To Form Bow:
1. Weave in short piece of yarn (where ch was started) to center;
2. Weave in long tail to center;
3. Pinch center and wrap longer piece of yarn around 5 times;
4. Thread through blunt needle and secure by running under the wrapped
part.

Dress:
Use H Hook for Dress.
Rnd 1: With Yellow yarn, insert crochet hook in sc on top part of body and
pull yarn through to form a loop, secure; sc around 1 round.
Rnd 2: Join Black yarn; Sc around 1 round.
Rnd 3: Join Yellow yarn; *sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc*, repeat from * to
end.
Rnd 4: Join Black yarn, sc around 1 round.
Rnds 5-7: Join Yellow yarn, sc in ea sc around.
Fasten off. Weave in Ends.


Wings: (Make 2)
With Yellow yarn and G hook, ch 2
Rnd 1: Work 5 sc in second ch from hook = 5 sc
Rnd 2: 2 sc in ea sc around = 10 sc.
Rnd 3: Sc in ea sc around.
Rnd 4: Sl St to join, ch 3, fasten off.
Leave a long tail for sewing.

Antennae: (Make 2)
With Black yarn and G hook, ch 7.
Cut yarn and slip through last sc 4 times to form a knot, leaving a long tail
for sewing. Weave in short yarn where chain was started.
NOTE: You can also use black pipe cleaner for Antennae.

To Assemble:
Attach ears to head.
Attach head to body.
Attach arms, just below head.
Attach legs.
Attach bow.
Attach each antenna next to ear, curving slightly.
Attach wings to back.
Using pink embroidery floss, sew nose.

Doll measures 4” from tip of ear to leg.

Materials:
Size US-F/3.75mm Crochet Hook
Lion Brand Pound of Love - White
Lion Brand Pound of Love – Bubble Gum
Caron Simply Soft – Sage (Small Amount)
Pink embroidery floss
Polyester Fiberfill
2 - 9mm Safety Eyes
Blunt darning needle

Notes:
1. Worked in continuous rounds; do not join and do not turn unless otherwise specified. Use stitch marker to indicate beginning of rounds.
2. Yarn listed is what I used – Size may vary with other yarns.

Abbreviations:
SC = Single Crochet
Ch = Chain
Rnd(s) = Round(s)
Beg = Beginning
SL ST = Slip Stitch
Sts = Stitches
2tog = Crochet 2 stitches together (decrease)
* = Repeat stitches from * to end of *

Head:
Ch 2
Rnd 1: Work 5 sc in second ch from hook = 5 sc
Rnd 2: Work 2 sc in each sc = 10 sc
Rnd 3: *Sc in first sc, 2 sc in second sc*, repeat from * around = 15 sc
Rnd 4: *Sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc*, repeat from * around = 20 sc
Rnd 5: *Sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc*, repeat from * around = 25 sc
Rnd 6: *Sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc*, repeat from * around = 30 sc
Rnds 7-12: Sc in each sc around Rnd 13: *Sc in next 4 sc, sc 2tog*, repeat from * around = 25 sc
Rnd 14: *Sc in next 3 sc, sc 2tog*, repeat from * around = 20 sc
Rnd 15: *Sc in next 2 sc, sc 2tog*, repeat from * around = 15 sc
Fasten off, leaving a long tail; position safety eyes and stuff firmly. Weave in and close opening.

Head Band:
Rnd 1: With Sage Green Yarn, insert crochet hook into st about 6 rows down on the head and pull yarn through to form a loop.
Rnd 2: Sc around head by inserting crochet hook into st and crochet around, you will have approximately 22 sc around. (Don’t worry if you have a few or less sts.)
Rnd 3: Sl st through ea sc around. Fasten off, leave a long tail.
Rnd 4: Thread yarn through needle and run needle through band, securing each st – you will have four loops. Cut loops – you will have 4 strands of yarn.

Ears: (Make 2)
Ch 2
Rnd 1: Work 5 sc in second ch from hook = 5 sc
Rnd 2: Work 2 sc in each sc = 10 sc
Rnd 3: Sc in ea sc around
Fasten off, leave a long tail for sewing. Do not stuff. Fold in half. Sew ears on head just above the head band.

Flower: I used a decorative button for the flower for her ear. You can use a satin rosette or crochet a small flower or a bow.

Body:
Ch 2
Rnd 1: Work 5 sc in second ch from hook = 5 sc
Rnd 2: Work 2 sc in each sc around = 10 sc
Rnd 3: *Sc in first sc, 2 sc in second sc*, repeat from * around = 15 sc
Rnd 4: *Sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc*, repeat from * around = 20 sc
Rnd 5: *Sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc*, repeat from * around = 25 sc
Rnds 6-10: Sc in each sc around
Rnd 11: *Sc in next 3 sc, sc 2tog*, repeat from * around = 20 sc
Rnd 12: *Sc in next 2 sc, sc 2tog*, repeat from * around = 15 sc
Rnd 13: *Sc in next sc, sc 2tog*, repeat from * around = 10 sc
Fasten off leave long tail; stuff firmly. Weave in and close opening.

Hoola Skirt:
To make the band for the hoola skirt:
Rnd 1: With Sage Color Yarn, insert crochet hook in middle of body through stitch and pull yarn through to form a loop. (5 rows down).
Rnd 2: Sc around body by inserting crochet hook into each stitch = 25 sc around.
Fasten off, weave in yarn.
Note: It is ok if you have a couple more or less stitches.

To make the “grass” for the hoola skirt:
Rnd 1: With Bubble Gum Color Yarn, cut 4 – 6” pieces. Fold in half and pull through waist band stitch – pull yarn through loop to form a fringe.
Continue around until the hoola skirt is completely covered with fringe, approximately 18 pieces of fringe. Again, depending on the yarn you use, you may have a few more or a few less fringe. It is ok. Continue with fringe until entire skirt is complete. Place your fringe as close together as possible.
Rnd 2: Trim fringe – it should cover the bottom of the body.
NOTE: You will trim the fringe skirt after you are done.

Arms: (Make 2)
Ch 2
Rnd 1: Work 5 sc in second ch from hook = 5 sc
Rnd 2-6: Sc in ea sc around
Fasten off, leave long tail for sewing. Do not stuff.

Legs: (make 2)
Ch 2
Rnd 1: Work 5 sc in second ch from hook = 5 sc
Rnd 2-4: Sc in ea sc around
Fasten off, leave long tail. Do not stuff.


To Assemble:
1. Head is complete - Attach to body. 2. Attach arms.
3. Attach legs.
4. Using pink embroidery floss, sew nose.

this is going to be quick, because i have a lot on my plate right now.

:uncle john passed away yesterday at 4:30AM. (dad's brother). everyone is flying out here this afternoon to figure out funeral arrangements and stuff. no details yet, but it should be an interesting weekend. dad took today and tomorrow off of work.
:dad and i went and ordered me new contacts. these headaches have been killing me and we are hoping it's from wearing glasses, and not from the allergy drops.
:the sores on the inside of my mouth seem to be going away a little bit, but i've been using this cold sore fever blister stuff so it numbs it for a little while.
:dad, aunt lee, george, and i are going downtown to the ASU bookstore so i can order my textbooks and she can use her 10% off employee discount.
:i went to a job interview yesterday at ASU. it was for the advising department of the Nursing building. i'm really hoping i get this job. it's only $8/hr., but it's $8 more an hour than what i'm making right now...
:vanessa leaves tomorrow so brother has been over there a lot, when i honestly think he should be home spending time with dad after his brother passed away. i've said something to him already, but he's not listening.
:school starts monday and it's kind of stressing me out!

that's all i can think of to write about right now. i'm not sure i have anything else to say.

so i got a lot done today, for the most part.

i got my room worked on, got my vanity & closet cleaned out. i went through a lot of old paperwork from last semester and the semester before and put that away if i didn't throw it away. i went with mom and dad to chuy's and smart and final, too. then i came home and did more work on my room and hung out. i've been really tired and not feeling too well all day. and then like the last couple of nights i get a gross headache at night. these allergy drops better start treating me better than they have been...stupids. haha. i don't know what's in store for this week. mom wants to do a bunch of stuff before my aunt marsha gets here. i keep forgetting that's in like, two weeks. i also don't realize every time school comes up in my head that it's really only one week away. i don't even have my books or anything! my loan will be disbursed on wednesday, though. and then i can figure out what to do with books after i pay my tuition. i've been really bored tonight. i worked on brother's resume for him so he can go apply at a couple of places tomorrow, since his work is jacking him around. tyler didn't come over because he looked like a tomato i guess after he fished with g for 4 hours without a hat or sunblock. that kid is a genius, sometimes, i tell you! i started to work on chemistry, but my mind just isn't in it. my back is hurting sitting in my desk chair too. (this post is full of complaints...wow!) but i think i'm going to go lay in bed and read some more of a time travelers wife. i think i mentioned before that i had to start re-reading it. i will post again tomorrow. i'm sure i'll have a pretty big to do list to work on. goodnight.

things to do today:
.chemistry homework.
.chemistry labs.
.help dad w/his stuff.
.go fishing w/tyler again tonight??
.help dad figure out dinner. (DONE!)
.figure out transportation. (DONE!)
.watch coraline. (DONE!)
.dorm-ify my bedroom. (DONE-ish!)
.help brother with his resume. (DONE!)
.print off lightrail/ASU shuttle schedules. (DONE!)

i have been thinking, and been kind of sad, because tawnya pretty much fell off the face of the earth...i talked to her a little bit friday and she said she wanted to come play softball, and that she would call/text me when she got off at 6, and i haven't heard from her since. and i hadn't heard much from her lately, anyways. she watched pig pig, which i was so thankful for, and then after she dropped her off i've not really talked to her. it makes me feel bad because i start school, and i think she does, too, on the 24th, and i won't ever have time for anyone. so this should be prime time for us. but i guess everyone thinks about things differently?

last night tyler, garrett, and i went urban fishing at papago park. that was SO awesome. we didn't catch anything, but we had a ton of bites. we didn't get to fish long because garrett wasn't home when we got there to pick him up, and by the time we got to papago, the sun was almost down. we might go back tonight, but they are out there right now. i don't have the gas to get there again. haha. :(

i'm still trying to find work. i'm applying everywhere i can think of. i'm waiting to hear back from the ASU jobs & craig's list stuff. also i'm waiting to hear back from costco. i just need a job. at least i got the loan, but it really covered tuition and BARELY covers my books. :( i'll figure something out. i'm going to go dorm-ify my bedroom, now. just wanted to put up my to-do list, and vent a little. OH and i have to go take my allergy drops!