Literally! This is U-Hall at Deseret Towers (DT) where I lived my freshman year at the BYU. It's actually the only one that has anything left to it at all. A friend mentioned that they were tearing down DT but I didn't believe her till I saw it for myself. So Sad.
I needed to get out of the house today so I decided to go walk around BYU. I thought it apropriate since it was 10 years ago this spring that I graduated. I've been back to parts of the school since but hadn't really walked around on my own since.
My walking tour would not be complete without visiting my old home on campus, the Brimhall Building. From the outside it all looks the same. Walking inside was a different story. First the carpet and walls were changed. Then turning the corner I was expecting the old Photography Lab where I spent many hours. Gone! the photo studio, Gone, Gone, Gone. All taken over by the advertising department or the newspaper or whatever. Honestly it was heartbreaking. I actually got sad about it walking around. I think I had half expected to run into my old professor or see someone I knew. When you walk into somewhere where you know so well and it's completely different it's hard to process. I don't even know where the photo department is now. Does anyone out there know?
If you are like me, for years you have heard about Tibet and talk of freeing Tibet. I never really took the time to figure out what was going on there and why it's sparked so many protests and rally's. With the Olympics coming up in China, a lot of attention has been brought to the occupation of Tibet. Here are two ways that I learned more about the situation.
Poor Osky Sir, we got him neutered yesterday. I don't know why we didn't do it sooner. I was unaware that neutering your dog would mellow him out, Oskar needed that in a big way. Ryan mentioned it the other week, then I saw the Oprah episode about puppy mills and they were talking about how important it is to get your pet spayed and neutered because of the over abundance of homeless pets and pets that are euthanized in this country. I called our vet and it was going to cost us over $300.00, ouch. Then I came on the site for no more homeless pets, they have a Spay and neuter clinic in Orem that only charges 50 bucks. So there was really no excuse. Oskar is doing pretty good except he hates his cone. Take it off he's as good as new, put it on and you would think he is really struggling. When I put it on Ike thought it was so funny he kept laughing.
We finally found a rug! Thanks for all the comments and suggestions on the post about looking for one. It took me a while to get out to the places that were suggested but yesterday we went to Lowes to look and actually found 3 different ones we liked but chose this one. I re-read the comments left and realized Tasha mentioned the exact rug we picked out. I don't know her except through comments she leaves on my friend Hannah's blog but she's a winner in my book, thanks! and she has a cute illustration for her profile.
I've been itching to make these cupcakes ever since I saw them online around Easter. I finally made an excuse, family dinner. They were shown with white frosting but I think they came out ok with chocolate. I think I will try them with white for book club.
Ryan's Dad made me that cute birdhouse in the background I had to show off. He's quite the birdhouse maker. 
This is what I woke up to this morning. I heard it start as soon as Ryan shut the door to leave this morning. Good timing Ryan. He made it to the car and to work this morning just fine but it's been a nasty day this morning.
We got some pretty good size hail this morning. It did turn into snow later but not before hailing a little bit more after this picture was taken.
I woke up Friday morning sicker than sick. Throwing up and all the rest. Ike threw up once and has some pretty nasty diapers but otherwise he's been feeling good. I made Ryan stay home from work which he was not too happy about, but he really helped me out.
I'm headed to Vegas! Well with my mother-in-law, to help out my sister in law. So we probably won't be hitting the clubs and casino's. I'm still excited to go, especially since it means I get to eat at In-n-Out. It's funny that I grew up about 5 mins away from an In-n-Out and rarely went there to eat. Since I've lived in Salt Lake I've craved them. Especially since Ryan and I share the obsession. Ryan found a burger place in Orem that is the closest around to In-n-Out, no not Chadders, that place is no good. It's called EZ Take out. Ryan has to stop himself from eating there everyday.
I was watching Oprah the other day and her guest was Billy Joel. All I could think when looking at him was, When did he become my dad?
Of coarse my dad is much more handsome than Billy. No offense mom but his wife is a little hotter than you, heck she is hotter than me, but then she is like 26. Yeah that's his wife, not his daughter with him. Don't get any ideas Dad.
post about Amy Butler paper. I know what you are all thinking. 'Yeah we get it, you like her paper, enough already.' But I just had to show off these cute cards I made with it. Since it's inspired by quilt fabric I decided to make little quilts. Then I just printed words on velum. I'm not a scrapbooker but I think they turned out cute.Ryan and I went to a concert in Salt Lake last night. We saw Explosions in the Sky. They are an amazing instrumental band that rocks, to say it in a lame way. Most notably they did the music for the movie Friday Night Lights (in which I cried). They hold a special place in our family because it's the music we were listening to when Ike was born. See this post for the story.
So I don't know what happened to 'the scene' in Salt lake. I've only been married for 2 years and I use to live downtown, but I was confused. The only way I can explain the style now is Homeless chic, except they don't look really chic they just look homeless. That mixed in with some early 70's and early 80's. When two people are hugging and you can't tell which is the boy or girl because they are both wearing skinny jeans and hoodies. Guys were either wearing beenies, or a ponytail. I can honestly say there was not one attractive man I saw there, besides my honey of coarse. The girls weren't much better. I'm not saying I'm the queen of class and style, but I am saying I'm glad I'm not single anymore.
If you haven't heard Explosions you should give them a listen they are pretty amazing, especially live. I still don't understand how they make three guitars and a drum sound like that. I have to admit I got a little emotional during the first song thinking about giving birth to my son. Thank you Jason for deciding not to go to the show with Ryan.
I just wanted to wish everyone a Hoppy Easter, ha ha. Isn't this Easter tree gorgeous, I found it at http://www.blumchen.com/ along with these sugar eggs. I was remembering how we always had sugar eggs when I was a kids. Although when I was just revisiting some of my Easter memories I realized that it was probably the same egg year after year. I just thought it was so cool and imagined the little bunny hopping around inside when I wasn't looking.
When I was about 12 I became the one in the family that put Easter baskets together. I'm not sure why since I was the youngest, but maybe that was it, no one else cared. I just remember going to the store with one of my sisters and picking stuff out then setting out what ever basket or wicker plates I could find around the house and putting candy on them for everyone. Back then the only thing that really mattered was having candy to bring to church, although it usually ended up falling on a fast Sunday. Our family was never really big on holidays, the only one we decorated for was Christmas. Ryan's family however, complete opposite. Every little holiday Ryan's mom's house is fully decorated. Same goes for his sisters. So I've been noticing and trying to decorate a little more as well. I decided I really like Easter decorations. I have a thing for birds and eggs lately so it's perfect. I might have to check out the after Easter sales and see if they are giving anything away (75% off or more). I do have one decoration.
I guess all that is why Ryan and my first Easter together I neglected to get him an Easter basket. He kind of made a stink about it so the next week I had one waiting for him to make up for my neglect. And every year since, I've made sure to have a nice basket for him.
I actually wasn't planning on having an Easter Basket for Ike, because well he's 9 months old, can't eat candy and won't remember anyways. Well sweet Aunt Holly, who is actually in China as I type, had this basket for him waiting at Ryan's parents. It has a cute shape sorting toy, and 5 cute books in it and Easter eggs. She saved the day, now I look like a really thoughtful parent. I'll have a basket for him next year.
Or how I earned my keep today...
I had planned on just painting the cupboards white today. They've had one coat of paint on them for a few months with a few vases just put up there.
I'm sure I'll fiddle with it a little more, but I think it turned out pretty cute. Took me long enough to finally do something with the open cupboards, but now that I'm not working I've got projects galore to get busy with. Keep posted for the next inspired creation. 
I hate the name of that store...
My new favorite show is not on TV it's on the Internet.
They are 6 min episodes written by real mothers and acted out by Leah Remini, Jenny McCarthy and my favorite Chelsea Handler. Who doesn't love Chelsea Handler, no seriously who of you doesn't because I don't know if I could be friends with you, jk, I still will be, I just won't be able to talk about what a 'hot mess' someone is around you. Even if you don't have kids I think you would appreciate these, but I'm sure with kids you can identify even more.
Give it a watch, if you don't laugh, no biggie, but if you are like me, you won't be able to wait to watch the rest of them. Enjoy.
I've never been accused of being humble, so why start now. It's my birthday and I expect the accolades and praise from everyone I know. If I could pull off wearing one of these hats all day I totally would.
It's possible that Eva Longoria and I were separated at birth. I know what you are thinking, how could that be, you are so much more attractive and talented than her. Well it turns out that we have the exact same birth date. 3-15-75. I've never really thought much of Eva to tell you the truth but for some reason when I found out we had the same birth date I've felt a weird connection, thinking about the fact that we have been on the earth exactly the same amount of time. I've been able to accomplish a little more with my life, but I do envy her fondness for Chanel clothing.
with the arrival of my first present from Super Cute Kat and Dan Electro. They sent me this sweet little book mark. I love it. Not sure if you can tell but it's a very thin piece of wood. They must know I love birds and owls and trees. It's totally my style. I thought it appropriate to chrisen it in one of my old Dorothy Parker poetry books. 
Now if I could figure out how to put it on my blog. I used a designer layout and it won't let me change the header. I'll figure it out eventually...hopefully.
if my friend Jen wanted me to do a banner for her blog, I might come up with something like this. The woman has 4 boys, she's my hero. They are all so cute. I found this font too and have been itching to use it. Now maybe I'll come up with something for myself. I just don't inspire myself as much as my friends do.
If I were to create a banner for my friend Kat's blog it would look something like this. 
I got a phone call Thursday at about noon asking me to come up with a few t-shirt designs for they're 2nd annual Lake Havasu Poker Run. Knowing my work they needed it yesterday and I only work till 4 which meant I had about 4 hours to come up with something. I was still sick and sleep deprived and therefore my creative juices were not at top form. Luckily they said it was ok if I finished on Tuesday which was good because I actually got inspired over the weekend and came up with a decent Idea. My bosses put in his two strippers I mean cents into the design.
They wanted a design for a tank top for the girls. After putting this design together I realized that the cards are both spades so I changed one to hearts which was a pain but worth it. I'm glad I worked so hard to get these done yesterday because the disc with the images is still sitting on my desk waiting to get picked up. Oh well. It's kind of fun to do this stuff and get paid for it. I wish I was better and could get an actually job doing this full time but I'll take what I can get. So far they've had me do a few brochures and of coarse the flyer for the Poker Run. 