Tampon Plumbing

Scenario: A bathroom sink that won't drain, no ability to move the pipes, no way to see what the problem is because of the mucky water in the drain.

Solution: After putting the bathroom sink on full restriction for a week the full water basin finally drained to reveal a drain pipe that was still full of water. It was deep enough that paper towels would rip if put down there, but small enough that a washcloth or rag wouldn't fit. What were we to do? After a quick brainstorm I realized that we had just emptied out the PERFECT solution from underneath the sink. Ladies, gentlemen, I give you tampon plumbing.

Contents: Tampons + Wire hanger = a plumbing solution that even MacGyver would applaud! And by the way? It worked.

Krysten's Bridal Shower

My little sister is getting married this summer, let the festivities begin! As the maid of honor I had the opportunity to plan the family bridal shower. It was a blast getting in touch with family we haven't seen in a while as well as putting my event planning skills to the test. All in all it was a successful party and even if I'm just speaking for myself, I had a blast! Thanks to Allison, Laurie, Dad, Grannie, Mom, Becca, Taylor, Hollie, and all who helped set up, bring food, and take down. And finally, congrats to you Krys-- love you and Austin!

The sisters. Love these ladies!

Mom, Aunt Claudia, Allison, and Emery

Austin's mom, Lisa with Grannie

Krysten chewing on tootsie rolls... a consequence for a missed question on "The Newlyweds Game". For the record, of 19 questions she got 16 correct, including a question that asked Austin which famous person would he want to meet if he could. I thought his response of Bret Michels was completely random... it turns out Krysten knows her fiance quite well! Not only did she get Bret Michels correct, she also knew Austin's favorite color, candy bar, memorable date, favorite features, favorite song, etc. Well played, well played.

Grannie and Aunt Frannie

Emery mugging for the camera--how cute is this mini?!

The fam

Krys with both moms

Love you sister!

Ellie

In April we ventured to the Humane Society of Utah to see if we could find our own little bundle of joy. We were looking for something that was independent, fairly quiet, and would be instantly cuddly. Knowing that these requirements automatically eliminated children, dogs, and most other humans, we headed to the Humane Society in search of a kitten.

Never having been there we walked in not knowing what to expect. We'd heard rumors from friends and family that this place was horrible--bad people, bad animals, bad all around. In our opinion, that couldn't be FARTHER from the truth! We love the Humane Society because it was there, in cat tower I, that we met Ellie.

We wandered over to the kittens and Becca saw her first. She reached into the cage and pulled out a scruffy ball of fluff that was shivering, timid, but very cuddly. Immediately the tiny kitten nuzzled into Becca's neck and fell asleep. "This is the one! I'm ready to go!" Becca declared within 30 seconds. I wasn't sold yet and wanted to make sure that we had checked all options.

While Becca held her miniature puff I wandered the cat cages in the Humane Society. There were so many cats that needed a home, which one was mine? I returned to the main entrance area and was again informed by Becca that "mine" had already been found and was currently resting in her lap. After I spent a little more energy in focusing on that kitten I realized that, as usual, Becca was right--- this was our cat! She was quiet, cuddly, and all that we had been looking for in a companion for our home. We got the adoption papers squared away and walked out toting our 3 month old Siamese mix, now named Ellie.

Now almost two months later we are realizing that "timid" and "quiet" are not the right words for this little personality! Like her moms, Ellie is hyper, lovable, fun, funny, independent, and affectionate. Unlike her moms, she adores eating all paper products, jumping in toilet bowls, raiding for scraps in the garbage can, biting bare toes, and climbing up our backs like she is Stallone in "Cliffhanger". We'd wanted quiet and got so much more, but in all reality we got more than we'd even wanted. This kitten is a wonderful addition to our home and acts as a constant companion (even when at times unwanted!) to our daily routines.

If you're thinking about getting a pet we urge you to think about adopting from a rescue shelter--it turns out that she has helped us more than we could ever have helped her!

In the bookcase. We can't decide whether we love this or hate it--love because it's hilarious to watch, or hate because it's naughty. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree...

Paper = Crack

She is obsessed with the shower

Roamin' around

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon...

Ellie misses the school year because she LOVES helping mom grade!

In this case it is the teacher saying, "I'm sorry, but my cat ate your homework!" Oh well...

Tired

Vogue.
Strike a pose...

Dana Scully

We fell in love instantly, I loved how sleek and shiny she was and how nice she looked on the inside as she did out. We met online and after only a few minutes I knew she was the one! I pulled out my phone and immediately dialed her number. Ring, ring ring...I waited with baited breath hoping to hear her pick up on the other end of the line.

We set up a date for that evening at five o clock. When I arrived to pick her up there were two other suitors checking her out, debating whether or not to purchase her. I knew I had to have her in my life, that we couldn't live without one another so I jumped out of the car, rushed over to her side and gave her an offer she couldn't refuse!

We hit it off right away and after a few brief minutes going over the logistics of our new lives together, Scully and I rode off into the sunset together, to live happily ever after!

After 21 long years of going without, finally a special lady came into my life who has transformed my world and made me so happy!! That's right dear reader, on Friday may 14 I fell in love...WITH MY NEW CAR!!

I named her Scully, Dana Scully after mine and Kath's favorite X-Files character. She is a red 1997 Mazda 626 and I couldn't be happier! That's our love story, I hope you enjoyed it!

Summer time!

We've toured the past, now it's time to detail the present happenings in our lives. This summer Becca and I are both busy doing our part to pay the bills, see the sights, and enjoy the beauty that is Salt Lake City in the summer. Becca is taking a momentary pause from her work at the daycare and is enjoying a change in pace that came in the form of nannying for a 5-year-old. She is also super pumped to be taking a 7:30am MATH CLASS this summer. While her summer events have included running a 5K, hiking, purchasing her first car (see below), and reading like a maniac, the biggest event she will be ringing in is her 21st BIRTHDAY on JUNE 12. Should be a doosie! :)

Kathy is enjoying a BREAK from her master's program at the University of Utah and having fun teaching Public Speaking and Argumentation at the U of U. When she's not teaching she is at the National MS Society helping her boss et al get ready for Bike MS 2010. She's also helping to plan a wedding and trying to get a decent enough workout schedule going to look amazingly hot in the maid of honor dress she'll be sporting in July!

In between our "must do's" we find that there are the "have to's". While we MUST go to work, do lesson plans, prep weddings, etc., we find a lot of joy in taking time out for ourselves this summer and focusing on the "have to's"--- the things we HAVE to do to stay sane! Here are some of our recent adventures:

This Tres Leches cake brought a lot of happiness to a lot of people... can anyone say "world peace"? A fun summer dessert for a great LOST finale party.

Get LOST! If you didn't watch the series then you don't get the reference, but this was Kathy's "costume" for the LOST series finale party hosted by Hurley and John Locke... er... Tara and Christin. All six seasons of this show have left me wanting more and for anyone looking for a series to watch, this is the one! Becca was a great sport and joined for the finale party, complete with delicious treats, good friends, and some creative costuming.

The 25th Annual "Living Traditions" Festival... oh how we love the FOOD, DRUMS, and PEOPLE WATCHING that take place here. Summer festivals in the SLC are one of our favorite ways to spend a beautiful Sunday and we were happy to have our friends Keriann and Alex join us. To the papusas, Taiko drums, hawaiian shaved ice, and iced coffees--GRACIAS, DANKASHUN, MERCY, and THANK YOU!

Captain Underpants

Some stories require their own blog and this is one of them. Without a doubt one of the most memorable moments of Spring 2010 (semester) was the story that I am calling "Captain Underpants". As a graduate teaching fellow at the University of Utah I have the opportunity of teaching classes for undergraduates in the Department of Communication. Spring semester blessed me with the particular opportunity to teach at 7:30am.

With a teaching assignment this early it meant that I often traveled from home to classroom without seeing other humans on the way. During the second week of class--I repeat: SECOND WEEK--I was teaching my students about something that required me to write on the board in lengthy statements.

Although I didn't know my students very well at this point I was surprised at their snarky behavior that Friday in the classroom. They were avoiding eye contact with me and whispering to each other behind my back. I couldn't help but worry that it was going to be a rough semester!

Class finally ended and a timid student approached me.

"Um, Kathy?" she asked.

"Yeah, what's up?" I smiled, ready to change the future for any student willing to give me the time of day.

"Um, I think... that... um... that... I think that... you might... um... I think you have a hole in your pants", she stammered.

Immediately my first reaction was to reach my hand behind me and feel the seat of my pants to gauge the size of this hole. To my horror and great delight my student was in fact very wrong. I did NOT have a hole in my pants, but rather had a GAPING CHASM running from top pocket to bottom. A total of four inches of ripped jeans gaped open to reveal my bottom, underwear and all. As I have since told my advisor, at least I'm willing to BARE ALL in class.

Leaving class I immediately texted Becca as well as my cohort buddies to let them know about my teaching debacle. Each reaction was the same and went something like this:

"It can't be THAT bad".

To that reaction, one that I'm sure you're probably sharing, I post this evidence:


So, yes... it WAS "THAT BAD!"

Being a Friday I had two more classes to teach. Becca was running errands and I couldn't get to my car in time to change into gym clothes. So as not to sexually harass the student body of the University of Utah I chose to go with the 7th grade "period sweatshirt wrap around the waist" move that was so often utilized in junior high. (Ladies, you know the one I'm speaking about!!)

As for Monday, when 7:30am rolled around again I started the class off with a powerpoint they will never forget. With Becca's help we put together a slideshow of celebrities who are constantly baring too much: Lady GaGa, the Naked Cowboy in Times Square, Richard Simmons, Tom Cruise in "Risky Business", etc. Then I simply asked the class, "What do all these people have in common?" Answer: They all lack a community of caring people who will kindly tell them:

"HEY YOU! YOUR UNDERPANTS ARE SHOWING!!!!"

Movin' for a Cause!

In April Becca and I joined our friend Gina at the Gateway mall for this year's Salt Lake City 5K race. All proceeds go to the Huntsman Cancer Institute, so we showed up in support of Team Mom. It was Becca's first 5K and my first time in a race since last year's half marathon... needless to say it was great pounding the pavement again!

Rise, shine, and wait for the TRAX

Post run and feeling fine

Then in May my family Raced for the Cure through the streets of Salt Lake City. I've never done this before and I must say that it was highly emotional for all of us who participated. Having both family and friends who have been affected by breast cancer my family decided to show up and walk.

Krys, I know you hate this picture but really it's quite adorable!

I walked to celebrate Momma Bacon, my friend's mom who was recently diagnosed

They all walked for someone too. Pretty powerful stuff.