What's Missed...

Oh, what a day! I've spent all day going through EVERYTHING, and getting rid of tons of stuff. I've got some project ideas, and before I can allow myself to start I've got to get things organized.

One thing I started was a shell and a button jar...You can tell what I love more. Notice the Purple Dwarf shells. Those are my favorite from the island. Also, notice the ugly green beads. Those, too, are from the island. I gave them to scouts that helped at meals. Those beads were always in my pockets, and it seemed I couldn't get rid of them. I was going to take them out of the jar, but when I look at it I smile.

One fun thing about the day was walking down memory lane. I went through my chest (about a 1 1/2 x 1 ft small), that contains all my keepsakes from growing up...it's lame. Things brought smiles, but I'd rather relive the moments by looking at the pictures. When I finally got to my 2 1/2ft x 4 1/2ft long plastic container from the past 4yrs, I had a blast reliving those times.

I organized my ticket stubs from everywhere I've been (lots of those!), plane tickets, pamphlets, maps...I am so grateful for the things I've gotten to do while so young! But what I'm most grateful for are the people I've gotten to do these things with!!!!!!!

After I got through the stub stuff, I went through the cards, notes and letters...(The older I get the more I realize I might just be a bit of a crier.) One note I found was a poem a guy I worked with (Phish) and his troop wrote for me (very romantic like):

I also found the greatest Christmas in July present I could EVER ask for! When I opened the box it was full of gross kelp. After some digging I found a couple things and this:

Christyn, this was brilliant! Seems you always know the right things to get people. :)

While looking through some more letters I came upon this stack:

Beth! You amaze me! You have been such a good friend to me over our college years. When I re-read these I teared up. They weren't sad by any nature. In fact, they were the complete opposite. They were silly conversations that happened in our apartment our freshman year, and an interesting fact in each one! Beth knows my love of useless information so well! Even though she lives several states over now, she still found a sweet little book full of them, and mailed it to me just a couple weeks ago!

I could go on for days about all the little things I've gotten over the past few years that have meant so much. I am so grateful for the people I have met. I can't believe how much love I have for them. They are my closest and dearest friends. I hope I can be as caring of a friend to them as they have been for me.

-Among my pile of cards were postcards I never sent out...It's the thought that counts, right? One of my projects (now that I think of it) is going to be to be that friend who thinks of those I love and MAKES SURE TO LET THEM KNOW. Friends, you have no idea what a blessing you have been in my life. I live in the boondocks, and when I get a letter or card or email or WHATEVER it lets me know I'm not alone.

I love you all.

I miss you all.

Road Trip 2009

I'm home! I was gone for 10days having the best time of my life. I flew to SLC on Monday, where my near and dear friend, Whitney, picked me up. For a couple days we hung out, and got things ready for the road. One day we drove past a lemonaid stand...

Actually it was a Tang and Rice Crispy stand. Neat.

Wednesday was when we hit the road with 3 other AMAZING people. The drive went by pretty fast, and there really wasn't any reason to stop. This was the coolest thing we saw: Death Valley.

Once we go to LA we went to the great In-N-Out Burger.
We met up wth a couple more friends that night, and pretty much went right to bed.

Thursday was Disneyland!!! And Friday-Sunday was the island.

Sunday, before the long drive into the night, we stopped at a beach to watch the sun set...or more like go crazy jumping and running and taking fun pictures...

As we drove out of LA there were fireworks going off as if saying BYE! Hope you enjoyed your stay!

My last couple days in Utah were spent visiting old friends, a Transformers marathon:

(Which was surprisingly dirtier than expected)

And having a Little Marines marathon (Amazing movie. Like a low low budget Butter Cream Gang, without a plot) We dressed up like the early 90s (When it was filmed). I got a wolf shirt from DI for it...

This was the greatest trip ever! I had a wonderful time getting to know some awesome people, and seeing old friends. I don't think I've ever laughed that much...I'd share what was so great about it, but I think you'd have to just be there.

Whitney was the best for putting everything together, and making it happen...and putting up with me for so long. I can't believe how much fun we all had!

...Now, back to life...

Funnel me up some cake...

You know what I can't get enough of? Those inflatable lawn decorations! Very classy. Know what else I can't get enough of? Seeing the new things my dad finds to bring home. Recall this time? Well, here's the newest:

Miranda's graduation party was yesterday. The high school colors are orange and black, so when Miranda got home for her party I told her I had all the decorations done. I put her cap and gown on the pumpkin...I think I was the only one who thought it was funny...

The party was a great time! Fun to see old family and friends. Here is a video of my grandma playin' the Boogie Woogie...


Notice what's happening in the background. My 1yr old nephew stole grandma's cane! He had his eye on it all night.

Today was a very fun, and long day. Cincy and Dayton's YSA group had an activity of helping fix up some homes for the elderly. That was really nice. Hopefully the stain for a fence will come out of my skin.

Then, I headed home for the town's yearly

Banana Split Festival! I only went for the funnel cake.
I walked around with dad, and looked at old cars...
Although, I know nothing about them.

Glad we got to go to the festival this year.

Good Times.

Can't put it down...

Halfway done with Angels and Demons... I'll be done by tomorrow.

Almost as good as The da Vinci Code...If not better.

Love reading while floating in the pool...Hint how I got a sunburn.

Now this is the good life...Or lack of having a life.

You be the judge.

:)

Thank heavens for $1 books at the back of consignment stores...

I've got a lot of floating to do.

best day of my LIFE.

...if not close to it. First off, Mindy and I headed to the greatest neighborhood yard sale I've ever been to! (aunt Diane, you should come with me next year:) First house we stopped at had MY NEW LIVING ROOM! Hard to see with the sunshine, but it's nice. Today, I also got a couple nice oak bookshelves, 22 scarves, a giant map book (same one from when I was little, and I still love it), and maybe something else. My total spent for the entire day: $182!!!

Then, I got home to see one awesome woman! Eddi is an old family friend I spend a couple summers with (working on the island). She is here for a few weeks, and I can't wait to spend lots of time with her.
PS- Wear sunscreen. I've been using an Ocean Potion lotion for 3yrs, and it is my favorite stuff. Makes my life 10x less painful...because sunscreen is something that doesn't cross my mind enough.

PSS-Dried Dragon Fruit tastes...weird...not a good weird. I like to try new things, and this isn't something I plan on trying again soon...

PSSS-My summer is shaping up to be a pretty good one. Expect more excitement in the near future :)

What's Hidden

Remember how I wrote about hidden places? Well, I went back to them. All that was left was an old skull and half a bowling ball. Gross? Probably. But I had them for good reason. The skull I used to keep/scare anything out of my clubhouse (an old fallen tree) and the bowling ball was something my dad and I found on a hike, when I was probably six. I had never seen the inside of one before!...I was weird.

...I'm headed to the island, with this person in 15 days...

Finally!

Maybe?

Do you think it's ultra-good luck if my bonsai tree gives birth to a four leaf clover?