oh so pretty

I prefer not to think of myself as an 'Ee-gads!' sort of girl, but I couldn't help it when I saw this house. I also don't think I'm the prissy-sissy sort, but this house brought out the Queen-need in me! If I'm not making sense, here's what I mean. This house is gorgeous, and I wouldn't mind calling it mine...even if just in my dreams.

We found this coldesac of mansions on a drive through a neighborhood behind Wal-Mart (of all places). There is a nice neighborhood of up-scale brick homes, and then behind all of them, there's this coldesac with the biggest most elaborately vain homes you could imagine. If you're a friend from Las Vegas, you know what I mean when I say, "These homes rival Tournament Hills." Except there, it's hard to keep anything pretty from dying (plants, I mean). But here this house has ivy on the outerwalls (blocked by foilage.. great word!), lush grass, little yellow flowers around the bare tree, windows framed in stone... it's my fairy princess house.

So in my spy-paparazzi mode, Mark drove by and I snapped a picture! He didn't slow down (because he didn't want to appear quite as odd as we felt) too much, so here is as best a picture I could get. Enjoy your staring!

cotton harvest

For those interested to see the cotton harvest underway, here are the pictures I promised. The cotton harvest was finished as of Monday. The cotton fields have been driven over (but not crushed) by a weird cotton truck that sucks the cotton from the pods. I'm guessing. I can't think of how else they would be able to do that without mowing over the plants. Look above at how much cotton is left!

Here is the picture book story of how the cotton is pressed into bales that are the size of small houses. The green box-trucks lift up and pour the cotton into these yello crates that are also pulled by trucks. The tilted one just finished pouring the mounds of cotton into it's bin. Then the three sticky things (do you like how educated I sound?) press the cotton into the yellow bin for a box and the truck starts to move away as a cover for wind protection is placed on top:

When the truck pulling the yellow bin slips away from the cotton block, a worker (the black worm looking thing standing on the back of the yellow truck) makes sure that the cover is secured over the cotton block:

Then the block is left for people like me to go up and touch!

Here is me touching it, especially for this picture. My hand looks so funny because I'm pushing so hard on it! It's all white and red because it is such a thick block. Those machines sure are powerful.

The cotton laying on the ground afterward is all dirty and solomn looking because it has been left to blow away. I wonder how much was picked when people were picking the cotton. The machines probably aren't as efficient, but at least people aren't getting arthritis this way. This concludes the picture-book story of how cotton is harvested! Oh. now go on and check your shirt's tag to give your own little salute to this fluffy plant called cotton.

Halloweenish films

It's almost Halloween again, and there are many ways people try to get into the spirit of things. Some go to the nearest costume shop and search out that perfect oufit for their night of disguise. Others carve pumkins, and some can merely see something and it reminds them of a memory that ties their thoughts so closely to this tricky holiday.

Mark and I have been watching our favorite Halloween movies this last week. We started this venture with the movie Casper. I had forgotten how candy-corny this movie was; it is definitely a middle-school romancer. Last night we watched Watcher in the Woods. It is a Disney title, but quite scary! I'm surprised Mark's brothers and sisters were able to watch it without any bad dreams. The next few on our list are:

Hocus Pocus (my altime favorite Halloween movie!)
The Nightmare Before Christmas (this can be watched any time in the months Oct-Dec)
Beetlejuice (ew!)

I'm sure there are so many more! So if you have any recommendations, share them! I'm sure we'd like to watch them .. if they're not too scary!

Reeder's Digest

Last night we decided to go to an Altus High Football Game! It was crazy! It was like in one of those movies like Friday Night Lights (which I don't recommend, I walked out!..which is unlike me) where football games is the happenin' place on a Friday night. The stadium was made out of old Sandstone Bricks that gave it a medieval feel, and it was packed! Even the visitors side was full of Demons. Demons was the opposing team mascot. No! I'm not that mean.

While I was there I felt like I had never graduated from High School. It was a lot of fun to experience with Mark, since we didn't know eachother in high school, so it was like being high school sweethearts. And it felt just like Las Vegas, warm and really windy. Hence the tight back hair and little wispies that have escaped!

We went with our good friend Josh Q. who is also going to Alaska with us - his wife Nikki and son Christian had to stay in Del Rio while he is here TDY. Here's the picture with him and Mark:

a national memory

This past weekend we went to Enid, Oklahoma so I could meet some of Mark's friends from his Academy days. It was a lot of fun hanging out with Brian and Melanie W. They are so much fun!

On the way up to Enid, we decided to swing through Oklahoma City and enjoy the sights there. One of these sights is the Oklahoma City National Memorial. It was a very nice experience. I was pretty young, but I remember the day the Murrah Building was bombed by an American Terrorist who was upset with impertinent things in the Government. The building was full of offices and had a day care by the main entrance (where the bomb was in a car outside).

Walking up to the memorial, there is a gate where loved ones and coworkers could attach memorabilia to the outside as someone would put flowers on a grave site. There were ID cards, pictures, key chains, teddy bears, children's shoes, shirts, dried flowers, necklaces, etc.

Then you keep walking past this sad, sad gate to two enormous, statuesque walls with engravings on the front denoting who this place is in memory of. It is intimidating how large these two walls are. Mirroring the two walls on one side is the view of two more walls on the other side. Their reflection is present in a wide, and very long reflection pool. There are two times on each of the mirrored walls (on opposite ends of the pool) that have the two times of the minutes before and after the bomb went off: 9:01 and 9:03. They remember the minute within these two times, marked by these towering black walls.

To the right you can see the "Empty Chairs" as they call them. I don't know what it implies, whether it is referring to the offices that were destroyed, or the chairs at the dinner table that will never be refilled or what, but whatever it is, it is a moving gesture. What is the saddest part of all, is spotting a small chair for a child in the midst of the others.

Here is another view of a child's chair:

This was not a sad experience, but it was nevertheless a moving one. It is humbling to think how fragile life is! We really need to do our best while we are here.

If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to eachother. ~Mother Teresa

just a weed

If one way be better than another, that you may be sure is nature's way. - Aristotle


If you remember the note about that pretty little purple flower that was a weed, well.. this is what weeds turn in to. And sometimes we just need a harsh reminder.

It may be because it was a weed, after all. Or it might be because some mean man sprayed poison all over the grass and turned these little daisy-dollops into a mane of scariness. You decide.

They should have left The Man out of this.

sit here for luck

There was a chair made out of horse-shoes I saw at the restaurant called Backdoor Steakhouse, also known as Backdoor to the Witchitas. It was a delicious restaurant with little silver buckets full of peanuts where you could just throw the shells on the floor. Because I ate so many and was embarrassed, I threw mine around the feet of Mark's friend who sat across from me (he was also eating peanuts).

This week I have been so busy! I have been jam-packed with school assignments and this morning I just finished a paper on the Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City. Anyway, this chair is what I need right now. I turned in the paper, am fairly confident about it, but still, it's going to be a big grade. Don't you wish we all had a chair like this to sit in when our weeks are stressful? Just for a moment to 'recharge our luck'. If only such a thing existed.

faith, family, and relief

I was surprised with how direct the messages were last night at the Relief Society broadcast. You all know what I'm talking about. We have probably all giggled at how the women of the church address us. But I was moved last night.

Sister Beck, the new General Relief Society President gave a wonderful talk about remaining strong and immovable. She said the Relief Society members are the best women in the world to provide relief to others. We can 'lift up and enlighten'. I know I have not done my part, but when I do find areas where I can help, even just a little, I have felt reassured with how wonderful the work is. She told us that the greatest work still lies ahead.

When she said 'the greatest work', I took it to mean, the most difficult, the most challenging, and also the most rewarding. As the world prepares for that great day, it will need a full-scale relief effort.

What a way to rally the troops, even if it means we just do our part more willingly in our tiny little families.

"There is a better way than the way of the world."

5 things tag

My cousin Christina tagged me a couple of days ago, so here it is:

1. What I was doing ten years ago:
I was just about to go into Young Womens, so I was probably sitting in Primary as the oldest one there, hating it. I got to play the piano though, so it made it all worth it. Also, I was in 6th grade, which was the year I had big gold circle glasses and went to Mexico with my friend Marcy. I had been playing tennis for a couple years, so I probably had a couple of tournaments. My parents said I was too nice, so I would lose on purpose... I don't know about that.

2. Five years ago:
Almost 16, so I was driving my mom around with my learner's permit in our suburban. My parents had me learn on a truck when I was 14, so I guess it was no big deal. I was crushing on Mitch Smith, who later was neighbors with Brittany and Christina. But he didn't turn 16 for another 7 months or so, it was sad! I was a sophmore in high school, and was becoming fast friends with Corin Thomas because my great friend from elementary had transferred schools!

3. One year ago:
Mark and I were living in Del Rio, and he was in Pilot Training, I was taking online classes (2 at a time). I was called to the primary presidency and it was about this time we adopted little Buckwheat.

4. Yesterday, September 27, 2007:
was spent relaxing for most of the day and enjoying Mark's company. We went to the track on base where we tried in vain to tire Buckwheat out. After I made stir-fry veggies and added too much cayenne pepper. Needless to say, our sinuses are extremely clear today.

5. 5 things I would do if I suddenly had $100 million:
wow. that's a lot of money! Buy me and mark a horse and a range. Travel everywhere I have a green dot on my map. Buy a nice camera. Give to charities (or our church). Save!

6. 5 locations I would like to run away to:
Fiji, Namibia or the Congo (Africa in general), Paris, Fernando de Naronha (Brazilian island), Mumbai (India)

7. 5 bad habits I have:
waiting until nighttime to do homework (I feel bad that mark's home and I have to do homework!), screening my phone calls, reading for entertainment (it's like watching tv for hours and hours on end), dreaming too much (don't really have control over that, but still), eating because I need to be chewing and tasting something at all times

8. 5 things I like doing:
horse back riding, reading, watching movies when Mark goes to bed, snacking, and showering

9. 5 Tv shows I like:
Even Stevens, Gilmore Girls, Alias (yes I watch the dvds for the previous two), 6 Degrees, Brothers & Sisters

10. 5 things I hate doing:
blow-drying my hair, folding laundry, homework (most of the time), going to a movie with loud people, killing bugs

11. 5 biggest joys at the moment:
taking pictures, watching Mark play with Buckwheat, talking to my mom and dad, thinking about Christmas, and Mark cracking me up

5 people I tag:
Mauri (a day in the life),
Holly (Curt & Holly Smith),
Aubrey (Aubrey Annie),
Beth (air borne Bernards),
Marie (three little redheads)

new banner

I was driving Mark crazy with how many pictures I was taking on our walk yesterday, so I thought I better do something with them! Hope you like it as much as I do. Yes, this is a weed too. What is it with me and all these pretty weeds?

just a weed

When I am in the country I wish to vegetate like the country -William Hazlitt, Table Talk

Just a little weed that grows in the grass here. There are thousands of these tiny things around our apartments.

a first

Fashion is ever changing, and once there is a style I like, I've decided I want to be a bit more risky and jump on board. One of these trends has been skinny jeans. I don't know if its the 'edgier' look they give, or if I just think they're more comfortable.

There is a saying that fashion travels from the East Coast to the West Coast, giving Europe the appropriate recognition in our clothing inspirations. I'll say I'm in the middle of the country, so I had to wait a while to see if I was really into the jeans or not.

My sister and I tell my mom to stop wearing the jeans that are tight around the ankle, and then what do we do? Go get some jeans that are tight around the ankle. Fashion... or at least what we think is fashionable. What a circle of life.

I had a great picture of me wearing these skinny jeans. Mark took it for me when we were on a walk last week at night time. I was standing in front of a path-light so you could really only see the profile and my shoes. It was pretty artsy-fartsy. Then my computer was shut off poorly and I hadn't backed up those pictures yet, and they were gone. are gone.

Here is a make-shift picture, until I can replace it with a better one. I just had to share a new pair of jeans; a girl's gotta do what she's gotta do.

Buffalo and Cobbler

We got to explore a bit of our surroundings today. We drove about 40 miles east to a Nature Preserve where there are Buffalo, Longhorn cattle, and Elk that roam free. It was a beautiful, warm day and I saw a lot of grass that I was so excited thinking that it was wheat, until Mark said "nope". I think that the fields of wheat have already been harvested. too bad.

At first I was surprised at the realization, "Buffalo?? here?? in Oklahoma??" well, I guess this was where they roamed free before the White Man killed them all for their skins, right? I only thought they were in Montana or Wyoming in Yellowstone National Park. While we were hearing about the 'wild' Buffalo in this preserve, we heard about Hamburger Heaven! If you know me and my love for Cheeseburgers, you can understand why I was thrilled. I actually found a short clip (click here to see it) that shows the passionate Longhorn Cattle farmer who owns the restaurant explain why his burgers are the best. and here's a fun fact: the table that the cowboys are sitting at is the exact table Mark and I sat at today!

When we got to Meers Restaurant, we waited 30 minutes outside because the line was literally out the door. But boy was it worth the wait. While in line there were lots of 'bikers' who were making fun of some bikes, then oo-ing and aw-ing at others. Come to find out the one who was behind us, she was a Cattle Transporter (she drove cows, longhorns, and bison to the traders) She said, "It's not a prissy girl's job" and gave a nice warm smile. While we were enjoying our famous Meer's Cheeseburger with our tall Mason Jars of lemon water, we heard stories of a dog that was the size of an Apaloosa who ate 16 lbs of dog food a day. I have decided story telling is an art form left to those who can exaggerate without a twinkle of sarcasm. After our impeccable burgers, we enjoyed their famous Peach Cobbler. With the soft homemade vanilla ice-cream, every bite was as yummy as the first. I took a picture, but I could not take one that could do the taste justice. It was good home-cookin' and we were lucky to have experienced it!

cotton

There are cotton fields here. Many of them, in fact, and there's something old-Americana about it, but not in the Cotton Eye Joe sort of way. The cotton here isn't yet ready for harvest. I'm anxious to see how that happens though. I'm wondering if the farmers stop watering the plants and let them die so the cotton balls are easier to pick, or if it really is just a seasonal plant that can't survive past September so it just dries up. Anyone really know?

A couple of days ago I needed some cotton balls to take off some nail polish. Mark had the car, so I texted him quickly to ask if he would pick some up on his way home from work. He half expected me to just go pick a couple cotton balls myself and use them. He was only kidding, because that would mean we advocate stealing, right? naaah, so instead of picking some cotton balls au natural, I decided to just snap some pictures. These aren't that great, (it was pretty windy) so these probably won't be the last. I'm already looking forward to the harvest season.

Reeder's Digest

We have arrived in Oklahoma! If you look at the south west corner of Oklahoma, you can see Altus, and this is where we will be for the next 4 months before we go to Alaska. We drove in late on Tuesday night (the same day as the Formal Goodbye at Leslie's House) after a 7 and 1/2 hour drive from Del Rio to Altus, Oklahoma.

We got in and stayed at a fun little place called Friendship Inn. It took dogs for $10 extra per night. The carpet was really soft if you were willing to take your shoes off, and after we picked up all the dead or dying bugs off the floor, it was quite nice.

We woke up Wednesday and went apartment hunting. Our prayers were answered! We show up to an apartment complex that didn't have anything when I talked to them before and they just opened up a one bedroom furnished apartment on the bottom floor with yard access. It really just fell into our lap and all the sudden we had a silver spoon in our mouths.

Everything is working out swell.. except one thing. Buckwheat has been having a very rough couple of days. Yesterday he couldn't walk b/c of two shots the vet gave him, and today he hasn't been able to keep anything down. I'm worried! Here's a picture of Mr. Igor yesterday holding a "get-well-treat" from a new neighbor:

On an up-side, Altus is a beautiful town. There are cotton fields behind and in front of our apartment, and there's a Christmas Tree Farm 6 miles away. It's charming! Pictures will come soon.

Tribute to Texas

Since we are now in Oklahoma, I wanted to have one last post for Texas. Here are some of the things that happened during our year's stay:

::Mark turned 25 (Aug. 16 '06)
::Celebrated our first Thanksgiving together (Nov. '06)
::I turned 21 (Nov. 13 '06)
::We found and adopted little Buckwheat (Oct. '06)
::It SNOWED in Del Rio (Jan.)
::Celebrated our first year of marriage (Feb. '07)
::Mark is pronounced an official pilot (July '07)
::We visited the Alamo and saw a lock of Davey Crocket's hair. it was strawberry blonde if you must know (many times throughout the year '06-'07)
::Mark got his civilian's pilots license (Aug. '07)
::Mark turned 26 (Aug. 16 '07)
::I finally learned how to use a digital camera's settings (Aug. ... this year)

This is my blog tribute to the fabulous state of Texas. It was a beautiful, historical, and enthralling adventure that I am proud to have encountered. These are are just a few (too many!) pictures that will always remind me of Texas:

This is the speeding train that passes outside of Base 2-3 times a day. One of my life aspirations is to someday meet a train conductor. I've meet all sorts of people but never a train conductor!! They're pretty elusive.

A submerged tree at Lake Amistad. I never am not amazed when I see a tree under water like this. And I loved the sparkling water, so there you have it.

In Southern Texas, when you look into the brush, there are so many little cacti like this one. I don't know how the deer can walk around it like they do without bleeding everywhere. It's beautiful cactus, but yikes.

When I was taking some photos of the Reed's backyard field, I saw this little old coccoon and it reminded me of ALL the bugs and butterflies here in Texas. I don't know what crawls out of this little space, but it will reminds me of Texas.

As it is in Utah around spring/summer time, hundreds and thousands of wild sunflowers bloom all along side the highways. The summer was beginning to dry out when I decided I better take a picture of one, so that is why there are other 'pedal-less' ones around this bloomer.

I don't know what kind of grass this is, but even if it IS a type of wheat, you need to know it WAS taken in Texas... whatever it may or may not be. I loved the white grain against the blue sky!! Like all the country songs say, Texas does have the biggest sky I've ever seen.

The seasons are just BARELY changing in Texas, but this leaf was caught in the gate when I was giving Buckwheat a haircut and I felt sorry for it. If you can feel sorry for a little leaf. I probably would have pressed it, but it was already brittle.

Here is one of the last views I had of Texas. This was snapped on our drive from Del Rio, TX to Altus, OK. This was in part of the southern Hill Country. It was picturesque. So long, Texas!

A Formal Goodbye

The night of the ogre party, I was saying goodbye to a couple girls who were there and Leslie said, "wait! you're leaving?" (she's the one in the middle above). I guess my uncontrollable crying in church a couple of weeks ago during Fast & Testimony Meeting, when I said I was leaving in one more week, passed over the heads of more people than I thought. My cry-voice must need some work. So right then and there, Leslie, Nichole, and Cheris decided I needed a formal Going Away Party. I was so surprised, and thrilled! I said they shouldn't because I was just a student spouse, and usually that sort of thing is held only in honor of IP wives! I was so excited, as you could guess. The next morning, the two hours before we left Del Rio, were spent in the presense of my close Del Rio friends and nieghbors. It was an honor to have so many show up and say their final farewells with a kiss on each cheek.

Sorry again to all of you to whom these pictures don't mean much. Just skip them and wait for my next post.

Nichole H. (who helped in the planning of this Goodbye), yours truly, Chelsea L. (who would you believe just had a baby!?) and Mary Ann A. who just donated her long locks to Locks of Love.

This one looks totally posed. and it was.. excuse the finger, I can't remember who took this one. Nichole, I think it was you!! haha bloopers of film, I suppose! Here is me, Nicole Q., and Christina G.; Nicole and Josh will meet us up in Alaska in February. SO exciting!

This one's for you, Marie! I cropped it so you couldn't tell I was *sshhhh* bending over. Now it just looks like I'm a hunchback. I'd have kept the original, cuter one, but I had to keep my promise of cropping it. haha! you're hilarious. Marie has been my visiting teacher this past year!

Parties with these girls means lots of good home cookin! Notice the rice-crispy turrets from the birthday cake the night before! And all the yummy fruit, doughnuts, and breakfast casseroles. I am one lucky girl to call all these gourmet chefs, friends!

Here's a yummy close-up:

On the left is Jessica S. from the primary picture, and on the right is Erin U. who's due date was a few days ago. Her little girl is going strong!

Here is me and Holly with her baby Cameron. Do you recognize her from the baptismal pictures? See what I mean about time flying??

And lastly, here is me with Kathryn, Christina, and Cheris! Right after this picture was taken, Cheris jumped across the people and said, "Oh! that was my bad side!" yeaaah right. :D

Thank you girls!! I will always remember all the fun we had on the border. :D You will all be missed. Maybe the world will turn in our favor and we'll see eachother again!

Beware of Ogres

Monday night, the eve of leaving Del Rio, Mark and I went to a little girl's birthday party. This little girl, Sydney, loves the movie Shrek with Princess Fiona and Donkey. SO much so, that her mother fashioned her adorable party around this fun-filled movie. When we walked in with our ogre-appropriate gift, we were dawned with ogre-head bands, ogre-head balloons, and a strawberry Castle cake with rice-crispy turrets, ice-cream cone spires, and gumdrops for stone edging. It looked like something out of the game Candy Land! To say the least, I was VERY impressed. Take a look at Sydney! She couldn't unglue her eyes from the beautiful and oh-so-delicious-looking cake!

Did you catch what I said about our 'ogre-appropriate' gift? well, if you can look closely enough to see what Tony has in his hands, you may be able to laugh along side what Mark thought to be the best gift you could ever give a two-year old girl: a whoopie cushion.

So Long, Farewell...auf weidersehen, adieu!

This weekend has been full of goodbyes! It's bitter-sweet to say goodbyes to favorite friends and still be excited to continue with our adventure. Last night there was a babyshower for my visiting-teaching companion, so I grabbed as many pictures as I could. And then today, I had to say goodbye to my two callings (Branch Pianist and Primary Pres. 1st Counselor). For my fellow Del Rio 2nd Branch bloggers, here are some of the pictures!

Liz Ann - I'm going to miss you, your humor AND your southern twang.

Here is me, Larissa, and Jenni with her little guy Chase. I visit taught Jenni this past year and dog-sat her cute dog River.

Here is me and "the new gal" Cheris - she is SOOO much fun. I wish I had more time with you, Cheris!


Here I am in the middle. I jumped in between these two Beauties. On the left is Rachael and on my right is Nichole. Rachael has been friends with Mark since the Academy and it has been SO much fun getting to know her, Dan, and Macy!

Here's me with Mary-Ann, holding Cameron (my neighbor's newborn) and Beth! Beth and I served a bit in primary together, and she has one amAZing voice and is SO sweet. Beth it was too shortlived!

Here is me with the guest of honor! Me with Valancy (Val). She was my visiting teaching companion all year and taught me so much.

Half of the group: starting from left is me, Angela below me, Cheris, Nichole holding Adalyn, and Crista (Ady's mom).

Today after primary, I we snapped this picture. Sorry about the 'over-exposed look', I had it on the wrong camera setting still. This is me, 1st counselor, Jessica S., 2nd Counselor, and the woman with the power, Kathryn (Primay Pres.) I'll miss these two tremendously. What great women!!

Here is Kathryn's husband, Trigger (yes! like the famous horse, though he made it clear, he was not named FOR/after the horse), and his son Trigger (the junior). Trigg junior is 6 years old and just read the Book of Mormon in TWO months! He wanted to be sure he was beating me and Mark every Sunday so he'd come up and poke us and ask, "Where are you in the Book of Mormon?" He's a wonderful little kid.

And because we love their kids SO much. Here is one with Mark and I with Trigger and Victoria. Trigger taught me how to teach Settlers of Catan and wanted me to play it every week with him thereafter.