Two Ladies and No Baby

It's Game Time

2012-02-11T15:08:00.008-07:00

My Dearest Blog Pals / Supporters / Jazz Fanatics,

Well the fun has arrived my friends and it's about to get caaaarazy in here. (Did I pull that off? I may be too white to say something like that).

This is what you've all been waiting for...

Here are the t-shirt designs for all you true Jazz fans.

We are only printing a limited number of t-shirts for each design so be sure to pre-order your favorites ASAP.

T-shirts are $20/each

***Pre-sale price is 25% off by entering promo code: JAZZ upon purchase***

By clicking on t-shirts, you will be taken to another page where you can add multiple shirts to your cart.

T-shirts are Unisex American Apparel Poly-Cotton short sleeve crew neck.

There is a shipping option if you are out of town. If not, be sure to click the 'local' option and we'll arrange for a pick up.

When purchasing, you will pay via Paypal. If you don't have a Paypal account, click on create account and you can enter your credit our debit card information without having to create a Paypal account.

Pre-sale ENDS one week from today.

READY...GOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Pre-sale shirts will be available within 2 weeks of purchase)

I'm in Love: Part II

2012-01-29T17:02:00.001-07:00

If you're a Jazz fan chances are you have something similar to the apparel shown in the picture below. Pretty nice collection, right? If that's not money well spent, I don't know what is. But guess what? It's still not cutting it. It's nice to have a classic Jazz shirt to sport to the games or around town. But all it says about you is that you're a Jazz fan. What if I want to say more than just, "Hey, I'm a Jazz fan and I like Paul Millsap." I'm a Jazz fan with more on my mind than just, "Go Jazz". I may have something to say about Devin Harris and how I want to verbally berate him for his less than mediocre play this season. Or how Raja Bell is supposed to be our shooting guard, yet he can't seem to make a shot. I want to express myself regarding the team I love.

Well my friends, as I mentioned last week, we've been working on a little project. Check back early next week to see what we've got for all you Jazz lovers. We're only printing a limited number so make sure you snag your favorite before they run out.

As always, Go Jazz! Love, twoladiesandnobaby (Becca & Kate)

I'm In Love...

2012-01-13T17:44:00.032-07:00

"I'm in love, I'm in love and I don't care who knows it!"

Something you may not know about me is that I'm very loyal. Something else you may not know about me is that I'm an avid sports fan. Combine the two and what do you get? Complete and utter misery, for the most part anyway. Why? Well, because I'm a Utah Jazz fan.

"You're in a small market." Yeah, I know. "No superstars want to play there." Uh huh. "You'll never win a championship." What the %$#*!@#??!?!?!?! (and this is when I verbally abuse whoever is talking)

Do we always win? No. But we have tons of heart and are scrappy as hell. I'd rather cheer for a team like that than say, the Heat or Lakers, any day. They don't have heart, all they have is cash $. And last time I checked, money don't buy love.

Why would we ever watch sports if we always knew who was going to win? Ever heard of underdogs? Ever heard of comebacks? That's what we as sports fans live for! And guess what else? When we finally do win the whole thang, it's going to be that much sweeter. Because I'm not a fair weather fan! Rain or shine, I'll be there cheering for my homeboys.

Because I'm a loyal and loving Jazz fan I'm going to do all you other fans a solid and let you in on a little secret. I've been working on several T-shirt designs featuring the awesomeness that is the Jazz.

I am a Jazz fan. Stay tuned for the official T-shirt launch. Trust me, you won't be disappointed.

Kate

Mr. Steinbrenner

2012-01-11T12:01:00.001-07:00

Ice skating with this guy is a treat!

Our dad never looks at our blog. So you can imagine our surprise when he mentioned a certain blog post, over our Christmas holiday. His response was this, "It's a shame you two won't be going to any more Jazz games." Obviously the man knows how to get his point across. The rest of you people who were lucky enough to appear in 'Look At You For Ugly,' will not get an apology. Instead, you will get a you're welcome.

Reasons to Love Hal Murdock Christensen:

1. He has no shame. This guy has been known to dress up for movie premieres. To our knowledge he has dressed up for Dances with Wolves (as an Indian complete with animal skins and headdress) and Zorro (complete with mask and swords and his two little Zorros, Seth and Sennett). He will also sing songs in restaurants. The guy never gets embarrassed.

2. He made our backyard into a luge course in the winters. One year he even strung lights so we could sled down our course in the dark.

3. He ran into a road sign with his car and just kept driving.

4. He is the owner/sponsor of our flag football team. He helped lead us to an intramural championship for sobbing out loud. Just call him Mr. Steinbrenner.

5. He once went to the grocery store with our pet parakeet on his shoulder.

6. He isn't a fair weather fan. His teams are not good: Washington Redskins, The Jazz, The Washington Senators (hello, they don't even exist anymore).

7. He built us a clubhouse.

8. He is a lot like Clark W. Griswold. Sometimes we find him in the attic watching home movies on a projector with a mink around his shoulders.

9. He thinks John Adams was a prima donna.

10. He gave a wedgie to a stranger (a grown man) at a gas station. He thought it was our neighbor. And it wasn't.

Clearly, he's the best dad!
Gooooo JAZZ!!!

Best of 2011.....

2011-12-22T13:12:00.000-07:00

1. Best nickname: The churro.

Best Halloween costume: Polygamist.

Most painful decision: Wasatch Back Ragnar.

Best Tan Lines: Henry.

Best News: NBA Lockout Ends.

Best Purchases: Dog Hat for Rrrosa and Rollerblades to blade the streets.

Most Important Thing Learned: A bushel of crabs = 80

Best Piggyback: Mim and Kate

Best Bumper Sticker: NYC

Best Handshake: Neighboring Stoops.

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a bitchin' 2012!

Sincerely, Your ladies with no babies.

Look at you for ugly.....round 2

2011-12-19T20:49:00.000-07:00

A couple years ago we did this post, and it was a real crowd pleaser. If you're lucky you might see a hideous version of yourself below. Ladies and gentlemen presenting........ LOOK AT YOU FOR UGLY!

This guy clearly has issues. He is icing

his neck, his wrist, and his left knee I believe.

And that's a cheerio!

It's a shame I have a boy face and SB looks handicapped.

And he's a doctor. SCARY!

Sorry Ma

And the best of all the pictures. Thanks Al for making all

my dreams come true with this photo.

Birds are terrifying!

Kids....

2011-12-16T22:14:00.001-07:00

So my job is dealing with kids, right? Molding their minds, tolerating their weirdness, and tying their shoes is basically what my day consists of. Part of that is picking up my little homies from the lunchroom and taking them back to the classroom. In the lunchroom, I always run in to some of my past students. It's a lot of hugging and how are yous blah blah blah. Well occasionally I run into Amanda. I taught her a few years ago and she's always been obsessed with my personal life. This is odd because most of my students think I live at the school. I have even been asked where my bed is. They don't even consider that I am a normal human being with a home and neighbors that walk in and out freely.

My run-ins with Amanda always sound like this: "Miss C., Miss C!" "Hi Amanda, how are you?" "I'm good. Miss C., are you married yet?" "No Amanda, I'm not married yet. Have a good day!" Just as I'm thinking, wow this Amanda is a freaking broken record, doesn't she know I live at the school???? Amanda decides to spice up our latest conversation with this little endearing comment, "Do you at least have a boyfriend?" And this was the face I made.

Grow up Amanda!

Won't You Be My Neighbor?

2011-12-07T21:39:00.000-07:00

I now consider myself notorious for having pretty solid neighbors. Let me prove my point. Three years in Idaho Falls, my BFF Ronald Drake Williams lived just around the carner (corner). Becca's BFF Allyson Clare Zollinger lived right down the street. Do you even realize how awesome it is to call up your BFF to play and be over at their house playing in literally 60 seconds? Boy, was I an efficient kid. And boy, did Ronnie and I take our playing time seriously.

Example two: the sleepy little town (thanks Cori C.) of Farmington, Utah where I spent the majority of my childhood after moving away from the BIF (Big Idaho Falls). As a spunky little five-year-old feeling quite down about moving away from Ron-ski, I wasn't too psyched about F-town. Enter the Larsen family. I could be absolutely wrong about this fact, because experience tells me that five-year-old's don't have the clearest of memories, but I believe we bonded over conversations about some of our other neighbors and how they really weirded us out. I don't want to name any names, so let's just call them the Reece's and the Swoonover's. Holy, let's just say they were... whatever. Needless to say, it's nice having neighbors to borrow flour from or have Christmas movie nights in their sweet basement theater. Larsen's + Christensen's 4 Life.

Example c: Becca and I moved into a cute little town home in Sugarhouse. A few weeks later, we noticed some dudes moving in to the place across from us. I won't lie, initially we thought they were gay (not that there's anything wrong with that). Then we thought, they couldn't be church people (because no one else in our town home "complex" goes to church...). Long story short... they borrowed our wireless internet one night, we were talking at church on Sunday, I didn't recognize them, we finally put it together that we were neighbors because our wireless name is "Ratfinks" and Becca and I will find any way we can to mention how we won the BYU Flag Football Intramural Championship (Go Finks!). And so began a beautiful relationship with our neighbors across the hall. I'm fresh outta Diet Coke? I take three steps to my neighbors and I'm in business. I don't even have to put shoes on! Or a jacket! I don't have to get in my car. I could crawl there if I had to. I could also yell really loud if I didn't want to get off the couch. Sometimes, we both keep our doors open so it's like our places are one giant apartment! Our internet is slow? No problem, we got our neighbors. We're outta milk? No big deal. We need a refill but don't feel like going out in the cold? Who cares?! Chances of our neighbors heading to the Maverick around the corner are high and they always bring us back the goods. Candy? They've got a 5 lb bag of Cinnamon Bears (Min Min Bears as we like to call them). Good neighbors are soooo dang awesome. Our Christmas Tree needs watering? No problem, our neighbor Nick has assigned himself this important job this holiday season. Keith needs a partner to play Modern Warfare 3 on the Playstation? I'll step right in and help a guy out (or hurt, last time I had 0 kills and died 40 times...). The cherry on top? Jason is an ER doctor so if Becca trips and cracks her head open on Hugh's cage? No problemo, homeboy will suture you right up. You're probably thinking it couldn't get any better, right? Well, you're wrong! Nick is into every show we're into and has also opened our eyes to new shows!!! Now that's love.

Who needs husbands when we've got neighbors.

Merry Christmas to us.

Magically,

Kate


Nick, Keith and Jason gettin' cozy in the front seat where Jason promptly said, "This just feels right."

Give me a break

2011-12-04T15:04:00.000-07:00

I've lived within 27 different girls. 27. I've had 27 roommates. That's a lot. Too many sometimes. For any guy who thinks that sounds like a dream...THINK AGAIN! Don't get me wrong, I've had some killer roommates. Some of my best times in life have been with my roommates. ON THE OTHER HAND, some of my worst times have been with roommates. Picking roommates can be a risky thing. Moving in with random girls is even riskier. I've lived with bulimics, pathological liars, megaphones (no Angie, I'm not talking about you ;)), chronic belchers, and general weirdy weirdos, just to name a few.

For those of you who are still living without the one permanent roommate whom you have to love no matter how gross he can be at times, I thought I'd give you a few signs of a bad roommate. If you do one of these things this is my really nice way of saying STOP. Your current/future roommates will thank you/me. When I google searched "horrible roommate" (never search "bad roommate" BTW) this pic popped up. So here you have it, 8 signs of a bad roommate.

1. You pull a half used can of sweetened condensed milk out of the fridge and drink straight from the jagged metal lip - EVERYDAY

2. Your boyfriend sleepily walks up the stairs and gives me a fist bump at 6:30 am (while I'm in my towel) on his way out the door

3. You buy the Julia Child's cookbook and decide to make everything in it after you've just watched "Julie and Julia" for the first time. But in your attempt you leave all the half cooked food (because that cookbook is damn hard) on the counter/floor/sink/coffee table/bathroom counter for days, and days, and days, and days, and....

4. You leave your used barf bowl by your bed when you leave town for 2 weeks

5. You take a cookie/slice of bread/cinnamon roll/deliciously gooey brownie and don't recover them so they get crusty and no one else can eat one

6. You borrow my shirt (after I've told you not to) and then get seriously sweaty tacos while wearing it and sneak it back into my closet with a wretched BO cloud around it

7. Interrupt me working on something important to tell me every single detail of your conversation with your really weird co-worker

8. Jolt me out of my very deep sleep every time you slam the toilet seat down at 12am, 3am and 6am

Got any juicy ones to add??

xoxo, Ally Z

Running Pains

2011-11-30T22:36:00.001-07:00

I ran the Ragnar last June. I don't even like to run. But I did it. After the Ragnar I went on a little running hiatus. It was glorious.

Now I'm reading the book Born to Run, to see if I could will myself to start running again. And not only that, I want to like running. I would kill to like running!

So I went for a run yesterday. A little jog around Sugarhouse Park. How did it go you may ask? Well... not that good. The cold air caused my asthma to act up so I was having coughing fits. (What am I, 80?) And after the run, I started getting this pain in my abdomen, like I pulled a muscle or something. How in the hail do you pull a muscle in your stomach while running?

Today, I'm sore. Real sore. And not the good kind of sore. I may have to reconsider running. How depressing.

I'm a ball sport kind of gal. Basketball. Football. Baseball. When I'm running for a purpose, then I enjoy it. But what the frick is the point of running just to run? I don't get it. Who wins? Nobody. Especially not my strained abdomen. If I'm going to kill myself running, I want to win!

Does anyone want to play a sport with me? Consistently? To get into shape? I'll do anything, excluding running.

Sorely Yours,

KFC

The Life of a (less than consistent) Blogger

2011-11-23T12:20:00.007-07:00

In my opinion, we are pretty good bloggers. We are not however, pretty good consistent bloggers. I can admit that.

I’m always saying to Becca, “Wouldn’t it be cool if we could get so many followers that we started making money from our blog?” Her reply is always the same, “Yeah Kate, but we only have like 9 followers cause we don’t post consistently.”

I make no attempt to counter her argument because it is rock solid. We just don’t post enough. Even I, an avid blog reader and stalker, not only like, but expect regular posting.

I want everyone to know that I consistently have the best of intentions. The truth is, we don’t lead real exciting lives. You know when you’re perusing blogs and think, “Man, this person leads the coolest life! They’re always doing something.”

I’m gonna be real with you people, my life is not that glamorous. In fact, it’s the antithesis of glamorous. Our lives (Me and Beck) pretty much consist of working, eating, and watching a lot of TV. Occasionally, we’ll go on a bad date or attend a church activity or go on a super sick vacation. But other than that, it’s pretty much what you’d expect from two single, Mormon, law-abiding gals.

So now that I’ve told you the truth about bloggers and how their lives aren’t as awesome as they look, I’ll share what we’ve been up to lately.

At the end of September, we went to New York with our lovely mother. This was Becca’s 4^th, my 2^nd and my mom’s 1^st (real) visit to NYC. Man, I really like it there.

(life in a bike taxi, is wild!)

We saw lots of cool things.

Including my favorite part of NY.

And a lot of weird things too.

We saw Wicked. Awesome. And paid more for a bike taxi than I care to share. (worth it)

We walked a lot.

And ate lots of good food.

We went to the MOMA (museum of modern art)

And the WTC Memorial

We had lunch with our newest little New Yorker, Cousin Jessie at the cutest little French café in Hell's Kitchen

Becca, Kate and Sharon… us 3 together… doesn’t get much better. Thanks for a great trip Mom!

Then I went to Shanae's cabin with some of my favorite pals. It was perfect. (best pic of the trip)

Then we went to the Pro Player Classic charity basketball game at SLCC and met some real cool dudes.

One being Mr. P. Millsap, seen here signing Becca's, "I'm a Millsap Man" hat.

And, our girl Ruby just turned 5! Us, being her favorite Aunts took her out for a day on the town, including a visit to Target to pick out her present, a quick stop at Wendy’s (her choice), a visit to the pet store and then Puss in Boots in theaters. Becca and I may or may not have drifted off a few times during that last one.

Oh. I’ve also been seeing a lot of these guys lately. I mean A LOT.

It’s been a good Fall. Real good.

Desperately Yours,

Kate

And the Winner?? Sarah Palin.....duh!!

2011-11-01T22:03:00.000-06:00

The pearls, the glasses, the wig! I don't know if I've ever laughed so hard. This pet owner went above and beyond and deserves a Disney Cruise or something.

This stuff kills me......

2011-10-18T21:13:00.000-06:00

For some reason animals dressed up or doing strange things kills me....

Sorry cat lovers! I could actually see Rrrosa doing this.

Delivery Dog. How humiliating.

For Santa.

The guy has fake hands and a bag, genius!

Drinking his cares away.

The do's and don'ts of dating....US

2011-10-05T21:23:00.001-06:00

Alright ladies and gents, I'm not going to claim that I know everything about dating because that would be ridiculous, but I have been dating for 10 years now. That's right, 10 years! Here's what I know as a result of my decade in the dating world....
With Kate's input, of course (she refuses to be left out of anything).

Do:

1. Pay for our date, ALWAYS.

2. Bring me candy.

3. NOT ask me where we are eating.

4. Be a Jazz fan.

5. Shower beforehand. (you'd be surprised)

6. Quote Seinfeld.

7. Appreciate my sports knowledge.

8. Tell me how good I look, even if I don't look that good.

9. Take a hint, when I'm looking anywhere but your eyes on the doorstep.

10. Test me on Saved by the Bell Trivia. I'll whoop your arse.

Don't:

1. Bring flowers. What is this...prom? Don't bring flowers unless we've been dating for a while.

2. Insist on me sitting in the car while you sprint to open my door. It's noted, you're a gentleman, move on.

3. Order for me unless I ask you to, which I won't.

4. Talk politics. BORING, LAME, and will possibly lead to an argument.

5. Talk about how much you play video games with your friends. You being awesome at Halo or World of Warcraft makes me want to punch myself and Andre Kirilenko in the face.

6. Tell me how many chicks you've hooked up with, unless I ask, but I'm not going to ask.

7. Ask me how long it has been since I've kissed someone. I will lie and say this morning.

8. Tell me my butt looks good in my jeans when we just met 5 minutes ago. I will slap your mug and sprint all the way home.

9. Tell me how hard it's going to be for us to date living an hour apart, on the first date.

10. Pick me up at 6:00 pm and bring me home at 1:30 am, especially when I preface the date with, "I have to get up early." (perhaps I have to harvest my crop)

11. LET me beat you in sports, I don't need your pity.

12. Talk about yourself the whole time, and then tell me you're a great listener.

Post edit on Oct. 7:

As per Shanae's comment we forgot a crucial deal breaking don't.

13. Wear jewelry. A watch is the only accessorizing you may do. Trust me, you will thank me later. Or maybe you won't, but you should. Rings, bracelets, necklaces; NO, NO, No!

Let's get real, this guy could do whatever he wanted and he could still have me.

Favorite Things Friday

2011-09-23T10:10:00.000-06:00

1. REDNECKS - These folks supply endelss entertainment and fun. Some people may think rednecks are tired of getting made fun of. Nah. They love that they are so intriguing to the rest of us "normal" people.

2. BED - I love my bed. Not much more can be said. I don't want to get out of it in the morning, I think about napping in it all day at work, and I can't wait to get in it at night. Sometimes I get in bed at like 8:30pm, prop my laptop up on my stomach and watch netflix shows till I can't lift my eyelids anymore. Nothing beats it.

3. FALL WEATHER - I love fall clothes. Fall weather is perfect because you can wear cute stuff without having to cover it up with winter coats, and at night you can layer with cute cardis and light jackets. (I sound like such a girly girl) Of course with fall weather comes fall colors which everyone loves.

4. FALL TV - I get so excited for my shows to come back on. Namely Parenthood. If you haven't seen this show - WATCH IT NOW! From season 1 episode 1. You won't regret it. For some reason this show floods me with emotion. I feel like I'm a part of the Braverman family when I watch. I laugh, I cry, I yell. It's wonferful! Other goodies include Modern Family, Grey's Anatomy and Vampire Diaries (don't judge me).

5. FLAG FOOTBALL - I actually suck at sports. I have no athletic bone in my body. Everytime I go onto the field I'm putting myself at great risk of making a complete fool of myself and/or injuring myself. Even still, I love playing flag football. Mostly I just love winning and I happen to have played with really good teams the last couple of years and this year. Hoping for another t-shirt this year! Go Sorority!

6. HEYTEL - If you have a smart phone and you don't have this app GO GET IT! It's free and totally worth it. It's like a walky talky. Who doesn't love walky talkies?

7. CHEST HAIR - Calm down, I'm not talking about a sweater chest. But I'm not talking about 14 year old boy chest hair either. I dig a man. Obviously not a requirement, but definitely a plus.

Great things that happen in downtown Salt Lake City

2011-09-15T22:19:00.001-06:00

I work downtown. So everyday I get to meander my little mini down the streets of the Salty City. It's a real pretty place to live. I like it. The mountains are awesome. It's a perfect temperature outside right now. Not much to complain about.

Here are some of the things I've seen lately. Sadly, I only have one picture to prove my findings, but once you see the picture below, I guarantee you'll believe the rest of it.

Let's start with the regulars:

African American lady on the corner of State Street and 4th South, let's call her Lady Stamina. She stands out there every day, and yells absolute nonsense to no one in particular. She waves her arms and points in the air and looks to the sky. She may be out of her ever-loving mind, but I gotta give the gal credit, she's out there all freakin day yelling her little heart out. Get em girl. You just do whatever it is you're doing out there.

Then there's the guy on Main Street who I can always count on sleeping atop a cement flower box with his arm over his face looking like he's had another rough night. I call him Hangover Joe. I kinda like the guy, he's so loyal to that flower box.

Yesterday, I saw a guy on 4th South and 3rd West (John Stockton Drive) where this homeless dude looked like he was about to cross the street, but was swaying so badly that he looked like he was going to fall over in the middle of the road. I then noticed he was missing his shoe which was a few feet in front of him, but he looked like a toddler trying to take his very first steps. The poor guy. The whole time I was sitting at the stoplight, he just couldn't get a hold of himself. As I pulled away and looked in my rear view mirror he was finally upon his shoe, now the big feat was to slip it on. Now THAT my friends can be tough for anybody, even if you're not cracked out. On a side note, Cracker Jack (that's what I'm calling him) had a smile on his face the whole time. Good for him for keeping a positive attitude through it all.

And then, one fateful day last week, I came upon it... I don't think I've ever been so happy at 7:45 in the AM; I'm not much of a morning person. I could describe what I saw, but I was lucky enough to snap a picture.

Behold...

Best part, if you look closely, you'll see a pillow for the dog to sit on. How nice. Comfort first. Heaven forbid this dog get some exercise or use its four legs. I'm not being sarcastic here, people!! This is the most genius thing I've ever seen. And even more genius, the dog STAYS in the little "trailer," if you will. A cat would NEVER do that.

Thanks Salt City, you've been really good to me lately.

Mini Coop

2011-08-28T18:31:00.000-06:00

This gal just got a new ride. She's going to get some serious tail driving this around SLC.

Favorite Things Friday

2011-08-26T16:09:00.000-06:00

I'm sorry, but twoladiesandnobaby is about to de-rail from its normal light and fluffy nonsense. Forgive me! This week was a...challenge. So, in no particular order, here are my favorite things this week:

1. Miracles
2. Prayer
3. Family
4. Friends
5. Faith
6. Temple

No matter your trial I promise these 6 things can get you through anything!

xoxo, Ally Z

Favorite Things Friday

2011-08-19T10:17:00.000-06:00

1. Completely ridiculous facebook STATUS UPDATES. I'm thiking of one person (ok 2) in particular who updates constantly. You'd think this would be more annoying than funny but these updates are laced with grammatical errors, mispelled words and absurdly long run-on sentences. I wish so badly I could post an example here but that's risky.

2. PINTEREST. What a great invention. Getting on Pinterest and perusing people's boards entertains me for hours. If you want an invite to join Pinterest let me know.

3. NEW clothes, shoes, makeup...anything new! Not shopping, just having new things.

4. Knowing I never have to eat INDIAN FOOD again. I learned yesterday that it doesn't taste bad, it's what happens after you ingest it when things get ugly. Nuff said.

5. I don't care what anyone says I love ANNE OF GREEN GABLES. I watched it again this week. She's a bit of a wing nut, but I still love it. "I don't want diamond sunbursts or marble halls, I just want you." Oh Gilbert Blythe!

6. J CREW. I almost have no words to describe how much I love J Cew. It's stupid, I know. But it never lets me down and always puts me in a better mood.
Have a good weekend!

xoxo, Ally Z

For Crying Out Loud!

2011-08-17T23:28:00.000-06:00

Kitty, Kiki, Katie Kat, Kate mentioned to me the other day that she'd like to see increased readership on this here blog. Well Keeks, for starters, how 'bout posting with any sort of regularity? Just a thought.

xoxo, Ally Z

P.S. If you "google image" duh and cat, this is what you get.

Favorite Things Friday

2011-08-12T15:38:00.000-06:00

I'm implementing something new. Favorite Things Fridays. Too overdone? Cheesy? Boring? I DON'T CARE!

I like Favorite Things Friday cause it wastes time at work, it's positive, and it's alliteration. So here are my favorite things:

1. SWEATS. They're comfy and you can eat to your heart's content without popping a button. What's not to love?

2. That pic leads me to my next favorite thing - DOGS IN CLOTHES. Almost always hilarious.

3. When people accidentally say really INAPPROPRIATE THINGS. Especially in a professional setting. Priceless. This happened at work today. Ask me and I'll tell you the story.

4. CLARISONIC. It leaves your face feeling clean, smooth and refreshed. Pricey but soooo worth it.

5. Weekday BREAKFAST/LUNCH with friends. Such a good break in the week. (this pic is weird. thanks google.)

6. WAKING UP REFRESHED. Hardly ever happens and feels so good.

7. MUSHY BROWNIES. No explanation needed.

8. I know this joke is way way overused, but when someone nails a "THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID" joke I laugh myself into oblivion.

9. Trashy t.v. Namely, BACHELOR PAD 2. These poor people are completely ridiculous. I'm so grateful they decided to go on national television and let us watch and laugh at them at their very worst moments. Pure entertainment. I know this pic isn't from Bachelor Pad 2 but I'm sure we'll see something very similar in the upcoming episodes. Yesssssss!

That's all. What are your favorite things?

xoxo, Ally Z

Fullgive

2011-08-10T00:16:00.000-06:00

This is my friend Scott, aka Scotty McLeather. Think he looks like a good time? He IS! He's also one of the most creative and talented people I know. McLeather had a dream, a dream that has become an awesome reality. He dreampt of leaving his stable real estate job to pursue his leather accessories (or what have you) business. What sounds frightening and risky to most of us was an exciting adventure for McLeather.

Scott has started a company called Fullgive. He makes custom leather bags, belts, etc from reclaimed materials. Each leather item is completely original and unique. He designs and creates each item BY HAND in his in-house workshop and sells them online. He has a sewing machine and everything! Call me and I'll take you to see where the magic happens. This guy's creativity will blow your mind!

Here are just a few samplings of his amazing work. Do yourself a favor and visit his site. http://www.etsy.com/shop/fullgive. He's also on facebook, www.facebook.com/fullgive.

Enjoy!

xoxo, Ally Z

4 years

2011-08-04T23:28:00.000-06:00

aug. 4, 2011. today i cheers to my bff. i drank a straight up root beer today in his honor. and it was delicious. i wanted another one. sometimes a good 'ole rb just hits the spot. and today, by no surprise, it did. i had a nice visit at the cemetery. as i was driving home, one of my favorite ingrid michaelson songs, 'far away', came on. i'd listened to the song a million times before but one part really stood out to me this time. it goes... "and i think he's the tops, he's where everything stops, how i love to love him from afar."

obviously, i'd love to love him close by, but this is the best we can do - right now anyway. but that ingrid line pretty much sums it up for me today - and everyday.

missing my boy. grateful for the memories. proud to be his bff.

love,

kate

Ode to an Al

2011-07-31T19:43:00.000-06:00

Let's talk about a gal named Allyson Clare. Once every 2 weeks I get a text from her with encouraging statements such as "your blog is lame," "you need to post on your blog," "how come your blog is so boring these days?" Well it's your lucky day Al, here is a post just for you. And if you recall, you are on the side panel of this blog which gives you the go ahead to post your brains out. So why don't you post every once in a while.

Welcome to a photo montage of what you don't know about ACZ:

She loves low class hotels. I think it's because she can trash the place and not feel bad. You should have seen the flips she was doing on this bed. I think there are still holes in the bedspread from her high heels.

She loves origami. Or in this case toweligami. She's always folding papers into shapes or animals.

She's very regular.

She's a sucker for fake glasses, especially those without lenses.

Her motto has always been "safety first." You won't see this girl driving around without her seat belt.

She has an affinity for abstract art. If only Picasso were around today, she would be having his babies by now.

She loves birds.

She has narcolepsy.

If I could describe her in one word it would be 'sweet.' She's always a complete lady, never using foul language or innuendos.

She's kind of a bore at parties.

Let your mind run with this one.

Let's get real. If she were a dude I'd marry her.

HMC, ever heard of him?

2011-07-19T17:08:00.000-06:00

Who is HMC you ask? Well you haven't gone on any outdoor extravaganzas with my father if you don't know who HMC is. Hal Murdock Christensen, the one, the only. The guy adorns all of his outdoor equipment with his initials. Don't think about stealing anything from this guy: camp chairs, oars, coolers, life jackets, and most importantly his most prized possessions--STRAPs. It's a wonder his posterity aren't tattooed upon their arrival into this world. Now this guy is a rare breed, and a definite good time. He sponsored our flag football team to their championship people, he's the real deal. Well, the other day I stopped off at his office and found a new addition to his bookshelf. Check it!

See that nesting doll on his bookshelf? HMC is not into nicknacks so I knew it couldn't be an ordinary nesting doll. Naturally, I read the words Osama Bin Laden on the outside of the biggest doll.

Well obviously I was curious, why does my dad have a nesting doll of Osama Bin Laden? So I opened it up. Who did I discover?

Saddam Hussein. What the.... I knew this was going to be good. No wonder the guy lets this nicknack stick around. Who could possibly come after this guy?

Well, I believe this is the controversial Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Well isn't that special.
And next?

Honestly, I don't know who this is. History buffs, now is your time to shine. The winner gets four quarters.
Correction: Kate says it's Benito Mussolini. She gets four quarters. Sorry homies. This dude was one dirty Fascist SOB.
And the tiniest of the nesting dolls........

Hitler, duh!

I did a little research and found that this most coveted set is called the "Wanted Dead or Alive Nesting Doll Set."

So run out and get yourself one of those before they're all gone!
You can thank HMC for this little treasure.

LockOUT

2011-07-12T21:53:00.003-06:00

I'm not sure if you homies know this but the NBA is in a lockout right now (so is the NFL but I don't really care about that). These 2 ladies and no baby are a bit chapped about this. We NEED a Jazz season! Our happiness kind of depends on it, after December 25th the NBA season is one of the only things that keeps our chins up through the LONG winter. PLEASE...

Cat Paint

2011-06-21T17:39:00.001-06:00

Well ladies and gents it is officially Summer, as of today, so let the games begin.....

Best app of the year goes to.............CAT PAINT!
Hands down, without question.

Exhibit A:

Exhibit B:

Exhibit C:

You can take an everyday picture such as this one:

And make it into something remarkable.

You're welcome everybody. May this summer be filled with soda, tan lines, and cat paint!

Undies & AK 47

2011-05-15T18:15:00.000-06:00

Kate: "What do I need to do tonight? I need to do some laundry. I'm out of undies, I hate being out of undies. I gotta get some more undies."

* Somebody get this girl some undies STAT!

Just when you thought Andrei Kirilenko couldn't get any uglier, he goes out and does something like this.

I would rather french kiss Rrrosa for 24 hours than deal with this guy.

You're kidding me...

2011-05-09T21:54:00.001-06:00

So I really don't have a whole lot to say. Maybe that's why we haven't posted in awhile? Maybe I'm all out of witty anecdotes and outrageously ridiculous quips about absolutely nothing of significance? So don't blame me for the following... because it may be boring and totally irrelevant to you and your life.

I've been pretty happy with the NBA playoffs this year. After coming to grips with the Jazz's "midseason meltdown," I concluded that I would just sit back, crack open a tall cold one, and shout smart alec remarks about how stupid teams/players are, or be hyper-critical of everything the Lakers and Heat do. It's been oddly satisfying. I've had a very stress-free postseason and that's because I have no real vested interest in who does what. Just as long as the Heat and Lakers don't win the whole thang.

And guess what...

The Lakers got SWEPT in the second round!!! What could be better than that? Uh, I know, the Lakers getting a beat down in Game 4 by 36 points! 36 points, people!! That is embarrassing! What could be better than the embarrassed Lakers? Uh, pick me again, cause I can tell ya. How about the Lakers committing horrendously flagrant fouls (BYNUM, you A-wipe) in the closing minutes and disgusting sports fans across the country with their lack of class. Lakers are classless? Shocking! Right. We all knew the Lakers and all their fans are ghetto, wannabe thugs. So why not play the part. NEWS FLASH - sometimes it DOESN'T pay to be a horrible person (uh hmm Kobe).

Boy does it feel good. So the Jazz didn't make the playoffs... but the Lakers got SWEPT, embarrassed, AND tarnished their image. For ONCE, maybe it's not easy to be a Laker fan... Whoa, now I'm just being ridiculous.

Anyway, all you non sports fans, I would apologize for the above rant, but you should really be thanking me when you can pitch in on office sports talk and actually contribute for once. (was that offensive? oh darn)

Hugh is doing great. Rrrosa is as peppy as ever, Al is lookin' fine as usual, and Beck is in bed at 9:29 this fine, Monday evening. So really our only area of concern is Becca. Oh and me? Hopefully, some big changes are coming my way. Don't you worry, I'll keep you updated on my exciting life (I wish it were more like Seinfeld, and I was Elaine).

That's all I've got tonight, people. I'll try and do better, but you know me, I can't make any promises. But thanks for being loyal followers.

Kisses

Holidays....ever heard of em?

2011-04-17T21:34:00.000-06:00

I recently realized that Kate and I don't really like holidays, unless they are noteworthy, BIG, celebratory holidays. Basically, we LOVE Christmas! Okay, okay we appreciate any holiday where we get a day off. But embracing and celebrating holidays besides Christmas, count us out! Sure.....we enjoy Thanksgiving and the 4th of July, but any other holiday, Nah! New Years: super over rated, Valentines Day: neither one of us is romantic so NOPE, St. Patrick's Day: yuck, it just gives adults an excuse to wear weird stuff like green wigs and face paint, April Fools Day: every teachers nightmare. "You're the worst teacher ever Miss C., APRIL FOOLS!!" The list goes on and on. Well ladies and gents I am here to tell you about an exceptional April Fools Day had by yours truly. I didn't believe it was possible, but I was proved wrong. Here's a fool proof way to ensure a bitchin' April Fools day (pun intended).

I was visiting my brother's family in Kansas City. My brother is a doctor but he is still very much a child at heart. By far one of the funniest/weirdest people I know. I was enjoying the day with him and his family when I started getting all these weird texts and calls about a flat screen TV I was supposedly "giving away." I could not figure out why I was getting these weird calls, so I called my go to gal Ally and the same thing was happening to her. Eventually we figured out that our home teacher had put an ad up on Craigslist saying that one of us had had an awful breakup and we were getting rid of our boyfriend's TV. Ally and I laughed a little about it but mostly we were very confused for a large portion of the day. What a perfect prank to pull on your friends and loved ones, right? Confusing yet hilarious for the person posting the ad. Well Cody and I decided to pay it forward. We put up an ad in Kate's name for a Les Paul guitar for a ridiculous price. Kate's phone turned off because she got so many calls and texts in such a short period of time! NAILED IT! After we laughed until we cried. We decided to continue to pay it forward to my bro Scott in Montana. We put up an ad for his raft and trailer- his most prized possessions. This guy was bombarded by the whole state of Montana inquiring about his ad. Cody and I were dying, I've never had a more hysterical April Fools Day. I guess it's what you make of it, right? Cheers to embracing more holidays. Shabbat Shalom!

For whatever reason I couldn't help but add some weird pics. You're Welcome.

Introducing...

2011-03-27T11:37:00.001-06:00

Hugh Jerry Christensen!

Adopted on March 7th, 2011
Hatched on January 7th, 2011
Weighing in at: 7.9 oz
Cracking out of his egg at 3:59 AM to a joyful mother and a relieved midwife
Mother and baby bird doing fine

We recently added a new member to our twoladiesandnobaby family. Hugh is a 3 month old, Parakeet with a whole lotta spunk. His middle name is for Hall of Fame, Utah Jazz coach, Jerry Sloan.

A few fun facts about Hughie:

His favorite TV show is Glee. Not for the gay stuff (not that there's anything wrong with that), but for the singing. He also gets quite vocal during a good basketball game. The squeaking shoes really get him riled up.

He loves to be sung to, mostly songs about birds or anything telling him everything's going to be okay.

He's not a big fan of sudden movements or loud noises, but he sure likes a good belly and foot rub.

You'll see his sister, Gertrude "Gerty" in the background. She belongs to our pals Jen & Lindsay

We had to house sit Rrrosa while my parents were out of town. Rrrosa wanted to eat Hughie for dinner

Welcome to the family Hugh, I think you're really going to like it here.

Only in America

2011-03-08T22:41:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, on our way to church, Becca and I pull up to a stoplight, look over to the car beside us and see two Asian women in US Army garb and... Cowboy hats.

...

We were so happy. God Bless America.

I'll MISS YOU DWILL. THANKS FOR ALL THE KILLER CROSSOVERS.

2011-02-24T22:05:00.002-07:00

Hey gang. It's me again. One of the ladies who ain't got no baby.

I've had another... weird week. It was Monday. There I was, minding my own business, when I decided to go get the mail (which I never do, (sorry Beck)). We occasionally get letters and magazines for the dude that used to live in our place before us. As I was tossing the crap into the recycling, I come across a magazine with a red, Mini Cooper on it. Now, I've always had a little thing for Mini's. Maybe it's because I think I might look great in a Mini. I mean look at me, I'm rather mini myself. It just works. So I was like, awesome, guy who lived here before was into cars. I tear open the wrapping on the mag and flip it over. Guess what. BAM! Bare boobs, bosoms, breasteses! I gasp and throw the magazine down. Becca's like, "what??" And I'm like, "Boobs! Becca. Playboy. That wasn't a car magazine! That was a freaking Playboy!" (And I'm not talking about the Playmate cooler my Grandmother so innocently calls a Playboy). What are the odds of seeing MORE boobs just one week after my run in at the gym in the girls locker room. What did I do to deserve this? Karma or whatever is working against me. Anyway, for the record, that thang went right in the trash.

Anyway. The next day was Tuesday. I came home. Took a nap. Ate some din. Went to the gym to shoot around, blow off some steam. Got there and there were some fellas trying to start a pick up game. They asked me if I wanted to play, I gratefully declined. But after they started playing full court, and were consistently interrupting my shoot around, I decided enough is enough. So they asked me to play again. I said, why the heck not. So I played 5 on 5 with a bunch of dudes. And guess what, it was a pretty good time. Are you wondering if I got handled? I know I'm little, so it's a legitimate question, I'm not offended. Well the answer to your imaginary question is, no! I did not get handled. In fact, I held my own! With the boys! Like in the good ole days! I was draining three's like you wouldn't believe! I don't mean to brag here, but after the "Playboy Incident" (as it shall henceforth be known) I really appreciated the fact that I was still good at basketball. At least that day I was.

The Playboy Incident really put a damper on my week. But you know what makes everything better?!?

...

...

Puppies.

Crap

2011-02-13T00:50:00.003-07:00

i'm going to start this post by taking a page out of my pal shanae's book... well technically her blog, {flannaryfarley.blogspot.com}.

this week could be described with one word. crap. why you may ask? lots o' reasons. seriously, a lot.

let's start it out with well, monday. i had to go to work, nuff said. oh and it was monday.

tuesday, let's just call tuesday a giant dump of a day. i won't get into it too much, but might i just say that i saw not one, but TWO sets of bare boobs on tuesday. yes, you read correctly. bare. boobs. bosoms. breasteses. what have you. at the gym. in the locker room. i had forgotten about locker rooms. i really never go in them. i sort of think of them as public restrooms. well, that is just not true. people do a whole lot more in locker rooms than in just plain bathrooms. i walked in there, needing to blow my nose and... bam. bare. boobs. i couldn't divert my eyes quick enough. i was shocked. girl with no shirt. what? no. i've gotta get out of here. turn around, kapow, another set right in my way. ladies, whatever happened to 'modest is hottest'. whatever happened to stalls? whatever happened to clothes, for sobbing out loud? since when are we walking around like men in our birthday suits? nobody wants to see that. i've got beef with public nudity. in fact, i've got beef with nudity in general. call me crazy. moving on, although scarred. the gym was followed by another crappy incident, but i'll refrain.

wednesday, worked late. silver lining, won my church ball game. i like to win. i really do. becca brought home dinner from blue plate diner. what a nice girl. i like her.

thursday, jerry sloan and phil johnson announced their resignation after 23 years with the utah jazz. let me put some perspective to this people: jerry has been coaching the jazz for as long as i've been alive. i grew up with him. i tried to mirror my game after the one and only j stockton, sloan's protege´. i walked out to my car during work and listened to the press conference with tears in my eyes. i felt like i had lost a grandfather.

friday, wore my jazz jersey to work in honor of the loss. rip jerry. got my hair cut by one of my favorite pals. then, ladies night. sounds like a pretty go day, yeah? jazz score 50 points in the first half against the suns. nice. i'm feeling pretty good. wrong. it was another bare boobs moment. shazam, jazz finish the game with 14 points in the 3rd quarter and 13 in the 4th. jazz=clobbered. jazz looked like... yep, crap. total crap. sigh. oh and i left my wallet, yes my entire wallet, at the restaurant. didn't notice until saturday afternoon.

i really don't mean to be a downer. i appreciate you letting me vent. and whine. guess what though, i get to sleep in tomorrow. as late as i want. that is not crap.

oh and on monday, it's valentine's day.

crap.

Yeah, we know, we suck.

2011-02-01T20:28:00.003-07:00

We know, we know. We haven't blogged in two months. We've disappointed you. We've let you down. We've kept you waiting. We're sorry... blah, blah, blah. Maybe we've been busy. Maybe we have jobs. Maybe we have social lives or men... (I'm serious this time!). Here is a photo-montage (not really) of the last 2 months. Word to your mother.

All dressed up for the ladies Christmas party

We heart Santa

Ruby with her saw

The Griswold Family Christmas Tree

Word to my mother

Clark W. Griswold himself

Abe got a little worn out opening all of his presents

Had to take some calls, even at the cabin

Doesn't get much better than that

Ruby and Beck's snowman

Dinner with Raja at Fleming's

Cosmo showed up!

Go Finks!

Sleeping Beauty

Yes--this is a real sign we found

FINKS FINKS FINKS FINKS!

2010-12-07T23:14:00.001-07:00

I don't know if you know this, but we're kind of a BIG deal. We, meaning the RAT FINKS. As in, we are the champions. As in #1. As in the BEST. We're not only the best, but the best lookin' too.

Let me give you a little background on the Rat Finks.

The definition of a Rat Fink according to Free Dictionary.com is as follows: A person regarded as contemptible, obnoxious, or otherwise undesirable.

Get the picture?

Bazooka got her shorts ripped clean off

Well the Finks had a less than mediocre regular season, with a record of 2 and 3. Going into the single elimination playoffs, we were the finky underdogs. When we would come rolling in, in all of our undesirable glory, the opposing team often turned their noses up at us. We looked like a bunch of hot misfits all thrown together to form a football team.

The single-elimination, 31 team tourney began.

Game 1: WIN in the final seconds after the moronic refs called back 2 TD's on bogus calls. Suck on that, refs!

Game 2: WIN in double overtime against a team who had previously beaten us.

Game 3: WIN against some overly large gals to secure a bid to the semis

Game 4: WIN in snowy, icy, freezing conditions against a team who might have considered us to be "obnoxious"... hello, we're the Rat Finks. Dur dur dur dur

Championship

Game 5 CHAMPIONSHIP: The heavily favored Dynamite looked rather confident going in. Well, after we intercepted them on their first 2 possessions, they started to look worried. Our defense was solid and made some super bitchin' flag pulls on the QB. Kellie scraped her way in and pulled the QB's flag for a big loss. SB was right by her side shouting, "GOTCHA!" Nice SB, classy. That's exactly how the Finks roll. Beck and Keelia, aka B-Loaf & Bazooka each caught touchdown passes. Atta girls! Whitney had 2 interceptions. Kel (The Ice Box), Beck, Michelle (Baby Hands), Britt (Critter), SB (Naughty), Rebekah and Ally (Sticky) blitzed their little hearts out. Everybody stepped up and blocked, which The Shred greatly appreciated, although we really missed our toughest gal Cobra (Marian), who unfortunately had to work. Our defense definitely won us the game. The other team was getting so frustrated that they were yelling at each other all game. After the game, the girl who had been doing the most yelling made her grand exit by shouting the "F Bomb" and storming off the field. C-L-A-S-S-Y.

We'd like to give a special shout out to our ever-devoted and beloved fans. Without y'all, the Rat Finks never would have been Champions.

The biggest thanks to our SPONSOR: Christensen+Associates for all the killer "swag". Thanks, Wicken & Mugsy! I hope we made you proud!!

Right after the game

Getting our shirts

SB's celebratory dance

FINKS ON TWO, 1...2... FINKS!!!!!!!!

Answering the most broad question with just 13 words.

2010-10-31T23:04:00.000-06:00

The two ladies went to church today like two little Mo Fo's should (Mormon Folks, best misunderstanding of an acronym ever). Well, after we had been dodging the Relief Society presidency for several weeks now, due to our moving out of the ward boundaries, we were finally cornered. The Pres. and one of her counselor's wanted to sit down and "get to know us". After all the pleasantries and small talk, the counselor dropped a nuclear bomb of a question...

"What are your hopes and dreams?"

...

......

Becca and I both exchanged an uneasy glance. All the while sarcastic comments trickled into my brain as they tend to do like, "Well I always wanted to be in the WNBA. Or ideally, I would like to play baseball professionally, you know, like the first girl to play with the boys. I'd also like to own a yacht, travel the world, and get paid to write about it. Oh, and I would also like to marry a trust fund baby... or a doctor already done with school."

While I was entertaining myself in my head, I hear Becca answer the hugely ambiguous question in just 13 words.

"I would really like the Jazz to win the whole thing this year."

NAILED IT!

Later, we both agreed that the Jazz winning the championship was top 3 on our list of hopes and dreams. Mine also includes the Cubs breaking their 102 year World Series drought.

****************************

Now, all you twoladies lovers, let me ask you one question:

"What are YOUR hopes and dreams?"

Blah blah blah

2010-10-29T11:55:00.000-06:00

I am blogging at work! Do you know how rare this is? I'm a teacher people, I never have time to blog at work. It's a teacher work day and I just finished my grades so........

We play on an intramural all girls flag football team (The Rat Finks) in Provo. Last Tuesday 4 of the rat finks had tickets to Ingrid Michaelson. Well one of these finks was Kate, the QB and El Capitan, who has never seen Ingrid in concert and was dying to go. There was a conflict with the concert, we had a rat finks game the same night. LAME. At the last minute Kate (Shredder) sold her ticket and decided the finks needed her more (which is SO true). If Shredder didn't go who would throw the ball, who would tape the plays to their arm, who would flirt with the refs? NOBODY! So she played in a BLIZZARD while Ally (Sticky), Michelle (Baby Hands), and I (B-Loaf) enjoyed Ingrid. Here's to The Shred the brains and talent behind the whole rat finks operation.

And here's to Ingrid for being off the hook.

And here's to the Jazz, will you please pull your heads out!?

Snuggie Talk

2010-10-24T14:57:00.002-06:00

About a year ago Kate was in a very strange mood. She was at my house in Sugarhouse and we had two longtime friends over. It was winter and she was freezing so she found a snuggie and put it on. The conversation that was had that evening was so bizarre and hilarious we called it snuggie talk. Kate and I have resurrected snuggie talk.

Let me clarify one thing, the diarrhea talk came from a YOUTUBE VIDEO and for some reason the only thing Scott has taught us how to say in Norwegian is 'I have diarrhea.'

Kicked where it cizounts.....

2010-10-13T22:27:00.000-06:00

You know the drill:

1. COMPUTER TROUBLES!

2. How our blog currently looks....why can we not figure this out. Does anyone do pro bono blog work?

3. People that only talk about themselves.

4. When I turn my electric toothbrush on before it's in my mouth.

5. When the Jazz games aren't televised.

6. Losing flag football games.

7. How much DP I've been drinking lately.

8. Cleaning up after Rrrosa. Really....picking up your dog's crap? It's fertilizer people, Relax.

Something I don't want to kick:

FALL WEATHER!

What I Like 'Most' About the Opposite Sex....

2010-10-05T20:29:00.001-06:00

the wrong ones are always SO persistent. Blah.....

Luckily Jazz Preseason starts on Thursday, GOD BLESS THE NBA!

If life was a dream, would you dream it again? -SCF

2010-09-21T22:07:00.000-06:00

This came spilling out onto paper today at work.

9/21/2010

Today is Seth's twenty-first birthday. It seems crazy that the last time I saw him he was only seventeen. There is no way that much time has passed. Last night I couldn't stop thinking about him. Every time I closed my eyes, I could see his face, like he was standing right in front of me. It was comforting to know that I could still remember every little detail of that face. His freckles, dimples, and blue-gray eyes. Eyes that I would recognize anywhere. Oh how I miss those dimples and those eyes.

Last night, as I was laying in bed thinking about him and how much I wanted to see him, I got an immediate feeling that he had laid down right next to me and put his arm around me. I had felt him do this many times before, but not for a long time. I felt his spirit and his warmth surround my whole body. I wanted more than anything to have him near me and through God's tender mercies, he came. He came to let me know that he was still here. I knew that he needed me to know that when I still needed him, he would still come. He was still taking care of me. It was enough, to close my eyes and feel him holding on to me, even though I couldn't see him. For the first time, in that moment, it was enough. I will never forget that feeling for as long as I live.

Happy 21st boy. I love you..

Crotch Kick.....

2010-09-20T20:50:00.000-06:00

Today has been rough and I need a moment to kick a few things right where it counts:

1. ILLNESS. I'm sick and I feel like death right now.

2. Writing sub plans.

3. Losing.

4. Washing clothes with kleenexes in the pockets.

5. Not being able to sleep at night.

6. People that torture or injure animals. (cutting cat's and dog's ears, that's the new thing in SL)

7. Not being able to stay in bed when it's raining outside.

8. Courtesy laughing.

What are you having beef with?

For Charity...

2010-09-08T19:11:00.001-06:00

A few weeks ago we got talked into playing in a charity tennis tournament. Now, we don't play tennis that much, probably like 3 or 4 times a year. That's definitely not enough to be entering ourselves into a tournament, but it was for charity so we thought, if we're going to look dumb at least we'll be doing it for a good cause.

We know the basics of tennis, like when it's out, when it's in, how to keep score, Kate knew how many games were in a set and I did not. We didn't know things like how to use those stupid score keepers, that we have to switch sides every odd game, and tiebreakers, don't even get me started. What a NIGHTMARE!

The good news is: we're quick, we're scrappy, we've had good coaches, and we've got tons of attitude. So we went in with our heads held high and we showed those 50-year-old ladies who's boss. At times, it definitely wasn't pretty, but we make a good team and we try not to hit each other in the back of the head when we serve. Amazingly we won all of our matches and walked away with $60 to Chili's and the most coveted title: 2.5 doubles champions....the best of the worst.

We dressed up for our last match, let's just say my mom was looking bitchin' in the 90s.

No big deal, we just raised $42,000 for Juvenile Diabetes

You're 23? You look like you're 16.

2010-08-12T23:05:00.000-06:00

How many times have I heard this sentence? Twice this week. What an original thought!

Did you think that maybe I wouldn't enjoy hearing you say that before it just spilled out of your mouth? I'm guessing not. Do you think I'm not FULLY aware of my youthful looks? Apparently not.

In the past, I used my youthful-looking-ness to my advantage. Like perhaps admission to movies at the kid price. But all that is over now.

These days, when a dude picks me up for a date and the first thing he says after getting in the car is, "How old are you?" ... Really, guy? You couldn't have thought up a more creative way to get me to divulge my age? Lucky for me, this isn't going anywhere. I knew it from the first moment I laid eyes upon your overly large tired truck and pinky ring.

"But you'll love it when you're older."

...

.......

Thanks.

That really means nothing to me at this point in time.

Oh.. and I'm still the chubby sister.

Serenity now!!!!

Bangs, Bows and Brows - The Triple Threat

2010-08-08T23:27:00.000-06:00

Scooter + Sidecar

2010-07-08T17:53:00.001-06:00

We must get one of these, STAT.

If you could be......

2010-07-06T15:12:00.001-06:00

So with my summer vacation in full swing I have definitely had time to think, of course I fill my time thinking about very intellectual and important things: who will get kicked off the bachelorette next, why are Jake and Vienna acting like they are 3.5 years old, why does Khloe talk in an annoying baby voice to Lamar, what's so intriguing about Tim Wriggins, etc....

Lately I've wondered, if I could choose to be super good at something what would it be? I've thought long and hard about this and in my youth I would have picked something different but now that I'm mature and a genius....... I pick tennis. Why you ask? Well I could play tennis for years to come probably into my 80s, it would keep me young and vibrant, I would get no greater joy than beating my prospects/dates at a sport that they think they have in the bag.

2nd choice: Singing

What would you pick?

p.s. I have no pictures of me playing tennis, only being a ballerina, which obviously I'm not.

Kick it where it counts.....

2010-07-02T12:49:00.000-06:00

Considering I'm not working this summer, I should be blogging like crazy right? Well, here's to a July full of blog posts, I hope.

Consider it kicked:

1. WIND, I loathe wind.
2. People who talk a big game, and never follow through.
3. Buying school supplies in July.
4. People that grunt at the gym.
5. Men who drive their cars shirtless, I actually find this hilarious, please don't stop.

I'm living the American dream right now, I don't have much to complain about, HOLLER!
What do you want to kick where it counts?

From Rags to Riches

2010-06-27T18:18:00.000-06:00

You know that song Jenny from the Block, by J LO? It goes something like, "Don't be fooled by the rocks that I got I'm still, I'm still Jenny from the block. Used to have a little, now I have a lot. No matter where I go, I know where I came from (from the Bronx!)." Rrrosa is a lot like J Lo in one way, and it's not her ghetto booty, it's her rags to riches story. Personally I think Rrrosa had it rougher than J Lo. Those of you who don't know Rrrosa on a personal level may not know her Cinderella story.

As a wee puppy Rrrosa was a member of a family, we'll call the Ratbastards, and they lived up to their name. One day, Daddy Ratbastard decided it was time to move, as the KOA was getting too crowded. After the Ratbastards packed up their 1982 Caprice Classic, Daddy Ratbastard made a decision to leave wee Rrrosa behind. But they didn't decide to leave her in the KOA, they dropped her off on the side of the highway, which was thoughtful, especially after years of canine abuse.

Long story short...

Hal's cousin, a real dog lover, found her at her local animal shelter. After seeing those sad almond brown eyes and her helpless cower when anyone got too close, M.A. decided she had to have her. By the grace of heaven, our sad dogless family, who was mourning the loss of Our Little Angel (Squirt), ended up adopting Rrrosa as M.A. moved to pursue her music career in Nashville.

And the rest is history...

Now she spends her summers vacationing at her cabin in the Teton Valley. She goes on daily bike rides, prances on her field of dreams, and lounges in the evening sun. She also goes on our annual river rafting trip. And this last year, took a turn on the oars, she really has a great sense of direction. This year Hal has rigged up her own fly rod (opposable thumbs not necessary).

It's been a long road but as J Lo once said, "Don't be fooled by the rocks that Rrrosa's got, she's still, she's still Rrrosa from the block."

Let the Games Begin.....

2010-05-23T19:09:00.001-06:00

It has been an insane month: moving, birthdays galore, trying to finish up the school year, etc... Seriously, it has been wild. But it will all be over in mere days. I currently have 8 school days left in the year, hallelujah! This school year has almost killed me, it has definitely been my hardest one yet, but I'm alive to tell about it. What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger, right? I'm not sure if I buy into that crap, but it sounds like a nice thing. I'm just grateful that I haven't blown my top and cursed at anyone in my class, that would not go over well, they think the s word is shut up or stupid and they think the f word is freakin. Oh the innocence of youth. I guess this hard year will make the summer that much sweeter, I will definitely enjoy it to the max. To all of those unfortunate folks who don't get the summer off, we should all coordinate a summer where you quit your jobs or take a paid sabbatical and then we can party like it is 1985. I think everyone should have summers off, it's the least America could do for its working class!

Bring on the Summer of Becca and year 25 for yours truly!

Unless my student's kill me in the next 8 days then.....Kate you can have my wardrobe and all my food in the fridge and cupboard. Al you can have my Mary-Kate and Ashley magnet (I know you've been coveting that for years) and the white brush, you're welcome. Rrrosa you can have my car and all my diamonds.

Shabbat Shalom!

Month of Births

2010-05-10T21:48:00.002-06:00

Kate, Becca and Ally circa 1992

Let's raise a glass to birfdey month! Here's to the best one yet!

Let's also raise a glass to Sharon and her killer sewing skills. What's not to love about matching purple paisley outfits? I LOVED this outfit! Sorry Kate, only big girls get to wear cumberbuns. At least you got a cool purse.

I'll drink to that!

xoxo, Ally - #1 birthday girl

Consider it Kicked!

2010-05-02T18:43:00.000-06:00

So our mother hates kick in the crotch days and maybe that's why we've taken a sabbatical. But....the other day my Relief Society Pres. told me that she likes kick in the crotch days. Sorry Mom but it's time for a little kick right where it counts.

1. THE LAKERS

2. Losing to the Lakers

3. Headaches

4. Not getting enough sleep

5. "Good times" "Cool Beans" "Valentimes" "Punkin"

6. That freaky midget bear mascot at the Jazz games

7. Killer Whales

8. Rob and Big not being a TV show anymore

9. Skeezy dudes

10. Heidi Montag wanting size H boobs for "Heidi."

Tent Dweller

2010-04-19T19:36:00.000-06:00

We have a friend that we will call Neila. He is a young male of Egyptain decent, and like his ancestors, the pyramid builders.....and I don't know where I'm going with that, I just wanted to say pyramid builders. Anyway....Neila lives in a tent, I don't know how else to say it. Why, you ask? You could come up with a few reasons:
1. Maybe he is too poor.
2. Maybe he has nowhere to live.
3. Maybe he's a cheapskate.

bing bing bing, number 3 is the winner.

It's not that he doesn't have enough money, he drives an Acura for sobbing out loud.

It's not that he has nowhere to live, it's Provo, there are tons of rat holes to live in.

Neila has lived in this tent since the Fall. Although scrawny upon first glance, and second glance, he is a survivor, a winter tent dwelling, sleeping bag sporting, carpet insulating, gym showering, tent enthusiast. In fact, he likes it, he even prefers sleeping outside.

So here's to seven months of bleak, winter tent dwelling, 2 feet away from a house. Neila you really outdid yourself this time, even for an Egyptian.

25 Things To Do Before I Turn 25

2010-03-24T20:08:00.000-06:00

I turn the big 2-5 in May, here are a few things I want to do before then:

1. Take a mental health day in the middle of the week with a few of my ladies to enjoy the spring weather.

2. Create a budget for myself.

3. Start sewing.

4. Try no D.P. for a week.

5. Visit Ash in Vegas.

6. Eat more vegetables.

7. Cheer the Jazz through the playoffs.

8. Go consignment shopping in Sugarhouse.

9. Surprise someone.

10. Get off the hook presents for Kate and Ally's Birthdays.

11. Karaoke-- find Disney Karaoke CDs (Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast? YES PLEASE).

12. Get a swimming suit for the summer.

13. Get new running shoes.

14. Visit my bro and his family in Kansas City--celebrate his graduation from Med. School HOLLA!

15. Write cards to my students (so I can mail them in the summer).

16. Watch Dumb and Dumber.

17. Go to a baseball game.

18. Make some summer plans.

19. Do something special for my mom.

20. Spring-ify Seth's grave.

21. Win a handstand contest.

22. Fresh flowers in my house.

23. Try something new.

24. Dance Party.

25. Think of something bitchin to do to ring in year 25!

Here I come year 25, I'm welcoming you with open arms.
-Beck

Kick in the crotch Monday

2010-03-22T21:58:00.000-06:00

Who likes Monday's? I used to, simply because I didn't have class on that day, and I wore sweats. Every single Monday was Sweat Pant Monday. It was a beautiful thang, and I got many people to join me in a day filled with comfortable bliss. But now that I'm a workin' gal, I can't "stick it to the man" anymore by wearing sweats all day. Today, "the man" was owning me in my work clothes. Tonight, I'm owning "the man" by kicking him square in the crotchal area.

Things I want to kick in the crotch today:

1. Waking up so early it's still dark outside
2. Eating something super unhealthy and feeling guilty about it after
3. People who have Pink Eye or a gross cough and still come to work/school, GO HOME ALREADY!
4. Ingrown toenails, the bain on my existence
5. Cubicles
6. Nascar
7. Nascar fans
8. People saying Nascar is a real sport, as if
9. People who put mufflers on their cars/trucks/bronco's to make them louder
10. Really loud motorcycles, particularly bullet bikes

11. Having to wait forever to be seated at a restaurant
12. Cold french fries
13. People who vote entirely based upon political party, not the best person for the job
14. Mosquito's
15. Rush Limbaugh
16. Traffic

What is chapping your ars this week? We want to hear about it.

Trash it up

2010-03-17T18:16:00.000-06:00

Trashiest place on your body to get a tattoo.........GO

Kate and I vote: buttocks area with the words exit only (Kate knew someone with this, BARF)

Kick it........

2010-03-13T14:12:00.000-07:00

Kick in the crotch Sat.....?
Kate sucks at doing this which is ironic because she has probably kicked more things in the crotch than anyone else.

1. Rich people that don't deserve to be rich.

2. Emo

3. Sluts

4. The Jazz when they lose

5. Leprechauns

6. Stupid holidays that celebrate leprechauns

7. Not saying what I want to say.

8. Snow after a very warm day.

9. Motorcycles with those gay high handle bars.

10. Not being able to teleport.

11. Standardized Tests

Ahhhh I feel better! God bless America and that I have the right to virtually kick things in the crotch whenever I see fit. Holler!

We Ain't No Holla Back Girls!

2010-03-11T21:49:00.000-07:00

Wow, if only we had dignity and pride. Look at us for f-u-g-l-y. Go Jazz!

Spread em,' Here Comes My Steel Toed Shoe!

2010-03-05T23:08:00.000-07:00

Let's get in on:

1. Bed Head

2. Wedgies

3. Paying for parking

4. Stuffed Animals

5. Flat Soda

6. Girls that call you hun or sweetie when they are your age or younger

7. Going to the bathroom and afterwards realizing there is no toilet paper in the stall

8. Courtesy Laughing

9. Stupid personalized license plates

10. Not being able to fall asleep for no reason

11. Cigarette smoke

12. Rabid Cats

13. Realizing your neighbor is a registered sex offender

14. My mom not saying "half ass job or chicken shit" enough.

Kick it in the Crotch!

2010-02-26T08:08:00.000-07:00

Who's ready to kick it in the crotch? This is what's chappin this week.......

1. Anything Gosselin

2. Wildcard

3. People not leaving voicemails

4. Headaches

5. Ed Hardy crap

6. Dudes wearing jewelry......watches boys that's it, no more accessorizing for you!

7. Kourtney Kardashian's baby daddy.......total douche lord.

8. Puka Shell necklaces.........are you really not dead yet?

9. John Edwards

10. Sarah Palin

11. Toe thumbs..........(thumbs that look like toes, FREAKY)

12. Toe Rings

13. Miley Cyrus

14. Spencer and Heidi Pratt

15. bare butts

Operation Hamster Drop

2010-02-24T19:06:00.000-07:00

The following story is true. Once there was a boy named Cody Christensen who wanted to get rich quick, Cody racked his brain and came up with a "brilliant" idea, hamster breeding. Seriously? Yes seriously he and a friend of his (they were about 16 or 17) bought a male and a female hamster and let them "go to work". I remember they named the female hamster Moates which is some 80's rock name and I'm sure the male had an equally ghetto and shifty name like Gene Simmons or Axel Rose. Well, these young boys didn't read up on hamsters as much as they should have so when Moates got pregnant and had her pint sized babies they didn't take "Axel Rose" out soon enough and he ingested them. Any animal that eats their own offspring probably shouldn't exist, just sayin..... Well this little mishap didn't stop them, no no these were persistent teenagers so they went for round two and this time they took "Gene Simmons" out at the appropriate time. This girl Moates was carrying a grip load of baby hamsters in her womb, she had 8-10 babies and Cody thought he was a rich man for sure. I'm going to assume that these two boys never understood supply and demand. Cody, of course came to Kate and I and told us to spread the word, well sadly our friends wanted hamsters but their parents didn't. Soon Cody and his friend were left with a bunch of hamsters they didn't want to take care of so they started giving them away. Surprisingly, kids were crazy for free hamsters so they went fast, I got 1 and Kate got 2. The naming of these hamsters was difficult but I finally settled on Topanga (yes I am that awesome) and Kate named one of hers George and the other one JTT (short for Jonathon Taylor Thomas). Holler!

Well taking care of hamsters is a lot of work so after a few months I was sick of Pangers and she was smelling up my room which I just couldn't stand for. Cody was also sick of Moates and "Axel Rose" so he called Petsmart and asked if they wanted some more hamsters, bad news Petsmart was chuck full of hamsters so it was a no go. Luckily, my mother had a brilliant idea which we entitled "Operation Hamster Drop." My Mom and Cody both put on large sweatshirts and stuffed our hamsters up the sleeves (no animals were injured in this process) then they walked into Petsmart and pretended like they were petting the little hamsters in the cage, while no one was looking they quickly dumped the hamsters out of their sleeves and abandoned our large towering hamsters with the babies. Kate wasn't ready to get rid of George and JTT yet so there was actually a round II of this brilliant plan a few months later. I'd just like to publicly thank my mom for letting go of her dignity and pride in order to make Operation Hamster Drop successful.

P.S I love weird pictures of animals.

Kick in the crotch Friday!!!!!!

2010-02-19T11:49:00.000-07:00

hey y'all. it's baaaaaack! things i want to kick in the crotch fridays. i gotta tell ya, this exercise actually makes me feel better. ok, here we go, i'd like to kick the following things/people in the crotch:

people who lie for no reason at all

stepping in dog crap

slivers

stepping in something wet while wearing socks

trya banks

lady gaga

tiger woods

stomachaches

ingrown toenails!!!!!!!!!!!!

bear lake

little yippy dogs who think they're so tough

slipping on ice

waiting for your car to warm up

rosa's gas

that horse who bit my boob with its giant horse teeth (this will be on the list every week)

science (i just don't get it)

taking down wallpaper

the Lakers and their fans

people who don't enjoy a good seinfeld episode

bill nye the science guy

getting snow up your shirt (you know what I'm talkin about Beck)

pepsi/diet pepsi

now it's your turn. love, kate

Things I want to kick in the crotch Fridays!

2010-02-12T08:09:00.000-07:00

Something brill has just happened to twoladiesandnobaby, every Friday we will be posting things we want to kick in the crotch. Are you feeling ticked off, irritated, or just down right ornery? Good news we have a solution for you......kick whatever is bothering you in the crotch.

This week I want to kick the following things/people square in the crotch:

winter
static hair
big decisions
the horse that bit kate's boob a few years ago, that was seriously uncalled for
legislators who want to take my retirement away
the Lakers
boys that have the "bigger and better" syndrome
job hunting/interviews
dualies
boys who give you stuffed animals
annoying children/adolescents
not being able to park in expectant mother's parking stalls

What else is chapping your hide?

Life in the Coal Mines

2010-02-09T21:51:00.000-07:00

I teach 2nd grade, therefore my job can sometimes be bizarre and hilarious. A few days ago a certain girl who seriously tests my patience like no one else and if I survive the year with her should guarantee me a ticket to the celestial kingdom or at least Hawaii for the summer, said to me "Miss C. my bottom feels really big right now." God bless kids and their weird honesty, I laughed right in her face.

Ally on the other hand works with adults and one adult in particular (her boss) who I think is a riot. He calls her into his office to talk about her dating life and they end up looking up these guys she's talking about online, then he proceeds to tell her "the game plan" she should put into play. When she says phrases like, "ya but he's so cute, sometimes you have to look away he's so good looking" he responds with "zolly that's the stupidest thing you've ever said." This boss of hers also called a meeting entitled "the confessional" where he confessed to saying the s word to a client. What was the context you wonder....well don't worry this all came out in the confessional. The client and "bossman" were arguing back and forth for a long period of time, it was a heated argument and the client said, "you are a worthless employee, what is your job exactly?" The boss replied quickly with "well apparently it is to put up with your shit."

Wherever you are and whatever you're doing may you occasionally get to experience moments where you feel like you're on a Seinfeld episode.

Mary Violet Murdock Christensen

2010-01-28T16:42:00.001-07:00

This is her sarcastic smile.

This is how she likes to look in all pictures, very serious.

[Oh and those are my glasses]

Over Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, the parentals, Becca, and I ventured down to St. George (from up narth) to visit the grandparents. Grandpa Hal and Grandma Mary are coming up on the ripe ole age of 84. But don't let that number fool you, they've still got as much spryness, wit, and spontaneity (okay, that last one's a stretch...and maybe the first one too) as a 25 year old.

While we were there, we took Grandma to the beauty shop to get her hair cut. We went out to eat twice a day (Mary doesn't cook anymore, she said she's been cooking for a 100 years and she's sick of it). We went on some walks. We watched a lot of TV, mainly football and the news. And... that's about it. But, don't let these simple, low key activities fool you. The entertainment was priceless.

Becca and I took the opportunity to interview Grandma Mary this trip. She can't remember short-term things too well, but she's still as witty and hilarious as ever. You never know what kinds of things are going to come out of her mouth. Most of the time it's awesome, but she's not a great whisperer and has lost her "filter". So she sometimes says... inappropriate... maybe even offensive things... to other people...oftentimes strangers or acquaintances. But, it makes for great entertainment and non-stop laughs, so you gotta love it.

Here is the interview:

Name: Mary Violet Murdock Christensen
Age: 83?
Profession: Actress
Favorite quote: I hate quotes—(gets up and walks away)
Lover: What a stupid question. When? I’m not gonna tell ya. (apparently she had multiple lovers)
Where did you meet him? 3^rd grade
Was it love at first sight? I can’t remember
Kids: I’m not tellin’
Interests: Kids, acting
Hobbies: Bridge, cards, piano, riding bikes, croquet
Dreams: Mostly nightmares. I wanted to be an actress.
Most embarrassing moment: I’ve had too many, they’ve all been embarrassing. I once had to recite a poem in speech class in front of the entire class. Part of the poem went like this, “Underneath the fallen bosom, was a letter she had hid.” After I said this, the whole class started giggling and I hadn’t realized that I had said bosom instead of blossom. Another time, in my current events class, I had to give an oral report on something that was going on in South America. I hadn’t prepared for the assignment, so right before I was supposed to give my report, I glanced down at the newspaper and read the headline: “Chaos in Central America.” So I went up in front of the class and started talking about Chaos (she pronounced ch like you say cheese, “chayos”) the President of this Central American country. The teacher let me go on and on and she just couldn’t believe what a faker and a phony I was. But I had convinced the kid’s cause they didn’t know what the hell was going on.
Favorite Sports Team: Washington Redskins (with authority) The Somerset Apaches (my dad’s little league baseball team growing up that G-pa coached)
Favorite Sport: to play, Tennis, to watch, Redskins
Favorite TV show: Seinfeld
Political Affiliations: Are you kidding, get outta here with that question. Democrat
Favorite President: Oh that’s a hard one. FDR
Favorite food: Oh man, I’ve got a lot of them. Depends on what I’m eating at the time. I love seafood.
Favorite Drink: Whiskey (said very hastily), Coca-Cola
Favorite place to be: With my darling granddaughters in Beaver
If you could live anywhere, where would you live? I love Langdrum Lane, Maryland. I loved the Shack in Delaware.
Who’s your hero: I don’t know, I thought the world of my parents; they were wonderful people.
Do you like to travel on airplanes: No! When I’ve got to travel I usually travel on airplanes, so I don’t know what I can do about it.
What is you’re best quality? Just being a wonderful, generous entertainer. I think that sums it up, damn close.
What’s your best physical attribute? My bosoms. Don’t you think? You left me wide open for that one. I knew you’d like that.
If you had a million dollars, what would you do with it? Spend it, all of it. I’d go on a trip and I’d take you with me. I wouldn’t give any of it to Grandpa.
How do you keep Grandpa in line? Spoil him rotten, baby him, just do whatever he wants. (What do you do when he acts up?) Sock him! Your grandfather and I have a very good relationship. He’s very intelligent and kind and I’m very gentle and understanding (said sarcastically).
“Look at all this junk food, isn’t it wonderful.” (She would get distracted easily)
Who’s your favorite animal? This dog (pointing to Rrrosa)
Favorite holiday? Hmm… Christmas, I like to be surprised by wonderful gifts from granddaughters. Lot’s of em.
Favorite childhood memory: I’ve got a childhood memory, which is just my most un-favorite. I was with my girlfriend Virginia, we were about 7 years old, and her mom was a maid at the Mansfield hotel in town, and we were playing in there and we found a package of cigarettes under a chair. And boy, were we intrigued. So we both lit one up and took a couple of puffs. And then I had to go straight home because I was so sick. Man, I had never been so sick. I told my mother what I had done; she put me in the bathtub and scrubbed me. That was a nightmare.
Favorite childhood memory #2: It was returning to good ole Beaver, Utah for the summertime. When you think about my childhood, I was 7 when I went to Washington, I went to 6 different schools. What we’d do was we’d go back to Washington for the session of Congress, in January. We’d be on recess in the summertime and we would come back to Beaver. Every year I changed schools and that was very difficult for me. I’d be the new girl every year, with different clothes and I spoke differently; it was terrible. Being the daughter of a Senator and a Congressman was not the easiest thing in the world.

Cabin

2010-01-12T22:01:00.003-07:00

I have a love affair with the cabin, it is such a place of beauty, tranquility, and peace. I don't think I've ever felt ready to leave, even after our latest 8 day escapade. On day 7 (the day we planned to leave) Henry and Ruby came to wake me up and Hen whispered in my ear "Becca we're snowed in, we aren't leaving until tomorrow." It was like Christmas morning all over again. Bliss pure and simple.

Initially the cabin was my dad's dream, he was so particular about the location, design, materials used in design, etc... Now that the hard work is over (at least for the most part) it has become a part of all of our dreams. Why is the cabin so special you ask? Let me try to explain, my dad is a social butterfly much like his mother, therefore he has lots of friends. When he found this property (which took years) he somehow talked a handful of his friends into buying property surrounding the property he bought. Out of all of these friends only one planned on building a cabin, the others did so strictly for an investment. My dad wanted his cabin to be secluded, done and done. The area is serene and has a beautiful view of the Tetons. It is the perfect place to lose touch with reality and get your priorities in order -- minimal phone reception, no internet, no T.V. (just a T.V. and DVD player for movies). You would think in our fast paced, technology ruled world you would miss those things but I never do, it's refreshing to be without those things. I don't have to check my e-mail, return phone calls, catch up on my shows, or text and it feels so good. Instead, cabin days are filled with delicious food, good conversation, naps, walks, cross country skiing, fishing, reading, writing, games, elevensies, movies, playing with my nieces and nephews, sitting by the fire, tubing, ping pong, sledding, taking pictures, and reminiscing. It's the perfect place to remind you of what is truly important in this life and it's not internet, T.V., or cell phones.

Love affair with the cabin = completely justified.

Santa Letters from 2nd Graders

2009-12-17T15:09:00.002-07:00

(It wouldn't be Christmas without Kate sobbing about something)

Dear Santa-

May I please have a Wii and an X-box. You're a nice guy and you are cool.
From, Nathan

Oh and 3 more things. I want a D.S.I., nerf bullets, oh and mistletoe for me sister because she might want to kiss her friend haha!

Dear Santa,
I'm trying to be very good and ho ho ho Merry Christmas! From, Carson
Oh yea I am so sorry I woke up and saw you. Please can I have a little bag of coal one piece please, and three lego sets, and a new teddy bear. Thank you!

Dear Santa,
I have been very good this year, I have never flipped a card. I am going to put two socks out for my mice so you can get them some presents. Love, Abby

Dear Santa,
I wish you were my brother and I want to meet you and your elves too. Please let me have a bike and a basketball. I have been good to my mom and my teacher. I love you Santa very much. From your best friend, Tommy. My best best friend is Santa.

Dear Saint Nick,
I want you to have an easier life so please no toys this year but give my brother my toys!
Love, Benjamin

Nie

2009-12-13T22:37:00.000-07:00

I just finished reading a story about Stephanie Nielson aka Nie Nie. If you don't know who she is you should change that. I blog stalk her on a very consistent basis. She is a plane crash survivor, Mormon, mother, wife, and positively inspiring gal.

I found my eyes welling up as I read her story. As I listened to her sweet voice speak of the accident and her life since. Trials and adversity give you a certain perspective. I know that. She has incredible perspective. It is a very underrated tool.

I don't know Stephanie personally. But I feel like I know her. And although our adversities and trials have been very different, I can relate to her, in feelings of frustration, anger, question, loss, hope, faith, and a belief that things will get better. They do get better. And in this life, we have to go through all this crap in order to earn something far greater in the next.

Thank you Nie Nie.

To visit her blog and read her amazing story, click here http://nieniedialogues.blogspot.com

Love,

Kate

Santa

2009-12-08T14:28:00.002-07:00

It seems that I am a tad busy lately. You'd think I was trying to graduate from college or something. My 'to do' list before my semester is officially over is daunting. But I continue to chip away, while downing massive amounts of Diet Coke (with lime these days).

But, when you wake up to this... it's hard to be in a bad mood. Because it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Which means...

...this guy is coming soon.

The "Old Bastard" which my grandma Mary so lovingly calls him. And all I have to say is that I can't wait for that "Old Bastard" to climb down my chimney this year.

JTT where are you?

2009-12-03T23:02:00.000-07:00

Remember J.T.T.? Pretty sure I watched Home Improvement just for him (and Tim Allen of course, in my 7th grade year book I wrote that Tim Allen was my favorite actor). I think Hollywood could use a little J.T.T. right now, I know I could.

Halloween, Craft Fair Secrets, & Bunco!

2009-11-28T12:15:00.001-07:00

Halloween is over and I'm pretty happy about it. I'm more of a Christmas gal. But, this Halloween was pretty darn good {except that I started to get a killer sore throat}. Scott, Cel and the kids were here for the holiday and Hen and Ruby were psyched to get loads of candy to rot their teeth. Abe really didn't know what was going on, but he was as pleasant as always.

The highlight for Becca and I was going to Petsmart that day and picking up a $3 costume for Rrrosa and Tau {Scott's K9}. We tried out a few different costumes on Rrrosa, but knew we found the right one when we were laughing hysterically and creating quite a scene for ourselves in front all the customers in line. {Surprisingly, Petsmart is quite the happenin' place on All-Hallows-Eve}. I think the costume we picked really sums Rrrosa up, ya know, who she is as a dog. Celia picked out a nice costume for Tau and we were on our way.

Rrrosa and the kids obviously couldn't wait to put on their get-ups and hit the neighborhood. Tau, on the other hand, didn't dig his costume idea as much as the others. He wouldn't move an inch or look anybody in the eye, it was awesome.

Rrrosa, our little princess...{HA! If you know Rosa at all, you know this doesn't suit her.}

Irresistible

The Cheerleader and the Monkey

Ahh Abe

Batman and his sidekick {forget Robin} Tau aka Devil

On a different note, Becca found this beauty at a craft fair we went to. What a find, right? Paul Millsap is her favorite Jazz player, so she couldn't pass this up. I came across a beautiful purple, vintage Jazz "Pistol" Pete Maravich shirt that I just had to have. Ah the Christensen girl's going to a craft fair and leaving with Jazz attire, priceless.

This month I was in charge of hosting our monthly Bunco. 12 of us get together every month, eat dinner and play a rousing game of Bunco! If y'all have never played Bunco, you are seriously missing out. I think it gets a bad rep because mostly 87 year old gals play it, but I'm here to tell you this game is for one and all! I'd be happy playing Bunco every month until I'm that 87 year old lady.

This month was especially entertaining because we had a tie for the "most Bunco's" prize. In the past we've just done Rock-Paper-Scissors to determine the winner, but since I was hosting, I wanted to make the tie-breaker, shall we say... interesting. So first we had the two gals play a game of basketball on their knees. After we got a good laugh out of that, we decided a leg wrestle might be fun to watch too. So we made them leg wrestle. In the end, Tiffanie dominated, {she's much stronger than she looks} and took home the "most Bunco's" prize, which was the much coveted Christmas PJ's and the movie Christmas Vacation.

Then, Cortnie introduced us to a game called, "Ninjas"? Yeah, it's just as awesome as it sounds. Here I am bowing and saying, "Nomaste". I pretty much owned that game. Turns out I have a knack for "Ninja-ing". All those years of practice as a kid, I guess.

Becca won the "high score" prize taking home the beautiful and cozy Santa nightgown and red Christmas socks.

Thanks for another grand night of Bunco ladies! Merry Christmas to all!

Good News Minute......Rejected!

2009-11-16T17:56:00.003-07:00

Once I posted about how much I hate something called good news minute (scroll down a little). A few weeks ago I got a text from my new relief society president (who happens to have been in my fourth grade class) that said, "Say good bye to good news minute." And that is the best news I've heard in a while people! Becca F. I am thanking you publicly from the bottom of my heart!

"Kate don't madder in this family" / Student of the Month

2009-11-08T23:26:00.000-07:00

This special note has been saved since 1993, better known as, “The Year of the Martyr”. Kate got a stamp, more specifically a name stamp. This stamp wasn’t just used on special occasions, it was used regularly and was taken to school daily. In her defense, Kate says, “It saved time.” And that is debatable. Obviously, the girl was having a rough day “I probably felt picked on, unnoticed, Cody probably threw me over the couch again, or maybe he looked at me with that dirty mug of his, my friends probably couldn’t come out and play, maybe it was raining, Ronnie probably messed with the Lego setup, Seth was probably breaking his leg on his bike, Becca probably wanted me to play Barbies, it could have been a number of things. The point is, I was feeling a little neglected and I needed my family to know. So how could a scrawny, tie-dye wearin’, bowl cut sportin’, six-year-old girl get her family's attention? Thus entered the name stamp. And I think it worked.”

[Kate don't madder in this family. This family doesen't need me. Sighned Kate]

One ordinary day I was sitting in Mrs. Jorgensen’s 1^st grade class diligently working on my studies (or my name stamp), when I looked up to see the principal (Mr. Glad) talking to Mrs. J. I thought nothing of it until they both looked at me and called me over. At first I thought I was in trouble, but then I knew better because I was perfect. Mr. Glad then told me that I had been chosen for student of the month (the most prestigious award Monte Vista Elementary school had to offer). While we were walking to the front office to get my picture taken and to receive a major award, I thought to myself how lucky that I decided to wear my favorite tie-dye shirt that day (after all I only wore it three or four times a week). Another lucky coincidence was that my loving brothers had convinced me to get a bowl cut over the summer. As to not look like such a dude (or Scott’s twin) my mom would curl it under (ensuring that I looked like a pumpkin pie hair-cutted freak) and slap a bow on the top. Man, I knew I looked good! And when I smiled my big gap-toothed smile, I did it with confidence in knowing that I was the best. And this picture proves it.

I Need Your Help!

2009-10-25T17:05:00.000-06:00

I am doing this project for my marketing class and I need EVERYONE to please fill out this questionnaire. Everything will remain anonymous and it only takes like 30 seconds to do. Please just put your answers in your "comment". You don't even have to tell me your name if you don't want to. Please just do me this solid and I'm yours forever. Thanks gang.

This questionnaire will close on Monday (the 26th) at midnight.

Name: ________________________

Age: _____

Male / Female

1. Do you like ice cream? Yes / No

2. Which is more appealing to you?

A coupon that states:

“Buy a cake and get a free quart of ice cream.”

“Buy a cake and get three dollars off your next cake purchase.”

3. Which coupon do you think has a higher value? A / B

4. Would a $1 Sundae special on Tuesdays appeal to you? Y / N

5. If yes, would you have interest in coming back to the ice cream shop on days other than Tuesdays, if you had a positive experience? Y / N

Dear Columbus, if I had a day, it would be better than yours

2009-10-12T14:38:00.001-06:00

Today is Columbus Day and I am stuck in the library. How does one get their own day? Must I become an explorer and discover great lands? Well guess what, it's 2009 and every land has been discovered. I'd say there was a slight advantage in 1492 when Columbus sailed the ocean blue.

I wish I was in elementary school today instead of college. I want to color the Nina, The Pinta, and the Santa Maria. Wow, I can't believe I can remember those names. I just reached back into a dusty corner of the "grade school crap" part of my brain.

I wish I had my own day. If I had my own day, there would be no work or school, everybody would sleep in, go out to eat, take a nap, and play whiffle ball. Yeah... that would be my day. Oh and at the end of the night, we would sing Christmas carols in front of the fire. What a great day.

Something they probably didn't teach you in elementary school was that the great Columbus died of Syphilis. Now that's a bad way to go.

Happy Columbus Day!

Blog Currently Under Construction!

2009-10-11T16:34:00.001-06:00

I wish I knew code so I could figure out how to make this mess of a blog better, but I teach school ya know? Let's make a deal...I'll teach your kid if you fix this! So, hopefully in the next couple days we can get this figured out.

Here are some pics from recent events. Enjoy...................

So, my dad is a little high maintenance and insisted that we get a table by the kitchen so we could watch the cooks. We were the only table over there and we were in the middle of the walkway, but it did please the man so whatever!

My dad snorkeling in wave filled waters. He was the only one, and I loved watching him!

Ally and I found baby hats at the mall. They clip right into your hair, you never know when you'll need a little tiny hat!

Karaoke got out of hands with costumes this year, but we found some awesome stuff like a little tiny circular rug. Weird!

Here it is! What a beauty.

Hawaii............ahhhhhhhhhhhh.......bliss..............

Kate had no idea my dad was taking pictures of her while she was telling a story. She's very animated!

Fun & Games

Hike in the mountains.

Some bad, mostly good.

2009-10-06T16:23:00.000-06:00

Some great things happened last month.

I caught a special moment in time of my parents at the cabin.

Karaoke outfits emerged.

And a lady pimp showed up.

I found this GIANT picture of my roommate Robyn on the window at Wendy's. (She hates it)

I found these lab goggles in Robyn's car.

I found this at school.

I found this at the gym.

I found this mysterious door at Haley's apartment.

I found this wonder at Wal-mart of all places. I was enthralled. And jealous.

And then some not great things happened.

Rrrosa injured her leg in a dog fight.

Don't worry, we're taking good care of her.

I haven't seen this girl... because she's some over-achieving student or whatever

And I didn't even come close to winning at Bunco.

All-in-all, it's been a pretty solid September.

VERY IMPORTANT MESSAGE!

2009-09-14T17:29:00.000-06:00

Firstly, I just want to point out that this is my (Kate), THIRD post of the day. Which I believe is a new twoladiesandnobaby record.

Secondly, and most importantly, my very crafty sister-in-law, Celia (whose received several shout outs on this blog, which proves how cool she is), has started an etsy shop. She crochets the most adorable hats for boys, girls, and adults. She is doing a giveaway on her blog this week and the lucky winner receives their choice of one of her super cute hats. So check out her blog here and comment to win:

http://christensenboomerang.blogspot.com

And her etsy shop here:

janehenry.etsy.com

The holidays are coming up (yay) and they would make grrrrrreat gifts.

I'm just looking out for your fashion needs. You're welcome.

The many faces of boogy boarding

2009-09-14T17:04:00.000-06:00

...but mostly of Becca. The whole time I was cropping these I was laughing out loud.

For the most part I stick to one facial expression the whole time, and that is "The Happiest Girl in the Whole World," face.

On the other hand, Becca's face changes with each wave. Some are big smiles, others are looks of surprise. But no matter what face Becca is pulling, I promise you, they are mostly hideous. Thanks Beck, for all the laughs.

********Click on pictures to make bigger*************

The "Happy Hal"

The "Blowfish"

The "Surprised Asian"

The "Mocking"

The "Scary Smile"

The "Rat Fink"

The "I'm scared but pretending to like it"

The "I Did It!"

The "Beaver"

The "Oh Crap"

The "What's my leg doing?"

The "Eat that Becca!"

The "I just got worked"

Greetings from AlohaLand

2009-09-14T15:55:00.000-06:00

So we enjoyed a little trip to Hawaii in August. It was a glorious time, filled with great boogey boarding waves, our own private beach, snorkeling, delicious seafood, lots of shave ice, pastries, sand and sun.

Hurricane Felicia tried to put a damper on our plans in paradise, but we just plain didn't let her. Plus, she was DOWNGRADED from a hurricane to a "tropical depression"... (how embarrassing for her).

Upon arriving to our little beach house, we promptly stumbled across some good luck. A baby life jacket!

Peace man.

Hal broke out the bright orange "wicking" shirt about 37 seconds after we arrived. "I don't want to get chaffed," he explained. The rowdy color also helped us keep track of him when he tried to body surf and got worked 9 out of 10 tries.

After a delicious meal at Haliewa Joe's, we walked along the boat dock and enjoyed the sunset.

Sharon lookin' fine with her gals.

The locals love to fish. They like it so much that we saw a guy running on the beach get clothes-lined by one of the lines.

We enjoyed a beautiful hike in the mountains.

We came across some "dudes" and "chicks" smoking some serious weed on the trail. I turned around and exclaimed to my mom, "COLLEGE!!!!"

We went to Lanikai Beach, which was the most beautiful beach I had ever seen. I think we've pretty much talked Hal into buying a house there. They're ONLY like $5 Mill, c'mon Hal, don't be stingy.

We went to the famous "Blowhole" where the water shoots out of this hole in the rocks. I don't know if y'all have seen the episodes of Saved By the Bell when the gang goes to Hawaii, but they drive right past this place... don't worry, I recognized it.

Team Ghost Riders

2009-09-12T15:41:00.000-06:00

So Matt and I went to a rodeo a couple weeks ago in Tremonton, UT. The rodeo was typical until the half time show when they introduced Team Ghost Riders. First they set loose a few sheep, and then out came 'the team.' I honestly thought my eyes were fooling me when I saw.... three monkeys dressed as cowboys saddled atop three dogs. It was so strange, yet so awesome. Who in the world thought as they watched their dogs herding, oh you know what these dogs need.... monkeys. That's awesome, and Rrrosa needs one stat!

Click Here!

Doesn't it look like infants riding dogs? What's not to like about that? Holla!

Dear Ocean...

2009-09-03T13:22:00.000-06:00

This is why I'm afraid of you and have the utmost respect for the power in which you possess.

The following is a narrative I wrote for one of my classes during freshman year of college.

Mal, this is for you, please enjoy.

The Sand Helmet

Stepping onto the beach I feel the hot sand between my toes. Walking closer to the water the cool mist of the Atlantic Ocean brushes my face and I take a deep breath of salty air. With my sister by my side, I feel refreshed by the scene before me—I’m thinking this is definitely doing to be a trip to remember.

While the rest of my family settles into the beach house, my sister Becca and I decide to test out the water. Considering neither of us had been to the beach in about six or seven years, a knot starts to form in my stomach just thinking about getting in right away. As a child, I remember the waves being a lot smaller, although I knew they would be substantially bigger than usual due to the hurricane that was brewing in the ocean near the East coast.

As Becca and I start to ease our way in, the lukewarm water rushes over my feet and up to my ankles. The waves break right on the shore over and over, each time with greater force. Just then I hear quick footsteps coming up from behind me. As I begin to turn, my second oldest brother Cody, runs past me and dives through the waves with extreme ease and I feel a jolt of excitement shoot through me; I decide to go for it.

My heart pounds relentlessly as I wade deeper and deeper into the water. Ducking under the waves continuously coming at me, I feel the power and force of the ocean. Just as all of the excitement is welling in me, my sister yells from a distance, “Kate, I’m going in, I’m tired.” An image of Jaws flashes in my head and I quickly decide to follow my sister’s lead and go in. I begin to swim to shore when I realize that another set of large waves are coming in and I am right in their break. As I turn to look back towards the ocean, I see a huge wave about to crash right on top of me. My mind races and as a last chance effort I attempt to dive through the wave…but it’s too late and I know it. I get scooped up by the wave, then slammed onto the ocean floor, and thrown into what my family likes to call the “washing machine,” spinning every which way. My body thrashes around and around. My chest burns and feels like it’s on fire because I can’t get any air. I start to panic because I can’t find the surface. After what seemed like an eternity, I feel my feet scuffing the ocean floor and I quickly stand up until my head breaks the surface, gasping for breath. I feel a searing pain as air fills my lungs, while my heart continues beating out of my chest. I scrape my hair away from my face, finally managing to focus my eyes and look at the beach. Becca is just standing there staring at me in shock. I try to yell but am too out of breath—no words will come out. Just as I start to regain my composure, I catch a glimpse out of the corner of my eye at the next wave about to crush my small five foot three inch frame.

The second wave is just as bad, if not worse than the first. I am thrown back into the “washing machine” for another cycle. The grains of sand grinding against my skin feel like sand paper. Feeling the scrapes forming all over my body, I know I will be hurting tomorrow. When I finally re-surface, I stand up dizzily, trying to wipe the water out of my red eyes and then spit salt water and sand from my mouth. I notice that the ocean claimed one of the elastic bands from my braids as a casualty. And as if I haven’t been through enough, I suddenly notice my swimming suit top has completely fallen down! Grabbing my top, I yank it up over my chest.

As I walk out of the water trying to catch my breath, I can’t help but exclaim (somewhat under my breath), “holy sh**!” Could it get any worse? As it so happens, yes it could. I look up in time to see two teenage boys standing on the beach with their mouths wide open, staring at me. At that point I don’t even care that my top is practically falling off and that I’m shouting obscenities.

I approach Becca with one hand holding my top up, the other grasping my braid that is (unbeknownst to me) no longer intact while sporting a sweet “sand helmet.” Becca starts laughing hysterically as I stagger towards her. I say, “Why didn’t you come in and help me?! I almost died out there!” She is laughing so hard that she can’t reply to my question. “I lost one of my elastics, do you have another one?” I say, still hoping my braid can be salvaged. “Kate, look at your hair, the braid is gone. The wave ripped it out!” she replies, while still laughing at my near-death experience.

Together, with Becca still laughing, and me still holding the hair where my braid used to be, we walked up the beach and back to the house. I begin to notice a sharp pain in my right knee every time I put any weight on my right leg. Later that night my knee becomes stiffer and stiffer and the pain becomes sharper and sharper.

During the night, I try and roll over to make myself more comfortable but my knee is so stiff that I can’t move it. I lie there in intense pain grasping my knee. I try to straighten it but my knee resists and I feel more shooting pains. At this point, I know there is something seriously wrong with my knee.

The next morning I have serious difficulty getting out of bed. I hobble down the stairs and gingerly set myself down onto the couch. My mom looks at me and asks, “You really can’t walk on it?” I shake my head and start to feel anger and frustration rise in my chest. My sister-in-law, Celia, gives me a sarcastic smile and says, “Well, I guess you shouldn’t have been swimming on the Sabbath.” It suddenly dawns on me as I look up at her that I went swimming on a Sunday. We had been so busy traveling and getting settled in that none of us realized that it was Sunday. I knew that I wasn’t supposed to swim on Sunday but I had done it anyway. I vowed from then on never to swim on the Sabbath again!

The ironic thing is, I broke my collarbone while riding on a tube behind our snowmobile, driven by my careless brother Scott... on a Sunday.

Don't worry, I've learned from past experiences and DID NOT swim in the ocean on Sunday while we were in Hawaii a few weeks ago.

A Hawaii post to come...

Listen up, gang.

2009-08-14T19:41:00.000-06:00

These two ladies have a bone to pick with their blog posse. We have noticed a trend lately in comments. We very much appreciate those responsible and caring individuals who comment on EVERY single post we do. We love you. We worship you. We applaud your ability to commit to us.

We realize that we don't post as often as most people would like. Quite honestly, it's somewhat of a task to take on a blog and fill it with witty anecdotes and sarcastic stories. Becca and I agreed when we put this blog together that we wanted it to be a little different from other blogs, if we could help it. It's mostly just us being smart alecks and that's the way we like it.

Now here is our beef. If we are going to stay motivated to keep this blog a runnin', we have got to get more comments!! We used to receive around 10 comments per post. Now we're averaging 3!! Those kind of numbers have got these two ladies down.

So saddle up you people and do your part. Your comments make us happy. And we only want to be happy.

K, love ya, see ya, bye.

A True Story...

2009-08-05T18:31:00.000-06:00

Who knows...but I like it

Sneezing at Disneyland

A match made in heaven Juno+Bleeker

College....it's crazy

And strange

Ally psyched about her flotation device.

Family+Ally on Mexican Cruise 09

Grad. 07

Party for 2

Enjoying nature

See how fun she is....
Scary

Camping 06

Once there were two little ladies who met at the ripe age of four because they happened to live on the same street.....Redbarn Lane in Idaho Falls, ID. They were fast friends and did EVERYTHING together: tramp jumping, doll playing , barbies, little people, Jenny's Palace, dress up, coloring, horse riding, school, church, and an unexpected ride in a police car. Their phone numbers were even on each other's landline speed dials (that was serious stuff back in 1989, there were only three different numbers you could program in to satisfy everyone in the family's needs, three out of everybody, people!).

The next three years flew by and before they knew it the ladies were both seven years old and still inseperable. Then something horrible happened.....one little lady was told by her parents that the family would be moving to Farmington, UT. The newly seven year old was devastated and so was her speed dial friend. They couldn't imagine living apart, so they devised a plan. They decided to be consistent pen pals, they promised to phone each other often, and to visit each other whenever possible. The plan seemed perfect, and the two best friends were ready to defy all odds and stay best friends forever despite their unfortunate locations.

Believe it or not these two stuck to their plan: they wrote, they called, they visited. Sure, they didn't go to school or church together anymore but everything seemed to be going as originally planned. Then....the teenage years began and the two wrote, spoke, and visited less. In the midst of those teenage years they decided to go to EFY together and soon remembered why they had been so close in the first place, they had fun together and they had a lot in common. For instance, neither one of them felt that church was something to cheer, and dance, and do skits about, so they bailed early on EFY, and their four year old bond was once again reestablished.

Finally, the awkward years were over and it was time for college. They loved college even though they still didn't spend much time together. At the end of their junior year they decided to live together along with two other friends. The stars finally aligned for the two grown up ladies and from the moment they moved in together they realized that at the ripe age of four both of them were a pretty good judge of character. For the next three and half years they experienced a lot together: college graduation, vacations, moving to S.L., first jobs, boyfriends, etc... Life seemed just about perfect and the two ladies couldn't have been closer.

Then....one lady got a job in Lindon and decided the commute was a no go for her and her SUV so she suddenly left her BFF of 20 years and moved to Provo. Now one lady is alone in her bed and writing this sad but totally awesome memoir of their defying all odds friendship. Do you think we can do it again? Get your pen and paper Al, it's pen pal time!

2 years

2009-08-04T17:06:00.000-06:00

August 4th is a significant day for me. August 4th is a seemingly insignificant day to the rest of the world. But to some of us, it means everything. It's the day we lost our boy. Some of us lost a son, a brother, an uncle, a friend.

Two years ago today, I lost my very best friend, Seth. When I look back on the last two years, I can't believe how far I've come. I can't believe how fast time goes. I can't believe I've lived without him for that long. He was such a presence in my life, that I'm still getting used to not having him around. I think it's something I'll never get used to, and that's the way I want it.

Today I was reading over some old journal entries. I wouldn't really call it a journal, but I like to write, so I do it sometimes. And about 2 months ago I wrote this and I think it speaks for itself.

June 21, 2009

I don't want tragedy to define me. I don't want it to be the singular event in my life that makes me who I am. Of course, it has shaped me and changed me. Of course, it has made me question everything about myself and my life. And of course, my single great tragedy thus far in my life is forever engraved in what makes me, me. It affects the way I act; the way I react. It affects me in every single relationship I have. It is constantly in my thoughts, my dreams, my attitude. No matter what I do, I can't or could not stop the change which occurred and is still occurring in me. If I'm completely honest, I welcome the affects and change in me. I want this change and hope people can see this change in me.

Some of these changes are not all positive. I am more pessimistic. I am afraid of what is to come. I am no longer daring or as willing to take risks that may benefit my life. I doubt; more than I wish to say. On the other hand, I have gained immeasurable compassion and empathy. I can relate better to many different types of people and situations. I am not at all afraid to be myself and show people who I am. I love deeper and feel more.

Although this tragedy has changed me and affected me, I will not let it define me. I will rise above it and overcome. This tragedy will make me a better, more well-rounded individual. I am determined.

-----------

Today, I think it's important for all of us to remember how far we've come. On this day, we need to remember Seth, and everything good he brought to our lives. Today, I'm only thinking about the good times. All the time I was lucky enough to have spent with Seth. All the good memories and all the laughs. Because on this day, we honor Seth and his life.

Today, I am grateful. I am grateful to have been blessed to know one of God's chosen sons. I am grateful that I can call Seth my best friend. I am proud that he can call me his.

And finally, I'm grateful for the words that still bring me comfort and hope to this day. Words that I believe will come true. The last words I said to Seth on this Earth:

I'll be seein' ya.

A little late. don't hate.

2009-07-29T19:48:00.000-06:00

Hey people. So I've been pretty neglectful lately. I let my blog pals down. This summer has been wild and crazy. But really I have no excuse. I've had the time. Just not the drive. You know summer, it's hot. All I want to do is lay around and drink Diet Coke. But after several complaints here I am, doing my part. So here goes, it's really not that exciting.

We've been to the cabin a few times this summer. It's one of my favorite places on Earth. If any of you cats want to take a trip, saddle up. It'll change your life. For the first time in a year Cody came out with his family and we had a grand ole time.

All 5 grandkids. This was the best shot we could get. It was chaos.

Henry, Abe, Ruby, Crew, & Noah

Little baby Abe lookin' fine.

Cousin embrace.

Crew is really into this hug. And Hen's hair never let's me down.

Lover of all food.

Classic Noah face.

Now how can you not love this? Yowsa. View from the cabin.

Brother-Sister Love

Ruby digs motorcycles.

Next post... real, real soon.

Cabin, ETC....

2009-07-05T20:29:00.000-06:00

Well the two ladies and no baby have been leading hectic lives lately, which is ironic because I'm not working this summer and Kate only works part time. Somehow time continues to slip away at a seriously rapid pace, how can winter crawl and summer fly? Jessie Spano said it so beautifully while on the drug of choice....caffeine pills! "No time, there's just never any time." Yes, Jessie I feel you here girl. I have been out of school for exactly one month, and two weeks of that month I've spent at the cabin. So here's the cabin update. Let's just say I've been getting some serious R&R in. Who needs a spa when you've got Ashton, Idaho people?

We got a lot of stuff done like:

We enjoyed nature

Took Kate's school pic. for next year

Let Rrrosa run loose

Read

Went on walks when it wasn't raining

And read more.

We also managed to eat, watch old episodes of Laguna Beach, and do Tae Bo together (even the Mimi)--that Billy Blanks is a Nazi and also quite the fashionista.

The belt is a nice touch I think.

Let's hear it for cabin 09!

(These only pics from cabin trip 1, Kate your job is to add pics for week 2. Holla back girl!)

Rain Rain Go Away!

2009-06-14T22:43:00.000-06:00

Pic found here.

I love rain, I do, but this is ridiculous. It feels like it has been raining for a month. Please, I want to wear summer clothes, I want to go to the pool, please June give me the weather you are known for. Hot, sunny weather where are you? Gimme gimme, I need I need.

Does anyone feel me here?

The 411....

2009-06-09T15:44:00.000-06:00

The past few months have included....

Coronado Island with Maria, Ally, I.

Mother's Day....sorry I wasn't there to celebrate with you mom.

She's seriously fun to travel with.

Bird problems....

Finally....warm weather in Utah!

Birthdays Galore!

Soon we will finally see........
This special guy, Brother Cody...soon to be Dr. Christensen

The funniest person I've ever known. The one the only Grandma Mary! What's not to like about her, and my dad for that matter?

Good News....

2009-06-07T21:46:00.001-06:00

...faithful followers, now that school is out we MIGHT finally see updates on this thing. I have a good feeling about it.

xo,

Ally

Restless Leg Syndrome...

2009-06-04T10:54:00.001-06:00

Anyone have a cure? PLEASE!

Happy Birthday Sally!

2009-05-29T14:35:00.000-06:00

Holla

2009-05-21T19:06:00.000-06:00

Three words....God Bless America

Up North? No thanks

2009-05-18T15:07:00.000-06:00

What the H is up with the phrase "Up North"? I can't tell you how many times I've heard this phrase in the past few months. When I first heard it I thought to myself, "Up North? That could be anywhere!" So I asked for some clarification. And apparently it means our "home" or "Kaysville/Farmington/Fruit Heights/Centerville/you get the drift. Now, these people who use the phrase frequently (maybe too frequently, if you ask me) are those who live "Down South". As in Provo/Cedar City/St. George/other weird named Southern parts of Utah.

So basically, I think I've cracked this riddle. The only problem is, after figuring it out, I think I hate this phrase even more. "Up North" is so vague. It could mean so many things. Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, or maybe even, I dunno... OH Canada! Wouldn't it be just as easy to say, "We're heading up to Farmington this weekend." Or "We're heading home to Kaysville this weekend." Who decided it was any easier to say, "We're heading up north this weekend." And then the other person is forced to say, "Oh, where up north?" And then you just end up telling them Kaysville or whatever. It's so stupid. In fact, it just prolongs a conversation with meaningless small-talk.

Now I realize, I may be targeting a few of our blog followers. Because they do, in fact, use this phrase. Well, my friends, I intend to do no harm. I just simply want to point out the fact that this phrase is stupid... and I hate it. K, love ya, see ya, bye.

Tenderly,

Kate

P.S. If you say, "Up Narth" then maybe we could talk.

NBD

2009-05-06T18:47:00.000-06:00

Yesterday we hung out with Ronnie Brewer....and it was awesome!

happy

2009-05-06T17:34:00.000-06:00

So my blog pal Naomi, of the famous rockstar diaries had the wonderful idea to write down ten little things that make you happy.

I have to say, just writing my own list, made me happy. It always helps to remember and recognize the little things in life that make life worth living. Thanks Naomi, you're a good gal.

Here is my list...

1. waking up to my niece and nephews giggles

2. surprises

3. playing whiffle ball at the park

4. Elevensies - includes the people you love + favorite soda & snack

5. my tv shows

6. sarcasm

7. baseball games on hot summer days

8. sister secrets

9. thinking about the day i get to see my best friend seth again

10. eating out + diet coke

Now write your own if ya dig

Commercials.....

2009-04-30T17:06:00.000-06:00

Usually I am not fond of commercials, which is strange because my Dad has spent most of his working life in the ad industry. Luckily DVR and the mute button provide me with much less time annoyed by lame and obnoxious commercials.

Although.....because I feel like I've seen so many bad commercials I can really appreciate the good ones. These seriously put a smile on my face every time I see them. Holla!

Dr. Pepper Commercial

Citi Identity Theft Commercial

Seriously clever Sprite Commercial

Any others that need to be added to the list?

This has nothing to do with this post except that this picture puts a smile on my face everytime I see it. Sheer terror in her face, and it's priceless that someone got a picture of it.

Dear Boys,

2009-04-24T09:35:00.000-06:00

I know you think texting a girl for a date is easy and safe. Everyone texts for everything, right? WRONG! You may be really hot and wear sexy aviator glasses, but when you send me a text that says "hey, want to go out Friday night?" you make it WAY easy for me to say no to you. If you can't talk to me enough to call me on the phone, then how do you expect to talk to me enough on a 4 hour date? I'm so over the date text and I think most girls would agree.