Dear May:

Thank you for the giving me the desire to blog more often. While some weeks were like pulling teeth and ended with blogs about nothing much others were easy to write and I dare say it was even fun to think of topics to blog about each day.

I can't believe you're already over. It seems like just yesterday that I typed out my vow, tightly closed my eyes, and hit the post button. But I did it and for the most part I was able to blog every. single. day.

I hope to keep up the good work (especially with the internet now available at my house) and blog more much much more.

Love you!
-Chana

The World Wide Web

We haven't had the internet at our house since we've lived here. Mostly because its expensive and where I sit at a desk all day and Fred was usually at school it didn't matter that we didn't have it. Now that Summer has hit and Fred isn't at school and I'm not enthused to stay at work any longer than I have to...it's been painful NOT having it at home.

I'm happy to announce that our good friends Blake and Aubrei have finally moved over by us again (they use to live below us) and we get to share their internet again! YAY!

This is hardly worthy of a blog post but I'm pretty darn excited.

**does this give me additional brownie points for blogging everyday without the internet at my house?**

How does your garden grow?

We've been living in our new place for about 6 months now. This season is our first chance to grow anything and I'd really like to.

I'd love to grow tomatoes. and flowers. but that's about it.

As it's come time to decide where to plant things - we've reached the decision that really...we have no where. Our townhouse is in the shade most the day and the soil that we have in the front in just below the roof that has NO rain gutter. So when it does rain the plants below get trashed with lots of water. The soil in the backyard is again very shaded, and mossy. it stays pretty damp back there.

My parents suggested growing tomatoes in a pot which i think would work if we can figure out where in our yard gets the best sunlight.

hopefully I'll try my hand at gardening. If it doesn't work I'll just steal from my dad's amazing garden...but don't tell.

Do you garden??

one word

Where is your cell phone? Desk

Your significant other? tan

Your hair? short

Your mother? selfless

Your father? witty

Your favorite thing? sunshine

Your dream last night? blank

Your favorite drink? limeade

Your dream/goal? happiness

What room are you in? Office

Your hobby? gabbing

Your fear? finances

Where do you want to be in 6 years? graduated

Where were you last night? Work

Something that you aren't? Dancer

Muffins? Poppyseed

Wish list item? Yorkie

Last thing you did? photoshop

What are you wearing? Capris

TV? DVR

Your pets? none

Your Friends? Amazing

Your life? Blessed

Your mood? Meh

Missing someone? Nephews

Drinking? water

Smoking? NO

Your car? blue

Something you're not wearing. eyeliner

Your favorite store? MAC

Your favorite color? Pink

When is the last time you cried? SYTYCD

Where do you go to over and over? Work

My favorite place to eat? Chilis

place I'd like to be at right now? moms

Today

Today i got my entire company to do jumping pictures. It was awesome.
If i get brave i'll post some tomorrow.

Note to self:

next time the hubby is going to play golf with friends and suggests you come with him to spend time together politely decline. Your presence makes him play crappy which invokes 4-letter words, and nine holes takes a lot longer when you're on the cart "hanging out".

Be smart and go do something else.

3-Day Weekend

Our plans this weekend consist of Fred working, me hanging out, and hopefully some BBQ, homemade ice cream, and if it doesn't rain (cross your fingers) we'll get to go camping!

Welcome back Summer.
I've missed you!

Hopefully I'll get some good pics to post on Monday!
Have a good weekend!

Missing:

Male with self-proclaimed "neat freak" qualities, excellent cooking skills, small but existent romantic bone, and hand holder has been missing for almost two years. Whether his identity was stolen or his abilities were dissolved is yet to be determined.

If found please contact me.

I'm a crap face

I didn't blog yesterday. Between a hair appt., bunco, and the american idol finale I just didn't have time! So I'm admitting it and apologizing.

I'll be better.

Oh and GO KRIS!

She's Back!

I'm already rooting for Jake and Kiptyn

Top 10 Reasons to visit Cache Valley this Summer

10. While you're here drive to gorgeous Bear Lake. The water a blue all its own and the surrounding mountains make for a gorgeous back drop to the family-friendly environment.

9. It's gorgeous here. The scenery alone is a good enough reason to come by!

8. Take a tour of Cache Valley's historic restaurants (make sure you're hungry!) stop by places like the Bluebird, Fredrico's Pizza (a family favorite...my parents use to go there when they attended USU tear), the Italian Place, Calloway's Italian Restaurant, and many more.

7. Aggie Ice Cream! Made here in the valley! It's so yummy that they ship it across the country to people who need their Aggie ice cream (Ambassador knowledge)

6. Gorgeous hikes - you can't run out of hikes whether you want something short or something to backpack. Cache Valley has it all. Sit back, relax, and let Mother Nature do the work.

5. Visit one of many factory stores such as: where creamies are made, pepperidge farms, gossner's cheese, and a few others. Most of them have a market so you can get their products for CHEEEEEEAP.

4. Utah State University - even if you don't go to school it's a gorgeous campus and has more green space than any other campus in Utah (once again...Ambassador knowledge). tour the space dynamics lab, the overall campus, and see the library. It's cool.

3. Come on over for the Cruise In

2. The Farmer's Market - there are tons and tons of great things here. Great, weird, yummy, and cheap stuff. This is seriously one of my favorite things in the valley.

1. this guy and this girl. We're fun, entertaining, have guest rooms, extra towels, love kids, love visitors, and this guy will even take you golfing.

When can we expect you?

Summer!

This weekends weather has been perfect. It makes me realize that summertime is really here and that I've got to get my list together of 'must do's ' before Fall gets here.

On my list so far is:
-Go to bear lake at least once
-get a raspberry shake at bear lake
-run as many 5k's as possible
-BBQ BBQ BBQ
-parades
-bike rides
-grow something (what is yet to be determined)
-learn something new
-play night games

What are you excited for this summer?

The Tan Redhead

Fred is tanner than I am. This is not okay. He works outside all day so he has quite the advantage but STILL! I'm going to have to start spending more time outside in order to not be considered his albino wife. Who thought a red head could get so dark!

Happy Weekend!

I'm so happy its Friday - I live for Fridays! I'm especially excited for this weekend because I have NOTHING planned.

Saturday will be filled with a run, the farmers market, cleaning the house (which I'm actually really excited about), and maybe just maybe planting some "stuff".

What are your plans?

Can't get enough

I listen to this song at least 5 times a day. I can't get enough (of the song...not the video).

also look up Kate Nash...I love her too. The Kate Nash Pandora station is great. It's my new work favorite!

Hubby Tag

Full name: FJW V
How long we've been married: almost 2 years
How long did we date: 7 months
Who eats the sweets? Both of us
Who said I love you first: he did
Who is taller: Freddie
Who sings better: Me but he's not bad when he actually sings
Who is smarter: we're smart in our own ways and in different things
Who does the laundry: Me. He occasionally does a load of only HIS stuff
(my laundry needs are too complex for him he says)
Who pays the bills: Me
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed: Fred
Who mows the lawn: Our landlord!
Who cooks dinner: Usually me but he helps
Who drives: Usually him
Who admits they are wrong: We're both really stubborn but eventually one of us does
Who asked who out first: he asked me out
Who wears the pants: he thinks he does but we all know the truth.
What does he do that surprises you: thoughtful gifts
My favorite feature on him: His scruff. NOT beard. Scruff.
Does he have a nickname for you: chanchan
His favorite food: anything Mexican
His favorite sport: Golf, football, golf, basketball, golf and did I mention golf?
Our favorite thing to do as a couple: Anything
Does he have any hidden talents: he can juggle and talk like Donald duck
What do you admire most about him: his ability to see the best in everyone and his desire to help anyone with anything
His favorite color: blue or black
How did he propose: at an overlook of Bear Lake

Back to the Grind

Well we're back in Utah now - it isn't as hot but it's home right?! Here are pictures and tid-bits from the rest of our trip:

Emily and I went to Scottsdale one day and while we were there we stopped by to see my oldest friend Ashley and her super cute fam. It's still crazy to me that she's a mom. With two kids. I still don't think we're old enough for that! I still remember running through the sprinklers in my front yard and looking for treasure across the creek with her.


We also went to Bahama Bucks on our last day - afterward I hated Emily a little for not taking me every day. I love snow cones and these ones are JUST like my most favorite shack ever in Moab.




Why am I not talking about Fred? Oh that's because he was golfing the ENTIRE vacation. Weird I know. Since I'm the one that actually takes pictures he doesn't have anything to show for it minus his new love for AZ courses, a speeding ticket, and a dark farmers tan.


But this is how he rode the last two hours of the trip. He had to get a club out and hold it when we left my parents. To which my dad shook his head and accurately called him "pathetic". What have I gotten myself into?

the boys lounging watching some tv after a long day of golfing.

Me and Emily

We also hung out with this crazy kid all weekend. He's stinkin' cute.

what's on his face? chocolate? mud? maybe both.

Fred and I concluded that driving through the night is MUCH better than driving 12 hours during the day. When we finally got home I felt like we'd been driving for days. Yuck!


We had the perfect escape to AZ! Thanks Emily and Darrin for letting us crash at your house and for entertaining us the entire time!

this made my day

Happy Mother's Day!

We are both so lucky to have such amazing mothers. I can only hope that some day when we have kids that I can be as great as a mother as both of our mother's combined. No amount of thank you's will ever suffice as repayment - and no one really knows the hard work that went into rearing both of us (especially Fred...he was a hellion).
We love you Nancy & Laura - we appreciate everything you've done and currently do. Thank you so much!

Happy Mothers Day to all you mothers, grandmothers, and soon-to-be momma's out there!

The Perfect Summer Beverage

This recipe tastes just like the Simply Limeade or Simply Lemonade that I love. We've made it twice since I've been here with those limes from the farmers market.

1 cup lime
1 cup sugar
6 cups water

mix and enjoy!

Epic Fail

Last night we went to Darrin's baseball game. I had the brilliant idea of doing jumping pictures off the baseballs...yeah well...Darrin and I did it and well while landing on your feet isn't hard...it was for me. I landed right on my butt. Epic Fail.

the only thing injured was my ego.

Mmm Mmm Local

My friend Emily and I went to this amazing farmers market here in Mesa. It was like a mini grocery store but filled with local produce for dirt cheap.

Look at all my bargains that cost me barely over $7

We bought 20 limes for $2 - strawberries for $1 - a pineapple for 99 cents and tons more.
This just might beat the farmers market deals in Cache Valley!

I heart AZ

On the Road

We left last night at 11:00pm. I drove straight until 4:30am when Fred took over. When I got into the passenger's seat I was sure I'd stay awake because I wasn't tired. But immediately after I wrapped up in a blanket, I was sound asleep. The 12 hour drive wasn't all that bad after all!

Sunrise in Arizona

Road trips aren't complete without these two things: an eye mask and ear plugs!

Hittin' the Road

Here we go! We're off to sunny Arizona for the rest of the week! But don't you worry! My blogging won't stop.

that is if Fred ever gets home. It's going on 10:30pm...are we there yet?

Warning: Beauty isn't everything!

I may be beautiful but I smell like butt.

Yep that's my stench you smell in the breeze if you're in Cache Valley.
Thank the city - seems I'm their tree of choice

Running Shoes. The Solution.

I went and was fitted for running shoes at Peak Performance in Ogden, Utah. Thanks to my cousin Heather and her suggestion. She won.

The whole experience was pretty cool. The owner sat me down measured each of my feet, measured the arches, and how my feet pronated when I run. Upon his findings, he was able to tell me which shoes would be best. It was great! If you are getting into running and haven't done this...do it! Go there and tell them I sent you!

Not only did he help me figure out what the problem was but he also gave me tips for getting back on track. Unfortunately, he told me that I should wear my running shoes for the next two weeks straight so that I can build up muscles and get use to wearing good shoes. He obviously doesn't know how I feel about wearing tennis/workout shoes with regular clothing. I took his advice and braved Target in my denim capris and running shoes. I was sooo mortified. I even saw people I recognized from Logan - and I could tell they recognized me and were judging my tennis shoe outfit. I think I'll be able to do it if I'm wearing jeans but with capris and shorts...no way. it's too...not me.

I ran in them on Saturday and could tell a huge difference. I could also tell that I hadn't ran in a week. I'll keep you posted on my progress! I can't wait for the rain to stop so I can run outside! I can't last long on a treadmill!

New development: These new shoes hurt a little. I think it's because my feet aren't normally wearing 'good' shoes so my calves are still sore - but now I can't tell if it's shin splints or just tired muscles. I've been wearing my shoes as much as possible so we'll see how it goes during my run tonight. argh. it better go away.

Thunder

Tonight we had an amazing thunderstorm. I ran out and danced in the ran a bit, had Fred take a jumping picture, and then quickly jumped in the car so I wouldn't be totally drenched!

I love thunderstorms they remind me of when I was little and my family would sit out on our front porch watching the lightening and listening to the thunder. What a good day...I hear the whole week is supposed to be like this! Can't wait!

Already a struggle!

It's day two. What have I done! I'm already struggling! I have a ton of blog ideas but I'm posting at my second job Planet Beach (yes...we're closed) so I'm unable to post pictures that go along with the blog posts I've thought of. This will have to do.

Here's a tidbit for those who don't know me too well...(yet). I work at Planet Beach Contempo Spa as a second job not only for a little extra spending moola but also so I can tan and look hot. Whether I tan often enough to claim this is a different story. crap. I will, however, be taking full advantage of this place in the next couple days before heading to sunny Arizona on Tuesday. (Em- can I use your Internet to keep up with this goal I have? and what? this tan? no...it's all natural. I was born this way. (hair flip) )

side note: Planet Beach is amazing. Stop by if you have one by you. It's NOT a tanning salon. There is tons of amazing spa equipment too.

Please note: upon searching for images with the keyword "lame" - this one pops up. AWESOME.



Tomorrow there will be pictures and excellent* reading material.

*excellent is a term used loosely. whether or not you walk away with a feeling of 'excellentness' or satisfaction based upon excellentness is contingent upon your beliefs, attitudes, and cool factor. author is not held accountable.

A promise...

Okay here goes. I'm going to say it. For the month of May I vow to blog EVERY day.

As for topics I have no idea and there might be some about me posts, gripe posts, random thought posts, but hopefully somewhere in the middle of the posts will be something that makes you laugh, tell your friends, or something to uplift you.