The View From My Front Yard

Colorado

 




Colorado is SO pretty! I took these pictures probably three days ago. I had just gotten out of bed, and I looked out my window and saw THIS! So, I thought it would be a good idea to take some pictures. For some reason, I love the fog! It's quite cool looking!

WHOOOOO HOOOOOO!

Madagascar

*Starts singing "I'm so excited, I just can't hide it!*

This movie looks WICKED! :<) I'm so excited to see it! Check out the preview. It looks great!

So I guess it starts out where these zoo animals are just chillin' out...in the zoo. But they get restless, so they decide to go "have a night on the town". But they get caught and are shippped off to Africa (Madagascar) where they have no idea to cope. I mean, come on, these dudes have had daily manicures and their food caught and killed for them. What do you expect?

It comes out on May 27th, and I am SO going to go see it!

Some Quizzes I Did

You Are 23 Years Old

23 Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe. 13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world. 20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. 30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more! 40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.

What Age Do You Act?
Hmm, interesting results. I always thought I was mature for my age, but not THIS old. Twenty-three? Yikes.



You speak like Dom! I will now label you goofy,
naughty, and pervy.


Which LotR male cast member do you sound like?
brought to you by Quizilla
Does anyone know what pervy means? But as for LOTR characters, he seems the least perverted, so I guess I'm happy with my results.






Are you a potential serial killer? Find out @ star-girl.org!
Oh, good! I have been having some weird ideas lately...concerning my sister, so I was getting worried. JK! :<)






How are you going to die? Find out @ star-girl.org!
Uh-oh. Sharks have honestly always scared me. Now I will really NEVER go surfing. Not!!!

Talk about excitement! I'm out of school in three days. WHOA!! FREEDOM!! AAAAHHHHH!!!!! :<)

Random Thoughts

Random Thought #1: I am going to have a VERY exciting weekend in two weeks. Three flippin' sweet things will happen. One, school will get out. On May 5th to be exact. I honestly can't believe I am almost done with one year of college. Two, I am going to turn seventeen on May 5th. I'm really excited to be seventeen. This is so weird. I remember when I was little looking at people my age and thinking how old they were. The only bummer is that I will be doing a ton of tests on my birthday, cause it's the last day of school. Oh well. Three, ATF is on May 6th and 7th. Whoopee! ATF is great. A teen conference where I just totally get really close to God. I get to hang with friends, listen to great worship, listen to great teaching, and stay up late all in one conference.

Random Thought #2: My Dad and I worked on a deck all this week. It was way fun. I decided that I really enjoy building things. We've still got a long way to go, but hopefully we can work on it again next week. The only low part of it all was when I drilled my finger. I was trying to get a screw in at an angle and the drill slipped off the screw. Oh well. It's not that bad. Except I don't know if I'll be able to play guitar on Wednesday which would stink.

Random Thought #3: My brothers and sister and their friends are all playing video games a few yards away from me. It is SO loud. All I hear is swords clashing and monsters roaring. Oh and the occasional grunt or yell of either frustration or triumph from the "kids". (I had to put quotation marks there, cause if my sister read this, she would get on my case for calling them kids. I couldn't think of any better noun. At least not off the top of my head.) I really don't care for video games. Maybe cause I stink at them. I have only like one video game in the history of my life. Crash Team Racing. Man, was that fun. It was the only one I ever beat other people at. And therein lies the reason I enjoyed it I guess.

Random Thought #4: I have no more random thoughts in my head for now.

The Corpse Bride

Okay, I know this sounds a little weird, but it looks like a pretty cool movie! Another Tim Burton film which should be interesting. I didn't like "Big Fish", but I did like "Nightmare Before Christmas" and "Sleepy Hollow". Speaking of "Nightmare Before Christmas", this new one is the same type of animation-stop motion. Honestly, I have no idea what that is, but I am of the opinion that it is a fancy name for computer animation or claymation. :<) If you want to see what it is about go to this web page. But be careful; it give a lot of info and may spoil the "suspense factor".

What's really interesting about this movie is that it is based on actual events. In 19th century Russia, anti-semitism was rampant. Many times anti-semites would stop a wedding train of Jews and kill the bride. *Yeesh!* They did this because the bride would be the one to bear "future generations". The bride would be buried in her wedding gown. Man, why isn't this the type of stuff we learn in history class?....

Oh, wow! It is only 154 days, 10 hours, 37 minutes, and 44 seconds until the movie comes out. Wait! 40 seconds...Wait! .....

"The Pickle"

pic

My Mom thought I should post a picture of "The Pickle". Therefore, I am. Hmm, not much else to say. Oh! This was taken outside at a VERY windy soccer game. I was actually feeling a little sick on this day now that I think about it. But, anyway, I decided to not post my whole face for two reasons. One, I feel like being mysterious. Two, my Mom probably wouldn't appreciate me putting my face on the internet. (Not like I think any of the people who read this are wackos. :<)) Well, hope you enjoy the pic! ~The "Mysterious" Pickle AKA "The Pickle Whose Mother Does Not Appreciate Full Face Pictures on the Net"

What To Do?

I am working on-well trying to work on-my last speech of the semester. Hooray! I'm nearly done. Unless, of course, my teacher decides to spring more of those cursed impromptus on us. That would be devestating. Anyway, I am trying to figure out what to do for my dramatic speech. We can either do a dramatic reading from literature or a dramatic event from life. I am leaning towards the first, because nothing dramatic has ever happened in my life. Unless, one counted when I was born. But I don't think I could accurately portray that. Plus, it would be, um, weird. Therefore, I was thinking that I should do a dramatic reading. But what? I could do Shakespeare, but that may prove to be too dramatic. I'm just not a dramatic person, so this speech is not going to be easy. I hate acting. Well, I've never tried it, but that doesn't mean I will like it. So, if anyone has any ideas-cool! You will have made my day. Plus, you will get the satisfaction of knowing you made my day. In other words, there is no monetary reward for helping me. Sorry, I'm a miser. :<)

BAD Day!!

Well, it's just been one of those days! That is all I can say. It started out just fine-I had the day off and my family was doing some yard work and stuff. But then things really *ahem* turned around. My Mom told me that my great-grandma is dying. Even though I don't know her very well, this is still sad. And my Mom is bummed out which makes me sad.

But it didn't end there. My Dad rented a Bobcat to put some rocks around our pool. Well, while he was dumping the rocks, the tire slipped, and the tractor fell into the ditch right by our pool. It dented to pool and ruined some of the supports. Thankfully, my Dad wasn't hurt! But we still have to fix some stuff on the pool-hopefully not completely take it down as previously thought.

Also, my Dad is at the doctor's because he thinks something is wrong with his kidney. So, if anyone would like to, I would really appreciate prayer on this one!

But days like these should just be reminders of how we should rest in God's hands. It is pointless to worry about things we have no control over!


I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

This verse is just a reminder of how every day can be great. All we have to do is do everything through Him.

Square Plate

Square Plate

The Story of the Square Plate

Once upon a time a family was having a conversation at the dinner table. It all started because of corn. I'm sure everyone has, at some point in their life, experienced the frustration of trying to get corn on their forks. You know how it is. You can only get a tiny bit on your fork, and if you try too hard the corn goes off your plate. Well, this family had the same exact problem. And the two oldest girls of the family thought that this problem could be solved with a square plate that had sides, enabling the eater to scoop the corn against the sides without getting it all over the table. Then all those frustrating foods like corn and peas could be eaten with ease. No more food-on-the-table problems!

Well, the two girls of this family quickly forgot their revolutionary idea and got on with their dreary lives. But one day, their father came home from a date he had been on with his wife. The mother and father brought all their shopping purchases up to their room. Several minutes later, the father came down the stairs with something in his hand. It was very mysterious! He handed something fascinating to the two daughters who had problems with peas and corn-a square plate!! They couldn't believe it! The problem was solved! Plus, it was a way cool gift! They lived happily ever after and never again suffered the frustrations that peas and corn can cause. Plus, their lives were no longer dreary after receiving the square plate.

Winston Churchill

Winston Churchill

Winston Churchill. A pretty interesting guy. During World War I, he was first ever Lord of the Admiralty and a political and military engineer

At the end of the war, he was both Secretary of State for war and Secretary of State for Air. In 1940, he became the prime minister. In 1953, he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature.

This guy accomplished a lot in his life. He is considered one of the most important leaders in British and world history.

He said a lot of interesting things. Here are some of them.

"A fanatic is someone who can't change his mind and won't change the subject."

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."

"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen."

"Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfills the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things. "

Mi Amiga

Check out my friend's blog. It is pretty sweet! Her name is Artemis. Well, not really, but I can't tell you her real name. :<) This post is a bunch of boring simple sentences, so I am going to try and spice it up by adding something with more pizzaz, so here is a sentence that is more pizzaz-like. Actually that was probably a run-on. Hmm...

One of My Favorite Poems

This used to be one of my favorite poems when I was like seven. I used to have it memorized. The author is Shel Silverstein.

SARAH CYNTHIA SYLVIA STOUT WOULD NOT TAKE THE GARBAGE OUT

Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout
Would not take the garbage out!
She'd scour the pots and scrape the pans,
Candy the yams and spice the hams,
And though her daddy would scream and shout,
She simply would not take the garbage out.
And so it piled to the ceilings:
Coffee grounds, potato peelings,
Brown bananas, rotten peas,
Chunks of sour cottage cheese.
It filled the can, it covered the floor,
It cracked the window and blocked the door
With bacon rinds and chicken bones,
Drippy ends of ice cream cones,
Prune pits, peach pits, orange peel,
Gloppy glumps of cold oatmeal,
Pizza crusts and withered greens,
Soggy beans and tangerines,
Crusts of black burned buttered toast,
Gristly bits of beefy roast...
The garbage rolled on down the hall,
It raised the roof, it broke the wall...
Greasy napkins, cookie crumbs,
Globs of gooey bubble gum,
Cellophane from green baloney,
Rubbery blubbery macaroni,
Peanut butter, caked and dry,
Curdled milk and crusts of pie,
Moldy melons, dried-up mustard,
Eggshells mixed with lemon custard,
Cold french fries and rancid meat,
Yellow lumps of Cream of Wheat.
At last the garbage reached so high
That finally it touched the sky.
And all the neighbors moved away,
And none of her friends would come to play.
And finally Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout said,
"OK, I'll take the garbage out!"
But then, of course, it was too late...
The garbage reached across the state,
From New York to the Golden Gate.
And there, in the garbage she did hate,
Poor Sarah met an awful fate,
But I cannot right now relate
Because the hour is much too late.
But children, remember Sarah Stout
And always take the garbage out!

I love that poem. But, man, is Sarah a brat!! :<)

My Typical Week

Okay, I had no idea what to post about, so I thought I'd tell what I do in a typical week. Sorry if I bore you to death.

Monday: I volunteer at the vet's office from about nine until 12:30. This is probably my favorite part of the week!! At this time of day, the vet does surgeries, so I usually help prep and clean up for those. I do stuff like get the oxygen ready for the animal, strap the animal down, get tools while the vet is doing the surgery, and then clean tools, and the table. I also do filing which isn't the most exciting thing, but I don't mind.
Then from 1:30 to 2:30 I have art. I do lessons at my next door neighbor's house. She paints horses, and I draw horses and lately barns. It's fun!!
Then I usually do homework or something for the rest of the day. Or I might go swimming for an hour.

Tuesday: I swim for about an hour at a hotel from 8-9 to get ready for the swim season. Then I leave for school (Pueblo Community College). I have american history from 10:00 to 11:15, speech (ugh) from 11:30 to 12:45, and then english from 1:00 to 2:15. Then I FINALLY go home and eat lunch. Yummy!! By this time I am famished!! Then I do all the homework my mean teachers give me. Jk! My Dad and I coach my brother's soccer team, so from 4-5 we have practice. It's fun to play soccer with eight year olds! THEN I sometimes go to the library on Tuesday nights with my Mom. The library is the bomb!! I love to read. And cool enough, my Mom and I sometimes go to Target or something like that. And since there is buy one ice cream and get one free at Cold Stone on Tuesdasys, we usually go. YUM!! Peanut Butter Perfection!! I'm in heaven.... Except that I usually break out the next day. *Sigh*

Wednesday: I get up at six (ugh) and go to work with my Dad. He owns his own tile business, and I help him out. I am not quite good enough to lay tile, but I do grout and do underlayment. It's not the most exciting or wonderful job in the world, but, hey, it's a job. Then we get home around four. I go swimming sometimes again or (hooray!) take a shower. I have to take one as soon as possible or people can't stand to be around me. :<) JK
Then at 6:15, I have band practice. I play the guitar. I'm not very good, but it's fun. Youth group starts at seven, and I help out with worship. Fun stuff! It's almost all kids, except the lead singer and guitar player who is our youth group leader. We hope to do it all on our own someday. Coolio!

Thursday: Just read Tuesday and you'll know what's goin' on. Oh! Just minus the library part.

Friday: Pretty much the same as Wednesday, except with no youth group. My days seem so repetitive!

Saturday: Soccer games-with three sibs in soccer, it takes most of the day

Sunday: Church and whatever...

So if any of you are still alive after being nearly bored to death, I'll say chao to you. Have a nice day!

Crab Molt

Crab Molt

No, this is not a new crab. It is a crab skin! Weird, huh? I went into my bathroom last night-where my crab is-and found this. My crab had molted. Hooray! She's a big girl now! :<)

Friday Night Laughs

Here are some wicked cool spoofs on some flippin' sweet movies.

Anakin Dynamite? *Bursts out laughing*

Pink Five. Star Wars with a valley girl....nice (Beware one cuss word)

So have fun! They really made me laugh!

My New Pet

Okay, so I lied. I DO have another pet. A tiger!! :<) He's cute, isn't he? He doesn't go potty on the carpet, he doesn't bark-I mean roar-, and he doesn't get into the trashcan. He's very sweet too, so you can play with him if you would like. I am considering adopting some of the other ones too. There was a penguin, a cat, a duck, a bunny, and a dog. Isn't Pickles like a totally wicked cool name? :<) Random thought: Dill pickles are so good (sweet pickles should be banned), except they make for really stinky breath.

An Excellente Book

I just finished reading The Short Reign of Pippin IV by John Steinbeck. I loved it! It is basically a political satire on France, although America is brought into it a little too. All of the political factions (including Christian Atheists, Christian Christians, Left Centrists, and Center Centrists :<)) after being unable to decide on a direction that France should take, have the bright idea of establishing a monarchy. Again. So, they choose to put Pippin, an astronomer, on the throne. Basically, he hates it. He realizes how stupid the politics all are, and wishes he could go back to observing his comets. Eventually, Pippin decides "what the heck?". He gives a speech about how stupid everything is (His speech is more articulate). In the end the government is in an uproar and Pippin finally gets to go home because he was dethroned. Ah, there is nothing like a good ending.

So Bored!

I'm in English class, busy being hopelessly bored. Once again, I am done with assignments with nothing to d0. *Sigh* Maybe I should just ask if I can go.

So, I did a quiz to counteract my boredom and I turned out to be Violet. If you want to do the quiz, check it out. Beware. There is some slight language.

I would like to post the pic, but I'm in English class, and we have no Picassa or Hello, so I can't. Have a nice day!!

Making Fiends

I like Making Fiends a lot, but this is the weirdest thing I have ever seen! I wonder if it was an accident or what.

Check it out.

Sunny...

Okay, so I was looking through Unky Moods, trying to find a mood that fit me today. I saw "sunny" and saw how I could use it. But, first, to understand it, I have to tell you about my day. Okay, it all started at 9:00. Soccer pictures started. Since I am helping coach my bro's team, I had to be in the picture. Ugh! Then, we had to wait around for twenty minutes to get the pics. Then we had to wait an hour for the game to start. Then the game went on for an hour. (BTW, the kids did really good. They're like all about 3rd and 4th grade. I dunno if you've ever seen kids this age play, but sometimes they all swarm around the ball. Our team didn't do that. Hooray!) Anyway, then my other bro had a game. That went on for another hour. Then it was time for some sustenance. Yummy! We went to Big Burger World. Awesome food! I had a cheeseburger, fries, and a spectacular ice cream cone. And guess what was next. My sister's game!! Yikes...That was like an hour or so. After that, we went home. For some reason, I felt like doing something. So, I went hiking. Yeah. It was really cool. I explored this old, abandoned water tower by our house and climbed a giant rock where I could see all of....where I live. :<)

Needless to say, I felt pretty gross and sweaty, so I took a shower. And boy was I surprised. I got in and all my skin was burning. Ah!!! I had a sun burn. Darn! My lack of foresight into what the burning rays of the sun could do caused me some damage. My shoulders and neck and face did not appreciate the pounding droplets of water.

So, to make a long story short. Well, I think it's already pretty long. Anyway, today I feel sunburned. Or sunny....

Hmmm....

Well, I don't really have much to say today. My week has been fairly uneventful-except for when I froze my tongue to a flag pole and had to get it surgically removed....Okay, so I'm just trying to make it sound like I actually did something exciting when the exact opposite is true.

Let's see, I did school and LOTS of homework, I had art lessons, I volunteered at the vet's office for a few hours, I did more school, I worked (I FINALLY finished grouting this gargantuan shower I'd been working on for DAYS. Hooray!), I started a cool candy cane puzzle which is turning out to be harder than I thought it would be, I went to the library and got a jillion (literally) books on slavery for a term paper I'm writing, I got some flippin' sweet summer clothes (flood pants and these cool...uh-DARN! What were they called. They were these long shorts, khaki, hmmm. If my Mom reads this she'll remind me of what they were called), I ate a Nerds Rope (good candy!), I ate at McDonalds right after hearing about that gross story where a family satisfying their appetites found a real finger in their chili (I kept thinking about that as I munched on my yummy cheeseburger. Needless to say, I didn't mention anything to my Mom. She might have barfed, and I couldn't handle that. I might not have been able to finish my french fries.), I played hooky from youth group because I didn't feel like watching the talent show they were doing and I had lots of homework anyway, and I also wrote one really huge run-on sentence. So, that is my week condensed into one sentence. Are normal people's lives usually condensed into one sentence? Hmm, what a thought.

Well, have a good weekend! I am off to see if I can manage to put like five more pieces together on my puzzle and also put some medicine on my tongue. It still hurts.