I made Jacksper smile

Alright I am just going to warn you right now this in essence is a Twilight post. I saw some friends were going to go see the band 100 Monkeys in concert here today. Jackson Rathbone aka Jasper Cullen is a member of the band, but since I am way to much of a music snob to go to a concert when I don't know or like the band I wasn't interested in attending. But I saw that they were doing a free show/signing at Zia records at 3 pm. And although I wanted to go and see Jackson smile in person I had to work. But Melissa's little sister Stephanie decided to go, even all by herself because she is that confident and cool. But sadly for Steph the band was TWO hours late & she had plans at four. But luckily for Melissa and I they were two hours late so we went down after work. Just in time to miss the band playing and get in at the end of the line for signings.
When we got up to the band the first guy who I was going to call mohawk but just looked up his name, Jared was waiting. I asked if they were ready for the show tonight, the confirmed they were always ready to rock. Jared then asked my name and I told him Connie, he asked how to spell it. I smiled and said C-o-n-n-i-e Jackson then said something about him not being able to spell. Then Jared said something about how he understands sign language so I spelled my name in sign language and Jared signed something to me and asked if I caught it. "Thank you?" I asked, he then told me he signed thank you & something else which I don't remember. I then told him that I knew how to sing Yellow Submarine as I signed it. Jackson's face lite up with a smile and he shook his head in approval and said yeah. Then Jared began to sign along with me as we sang "we all live in a yellow submarine". It was a cute little moment singing "Yellow Submarine" & signing with the boys. We continued down the line and realized I didn't really get any pictures so I went back in front to get some pictures and Melissa said we should have been recording so we could have got you guys singing Yellow Submarine. They then started signing "Yellow Submarine" so I could get a picture. Aren't they just so cute!

I am happy I got this picture of Jackson smiling and it has Melissa in it! We don't know what the other boy (Ben) was pointing at.
I am not sure what is going on in this picture but I love how interested he looks in what Melissa is saying. This is the first attempt to take the picture of them signing Yellow submarine
But they just held the pose for the second picture. They are cute boys huh.

I am only posting this video for Melissa & Stephanie...I was just trying to see which signature was Jackson's.

The Look of Joy

This year Mimi & Debbie told me at different times that their favorite Christmas song is Christmas Time by Smashing Pumpkins. I listened to the words more carefully, they were both right it is very fitting for how I felt about Christmas day.

My mom has decided to keep her mothers tradition of Christmas breakfast. We all met at my parents house at nine for a wonderful breakfast after everyone was done eating we were sitting around talking. I could not take it any more, I wanted to give my gifts. So I asked are we going to open gifts or what. My dad said they were just waiting for me to tell them it was time. It made me laugh, I guess I always have determined when it was time to open presents. Growing up on Christmas eve we (my siblings & cousins the Porters) would all sleep on the floor in our basement in sleeping bags. I would always wake up first and would try to wait as long as I could before waking everyone else, especially since my older brothers & cousins were not always happy about getting woken up. Well one year when I was still pretty young I came up with a plan I got in my sleeping bag head first started screaming that I was stuck, that woke everyone up. After one of my brothers pulled me out and made sure I was alright, they realized it was morning and that we could open presents. It was a genius plan, no one yelled at me for waking them up.

We watch the children playing Beside the Christmas tree The presents are wrapped up It's beautiful and secretly the gifts still hide The fun awaits for you inside

I remember dreaming Wishing hoping praying for this day Now i sit and watch them The little ones i love so excited by the wait And now the word is given It's time to peek inside It's time to let the toys out So anxious for your look of joy and delight Waiting for just your surprise

In case you didn't realize the words in blue were the lyrics to Christmas Time by Smashing Pumpkins. Here we (me and the kids) doing the Nativity. William was Joseph, Marie was Mary and I was the donkey. I heard Gracie start crying when Marie got on my back but I didn't think much about why.

Here is Gracie as a shepherd chasing after us crying because she wants to ride too.


Don't worry she was happy as soon as she got up on my back and performed the rest of the Nativity sitting on the donkey.

Bryant was a wise man and Conner was another Shepherd. I love this picture.



I love my family so very much, here is my dad dressed up as Santa, he dressed up for the special needs people my parents have spent the last year visiting every Sunday. It was so special to be able to see them love and serve those great people.

My mom asked if she always looks that short next to my dad.

So they didn't have Christmast Time for my little music player so here it is if you wanted to hear it.

Also I wanted to show off my new bookshelves!!! My sister told Mark about how I needed more bookshelves (after he asked something he could do for me). It is missing a couple shelves but don't worry I got an IOU with a card that is framed in the picture below. I am happy the two shelves are coming a little late otherwise I never would have got the awesome card. And I am not even going to explain the card here.

Also look at the beautiful Jane Austen books Debbie got me. Oh how I love them.

Creation

As anyone who reads this blog regularly knows I have a special love for the band Travis. In the booklet for their album The Invisible Band under special thanks it says, "And to you for getting this record. These songs belong to you now." They understand that when you create something that the reaction of that creation is going to be different for each person. Each of us have had different experiences in our lives to make us react differently to art.

When I was a senior in high school I took an art class, a painting class to be exact. Which I loved, of course I was never really good but it was something I enjoyed doing. After high school I continued to paint in my room and stick the paintings in my closet. One day while looking for hangers my mom found my paintings and looked at them. When I came home my mom told me she found my paintings and how much she loved one in particular. It was of a field of grass with a barbwire fence and a blue sky. Sometime later when we were remodeling my moms kitchen we were talking about colors and what she wanted to paint. She brought out my painting and said she wanted me to paint it on her wall. Although I was flattered that my mom had wanted me to do that I refused. It was scary to think about having to see people react to my painting. I think we argued about it for about a month and I don't really remember what persuaded me to change my mind probably a combination of my mother & sister.

Soon after I painted the mural in our dining room we had a bridal shower for my friend Lindsey. I was very uncomfortable as there were going to be a lot of people coming and I would have to watch all of their reactions to the painting. But I kept thinking about my mom and how happy it made her and my nephew Bryant who loved it. He would run along the wall and rub his hand along it like he was feeling the grass. That was enough for me to be happy that I painted it, but I still would always watch to see how others responded.

It is hard to create things and even harder to share those creations. But how glad I am for those who are brave enough to pour their hearts and soul into something and than share it.
In this video Fran Healy from Travis talks about how to write a song. He says "Good songs come from the space between thoughts....it should just come out of darkness and it is light" If you crack open Stephenie Meyer's book New Moon and turn to the acknowledgements you will see "Thank you to the talented musicians who inspire me, particularly the band Muse-there are emotions, scenes, and plot threads in this novel that were born form Muse songs...also...Travis... have been instrumental in staving off the writer's block." When I then think about the many people (particularly women) who have been inspired by Stephenie, it would seem to me that inspiration is like fire, it spreads. Alright when I wrote that I was not thinking about the scriptures in Matthew (chapter 5: 14 - 16) 14 Ye are the a light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your a light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
But it is kind of perfect and when you think about it as a candle it works the same if someone lights their candle (or receives inspiration from your creation) it does not take away your light it spreads & creates more light.
Last year a member of the Presidency of my church President Dieter F. Uchtdorf was addressing the women of the church at a conference for us. In his talk entitled Happiness, Your Heritage He talked about "The work of creation" and said...
Creation brings deep satisfaction and fulfillment. We develop ourselves and others when we take unorganized matter into our hands and mold it into something of beauty.
You may think you don’t have talents, but that is a false assumption, for we all have talents and gifts, every one of us. The bounds of creativity extend far beyond the limits of a canvas or a sheet of paper and do not require a brush, a pen, or the keys of a piano. Creation means bringing into existence something that did not exist before—colorful gardens, harmonious homes, family memories, flowing laughter.
The more you trust and rely upon the Spirit, the greater your capacity to create. That is your opportunity in this life and your destiny in the life to come. Sisters, trust and rely on the Spirit. As you take the normal opportunities of your daily life and create something of beauty and helpfulness, you improve not only the world around you but also the world within you.
I believe truth is universal and those who seek truth can find it everywhere, a song, a poem, a book, a leader, a teacher or a friend. I wanted to thank all those who are brave enough to create and share their creations. You inspire me and make we want to be brave as well.

My Dads B-Day

Happy 67th Birthday Dad!!!
When my dad was younger he was so painfully shy if he saw someone he knew walking down the street he would cross the street so he wouldn’t have to talk to them. But he overcame this and I have spent a lot of time wishing he would stop talking to people so we could go.

My dad loves to scare people, and he has a knack of knowing when the scary moment in a movie will be and either grab or yell to make you jump. Sadly he passed this on to my brother Mark and I now have to be on my guard and watch out for both of them.

My dad loves movies and I find it funny what movies he loves. Some of his favorites are Raising Arizona, O Brother Where Art Thou, Fargo (yeah he likes the Coen Brothers) and Falling Down. If any of these movies are on TV he is watching them. He also likes John Wayne movies; one of our favorites is The Quite Man.

He loves music and passed that on to his children, we all have a knowledge and love for the oldies. I love seeing him watching old concerts or finding old songs on youtube.

My dad might not be politically correct, but he loves and looks at everyone like they are his brothers and sisters. He is always befriending people from all over the world, India or Africa he loves everyone the same. Well maybe not politicians but really who loves politicians?

He especially loves his family, I love watching him with the grandkids he is a great dad & grandpa.

Oh Boy Oh Boy

I was questioned on who my favorite celebrity crushes are by Melissa and I couldn't just email her back. I had to really think about it because if you ask me a question I am going to answer it as truthfully as I can. I asked her if I could have fictional people and she said they have to be real so here are my real actor crushes...

1) James McAvoy...Scottish, amazing eyes & amazing talent.

2. John Krasinski...The closest thing to Jim Halpert this world has to offer.

3. Lee Pace... One tall drink of water.

4. Milo Ventimiglia... Use to watch Gilmore Girls just to see him now I watch Heroes.

5. Taylor Kitsch... Ever since I have watched Friday Nights Light season 2 I have been hooked.

Honorable mention...Sam Worthington

I know Melissa didn't want my fictional list but I actually already wrote this back in June but never posted it...

I was reading a authors blog who had read on some other blogs who were putting up their YA boy crushes. I might have agreed with one on their list but most of them I was shocked and appalled. So I decided to do my own.

These are not really in any order just listed.

The Hunger Games by Suzzane Collins

Peeta/Gale

The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

Jace Wayland/Simon

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Edward Cullen/Jacob Black

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Zane/David

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
Owen Armstrong

The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

Wes

This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen

Dexter

The Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Po (really the only thing I liked about the book)

The Countess Below Stairs by Eva Ibbotson

Sergie (the funny thing about him is he is not even the hero, he is her cousin)

Anne of Greengables by L.M. Montgomery

Gilbert Blyth

Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen

Mr. Darcy

Lord of The Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

Aragorn

Enna Burning by Shannon Hale

Finn

How To Take The Ex Out of Ex-Boyfriend by Janette Rallison

Jesse

Giving Thanks

I went out early to go see if my mom needed any help with making dinner, I did help a little but got distracted with my nieces and nephews. I was outside with William and I was trying to get a picture of him but he turn and ran. I actually love this photo anyway...

Once William heard the door bell he was gone to see which of his cousins were there...
Here are William and Marie talking...I think William is showing Marie a toy spider...
Here are Anna & William hugging, and not because anyone told them too just because they are happy to see eachother...

Hugs all around, aren't they so sweet.

Grandma (my mom) did not only make an entire Thanksgiving dinner, turkey, ham, mashpotatoes, gravy, deviled eggs, cranberry sauce, salad, rolls, veggie tray, corn, green beans, mashed sweet potatos, apricot glaze for the turkey & all the pies (cherry, peacan, pumpkin, chocolate, & butterscotch). She also made sugar cookies for the grandkids so they could make Turkey cookies before dinner. (Does anyone doubt were Debbie gets it?)

Marie
William

Anna

Later I was watching Sleeping Beauty with Gracie. Of course during the song Once Upon A Dream we were dancing. After we sat down right in front of the TV. Gracie soon got up and climbed on my back and decided she wanted to watch the rest of the movie like this...


After awhile she did not get down so I called Debbie to come see. I eventually got tired so I slowly stretched my legs out and got a little more comfortable all with Gracie sitting on my back. I sure do love my nieces and nephews, and all my family too.


Just as a side not here are the Face Punch bags, you may have heard me talking about. My friends and I made them for the New Moon Premier. If you have seen the movie you may get what the bags are in reference to. But the real question is how did we know before the movie came out?
Here I am with my friend Melissa and her sister Stephanie waiting for New Moon.

Mimi (sorry this took me all day to write)

About two and a half years ago I saw Mimi at a party and I invited her to read a book and come to a party with a theme of that book. Up until that point we had never really been anything more than acquaintances because of mutual friends. I don’t think anyone could have guessed what would have come from that little conversation. The friendship that came seemed to take everyone by surprise, including ourselves. (Well maybe not Debbie, she only ever seemed happy)
When I think about all the things Mimi & I have done in the last two and a half years, it seems like we must have been making up for lost time because really we have had some awesome times and made some amazing memories.
We have been to California three times.(Comic Con twice, Disneyland, Beach)
We have seen Muse, Vampire Weekend, & Band of Skulls in concert.

Gone to several book signings (Stephenie Meyer twice, Janette Rallison, Scott Westerfeld, James Dashner & don't forget everyone at Project Book Babe)

Attended The Ballet & The Phoenix Symphony
Attended the Wolverine Premier

I helped Mimi make two winning stop motion videos

We are also our own little book club and have read around 50 books in the last two and a half years. (I wonder how many trips to the Library we have taken?)

It is getting late and I am already posting this a day late but I kind of want to figure out how many movies we have seen as well.

Oh and how can I forget about Pie Night? We had so much fun getting together and watching Pushing Daises and eating pie (with Debbie and Russ of course).

I posted links to the blog posts but there were a couple pictures that were not a part of the original blog posts...Here Mimi & I are at The Breaking Dawn concert if you look three seats down from us you will see the director of Twilight Catherine Hardwick.

I took this picture from the Project Book Babes photos, yep just us hanging with Steph.

Mimi I know it took us awhile to wise up and become friends but it was totally worth the wait. You are the friend I never knew I always needed, thank you for blessing my life and making me laugh every time we talk. Happy Birthday (her b-day was Friday Nov 6th)

Oh and in case you didn't know we are going to LONDON BABY Feb 2010!!! Huzzah!!!

French Lessons

Reasons I want to learn French


This may also be the reason I want to learn to disco dance.

I don't listen to Jack very much anymore but I still do think he is adorable with his surfer ways.


Fran may only be singing a French name the one time, but it still gets me and counts.


Don't worry he sings more French words in this one.


Maybe the above songs made me start listening to full length French songs. I was listening to them in the car and Debbie said "I can't understand what they are saying."


Such a sweet video


Monogrenade


I am so happy to add Muse to my list, sigh. Muse, I do I belong to you.

Happy Making

Tonight at Changing Hands in Tempe the author Scott Westerfeld had a signing for his new book Leviathan. Check out this awesome book trailer, (I am impressed with the narrator he has a very movie trailer voice)

I have not read the book yet (just purchased tonight) but after hearing Scott talk about it, I am super excited. And can I just say it is one of the most beautiful books I have ever seen/own. Just check out the inside. Lovely right?

Some highlights from the signing were...

When Scott was getting ready to show us his awesome book trailer (the envy of all authors(I said this not him)) he was in front of his laptop facing us (the audience) with his back to the screen which a projector was projecting the trailer on. After he got it going he moved and his head and started to cover a good portion of the screen, which made us the audience begin to giggle. Scott then asked "what is going on back there" and turned his head sideways, which the projector caught and he could see his profile covering half the screen. Which of course made everyone laugh more. He said something funny as he moved out of the way and started it again something about watching it with out author face. Britt will tell me, she remembered.

One of my other favorites was a question asked about how he came up with the slang in Uglies like Bubbly making, because he is a man. And I believe his response to the man comment was "spot on" brilliant observation huh. His response just made me laugh.

Debbie will like this, Scott called Tally a butt head.

A girl asked Scott if he received a lot of hate mail about in regards to a certain incident in his Uglies books. Scott said yes but it is just so sweet. He then mimicked the letters saying "Why Scott Why, I hate that you did that but I love your writing." He said he was happy that he could create a character that people cared about and had living in their head. Scott was great I was not only well informed but entertained as well, it was all very happy making.

Mimi, Brittney and I then got in line to get our books signed, while in line we discussed questions to ask Scott while up there. I was nominated to be the spokesperson since I have no problem making a fool out of myself. My first question took a little explaining. You see Scott's books come from questions he seems to always be asking why does this happen, why do we do this, and so on. So I asked him if his inquisitive mind got him in trouble as a child, he told me it was a good question but that he had great parents but that he did upset a teacher of his because she didn't know an answer a student asked and he did. But now I kind of wonder if he even asked his questions or if he just figured them out for himself. Because that what he seems to be doing with his books is answering questions.

Wait back up first I asked him to add la to my name so it would be Connie-la like from Uglies. He did not really understand what I was saying at first because I said it kind of weird and I wish I could remember what he asked me but I looked at him like he was smoking crack from Sherlock Holmes crack pipe. Then I think he re-processed what I said so it made sense and we all laughed at the confusion.

Then we asked about if he ever cast his characters, because I have done a lot of time looking for the perfect Zane. He said no and Mimi asked "because Zane's so special?" Scott had a good laugh over that. He then asked if I had found one, sadly no. He said he didn't cast his characters but he thinks Angelina Jolie would make the perfect Dr. Cable. Which Mimi reminded me that it was one of my picks as well.

***Spoiler***

Scott obviously realized that we were team Zane, not that we hate David but come on. It is like picking Superman over Batman. Superman was born that way he didn't chose it Zane choose, worked hard and risked everything, would David had done that in Zane's shoes? I don't know but there is another important factor here, Zane is HOT. Ok back to what Scott said, he told us that while in Portland everyone was team David and hating on Zane which he could not understand, so again he questioned it and realized...yep he is in hippy land.

There is just something so special about coming home with a arm full of books signed by someone who created a world that you love. Even if you sometimes get mad at him and have to ask "why Scott, why?".

Totally Happy Making

Bookshelves

There are a few things I want in life, but one of those is a library, but I will settle for a reading nook.

Today I stumbled upon a tumbler about bookshelves. The title says "book lovers never go to bed alone". Then has a quote by Henry Ward Beecher "A little library, growing larger every year, is an honourable part of a man's history. It is a man's duty to have books. A library is not a luxury, but one of the necessaries of life."

Here are a couple things from the site that I liked.

A past Prophet of my church President Spencer W. Kimball said: “Each member [of the Church] should develop talents, read good literature, be engaged in quality cultural pursuits” (Ensign, May 1978, p. 101).

Here is my main book case, there are also stacks of books in my bedroom. Not to mention all the books I have lent out to family and friends. Once I get all my books back I think I am going to need another book case.