Showing posts with label Life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Life. Show all posts

Sunday, October 26, 2014

T H O U G H T S

Little (or not so little) thoughts:

+ Dear life: Last week was possibly the worst week of the entire year. Everything went wrong. Everything broke. And my brain ended up in the lost (and then maybe found). When I asked if the week could get worse, it wasn't a challenge. Sooo thanks for ignoring my rhetorical question and ending my week with a speeding ticket. Def NOT the cherry on top (looking forward to a new week...).

+ I'm obsessed with floppy hats. I've bought two in the last two weeks.

+Bring on No-Shave-Novemeber.
+ Stoked for Thanksgiving. And to make our annual holiday music video.

+ And to see this bundle of joy. There's nothing cuter than a baby giggling.

+My parents buying a place in Park City was probably the best decision they've ever made. Well, besides having me of course.

+ Everyone needs to read the book Wonder. IT'S THE BEST.

+ Scandal is my favorite TV show. I can't get enough. Jake Ballard? GET AT ME. Breaking Bad is a close second right now (although I had to take a break for a min...)

+ Halloween on Friday means this week will be nuts. But so fun. Can't wait to party with my kids.

+ TOMORROW, October 27th, IS THE DAY. T.Swift's CD comes out. Headed to Target at the butt crack of dawn to get her bonus soundtrack. Oh you aren't? Sucks to suck.

+ I just want 500 million dollars, a Lexus IS 350, a bearded man AND a baby. Too much? Didn't think so.

Friday, October 3, 2014

Jam It Out

Sometimes I don't get how people do not listen to music. I have a few friends that really only listen to very minimal music. I understand there is nothing wrong with that but music speaks to me when my own words cannot express the way I am feeling or thinking at that particular moment in life.

So much music lately, so little time.


Shout out to T.Swift for getting it. And me.
It's not like I am counting down to October 27th for her new album or anything...

Monday, July 14, 2014

Hey Filters, I Owe You One

Me: I look like crap
Instagram Filters: I got you girl


My roommates and I had a discussion about filters tonight.
I was taking shameless selfies before I went on a date and they were all laughing.
It took like 20 pics and what felt like a million filters to get one I liked.

Like, what? No wonder the 2013 word of the year was "Selfie."
We are obsessed with ourselves. And looking magazine ready all the time.
And unfortunately I fall victim to this. But how did this happen to our society?
I would love to go into more detail, but first.....

LET ME TAKE A SELFIE.

Sunday, June 29, 2014

t a h o e

Okay, sooo if anyone knows me they know I have A LOT of Northwest pride. I rep it hard.
There is nothing better and I miss it like a child misses their blanket. So why am I not there, right?
Lets just say it's in the works (insert angels singing hallelujah here). That's another post to come.

Anyway, I've been pretty homesick lately. And I think the last time I was homesick was when I was six years old.
Point is: its been a while.

The road trip to Lake Tahoe was the boringest (not a word, I know) and ugliest drive.
Think sage brush, desert and brown for 600 miles. Woof.
However once you reach the lake, you forget about that blasted drive.
Lake Tahoe is unreal. It reminded me a lot of Coeur d'Alene.
Those pine trees and that fresh water lake made me feel right at home.

{yep, that happened}




{neature}

So Tahoe? I now have your back.
You were putting out those Northwest vibes and I most definitely needed that ❤️




Sunday, June 22, 2014

shut up and drive.

I've had this inner battle this last month.
Over a car. Stupid, right?

It was coming to a point where it was time for me to upgrade in the automobile department.
I was excited about the idea of a newer car, the reliability and all the fun features.
However, I was not super sold on that car payment that came with it.
Oh, and not to mention dealing with car salesmen (attractive or not). 


It's not that I can't afford a payment, I just don't WANT to pay it. I'd rather save it.
Anyway, I bit the bullet and got a new car. And guess what?

I love it.

{good memories and even better sticker. go wsu!}

{not even mad}

Moral of my rant? New cars are great.
But this growing up business is getting old.

Sincerely,
Over it.



Monday, June 9, 2014

h o m e s i c k

I love Utah (I really do) but I've been a little homesick lately. 
I need some familiarity. Pine trees. The lake (a legit one). 
I miss the simplicity of life that lies in the Northwest.

Before I moved to Utah, I swore I would never fall into the competitive atmosphere here.
Who's wearing what, who's driving what car, who's house is bigger etc.
Yet, I'm slowly finding myself in this trap. 

For some reason, I think I deserve all these new things or just things in general.
When in fact, I don't need any of it.

Maybe it was just the way I was raised OR the way of life in the Northwest, but life is so much more simple up there. People are happy with what they have. Girls don't have to be dressed to the nines every second they walk out of their house. Guys don't have to have a pimped-out BMW.
 People live within their means. And they definitely prioritize needs over wants.

As I get older, I realize I don't want to raise my kids with an attitude of entitlement. 
I want my future kids to see the beauty in living a simple, frugal lifestyle (no matter where I live).

I am not saying let's shop at Goodwill (J.Crew, say what?) and drive a beat up car. I'm saying, I hope my future kids can appreciate the little things in life. And realize that they don't need the newest iPhone or latest and greatest electronic. I hope they can see that there is more to life.

As for me, I am trying to simplify my life even more these days.
And trying not to compare myself to others (harder than it sounds)

{In a car wash, Go Mariners!}

I guess what they say is true: you can take the girl out of Washington, 
but you can't take the Washington out of the girl  ❤️

Sunday, March 2, 2014

{ k a r m a }

Where was I when you figured out
All those little doubts were just too much to conquer
Where was I in that moment
When the curtain fell, and you knew that it was over
Was I smilin' like a fool over mornin' coffee
Did you know it was a lie
When you said you loved me?


I could've been two wheels up
I could've been hard-heeled strong
This could've been my last tear
You could've been so long gone
I wouldn't be lost like this
I wouldn't be breaking down
I would've been over you by now


What's it like to hold all the cards
To pull all the strings
and convince me that I'm dancing
Maybe you don't know what love really is
Cause, baby, if you did, you wouldn't let it go so easy
Instead of wasting all that time


I could've been two wheels up
I could've been hard-heeled strong
This could've been my last tear
You could've been so long gone
I wouldn't be lost like this
I wouldn't be breaking down
I would've been over you by now


I could've met someone new
I could've been over you
I could've been two wheels up
I could've been hard-heeled strong
This could've been my last tear
You could've been so long gone
I wouldn't be lost like this
I wouldn't be breaking down
I would've been over you by now



Jana Kramer | Over You By Now

Thursday, January 30, 2014

freak accident

I am usually the first one to bed, the first one awake and the first one gone in my apartment. So naturally, a freak accident would happen when everyone else is asleep. It was a dark, Friday morning. I was so excited to get the day started because I was about to have a beloved three day weekend. My brother Scottie was coming into town and we had plans to gallivant around Provo together.

I was in the bathroom and realized I needed something that was on my dresser. I quickly ran back into my room to grab it when I noticed a toothpick just laying on my bedroom floor. I thought, "hmm, I should probably pick that up" but then thought "I'll just remember that it is there and do it in a second." That was mistake #1, because I totally forgot.

A few minutes passed and I heard my phone go off, so I ran to go turn it off. As I'm speedily walking to my nightstand, my left foot stepped directly on that toothpick that was sticking straight up out of the carpet. How I didn't see or remember it was there is beyond me.  
{Right after I stepped on the toothpick. Doesn't look like there's anything in there!!}

I stepped on it so hard that it inserted itself into my foot and I couldn't even see it. That is how deep it went in! Naive little me decided to get tweezers and try to pull it out. Didn't even remotely work: IT WAS IN THERE. Mistake #2.

I had no idea what to do. I had no sub plans and no one was awake. So I decided to limp into school and see what they thought I should do. The shooting pain began and my foot began to swell. I could barely walk. 
{Minor Emergency. The swelling begins}

I went into school and they sent me straight on out. I felt so bad for my little class! 

Minor emergency was floored at how deep this tooth engrained itself into me. He set an appointment with a podiatrist but it wasn't until 4pm. Unfortunately, he couldn't prescribe me any pain meds at this point. So I went home and laid with my foot up on a pillow. My foot only got more purple and the pain became really intense. 
{By 3pm. Which foot has a toothpick in it?! And yuck, why weren't my toes painted?}

As I lay on the bed, the podiatrist came in. He explained to me that toothpicks actually are not as easy to get as one would think. Because it is wood and flesh colored, it is actually pretty tricky to find. He numbed up my foot and began to dig. And dig. And dig. About 10 minutes later, he turns to me and says, " I think we are going to have to put you under, I can't find it." Me? On drugs? Oh, this was gonna be a good weekend. He told me he'd dig for about five more minutes, but if not, I was going to have to arrange a ride to come pick me up. 

About four minutes later, he finally got the part of the toothpick that broke off in my foot!! I felt instant relief. Come to find out, my coworker's Dad was actually my podiatrist! Small world.
{3/4 of an inch long. Ouch!}

For the next few days, I could barely walk and I mean barely walk. I was on pain meds and my foot just throbbed. It amazing how much we take the little things in life for granted. I also received this hilarious little card from a little boy, Levi, in my class. I loved the picture. All they knew was that I stepped on something.

On Monday, Scottie, Kurtis, Stacie and I woke up to go get breakfast. Of course I was on crutches and hobbling around. We ate breakfast at Waffle Love in Provo, went to the mall to get new Seahawks gear and headed back. On our way back home, I began to feel light headed, then sweaty, then REAL sweaty and I realized I was about to throw up. I told Stacie to pull over the car immediately, hobbled to the curb and threw up that beloved waffle with raspberries on top (tmi, but whatever). 

{right before I puked on the side of the road}

It took about another week for my foot to feel more normal, but I was still limping. The best part of the whole story? The doctor let me keep the piece as a souvenir. Haha, It was just the thing I wanted. 


Friday, October 11, 2013

konfused.

Sometimes life is confusing.

Especially for my Kardashians.
They are pretty konfused lately.
I kan't keep up, kall me krazy.

No but really, life can be confusing.

Sometimes life has you wondering. And sometimes you need a change. Nothing crazy, usually something small. That's where I'm at. I need a change. Or maybe I am used to constant change and THINK I need one, but don't.
Or maybe I just need a shopping spree and a diet coke. Maybe that's all I need. 

Speaking of change, fall is by far my favorite season. I love all the colors in fall.
The other week my kiddos made leaf monsters. I loved this one. Ninja turtle?


Oh, and partying with these peeps?
Nothing makes me happier.


NBA preseason has begun. 
And I am pretty stoked about it.
Plus, that new jumbotron is pretty rad.


If you need me, I'll be relaxing.
Watching a lot of Eric and Jessie in bed.
Reading. Getting a massage. Or just painting my nails.
THANK YOU FALL BREAK // I NEEDED YOU.


Thursday, July 25, 2013

The 'C' word

My life has forever changed.
To what extent, I am not sure yet.

C A N C E R.

Cancer is something you hear about. It's something you know happens.
But it only happens in other peoples family, right? Never your own.

Cancer is one road our family is suddenly going down and there is no way out, but to just keep going.

Why. Why. Why.
So many questions.

Tender mercies have been shown. Like how my entire family was suppose to be in Glacier National Park this week. Everyone had work off for this week. However, when the news spread, we bagged Glacier everyone came to Utah. Although Utah is no Glacier, I wouldn't want to be any place else.

This is the first time my family has been together in 8 years. E I G H T years. Crazy. 

Courtney is strong and we can do hard things, this I know.
I also know that no matter what, our Father in Heaven is going to hold Court's hand throughout this.
He gives his toughest trials to his strongest soldiers. And she's one tough cookie.

#TEAMCOURTNEYELISE 

A
L
L

T
H
E

W
A
Y

Now who's ready to go kick Cancer in the grass??? (Well, you know what I meant)

Courtney is!



XoXo.

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Joy in the Journey.

Seven years ago, the unknown was placed before me. I anxiously and excitedly packed my things for college and headed to Rexburg, Idaho. All I knew was college was for me. It screamed adventure, hot single men and independence (and independence means the world to me).

I was so brave.
Or so I thought.

I checked into my first college apartment and began to unpack my things. One by one, I began to meet my roommates. And one by one, that fearlessness of mine began to turn and run the other direction. Finally when I met the fifth and last roommate, I lost it. That courage of mine withered away and I was convinced this college scene was not for me after all. I cried hysterically to my mom and begged her to let me go home with her. That experience allowed me to quickly realize that life never goes the way you think it will. And since then, I have learned just that. 

These past seven years (more like past two), have taught me to "Never Say Never" because every time I say, "I will never do that" given time, I usually find myself doing exactly what I said I wouldn't. 

Examples?

"I will NEVER not use my college degree"
I worked at Nordstrom for almost 3 years before teaching.

"I will NEVER live in Provo, Utah"
Guess where I live? Two Years strong and I still love it. 

"I will NEVER marry a Utah boy."
So far, some of them have been the most appealing. 

Catch my drift?

So this has led me to wonder: have I been finding joy in this journey that has had a way different course than I could ever expect? In moments of stress and disappointment, am I dwelling on the negative or finding the positive? 

I wish I could say 100% without doubt, that I focus on the positive. But I can't. Right now, I'm focusing on all the things I can't change, rather than focusing on the things I CAN control and the things that DO make me happy. Right now, I am choosing to dwell on perfection rather than progression. I let the silliest things stress me out. 

Starting Monday (because that is the only day possible to start anything) I am going to be that courageous 18 year old girl who was ready to grab life by the horns. I am going to be that person I know I can be. I am going to focus on the things I can control and let go of the things I can't. I am not going to stress over the silly, insignificant things. I am going to laugh more. Compliment more. Listen more. Because progression in the little things is more important than perfection in all things. 

YOLO.


Saturday, April 6, 2013

Little Letters

Dear Spring Break,
Please don't end. Like, ever. 

Dear Justin Timberlake,
You've officially are the most repeated artist in my iTunes library.
"Mirrors" is one of those songs I can't (and refuse) to stop listening to. Props.

Dear Self,
Get motivated. Now.

Dear Budget,
Please find that "money tree" that everyone talks about. I'm still looking for it.

Dear Boys,
I. Don't. Get. You. 
I am one bad date away from buy a cat and calling it a day. 
Is it me? Or is it you? I'm going to say you, because I'm pretty awesome. 

Dear Provo,
I'm sucked in. Help.

Dear Tinder,
I went on my first date. Check.

Dear Stacie,
Thanks for continually dragging my butt to the gym.

Dear Running Shoes,
I promise I will give you some TLC. Starting Monday :)

Dear Room,
Clean yourself. Thanks.

Dear Elder Scottie Johnson,
You come back in 32 days. I can hardly wait.

Dear Self (Again),
Congratulations on blogging. It only took you three point five months. 

{The Welcoming Crew Awaits}
.