Technologically dead.

I don't know what happened, but it died. I'm pretty sure it didn't have a virus. I used it Sunday night and it worked fine. By fine I mean it would randomly re-boot when I was in the middle of doing something and the Internet would close down with multiple error reports.

Should that have been my first clue that something was up?

Then come Monday morning, nada.

It won't even turn on.

Now, it's taken all my pictures and won't let me have them.

How rude!

So I'm blogging illegally from work to tell you I probably won't be blogging much until I can get a replacement computer.

Does anyone know where they sell computers for $2.68? That's all my expendable cash at the moment.

There were never such devoted sisters...

The very talented Jeanna Hayes took some pictuves of my sisters and I a couple of months ago and I can't decide which one to get an enlargement of.

I mean, they all look so amazing! Especially since I'm in them.

What do you think?

And of course my personal favorite.

Dang I look good.

SO glad that's over!

I used to have fond memories of girl's camp.

Unfortunately I can't remember any of them anymore.

They've all been replaced with new not-so-fond memories.

Like taking a shower with a mouse.

And 18 teenage girls.

And 12 blisters on my feet (I counted twice)

And girls screaming until 3:00 am.

And a ridiculously long 5 mile hike up a mountain.

And 2 leaders that acted like teenagers.

And constant complaining.

And wearing the same shirt for 3 days.

And drinking a gallon of water a day.

And getting pushed into the pool fully clothed.

And having a nervous breakdown once it was all over.

So glad I used my vacation days from work for that.

My Guy

By some act of fate, my honey never saw this as a kid.

So when I put it on last night, he had no clue what was coming.

I did.

He laughed at all the appropriate moments.

Rolled his eyes at the antics of Vada.

Thought Macaulay Culkin was the perfect best friend (except he kept calling him Richie Rich)

Then I conveniently remembered that I had to fold laundry upstairs, about 20 mins before it ended.

I knew what was coming.

30 Mins later he comes trudging up the stairs with kind of a basset hound sad face.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

Does that make me evil?

Going on a Roadshow

I stumbled upon "Antiques Roadshow" the other day and I couldn't look away.

It's captivating. Kinda like how I can't change the channel when I stumble upon "The deadliest catch", I don't know why, but I love it.

I was mesmerized by the lovely articles of furniture and nick-nacks and that these experts were able to tell where they were made and in what year. I feel like I'm getting an education in antique appraisals.

I scoff at the people who say that really it's the sentimental value of the item that is worth more than the price. YEAH RIGHT! If that were the case, why go there in the first place?

And I always think it's funny when they appraise the item at like $1,500-$2,000 and the person is like, "Wow! Really! That's amazing!"

You know they were hoping for one of those hidden gems worth like $85,000-$100,000 and they're totally just pretending to be thrilled. How embarrassing!

I on the other hand, would never go on that show unless I knew that the item was worth at least $1,000,000,000.99.

I feel capable now that I've seen the show a few times to appraise anything.

So I started looking around my house and found a few things that I consider hidden gems.

Like this glass dog perfume holder for example.

My grandma gave this to me from her collection before she died. That means it's worth even more. All things increase in value when their owners pass away.

The head removes and there is a twist off top and the base can be filled

Estimated Value $50,000 only because it's in such mint condition.

And we also have this beautifully carved Don Quijote and Sancho Panza.

I purchased these two figurines in Spain and brought them home with me. The value is greater in that because the items are not marked for export. Unfortunately Don Quijote did loose his walking stick (it fell behind my TV) so I did have to knock it down a few thousand, but overall a fascinating specimen.

Estimated Value $33,000 (It'll increase by a good $20,000 when I keel over)

One of the more exotic pieces in my collection.

Some people (including myself) probably would've passed this up as junk at the garage sale. But not my honey. He knows true value when he sees it. He picked this baby up for $5 and not until he brought it home did he realize that it is also a running fountain as water will spew out of the ugly tiki guy's mouth. CLASSY!! It even came with working batteries. The value went up a good $5 with those babies!

Estimated Value $74,005

And then I have this hand-made harp.

BARELY USED! (save for a few lessons when I was younger)

The wood is cracking because I live in the dessert now. Awesome! That greatly increases the novelty. Yep, this baby is one of a kind.

Estimated Value $4,009

And next we have my beautiful computer chair.

Early Pennsylvania piece I believe. (Wow, I just realized that I haven't the faintest clue how to spell Pennsylvania - sad) Those scratches give it a high quality antique flavor. It's also extremely comfortable to allow for hours of computer time.

Estimated Value $36,000

And last but not least we have my extensive book collection.

I saw once on Antique Roadshow that someone had brought in an original printing version of the Book of Mormon. It was missing the title page (tell me if anyone just thought of Vicente di Francesco) so the value went down slightly to $22,000.

None of my books are missing any pages. Therefore their value tops the charts. Besides, there aren't any steamy hot vampires in the Book of Mormon. For that reason, the estimated value of this collection is:

Priceless - it just holds too much sentimental value for me.

Which piece do you think I should bring on the show?

This is when I'm trying to find a close hotel.

This is my last week before I throw myself into the depths of all that is evil and wrong in the world and pray that I will have the stamina to survive...

aka Girls Camp.

My preparations began in February when I attempted to get a Camp Director called since our stake only goes with all the wards every other year and this year isn't that year.

Oh joy.

So I gave my bishop a little piece of paper with the name of someone I thought could handle the job.

And he lost it.

So I gave him a slightly larger piece of paper with the same name.

And he lost it.

(Repeat steps 1 and 2 at least 3 more times.)

By that time it was April and I still didn't have anyone called.

So I may have casually mentioned it (not complaining or anything) to one of the counselors who told me that if I gave him the name, he for sure wouldn't let me down.

I gave him the name.

He lost it.

I gave it to him again.

He forgot about it.

I gave it to him again.

He asked for a second choice since he wasn't sure that person would be able to do it.

I gave him another name.

He talked to the first person (who couldn't do it as predicted) and lost the paper with the other name.

Do you see a pattern here?

By Mid-May I gave up and began making the preparations myself.

The only problem is, I was always that sarcastic teenager who made fun of every activity and pulled pranks on the younger kid.

I don't really remember anything else about girls camp.

Aren't we supposed to go on a hike too?
(I use the term "we" very loosely, there's no way you're getting me to walk around for 5 miles. That's what I got a drivers license for.)

Do you think it's ok if I plan 8 hours of free time a day and let the girls figure out their own certifications?

Good, cuz that's what I did.

If you'd like to come, you're all invited.

Should be a blast!

Be Independent

May you do this,



Enjoy these,



Devour this,



Savor some,

And have yourself a happy,