Popcorn Cake

I got an email from my friend Melissa asking when she was going to get her popcorn cake so I went over to my moms to make some popcorn cakes. I love that my family's Christmas tradition has become a tradition for her also.

fran healy on how to write a song

This is so beautiful but at the same time makes me a little sad.

Happy Birthday Dad

My dad turned 65 Friday December 7th and for his present I decided to give him what really makes him happy food. Saturday my parents along with myself and two Brothers Mark & Eric made our way out to Lo Lo's in Phoenix for some good old southern food. We got there at a good time and did not even have to really wait. Notice in the pictures Marks plate he and my dad got the same thing and decided to see who could finish it. It was three pieces of fried chicken, two (thin) waffles, scrambled eggs with cheese and a bowl of grits. Neither of them finished their grits Mark tried to pretend that he liked them (that is why I was taking pictures of him trying to catch his yum face). It was a lot of fun and my dad got to see where Amare Stoudemire signed their wall. You might wonder how he knew Stoudemire had signed the wall, well when I told him where we were going he googled it. Then on Sunday we were talking about it and my brother Brett was talking a lot about it and I guess he also had googled it. Father like son huh.

Being A Girl Rocks

Recently I have had some experiences that have made me realize two things, first that even though I complain about being a crazy girl, that being a crazy girl has its perks. Second I am 26 and it has been 10 years since I was sixteen.

Experience Number One A few weeks ago I witnessed something that made me miss being a teenage girl. My friends little sister was on her computer and received a message from a boy she liked and could not reply because she was too excited and flustered, it was really cute.







Experience Number Two In the movie Enchanted there is a scene that has singing & dancing full on musical style which I loved, but a friend I have who just happens to be male said at the same point that he wished he had a fork to gouge his eyes out with. At another point in the movie Patrick Dempsey A.K.A Dr McDreamy was doing something rather McDreamy and the women behind me squealed with delight.

Experience Number Three While running some errands for work I drove by a Christmas tree lot and remembered something that happened to me at a Christmas tree lot when I was a freshman in high school. I have to say that the memory made me laugh out loud. My parents, my younger sister Debbie, my younger brother Eric and I all went to go pick out a Christmas tree. After we tell the sales guy which one we want he sends over a guy to take it to our truck. The guy just happens to be a senior at my school and I just happen to have a big fat crush on him. My dad says he is going to go pay and asks if I will show him where the truck is. I am sure my jaw must have been dropped because I was in complete shock and totally embarrassed. But I manage to show him to our truck, but then had some difficulty getting the tailgate open. It was kind of stuck which of course made me even more embarrassed, on top of that my little brother comes walking by signing to himself. At this point Debbie who has just witnessed all this knows she is about to loose it. So she opens the cab of the truck and falls face first onto the seat so she can muffle her laughs. Oh the humiliation of it all thankfully Debbie and I had a good laugh then and when I called her to remind her.

Experience Number Four The other night Mimi came over and Alexis and I were telling her about meeting Travis and of course I got all excited and could not stop smiling again. We also watched some movie clips of Mimi’s boyfriend Henry. It was a great night of smiling, laughing and sharing crazy girl moments.









All these experience have made me realize that even though I might complain about being a crazy girl, that I completely love parts of being a crazy girl. I love having my heart flutter, or not being able to form a coherent thought when a crush is talking to you. Or being with your girlfriends and being so excited and happy that you are screaming, laughing, jumping and squeezing one another. Being a girl rocks! Ok most of the time anyway.

My Eyes

Fran recommended this video for William so William this is for you.

thinking of the words to say

I have been sitting here at my computer trying to find the words to tell you about the best day I have ever had. I thought maybe if I looked at some pictures of the trip it would help but I found myself just staring at the picture of Fran and me in disbelief. It was the most magical day and I think it might just make me happy for the rest of my life. Let me just say I don't expect anyone to read all this but here we go. Russ & Debbie dropped Alexis and I off at the venue around one-ish while they went to visit Russ's brother who lives in LA. Alexis and I decided to walk around and see what we could find. As we came around a corner we saw a tour bus then two more buses farther down. Next I saw the drummer (Neil) crossing the street. I freaked out and started telling Alexis to look. We hesitated for a second but decided to go for it. We went over said hi and told him that we came from Arizona to see them and that they are our favorite band. Then I apologized for being freaked out and he told us not to be freaked that the band would be around all day so there was no need to freak out. He was very nice and had amazing eyes we were stupid and did not think to take a picture with him. Awhile later we saw Dougie and we got the courage to stop him and ask for a picture. He was very nice he even asked if we had any request. We also saw Andy the guitar player and thought he was coming over to the bus but he got in a taxi with a friend and drove away. A while later a crazy bum came over and talked to us and we were uncomfortable so we walked away. While standing on the street corner waiting for the light to change I saw this boy who Alexis had pointed out earlier as coming off one of the other buses. I was pointing to his shoes trying to get Alexis to remember him & trying not to be obvious when Alexis noticed that Fran was standing next to me. The light changed and he started to cross Alexis was trying to let me know with out saying his name but I looked back at the bus so she pointed to him. By now he was in front of us so Alexis called out "Fran" but did not say it loud enough. So I cleared my throat and called a little louder "Fran". He stopped and turned around and I put my hands up in surrender and said we do not want to intrude. Fran said no it is fine, sorry I just woke up. I told him how I wished I had just woken up since we had driven here from Arizona that morning. Then I said something along the lines of sorry but I have just really wanted to say this to you for along time, he smiled and maybe even said something encouraging so I told him that they are my favorite band and thanked him for writing his music and that it means a lot to me. He said thank you and asked if he could sign something for us and that he even had a sharpie. I told him good because I left the one I was planning to bringing on my kitchen counter. But we asked if we could take pictures with him I think he said oh yeah lets do pictures. So I took a picture of Alexis with Fran and then we switched. When Alexis was getting ready to take the picture I tried to stop her so I could ask if I was scrunching my shoulders but she had already pressed the button so I was talking in my first picture. I felt so stupid for talking during the picture I told Fran sorry it is just that I scrunch my shoulders when I get nervous so he began to rub my arm and I being embarrassed tucked my face into his shoulder. Needless to say we took another picture and I could not hide how extremely happy I was. Then Fran asked if he could sign our tickets and told us we could keep the sharpie (he is so sweet). He told us that he thought we would enjoy the show that they had added some improvements and then I think we said good bye. Instead of following him like we wanted to do, we walked back around the corner where Alexis & I started squeezing each other and squealing in delight basically we acted like a couple of 12 year old girls. We called Debbie & she suggested we go get the pictures developed so we could get them signed later and there was even a CVS across the street so we did. Then we got in line for the show, Debbie and Russ showed up pretty soon with Dinner. When we got in they only let a certain number into the pit which was amazing because it was not crowded at all. But the security guards tried to take our signed tickets from us. It did not take them long to realized there was no way they were going to pry the signed tickets from our dead hands. So they let us keep them.
The show was amazing Fran’s voice is incredible, their harmonies are incredible, Andy is unbelievable on the guitar, and Dougie is delightful with his hips and dimples. Set list played as written:
-Selfish Jean
-Eyes Wide Open
-Writing to Reach You
-Love Will Come Thru
-Re-Offender
-As You Are
-My Eyes
-Pipe Dreams
-Beautiful Occupation
-Side
-Driftwood
-Good Feeling
-Closer
-Sing
-All I Wanna do is Rock (I am not sure if this is when the were suppose to play this but Russ & I both yelled All I Wanna Do Is Rock & then they played it.)
-Turn

E: 20 -unplugged
E: Flowers in the Window
E: Humpty Dumpty
E: Why Does it Always Rain on Me?
Here are some pictures from the show.

After the show we waited forever for them to come out but the wait was absolutely worth it. Debbie and Russ got to meet Fran and Dougie also and we got to get our pictures signed. Debbie told Fran how her son William loves the song My Eyes & Closer and Fran talked to her about his son it was very sweet. (I would also like to add that it was Dougies idea to take another picture)
THE END

Travis - Tony Boney

The day is almost here and the excitement is killing me. Tomorrow Debbie, Russ, Alexis and I are driving to California to see Travis in concert and I feel like it is Christmas Eve. To share my excitement I decided to post my favorite clip from my Travis video. It is of Fran & Dougie just messing around in their hotel, and all I have to say is I LOVE FRAN, enjoy.

Smile Like You Mean It

One of my guilty pleasures is sometimes I watch America’s Next Top Model (I know, judge me if you will). Last week one of the models made me laugh pretty hard. It was while she was being criticized for smiling in a music video they shot with Enrique Iglesia when she was not supposed to be smiling. Her defense was simply “Enrique smiled at me”. I loved it probably because I can totally sympathize with her. There are many things that make me smile and good looking boys are definitely one of them. With it being Thanksgiving and all I have decided to list some of the things that make me smile.

A lot of my favorite things I have already posted on them so I won’t repeat myself and other are just obvious so I will try not to bore you.
Shannon Hale is one of my new favorite authors. I am currently in the process of reading all her books and everyone I have read so far I have loved. I have recently discovered something else that makes me smile. Weight Watchers makes these ice cream bars that are dipped in Oreo crumbs they are really good and best of all they are only 140 calories. I looked for boots for ever and I finally found a pair that I liked and I have to admit that I really like them, which I kind of feel bad about. I would love to hear what things make you smile.

Liz on top of the world

Set your Tivo's Starting in January 2008, Masterpiece Theatre (PBS) will be airing films of all six Jane Austen novels. Most of the remakes are new and have never been shown in the United States. You can check out more here.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/austen/




When I was younger around the age of eleven or twelve I loved to stay up late on Saturday nights and watch whatever black and white movie PBS was playing. One night PBS played Pride & Prejudice (the 1940 version with Greer Garson & Laurence Olivier). I loved Elizabeth with her sharp whit & pert opinions and of course was smitten with Mr. Darcy. The funny thing was I had never heard of Pride & Prejudice and did not realize it was even based off a book. Then a few years latter the BBC version came out all 300 glorious minuets. It was incredible going from an almost two hour movie to a five hour movie. For Christmas the next year I asked for all of Jane Austen’s books.

I have always felt a sort of kinship towards Jane Austen, and I think I know why now. Jane and I have something interesting in common. Jane came from a family of six boys and two girls, just like mine. Anyone who knows anything about Jane Austen knows how close she was to her older sister Cassandra. In their mother's words, "if Cassandra's head had been going to be cut off, Jane would have hers cut off too". Finding this out about Jane just helped me understand why I love her and her stories so much.

I could not add some pictures for all to enjoy.

Side note: If you like Jane Austen movies you should check out BBC’s North & South.

Two Worlds Colliding

This morning I got an amazing gift from my good friend Mimi and I would like to share this amazing gift with you.


Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined my two TV boyfriends sitting side by side at a hockey game (I love to play ice hockey). I told Mimi that I am not sure what I would have done if I had happened to been there, I can only imagine one of two things either fainting or exploding. Well I hope you all enjoy, make sure to thank Mimi for her awesome gift, we love you Mimi.

Holding out for a Hero

Peter Petrelli is right up there with Edward (as in Edward Cullen the vampire)in my eyes. I know some of you are shocked and are having your doubts but let me just say I could go on and on about why I feel this way but you should just watch the show to find out for yourself.

back in the day

My sister in law Alison with the help of her parent's (I think) put some of my parent's old slides onto a CD. So this weekend my mom, Debbie and I had a lot of fun looking at the pictures, most of the pictures Debbie and I had never seen.

Here I am with my five older brothers Ryan, Clint, Kent, Mark and Brett. For those of you who knew that my dad said I looked like a line backer when I was a baby you now know why.

While looking at this photo first my mom commented on how it was the beginning of our special bond. When I was a toddler my mother asked my grandma "did you love me as much as you love Connie?" my grandmother responded "no, but you did not love me as much as Connie does." Debbie commented how funny it is that I look so much the same. She pointed out the bags under my eyes, which I still have. My mom also said something how my skin was so sensitive that I had a rash when they brought me home. I said "was so sensitive" funny to think some things never change.

Some may not know that since I was about eleven years old I have been told that I look like Reese Witherspoon. And while looking at this picture my mom said "wow you really look like Reese in that picture".

What do you think?

"Children of the same family, the same blood, with the same first associations and habits, have some means of enjoyment in their power, which no subsequent connections can supply..." ~Jane Austen, Mansfield Park, 1814

Last but not least, who can guess who these four lovely ladies are?

Well if you guessed Jennie, Julie, Debbie and Connie then you are correct. This was taken at a daddy daughter camp out. After looking at all these pictures the only conclusion I can come to is that I have been blessed with great family and friends.

Ode to the band Travis

Picking a favorite band is not something someone just does. It is something that just happens, kind of like falling in love. It does not work to pick someone and say that is the person I am going to fall in love with. It just happens. I never thought “hum, what band should be my favorite band”. Travis is my favorite band because it is their music and their lyrics that mean the most to me in my life.


Fran Healy once said "sometimes songs are like bookmarks to your life," of course Fran finds away to describe what his songs are to me. So many of Travis’s songs bring me back to different times in my life, good times, time spent with my friends and family. It is funny to think about the conversations I have had about Travis with different friends and how loving Travis has kind of strengthened our friendship. And that is why more than any other band I want to meet Travis, ok mostly Fran, so I can tell him thank you for making his music. I still can not believe that I might get the chance. I have bought my ticket for Travis. They are playing in Arizona but on a Sunday so I am going to their show in L.A. (Wed. November 21 Wiltern Theatre). *Edit I did meet and you can read about it Here!

Here are some of my favorite Travis quotes:

Turn
“We'll never know unless we grow. There's so much world outside the door. I want to sing To sing my song I want to live in a world where I'll be strong”

Safe
“Now lift your head up to the sky. Now you can tell apart the black from the white.”
“And I feel safe I feel so brave. I'm not afraid of anything they've got to say. Don't go astray, you've got to be just who you are.”

Sing
“For the love you bring won't mean a thing unless you sing”

Follow the Light
“Me I'm on the longest road where everything's overload but I've got my heart and soul so don't throw me overboard”


All I Want to Do Is Rock
“Today I'll stay not walk just rock”

Happy
"I'm so happy 'cause you're so happy"

I Heart Jim Halpert

In honor of the new season of The Office I would like to share the reasons why Jim Halpert is the perfect guy for me.

1. Likes Travis (this is number one because I freaked out when I heard the song “sing” playing on his iPod)
2. Is a genius at pranks
3. Does amazing Impressions
4. His Smile
5. Likes and is good with kids
6. He has a big heart. He’s always helping others even if he does not really like them.
7. Plays basketball
8. He is Tall (I can wear heels and he is still taller than me)
8. Sucks at video games
9. He owns a guitar (hopefully plays but I will give him props for trying)
9. His Hair
10. Do I really need another reason??? Fine he is just so dang cute….

Here is one for the road

Video Clips From Concert

New Born

Hysteria

Plug In Baby

Butterflies & Hurricanes

And I'm Feeling Good

Everything about you is so easy to love

My love for Muse started with a mix CD my good friend Lauren Barlow made for my sister Debbie & me. She put two Muse songs "New Born" and a cover of The Smiths "Let me get what I want" by Muse. Now I can not remember when we got the CD for sure but I do remember one day shopping with Debbie & Alexis and while driving around town we listened to New Born at least 5 times in a row. I also remember looking for the album while in Utah (October 2002) but could not find Origin of Symmetry so we bought Sunburn.
Thursday September 20, 2007 I was able to see Muse live in concert and let me just say it was a great show, one of the best concerts I have been to. They played a great set
Knights of Cydonia, Map of the Problematique, Hysteria, Supermassive Black Holes, Butterflies & Hurricanes, Sing For Absolution, Feeling Good, Sunburn, Soldiers Poem, Invincible, Starlight, New Born, Time Is Running Out, Plug In Baby, Take A Bow & Stockholm Syndrome.
I could have not asked for a better set they played the songs that I wanted to hear the most and they rocked hard while they did it. While looking back it was different than other concerts because they didn’t really talk Matt said very little and I only heard him announce one song which was Starlight. And he or the other band members did not interact with the audience they just concentrated on playing and it was amazing. It was kind of like it did not matter that we were there, they would have just have rocked as hard if we were not there, which made it better. Ok as for Matthew Bellamy I said before I saw him in concert that I wanted to have his children and let’s just say that desire has only become stronger. I hope you enjoy the pictures and videos (if I can get them uploaded).