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!!!