I used to be funny.

So I was reading old blog posts today...and found myself laughing at my old posts and cringing at the old photography.

I used to be pee your pants funny.  I used to write with oodles of wit.  Now I'm just BLAH!  My stories are still as good I just don't blog them like I used to.

And as my photography goes it's pretty funny too............I look at some of my old stuff and think "what the poo what I thinking?"

So I am going to try to remember to blog the funny things that happen, because honestly my life is pretty funny and remember to never overly edit eyes EVER AGAIN (so grateful I kicked this habit a long time ago)

Okay...I need to go now and think of something funny to blog about. :)

Stress and Shingles

It is no secret that I have been mega stressed lately.  I have been not only burning the candle at both ends but holding the candle over a hot fire....seriously the only thing I can do to stay a float is tread water.  I started getting my papers ready for 2012 taxes and it was so daunting I closed the file and said "LATER".  I start doing laundry and I do one load and I say "LATER".  I find myself saying to my kids "later".  I am treading water here and can't seem to find the shallow end.
This being the case I broke out in a horrible rash and after complaining how much it hurt and how bad it was getting I finally went to the doctor.  The doctor asked me two questions 1. "Did you have chicken pox as a kid?" and 2. "are you stressed". Yes and YES! and she then said in her fabulous Indian accent "You have 'the' shingles."  OH lovely!
So this past week I have been trying to de-stress and I have to say "IT HASN'T WORKED".  I feel like the more I put things on hold the more stressed I become.
So here is where YOU come in.
What are your favorite ways you de-stress?
Because mine are not working.

Be Strong

Today I wanted to blog about a friend of mine.  Her name is Kamille. 

Kamille and I met shortly after I got married and shortly before she got married.  

She was working for Clinique Cosmetics and was my consultant.  I wouldn't let anyone else help me (see that is my loyalty thing) except Kamille.  It didn't matter if I really needed something I would wait until she was working so she could help me. 

Kamille and I were really....REALLY close at one point.  She was there for me at a time when I needed it the most.  Kamille outed me about my {former} eating disorder.  She actually called Doctor Laura.  (Yes..the Dr. Laura) about me.  

Kamille is probably one of the strongest souls I know. 

Kamille is married to her best friend Clint.  Clint served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to Brazil prior to them getting married.  While he was there he found out he had bone cancer.  He was sent home to have surgery.  He married Kamille and they have 3 children. 

Clint had been in remission from cancer for 10 or so years. 

In December of 2011 they found his cancer was back.

It was devastating to them. 

Clint underwent surgery to remove the cancer.  There is no treatment for bone cancer other than removal.  It doesn't respond to chemo or radiation. 

They got it all. YAY

Then he went in for his 3 month check up... the cancer had come back in a different spot now. 

He went through surgery again. 

He went back again for his 3 month check (at least I think it was all 3 month checks...I could be wrong) and they found it was back again.  This time they decided to wait and see if it would grow.

Yesterday they went back for his check to find that it has doubled in size.  Then they found a new spot of cancer on his back. (Prior it had all been in his hip and groin area). 

This is devastating news. 

I can't imagine what is going on in their heads and hearts.  

Through it all Kamille has been pretty upbeat and happy as that is Kamille, but I just know that her soul is crushed. 

Kamille is one of the strongest women I know.  She is beautiful and remarkable.

To her Clint hangs the moon.  She calls him her dream boat.  

I am so blessed to know such an amazingly strong women. 

I've wanted to do something for them, but I don't know what and it just hit me. 

I am going to hold a sale on my actions and all the proceeds are going to go to Clint and Kamille and their family. 

When you pray, pray for those you don't know that they can be strong through their trials.  I know there is so many of our Heavenly Fathers children out there who need our prayers...including Clint and Kamille. 

Chop Chop

This morning as I was getting ready Ava came in and stood beside me on her stool and began to put on lipgloss and style her hair.  {in a way she could..come on, she's only 4}
She then asked me if I would straighten her hair.  So I did.  I hate doing it though.  She has beautiful curls and it makes me sad to straighten them out.  After I did she was very matter of fact when she said to me "I want my hair like this" and demonstrated a short bob-ish hair style. I then proceeded to tell her that I couldn't cut her hair.  And she said to me "yes you can, just get cut it straight across!"
All day she talked to me about having short hair.  So after much talk about it today I decided she could do it.

So we marched over to my sisters house (who is my neighbor...isn't that clever?) and she agreed to give her a little chop chop.

Ava went through a gamut of emotions. Happy, scared, nervous, silly, excited, scared, silly...did I mention silly?!

Ava loves her new "Avie hair" and says she feels like "A New Ava".

I was sad that we cut off her curls but she has never had a hair cut so at some point we were going to have to cut the baby ends off.  We will see once it's wet if it's curly...but for now it's just a cute little bob.

This is the plan

I really enjoy blogging.  To me it's a good way to get my thoughts out there.
But I get bogged down because I don't know what to blog.
So when I was sitting in church today I had a 'that's it' moment or if you're an Oprah fan a "ah ha moment."
I've decided that every week I am going to pick a theme and blog about that theme.
The blog posts may vary, but they will all have an underlining tone.
But hopefully this will help me.
I may blog only once a week, or several times depending.
SOOOOOOO
This week I have decided my blogs will be on Friendship.

I have a lot to say on this topic.  So expect several posts.

For now, I need to go prepare a 7 layer dip for the Beyonce concert..I mean superbowl.