Chopped

This last year my hair had gotten pretty long. And I LOVED it. It was so easy to do anything with it (especially on lazy days). It was easy to make look good, up or down, straightened or just let the natural curls do their thing.
This last year has also been very, VERY hot. The heat with my long, thick hair wasn't a very good combo. Whenever I left my hair down I always felt WAY hot. So I decided that even though I loved my long hair it was about time to cut it. I also had very bad split ends. When I say very bad, I mean very bad. You see I only trust one person to cut my hair. That one person is Schizler, Karen Schizler. She knows what she's doing and always makes my hair look exactly how I picture it, so no one touches my hair but her. And she hadn't cut my hair in over a year.
So this last week we went, she worked her magic, and now my head feels ten pounds lighter, i'm not so hot all the time, and I can run my fingers through my hair with out finding ratty ends. It's wonderful. Now I just need to actually get trims and I can grow my hair back out.
Here's the before:

 That pic is kinda embarrassing but you can see the length. For me that length was quite the accomplishment.

After:

 Kinda fuzzy, but right after I got it cut. 

Susie got a trim. Also, as you can see from the above picture, She is now taller than me. 

My face looks like a different persons face in each picture. Funny.

Today has been oh so stressful. Buying textbooks will be the death of me! And my bank account. I think now that college is actually starting I am never going to have spending money again. Looks like I can't be like those "freshman that walk around in packs of 15 with Aviator glasses and brand new clothes". Haha that's what my brother Jeff said as he explained why he hates freshman. Someday I'll feel the same way, but I can't right now seeing as I am a Freshman. 

Freshman orientation happened and now I can kinda make my way around campus now. Luckily for me all my classes are in two different buildings that are right next to each other, so the chance of me getting lost is slim. 

I'm excited for this next step in life. If you would have asked me a couple of years ago I would of told you that I would have wished that the world would have ended before I would have to go to college, just so I wouldn't have to go. But now I'm way excited. I'm just not so thrilled about all the money involved. (which honestly is so ridiculous to me. I just don't understand why it is so expensive to sit in a class and learn.)

So Monday, this new adventure begins. And I'm ready. I even bought myself some pepper spray! Haha. Lets just hope these next four years go by as quickly, if not quicker, than high school.

WANEGBT

Have you heard this little gem yet? I quite like it. Very catchy. Of course. Taylor Swift wrote it. But I am a little confused. I always thought T-Swizzle was a country singer, but with every new album that comes out her songs sound less and less country! I don't mind. Not one bit. I've grown sick of country over the years so I'm quite enjoying this here new tune of hers. And I'll be willing to bet the WANEGBT is going to become that song that we all get sick of hearing on the radio because it is so over played. But until then I'll keep on enjoying it.

Although there is one problem. I want to buy WANEGBT and a number of other songs on iTunes, but.... I can't. Why? Because growing up sucks. Why does growing up suck? Because you have to go to college and college sucks. But Rachel, why does college suck? You wanna know why college sucks? Because it is so STINKING EXPENSIVE!!!!! I paid all my tuition last night and now I have zero dollars in my checking account. I even had to have my parents loan me a couple hundred so my next pay check will be going to them. So it's going to be a while until I can buy anything. At all. I don't know what I'm going to do about the whole car needing gas situation. Maybe once school starts, for the first little while, I'll be brave and ride my bike to school.

If college weren't so stinking expensive I'd be a whole lot more excited for it. It really puts a damper on things. But I am really excited for my major. I'm going to love learning more and more about it.
What is it that you're majoring, Rachel? Well I'm gonna be majoring in Behavorial Science with an emphasis on Psychology. I'm way pumped. I'm totally intrigued by that kind of stuff. But don't ask me what I plan on making a career in, because I have no idea yet.

When I was still in High School (so long ago, I know) I couldn't wait for college because that would mean that I get to move out. But now, in my wiser older years, I'm more excited to live at home and actually have money. I'm really lucky that my family lives so close to two great Universities. This way I don't have to move far away and be forced to move out and waste even more money. Don't get me wrong, I want to move out someday, but not until I can handle it financially. I want to have a good savings foundation before I start having to pay monthly bills and dumb grown-up stuff like that.

This summer has gone by far to fast. I'm both sad and happy about that. Sad because that means that I have so sit and learn all day again. Happy because fall and winter weather are getting closer and closer. I can't wait until the leaves start to fall and they crunch when you walk on them. I can't wait til I can wear jeans and cardigans and boots. And I can't wait to have soup for dinner all the time (I LOVE soup) and I can't wait to look out the window and night and just watch the snow fall ever so peacefully.

Okidokie, that's enough rambling. Time to get my closet and under my bed organized. Then at eight my shows on. If ya'll haven't seen Trust Us With Your Life I highly recommend it. It's hilarious. It's on Tuesdays at 8 on ABC.

Dream a Little Dream

Tuition is due in 11 days. Boo! I don't want to spend 2,000+ dollars just to learn. I mean come one. Whose idea was that anyways? I really don't understand why college is so stinkin expensive. Maybe one day I'll understand, but I'm not going to bank on it.

With tuition being due so soon that means one thing. School is starting soon. Double Boo! This summer has gone by WAY too fast. I wish I could rewind time. There are a couple days I wish I could relive. Wouldn't that be so great if you could rewind, fast forward or pause time. Oh boy. That would AWESOME!!

My neighbors who have lived across the street, the whole time we have lived here are starting to move today. It's sad. Everyone in this neighborhood seems to be moving lately. Maybe we should jump on the band-wagon. Just kidding. I hope my parents never move out of this house.

The other night I had a dream that I got shot. It was a pretty traumatic dream but the crazy part was that it felt SO real. I woke up and I still felt like I had been shot. I was positive that I had actually, indeed been shot so I just laid there expecting myself to die any minute. Luckily I was not actually shot and I am still alive. But it was a very weird dream/experience and I hope it never occurs again. But after that I did fall back asleep and had one of those dreams you never want to wake up from. Sadly I did wake up and reality hit.

When I was younger I had incredibly crooked teeth. My top two front teeth were all wacko because my grown up teeth grew in before my baby teeth fell out. So because those were messed up all my other teeth were messed up. And people made fun of me all the time for it so I couldn't wait until I could finally get braces.
Then one night I had a dream that I actually had braces. I thought the dream was real, and I was so happy. So that morning I went into the bathroom and looked in the mirror to check out my sweet, new braces only to find out I'd only dreamed that I had braces. I was pretty bummed.I get excited to go to sleep at night because I can't wait to see what I will dream about.

I grew up listening to the music my Dad grew up listening to. Because of this I love listening to all the oldie radio stations and all my favorite bands/musical groups are ones that are no longer together or dead or something. One of my favorite oldies are The Mama's and the Papas. I especially love their songs California Dreaming and This song. It's just marvelous.

I've been going to Lowe's Xtreme Air Sports a lot lately. And I am proud to say that I can now do more than a crappy front flip. I can now do a cart wheel with no hands off of the trampoline. I believe, but I could be wrong, that the technical term is an Aerial. I am pretty darn proud of myself. I even made it to the actual tippy-top of the rock wall. This girl is a future Gymnast. I mean I've totally got the right body type and everything for it. I'll be the next Gabby. You just wait and see.

Dun Nuh Dun Nuh Nuh Nuh Nuh Dun Dun Dun Dun Dun Dun Dun Dun Dun Dun Nuh Nuh

Olympics. Need I say any more? I don't think so. That's about all my life has consisted of lately. But one thing is ruining all the excitement for me. That one thing is Twitter. I love Twitter. I don't like that every time I log on I figure out who won the blasted event that would be on later on that night. I should just un-follow those who are in the Olympics. That might solve my problem. But then again I like going on after I've seen the event and seeing what the Athlete had to say about it. Or maybe if I didn't spend so much time on the Internet I wouldn't have this problem at all.

Lets talk opening ceremonies. Can you say T-A-C-K-Y? I was dying the whole time, of embarrassment for Great Britain. My Dad says I just didn't appreciate the artistic interpretation of it. That may be the case. But really, I don't think so. 

Lets now talk Squanto. Squanto is my loyal vehicle. He's grand most of the time. Some times though he decides that he doesn't want his blinker to work. And it's always at very critical moments. In those moments I hate him. He also really likes to stink. The previous owner really must have loved to smoke because I can't seem to get the blasted smell out of there. So today I tried a new tactic. I scrubbed the seats and floor with carpet cleaner then I got some air freshener. Sprayed my little heart out, then shut all doors. Now hopefully the next time Squanto and I go on a little adventure he wont smell so bad. 

This and That

I've got lots I gotta do today. And I really don't want to do it. So to procrastinate doing it a little longer i'm blogging.

It has been so stinkin' humid lately and I hate it. The other day I was trying to figure out why this year I hate this hot summer weather so much (I usually love the heat of summer) then I realized its because its been humid this year. I hate humidity. It makes me feel gross and hot all day.

Yesterday at work the air conditioning broke halfway through the day. It was 80 blasted degrees inside! It was miserable!

I finally got my first real sunburn of summer. Took me long enough eh? Its only the end of July. It's gotten to the point where it just itches really bad. But I refuse to scratch it because if I scratch it, it will begin to peel and I will loose my beautiful tan and this burn would have been pointless.

Yesterday at Lowes Xtreme Air Sports, I am proud to announce, I made it all the way across their little tight-rope shindig. It took many tries, but I still made it. I couldn't be prouder of myself.

We've got a whole lotta really ripe bananas, so today I'm making banana bread! I absolutely love banana bread. But I can't decide if I should just make the banana bread into actual bread loaves or bake it like a sheet cake and put a yummy browned butter glaze on top. Suggestions?

Anyone out there want to buy my contract for the Branbury from me? I decided that saving my money is more important than having a social life so for this first year of college I'll be living at home saving some dough. But really if you want my contract tell me! That's one of the things on my to-do list for today is start trying to sell that blasted thing.

I really, really love crepes. Especially from Me Crepes. I went there last night after LXAS with Taylor. It was so yummy! I got the Notorious Nutella one. It was good. I recommend it.

I think it is funny that they made this movie.

I have a number of movies I want to see that are in the theaters, but being the paranoid person that I am, I'm too scared to go.

My right eye just experienced the oddest thing ever. It still is actually. It feels like someone is trying to squish it and it kinda hurts.

Tonight is the opening ceremonies for the Olympics. I'm so excited. I love the Olympics.

I really should get to what I need to be doing. You can only procrastinate for so long.

Toodles!

Happy

This past while, well year actually, has been a crazy one. It definitely was not the easiest. I’ve seen a lot of losses and a lot of loneliness. It would easy for me to just not care about anything anymore and just sit and sulk, all day, every day. But then I realized something. The things that have happened this past year are things that I can’t control. The one thing I can control is my happiness. And in the past little while I’ve found many reasons to be happy. And the number one reason is simply because I deserve it.

I deserve to not constantly worry about what others think about me. People may think I am a tall, ugly duckling. But you know what I realized: If I just don’t care what others think about me all my insecurities disappear. And since I’ve decided that the only person who deserves to care about what I look like is me, I’ve gained so much self-confidence. I’ve never felt so happy and beautiful. And you know what, being beautiful feels great!

I’ve also come to really appreciate kindness from perfect strangers. It makes me SO happy.  I appreciate the stranger who smiles, just because. I appreciate the stranger that you meet one place, and then run into at another place and they recognize you and talk to you like you’ve been friends for a while. I appreciate that stranger who from then on, every time they see you smile and say hey. I really appreciate that stranger and look forward to every time I may run into them again just so we can both share a smile. Running back into this stranger makes me REALLY happy!

You can be excellent in every way. You can be first class. There is no need for you to be a scrub. Respect yourself. Do not feel sorry for yourself. Do not dwell on unkind things others may say about you. Polish and refine whatever talents the Lord has given you. Go forward in life with a twinkle in your eye and a smile on your face, but with great and strong purpose in your heart. Love life and look for its opportunities. ~ Gordon B. Hinckley

I love this quote. I now respect myself. I don’t care what other people say to/about me anymore. I’m discovering what talents I’ve been given and I’m trying to share them. My eyes are twinkling and I’ve got a smile from ear to ear and I’ve got a purpose in my heart. I love my life and I’m pursuing it’s opportunities.

Don’t let what other people say to you out of their insecurities effect you. Live your life, be happy and love it J

Lex

Yesterday started out like any other Sunday. Our Sunday morning routine was no different than any other day. When we got home from church though, we noticed Lex's paws were a yellow green. We couldn't figure out why, but we just assumed it was from the grass. As the day went on we tried different ways to get Lex to eat his food, because he hadn't eaten in days. We had no luck.
At dinner we tried feeding Lex some of our left over steak. He actually ate it! We couldn't believe it. He might actually start eating and get some weight back on him. About an hour later Lex started vomiting up everything. That's why his paws were the yellow green color. He would lay down and need to vomit and would be too weak to move so he would just let it out on his paws. As yesterday progressed Lex just seemed to get worse and worse.
That after we discovered he'd been throwing up he continued to dry-heave. When he'd do this it was loud and if you saw him you would just feel so awful because he just looked like he was in so much pain, and there was nothing we could do.
Eventually we just let him outside and left him out there so we wouldn't have anymore vomit to clean up. I kept walking out every couple of minutes to check on him and he was just sitting along the side of the house. At this point his breathing was horrible. I just wanted to cry for him when I heard him breath because it was so pained.
After much checking on him I went out one more time and couldn't find him. I asked my Dad if he'd let him back in the house and he'd informed me that he was in the corner by the front fence. I went over there to check on him and I knew he wouldn't be with us much longer. His breathing had gotten way worse and he just seemed like he wasn't there.
I tried to get him to look at me or at least acknowledge me but he just stared straight ahead and wouldn't move. I then just said my goodbyes. I knew when I woke up that he wouldn't be here then I went inside and hid away in my room and bawled. A couple minutes later I got called downstairs for scripture study. I tried to hide any evidence that I was crying and went downstairs.
Before we starting reading my Mom and Niles went out to look at Lex and they came in crying. Susie asked my Mom why she was crying and she told us all that she didn't think Lex would make it through the night either. Then the hysterics started. Emma started bawling and ran outside along with everyone but myself.
A couple minutes later they all came in crying and Susie was carrying him into his room. He was so limp when she carrying him. He was alive but very weak. My Dad then called the vet to see if it would be possible to bring him in. It was so we carried Lex out to the car and my Dad, Susie and Emma hurried off to the vet, while my Mom, Niles and I waited to hear the news.
A while later my dad called to inform us that he might have possible liver problems. If that were the case there was nothing we could do. But it wasn't definite yet. My Dad called again a couple minutes later and told us that Lex had severe diabetes and all of his organs were slowly failing. He was going to die and we could take him home and let him just suffer till he died or put him to sleep. We put him to sleep to put him out of his misery.
While we waited for everyone to come home my Mom, Niles and I began to dig a hole in the back yard at 10:45 pm. It took about an hour for my Dad and Jeff to finally finish the hole. When it was finished those who wanted to see Lex one more time could. The vet had wrapped him in a blanket and put him in a box. I don't usually like seeing dead bodies. I hate viewings because 1. They're extremely sad and I hate crying in front of people and 2. Dead bodies creep me out. But I wanted to see Lex one more time. My Dad opened the box and uncovered Lex's face. He looked so peaceful. They positioned him in the box the exact way that he slept. To my surprise I even pet him one last time. If I didn't know any better I would have thought he was  just sleeping. I'm glad I got to see him one last time though because he hasn't looked that peaceful in a long time.
It took us all a while to finally fall asleep last night because we couldn't stop crying. I sure are going to miss that fat, hairy, loud, fun, silly dog. I'll miss the way he'd bark relentlessly every time we said a prayer and how he'd wine very loudly if we tried to hold him still during the prayer. I'll miss how he'd bark and scare every person who came to the door. I'll miss coming home and finding him asleep on my bed. I'll miss having to go look for our shoes in Susie's room because he'd always take them in there. I'll miss playing hide-and-go-seek with him. I'll miss having to lint-roll myself before I went anywhere because I was covered in his dog hair. I'll miss him coming and whining at us because he wanted to be loved on. I'll miss everything about this Lex.

 I sure loved this fatty.

 He's trying to kill Susie's fish. He was so protective of Susie.

He was our families first ever dog. He was all of our friends. And I'll never forget him. I'm just happy he's not in pain anymore. And sorry if you think this post was morbid or annoying. Everyone's probably thinking "It's just a dog". But I just wanted to post this for me so that I'd remember. Anyways, have a nice day.