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12.26.2008

No coal here

It's official. Santa was good to me this year! As I've gotten older, Christmas presents are always fun to get, but I haven't had a "Jackpot" Christmas for years, until now! This year, I didn't really have an idea of anything I wanted. I have more articles of clothing than any one human being ever needs in a life time, and no room to store anything else; and I didn't really "need" anything, and I knew my wants were all too expensive for Santa, or other family members to get for me (broke brothers, and grandparents who are WAY too generous, but living on retirement). So I didn't really give anyone ideas.

I love that Santa pays attention and just so happens to "KNOW" every year, whether told or not. It's that little bit of Christmas Magic that after 25 years I still haven't figured out. My only conclusion is that "Mrs. Claus" checks my internet browser history to see what I've been eye-balling! Here's just a few of the goods I made out with this year:

::: A telephoto-zoom lens for my camera! I've been dying for one of these. especially for those people who (like me) are very particular about their personal space and can't stand when I'm "right up in their business" clicking away.

::: A Wii!!!! I've wanted one of these for over a year, and I'm excited to say Mom came through this year! I spent pretty much all day playing sports games, and working off all the crap I've eaten the past week. Grandma & Grandpa also threw in the remote recharge station and an extra remote.

::: An External hard drive. I know most people would be disappointed with this one, but I couldn't have needed anything more! I put so many RAW files on my computer after every photo shoot, convert them to .Tiffs in Lightroom and then to .JPEGS in photoshop and then make numerous copies of different outcomes, sizes, slide shows etc. My poor little laptop is just pooped and can't hold it all. I've been going through jump drives like water, and I figured a new external hard drive will be just the ticket.

::: I also received a few "helps for future purchases" The first being a coupon for the entire set up of Rockband (All band pieces included) for only $100. I will be picking that up this week!

::: And my last favorite thing(s) were gift cards. Normally I hate gift cards, but this year I got gift cards from all my brothers so that I don't have to save so much/for so long for the other camera lenses I want!

EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM ($1300.00)

EF 50mm f / 1.2 USM ($1600.00)EF 15mm f/2.8 Fisheye ($650.00)

Like I said, I pretty much made out like a bandit! I also got a few articles of clothing, and while I should return them (literally I have no where to put them unless I hang them from my ceiling fan), they're really cute. I also have one more present from "someone" that I haven't opened yet, but I have this much of a hint...

I really did have a WONDERFUL holiday. Being 25 the **sparkle** had kind of worn off for me, especially with all the things going on with my family not being able to be together for the first time ever (We went from 15 to 7 people this year). I'm excited for the little time we all did have together, and that for the first time in YEARS I was able to feel like a kid again, and really just get lost in Christmas.

PS the fact that it snowed all day really helped too! (It never snows in Las Vegas, esp. on Christmas!)


12.24.2008

Christmas Cheer

Call me Ms. Procrastinator! I finally started my Christmas shopping today... and I finished it, but UGH it was the worst experience ever! I left my house at about 1:00 to head down to Fashion Show... and then I sat in traffic for nearly 2 hours! Are you kidding me? Then at about Rancho, my gas light came on... Awesome. There was nowhere to exit and get gas. Charleston was the next available exit and the line to get off there was not moving at all! Ugh, I was finally able to exit at what I thought was Spring Mountain West, and get gas, only to realize that when i was back on the road heading east I was not on Spring Mountain, but on DI. Lame. Once I got to the mall things started to look up.
I definately had a parking fairy cause I got the spot second closest to the elevators! I was worried and did an Austin Powers parking job, becuase I was in my dad's gargantuan truck, and had no clue how to park this thing.
Anyway I was able to get everything I needed and PINK wrapping paper!!! So cute. I wrapped a few (above) and decided to save the rest for tomorrow.

I then headed over to my grandparent's house to spend time with the family. While we were eating dinner, I noticed my grandma had a new diamond on one of her fingers, she said it wasn't new, but she'd recently found it in her closet while hiding presents. She went upstairs and brought down a box of jewlery (all diamonds) and we had a little try-on party. OMG some of these puppies were HUGE! I mean freakishly huge. All of the jewlery was yellow gold, which I'm not a fan of, but I "inherited" this ring and I think it's so perfect!!! It's just a 3 stone ring with a one carat center stone and 2 half-carat stones on the side. I've been wanting to get myself a right hand ring for my birthday and just havent found anything I like, but I think this will be it. It's a size 9 (to fit over her arthritis knuckels, poor thing) so I have to get it resized tomorrow (I'm only a 4!). But I'm very excited to have it.


12.21.2008

It's beginning to look a lot like...


you know the rest...

We didn't do much by way of decorations this year. It just seems like Christmas snuck up on us! We at least managed to get the tree up, and decorate the mantle. The biggest decoration I miss this year is our village! Normally at Christmas every flat surface on the first floor of our house is covered with "sparkle" batting and then topped with glass Victorian Christmas Village pieces (and not the cheap ones from Target, the super nice ones from Bombay Company).
They maee me think of what Christmas should be like: snow on the ground, shoppers, ice skating on a pond in town square, snowball fights after school, shops open late, cobblestone walkways, and the train station full of visitors and gifts ordered from far away... *sigh*
I'm so excited that I was able to get 10 days off of work so that I can enjoy the holiday with my friends and family! I'm also so grateful that I had a great month at work and can afford to do so, including extra money to pay all my bills for next month! Still, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed, tomorrow I have to start... and finish all of my shopping!
Ugh that's the only bad thing about Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

12.20.2008

Looking Forward...

Here are a few things I'm looking forward to right now!
1. The next two weeks are going to be a Photo-Frenzy! I have 1 wedding, 1 family session and 2 engagement sessions, I'm going to be snap happy!
2. How well my engagement session of Kirsten & Sean turned out, I got a sneak peak of their order today, and I feel as though I can gloat a little, and say, I'm rather talented
3. Starting and finishing all of my Christmas shopping.
4. My hair appointment on Monday, not only are my roots out of control, but I'm finally out of the "my-hair-was-so-damaged-I've-been-letting-it-just-grow" phase, so I'm excited to get a haircut whose style doesn't resemble a mop.

5. My super cute manicure and pedicure I got today! Christmas red, and little candy canes and piontsetas airbrushed on my toes.
6. How busy my work has been, and my schedule for the next two weeks, I'm off all next week, but the following week I'm working 14 hour days 6 days of the week.
7. My family all being in town for Christmas! Except my dad, and my Fweetie who will be in a few days later.
8. My new boardgames to play with all of my family, I bought: Crainium Wow edition, Would you Rather, and Loaded Questions Adult Version haha

Questionable


Last night while I was hard at work, I noticed a man at one of the tables (not in my section) staring. It was like every time I walked by his eyes were a tractor beam on my face. It was a little uncomfortable. Well I didn't pay much attention, but about as he was leaving, he sent our hostess over to ask me if I had a few minutes to talk to him. I work in a wine bar, where I'm an constantly hit on by drunk older men, and tonight I just wasn't in the mood to deal with it. So, I told her I was really busy and to tell him sorry but no. Crisis averted.
Drunk creepy old man 0
Morgan 1
Well about an hour later, she came back over to me, this time with a business card. (geez this guy didn't quit) She then told me that he was a casting director for Warner Brothers, and thought I was beautiful, had great energy and seemed very personable and said if I was interested in acting to give him a call....
Well to be honest I've never thought of acting, ever. In fact I'm sure I'd be horrible at it.
I'm very cautious of these things, I've been approached a number of times in my life, and I never done anything about it. These kind of people can be rapists you know. Well one of the boys I work with is a model, and he got a card too, so that started to make me feel a little more at ease with it.
When I got home from work, and googled this guy, and the only thing that came up was his facebook page. I also noticed that his business card is just a white business card with the WB logo on it (I could make this on photoshop in 30 seconds) and his personal information including e-mail (not a WB address either) and SKYPE name, whatever that is. Did I mention his name is spelled wrong? His excuse to the hostess was that in Belgium, or Russia or where ever he's from that his cards were printed, they don't have the letter "Z" in their alphabet, so the "Z" in his name is handwritten.... Strange the letter doesn't exist in your country and yet it's in your last name....
Are these GIANT RED FLAGS to anyone else? Needless to say, I'm smart enough to chalk this one up to a scam... But Josh (the model I work with) called me today. I guess he called the guy after work last night, and at 4 today is going in to meet with a talent agent.... If Josh comes back alive, maybe I'll call this guy and bring my dad (who will in turn bring his guns) to see what this is all about....

12.15.2008

Let it snow Let snow Let it snow!


I'm so excited! When I woke up this morning, it was snowing, and hasn't quit! And it's not typical Las Vegas snow that melts the second it touches anything, it's actually sticking!!! Finally something has put me in the Christmas Spirit!

12.13.2008

Today...

"The best way to get your life clean, is to get your hands dirty."


I heard this quote today on an Orange Juice commercial, and I love it!

PS. I was up until 7:23 this morning, and I'm now exhausted. I've been looking for a new logo/letterhead/business card for my budding photography business, and I've been talking/brainstorming to 3 different graphic designers. I liked their ideas, but each one wanted to charge me $300+ for their services. I thought, "I can do better, and for free." So I did!

My website is under MAJOR CONSTRUCTION until after the holidays, but I'm so excited that I now have an official logo, letterhead (3 kinds), and a super cute business card!!!

12.10.2008

Gulp!

Every Wednesday afternoon, I have to go to a Wine Class at my work. It is here that I learn about wine, and also how to sell the particular wine we learn about to guests, along with food pairings, etc. (There really is a lot to know other than wine can be red or white). Well today when I went in, I learned we would not be having "wine class", instead we were going to learn about the new "foodie explosion" in the United States.
Today, we had an Olive Oil tasting! Apparently Olive Oil is in the United States now, what Wine in the U.S. was in the 70's; everyone knows what it is, but it's not fully appreciated. Being a member of the church, I figured I know A LOT about olive oil (we learn about it every time we learn of the atonement; what it's used for, along with how it's made, and symbolism).

Surprise! Just like wine, olive oil is very diverse and complex. There are as many varietals of olives as there are grapes. Also just as the French are snooty with Wine, Italians are with Olive Oil. For example; did you know an Olive Oil can ONLY be considered Extra Virgin olive oil if it is pressed from the first harvest of that year, and is under 18 months old?!?! After 18 months it is simply Virgin Olive oil, and after another year or so it technically can only be considered Olive Oil. In Italy, this rule is very strict, once their oil passes it's 18 months maturity, it is then shipped to the U.S., here the labels don't have to be changed to remove the "Extra" because we have no protocol about it!

Also have you heard of Light Olive Oil? Don't buy it, it's garbage! At the end of the pressing process, when there is hardly any of the good stuff left, the presses are filled with boiling water, which extract the last little bit of good oil, then the olives are pressed again. You get "light oil." Not less calories, just less flavor and less oil. You're paying the same price, if not more for water. Interesting...

Anyway, back to the class... I got excited because I love bread and olive oil, so it would be an excuse to eat. I was wrong. Apparently when at an olive oil tasting, you drink it!!! We poured about 2 oz. of each olive oil into a glass and learned the proper way to taste, before gulping it down! Here's how:

1. Pour the oil in a small glass and gently swirl in order to release all the various aromas
2. Inhale, first briefly, then deeply trying to capture all the different aromas ...
3. Sip a small quantity of oil from the glass trying to keep it in the front of your mouth between your lower lip and your tightly shut teeth....
4. Inhale breathing first delicately then more vigorously, so as to vaporize the oil in the oral cavity where the taste buds are...
5. While swallowing, try to identify and catalogue all the different aromas and flavors by exhaling from the nose so that the vaporized oil particles can reach the nasal membrane giving even more precise sensations... (if it's a good, young oil, you'll feel a "pinch" in the back of your throat!)
6. Once we have collected sufficient information we can expel the oil (either by swallowing or spitting)!!!!

Needless to say, by the end, I felt sick to my stomach. I'm not used to the texture, or the flavor. It was educational, but I won't be repeating the practice. So Nora's Wine Bar is now saying, "So Long" to two of our three olive oils (Frantoia, the house favorite, and the Ranniri, the guest's favorite). We will now carry three Sicilian oils, the Monini (eww, it tastes like grass), Bio (pronounced Bee-oh, an organic oil with aromas of clay, and walnut finish), and Molinazzo (a buttery oil, with spicy/peppery finish).

If you never tasted olive oil, I recommend it. I never knew until today that there were "aromas" and "flavors" in them. But the younger the oil, the stronger and more concentrated the flavor and "pinch". I hope you try this, and if you don't on your own, come see me at work! We offer a tasting of 3 oils with every meal!

PS. Don't ruin olive oil with Balsamic Vinegar. We learned about that in my food class too. Real balsamic vinegar sells for nearly $25/oz. The kind you buy in the grocery store, in bulk, or get at restaurants has more in common (chemically, and flavor-wise) with Coca-cola syrup than real Balsamic Vinegar!

12.09.2008

Glad to have you back

PS this actually a photo of Britney, not me.
I don't see the resemblance, but apparently a
lot of you readers do. Just to clear the air
Click the photo to listen to the Circus Album. I have to say, I'm a fan. I'm glad she's doing well, and keeping me dancing! I've also been rocking out to "Piece of me" click the pic below to get your groove on.

Great Conversation!


I just had a great conversation with Santa! He called because he had questions about my Christmas list. Apparently the elves couldn't remember what I already had and what I wanted... Something about the model's letter/number combination and the accessories were causing confusion. We discussed many things: body options, lenses etc. At the end I rated the top 3 body styles in order of best to not-so-best, and then the 5 options of lenses from AWESOME to still-better-than-what-I-have.
I have a feeling Santa is going to be good to me this year!!!





12.06.2008

The More You Know

Today I learned:
1. You can buy caskets from Costco.
2. Coca-Cola is originally green.
3. All Polar Bears are left handed (just like me!)
4. The state of Tennessee used to be called Franklin.
5. "Pants" used to be a dirty word in England
6. In Arizona it is illegal to hunt Camels (are there camels in Arizona?)
7. Al Gore's roommate in college (Harvard, class of 1969) was Tommy Lee Jones.
8. In every episode of Seinfeld there is a Superman somewhere

9. A duck's quack doesn't echo
I love my job, and listening to people just talk. It's quite fascinating what you can learn!
.


12.02.2008

Look How Far We've Come

We had to hold off on Birthday Celebrations until today when Colby could fly in from Salt Lake. Afterall triplets can't celebrate their birthday when only 2/3 of us are present. I posted the following picture just to show how far we've come in 25 years. Yikes, that's a scary number, but I figure the more I say it the more I'll accept it. This picture was in every newspaper you could imagine across Utah. We were the first set of triplets to be born in LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City! I love love love it! You can clearly tell who's who which I think is so funny.

Happy Birthday to Ev
Happy Birthday to Me

Happy Birthday to Colby
Happy Birthday to us!

12.01.2008

Before & After

This is my friend Thomas from work. For about a year I have beenmaking fun of his long hair and hinting that he cut it. Things like, "in my house boys had short hair and only girls have long hair." or I refer to him by ladies names. Imagine my surprise when he calls me up today an asked if I'd go with him to cut it! Apparently last night he was referred to as a Charles Manson look-a-like, I guess that was the last straw.


Before




After

11.28.2008

Lessons Learned in A Quater of a Century...

My name is Morgan, not Megan... but I'll respond to either. I love the beach/ocean, but I'm scared of the things living in it. I gag at Romance, but love love stories. I am cluttered and messy, but super clean (if you can find the floor underneath that pile of clothes, it's vacuumed and the baseboards are dusted). I am a triplet and always surrounded by brothers, but I prefer to be by myself. I am a walking paradox.
At 25 I have been thinking a lot about my thoughts on "growing up". This is what I've come up with.

{1}
Childhood is magical, and adulthood is... well... not. I think of life like a new toy. At first, the paint is shiny, everything works, and all you want to do is play with that toy. But after a few years, you loose parts, the batteries run out, and eventually you break/loose it or your imagination of what it could be goes away.

{2}
RESPONSIBILITY is the worst word in the dictionary. I'd rather use my money for toys (camera stuff, boots. jeans, etc.) than air filters, car parts or bills.

{3}
Once you graduate High School you're expected to go to College. After College (at the age of 22) you're expected to know what you want to do with the rest of your life. I don't know what what I'm going to wear to dinner tonight, how am I supposed to choose a career I'll spend the majority of my adulthood doing?

{4}
Wearing your bathing suit to the grocery store with a tiara and mom's high heels is no longer socially acceptable.

{5}
Boys no longer have cooties, they have agendas.

{6}
Screwing up is harder to get away with.

{7}
Remembering how people of my current age seemed so old when I was a child.

{8}
We stop growing up and start growing out.

Ha ha. It's not that I'm depressed about being 25..... actually I am. The only thing I asked my parents for was a fake ID that says I'm only 21!


Happy Birthday to me!

11.25.2008

Twilight



I just got the twilight soundtrack from iTunes

it's awesome!!!

click the picture above to listen

I'm seeing the movie again tomorrow

I have found a new reason to be obssessed




11.24.2008

Updates, Twilight and more!

I have been on major hiatus from blogging! Not by any choice of my own, I'd blog 3 times a day if I could, but I just haven't had the time. Cliche excuse I know, but really it's true! I'm not complaining, by any means, I love that I'm busy, but blogging is my way of reflecting, and I miss it!

1. Not only have I been working about 30+ hours a week (I know it doesn't seem like a lot, but in a restaurant it's unheard of), but my Photography has taken off! This week I have had 2 New Client Meetings, and photographed and Engagement Session.

Between now and Dec. 31 I have 2 Weddings, and 2 Family Portrait Sessions, along with one Individual Portrait Session. That's a whole lot of photography hours, not to mention hours upon hours of editing, printing, and all that comes with. I couldn't be more excited!

2. Twilight the movie came out this week. I lived in torture as everyone went to see it at midnight, and I had to wait for my mom to get back in town before I could go. (I didn't want to see it twice in case I didn't like it.) Upon going to work I only heard BAD things about it! I was disappointed but determined to see it anyway.

I don't know what all the fuss was about. I LOVED IT!!! I admit, I was skeptical that it wouldn't be good, and after I heard the bad reviews, I was borderline brokenhearted... but man, I really liked it! It has been about 2 years since I read the first 3 books, but I thought the movie did a great job covering all the high points. Some of the explaining could have been done now, but I'm sure they'll get to it in the sequels, etc. Also I was originally disappointed in some of the casting, but overall it worked! I really want to go see it again. *Sigh* Now back to the never ending question: "Team Edward or Team Jacob?"
(October 2007)

3. Last but not least, the following is a fact I learned today from my Glamour Magazine. The amount of stress that most young women feel today is the same amount that most Mental Patients felt in the 1950's. So, do I belong in an institution?

11.20.2008

I Needed This

"Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation. "
-D&C 58:3

11.07.2008

Summer is Nigh

I saw this on someone elses blog and loved it.

The below was given in an address to BYU students by Elder Neal A. Maxwellin 1978.

"Make no mistake about it, brothers and sisters, in the months and years ahead, events are likely to require each member to decide whether or not he will follow the First Presidency. Members will find it more difficult to halt longer between two opinions. President Marion G. Romney said, many years ago, that he had 'never hesitated to follow the counsel of the Authorities of the Church even though it crossed my social, professional or political life.'

"This is hard doctrine, but it is particularly vital doctrine in a society which is becoming more wicked. In short, brothers and sisters, not being ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ includes not being ashamed of the prophets of Jesus Christ. . . . Your discipleship may see the time when such religious convictions are discounted. . . . This new irreligious imperialism seeks to disallow certain opinions simply because those opinions grow out of religious convictions.

"Resistance to abortion will be seen as primitive. Concern over the institution of the family will be viewed as untrendy and unenlightened.... Before the ultimate victory of the forces of righteousness, some skirmishes will be lost. Even in these, however, let us leave a record so that the choices are clear, letting others do as they will in the face of prophetic counsel. There will also be times, happily, when a minor defeat seems probable, but others will step forward, having been rallied to rightness by what we do. We will know the joy, on occasion, of having awakened a slumbering majority of the decent people of all races and creeds which was, till then, unconscious of itself. Jesus said that when the fig trees put forth their leaves, 'summer is nigh.' Thus warned that summer is upon us, let us not then complain of the heat."

--- Elder Neal A. Maxwell

11.04.2008

I've had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day!

I think I'll move to Australia!
PS the majority of the Nora's Wine Bar staff is coming along. Good food, great company, no Obama!
See you there!
PPS I would NOT want to be secret service right now. Apparently the FBI has already stopped. An asasination attempt!

I Voted!

Vote!

This is the story of our Grandmothers and Great-grandmothers; they lived only 90 years ago.





Remember, it was not until 1920 that women were granted the right to go to the polls and vote.

The women were innocent and defenseless, but they were jailed nonetheless for picketing the White House, carrying signs asking for the vote.


(Lucy Burns)


And by the end of the night, they were barely alive. Forty prison guards wielding clubs and their warden's blessing went on a rampage against the 33 women wrongly convicted of 'obstructing sidewalk traffic'. They beat Lucy Burns, chained her hands to the cell bars above her head and left her hanging for the night, bleeding and gasping for air.

(Dora Lewis)


They hurled Dora Lewis into a dark cell, smashed her head against an iron bed and knocked her out cold. Her cellmate, Alice Cosu, thought Lewis was dead and suffered a heart attack. Additional affidavits describe the guards grabbing, dragging, beating, choking, slamming, pinching, twisting and kicking the women.


Thus unfolded the 'Night of Terror' on Nov. 15, 1917, when the warden at the Occoquan Workhouse in Virginia ordered his guards to teach a lesson to the suffragists imprisoned there because they dared to picket Woodrow Wilson's White House for the right to vote. For weeks, the women's only water came from an open pail. Their food--all of it colorless slop--was infested with worms.


(Alice Paul)


When one of the leaders, Alice Paul, embarked on a hunger strike, they tied her to a chair, forced a tube down her throat and poured liquid into her until she vomited. She was tortured like this for weeks until word was smuggled out to the press.


http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/suffrage/nwp/prisoners.pdf


So, refresh my memory. Some women won't vote this year because--why, exactly? We have carpool duties? We have to get to work? Our vote doesn't matter? It's raining?


Last week, I went to a sparsely attended screening of HBO's new movie 'Iron Jawed Angels'. It is a graphic depiction of the battle these women waged so that I could pull the curtain at the polling booth and have my say. I am ashamed to say I needed the reminder.


All these years later, voter registration is still my passion. But the actual act of voting had become less personal for me, more rote. Frankly, voting often felt more like an obligation than a privilege. Sometimes it was inconvenient.


My friend Wendy, who is my age and studied women's history, saw the HBO movie, too. When she stopped by my desk to talk about it, she looked angry. She was--with herself. 'One thought kept coming back to me as I watched that movie,' she said. 'What would those women think of the way I use, or don't use, my right to vote? All of us take it for granted now, not just younger women, but those of us who did seek to learn.' The right to vote, she said, had become valuable to her 'all over again.'


HBO released the movie on video and DVD . I wish all history, social studies and government teachers would include the movie in their curriculum I want it shown on Bunco night, too, and anywhere else women gather. I realize this isn't our usual idea of socializing, but we are not voting in the numbers that we should be, and I think a little shock therapy is in order.


It is jarring to watch Woodrow Wilson and his cronies try to persuade a psychiatrist to declare Alice Paul insane so that she could be permanently institutionalized. And it is inspiring to watch the doctor refuse. Alice Paul was strong, he said, and brave. That didn't make her crazy. The doctor admonished the men: 'Courage in women is often mistaken for insanity.'


Please, if you are so inclined, pass this on to all the women you know. We need to get out and vote and use this right that was fought so hard for by these very courageous women. Whether you vote democratic, republican or independent party, remember to vote.


History is being made.

10.31.2008

Happy Halloween!

Colby as a Zombie



Griffin is Sparta!




Dolls can be very scary




Me as a Vampire

The triplets as the 3 pigs, we were SO cute!




Happy Halloween! I don't get to celebrate today because I got stuck working 14 hours because 5 of our employees (pretty much everyone scheduled to work) called in! LAME! Anyway, I hope everyone has a fun night, and wears great costumes! For the holiday I photo shopped some pictures. Ooo spooky!!!

10.29.2008

Every Little Bit Helps !



Tonight I felt like doing nothing! I've had a long week (and it's only Wednesday) so I decided to clean out my car. After moving and practically living in it for the last 2 weeks, it's a nightmare. While cleaning out my cup holders, I realized there was quite a lot of change in there. After cleaning out the whole car I took my applesauce jar full of change to the Coinstar thing in the grocery store. There was over $100 in loose change rolling around my car! Holy Smokes! Talk about having a good night!

10.27.2008

Hairdresser!

This weekend my mom went 4-wheeling with her friends, and when she came home last night she had her arm in a sling! Apparently she was riding up hill and the ATV threw her off. She saw that it was going to flip back and land right on her. She said a quick prayer asking to know what to do, and got the feeling to try to push it when it came down. Well anyone who has ever been on an ATV knows how heavy they are and the average woman can not push it away, but she listened and did it anyway. She held out her arm and the ATV bounced off her hand, and then off the cliff rolling down the mountain! At the end of the ordeal the only injury my mom had was that she separated her shoulder! I am so thankful for the spirit and for her faith in listening to it.

Anyway she can't do much by way of getting herself ready, and anyone who knows my mom and I know that we DO NOT go into public without our hair and make up done. Today my mom woke me up at 4:30 am to help her get ready so that she could be at work by 6! I had to help her get dressed, blow dry her hair, curl and style it, and help her with her make up. I use a blow dryer, round brush, and hot rollers EVERY DAY, but using them on other people is very difficult and awkward. I have a new found respect for hairdressers! I love my mom, and am so glad for this service opportunity.

10.24.2008

The Asylum

I was so excited that today I had a day off! Believe me, I am so thankful to have a job, and to be working in today's economy (see past post), but sometimes I just really excited for a little break. Well today I had planned to spend some time on my garden, and maybe carve some pumpkins with my brothers.
Well about 4:00pm my boss called me...
  • Michelle: Hi Morgan! I didn't think you were going to answer your phone!
  • Me: Hi Hunny, what's up?
  • Michelle: I know how excited you were to have a night off, but both of our hosts called in and we can't get a hold of anyone, could you come in just for like 3 hours during our dinner rush and maybe host?
  • Me: Ugh. I don't think I remember how to host, its been 2 years...
  • Michelle: Well think about it, and call me within the next hour, I'll buy you dinner!
  • Me: (whatta sucker) OK I'll come in.

So I went into work and was a host. I was so bored! I just stood at the front, occasionally took guests to a table, and answered the phone. I kept feeling like I should refill a drink, or clear dirty plates off a table, or ask if I could get someone anything else, I felt like I had to do SOMETHING. It was so easy I almost couldn't stand it!


Well, as promised I only worked about 3 hours and then went with my brother Evan, his girlfriend Keri, and Todd to go eat at Outback and see Griffin (who just started working there). YUM! Then we went to the Asylum on Alta and Rampart.



I am seriously a Freak about Halloween! I love haunted houses, and have been to all of them at least twice each! I love screaming, even though I hate getting scared! My biggest fear is that something will happen to me and I'll be in a situation where I'll need to scream but nothing will come out. So I look at Haunted Houses as good practice! It was a fun way to kick off the season!

10.21.2008

Funny Story

This afternoon I was running errands for work (the only way I was going to get any kind of break from my 14 hour work day) and I ran into Doug Quist at the Post Office. We had a quick little conversation that I thought was just hilarious! He asked me a question that normally people wouldn't know unless they read my blog, and then asked if it was creepy that he knew all about me. HA HA HA
I'm here to say "Of course it's not", that is why I have a blog in the first place. I do know the feeling though. Have you ever met someone in real life, but you already knew them because you have stalked their MySpace/Facebook page? I have, it's extremely awkward. I've felt like I can have a conversation with them, but not really, because I'm not supposed to talk to strangers... ? It's quite the conundrum.
All in all I love Internet social networking, including all of the awkward real life moments that go with.


10.20.2008

Yikes

Is anyone else absolutely horrified that Barack Obama might actually win this election? I sure am. I found this article in the LVRJ, and thought it was just great, read on.


In Case You Missed It: Las Vegas Review-Journal Endorses John McCain


"If the United States is to emerge from this downturn in a position to ensure its citizens have the opportunities enjoyed by previous generations, we must get a handle on out-of-control federal spending -- and that is nowhere reflected in the policies advocated by the Democratic candidate. In contrast, Sen. McCain has a proven record of battling the drunken sailor culture so pervasive in our nation's capital. He has been an outspoken advocate for fiscal restraint, angering many of his colleagues by embarrassing them over their penchant for pork. Sen. McCain vows to veto any bill that includes earmarks and says he will freeze spending in many areas of the budget."

-- Las Vegas Review-Journal


"McCain For President"
Las Vegas Review-Journal
EndorsementOct. 19, 2008

These are difficult times.

Over the past few weeks, Americans have watched helplessly as the nation's financial infrastructure crumbles around them -- and their political leaders scramble for "solutions" intended to "restore confidence" but which accomplish the opposite by laying bare the stark fact that nobody really knows what to do.

The nation is likely in a recession, perhaps heading for a depression. The stock market bounces around like ping-pong balls in a wind tunnel as individual retirement accounts shrivel.

Meanwhile, the nation continues to have troops in harm's way. While Iraq has stabilized, the situation in Afghanistan has worsened, leading many to worry about the potential for another prolonged -- and increasingly deadly -- conflict halfway around the world in the battle against Islamic terror.

Americans are nervous -- for their jobs, for their futures, for their children, for their sons and daughters overseas, for their country.

As we head to the polls this November, the presidential candidates inundate us with promises of "change" -- and it's clear the country craves precisely that, desperately seeking a leader who will upset the beltway status quo and reinvigorate the principles that built the greatest country on earth and are the key to restoring this nation's pride and promise.

That's why we support John McCain for president.

Barack Obama has captured the imagination of many voters, particularly younger ones, with his charisma, intelligence, passionate oratory and collected demeanor. Yet his resume -- he's just four years removed from the Illinois legislature -- remains alarmingly limited. His four years in the U.S. Senate have failed to produce any memorable accomplishments.

During these critical times, experience does matter.

While Sen. Obama preaches "change," he in fact proposes only to accelerate business-as-usual in Washington.
For instance, his redistributionist tax increase proposals -- transferring billions of dollars from those who pay income taxes to those who don't -- would further feed the beltway bureaucracy, hurting many small business owners and crippling private investment at a time when this economy needs it most. His agenda calls for almost $1 trillion in new government spending over the next four years -- on green energy, education, health care and everything else -- while virtually ignoring the looming collapse of Social Security and Medicare.

Change? What change?

If the United States is to emerge from this downturn in a position to ensure its citizens have the opportunities enjoyed by previous generations, we must get a handle on out-of-control federal spending -- and that is nowhere reflected in the policies advocated by the Democratic candidate.

In contrast, Sen. McCain has a proven record of battling the drunken sailor culture so pervasive in our nation's capital. He has been an outspoken advocate for fiscal restraint, angering many of his colleagues by embarrassing them over their penchant for pork. Sen. McCain vows to veto any bill that includes earmarks and says he will freeze spending in many areas of the budget.

That would represent real change.

Sen. McCain opposes any tax hikes, recognizing that in these troubled times leaving money in the hands of those who earned it offers the best hope for encouraging the creativity and entrepreneurship that defines this nation's legacy. He would be far more likely to appoint judges who respect freedom and individual liberty and who recognize the restraints our Constitution imposes on the federal government.

On energy, Sen. McCain -- while acknowledging the importance of developing alternative sources -- understands that for the foreseeable future the nation must continue to harness its domestic supplies of clean coal and oil. This is in stark contrast to Sen. Obama, who falls in line behind the greens and advocates a radical and massively expensive economic upheaval in order to build more windmills and solar panels.

But while the economy has jumped to the fore in this campaign, the United States remains engaged across the globe in a struggle to establish democracy in Iraq and cripple the Islamic extremism that led to 9/11. We are winning -- and Sen. McCain is best prepared to ensure we continue on that course.

No, Sen. McCain's service as a Naval aviator in Vietnam -- including his five years in a POW camp, during which he was mentally and physically tortured -- don't automatically qualify him for the presidency. But his experience certainly offers a snapshot of the man's character, honor and sense of duty.

Sen. McCain realizes the long-term ramifications for failure in Iraq and is prepared to make the difficult decisions that will no doubt confront our next commander in chief. His military background and foreign policy expertise project an image of strength, decisiveness and determination, in stark contrast to Sen. Obama, who has voted to cut and run in Iraq and was spending time as a "community organizer" in Chicago while Sen. McCain was distinguishing himself on the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Our national security would be in good hands with Sen. McCain in the White House.

"Hope is necessary in every condition," wrote Samuel Johnson. And even during these trying months, Americans retain the sense of optimism and conviction that have served as pilot lights for this nation's very survival over the past 230 years. Regardless of who is elected this November, we will emerge from these times stronger in spirit. But one man is uniquely qualified to guide us through any coming storms, both domestically and overseas.

That man is John McCain.

10.18.2008

Green Thumb

For the past couple of weeks, I have had this feeling that I should start some kind of garden. I don't know why, but it's been a constant thought. So today I got motivated and went to Home Depot to just take a "look" at the garden section. I thought about the yard at my parent's house, and I'm sad to say that it has seriously been neglected the last few years... I knew it would be a lot of work! So I talked with the guys at the garden center to first discuss a "clean-up-renovation" plan, and what it would entail.
I decided I was up for the job, and went ahead and purchased a rake, a leaf blower, lawn fertilizer, potting soil, compost bags, and the cute gardening set you see in the above picture to get started.
I came home and immediately began to rake the leaves from off the lawn. That job alone took me 4 hours just to do the front yard! But already our landscape looked 100% better! I then got an aerator from my Grandpa and aerated the lawn, mowed the lawn, fertilized the lawn, and then watered the lawn.
Then I started in on the planters that line our house. 15 years worth of dead pine needles filled up the brick planters, so I cleared out all of it, some rocks, and all the dead bushes and shrubs. I then dug out the dirt about 3 inches and filled the planters with the potting soil. Tomorrow I'm going back to get some plants that won't die over winter if I plant them now, and also to talk about a small vegetable garden for the backyard.
Never in my life have I done yard work, but I had so much fun today! I've created a design plan for the backyard landscape and can't wait until spring when I can plant everything. I've also put some solar lights on lay-away so that we can have our walkway lit. I'm excited to continue to design, plant, and have my own garden!

10.16.2008

20 Somethings

"Normal is getting dressed in clothes that you buy for work and driving through traffic in a car that you are still paying for - in order to get to the job you need to pay for the clothes and the car, and the house you leave vacant all day so you can afford to live in it."
~Ellen Goodman
This is today's quote on my iGoogle homepage. Can I just say it is everything I'm feeling at this moment in my life! I'm not so eloquent but even if I really tried, I'm sure I couldn't put it better myself.

10.14.2008

Eat Me

I've just read that Tim Burton (♥s him) is beginning to film his new movie due out in 2010, Alice In Wonderland! The film will be shot in performance-capture imagery, the same filming used in Beowulf, along with live action footage. Also, as with a majority of his other films, the movie will star Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter, and his wife Helena Bonham Carter as the evil Red Queen. I can hardly wait to see his take on the Lewis Carrol classic.

10.12.2008

Mystery? More like bad joke.

Lately I've been working a lot! The other night I came home and was channel surfing, trying to find something to watch so I could unwind before bed. I stumbled across this show on VH1 called "The Pickup Artist". The host of this show calls himself "Mystery" and he teaches guys how to pick up women... I won't spend much time talking about this, but rather, showing how I feel about what is going on here...

Mystery and Pamela Anderson shop at the same store:

Mystery and Special K must be besties with their "B.F.F." goggles. Whether they are going swimming or on an airplane ride, they look great in their World War II inspired eye wear!


Also, this guy has a ponytail, wears eyeliner and black nail polish, and lots of layered clothing... I'm all for helping people gain a little bit of confidence, but seriously? OK, guys rule #1, never take dating advice from someone who calls himself Mystery (are you kidding me?), especially if his two besties are named Matador and J Dawg. #2 Women like confidence and a good personality, not rehearsed lines spouted out like you're reading cue cards. Bottom line... whatever this guy tells you to do... Do the opposite.

10.11.2008

Ugh

I had the worst night ever. Work was awful. Never, in any area of my life, have I ever felt inadequate, until tonight. I'm going to bed so that it will be over.

10.09.2008

Thankful Thursday!

This week I have been very stressed out. My brother's hours at work just got cut back and he's only working 1 day a week, because business is so slow. My little brother hasn't had a job since May, and while he's just starting college and doesn't need to be working, he needs the extra money to play with.

In our current economy, I am truly thankful to be employed. Not only am I thankful to have a job, but I am so grateful that I have a job I love and co-workers who I feel are more friends than anything. All over the country small businesses are closing, and it's a scary thing to think about. Our little restaurant has some of the best guests in the world!

10.05.2008

Things I'm +ing!

1. Autumn! My favorite season! The smell, the cool crisp air, the colors. I went jogging for an hour today (which i never do) simply to have a reason to be outside. While running I listened to The Tudors soundtrack which made the whole "♥ing autumn" thing even more magical!

2. My parents house. I ♥ how they always have milk in the house and at least 6+ different cereals to choose from at any given moment. I ♥ that there's always have scented candles lit. Now that it's autumn, I especially ♥ Home Sweet Home and Cinnamon Stick. They make me feel like I'm home when I smell them! Lastly, cleanliness. My mom raised us to clean for a white glove test, even in places no one would think to wipe a white glove. I used to hate it, and wondered why I needed to dust the wood trim on the bottom of my dresser, or wipe down the floor boards behind the bookcase, or dust off the light bulbs in my ceiling fan, but now I appreciate it. I love coming home to a clean, uncluttered, smells-good-like-bleach--Pledge-and clean laundry house. It takes the worries of the world right away!

3. Busy season at work. More people are making more reservations and willing to wait up to 2 hours for a table! This means more shifts for staff members, all leading up to more money for me!

5. My little brother always knowing when I need a "wingman" or a "code red" when it comes to guys. He's so observant of these types of things. I'm not good at expressing feelings, or putting my thoughts into words, so it's nice that we have ESP and he just knows what I need, even if it's just a friend.




6. Knowing the Holidays are just around the corner!

10.03.2008

Old Dogs, New Tricks



Tonight my mom and I had a little girls night! We went and ate at Pey Wey and then saw Nights in Rodanthe.


The first time Richard Gere came onto the screen, I heard a little "click" coming from behind me. I disregarded it, but after hearing it EVERY SINGLE TIME Richard Gere was in frame by himself I heard the "click"!

I turned around to see what it was and behind me were 2 women, mid to late seventies and one was taking pictures of Richard Gere with her cell phone!!! I burst out laughing and told my mom, who then had the same reaction!


What made it so great is that it wasn't a real "take-out-your-cell-phone-and-snap-a-quick-shot" kind of instance. It's not as if Richard Gere was actually standing there in person, he was on a movie screen! Sweet old ladies, bless their hearts! haha


PS the best was when the phone clicked 4 times during the "sex scene." OMGROFL!

10.01.2008

just breathe

"it's that time when the air is lighter...the sky brighter
when leaves dance across sidewalks and float like magic.
when the smell of warm candles makes everything better...
when nature takes a breath...and exhales softly.

it's that time when the fantasy of summer ends...the grass mends.
when holidays with friends and family are just around the bend...
when sweaters warm the skin...and sunsets warm the soul.
when we all get a little closer...even when far away.
call it what you like...autumn or fall...
but "It's that time."

-K.B.