Lovey Dovey

February is a busy month for us. We've got Ry's birthday on the 13th, Valentine's Day on the 14th, and our wedding anniversary on the 16th.

With all these lovey dovey events within a week of each other, we usually have one big celebration to honor Birthdavalenersary. This year, however, we opted out of doing anything since, ya know, the whole Euro trip has kinda sucked our funds dry. We figure we'll party enough on that vacay to honor the next 3 Birthdavalenersaries to come.

So in lieu of any fancy dinners, boxes of chocolates, and romantic couples massages, I've simply compiled a rather hackneyed list of some of the reasons why I love, appreciate, am attracted to, and generally like my husband.

In no particular order:

-He knew I was high maintenance and still willingly married me

-He rocks a mohawk

-He buys me anything I want at Victoria's Secret (Though I'm pretty sure this is a selfish gesture on his part)

-He buys me makeup

-He buys me anything I want

-He is an amazing father

-He took me to the temple

-He puts up with my loud and obnoxious family

-He hates cats

-He appreciates fashion and looks amazing in a pinstripe suit

-He lets me wear his hoodies

-He thinks I'm beautiful

-He tells me he loves me every day

-He has supported me through 2 marathons and many more to come

-He ran Redrock with me and looks forward to doing another relay

-He sacrifices snowboarding on Saturdays so that I can attend my team runs

-He's still an awesome snowboarder

-He played rugby in college

-He's educated and motivated

-He has a strong work ethic and continuously strives to provide for his family

-He's a worthy priesthood holder

-He's mine

As unromantic as the two of us are, I think this list has just enough sap in it to appease even the corniest of cheese balls.

So to my husband, thanks for all you do. I love you, and stuff.

The Bearded Lady

I don't know what's going on with my hormones but over the past year or two, my face has decided to sprout a beard. Gross, right? I feel like freakin' cousin It over here.

My husband prefers to be the only one in our relationship sporting a five o' clock shadow so he splurged for some laser hair removal as a gift for me. He says, "Look! Now you can get rid of your beard and mustache!"

I should have been offended, but rather, I was relieved.

This morning, I went for my first treatment. I heard from lots of people that the procedure hurt. Those people were either all liars or wussies. It didn't hurt. It simply felt like a static electricity shock. The only thing that was a little off-putting was the smell. I could literally smell my burning skin as it was being zapped.

I'm excited to go back again, though, for my next treatment. In fact, I'd like to purchase a membership pass to do other areas of my body.

I guess I could always just dip myself in a bath of Nair, but that sounds like a bad idea.

Santa Baby

Dear Santa,

I know it's getting down to the wire and I haven't been to visit you at the mall yet. So, here's a quick...ok, a detailed list of the things I'd like for Christmas this year.

Donations to the LLS
You know the drill by now. I'm raising money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and running my third marathon with Team in Training. My goal is to raise $1000 by April. Therefore, I am accepting donations as Christmas gifts. Or, make a donation in the name of someone else as a Christmas gift to them. The options are endless! Visit my fundraising website to make a secure online donation using your credit card. And as always, donations are 100% tax deductible. See? It's the gift that keeps on giving!

Makeup
Obsessed right now. Completely. Anything and everything. Love love love.

Riding Boots
Once again, I found a pair of boots that fit my calves. Granted, they are from the plus-size store but hey, I got plus size calves, ok?? Deal with it. Regardless, I love these boots and absolutely have to have them in the camel color.

Copycat Anthropologie Necklace
Darling little Elaine over at Clothed Much has a necklace like this and it's suc a cute and simple way to add pizazz to any outfit. I've been looking all over the world for something similar and not nearly as expensive as the one from Anthro. Plus, I really wanted a pink one just like Elain's. I finally found it on Ebay of all places. Santa, the auction ends in like 5 days. You best get to bidding.

Scarf
I'm kinda infatuated with the infinity scarves right now. I have a cute and trendy striped on but I"d love a knitted one in an oatmeal color. A great neutral...to wear with my new riding boots!

Tanning Pass
Home girl is getting WHITE!!! You'd never guess I was Polynesian...save for the nose...and the dark hair...and the wide shoulders...and the ginormous calves...

So with Christmas a week away, you think you could hook a sista up? Thanks, Santa. You da bomb.

Things That Warm My Heart

You know that I am now obsessed with makeup and beauty tutorials on YouTube. The other night, I was watching the following hair tutorial, trying to figure out what to do with this nasty greasy hair I haven't washed in about 3 days.



The hairstyle was really cute and looked super easy. So, I decided to attempt it not expecting much.

I'm not too good at doing my own hair. I can twist, braid, and part Lolli's hair like a freakin' black girl, but when it comes to doing my own I'm no bueno. I blow dry and flat iron my hair then let it hang down limply with no shape or movement. If I'm feeling kinda saucy, I'll maybe throw on a head band or bobby pin a section of it back off my face , but that's about as fancy as I get.

So after pinning, curling, spraying, and teasing for about 30 minutes, I finally got my hair looking similar to the hairstyle shown in the tutorial. I topped of the style with a big ass flower and went on my merry way, very pleased with myself. I felt fierce!

That night when I got home, I changed into jammies but decided to leave my hair up just so I could admire it for a little while longer.

Ry gets home and I go up to hug him. He looks at my makeup and tells me I'm getting all kinds of crazy with my eyeshadow and stuff. (He's not really a big fan of lots of make up.) I kinda get disheartened because I actually spent a long time perfecting my makeup that evening. But then, without any prompting, Ry twirls a loose strand of my hair and says, "You're hair looks really good, though. I like it."

And just like that, I was giddy.

But wait. Does that mean Ry now expects me to always do my hair? Did I just inadvertently raise the bar?

Damn. I hate being so insanely hot sometimes.

My cup runneth over

2010 has been a big year for me and I have a lot for which to be thankful.

• The Ogden Marathon
• Living rent free...again
• Ward choir
• Tuesday nights
• YouTube makeup tutorials
• The Budos
• Audiobooks and podcasts
• The potty watch
• Lake Powell
• Pittsburgh
• Zumanity
• 10 mile runs with Stephanie
• Carinessa II garments
• Extended calf boots
• Centaurs
• Red Rock Relay
• The BYU math department
• My Taralyn
• Donations to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
• Sparrows
• Worthy priesthood holders

As always, I have to add a disclaimer that this is not a comprehensive list. I'm grateful for so many things but most of all my family, the gospel, and the love of my Father in heaven.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!

Petrilude

I'm in love with a gay man. And not just a gay man but a 25 year old diva in drag.

Right now, I'm obsessed with Josh. He's this FABULOUS makeup artist that I discovered while sifting through makeup tutorials on YouTube. Josh does some of the most gorgeous work I have ever seen.

And to make matters worse, he's an even hotter woman than I am!!

But if men in full drag regalia isn't your cup of tea, then at least give the boy credit for his amazing Halloween makeup.

And look at this!!

That's some straight up Cirque du Soleil shiz!!! CRA-MAZING, right???? He even has an awesome Avatar makeup tutorial that is really worth watching...if you're into tall, skinny, blue people.

And if you're not into makeup but just have a morbid curiosity as to what boys do with their goodies while dressed in skin-tight hot shorts and fishnets, then check out his YouTube channel anyways. He gives you a step-by-step guide on how he transforms from Josh to Misty Maven.

I'm telling you. I'm addicted to this Queen! I wish her were my BFF.

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