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Sunday, December 7, 2008

Time!!!




Here I am, sitting at home, all alone, with absolutely nothing to do (yes, that's a lie), so I decided to post. Yay!!!

I'll just say that I absolutely love my life right now. I'm having so much fun with everything I'm doing. School is not exactly fun, but I have a lot of good friends that I have fun with while I'm there. I'm taking a bunch of music classes, and enjoying them for the most part. In orchestra we're playing some really fun Christmas music and I'm excited for the concert next week. My quartet class is over, but I think that was my favorite class. It was so awesome. My cousin, Derek, and two other girls (Heather Fife, and Amy Rider) were in it and we became really close in a short time. They're some of my best friends now. You just can't do something so emotional with people and not grow closer. And I'm doing Music Theory and Ear Training, and loving them both. I love Dr. Garner. He's the cutest little old man ever. Theory is a little harder (it's like the math end of music), but Ear Training is really easy and fun for me. I love it. I'm also in a latin ballroom dance class, which I love. I'm really excited for the break though.

I'm in the Relief Society Presidency in the new Hurricane 19th singles branch. I'm really glad because I've gotten to know everyone really fast. It's fun.

My very favorite thing that I'm doing right now is Odd Man Out. It consists of me, Kyle Turman, Shella Reeve, and Lindsay Ferrin. We're an a cappella group. We have so much fun together, and are actually pretty good, if I do say so myself. :)

I am having such a good time with my friends. We (mostly me, Kyle, and Shella, with an occasional extra) keep really stupid sleeping habits, but have a blast. We sing, play Darkness Seek, watch movies, talk, put up decorations, sing some more, and just about anything else we can think of. Next weekend we're making our second annual traditional trip to Salt Lake to pick up Kimber. Last year was so much fun. Shella posted some pictures of it on her blog, so if you want to see click on her name on the right. ----> I'm so grateful that I have such good friends that I can have fun with that share my values. I love you guys!!!

So that's pretty much my life for the past few months. Exciting stuff. ;)

Friday, December 5, 2008

Brilliant!!!!

I've just made a monumental discovery! There's a computer lab in the Eccles! I'm so excited! Now I'll have something to do when I have an hour between classes. Golly, you'd think I'd know everything there is to know about this building by now since I practically live here. Oh well. I've discovered new exciting things every day. :) And I think I've forgotten how to blog. I need to work on that. But, now that I know about this lab maybe I'll get back into it! Mwa ha ha!

Sunday, November 16, 2008

It really hurts to get Ivory soap in your eyes.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

A word about sinks...


Okay, who was the genius that invented sink faucets with a knob that has to be held down at all times in order for the water to come out? What in the world were they thinking?! You can only wash one hand at a time, which isn't very effective, not to mention is incredibly annoying. Let me explain/show you step by step:

First the right hand holds down the knob while you get your left hand wet. Then your wet left hand holds down the knob while you get your right hand wet, making a soggy mess of the counter. Then, when satisfied that both hands are sufficiently wet, you dispense the soap in your hands and scrub happily. When you're done you reach for the knob, and (uh oh!) realize that your hands are covered in soap. In order to wash off your right hand you have to hold the knob with your soapy left hand, making an even bigger mess and getting the knob soapy! So then you're at a loss for what to do because in order to wash off your left hand you'll have to get your recently-rinsed right hand soapy again by touching the knob, thus starting the process over again! Grrr!!!! People! Come on! Think these things through before you put them in to mass production!

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Sometimes I'm just not very smart, Part 4

Once upon a time there was a girl (who shall remain unnamed for the sake of her pride, which there isn't very much of by now anyway, but humor me). She was driving home one day and it was nice outside, so she had the window open. It felt wonderful. Then she noticed that the windshield was dirty, so she turned on the little wash-y thing. Everything was fine until she started getting doused with the water the windshield wipers was (were?) sweeping into the window. Brilliant. That's all.

Friday, October 3, 2008

I dreamed!!!


Well, yesterday I was telling Kyle and Shella how I haven't remembered a dream for years now. We discussed it for a while on the way to Tuacahn and moved on to other topics, not giving it a second though (I did anyway). When we got home I went to bed. Well, I am very happy to announce that I had a dream and remembered it! I was so excited when I woke up that I told my poor, unsuspecting mother the whole thing when she peeked in to get my laundry, thinking I was still asleep. I'll tell you about it. It was really weird, but quite entertaining.

One day I was walking my dog (right, I don't actually have a dog) out in the Sevy Place east of town. We stumbled across two scruffy looking guys that were messing with something in a bag. I was nervous, so I tried to make polite conversation and make our escape, but it was not to be. They were bad guys. So one of them (he had red curly hair) pulled out a gun and shot my dog. I guess I wasn't really concerned because I don't actually have a dog, and somehow I knew that in my dream. I remember thinking oh well, he wasn't real anyway. Then he aimed the gun at me and shot me. 4 times in fact. Except I think two of them must have missed because I don't remember them hurting. One of them, the first one, hit the back of my arm, and so I fell forward and knew I had to pretend to be dead so they wouldn't hit me again. The other guy (the blonde) told Red to make sure I was dead, so I knew he was gonna shoot me again. I remember trying to tell my body not to flich when he did it so they'd think I was dead. He pressed the gun to my back and pulled the trigger (I realize this is kind of graphic, but don't worry. I lived). The bulled went clear through me and came out in the middle right below my ribs. A clean shot. So I layed (lay?) there until they left. Then I got up very painfully, held a hand over both sides of the wound so I wouldn't bleed to death and made my way back to town. Toquerville was kind of like Mayberry from Andy Griffith. I got to town and went home. For some reason all the girls in the family were there, and none of the boys. So I told Paige to call the ambulence because I wasn't feeling well. Then I went into the big room (the exercize room now) where everyone else was and talked with the girls. For some reason Brother and Sister Pederson (Stacia's parents) were staying with us, but they were really rich, snooty people. So I decided to take a little nap while we waited for the ambulence and realized there were little ants all over! They were squished all over my pillow and crawling all over the walls! I was a little concerned they would get into my wounds and eat me or something, but even more concerned that Sister Pederson would see them and get offended. Anyway, so I got up (the bleeding had pretty much stopped by now, but I still covered my wounds with my hands because it was kind of gross and cold) and went to see my mom at the church where she was teaching primary. I waited for her to finish lesson, but realized I needed to go and that I could die any second, so I told her I had been shot and was going to the hospital. She smiled sweetly, said "alright, honey. Dinner's at 6." She obviously didn't believe me. That was a little annoying. So I went out and the ambulence was pulling up. It was a really old fashioned one and we hadn't had much use for it in town, so I helped the doctor (a tall, blonde, really cute kid) get out the gurney and put the cover over it and stuff. I overheard Jenny, my sister-in-law, talking to Brittany about how he was the "man of my dreams." I was gonna marry him when I got better. So I got on the stretcher and he gave me a sedative. The last thing I said before it took hold was "don't cut my pants off (they were cute and expensive)." Then I was happily rolled into the hospital and lived happily ever after (I assume). I woke up. That's exactly how it was. Really, really, really weird, eh? Any interpretations? I would love to hear them!

P.S. I'm not proof-reading this, so ignore any errors. I don't wanna hear it.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

A tag...

Nikki tagged me, so here we go...



3 Names you go by -
1) Claire
2) Susan Vilate
3) Woosie



Restaurants I love -
1) Fazoli's
2) California Pizza Kitchen (they have the best pepperoni pizza!)
3) Olive Garden



3 Trips to plan on this year -
1) American Fork
2) St. George (though I'm not really sure that counts)
3) WICKED in SLC!!!!



3 Things you want badly
1) To be done with school
2) To be happy
3) To suddenly find out I'm related to Bill Gates and am consequently his heir. Yeah, that would be nice.



3 Pets you have/had -
1) Sir Leopold - fish
2) Millions of cats
3) Tyson and Lacey - German Modena Pigeons.



3 Things you did yesterday -
1) Sang in Shella's stake
2) Played in my stake
3) Taugh violin lessons



3 Things you ate today -
1) Toash
2) Milk
3) Cheese

3 Fears -
1) Being in tight, enclosed spaces
2) Swimming in a lake or ocean (you never know what's beneath you!)
3) Bugs!!!



3 Things you plan on doing today -
1) Getting ready for bed
2) Unmaking my bed
3) Going to bed


3 Things you plan on doing tomorrow -
1) Going to school
2) Practicing
3) Homework



3 Favorite Holidays -
1) Christmas
2) New Years Eve
3) 4th of July



3 Favorite beverages -
1) Milk
2) Chocolate Milk
3) Root Beer



3 People I tag -
1) Brittany
2) Shella
3) Kyle

Sunday, September 21, 2008

This is what I look like when I clean my room - can't you tell?

As I sat on my bed wondering where to even start cleaning my room, I decided I could be doing better things with my time. Like writing on my blog, for example. I haven't written a substantial post for quite a while now, and I decided it was time.

Several monumental events have taken place since my last substantial post. I'll start with the end of school.

Well, I graduated. Finally. I was so stinkin' excited to graduate that I didn't really think past the "no more school" part until Grad-Nite, when it occurred to me that I might never see some of those kids again. That thought was a bit alarming, because I hadn't told every single one of them how much I appreciated their role in shaping the person I am. Even if the part they played was that of the snooty girl whose opinion I finally decided I didn't really care about because I was happier than her, or the boy whom I was in love with in 6th grade until I heard him talking with some other boys and figure out that all that glitters isn't gold. I've learned a whole lot from those kids I spent every day for 7-13 years with. A whole lot. I've learned how to be happy, despite how bad it gets. I've learned what matters and what really just doesn't. I've learned how to handle lots and lots of stress (reading a sappy romance novel while eating toast always helps). I learned that High School is absolutely pointless without good friends to have fun with. I learned that grades really aren't the only things that matter. I learned to rely on Heavenly Father. I learned that family was His best invention (I couldn't do a thing without them). And perhaps most importantly (to me), my love of music grew tenfold. I have Mr. Morrise to thank for that. As I've mentioned before, Chamber Choir was the best thing that ever happened to me. I met my best friends, learned to come out of my shell, and gained my great love of music. Thank you, Mr. Morrise, for sharing that with us, and teaching us to appreciate and use something so special.

Ok, enough about school. I'm sick of that subject. The next major event to take place in this family was the wedding of Michael and Heidi. I've never seen Michael as happy as when I saw him walk out of the temple with Heidi by his side. As many of you know I wouldn't let just anybody marry my brother, but Heidi most definitely isn't "just anybody." She's absolutely fantastic. Perfect for Michael. I couldn't have picked a better girl myself. She fits in with our family wonderfully and made a real effort to get to know me, which I really appreciated. She made sure I didn't feel like I was being kicked out or replaced. Like I could still be friends with them. I love her so much already.

The other thing that happened was Kimber going off to college in Idaho again. She had originally planned to go to Dixie this year, and did for a week or two, but it just didn't work out or feel right, so she needed to go back to BYU-I. She decided and packed up and left in a period of about two days. Haha! That's just how she works. I love Kimber so much, and want her to know that I support her whole-heartedly in whatever she decides to do with her life. She's an incredible person. The best friend I've ever had. With Kimber I never really had a choice. We just were best friends. I don't even remember the "getting to know you" process. We sat by each other in Chamber Choir, which in my opinion explains it all. Kimber had a tendency to always bring out the best in me. I was never shy around her and could speak my mind, which I didn't do around anyone else. She's the main person who got me to grow out of my shell. I miss her a ton. I'm kind of friend-less right now. Our little best friend quartet kind of puttered out when Kimber left. I'm too far away from everyone. It's rough. The other day I was at a jam session with some of my friends from the music department. We all played some sort of stringed instrument. Someone would start playing a song and everyone would make up harmonies to it. It was really fun, but just not the same. They just didn't understand. Didn't get it. It made me REALLY miss our quartet. Enough that I couldn't stand it and left early. Not to worry though, Kimber! I don't want you to feel homesick if you read this. I just want you to know that I love you and miss you! I'm thrilled that you're having such a good time up there. It was definitely the right thing for you to do. And make sure and don't worry about us down here. We'll all be fine. It's not like you died or anything. You'll be home soon enough and ready to sing. Until then though, we'll be waiting. :)

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

She's finally here!!!!



Lily Adele Tilby made her entrance on September 2, 2008, weighing 7 pounds and 9 ounces. She is 20 inches long, and perfect. Aren't they both beautiful?

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

College

Well, I have officially gone to my first few days of college and I can honestly say...it's not all that great. I suppose college itself is fine, but I'm still too sick of school to enjoy it. Last year was just so stressful for me that I still haven't fully recuperated yet. I'm not ready to go back. Plus I might have bitten off more than I can chew. We'll see.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

My Grandpa

     The picture from the last post was taken at tonight at my grandpa's 88th birthday.  88 years.  That got me thinking about people.  My grandpa and I have always had a special bond.  I think it's because we're a lot alike in many aspects.  My family has always told me I'm slow at everything  I do, which I won't deny, and my grandpa is exactly the same.  He does everything at his own pace, not worrying about anything.  My motto I actually got from him.  In his yearbook they put a quote below every senior that described them.  My grandpa's was: life is no longer if you hurry, life is no better if you worry. 

     My grandpa is turning 88 on Wednesday!  88 and still goes to Kolob every day.  88 and still keeps a bountiful garden.  88 and still chops wood.  88 and still works in his field.  What an incredible man and example of enduring to the end.  His mansion will be a castle by the time he dies.  Sure he's got his faults, stubbornness being his main one in my opinion, but my grandpa is a very wise man.  I can't remember a time when he wasn't sharing some story or another about something he learned in his life, or about throwing monkeys out of an airplane in the war.  I love my grandpa so much.  It is such a blessing to have them next door so I can see them whenever I want, and I need to stop taking them for granted before I lose the chance to learn from them.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Cuteness!!!!

Is that not just the cutest little face you've ever laid eyes on? I have the best family ever. Not to mention the cutest nieces and nephews. I just had to include this to show off her cuteness. The amazing Jenny was the photographer. And yes, Heather, I confirm all rumors about a baby girl about to join the Tilby family. They're so excited! Lily Adele will be her name.
Families have such an incredible impact on our lives. My family is the best. Even though I'm the youngest of 5 I'm still lucky enough to be really close to all of my siblings. They're the greatest. I can't count the number of times they've helped me out. And they all married wonderful people. I wouldn't trade my in-laws for anyone. I love you all!



Thursday, August 14, 2008

At last!

I finally got my computer!!!!!  After over a month of waiting!  I'm so excited!  I love it.  It's a pink Dell Studio 15-something or other.  It has a whole lot of memory stuff, a fingerprint scanner, it's pink, a webcam, and lots of other cool giz-wizes that I don't know what to do with yet!  I didn't think I'd really use the fingerprint thing ever, but I actually use it all the time.  It's awesome.  Plus it makes me feel smart (don't ask why).  And it's pink.  I'm also finding that I really like Windows Vista.  It's pretty user-friendly, once you get over the shock of not really having a desktop, that is.  I really like the "Gadgets" feature.  It's fun, and pink.  I currently haven't figured out how to play music though, so Alex, I might have to have you come over and teach me.

Well, I love, love, love, love it!!!  Plus, did I mention it's pink?  I won't have to worry about brothers or dads using it, even though it's a lot better than theirs.  Mwa ha ha (in the nicest way possible)! ;)  

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Don't worry

Yes, I know it's been a while, but I've been really busy and I can't think of anything to say. Actually I can, but it would take a really long time to tell it all and I'm trying to share my dad's computer until mine can get here, so be patient. In the mean time you can check out our Quote Board. There's some good ones on there. And once you get past all of Kyle's rap stuff (I'll explain that later) there really are some other funny ones. ;) Enjoy. Oh, there's a link to it on the right.

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Sometimes I'm just not very smart, Part 3

I did another really stupid thing yesterday that was really funny (after the incident). I was eating a Go-Gurt thing and I, being a girl, was squeezing it up from the bottom, just like the toothpaste. Well, as I was thoroughly enjoying my banana split yogurt my fingers slipped, blasting all of the yogurt out the top. I got a mouth-, face-, and shirt-full of cold, gooey yellow yogurt! Funny, these things all seem to happen while I'm eating (or attempting, anyway).

Monday, June 30, 2008

Sometimes I'm just not very smart, Part 2

Today I wanted some baby carrots. I got out the bag and noticed that it hadn't been opened, so I got out the scissors and cut off the top. After I put the scissors away I picked up the bag and realized it had a zipper bottom. Brilliant.
(I have a feeling this topic will have a lot of parts. Hopefully Kyle doesn't stumble accross this any time soon. I'll never hear the end of it).

Friday, June 20, 2008

Sometimes I'm just not very smart


For instance: Today I was eating toast (surprise, surprise) and I set my plate on something messy. I picked it up and, without thinking, turned my plate over to see if I had gotten anything on the bottom. You can imagine what happened as a result. Nicely done, Clarissa.
Then later today I was making bread. I must say, I'm a pretty good bread maker. This batch was going to be the best I had made yet. Everything was perfect. I even sifted the flour, which I have NEVER done. I had learned through my previous batches that 13 cups was the perfect amount. When I was on cup 13 the realization came crashing down on me that I was using WHITE flour, not wheat like I meant to. I was so annoyed! Darn it all, I blew it! So now I just have the best batch of beautiful white bread I've ever made. Darn it all!

Friday, June 6, 2008

Post-Readum Depression/The Host book review



I've decided there's a disease called Post-Readum Depression, related to Post-Partum Depression. This disease occurs after one finishes a very well written book that makes the person feel like they're part of the story and that they're friends with the people in the story. I, myself, have been subject to this disease many times. After finishing a good book I always feel like I've lost my best friend. It's really depressing to finish a book, or especially a series, and realize that there's no more. That's all there is. Sure you can read it again, but it will no longer be a surprise to you. Ever again. Throughout the reading of a book the characters become so real to you that it is a shock to your mental processes to finish the book and remember that they're not real.
The thing that brought this disease to my attention was finishing the book The Host. It was excellent. Yes, Sean (by the way, if you're reading this, I had a really good time. Next time I'll bring my camera), I think I actually really liked it. There were a few parts of the book that were a little hard to follow, just because the plot was so odd, but for the most part I'd classify it as an I-couldn't-put-it-down book. I want to tell you about the plot, but not give away any spoilers, so I'll just write what's on the flap-thing. Well, maybe I'll try to start myself: It's about this girl named Melanie whose body gets taken over by a soul named Wanderer (Wanda for short). You see, the world was invaded by "souls" that need a host body to do anything, so they are "inserted" into human bodies, hence the name "The Host." Only problem is, when a soul in inserted the human mind is supposed to disappear, but Melanie didn't. She puts up a fight to control and maintain her body. Now I'll do the inside flap: Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. Our world has been invaded by an unseen enemy. Humans become hosts for these invaders, their minds taken over while their bodies remain intact and continue their lives apparently unchanged. Most of humanity has succumbed. When Melanie, one of the few remaining "wild" humans, is captured, she is certain it is her end. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, was warned about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the glut of senses, the too-vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind. Wanderer probes Melanie's thoughts, hoping to discover the whereabouts of the remaining human resistance. Instead, Melanie fills Wanderer's mind with visions of the man Melanie loves--Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she has been tasked with exposing. When outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off on a dangerous and uncertain search for the man they both love. The end.
One thing I appreciated about this book was that she didn't really drag on any parts for an unnecessary amount of time (although a certain someone would disagree with me). By the time I start to get annoyed she moved on to something new. One complaint I have about the book is the ending. It seems like she wrote the ending, then decided to add another part. It just doesn't fit very well. It's kind of random.
Anyway, I suggest this book to all avid readers who want a unique story. It's a good one, for sure.

Saturday, May 31, 2008

Pictures!!!

Hey everyone! I thought I'd help spread the word: Sean started a group on Flickr called hhs2008 where you can post pictures of graduation, so everyone please join it and post your fun pictures! We'll look forward to seeing your pictures and sharing some memories. I promise it's not that hard; I even figured it out. ;) Rachel - if you read this will you post some of Regan's pictures? Thanks everyone!

Friday, May 30, 2008

Maybe someday I'll think of something to blog about. Just know that I haven't forgotten about you. I just haven't been able to think of anything interesting to say. Any ideas? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

Monday, May 12, 2008

The Promised Henry Photos

Henry was about 2 weeks old in this one. He looks concerned.
As you can see, Grace was thrilled with the prospect of a new sibling.
Isn't he cute?!

Almost Old


Well, the time I've waited all of my life for is almost here: graduating from high school. I've been so ready for this day for years, but now that it's finally creeping up on me, I'm not sure I'm prepared. Sure I'm ready to be done with school. Heck, I've had senioritis for years! I'm just not sure I'm ready to leave my friends. I've had such a well structured life for so long. Now that I'm faced with the unknown I'm feeling a little apprehensive. Not nervous exactly, I'm sure it'll all be ok. Just mostly sad. I'm checking out a week earlier than everyone else to go watch my brother's graduation from law school, so I'm missing a lot of the typical closure activities. I'm missing my last choir concert, and as the choir president I feel really bad about that. I absolutely love choir. It changed my life and attitude so much. I made some amazing friends there. In fact I feel like all 26 (I'm including Mr. Morrise) of us are best friends. We can tell each other anything. That's what happens when the gift of music is involved. You almost don't have a choice. I love it!
I'm also missing the seminary senior testimony meeting. I'm the vice president in the seminary council, so I feel really bad about that. I was looking forward to hearing the testimonies of my peers and being able to share mine. I have a very strong testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel. The promise about asking and receiving (was it Moroni?) can change lives. I'll never be able to deny that I know the truth.
I've made such good friends with all of those kids on the council! Some that I never imagined speaking to in my life. I'm so grateful for the chance that I was given to be with them. It was a great blessing. I'll truly miss them all. Maybe we can have seminary council reunions!
There is also a scholarship-presenting-ceremony-thing on Wednesday that I will not be able to attend, but that's ok. Jody said he'd take care of it for me. It would just have been fun to see all of the scholarships my peers get.
It is starting to strike me that I'm not going to see some of these kids again. Maybe ever. I really have a great class. Sure, we have our share of...unique individuals, but for the most part I love them all. Even the unique ones. I've had the opportunity to get to know many people from all groups last year and this year through the different activities I've done and I've learned that, for the most part, people are good. They may look strange and have some weird ideas, but they are worth getting to know. I will truly miss high school.

P.S. Golly! I need to learn how to write shorter or something!

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

School is dumb.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

The Newest Chamberlain


I am pleased as punch to announce the newest addition to the Chamberlain clan: Henry Alexander Chamberlain. Isn't that a dashing name? He was born today, April 24, at 2:50 to Alex and Jenny Chamberlain. We discovered that he will be a very punctual child, as he was born precisely on his due date--the only grandchild so far to have done this. He was perfect, weighing 8 pounds and 3 ounces and being 21 inches long. I have yet to see him, but I hear tell he has a lot of black hair coming out of the top of his little head. Alex says he looks just like Grace, but with black hair. His older sister, Miss Grace, is currently in a state of denial, but I'm sure she will soon be thrilled to have a baby brother. Henry, we are so glad to have you in our family. See you soon, little tyke.

P.S. Grace can now say my name: Publissa! It sounds suspiciously like "pizza" when she says it sometimes, but it counts!

P. P. S. I will post pictures as soon as I get some. So probably next Monday-ish. I won't get to see him till Sunday. :(

P. P. P. S. Yes, that is a picture of Grace, but they said Henry looks like Grace, so, I figure it works. Plus, she's just darn cute.

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Broken Bones

Don't worry everyone! I didn't break anything recently! I was just tagged by my sister to tell about the broken bones I've had throughout my life. She was writing about all of the many she's had, and I must say, they are all odd things to break. She broke her septum (the thing in your nose), her hip (and didn't know it), her jaw, and her tail bone, for starters. That girl's got talent! I've only broken two things that I know of for sure. I suspect a few others, but I'll start by dictating the "for sure" ones.
The summer before first grade my grandparents, who live next door, got a beautiful swing set. That summer I decided that if heaven didn't have swing sets, I didn't want to go. Anyway, I got really good at balancing on the bar that the swings are attached to. I could do spins, twist and jump things, all kinds of exciting stuff. My grandmother was convinced I would fall and break something, so I never did it around her (remember, I was a conniving child). Well, one day I was swinging. Swinging! Not even doing crazy stuff on the bar! When I was done I decided to jump out. I had done it a million times, so it was no big deal. I jumped, and I remember my body going higher than I was accustomed to. I went high enough that my body started flipping. I landed face down, buy my arm broke my fall. And itself. Both bones in my left arm. I started to cry, which I did often, but my grandpa said he could tell something was very wrong because I was crying differently. He came out, picked me up, and carried me home. I tried my hardest to convince my parents it wasn't broken, even though it was bent at an odd angle, because Michael had told me that when you break bones, the doctors have to cut it off. Such a nice brother. I remember on the way to the hospital saying over and over, "It's not broken! It's not broken!" Well, it was broken, and, much to my relief, they didn't cut it off. I got a pink cast. I had a reputation to keep at the elementary as the best at the Monkey Bars, so even though I had a cast all the way up to my shoulder I diligently kept my reputation. It was sure awkward going, though.
The second thing I broke for sure was my right pinky, right at the joint. I was going down the slide in fifth grade with 3 of my friends. All at once. I don't even remember how I did it. I just remember getting off the slide, looking at my finger and then looking at the looks of horror on my friends faces. Then it suddenly started to hurt. A lot. Funny how that works. My brother Nic came and picked me up and took me to Dr. Last. He took my hand and told me he was just going to go like this! He yanked on my pinky when he said "this". I started crying and glared at him. The nerve! Nic took me to the ice cream parlor place that used to be in Hurricane, then we went to the Library where my mom worked. Her boss, Lloyd Reed (or something like that), gave me a grape sucker. We've had a bond ever since ;)
I suspect that I may have cracked my nose a couple of years ago. My dad was tickling me, so I chased after him and tried to tickle him back. Dumb idea. I got him from behind, and when he turned he swing his arm up and accidentally whacked my nose. I saw stars! It killed. It's had a little bump on the top ever since then.
The other one I suspect is my back. I'm becoming more and more convinced all the time. Maybe it wasn't broken, but I certainly did something major to it. A couple summers ago I went to Lake Powell for a week with my friend and her family. They had one of those big tubes that are like a mattress that curve up at the back so you're sitting up. LeAira and I were on that and the driver was going really fast. Too fast for us first timers. She took a sharp turn and the tube went over the boat's waves. We got some major air! They said the tube was higher then the canopy thing on the boat. When we came back down the tube smashed on the water like bricks. My back just crunched. I couldn't cry because I couldn't breathe, so I just panicked. I was certain I was going to die, or at least be paralyzed for the rest of my life. They pulled the tube up the the boat (we didn't fall off!) and lifted me off. We were in the middle of the lake, so I just lay on the floor while they drove back to camp. That was the most pain I've ever been in. Every time the boat leaned one way or the other I felt a stabbing pain from my lower back. When we got to camp they put me on my cot and prodded around my spine. They gave me a blessing, which I don't remember. That was about the third day there, and they only had 2 more, so I decided to stay. Another dumb idea. I just stayed on my cot and slept for the rest of the time because I just about blacked out from the pain every time I moved, but they were so nice to invite me that I didn't want to ruin their trip by cutting it short. It was a long, miserable ride home. I mostly lounged around for the next few days until I could get to the chiropractor. Golly, that was a painful visit! They never took any X-Rays, which we should have had them do, so I might never know if it was broken. I still want to get some taken. I went to the chiropractor a couple times a week for a few months. It hurt to stand up or turn my body at all for about 6 months, then just hurt to bend for about another year, and now it only shoots stabbing pain when I bend certain ways. I can actually feel the vertebrae that was affected. The others are all smooth, and this one is bumpy when you rub it. Needless to say, when I think of Lake Powell, all I can think of is lots of pain.
That about sums it up for my broken bone stories. Nothing quite as unique as Brittany's. :) I tag everyone who reads this. Mwa ha ha! Take that! I'll be checking...

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Spring Time in My Favorite Place On Earth

This is my very favorite thing to do in the springtime in my town--run around barefoot! When I took this picture my feet got in the way, and I decided it was okay. It told the story. I remember when I was little I hardly ever wore shoes. Even in the winter when it was rainy. I always had a hard time finding them on Sunday's for church. I could run around on the burning blacktop without batting an eye. This is the view I see when I sit on the side walk and look down the street. Blossoms as far as I can see! It's lined with pear trees of some kind that have white blossoms with the most delectable smell I've ever smelled. It's my favorite scent in the world, second only to growing yeast and baking bread!


This is what I see when I lay down and look up. A canopy of blossoms. Can life get any better? I submit that it cannot!
For this one I was just playing around in Photoshop for a minute. The Sepia look reminded me of some of my great grandpa's pictures of early Toquerville, except the trees were much smaller then. The other day I hiked up to Big Rock and looked at my town. I was able to relax and watch the hustle and bustle of my favorite place from afar. Watch the horses run around, avoiding the sprinklers in the fields to the west, watch neighbors go visit neighbors, watch little kids scooter down the sidewalk (or is it just scoot?), watch the people I love. I love my town so much! It's starting to green-up and the main street was all white and fluffy from the blossoms. I felt like I was in heaven.

Thursday, March 13, 2008

New Shoes!


Last weekend I went Up North with Michael. We stayed with Brittany and her family, and while we were there Brittany and I went shopping! Brittany got a beautiful Easter outfit for her and Baby Tilby, and a little Easter Suit for Weston. It's adorable! Ryan didn't like it much, but all the women did. ;) I was on a mission to find white shoes to go with my new dress, which I found, but along the way I also found a really, really cute outfit that I couldn't help but buy. It's a white skirt with yellow ribbon on the bottom and POCKETS!!! I was so excited about that feature. And the shirt is really two pieces: a plain yellow cami and then a blue polka-dotted blouse. I love it! Maybe I'll post a picture of it after I get ready for the day. Here are the shoes. They're so cute! I've realized that I have a definite weakness for shoes, which may prove to be my downfall someday. Oh well. As long as I have cute shoes on at the time.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Words!!!

GRRR!!! No matter how hard I try I cannot remember all of the words to any song that I try to sing! Nic, I blame you! The "word forgetting" gene began with you. I believe that every single time I have performed a song, I forgot some of the words. It doesn't matter how many times I practice it perfectly, I always, always, without fail, blow it. It's always a different spot, too. Tonight I was supposed to play at the Sterling Scholar Award...Jobby (thank you Ryan), and I decided to play The Devil Went Down to Georgia since it was entertaining and I already had it ready. My brother-in-law, Ryan, made me an amazing accompaniment CD on which he played everything, including the organ (nice little surprise). I practiced it a million times in the two days before (before that I was practicing Allegro Brilliant for a scholarship audition). I could do it perfectly. Then tonight I went to Snow Canyon High School and sat down. My nerves immediately began to make my hands shaky and cold (not good for playing). I was kind of shocked. I never get nervous! I think it was because I was playing for my peers. I hate playing for people my age. I greatly prefer adults. They're nicer. Anyway, so I was getting really nervous. I started praying like mad, and by the time I got up there I was fine. I was relaxed and ready to play with the audience. The music started, I started, everything was going great. Then after Johnny (me) played his solo I looked at the audience and completely lost my train of thought. I tried to remember, but by then it was too late. My cue had passed. So I just looked at the audience and said "Well, the Devil loses," and finished the song. It was fine, but I was so mad at myself! Why can't I ever play perfectly!? It's like there's a mental block or something! FRUSTRATION!!!

Friday, February 29, 2008

The Chamber Choir that Dwindled in Unbelief and Other Unrelated Topics (and by the way, I'm really sick of being sick!)




This years chamber choir is kind of falling apart from the inside out. I've been thinking about the causes lately, which is a stretch for me because I usually don't analyze things very deeply. I'll start by explaining the previous choir attitude as opposed to this years'. Last year chamber choir was the thing to do. Everyone wanted to be a part of it because they could see what a bond we had with each other and how much fun we had. There's just something about singing in a good choir. I can't even explain the feeling. I just love...connecting with other people. When you sing you are all working together to make a certain sound, and for me it is a very emotional experience. It's kind of like a runners high. You could be having an absolutely horrendous day, which happens a lot, and when you go to choir and sing you become so caught up in making beautiful music that it all falls away. This year, something is not the same, that much is apparent. There are several of our key singers that are not coming back next year because they haven't had fun in choir, or aren't getting along with someone this year.
As I mentioned before, I have been giving the cause of this rift lots of thought and contemplation. Last night (or this morning, whichever you prefer) around 4 I had an epiphany. When my brother came home from his mission he was talking about a "virus" that they had in the mission. It all started with 2 missionaries, 1 companionship. They decided that the rules and duty's of a mission weren't written for them, so they decided to live by their own rules. Well, these missionaries became trainers, taught them their bad habits, and those missionaries became trainers, and so on. It didn't take long for the attitude of these two influential missionaries to spread throughout almost the entire mission. Well, I think that this is the exact thing that has happened in our choir. All it takes is one influential person to start complaining, and everyone else follows their example. If people complain enough they eventually start to believe what they are saying. I have watched it happen all year, and not realized until now that it was the cause of the bad attitude of our choir. It is very difficult to feel the bond that is usually characteristic of a chamber choir. The person that started it all was not difficult to point out. This person was also a complainer last year, but she was not in a position of leadership, and therefore was easily thwarted. This year they are a mighty senior, and I might add a very good singer, and many of the students look up to his/her. This person is not shy about voicing their opinions, which are more often than not quite pessimistic. They are constantly back-stabbing the teacher to anyone who will listen. Our choir wasn't this way at the beginning of the year, and now that I think of it, I can see how it became infected. Slowly more and more people began complaining about the littlest things until many of them don't have anything good to say about the choir because all they have concentrated on for so long was the negative. This goes along perfectly with my theory of happiness in life. If you concentrate on only the good things in your life, trust everyone (or at least give them the benefit of a doubt), and let all of the bad things sift through your strainer then you will see no reason to be unhappy. If you constantly seek out the bad in every situation then you will have a depressing, miserable life. It's as simple as that.
Ok. I'll get off my soap box now. It's time for bed, especially since tomorrow is Preference and I got 3 hours of sleep last night (thank you, Cully).

Sunday, February 24, 2008

It's Official

Alright. It's official. I have the best family in the whole world. I'm sure there are many people out there who would argue with this fact, but many people haven't met my family. I just love them all so much! There. I've said it. Ah...I feel better now that I've gotten that off of my chest. You can all go on with your day now. Carry on.

Monday, February 18, 2008

Family Pictures







These are the highlights of our family pictures that we got. At least one person managed to be making a funny face in almost every picture. They all turned out well though. The one of the grandkids was tricky - we couldn't get Weston and Grace to stop crying for the picture. We had to throw Grace in and snap the pictures as fast as we could while she quickly crawled out of the photo. Silly girl! Well, they were fun. This picture is missing Henry (Jenny's tummy) and Baby Tilby (Brittany's). What a big family! It's wonderful.

Together At Last!



My brother finally came home from his mission on Thursday! Then that night my brother Nic and his family flew in to Vegas from New York. This is the first time we've had the whole family together in at least two and a half years. This week has been so much fun. I have the most incredible family ever. Last night my sister in law, Jenny, took some family pictures. She's amazing. I will post some as soon as we get them. This picture is my sister and me when Michael first came into the airport. It's so good to have the whole family together again!

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Ah ha!


I thought of another thing that not many people know about me! Except everyone that reads this blog probably does. Oh well. I'm going to tell you anyway.
I absolutely love scary movies! They're my favorite (I have a lot of favorites). I don't really like sickening-scary, like disgusting dead stuff, but tense-scary. Like King Kong. That is perfection personified (or movified in this case). The lighting in the movie is beautiful as well as the music, but it has enough adventure to keep one interested. I think it is a result of the fact that my father is the one who buys the movies in my house, so that's pretty much all we have. And the result of having 3 big brothers. Here is a brief list of my favorite scary movies: King Kong (minus the bugs), all of the M. Night Shyamalan movies, The Mummy set, love Indiana Jones, Star Wars, White Noise, What Lies Beneath, Sahara (isn't really scary, but suspenseful), Batman Begins, Superman Returns, the Spiderman trilogy (or are there four now?), I Am Legend, The Others, War of the Worlds, Lord of the Rings trilogy (the fighting in number 2 gets a little old), Braveheart (edited), The Three Feathers, The Birds, the original Frankenstein, Dracula, Creature of the Black Lagoon, the list goes on and on. I love movies.

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Things That Make My World Go Round


I decided to follow my sisters' example and write about the things that I love. There are quite a few, as I am quite content with my life. Actually, I suppose that's number one.
1. I love my life! I have the absolute best family in the whole wide world. I thank Heavenly Father every day for blessing me with such a wonderful family. We all actually like each other and enjoy spending time with each other! I'm so grateful that all of my siblings were such good examples, as well. I don't know if you knew, but I pretty much worshiped the ground you walked on while we were growing up. Heavens, I still do! I watched every move you made. I hope I can grow up and be just like all of you; marry someone as amazing as your spouses and live happily ever after as I'm sure all of you will. And I love my friends. All of them. There are such good people in this world, and I am lucky to know a good portion of them. Life is wonderful.
2. My nieces and nephews. They are my pride and joy (at least until I get my own children). I have 3 nieces and 2 nephews. Plus two halves. One of those halves is Henry. We are eagerly awaiting their arrival. The picture above is of my sister, Brittany, and most of my nieces and nephews. It was taken before little Millie was born. The little boy between her legs is her son Weston, Grace (Alex and Jenny's) is on the very left, and the other two are Marcus and Nicole (Nic and Paige's).
3. Toast. It's right up there after my family.
4. A good book to read with nothing on my mind (which admittedly doesn't happen very often at all). One of my favorite things to do is curl up by the heater (I'm always cold) with a good book, wrapped in my pink blanket that Stacia made me .
5. People. I love people. Especially elderly people. I prefer to trust everyone and think the best of them, than to constantly be uncomfortable. I love talking to strangers. My idea of a fun time would be to go to a big city (Salt Lake City) and walk around alone and talk to everyone. It's so fun to see the reactions of people when they meet a friendly person.
6. School, but only when I have all my homework done and I understand it, which also doesn't happen much. I'm afraid I'm getting dumber, rather than smarter. I always used to get 100% on everything until this year. I've yet to get above 90% on a paper in Cully's class, whereas English was alway my best subject. I ALWAYS got 100% or above. And my AP Government class. I just don't understand a lot of it. I was doing pretty well this quarter until I got sick and missed a whole week. That really put me behind, darn it all. This is really a cause for worry for me, in case you couldn't tell.
7. The LDS church. It does such amazing things to people and families. It can't possibly NOT be true. I can't find a single thing wrong with it. I am so grateful to have it in my life.
8. Music. I can't imagine my life without music. Don't want to. I listen to music pretty much 24/7, as often as I can.
9. Milk chocolate Doves. Delicious! And those chocolate truffles that are in the little red bag. Lindor? They're heavenly!
10. Slap-stick humor. My brother-in-law, Ryan Tilby, brought to my attention the fact that my sister and I are very much the same in this aspect. We can laugh for hours afterward about the stupidest things. One of my favorite movies is Johnny English for this very reason. And all of the Pink Panther movies.
11. Like Brittany, I also love roses. Especially red. And pink. And yellow. And that pretty salmon color.
12. Country Cottage-looking houses. You know the type; the light airy colors, just feels good to be there.
13. Making music with my family. I love this perhaps the most. There's nothing like working together with people you love to make something beautiful.

Ok. That's all for now. TTFN, as Tigger says!

Saturday, February 2, 2008

Some Pictures from Jenny and I's (or is it me and Jenny's) Girls Day Out



This was a really, really, really, really cute dress that I made the mistake of trying on in Dillard's. It was so cute and flattering, and also very much $150.00. Sigh.
This was Jenny and I before we set out on our little adventure. For some reason we decided to wear dresses and talk with English accents. It was very fun, but we weren't supposed to see anyone we knew. We ended up running into about a gazillion people we knew, darn it all. I'll post more later. The internet is having a melt down.

Friday, February 1, 2008

Jane Austen Quiz

I am Elizabeth Bennet!


This was a fun little quiz my sister-in-law, Jenny, sent me. Thanks Jen!

Friday, January 25, 2008

Toast!!

I thought of another one of my quirks. Anyone who knows me well will already know this, but still lots of people don't. My very favorite food of all times is...toast! I would eat it all day, every day if I could. I simply cannot describe how delicious it is. Just think: homemade wheat bread, toasted to a dark brown, smothered in butter (who wants to eat the unbuttered part? Come to my house and we'll teach you to butter like a Chamberlain--it's an art!), and cut straight down the middle. It's absolute perfection for your taste buds!
The other day my friend Jenny Jones (yes, that's really her name) and I went to St. George for a little girl time and when we were in Ross we saw a book titled "You Are What You Eat!" I pointed to it and said "Oh no! I'm toast!" It took us a second but then we both started laughing so hard we were getting glares from the employees and had to quickly leave. You see, I hadn't meant 'toast' like 'dead,' but it just came out so perfect. Ahhh...fond memories.
Since we had no school Monday (I love you, Martin Luther King, Jr!) I woke up at 5:30 (yes, in the morning--crazy, I know) and went to Zion for our Photography Club trip. It actually ended up being really fun. I didn't know photography was so hard (I just wanted the picture to look like the actual thing! Is that too much to ask?).
P.S. I'm not adding pictures to this post because we got a new hard drive for our computer and everything is currently gone.

Friday, January 18, 2008

1 thing that no ono knows about me

I got tagged a while ago by both my sister and my sister-in-law, but I haven't written anything because I couldn't think of 6 things no one knew. Last night I brought this up to my mother and Jenny and my mom reminded me of one, so I decided to just write about one thing at a time. That way it's not such a daunting task.
#1: When I was little I was a chronic liar and thief. I had absolutely no conscience whatsoever. My parents were really worried about me-that I would grow up and end up in jail the first chance I got. I remember one time my sister saved all of her Halloween candy for months. I knew where it was and that was way too much temptation for a 5-year-old, so I got it, hid out under her bed, and ate it all. One by one. Well, my sister caught me with a mouth full. "You can't eat my candy!" she cried. "What candy?" I asked innocently, even though there were wrappers strewn all over me and my mouth was so full that she could barely understand what I said.
The way that I learned to ride a bike was actually all thanks to my cunning thievery. I was the earliest in my family to learn, thank you very much. You see, we had this neighbor named Will Hill. Will had this bike. It was a tiny bike, so it fit me perfectly. I don't really remember it much, but I think it had a yellow seat. Anyway, I would steal Will's bike on a daily basis and my mother would make me return it on a daily basis. It seems like I won in the end. Correct me if I'm wrong (my siblings would remember this more than me), but I think I ended up with the bike. Poor Will Hill.
Well, I eventually grew out of this habit, thank heaven, though not until I was about 10. My sister said that she used me as an example to comfort one of her piano student's worried mothers. I'm glad I was able to do that. See? I didn't turn out all bad, considering how I started out!

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Pictures!





My sister in law, Jenny, got some new studio lights for her camera and they decided to test them out on me. We had already decided that Jenny would do my senior pictures, but after I saw what she could do with them, it got me really excited. Here are the ones that we took the other night. I wasn't planning on having my picture taken so I am just wearing my Tiger Band shirt (that's a touchy subject that I will save for another time) and my hair wasn't brushed, but Jenny worked wonders. They took them after I had been drumming at the basketball game so I didn't look my best. Ok. Enough excuses. Here they are. I've discovered that I actually really like having my picture taken.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

1 month and 12 days!!!!! (A tribute to my brother)


Note: This post is to be read with an English accent (I'm watching Jane Eyre for my English class while I write it).
My dear brother Michael will be returning from his mission in Oregon in exactly 1 month and 12 days. I've been counting down for about 3 months now (I'm definitely not excited or anything). The reason I don't look exactly chipper in this picture is because it was taken after Michael's 'setting apart', where I about had a 'come apart.'
Michael has been one of the best brothers a girl could ask for (I have three of afore mentioned brothers, but for the sake of time and space I'll just concentrate on the one for now). Ever since I can remember Michael has been there to take care of me and make sure I'm doing okay. I can remember a time when I was maybe four or five, when Michael and I were going on a bike ride and some neighbor boys (who will remain unnamed, you know who you are!) ran me off the sidewalk into the craw-dad infested ditch. A craw-dad bit my little finger, but Michael pulled me out, got mad at the boys (he was too nice to do anything besides give them a good talking to), cleaned me up, dried my tears, and walked me home.
All through elementary, middle school, and high school Michael would make sure I was awake in time to get ready for school, and, knowing I would still barely make it no matter how early I got up, he made me toast, got all of my bags ready, made me a lunch, and waited to walk with me to the bus stop nearly every day. He always defended me when I needed it, and was proud of me for my accomplishments. He would assure me I was beautiful after only the nerds would ask me to dance at the stake dances. He always let me know that he was there if I ever wanted to talk about boys or anything, which we did in his room almost every night.
When we were younger and I would get lonely he would sleep on the floor in my room on the condition that I make his bed (he insisted that I did it best). He was alway willing to be my taxi whenever I needed one. He repaired flat tires, shower rods, hurt pride, and really just anything that needed fixing. He even made me a beautiful headboard for Christmas, somehow managing to keep it a complete surprise. These are only a few of the countless loving things Michael did for me.
For some reason when someone you love leaves for an extended period of time you remember everything you ever did to them. I'm really good at feeling guilty anyway (I still feel guilty for for being too shy to kiss my dad's cheek when we sang in church when I was about four for Father's Day, which he doesn't even remember), so now with Michael gone I feel absolutely...[insert word that expresses feeling really bad]. About the only thing we would ever fight about was who got to control the radio in the car. After much protesting he would usually give up and let me have my way. He was so sweet to me my whole life and I didn't do much to show him how much I appreciated him and everything he did for me. I resolve to do everything I can to show him how much I love him from now on. I love my family so much. I am truly blessed.