And this is my life story

So I've been watching a lot of "Samantha Who?" lately because of one reason: Melissa McCarthy. She's an actress that I like that has a new show out called "Mike & Molly" (love by the by) but I first knew her from playing Sookie on "Gilmore Girls". Thank you Elspeth. To anyone who reads my blog, well, I'm sorry.....but you might remember back from this past summer when one of my addictions slash favorite past times was when Elspeth and I would sit 'n our underwear and Gilmore. And usually I was the only one in underwear. Point is: yay Melissa I wanna be your friend. K, thanks.

Anyway, the premise of SW is that she (meaning Christina Applegate) was hit by a car, in a coma, and woke up a functioning amnesiatic. The style of writing is very narrative, and there are notes that pop up on the screen such as "talk to mom about sex" then the scene plays out full of comedy and then the note comes back with "NEVER talk to mom about sex". You get the idea.

I was in the bathroom just now and totally could picture my life at that moment as this television show. Picture this: I'm looking at this very intricate, metal wall decoration and thinking (read: narrating) how they rusted it. It was probably painted. I love painting, I think I've always loved to paint, even as a kid. Why do I feel like this moment right now is my childhood? [The camera pans pack from the wall art so me from the shoulders up and we see, I am on the toilet. Then memories come flooding in.] First: It's 1992 I'm in a neon pink and blue wind breaker, mom, dad, sis, and I are at the creek with happy meals and cones. I'm complaining that my stomach hurts and over the shoulder with the huge video recorder mom says, "Jose, can you take care of that?" and dad and I walk into the bushes. Then Jr. High: I'm sitting in the breakfast line at school drinking a chocolate milk, bagel in hand. Then I run to the bathroom and the shot is just of those awful lemon stall doors, all closed. We hear the bell ring and 13 year old Sasha say from inside the stall, "...Dang it!!". And last is in High School: The basketball team is on the way to a tournament at 5am, we're in school district vans. The shot is the van driving in the dark, in the middle of nowhere and we hear 17 year old Sasha say, "Coach...can we pull over?"

[Now the shot is back to me on the toilet having these memories fresh in mind.] "UGH!" [black screen with note saying: Note to self: don't eat dairy!" And then perhaps I can forget once in the episode and put milk in something and then the note comes back with "Note to self: don't eat dairy EVER!"

Ooooh I need to write my life story into a movie. I really do. Sorry that it will probably include poop. Just a thought.

A Woman Certainly Worth Mentioning: Jade Geneve Kepner

On Friday, November 26 the world said goodbye to an amazing woman. Jade was more than just someone that moved to my small town years before I did. More than just the owner of a condo my mom managed. More than just an "artist in the classroom" at my elementary school. She was my guest when I was nominated student of the month by the Sedona Rotary Club in high school. She helped put my sister through Beauty School. But above all, we knew Jade as the dancer that she was.

"Sometimes I'm not sure just where I'd be. But of one thing I am certain; that although I write paint and such, I am, was and will always be a dancer.

Almost seventy years ago, at the age of nine, Jade Geneve began her career as a professional dancer. She went on to become a well known featured dancer, appearing with many of the famous names of her day - Danny Kaye - Ray Bolger - Carman Miranda - Elvis Presley - Frank Sinatra, and many others.

For over two years she was featured as dance soloist on one of tv's top shows, 'Stop The Music', along with guest star appearances on the Ed Sullivan, Milton Beryle, Sid Caesar and Emegine Coco shows, and countless other top t.v. appearances.

After a serious auto accident she was told she would never walk again. She used her extensive training in the field of dance to teach herself not only to walk, but to dance again

In her own healing process she worked at Roosevelt hospital with amputees, at the Havestraw Center for polio victims in New York, with emotionally disturbed children at Bellevue hospital in New York, and at rehab centers for delinquent boys and girls.

In all these areas she worked closely with doctors and therapists and learned much under their guidance. Jade Geneve, along with Dr. Miles in Washington D.C., became well known as the innovators of using dance as therapy.

Later she married her child hood sweetheart and moved to La Jolla California, where she opened La Jolla Dance Center, a very successful studio with high standards and a minimum enrollment of 250 students.

She was truly inspiring, and I will never forget what she has done for my family and I. I know that her talents are of great use where she is.

"Dance is the image and energy of God. His divine creation, His ultimate work of art. And, again I say, you are dance." ~ Jade Geneve

I Remember

I'm sorry. In advance. For some reason these have been running through my mind today. I'm sorry. In advance.

-On the phone-

"My baptism is on Saturday."

Sobs from the other end.

"I need to go."

The loudest silence ever felt.

-On the phone-

"How could you think we wouldn't want to be there?"

"I didn't think you'd want to be my family anymore"

"What kind of people do you think we are?"

Guilt stabbing every nerve in the body.

-At a work meeting-

GM: "Your baptism's tomorrow? There's going to be a lot of opposition young lady."

Through broken breaths and immediate tears.

"You...have...no...idea..."

-later-

"Well it was nice to meet you"

walks away, others whisper of the news

PG: "You're getting baptized tomorrow? Can I HUG you?!"

A grateful spirit and open arms.

PG: "I served my mission in France!"

A Tender Mercy.

-January 17, 2009-

"It was a nice ceremony. Wanna go out to the bars?"

A gaping hole.

"No, that's okay...I'll stay in."

Door shuts. Left alone, my hair still smelling like forgiveness.

-Sorting Mail-

"I know it's True. But I'll never be a Molly Mormon."

Left wondering what could have been said or done differently.

Nothing.

-On the phone-

"Jamie. He got into an accident on his motorcycle, and he...died."

Heart skipped...a few beats. Falling to the floor and praying between sobs.

An American flag. Folded.

-On the phone-

"I know what your church thinks. They believe in some stupid man to tell you what to do. Don't worry...I know you're smarter than that."

A swift blow to my existence and a lump in my throat.

"I'm sorry, I'm a disappointment. I will stand by the Prophet until the day I die. I need to go. I love you. More than you can imagine."

-Over an appetite-less lunch-

"I thought everyone memorized their names"

"Nope, not everyone."

A realization of Agency

Happy Birthday Sista Whip

So Kelsie's birthday was nearly a month ago, and while I sent her a package...it wasn't her real gift. I'd like to give a shout out to Elspeth, Lindsay, and Roni! Thanks for your scriptures!! I made Sis Whip a paper bag book all about the Savior!

-Please forgive the picture quality. My camera broke, so I had to use my phone.

That's the cover.

Roni's tab!

One of the pages and Elspeth's tab.

The last page and one of the tabs

The very last page. It's D&C 20:37

The back of one of the tabs and the back of the book

Castles Quarters

No one will understand my title, but oh well. Inside Joke.

1 year, 9 months and 10 days ago I was baptized! Aside from many a members, with one in particular, my two missionaries were Elder Baker (left) and Elder Moss (right). They were the Assistance to the President at the time and about 20 months out. I last saw them in probably March or April of 2009. What's CRAZY, is Trevor Baker's sister came to Tucson for her graduate studies this year! Not only have I met her (excitedly) but she's dating someone in our dinner group. And by "our" I mean my roommates. And by "dinner group" I mean the boys of another apt and the girls in mine make dinner for each other every week. I usually grab and bounce, but tonight she and her boyf came early for dinner and we were able to chat a little before I left for rehearsal. I just love that I can talk with one of my missionaries sister in my Morm-filled home! And Tyler (E. Moss) is married. Adorb!

LOVE IT!

Oh. My. Heartache.

I wish there was a better word to describe the type of heartache I mean. The feeling is almost a bitter sweet. This weekend was perfect and definitely had a triumphant end.

Growing up in Sedona is different than most places, I feel. Not only do you grow up knowing almost everyone in your entire school, but also some of your best friends parents are your teachers and principals. Seeing someone from Sedona, outside of that town sends a surge of adrenaline through my heart. It’s just a little piece of home away from home. Hannah and I have been like sisters since we were in HS, especially after living together in college. She started at Vermont Law School in the fall (my baby’s all grown up!) and I went to visit her this weekend. It’s like we were never apart. The best part was hearing her talking about knowing someone Mormon and saying, “What am I supposed to do? Go up to them and be like, ‘Oh my best friend’s Mormon!’” It was just so great to see that when it’s true, deep friendship, certain things do not matter.

The trip started in Boston where we met up with Odette, a friend since first grade that we hadn’t seen in 5 years. It was so much fun, and it was like home. The city is beautiful and I have stayed at the hotel RIGHT next to Odette’s New England Law School. Crazy! All these lawyers in my life. Sheesh.

We went to Vermont to see Hannah’s small town. We toured her school, which is beautiful, and the town. It took about twenty minutes so we ate brunch at a local café and then drove three miles to Camp Joseph—the Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial! It was wonderful to feel the Spirit there, and again, it was like a little piece of home.

We drove to Burlington…the drive alone is stunning; Trees are changing to some lovely colors on the east coast. Who knew? We shopped, we ate, we LAUGHED. Without a doubt, laughing with Hannah is like none other. My stomach always hurts after. The day couldn’t have been better! And on the drive back we talked about how these fall colors reminded us of weddings, etc, and then we made future wedding plans and colors for ourselves! I realized, I’d rather have a cheap dress and a REALLY good photographer than the other way around.

Today we went back to Boston, where my flight departed, and had lunch with Odette again. It was so nice to be in a room with these beautiful women that came from the same small town, but had desires for something more. All I kept thinking about is that I want to go places and do something. Serve others. Serve the Lord.

Leaving Hannah at the airport left me with a joyful heartache. I’m proud that her life and career are taking off. I’m proud that I’m finishing up my double degree at the University, but it occurred to me that we’re growing up. I thought about my life direction again, and I the desire I’ve had for so long, it seems, to serve a mission. I started my papers a while ago, and aside from meeting with Doctors 3 months before I’m available (in 148 days) I’m done. I decided to calm my spirits I’d read my scriptures. It worked and I was just waiting for my flight to board.

My phone rings. It was Kyli. I thought, how random at 1:00pm Boston time, but how perfect, I need to talk to her anyway.

M: Hello?

K: Is Kelsie Whipple in Tallahassee?

M: Wait, what?

K: Sister Whipple. Is she in Tallahassee right now?

Me: Oh. Yes!

K: Okay, hold on. I think I see her! I’m in Tallahassee right now visiting my convert *running* [in the background] Are you Sister Whipple? Because I’m on the phone with Sasha Piton, right now.

Sister Whipple: Hahaha, no way. That’s crazy! *grabs phone* Hello? How are you?

M: OH. MY. GOSH!!! I’m GOOD, how are you?

My hands were shaking and there was a lump in my throat! I couldn’t believe I was talking to one of my closest friends; my hero; my ray of sunshine; my missionary, on the phone. We only talked for a few minutes before we said goodbye. Again, it was bitter sweet. A joyful heartache. A Tender Mercy.

After that brief conversation my heart pounded with the Spirit. Sometimes I feel there’s opposition for sisters who want to go on a mission. I don’t mean the normal, hey-Satan-doesn’t-want-me-to-be-righteous-in-life, kind of oppression. I mean people acting as if I think I want to go on a mission, but marriage is right around the corner and I’ll never make it on a mission. Don’t get me wrong; I value marriage more than people would think. I cannot wait for the day I get to call someone mine, and I theirs. I have never been anyone’s first and last thought, and I know I will have deep, consuming, unable to recover kind of love, but right now, a mission consumes my thoughts more than anything. It’s like my spirit is itching to get out of my skin because I want to go so badly. I hear how hard that time of service is, and my bones ache to be working that hard. I know the Lord is aware of my heartache because I see Tender Mercies every day to help me through and prepare me for something more. The thought has hit me multiple times today, so I’m going to say (write) it, but I feel like Jamie understands. Talking to him just a year ago….he was always a missionary, and he always encouraged me. His spirit broke free from his body to do missionary work. While I miss him and can think of a few people that NEED him, I know he’s right where he should be.

I very much so am grateful for the missionaries in my life. And the best friend that accepts me and loves me for wanting to do and be more!

147 days and 12 hours…. :)

Sometimes We Just Know

I truly believe there are moments in life when we're given insight into someone else's life. I pray for those moments. Sometimes life just goes by so fast and for some of it, I'm grateful because it feels grueling, tough, terrible...and then worth it. But during those "enduring" moments a tender mercy from the Lord is sent through a messenger, and the love felt in that moment is so pure. And deep. I have no other way of explaining it. I have felt it for other people and from other people, and without a doubt, I am a better person after every instance. I wish I could hold on to that pure, deep, true, honest, consuming love, but the world sneaks up and enduring comes back into play. I pray for those moments, too.

I want to go back in time and sit with the boy crying at lunch.

I know that I can't.

I will put myself last next time and give him a reason to smile.

I want to go back and not be so judgmental.

I know that I can't.

I will love before I think and think before I speak.

I want to go back and use kinder words.

I know that I can't.

I will remember that my words are coming from someone who bears the name of Christ.

I am grateful for the insight and the messengers in life. I hope I will always be worthy to receive them and to be one in another's time of need.

It's ALMOST Here!

SVU starts Wednesday September 22nd and like 9:00, and it's a TWO HOUR season Premiere. And then sweet sweet joy is mine because Fringe starts Thursday September 23rd!!! I am soo excited!

This Just Happened

I wrote an entire email to my drama teacher and then family catching them up on my life while sitting on the toilet. Still here....

Dear Bookmans

Oh how I appreciate thee and thy free internet. Oh it has been a rocky month without internet. As good as it has been for me not to get distracted at home, it's also frustrating when I'm running to Bookmans at 12:39am to submit a paper to a professor for class the next day. And I've got me some shows to catch up on from the summer, and some new ones coming out!!! It's getting pretty serious around here.

On a better note, I am loving (well most of) my classes! My favorites are Rituals and Performance in Theatre Arts and Advanced Dramaturgy and Adaptations (which is basically play writing). Already we've done observations of people in everyday life and done character analysis on them and we've written an adaptation to a chapter in Bram Stoker's Dracula.

School hasn't gotten too crazy yet, but it's starting to sink in that my free time needs to be chosen wisely. I got wrapped up in a painting I was doing the other night and then going to a dollar movie that I got a lil' behind in reading that is apparently essential for my eternal salvation. J/K

Camping in the Desert....NOT!

Jessica, Danielle, and I went to meet up with Heidi (who now lives in Gilbert) to go camping. It was a spur of the moment decision (the best kind, let's be real!) and whilst packing all of us kept screaming to each others rooms, "Wait! what are you bringing? What' the weather gonna be like in Phoenix tonight?" We all decided to bring one sweater that we'd probably leave in the car and some grubby camp clothes. Phhhhhh, let me just state: It is very difficult for me to find casual clothes in my closet. I don't know why I hate wearing just a t-shirt and jeans, but I seriously struggle. It took all my strength not to pack any jewelry (besides what I was wearing, of course...along with my jeans and BYU t-shirt....it still looked good). We get Heidi, a lil' Wendy's (their nuggets know what's up!) and we were off! TWO AND A HALF HOURS LATER we were like, "Where the heck are we?! We've been driving almost 5 hours!! I don't think we're in Phoenix anymore." Then I look out the window and in the dark see white patches in the forests around us. "Is that snow? Oh my gosh...everyone feel the windows." It was freezing. The next sign said, "Strawberry" and I felt like I was back in Jr. High on the way to a basketball game....in STRAWBERRY! We decided because of our efforts, Heavenly Father was going to bless one of us with our future husband that night. I volunteered to take one for the team.

Anyway, it was REALLY fun! We got there around 10pm, the Bishop skits were at 11, and the dance was from 11:30-1am!!! Haha, the next morning blaring music started at 7:30. They had a zip line, archery, and definitely some good food! It was sooo nice to just chill out in nature with friends and meet new ones! Definitely a good time. The drive back seemed faster, but maybe it was because I was asleep for almost half of it....

Roomies!

Lately I'm just in the mood to write. I've been writing in my journal a lot and writing poems and just thinking of creative projects I can be doing. I've also started rereading my favorite book "The Alchemist".....oh how it still touches my heart. Anyway, I feel inspired to write a little more about those I have cohabited with.

Freshman year of College:

Hannah Goldsmith and I have known each other since I was in first grade. She's technically younger than I am, so she was 5 when we met. We were friends at school and we were invited to the occasional sleep over, but we both have admitted to thinking the other one was totally weird as young kids. Then in HS for some (wonderful) reason we just hit it off. Within a year I knew she'd be a part of my life forever. Before I even applied to the U of A Hannah had her housing assignment. Coconino Dorm. The same as another friend of ours that was about to spend her 2nd year in that dorm. I had to get in with my best friend and one of my closest friends. I requested that dorm and to mine and Hannah's surprise, we were paired as roommates. WE HAD SUCH AN AMAZING YEAR! Seriously, it was so good for both of us. Never in my life did I make my bed every morning or consistently brush my teeth at night, or wash my face...until I lived with Hannah. If I didn't do those things, she would do them for me or just talk to me about them until she was blue in the face and I finally got out of bed to do them. And I helped her branch out into a new social circle.

Sophomore year:

I lived with Hannah again and Lindsay Stefferson. (In all actuality there was another girl living at the Reserve with us, but we never really spoke. Her name was Mercedes, but pronounced, merc-ed-ees...terrible. She always ate Cheetos and basically looked like she should be from the dirty verde.) The day we were signing the lease Hannah says to the guy, "The Reserve...that sounds like..." he tried to finish her sentence, and said, "Yeah, nice, like a resort," but not before Hannah got out, "...like Jelly. Oh wait, that's Preserves." I started laughing hysterically and the guy looked at both of us and just said, "sign on the dotted line please."

Lindsay moved in by the grace of God, literally. There was a waiting list and she called to see if she could move in with me, and I told her she should call the Reserve, and see what they could do. She evaded the wait list and was immediately put with us. It was perfect. We didn't know each other that well, but by the end of that year, we were not only best friends, but wives on facebook. I'll never forget when we beat Super Mario Brothers on the Nintendo.

Junior year:

Here's where it gets tricky. I moved in with Tiffany, Jillian, and Lindsay again. Girls: fine. House: terrible. I couldn't live there and my actions eventually led us all to move. Girls: very angry at me. House: should have been burned down. Lindsay wasn't mad...she and I moved up north to live with her girl friend Aimee. I loved our place. It was so cute, quiet, had a pool, etc. Aimee was awesome and the three of us really had a good thing going.

Senior year:

Got even trickier. I needed to save money, and in December I moved in with Kristen....in January I moved out. I then lived with Lydia Roes, Kyli Chapman, and Lani Chapman. That was fun. I mean, I was either sharing a bed with Lydia or I was on their couch, but it was an adventure. I was amazing at how well we did when none of us had space at all! I had a blast. Then in March I moved in to where I am at now, and already have new roommates. Jessica Z, Jessica K, and Megan Russell, who is now a Kartchner herself! Moving in was the best thing for me. It really was. I fell in love with the roommates and the house (especially since Kelsie went on a mission and this was where she lived last year, and where we spent MANY a Summer days watching Degrassi!!!). Since Megan moved out, Elspeth has moved in, and it has been A REAL GOOD THING!! Seriously, we sometimes just lie awake at night talking and laughing in the dark. Other times we're awake until the wee hours of the morning....both of us on our computers watching different things, but still feeling like we're getting some good quality time in together. Too legit to even quit. I'm gonna be very sad when the Summer ends and she has to go back to Mesa. So rude. But as I've learned....change can be a good thing. I've been lucky so far!

Hannah: "You know those really nerdy, awkward kids that are so cute you wanna be friends with them anyway...?"

Me: "I'm friends with you, aren't I?"

Lindsay: "My wife, my life. Hey Beast, get me some shmallow mateys and then rot."

Me: "Did you just call me a Beast...?"

Lindsay: "Umm. Yes."

Me: "Okay. I love shmallow mateys."

Megan: "Well he called me fat."

Me: "Well you're fat, I'm old, apparently, and we'll just sit in our room and hate him together."

Me: "I just farted and it's terrible."

Elspeth: "I'm glad the air is blowing towards you."

Me: *motioning the air back at her* "Yeah, but I want this to be a part of your life, too."

Elsepth: *motioning the air back at me* "I hate you....this is the most ridiculous thing we've ever done...THAT IS TERRIBLE!"

Elspeth: "You're the worst."

Me: "Your face is the worst."

Elspeth: "You keep saying that!"

Me: "Not a big deal."

It could go on for days........

My Baby Boys!

So it occurred to me that it's 2:11am and I need to go to bed since I'm meeting with the missionaries and a friend of mine at 8, before I go to work at 9. It then occurred to me that I should blog. Perfect.

I love babies. I love to nibble on their cheeks, I love to kiss their lips, and make them giggle. Two babies in particular have stolen my heart, and I don't need it back. Bowen and Duncan have made it into many a blogs, but few have been solely for them.....this one is. For those that are queasy due to sentimental moments in other peoples fam....get out of my life, and I wouldn't advise you to read on. The babes are walking and it is so exciting and so sad at the same time....they're getting so big! I have my little bonds with each of them and they have such different personalities that pulsate joy through my veins!!! The bestie's been out this week for a choir gig and all her kidlets went with. It's crazy how much I miss 'em!

I'm slightly terrified that if I go on a mission that the babes will forget me. I mean, of course they will....they're not even 1 yet! They've been gone a week, and I'm already plotting ways to rekindle our bond!!! Bowen and I are gonna play "boo!" and when I pick him up he won't let me put him down...I kind of love that. And Dunc and I will play the "kiss&dodge" game. He puts his hands on each of my cheeks and I shake them off while he laughs and then I kiss him a bunch, and then his hands find their way back to my face. I love it when he laughs. And when he imitates an elephant! And I love it when Bow crinkles his nose when he smiles and his eyes almost shut. And most of all, I love that sometimes everyone refers to me as "Aunt Sasha" and a couple times when Bowen says "dada" it mumbles in to "zsshazssha". I think he's getting close to making the right sounds for MY name!! :D

That's it. G'night.

Dear Diary

I recently purchased a mega scrapbooking tote (ultimate edition), which is combining the contents of two drawers into this single tote. In fact, the contents are not just limited to scrapbook supplies, but other sentimental/crafty things I have collected over the years. I have always been a fan of journaling, however, I have never seemed to complete one. I have been much better about it since December 2008, and I've noticed I have been more in touch with my soul since then. A quote I love is "Journal! Write! Cut! Paste! Be right! Be terribly wrong! Be incredibly insightful! Be incredibly mundane. Be all that is inside your heart, your soul, your mind and your imagination. So that you might look back at what you've created and realize how amazing you truly are."

In my tote transfer I came across my diary from when I was 10 years old with only about 20 pages filled out. I feel compelled to share some. Original punctuation and spelling.

May 15, 1998

Today is 3 days before my Birthday and my dad can't there on my birthday so he gave it to me today! And also my sister came back from EKO Week I don't know what it stands for but it means some kind of science word! My dad also got me a picture of Bette Midler well actually he Drew it and I am a fan of Bette Midler and She is cool and very pretty! I'm not gay so don't worry but every time I think of her or even hear her name I get a little feeling like that chunk of my heart that was empty is now full! Goodbye I leaving now. Sasha Piton

Wednesday 6-24-98

Sometimes my mom finds leftovers and says thats what you can have and then she [?] up and now she called and said what do you want from bashas' and we both wanted a burrito. Well in a little wihl Melissa and I will be leaving to red planet diner I would write more but I have to leave it 5 minutes so by.

Monday 7-98

right now I'm playing nintendo with my dad cause I got in to las vegas about 4:00 and it's been pretty fun latly well sorry I haven't been righting latly but I've been busy well it was nice talking to ya but I have to go now. My oldmans waiting! bye!

Tuesday 7-7-98

Well my dad just left and I'm hear with a winner and Debbie. the winner is Angelica Debbie's daughter I don't really like either one of them but they can be nice and thei other daughter Marina is cool. Well see ya!

Wednesday 7-9-98

Well today my dad hast to work at 4:00 so he haves to be dressed by 3:00 so we can't do all the things that we planted but were still having fun watching the football game(Soccer)and we had McDonalds for lunch and he lives only down the street of McDonalds so we can go there when ever he wants but I dought that he would go there more than once a month but he's still my dad and I don't care were he goes I still love him. Well see ya! bye

Thursday 7-9-98

Well I put the McDonalds in my tummy and a Debbie hast to make me feel bad she is just can be a pain in the but! Well my ice cream is melting so I have to go now. bye

Friday 7-10-98

Well today I went shopping with my dad for a racecar and we found some on sale but we didn't buy one. We saw a really cool movie its called Leathal Weapon 4 and I liked it a lot! We went out to eat we had LOTS of drinks and it was just really fun!

Saturday 7-11-98

Today we paid my dads bills and then we went to the indoor Swamp Meet and I got three shirts and my favorite one says Bull [poop] walks money talks and it has a doller bill on it. Then we went to the mall and looked for a mood ring and we didn't find one then we went to Clairs and found one. and after we just looked around and we found better bigger ones but I love mine. Then we went to a movie and saw Mulan and it was really good especially the end. Then we saw Small Soldiers and that was funny and cool I liked it but my dad thought it was ok. then we went to Wendeys and I'm full well I have to go now bye

Sunday 7-12-98

Today we watched the world cup in soccer and France has never won and Today they won the world cup and that was cool. Then we went to McDonalds. After that we went to the store and bought a bunch of crap. Then we started painting and that was really fun. bye

Monday 7-13-98

Today my sister wast the last one to wake up. and we played nintendo a lot then we went swimming and then my dad went to work. [scribbled in pencil] Debbie is a bi[^@#]

Friday 7-23-98

Today is the day my sister had her piriod and she isn't excited. Now were going swimming so bye.

Tuesday 8-3-98

Well here I am back in Sedona I got here on Sunday but I went to flag so I didn't have time to write: Now todays Tuesday and were going back to flagstaff cause my mom has a class that she goes to. Did you know my sister had her piriod for eaght days and she was the star of atention and she said to me "do you feel left out" yes today and that made me mad. Well were in my moms classroom and this guy knows a lot and he's good and very funny like he's saying if a kid thinks he has luck There's a quition and he writes a-d on his fingers and bangs his hand on the desk and says which ever one hurts the most thats my answer. That's what I call funny. He also said this one teacher was talked bake to and picked up a book and slaped the book across the students face which is now against the law infact it was against the law back then too. Like this one girl in my Moms class was in 7th grade and was caught with gum for the second time and got sent to the princapal and the princepal smaked her nuckles which wasn't aloud that so that was a stupid princepal.

10-30-98 Friday

Well sorry I didn't write in so long. I was just caught up I guess. Well I started 5th grade and it's really cool it's very fun. My teacher is Ms. Pfeifer. Our interns are really cool one is Ms. Simmons and the other is Mr. Holt and they leave on Monday and I'll miss them very much and I love them very much. I wish they were my brother and sister. Now that would be very cool. I'm going to get them a present for their last day. And I'm going to get Ms. Simmons a little stuffed animal and a flower. Mr. Hot's going to get a Hershey bar and a flower so it's fair. Then on Tues I'm going to get Ms. Pfeifer a present cause it's her birthday and thats really cool. She's been teaching for 33 years. I'll miss Ms. Simmons and Mr. Holt I have to admit I really love them like family.

Saturday 7-3-99

Sorry I haven't writen so long. I guess I didn't want to. 6 months ago Miss Marsh left. I'm out of 5th grade and going to 6th. 4th grade and 5th grade were my best years in school. They were my best years because 4th grade I was free. In Fifth grade I got straight A's. Moving to a different subject softball. the 1999 Yankees won the championchip for the season! They have an all stars season type thing. I sapost to go to Las Vegas a couple of days ago but softball scrood up my plans and I'm now going on the tenth.

Monday August 2 1999

I take that back Angelica is not a Brat she is very nice a good friend type thing. I'm by myself tonight and well I hate it. I love my dad and I want to spend more quality time with him I love him so much I want to hug him and never let go!BYE

Reading through my diary made me realize that I was very perceptive as a 10/11 year old. And that I love my family. I love that I was a daddy's girl that played nintendo, wanted a racecar, and painted. I love that I tried to get what I could out of my mom's classes (I'm sure in hopes that I could be like her) and that I know she did her absolute best to take care of us while she worked and went to school in flagstaff. And amidst all of that I got to play softball and apparently got to play (I'm sure we were short players) on the "all star team type thing". I'm just glad it took all of that to get me where I am today. I wouldn't trade a second.

The Shows That Get Me

So I decided to blog about my summer happenings, and then I realized all of that could be summed up into my favorite television shows. Well that's not entirely true, but 47 episodes in three days will do that to you.

My first choice: Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, often referred to as just "SVU". Duh, Duh, bap, bap, badda ba. Booooow. Duh, Duh, bap, bap, badda baaaaa baaaaa. (I hope all of you sang along like I do at the start of EVERY episode.) It is my absolute favorite law-involved show. In fact, probably in my top 2 favorite shows of all time, and is currently in that number one slot. (Haha, that's what she said....okay, sorry). What I love about it is Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni. Their chemistry is superb, and while every episode is about rape, molestation, or murder, my draw to it is the detectives that are risking their lives to find the perp. It gives me hope.

Another show I've been watching a lot of this summer is Friends. I love this show. Probably in my top 5 (didn't quite make the cut, but still amazing). My favorite part is that I assign each character to one of my friends. I find most are a mixture of a few characters, but still. So fun. And I find that I relate most to Phoebe. Let's be real, I'm from Sedona.

This next show is on hiatus for the summer since it is between its second and third season, but I love it nonetheless. Fringe: it's not a television show, it's a lifestyle. Thank you Elspeth Anderson for introducing me to this show. To be honest, I had never watched anything illegal on the internet until I realized I needed to see every episode of Fringe, and caught up on season 2. I love the internet. And I can't WAIT for the show to start again!!!!! Seriously they left me in a clincher and I hate that.

No summer is COMPLETE without dancing. So You Think You Can Dance was introduced to me by Miss Mackenzie Romriell, and I will forever love her for that. Oh, and the Gospel too, not a big deal. I'm not sure how I feel about this new dancing with the "all stars" format, but I LOVED the hip hop dance between Twitch and Alex. Brilliant. However, I do think Cat Deely is the worst. I want to punch her in the face every time I hear her speak. This picture is jeanine from 5th season because she's still my favorite.

Another show that I've just recently gotten into that I find so intriguing is Gilmore Girls. I love the dynamic between the mother and daughter and that their always growing and learning. And I love that they're on the east coast, but in this small town feel. I love it.

In order to make this post still readable, I'm not going to talk about Degrassi: The Next Generation, but just give a shout out!!! WOOT WOOT. And last, but certainly not least on the shows that get me is Reba! This is definitely in my top 3, and is usually at number 1 or 2 battling with SVU. To be honest, I own seasons 1-4 on DVD, and haven't purchased 5 and 6 yet because I'm just not ready for it to end. It's hilarious and Barbara Jean (Melissa Peterman) is my favorite. In fact, I was BJ for Halloween and posted my pic on Melissa Petermans twitter account and she loved it! So I feel totally legit!!!! :D And then on the way to my pixie cut I cut a mullet like Reba circa 1987. Classy.

They Did it Themselves Wedding

So it's been forevs since I updated my blog. I'm sure all 3 of my readers have had no idea what to do with themselves. Anyway I just wanted to devote a blog to Roni and Dave Palmer (weird not putting Whipple) and their wedding. Roni and Sister Whipple made everything for the wedding. Roni saw something she liked and Sis Whipple just kept saying, "I can make that!" I loved being around them during the whole wedding process just because it made them happy and then I was happy. Crafting is contagious! The wedding day was BEAUTIFUL and Roni made a gorgeous bride!! And to make everything even sweeter, she was featured on a wedding blog! But here are a few pics!!

If there is one thing the Whipples know, it's how to throw a party!!! We had such a blast at the wedding. Carolyn and I just kept walking around to different stations, eatin' a lil' of this and a lil' of that, dancing with Kelsie (who was definitely missed!), or hanging out in the Photo Booth.....so fun! The best part was the big send off with Sparklers. Loved it!!!