Utah shinanigans.

Last Sunday afternoon we drove down to Utah to spend Thanksgiving week with Stuart's aunt and uncle. We had a fun week of hanging out, chatting, jumping on the trampoline, eating, watching films and the boys played a LOT of video games.

Stuart spent a LOT of time playing on the trampoline with his cousins, Bri and Ryan.Stuart turned into a terror when he got on the trampoline. He also ripped his jeans pretty much in half...

After a lots of talking and "debate" Stuart took me to Temple Square to see the lights. Sadly, the "debating" went on for so long that our friends we were going to meet up with had become so confused and tired of the mind changing that we weren't able to meet up with them. John and Kara took us out to dinner before we began our journey to Salt Lake...

Stuart had told me that the chef might make a spectacle of me by having me open my mouth for him to toss food into it. I was pretty nervous so Stuart said that we could talk through the chef's cooking so he wouldn't be able to call me out to chuck food at me. Little did I know that Stuart might have still been upset over the "debating" from earlier that he stopped talking to me and said "oh, Laura, the chef wants you!" Scoundrel! So that was the first time I'd ever been to that kind of restaurant and the first time anyone's ever thrown shrimp at me. He missed on his first go and pelted me on the face and then urged me to open my mouth again. It went in that time.

Then off to Temple Square we went. We parked at The Gateway mall and began walking in the wrong direction. Then we turned back and headed the right way. As we got to Temple Square it was pretty busy. I was so excited to see the lights that I could hardly contain myself. Sadly after about 10 minutes the batteries in my camera died. I'm still kicking myself about that. Yet another first for that night. I always have extra batteries... anyway...
The few pictures we did get turned out really good.

We didn't get a good picture of ourselves because of the batteries and because someone's hands were aparently very shakey that night. Probably due to rage. but not really.

Saturday morning we got up and got ready to leave. The friends we 'caravanned' down with were staying a couple streets over so we stopped by there first and then set out to Ikea and then back to the Gateway where we went to Anthropologie and Brighton.

In Brighton I spied two rings I really loved. One aparently much cheaper than the other because Stuart went back to buy one for me. One wasn't in my size so he asked for the other without looking at the price - lesson learned. Um, yeah. I now have a beautiful ring that makes me sick to my stomach every time I look at it. When I stop feeling that way about it I'll wear it on my ring finger. Until then it lives on the other hand. It's my re-engagement ring. I'll take picture of it some time.

After that we drove home, stopping at Toys r us to get Cameron a Christmas present. We got home around 7.30pm after leaving the house in Utah at 9.30am. It felt like the longest part of the week. The rest flew by.

Stuart checked the mail when we got back and the birthday package my mum sent was there. Finally! She sent it to the wrong apartment but the postman noticed, thankfully and now we have it. She sent some birthday money for me which has taken some of the sting off of the price of the ring. Thanks mum, you're a gem - a 10 carat smokey quartz to be exact!

Temple Square:

Bouncy bouncy:

I have a bone to pick...

with you 'private' blogger! What gives? You think once you go private you don't have to blog anymore? Hmm? Do you know that because you're blog's private that I can't add you to my google reader so I have to actually manually check your blog every day to see if it's updated?

I see dates like November 6th (Olivia!) or November 16th (MEGAN!), Lauren and Linzi you two are barely off the hook! Michelle, you're about to be in trouble... Stop taunting me or I'll TAG you! ;)


I love you all... but really, don't you love me back? *pout* Do unto others!

Twilight AKA brilliant!

Tonight I went to see Twilight as part of my birthday week and because I'd die if I didn't. Life or death, you know? It was a lot/far too much fun. Do you want to see some pictures? Course you do.

Adriana, Megan, Me and my spoon (?), Olivia.

Olivia and Adriana, cute as buttons.

My Edward face. Intense. My eyes might even be pointing in different directions.

I was meant to be Edward and Megan was Jacob.

We were far too excited.

Olivia and Adriana Cullen.

Jacob and Edward.

Livy gives it a thumb up.

Megan smooching Eddy.

Olivia was a shy smoocher. Probably because someone shouted "She's kissing the poster!" right as she puckered up.

I tend to take things too far.

One attractive couple. Bella just stared at us through the whole smooch-fest. How rude.

Sharing is caring:

Had enough of me harping on about my photobooks and just must get one for yourself? Well, go here and sign up and then use one of these codes to get a free 8x8 30-page photobook of your own design. You can thank me later. They expire December 27th so get to it!


Z4T2ARC



I have 5 more that I'll put up when those ones are gone. Leave a comment and tell me which code you've used ;) Lurkers are welcome.

I look forward to this every year...

It can't still be puppy love, can it? I'm TWENTY-FOUR now!

Did I ever tell you about the time my mum met Donny Osmond and she told him all about me?

Me.

I really need a hair cut.

Toast and Jam:

Paramore - New Music - More Music Videos

Homemade challenge.

I made a pledge this year to make all the gifts I'm giving - have I mentioned this before?
The crafting is going along swimmingly and I really couldn't be more on track or happier with how things are turning out.
On Friday night Betsy came over for dinner and then we went over to Olivia's to do some craft stuff whilst Tyler was at school and Anthony was at work (and Stuart was at home :S). On Wednesday Betsy reminded me of something I'd been wanting to do for a while but always talked myself out of because I wasn't sure how much it would cost and I didn't quite know how to go about it. I finally went ahead and did it - thanks to friends who take me out on errands with them because if I was to do this with Stuart... well, I never would get to do this. Liv took me to DI where I picked up 6 picture frames for $7. Then we went to walmart and I picked up 5 spools of ribbon for $5 and a bottle of white acrylic paint - white paint never lasts long enough.
Then that night I got to it armed with my Heather Bailey fat quarters and my hot glue gun (and my Twilight ticket but that's nothing to do with anything really) I made some jewlery holder frames.

I've made 2 more since then and have a feeling I'll be making quite a few more. I love how I know exactly which one goes to who because of the different ribbon/fabric/frame/embellishment sequences. Aren't they cute?
I'm also pledging to take more pictures with friends. We're done here in APRIL!!

Oh, also, on Saturday we had our ward Super Saturday which went really well. There was a lot more people there than I expected. When I got home there was a package awaiting me. It was just what I hoped. My recent artscow order. 5 12x12's and 5 8x8's. I can now recommend those size prints wholeheartedly. They turned out amazing... and I just used up all my frames for jewlery holders... hmmm...

Hero/Heroine

Like chocolate and peanut butter...

Paramore and Twilight...

Muse: Time is running out...

Muse are one of my favorite bands and have been for a verrrrry long time... Seven years? Dunno. Yonks though.

The Twilight disease.

I've contracted the Twilight disease. I've died of it several times over this past week...

Beautiful 'Burg:

Rexburg has the most amazing sunsets I have ever seen. Here's some pictures from tonight that are not photoshopped...
So pretty. That's something I'm going to miss when we leave here.

Dulce et decorum est

Bent double, like old beggars under sacks,
Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge,
Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs,
And towards our distant rest began to trudge.
Men marched asleep. Many lost their boots,
But limped on: blood shod. All went lame, all blind;
Drunk with fatigue: deaf even to the hoots
Of gas-shells dropping softly behind.

Gas! Gas! Quick, boys! ­ An ecstasy of fumbling,
Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time.
But someone was still yelling out and stumbling
And floundering like a man in fire or lime.
Dim through the misty panes and thick green light,
As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.
In all my dreams, before my helpless sight,
He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.

If in some smothering dreams, you too could pace
Behind the wagon that we hung him in,
And watch the white eyes writhing in his face,
His hanging face, like a devil's sick of sin;
If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood
Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs.
Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud
Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,
My friend, you would not tell with such high zest
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old lie: Dulce et decorum est Pro patria mori.*

* "tis sweet and fitting to die for one's country"
Wilfred Owen

Remembrance Day.

Most of my thoughts today are serious and quite sombre. I just want to show my gratitude, respect and love for those who have served and do serve in armed forces throughout the world.

I don't really have it together to write my thoughts in a way for people to understand.

I just feel that in our day and age we aren't really aware of what has gone on in the world in order for us to be living as we now are. I want to live in a way that makes my grandparents sacrifices whilst fighting in WWII worth something. I want my peers who are serving our countries to know that I support them. I'm amazed that there are people brave and selfless enough out there to be fighting for us; people they don't even know.
I've heard stories of my Papa Stronach's about his time fighting in WWII and it makes me feel physically sick and yet so proud. The stories have made me very sensitive to War films and video games with war themes and violence... I can't get my words together enough to really articulate this. I'm just very grateful and full of respect and want my actions to show that.

I suppose it also makes me think of the ultimate sacrafice that was made for us in the Eternal scheme of things.

Hopefully we can all take a few minutes to reflect on these things.


IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Shut up!

I know "shut up" are words I'd get a swift slap on the mouth for but seriously, shut up! It is with complete and utter shock/surprise AND disbelief that I'm writing this. It's been two days and I'm still thinking "shut up!!"...

Saturday night we got home from a night of fine dining with friends and were getting changed and ready to head out for a nice quiet night of movie watching with more friends. I had got changed and Stuart began asking questions such as, "if I got you a birthday present would you want it now or would you rather wait?" um, hullo?! Now. Duh. Without much persuasion he disappeared and told me to close my eyes and put my hands out. Two of my least favorite things to do at the same time. I went along with it taking deep breathes and staying calm. From the living room Stuart calls something like "it's not much but you mentioned you wanted to see it for a while." A dvd? Possibly. Also quite exciting. I have wanted 'Dan In Real Life' for a while now. I also really wanted 'Last Action Hero' but we have that on vhs... Whatevs.
My hands out stretched in an exaggerated manner he came back and told me that the gift wasn't that big. The idea of him dropping something smaller in my hands is a terrifyingly frightening thought - a spider/hamster or worse a white rabbit... eeeeerm... anyway, I comply. Put my hands together and hold my breathe.

The package hit my hands and I knew instantly what the heck it was. Squeals happened to burst out of my throat. I grew springs on my feet and began bouncing about all the while with my eyes screwed shut so tight out of sheer glee! I could have cried.
My JACKET!! The cheeky bugger got me my JACKET!! I had no idea. I just thought he was being a jerk! How stupid of me. He cares if I'm cosy or not and he got me my JACKET!!!!!

Glee!

He ordered it when I first started whining about it. I never want anything inparticular for my birthday or Christmas so he jumped on this as quick as he could and got 15% off. Genius.
Poor Stuee was at his wits end when all my friends would harp on about the jacket. LOVE! He'd mention wanting Rockband 2 to Tyler and both Tyler and Olivia would say "yeah, but Laura needs that jacket." Little did any of us know!

We headed out to Tyler and Liv's with my new jacket so proudly worn. When Olivia saw it her eyes actually popped out of her head and she said "Stuart! You've made us so happy!" We then went into the bathroom and looked at me for a while.

Can you imagine what people are going to be like when Stuart and I have a child?! No more Pink Dyson-baby or Jacket-baby but an actual human-baby? It's going to be mental!


His face is all "Whatevs!" but inside I know he loves this jacket like it's the newest member of the family.

Shut up!

I'm a Movie Maker!

Before I go to bed...

Happy Guy Fawkes Day!

Etsy

Check out my etsy to buy this little lovely gLove bunny :)

Mr. Husband-man.

1.Where did you meet your husband?
I found his hotmail profile and emailed him in September of 2002. We met in person in April of 2003 at Seatac.

2. How long did you date before you got married?
From the first meeting April 2003 and got married March 2004. He'll say we were dating before we met but I'll never admit it.

3. How long have you been married?
5 years this coming March.

4. What does he do that surprises you?
Sometimes he brings me wee treats. A couple of weeks ago he brought me breakfast in bed. On Sunday he watched the long version of Pride and Predjudice with me.

5. What is your favorite feature of his?
I love his height and how I happen to fit perfectly in his arms.

6. What is his best quality?
He's very loyal and genuine. I trust him with my life (and with my back). He genuinley want people to be happy and is sad when they're not or when when someone upsets another person. He's also super hardworking. Love that. He's not beyond playing tetherball, flying kites, hide and seek, slip 'n' slides and other childish fun things I love. He loves to laugh with me.

7. Does he have a nickname for you?
Where to begin! Lola, Lolo, Baby Balaura (baby baluga), Babe, Lovely, Best Friend... there's a lot of nicknames.

8. What is his favorite food?
He's not picky but he is partial to Teryaki, Chicken Korma, my mum's Lasagne...

9. What is his favorite sport?
He's more of a Wii Sport type.

10. When and where did you first kiss?
The night I flew in to meet him. We smooched outside the cereal cupboard in his parents house.

11. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple?
His favorite thing would be to watch films. We both love to travel. I have to put some pressure on him to go places but once he does we both have the best time.

12. Do you have any children?
Nope.

13. Does he have any hidden talents?
He's a nice singer. He's also hilarious. Not many people see the side of him that I do - the side that has me grasping at my sides to keep them from splitting!

He can pick out a tune on the piano from hearing it once on TV. This is a talent I'm completely jealous of. COMPLETELY!

14. How old is he?
Twenty-five.

15. Who said 'I love you' first?
I did but it was an accident. It was online and I was defending his honor to my older sister in a group chat. We were joking and I said "Leave him alone! I love him!" He took it more seriously that I thought. I do love him though.

16. What is his favorite music?
He used to be mainly into oldies but now he loves The All American Rejects, Dashboard Confessional, Plain White T's... stuff I like or that's on Rockband and Guitar Hero.

17. What do you admire most about him?
He's sweet. Sometimes he says things that can be taken in an embarrassing way but he doesn't get it. I love that he's not crude or crass.

He's also a safe driver which I really appreciate - and I know my parents do too. He takes good care of me.

He also loves my family and loves it when my mum says things like "he's a smartie isn't he?" or "yep, that's my boy, my clever boy!" and I tell him she said it.
I love that he has a good relationship with my Beki. He loves her and Cameron as much as I do.

I love his sensitivity. He knows when I just need to talk and will listen. He comforts me when I'm homesick or when I'm in a rage due to something or another.

He comes off as quiet and quite shy but when I want to go out and have an adventure he'll be right there with me and will do fun things so I can take pictures and blog about it.

He's a good guy. I love him.

18. What is his favorite color?
It used to be green but now it might be red or whatever colour t-shirt I'm wearing at the time.

19. Will he read this?
Not on his own. I might point him in the right direction though.
20. Who do you tag?
Olivia, TAMN, Beki, Lauren

Friendships.

As I've mentioned numberous times before, October was busy busy and this month started off the same way. It's times like that which make me feel like I'm really accomplishing something. The more on my plate the more I'm surviving. Anyway, enough of that. This month began perfectly (as last month ended) with a visit I've been excited for since the beginning of the year practically.

It began in January - Sunday the 27th to be exact. I got an email from a Scottish girl who found my blog through an expat blog listing. She lived a few hours up the road and had somewhat knew my oldest brother in their youth. My Stronach traits have often been a giveaway of my heritage. So, since January we've chatted, read each others blogs, facebooked, IM'd etc... we've become good friends. She lets me gripe to her and she gets me. We think similarly. She lets me know I'm not a freak for being so sensitive and that I'm not always wrong. She's become like a sister to me.

On Saturday her and her family were travelling through here to get to a wedding a few hours from here. I was scared she wouldn't want to stop and meet me (I admit it. You all know I'm paranoid people don't really like me.) but she did! They stopped and we hung out, chatted, I fed her children grapes galore. It was fun! If they stop on the way back it'll be more fun because I'll have my voice back so I can chat properly.

They need to stop because I need a better picture. I cringe when I see myself in this one.
It was funny how aware of my accent I became when I was talking to her. It was even funnier when Stuart's accent became Scottish and he couldn't change it back. Haha.

Photobooks.

I ordered 2 photobooks from artscow a couple of weeks ago and have been anticipating their arrival. They came today! AND they're awesome. Again, I can't post pictures because they're meant for certain people but I just have to share again how much I love that company. If you sign up now you'll get 1200 free photos. All you pay is the shipping which turns out to $5 for 50 5x7's. They quality of the products is as good as, if not better than any other place I've printed pictures from.

Once you sign up they'll send you codes for free things and all you have to do is pay the shipping. My photobooks were free and they sent me 10 more codes for free 39 page 8x8 books...

I'm off to make some more!

This be what I listen to...

So much to do!

This is going to be a very busy month in this house! It's exciting and a little overwhelming at the same time but it's all good and exciting.
I'm working on Christmas presents at the moment and trying to make them a little more personal by investing some of my craftyness in them. I worked on Emma's present yesterday and really surprised myself with how it came out. Very cute. I hope she likes it. I'd post a picture but she'd see it ;)
I had planned on just doing Stocking Stuffers for everyone because buying for 14 people gets expensive but by crafting things it really cuts the cost. I love it!

Dear Daisy,

Today your mum sent me a text to my email and with it there was a picture of you. She mentioned how you look like me when I was a baby and what do you know, you actually do! How the heck did that happen? You even have light eyes like mine. I'm the only one in my family with light eyes. Everyone else has blue eyes apart from your mum whose eyes are brown like granny's.

You're a doll and I can't wait to meet you someday.

Love,
Laura

Happy Halloween!

It's been a long time since I've had a really good Halloween. This year I decided it was time to make a good one. Stuart and I have never dressed up for Halloween these 5 years so... things had to change. We were going to be Ghostbusters but I woke up sick on Wednesday and never had time to make our costumes between sleeping and wiping my snotty beak. I was thinking Stuart was a little too relieved to have got out of dressing up seeing as he's made it perfectly clear that he doesn't like to join in on such shinanigans. Too bad. And he loved it - that'll make next year much easier for me.

Thanks to Olivia we were able to be some hardcore Rockstars. Stuart got home an hour and a half later than he said he would be - I assumed he was being the Halloween grinch but he wasn't. We missed out on the ward trunk-or-treat but managed to make it to Russ and Hilary's for a little bit for their party. It had been a long day and we could only stay for a little bit but it made Halloween fun. We got the stuff we needed to get done and then spent some time over at Tyler and Olivia's playing Rockband.

Earlier in the day I'd gone over to Tyler and Liv's where I convinced Olivia to dress up as Lucy from I Love Lucy.

Little Lola was a cute wee Geisha.

I hope everyone had a spooktacular (you like that Lauren?) Halloween!

I think Stuart was making shadow puppets instead of rocking this picture... bless.