Don't Fret, My Loyal Readers

I will be in Lake Powell for the next week so I will not be blogging. Don't worry. I've left you a few funny YouTube videos to keep you entertained.

Glitter is the Herpes of Craft Supplies

Warning: contains one curse word. (Which one? Watch and find out).


For more stand up with Demetri Martin, click HERE.

Tomaaaaaco

For more information about Black Sheep, click HERE.

Alina's Blog

One of my oldest and dearest friends, Alina, finally started a blog. It's entitled, "Random Ramblings of a Wandering Spirit." The title pretty much says it all. To view it, click HERE.

The Simple Life

Over the past few months I've been trying to simplify my life . . . Getting rid of all the unnecessary things that I really don't need. Now, that doesn't mean that I've gotten rid of everything extravagant. In fact, I've spent a ridiculous amount of money since I got out of school. But, I'm doing okay. Here's some of my accomplishments:

• Canceled my HBO. Definitely didn't need it. In fact, most of the time I don't even miss it.


• Canceled my gym membership. Probably did need it, but definitely don't miss it. The gym membership actually caused a lot of undue stress. I was always worried about when I was going to fit it in, now I don't need to. Plus, I have a treadmill at my house that was just collecting dust. Now it's being used (sometimes).


• Placed several of my bills on automatic withdrawal. This has been very nice especially since postage increased to 41 cents. What a rip off!!


• Cleaned my closet. When I bought my house I intended to go through all my clothes and only move the things I wanted, but I was so stressed about moving in that this didn't happen and I ended up bringing everything with me. Well, almost two years later, I decided it was time to clean. Here are a few pictures of all the stuff I got rid of:

Not only have I gotten rid of several things, but I haven't added several things. Things I've wanted but have restrained from getting:

• Internet. Would make life more convenient, but only allow myself to use internet at work (and now that work is out, at my parent's house).


• Chair in last post. I like it and it would fit perfectly in my upstairs reading area, but I'm putting it off.


• Guitar Hero. This is kind of like the internet. I know if I got it, I would waste so much time playing it. (I'd rather waste my time watching TV).


• Backyard accessories. I really wanted to plant a flower garden in my flower beds and put up a nice border separating my flower bed from my grass, but I've decided not to. I weeded the flower bed and my lawn is neatly mowed so it looks nice, just flowerless.

Summer Fun

Alina with the movie, Dance with Me.

She made us watch it. Thank you, Alina.

Thank you for introducing me to such a cinematic work of art.

Alina, me, Jared, and Matt playing Nintendo Wii.

Jared and Matt are better tennis players than

Alina and me in actual reality and virtual reality.

On the other hand, Alina can kick their butts in boxing.

This is a horrible picture of me - I look pregnant.

I'm thinking of purchasing this chair. Any comments?

Lesli and Me at our stake's Relief Society Circle of Sisters

Me wearing a bonnet. Most of you know how much a love bonnets.

Katrina ditched work on Friday so we could go to Gateway

for shopping, lunch, and Oceans 13.

Flower Child

Last week I told my mom I'd plant flowers in her flower garden. I also had told my aunt that I'd babysit Zack. I decided to kill two birds with one stone and have Zack help me plant the flowers. Now he's only three so he was more a hindrance than a helper, but he was a cute helper. I'd ask him to bring me things and he'd reply, "Coming right up." It was hilarious. Where did he learn that phrase? Anyway, here's a few pictures of us:

The great thing about planting flowers for my mom was that I got all the extra flowers for my house. Here's me planting some pots in my backyard.

Carnival Fun

On Saturday, June 9th, my ward hosted a regional activity for YSA. Usually these are really lame, but my ward hosted a carnival - it was a big success. There was plenty to do - BBQ, concert, volleyball tournament, darts, ring toss, dunking booth, dancing, Guitar Hero, Nintendo Wii, cotton candy. Yep, pretty much everything carnivalesque. Here's a few pics:

Me & Christi

Me & Alina playing Guitar Hero. Yes, I am singing.

Me & Alina enjoying delicious cotton candy.

School's Out for Summer

I finished my last day of school on June 6th. I had been waiting for that day to come for months, but when it did, I found myself a little sad about it. That's never happened before (feeling sad about the school year ending). Although this school year started out very badly (a large part of that was not school related), it ended very well. In fact, I think this is the best school year I've ever had.

I've gotten over feeling bad about the school year ending - now I'm feeling bad about all the money I've spent in the past two days. Without a job to go to, I've been shopping. You may be asking, "What's the damage?" $700.00 - If this rate of spending keeps up, I'll have spent next year's salary before I start next year. Some of the purchases were necessary; most were not:

• Two very expensive lunches - not necessary, but fun.
• Jewelery - Not necessary, but very fashionable.
• Pedicure - Again, not necessary.
• Picture frame - Necessary. It is a gift.
• Clothes - This one's debatable. I'm going with necessary. Necessary because I bought a new skirt a few weeks ago, but didn't have anything to go with it. Now I do.
• Home decor - Not necessary at all; nevertheless, it's mine now.
• Plane ticket to Newark - Now, many of you may be saying, "Mandy, don't you already have a plane ticket to Newark this summer?" The answer is yes. I bought another one. I now fly into Newark on July 11th, back to Salt Lake on July 16th, back to Newark on July 24th, and finally, back to Salt Lake on August 8th. It is crazy, but it will be fun.
• Oil change - Very necessary; I was pretty much driving with no oil.

Have vowed to go on spending fast. Please ask me about it from time to time to ensure that I am keeping spending to a minimum.

Tee/Tea Time

Last Friday I went to the best bridal shower ever. It was for my lovely friend, Shelli, and hosted by two of the greatest party planners, Ali and Sandra. The bridal shower began with Tee Time at Mulligan's Golf Course where we hit a bucket of balls. It was loads of fun. The bad news - After a winter of inactivity, I'm really sore. The good news - After a winter of inactivity, my golf swing still looks pretty good.

After our Tee Time at Mulligan's, we had our second Tea Time at a Garden Tea Party. Cucumber sandwiches and raspberry tea - what could be better? It was an idyllic time.

Nice form.

Me and Shelli

Delicious!!

Good Friends / Good Family

Good Friend: Lesli and me at the Ballet

Good Friends: Val, me, and Alicia at T.J.'s birthday dinner

Good Family: Adam, me, and Louis

I have the best brothers ever. Obviously, they didn't want to take this picture with me, but I wanted a picture with them and since they love and adore their older sister, they cooperated. Kyle (not pictured) is also a fantastic brother. I've missed him a lot lately, even though in the past two weeks I think we've spent close to three hours on the phone.