Friday, January 30, 2009

RIP Alex. :(

Oh, Alex…silly man…why oh why didn’t you see that enormous tree come crashing down on you before it was too late?! I remember the first time I saw you on McLeod’s Daughters. You were wearing your standard cowboy hat, and cutoff sleeved denim shirt (with that creepy little tattoo in full view). You were kinda sweaty (and not in a nice male way, more like an icky sweaty man way). What I’m trying to say is, your character initially repulsed me (and by “character” I mean your total package). When you got together with Tess I was completely disgusted, and wondered what she could possibly have seen you. Sure you were the size of a Titan, but you were also dumb as a post and repugnant. A few seasons went by, however, and you grew on me (although I still never found you attractive). I actually learned to love your character (I mean “character”). Alex, Alex, Alex…I’ll never again hear you say “Right-O” or “Alright”, never again see that confused, slightly dazed expression (I was never sure if that was a character trait or bad acting), and I’ll never see that dainty tattoo again. I mean, I’ll see (and hear) these in repeats, but it won’t be the same. I’ll always know that you were crushed by a tree (if you’d been smarter maybe you would have moved out of the way, hmmm?)

Rest in Peace, Alex…at least you’re with your long lost love, Claire, now. In retrospect I wish your brother Nick had been the one to die, not you (if only you had gotten the amnesia plot and not him). I’m sure if your adoptive father, Harry, were still around (if he hadn’t died by the murderous hands of his estranged second wife) he’d feel the same way. He always liked you best, too.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Favorite Conversations/Quotes From the Last Week!

Sarah: Julie, we miss you like a crack addict misses his pipe. Like a fingerless bulimic misses her laxatives. Like a Molly Mormon misses her scrap booking embellishments. Let's just say you're an addiction and we need a fix.

Amy: She looks like a mail order bride!
Sarah: Yeah, emphasis on the "male"!

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Happy Birthday Baby!!

Dearest Hannah-kins,

Sixteen years ago today you were born (and thereby officially made my life complete). I am so proud to have you as a little sister; you are definitely my favorite person around!! That being said, I have compiled a list of the top ten best things about you. There are way more than ten fantastic things about you, but for the sake of time (and energy) I am only listing ten.

• You are unique. One might even say eccentric (in fact I believe I have on more than one occasion). You wouldn’t know how to be like every other unoriginal, obnoxious, one dimensional teenage girl if you tried. This is definitely a good thing! I love your ability to make something out of nothing. You see the potential in every situation and object. I don’t have that trait, and I kinda envy it.

• Your exceptional looks. Well, obviously! ;) Beauty clearly runs in the family.

• Your courage and optimism. I don’t think I know anyone as brave as you (child or adult). Your first sixteen years have been rough, but you handle it all!! I would have whined long ago about the unfairness of being sick and the constant hospital stays, but you hardly ever complain (about being sick that is..you complain about a lot of other things, hahaha). You spend your time pondering on the next happy event or cool toy/music/movie, and you catch everything life throws at you.

• Your height. Yes, you are tiny (we can’t deny that) but, how cool is that!! You’re pocket sized for our convenience! ;D Think of it this way: when you’re my age you can wear the highest heels around without having to worry about being taller than your date.

• Your teasability factor and good humor. I know what you’re thinking: you don’t have any good humor. Well that’s where you are wrong! Let me assure you that you are full of good humor!!! I enjoy teasing you above anyone else I know; you always have the best reactions, no matter how silly (or sometimes mischievous) my jokes can be. I also love how much you enjoy my teasing, while still occasionally getting mad at Anthony for saying the same thing. Hehe. That’s amazingly enjoyable!!!

• Your excellent taste. When I think about the possibility of being stuck with a bratty, Britney Spears listening, “Step it Up” watching, pre-teen book reading, spoiled little sister, I thank my lucky stars that I’m stuck (er, I mean “blessed”) with you. You are an amusing, sensitive, Bob Dylan listening, John Steinbeck reading, critically acclaimed film watching, and only sometimes spoiled cutie!

• Your intelligence. You are smart!! Outrageously so. Trust me; there is no way I could have a dumb sister. It’s just not possible. :D

• Your orneriness. You are not always in a pleasant mood (this really should not come as a surprise to you). Your cranky behavior is part of who you are. You need the spunkiness in order to get through all your trials. Even though it may occasionally cause a slight irritation with the rest of us, it’s part of who you are and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

• Your kindness, sensitivity and general loving behavior. You are a nice kid. Really, I mean it! You have everyone wrapped around your little finger (literally in Anthony’s case). You care about people, and no matter how many presents we all buy you, you remain one of the least spoiled kids I have ever met. I don’t know how that’s possible, but it is.

• Your adorableness. Seriously, you have to be the cutest person I have ever, or will ever, meet. Everyone says so. I even kinda like your Prednizone cheeks. I know I joke about them eating your face, but they really are cute and pinchable!

So, in a nutshell these are the top ten reasons why I love you (and why you are my favorite no matter what Sarah and Anthony say). And one more thing…our family would not be the same without you. My life would be incomplete without you. Knowing you and caring for you, have shaped the person I have become. Thank you for giving me perspective in my life, and (hopefully) providing me with a less selfish outlook. Thank you for being my sister.

What I’m trying to say, is that you complete me (I mean us).

Love,

Leah (your favorite sibling)

p.s. Cooper likes me more than you. ;P
p.p.s. I will kick your trash at bowling this evening. That’s a promise!
p.p.p.s. I’ll call you in five minutes…no, better yet you call me!!
















Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Le Lettere Da Casa

Dearest Whitney-kins (Sorella Nelson),

The last week has brought about quite a few changes (like a flat tire, flooding, more neighbor parking problems and anger management issues). Goings are slow (and by “slow” I mean stagnant) and tiresome. Auditions for your replacement are not progressing as well as expected, and previous applicants have been dropped by the wayside. Sarah and I are forging friendships (very slowly though, so as not to disturb the natives) with limited success, and have done a fantastic job at alienating once favored individuals. Or are they alienating us this month? I can never keep track… Freak outs (not my own) are at maximum warp speed capacity and the engines “canna take it cap'n”. My engines, not theirs…well, maybe theirs. Patience is at an all time low, while aggravation and dejection have reached heights rivaled only by Mount Everest. No need to worry; these things generally fix themselves. Heart to heart discussions remain favorable (but you know I only remember the negative), and interesting insights have been brought to light. Psychic roommate predictions have actually come to pass (maybe I should listen when people say, “I don’t think you should worry”).

I trust you are well (adjusting to those skirts yet?) and have not been harassing the elders overly much. Just enough, right? Remember: do not overindulge in froot loops! Sean warned you what could happen. Quite graphically if I recall correctly. I have great faith in you (in your missionary service, your amazing capacity to accommodate to your surroundings, your marvelous compassion and love for your fellow women…and men I guess). I love you and miss you. Hopefully the intense pain (not unlike the sensation of being stabbed) caused by your absence will ease over time. Say hello to the owls for me.

Love,

Leah

p.s. Remind me to tell you about the dream I had. Weird stuff.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

I <3 Angry Neighbors (and Poorly Constructed Storm Drains)

January 7th, 2009

6:30 a.m.

Sarah and I walked out to the car, preparing to leave for the day, only to find that our car is completely blocked in our driveway by two of our neighbors' cars. Realizing it was either "B" or "C" who was blocking us in, we (with Amy's help) began ringing doorbells, knocking, calling our property manager and (as a last resort) honking our horn. Result: no one answered the door or came to help. As time flew on, Amy was able to give me a ride to work and Sarah had someone pick her up.

7:30 a.m.

Amy finally talked to the property manager (who was very angry), who later called every townhouse to tell them to move their cars.

7:30 p.m.

Sarah and I finally arrived home for the evening. Mild water backup had begun to pool around our car, front door and garage. We are irritated but not worried.

8:30 p.m.

Amy came home and unfortunately had to wade through standing water to get to the front door.

8:45 p.m.

Armed with the only tools we had available to us (two garbage can lids, a ladle, a car broom/scraper and a camera), we began scooping water out, digging a trench to rid the water down the muddy hill, calling the property manager and taking pictures. All our actions were relatively futile. Amy and I tried to pry the grate hiding the drain up, with little success.

9:15 p.m.

Sean arrived (in dress clothes), pried the grate off annd began scooping leaves and rocks out of the drain. With a ladle. :)

9:30 p.m.

Water drained (mostly) and we all head inside the house. Jokes and giggles ensued, and Sean remarked that he, "misses living with us girls because we're so fun".

12:15 a.m.

Sarah is woken up by the ringing of the doorbell, yelling and banging on the door (I was unable to recognize that the yelling is originating from our front door) Sarah walked downstair only to hear the guys yell, "She's coming! Run!"

7:00 a.m.

We opened the front door only to discover that the boyfriends of the girls in "C" have intentionally parked in front of our car. Two calls to the property manager later, they moved their vehicle. Ten minutes later, they have moved the car back (before we had a chance to move our car). Another call, and we finally get our car out!

I really wonder what this evening has in store for us??

Pictures From Parties (Events) Past.

I have neglected to post any pictures from any of my recent parties or outings, so here they are. Enjoy!

Jingle Bell Run







New Year's Eve









My Birthday





Whitney's Last Dance

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Secrets, Lies and Irritations

I am really starting to wonder if my judgment is off. I mean REALLY off! I have always been under the impression that I was a good judge of character. Not stellar, but good. A solid eight on a scale of one to ten. Recently, however, I have been seriously caught off guard by back stabbing behavior, sour moods, lying (or if not outright lies, the omission of basic truths) and other various shenanigans. I will admit that my understanding of other women is lacking (and as a result I have often been hurt by their behavior), but I am usually a solid ten on my judgment of men. This is probably mostly due to the fact that my view of men is generally low, and for anyone to get in my good graces you have to really impress me. Recently, however, I’ve begun to wonder if I can get a handle on anyone’s personality! Or their morality.

You should know that there are only so many chances left; choose them wisely! I’m getting less impressed by the second.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Pessimism Thy Name is Leah...

Just when I thought it was safe to abandon my “glass half empty” philosophy, something comes along to bite me in the ass. I wonder why I have to be proved wrong (right?) on my birthday? Seriously? It couldn’t have waited a week?

At least I only turned 23 today! Hehe… ;)