Clear face, clean floor

Okay, since a few of us have had the "Adult Acne" issue, Jocelyn recommended this product to me and it's worked AWESOME! I haven't had a zit in the last 8 years (thanks Accutane) but for some reason, last week I got five!!! they all were in the same area, and nicely formed a circle. So for any of you having the Adult Acne issue, try this: Clearasil Acne Control, Adult Acne Treatment Cream. It's tinted, so you can wear it under makeup. But, you HAVE to make sure you buy the ADULT one...I went to 4 stores to find mine, but Walgreens had it. All the others had the same cream, but not the Adult version. Try it...you'll love it!

I also am still in love with my Bissel Flip-It. I know Julie and Angie both have one, but after 3 years, mine still is awesome. If you have lots of tile or hardwood, this thing is awesome. It sweeps, mops, and squeegees all in one. So the squeege part isn't all that powerful, but really this thing is a livesaver! I bought mine at Sears 3 years ago for about $100. It's pricey, but totally worth the time savings!

I'm Bringin' Sexy Back!

Girls. I have found them!!! I have been searching for the perfect pair of jeans for years now. You know the jeans that make your legs look LONG and SLeek, minimize butt size, etc? Well, I've found them! SILVER JEANS! The only drawback is that they are LOW RIDERS, so i've had to work on longer tops and my spare tire! They are a wee bit pricey, but after I begged my husband to get them for me, we went out and he commented that they were worth every penny! I like the Tuesday cut and the Suki, but there are many many styles and you just have to go the buckle and try them all on. HAPPY SHOPPING!

And the winner is.....

OK, you fierce competitors vying for the ugliest feet award, you are cracking me up with your very competitive, heartfelt and graphic pleas to be crowned queen but I'm sorry to say that you will have to continue your quest for the crown next summer - we have found our winner for this year.


NASTY! I don't think even the Diamancel could help poor grandma! This picture is so gross, sorry for posting it :) Yvette actually sent this in the spring with an Open Toe Shoe Pledge, which it sounds as though some of us have violated! I promise if I ever see any of my friends getting close to this (which you're not, Mar) I will intervene!

Ugly Summer Feet

I don't know about you gals but the summer takes a serious toll on my feet. The only time I even wear socks is to work out. What I'm left with is just downright scary. I'm surprised my hubby has never asked me to wear socks to bed :)

So, I kept hearing about this foot file by Diamancel. Every year in the In Style Best Beauty Buys issue (my favorite!!!) It is always rated the best. It's pretty spendy so I didn't buy it but finally earlier this year I got some money for my birthday and broke down and bought it. Amazing!!! It is $38 and is the Diamancel Callus Conqueror #20. It is incredible for that dry, thick, cracked skin around heels. I think it is made with diamonds and is supposed to last for about 5 years. It is pricey but when you think about it, it's only about the same price as one pedicure. Anyway - I LOVE this product! I think they sell it at beauty.com, so you can order this and the DIMRS together! :)

The Bumbo!

For all of you with little ones, this is a super invention. I just bought a Bumbo chair for Brooklyn yesterday and we both love it! She still doesn't have great neck control, she's a bit wobbly. But she can sit in her Bumbo really well and it helps her to strengthen her neck and back muscles. When I try to give her tummy time, she is just a lazy girl and lays down. So this chair has been great for her. I highly recommend it!

No More Blinding Head-lights!

Wow! A girl gets away from the WKTGS for a couple days and misses a ton of new great stuff! My hubby and I just got back from a two day stay at the children's hospital. Our 10 yr old son had emergency surgery to remove his appendix! He's doing great now, and resting at home...TOTALLY RELIEVED. It was so great to read a little fun girl talk today IE: recipes, products, get-2-know-u's, and PORN :-)!! TX for all the great stuff you gals have posted!! Well here is an awesome product to possibly be used in conjuction with Angies beautiful post on keeping the" twins" settled down while exercising!!
I absolutely love this product...don't leave home without it! As crazy as it may look girls these DIMR'S really do dim the head-lights so to speak! They are small silicone forms that basically succion right over top of the "PN's" (protruding nipples, as dubbed by Marilee ;-)) Listen. They can be worn under the sports bra, non-padded bras, bra-less, and swim wear. Yup, you heard me! The "mini sisters" can even be worn under water...they will not move! I will even be sporting mine at the triathlon I'm doing in two weeks! It's super sly baby! It's also totally funking however, to see the old "targets" totally missing when looking in the mirror;-) You gotta give'em a try!Remember, they're called DIMR'S and they are $29.99, but worth it! You can order them on beauty.com! Happy Dimming!

The best banana bread recipe ever!!!

Okay, so I might be biased, but my sisters, my mom, and my mother-in-law have all thrown away their recpies for banana bread after they tasted mine. It's seriously amazing. In fact, I am eating another slice as we speak!

2/3 cup real butter (unsalted)
1 1/3 cup white sugar
2 eggs
dash of vanilla
3-4 brown bananas
1/2 cup sour cream
2 2/3 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon

Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add each egg, one at a time. Add vanilla and mashed bananas. In a different bowl, mix the dry ingredients and alternate adding them into the wet mixture with the sour cream (1 cup dry mix, then 1/4 cup sour cream, 1 cup dry mix, sour cream, 2/3 dry mix). Bake in 2 pans for 45 minutes or until done at 350 degrees!

You can also substitute the bananas with zucchini (call me if you need some, i have them growing out my ears) or peaches, or cherries, cranberries, etc...)

A Few Good Recipes

So most of you know, I am all about eating (my size shows it sadly enough). Here are some good and good for you recipes.

Yesterday Jocelyn and I were talking about her obsession with Snackwells Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies and how they discontinued them. We googled it online and found the recipe! We both challenged eachother to make them, and folks...they REALLY do taste like the real thing! And for 13 of them to be 100 calories...count me in. Here's the recipe:

Makes 12 Dozen bite size Cookies
1 egg white
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon corn syrup
1 tablespoon shortening
1 1/2 tablespoons egg substitute
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon plus a pinch of salt
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Beat the egg white until thick. Add the granulated sugar to the egg white and continue beating until the mixture forms soft peaks. While beating, add the brown sugar; corn syrup, shortening, and egg substitute. In a separate bowl, combine the flour; salt, baking soda and baking powder: Combine the dry mixture with the wet and mix well. Add the chocolate chips and incorporate them into the dough. Divide the dough in half; then roll each portion into a long, thin Jog about the same diameter as a nickel and wrap each in plastic wrap. Put the dough into the refrigerator and chill) it for a couple hours (you may also use the freezer for roughly half the time if you're in a hurry). When the dough has thoroughly chilled, remove each log of dough from the plastic wrap and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Place slices on a cookie sheet coated lightly with nonstick spray about 1/2-inch apart, and bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the cookies turn light brown. Nutrition Facts: Serving Size 13 cookies Total servings 11 Fat (per serving) 3.3g Calories (per serving) 105

The dough will turn out really gooey, like peanut butter...so I have no idea how they were able to roll it into a log. Joce tried to put it in the freezer and that kinda worked, but I just rolled it into a fat log and threw that into the fridge. They are so yummy!

Here's another recipe if you're searching for something to make for dinner. We call it French Dressing Chicken which I grew up on. You can make it totally low fat too!

3-4 Chicken Breasts (un-cooked)
1 box Uncle Bens Wild Rice
2/3 cup white rice
1 can of cream of celery soup (i use the healthy request kind)
1 can of cream of mushroom soup (healthy request)
1/2 cup milk (skim)
1/2 cup french dressing (fat free)
slivered almonds
parmesan cheese.

In a 13 by 9 inch pan, put the wild rice and seasoning packet in (uncooked). Add extra white rice. Place chicken breasts (or you can use tenders) on top of the rice. Mix in a bowl the 2 soups, milk, and dressing and pour over chicken. Top with almonds, cheese, and foil. Cook in a 350 degree oven for 2 hours. Serve warm. You might also want to use minute rice to make sure it's cooked all the way through with the rice. It's seriously SOOOOOO good! We had it last night.

Missing Edward and Bella!

Sad, but true, but exciting all at the same time. I finished Eclipse last night. It was sooooooo good but it is bitter sweet since I have nothing to read now. I miss Edward and Bella! : ( I hope Stephenie gets on it and writes another one. She said on her website that she will...does anyone have any updated information on that???

Jacob or Edward?

Another Stephenie Myers post! Sorry non-SM fans. I just have to ask - is there really anyone out there who is pro-Jacob??? For me - it's ALL about Edward!

I did it!

Hey! Come take a look at my family blog site. I am so proud of myself. It is in the very simple stages right now, but hey, I have pictures on there. Thanks Alysha, again, for telling me about the blogging sites.

Comment Notification Email

Anyone who joined the email group... check your spam because I left a comment to test it out and Shannon got it and I didn't and couldn't figure it out. Then I found that it went to my spam. Anyway, it should be working now. So if you didn't receive the comment I left check your spam folders then mark them as not spam so they will start going to your inbox. They should have [We Know The Good Stuff!] New comment on ______. for the subject of the email.

Anyone who hasn't joined the email group. You can anytime. Just let me know and I'll send you the link to join.

Porn for us "good girls"

You've probably already seen these...but I had a good laugh this morning and thought I'd share! :) Happy Tuesday everyone!

Orange Julius

My visiting teacher (and friend) saw that I got a brand new, shiny blender and she gave me the recipe for an Orange Julius smoothie. I made it for dessert on Sunday...and Monday... and everyone loved it. So, of course, I thought of the WKTGS ladies and couldn't wait to pass it on! If you already have this - sorry! If not, please enjoy!

1/2 can frozen orange juice concentrate
3/4 c. milk
3/4 c. water
1/4 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
15-20 ice cubes
Blend together and serve. Serves 4.

P.S. Just read about "imprinting" in Eclipse. CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Keepin' my girls in check...

Someone asked about my fav sports bra in an earlier comment. Well, ta-da! Here it is! It's the Champion Double Dry Seamless Full Support (oh tell me about it...) Underwire (is there any other way??) Sports Bra.

I purchase mine at Kohl's for $40.00 and it looks like they're about the same price at the Champion site. They're super comfortable and seriously, the girls stay put during my most high impact aerobics classes or jogging.

If you're in the market for a new one, check it out! :)

***Update: The best thing about this bra is that it is sized pretty well. Kacey commented about smaller sizes - you can definitely get these for less well endowed. They are sized like regular bras but also have a cup size range, like for example I wear a 32-34 d/dd. I've never NOT been busty, but I would imagine that if I wasn't I might avoid the underwire if I could. Check out their other styles...they have some really great new saucy seamless ones!

Growing

Have you all noticed how many ladies we have on here now? Holy cow. I love it! But is anyone else having trouble with keeping up? Like if you post something and then want to read comments but can't remember how many comments there were so you waste a lot of time going to comments when you don't need to because there are no new ones? I have a solution... and want to know who wants to join.

On my own blog I have it set up so that any time someone comments on my blog the comment is automatically emailed to me. That way if someone comments on an old post I will know they commented (since I don't check old posts for new comments on my blog). If you don't have this set up on your own blogs you should check it out. Very handy. Under "Settings" then "Comments" at the bottom is the "Comment Notification Email" and you put the address in there where you want comments on your blog emailed to you.

Anyway... on to my point. You can only have one email address for the comment notification so I created a WKTGS google group email address that anyone on here can join it and then whenever a comment is put on the WKTGS blog it will send that comment to the emails that are in that google group. Again... very handy. Who wants in? If you do either give your email address in the comments or send it to me here and I'll invite you to the group.

Let Me Introduce Myself

Hey girls - First of all, I just want to say how excited I am about this blog! How fun.

1. Full Name: Tamara Faye Nelson Cooper-Leavitt (I know - a little long)

2. Age: Seriously? OK - 34

3. Married/Kids - Married almost 14 years to my hot hubby Jeramy, Ella- 4 1/2, Finn - 6 months

4. Work: In my former life I was a CPA but I got a promotion to SAHM when I had Ella. It's the best job ever!

5. Resides: Highlands Ranch, Colorado

6. Hobbies: Shopping, reading, working out, photography, decorating my house

7. Loves: Music, EBay, girls night out, date night, talking, Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, Clorox wipes, PuraCleanse (see Marilee's post on this), chocolate chip cookies, shoes, bags, jewelry - really all accessories, Sephora, J.Crew, Anthropologie, The Container Store, Nordstrom and the Rack, Diet Coke, vacation sex (sorry - I just got back from a trip with hubby and no kids. SIGH!)

8. I am on this blog thanks to: Marilee

9. Dreams: Rich, thin & beautiful! I would love to reach my goal weight/size before I have another baby (probably not going to happen but it's still a "dream"). Another baby. A pregnancy without puking my guts out. A house on the beach and cabin in the mountains that I could share with family/friends. To be able to walk into J.Crew, Anthropologie & Nordstrom and buy what I like without checking the price tag. To raise my kids to be loving, considerate, righteous and confident and have them still love me in the process. Lots of beautiful grandbabies!

10. Addictions: SHOES! My computer - Ebay, email, now blogging, iTunes (wow, those $0.99 songs really add up!) Cleaning and organizing my house, hair products, wardrobing and stylizing my family, diet coke, People magazine.

11. Biggest Dislikes: stretch marks, telemarketers/solicitors, rude people who work in the service industry (hello - you're getting paid to be polite!), inconsiderate people, a messy house, not being able to fit into my clothes after a vacation!

Help A Sista Out!

I want to go to a concert. It's September 1st, which happens to be the first day of dove hunting season (not that I would know that but I've been told so by you know who). You can hunt dove for many days... my concert is only on one night. It's Goo Goo Dolls with Lifehouse and Colbie Caillat. Sound good? Yeah I thought so too. Maybe you've heard one of my favorite songs on my playlist - Bubbly. Ben is refusing to give up opening day of killing birds so that means I am super bummed out. Anyone who thinks that is ridiculous (as I do) please help me out and comment or tell Ben here. I have tried reasoning with him... telling him that I am only asking for one night. He can go and hunt dove all he wants any other night. Help me convince him he should take me to that concert. If you think he should go on the dove hunt instead of taking me to that concert please lie. Thank you.

Get to Know Me

1. Full Name: Charlotte Renee` Mitchell
2.Age: 28
3. Married/Kids?: Husband: Jason, Kids: Amelia(Mia) Just turned 3 a couple weeks ago and Jackson who turned 4 months today!
4. Work: Stay-at-home mom, but certified Elementary Education teacher
5. Resides: Draper, UT
6. Hobbies: Reading, traveling, working out, scrapbooking, cooking, shopping for my kids and really for anything, watching football (NFL and College), fishing, sewing.
7. Loves: I love Ebay, watching movies, like many of you...my Bare Minerals(I have been using it for almost 2 years now), Ann Taylor clothing, hanging out with friends and family, going to plays, Gymboree clothes for my kids, Sundays, Sephora, going out to eat.
8. I am on this blog thanks to: Alysha
9. Dreams: That my family will always be healthy and happy and that we will all be together for eternity.
10. Addictions: The Internet: Ebay, now blogging, checking my email, Twilight Series (any info. about it.) buying clothes for my kids.
11. Biggest Dislikes: People who drive slowly, mean and rude people, waiting too long in line(hey, I have 2 under 3...) people who lie, people who are always late.

Hey Gals!

Hey to all! Alysha introduced me to this blogging website. I have to also say thank you to her for introducing me to the "Twilight"series. I have joined the bandwagon and ...LOVE IT! I have also gotten my mom to read the series as well. Wednesday I bought "New Moon" and "Eclipse." Earlier that morning I had just finished "Twilight." I can't wait until Alysha's Eclipse party either!
I love reading about what products you gals are loving right now. If you guys have any other product likes, let me know.I have a feeling that I will become like Alysha said, "Addicted to blogging." I am happy to join and I will be doing my page as soon as possible with 2 kids under 3! You all know where I am coming from!
I also got all the things needs to make the Cafe Rio food. I will let you know how it all turns out.

Copycat

So I know I've already posted this on my family blog, but since most of you are new to me, I thought I'd post it again. Here are the recipes for Cafe Rio/Costa Vida food. I make this, and then you can buy the dressing from there, and also get your own uncooked tortillas from Costco or wherever. Enjoy.


Café Rio Pork
3 lb. pork roast
16 oz. salsa
1 can of Coca Cola
2 cups brown sugar
water

Fill your crock pot with just the roast, and fill it half way with just the water.
Cook on high for 5 hours.
Take the pork out after the 5 hours, and drain the liquid.
Cut the roast into 3 or 4 sections and place back into the crock pot.
Puree the salsa in the blender and transfer to a bowl.
Add the Coke and brown sugar and mix.
Pour over the roast and cook on high for 3 more hours.
Shred with a fork.

My recommendations:

I also added ½ pack of fajita seasoning, 1 can green chilies, and about 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning during the last hour of cooking. Also, when it was done cooking, I drained out all the liquid and reduced it in a saucepan so it was thicker. With my additions, it tasted AMAZING!


Also, here's the recipe for the dressing, rice, chicken, and homemade tortillas:


Cafe Rio Creamy Tomatillo Dressing
1 package Hidden Valley Ranch
1 cup mayo
1 cup cilantro, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
3 tomatillos - peel off paper, chop
1/3 - 1/2 cups buttermilk, to consistency you want
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper (optional)

Put in blender and mix.

Homemade tortillas
3 C. flour
1/2 C. veggie or olive oil
1 1/8 C. luke warm water
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder

Mix all ingredients and knead. If too hard to knead, add a little water but if too sticky add a little more flour. Let stand for about 10 minutes. Makes about 12 small balls. Flatten each by rolling them out and then cook them in a frying pan.**I usually have 2 frying pans going at once so they all get cooked faster

Café Rio Rice
3 c water
4 t chicken bouillon
4 t garlic –minced
½ bunch cilantro
1 can green chiles—or equivalent fresh
¾ t salt
1 T butter
½ onion
3 c rice (see note)

Blend cilantro, green chiles and onion together in food processor. Bring water to a boil and add all ingredients, simmer covered 30 minutes.

Cafe Rio Chicken
1 small bottle Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing
1 T chili powder
1 T cumin
3 cloves garlic—minced
5 lbs chicken breast

Cook all together in a crock pot for 4 hours, shred meat and cook 1 additional hour.

Because Shannon Said I Had To...

1. Full Name: Lindsay Beckstrom
2. Age: 30
3. Married/Kids?: neither
4. Work: Recreation Therapist. I work at a residential and day treatment center for naughty teenagers and i love it.
5. Resides: Orem, UT at the Hotel Petersen.
6. Hobbies: MUSIC, reading, organizing, cleaning, hiking, scapbooking, knitting, crocheting, cooking, traveling, movies, golf, make-up artistry.
7. Loves: Hanging out with my sisters, a clean house, iPods, lipgloss, my Bath & Body Works oil diffuser, new mascara, a good flat iron, anything that helps me to be more organized (thanks Ikea), Lemon Propel, dark chocolate, Cafe Rio shredded pork salad, any kind of berry, Costco, Target, Post-its, air-conditioning, power tools, long showers, watching Lola tear across the back lawn, Collin's laugh, golfing with my mom, quiet Sunday afternoons, laying in the grass looking up at the sky, knitting anything for little people.
8. I am on this blog thanks to: Shannon....big shocker.
9. Dreams: to get married and have a couple of kids and watch them grow into successful adults, travel the world, get my masters degree, continue to be happy & healthy, oh...and pay off my credit card.
10. Addictions: Buying music from iTunes, scrapbooking supplies, powdered drink mix tubes that you pour into water bottles, Bare Minerals Make-up, cleaning and organizing my house (this is actually a sickness not an addiction).
11. Biggest Dislikes: People who are condescending and rude, people who drive slow in the fast lane, dirty public bathrooms.

New Blogger - All About Me...

1. Full Name: Yvette Marie Forsythe

2. Age: 34

3. Married/Kids?: Married to Paul. We have 3 kids: Chance, 14 (he passed away in Feb. of this year), Derrick, 12, and Shaylyn 6

4. Work: Full-time stay-at-home mom (& stay-in-the car mom - don't we drive around alot??).

5. Resides: Highlands Ranch, Colorado (suburb of Denver)

6. Hobbies: Reading!! I love to read new fiction, classics, non-fiction (once in a while), magazines, anything on the Web, emails, and recipes (is that weird??).

7. Loves: My husband, kids and extended family, anything chocolate - cake, cookies, brownies, ice cream, candy...laying out in the sun (don't get to do that very often in CO!), a good haircut and color, scrapbooking, shopping, pedicures and massages, exercising, one-on-one time with each of my kids, watching Shaylyn (my 6-year-old) getting hooked on reading, sleeping in, hiking, Girls Night with my friends, laughing and making other people laugh, Grey's Anatomy, What Not To Wear (there was a marathon on TLC last Sunday...loved it!), Nordstrom's shoe department, my little dog Bella (she's a shih-tzu), a really clean house (especially the kitchen, oh yeah!) and of course, vacations!

8. I am on this blog thanks to: Marilee and Shannon

9. Dreams: Wow! So many dreams...so little time! I would like to own my own business, get rich and go on Oprah to inspire other women to become entrepreneurs. Okay, that sounds totally corney now that I just said that-maybe I'll just go for the "get rich" part of that dream... I would like to go on more family vacations (that does not involve sleeping in a tent!). I dream of having a finished basement - somewhere the kids and their friends can play and have a little privacy and I would have a big scrapbook room down there too! I dream of my dad and step-mom moving from California to Colorado. I am holding on tight to the dream that a cellulite cream will be invented that will actually work-please see #7 above-I love chocolate...

10. Addictions: Diet Coke, Grey's Anatomy, my DVR - it is great to have the FF and Rewind buttons and I love being able to watch good shows while I'm folding laundry and ironing during the day, chocolate (please see #7), Costa Vida (it's like Cafe Rio for those of you in Utah!), reading (I'm a huge nerd!)

11. Biggest Dislikes: Wild animals-like...coyotes, rattlesnakes, mountain lions, bobcats, bears... I have an irrational fear of those animals (ask Marilee-she's witnessed my paranoia on a hike!). Just another reason I do not like sleeping in tents - I feel like a target for wild animals! Oh, I'm also kind of afraid of chickens and other big birds that walk around. Do I need therapy?? I don't like standing in long lines (who does?), clutter, dirty dishes, adult acne. Thanks for reading my ramblings!

Airbrush this!

Ok, a mutual friend of some of us (Heather Palmer Ward) has a link on her site to a company that touches up photos of the rich and famous. Go here:

http://www.iwanexstudio.com/

Click on the portfolio link at the top. As you click on each photo, move your mouse over the picture and you'll get a look at the before and after. All I have to say is Girl! I need to get me a program like this!! I recently took my own "before" picture to motivate myself to get back in the dieting game and a little airbrush or two would make a SERIOUS difference!

Enjoy -
aj

Last Post Today - Sorry!

I told you, I'm a blog addict. Being involved with this one only feeds my illness, enablers! :) Only kidding - love you all!

So I had to post a picture of my favorite new find ever! I got this frame for my birthday and couldn't wait to hang it on the wall before posting.



Not sure if you other moms out there have the same problem, but quickly (as we had kids), all the pictures in our house evolved to be of the girls only. I missed having pics of just me and Beau - maybe mostly because I was skinny and want to remember the good 'ole days. Either way, I wanted them around! So when I found this frame, problem solved. Now, I can have pictures of all of us! And, as newer better pictures come around, I can rotate out.

I'm in love.

My Date w/ Stephenie Meyer

Hi All! Sorry for the delay in getting my story about Stephenie Meyer up but here it is!
So Monday evening Yvette (who is still yet to post anything...maybe we could all encourage her with a welcome, as she is new to blogging and says she's not sure what to write) and I headed to "The Tattered Cover" bookstore to try to get some good seats for the question and answer period that was happening before the signing.
Yvette and I

We thought leaving at 5:30 for the 7:00 event would be plenty of time!! WRONG!! We got there at about 5:45 and the place was PACKED! We sat at the back and could hardly see a thing! That was okay though cause we could still hear her and when it was time for the signing we got to be right in front of her! Anyway, during our hour + wait the people who work at the store kept making announcements. "She WILL NOT pose for you but you may take a picture as you pass by!", "She will ONLY personalize "ECLIPSE". Do not ask her to personalize "TWILIGHT" or "NEW MOON"! "You MUST get in line in order of your ticket number", etc. Now imagine these announcements being said in a very dictatiorial, snooty way and that's how they really sounded. I became a bit worried that Stephenie would be a bit snooty since all these announcements were snooty! But alas, I did not need to worry a bit! She was so down to earth, unaffected and real! She answered questions for about 20 minutes and then started signing books! It was hilarious to look around at all the people there. It was all teenagers with a few parents to chaperone...and then there was us...Yvette, two of her friends from Colorado Springs, Katie and Jill, our friends Tanya and Brecken and me. All of us in our 30's, all of us married with children and not one teenager with us! We were the adult mom groupies and felt like we stood out like a sore thumb! It was hilarious! But, the teens around us didn't seem to care and chit chatted with us about the books just like we were one of them (we felt so cool :-).
So, when it was our turn to go up to be herded through the line I started wondering if I should be cheesey and tell her that I was a BYU grad! Of course I'm my mothers daughter and couldn't resist! As she signed my books I mentioned I had gone to BYU too! She was soooo excited! She wanted to know when I was there, where I lived, if I took any English classes? Turns out we were there the same years, she lived in Heritage Hall, me in Helaman and no, other than English 101 (or whatever the number was) I didn't take any English classes! Anyway, she was really cool and it was fun to see that she hasn't let all this success go to her head! She's the type of person that would be fun to hang out with! Anyway, to any of you going to a signing any time soon, it's really fun and totally worth it! Say hi to Stephenie for me :-) Ha ha ha!
This is me (in the black) and Yvette (in the purple) talking to Stephenie. Tanya took the picture just as Yvette stepped in front of the camera! oops! :-)
Me talking to Stephenie about BYU!
Brecken and Tanya getting their books signed!

(So it just occured to me that the pictures of me are hilarious! You know the funny pictures you see of someone with a famous person only its the famous person and the person saying they are in the picture is way in the back, all you see is a head with an arrow pointing to it saying (that's me!) I'm totally LOL at myself because you can't tell that I'm even in any of the pictures!! However, I promise they are of me and I did meet Stephenie)

Introduce Yourself...Okay!

1. Full Name: Evonne Gayle “EGO” Ballard
2. Age: 30
3. Married/Kids?: Married to Beau, mother of two girls - Tatum: 2 ½ and Hayden: 1
4. Work: I'm a full time mom & work from home as a product coordinator for an up an coming company (watch for us October 1 in several Utah malls!)
5. Resides: West Jordan, Utah
6. Hobbies: I love being crafty – this used to include scrapbooking, but I’ve fallen out of the loop lately (need to work on that). In a former life I loved to read, but who are we kidding – I have two kids. I love spending time with the girls (both my own and my friends) and doing most anything as long as the company is right.
7. Loves: Stretch denim, VS lipgloss, 40% off at Roberts, the “Do Not Disturb” button on our home phone, nap time & my cute husband.
8. I am on this blog thanks to: Sharny P.
9. Dreams: I wish everyone didn’t live so darned far away from each other (family and friends included). I’d love for Beau to be able to work less strenuous hours and have more time for himself – the boy works so hard it’s unbelievable. I wish I could fit into my pre-wed jeans. Damn, I looked better than I thought I did. Hindsight is 20/20, I guess.

I love this idea – thanks for the invite!

Halloween Boxes

I'm so excited to contribute! :) Here's the craft we FINALLY finished a little while ago. I love them!



All they are is a set of three paper boxes (I got mine at Joanne's). I painted them black and then sanded them just a bit and stained them for that more rustic look. I found some cute chipboard letters at Robert's (already orange) and stained those to match. Add some cute ribbon and fun accessories and there you have it!

I'm considering making a small box for Christmas gifts for neighbors (same idea, much smaller scale).

Can You Believe?

So, I am just amazed at you all. I am amazed that I am friends with some of the most amazing, creative, strong, and faithful women such as yourselves. I love reading our blog; every day there are new posts, new comments, and new good stuff! You all inspire me and make me smile every time I read something new. And it's amazing that most of us have never met, but still feel that kinship with eachother through our loves of mutual wonderfulness! Kudos to you all!



PS...anyone who has yet to buy a pair of Mary Jane Crocs...They are awesome! I know Ang has the baby blue ones, and Mandella has the green ones, but they are heaven sent! I love my Chocolate Brown ones! I bought mine at Extreme Footwear.com and they have free shipping on all their Crocs, Teva's and Reef's. Great to do business with! They have tons of colors and styles, more than you can find in the stores.

Also, some of my other loves currently are: Colgate Toothpaste with Scope, my tongue scraper (if you don't have one...GET ONE!!!), Scribblers Popsicles - they are the perfect size for toddlers, and a good little treat for adults, my curling iron...I know I've blogged about it before, but it rocks. It totally waves your hair and stays in for days. $40 at Sally's!, and of course, Secret Clinical Strength...if you are a sweater...it works awesome...I am on my third stick!

My Turn... About Me

1. Full Name: Jocelyn Anne Kohler Staller
2. Age: 29 (I have less than a month left before I have to say I'm 30!)
3. Married/Kids?: Married to Ben and no kiddos of our own yet
4. Work: Well, currently I'm a full time stay at home wife. Does that even count? Since we got back to the US I have been traveling here and there and so... no job. We'll see how much longer the status of my employment/unemployment lasts.
5. Resides: Round Rock (Austin), Texas
6. Hobbies: Blogging, Photography, Scrapbooking, Traveling, Reading (I have in the past few months really started loving to read again, thanks mostly to Twilight and Stephenie Meyer!)
7. Loves: Ben, my family, my friends, vacations, chocolate, baking, my TV shows (lots of reality TV in there), yummy shower gel and lotion, photos, Thai food, pedicures, fresh laundry, chocolate chip cookies, my Mom's cooking, a clean house, my afghan blanket, and I (like Julie mentioned I think) also love acrylic nails but haven't had them in a long time, I think it's time I get them again. And oh Angie... I am right there with having my towels folded a certain way. In fact I just folded a large load of towels this morning and they look great. OK this list has gone on long enough.
8. I am on this blog thanks to: Shannon
9. Dreams: To be a mom. To live closer to my family. To go on vacations.
10. Addictions: Blogs, Google, The computer (although without the internet it gets boring quickly), DVR (especially now that there is nothing on I can go back and watch my favorite dances on SYTYCD... don't tell anyone). You know you're addicted when something happens in life (away from the TV) and you want to push the back button to skip back 7 seconds! This happened to me a few times when driving and listening to the radio. Scary. And I have to say that my husband is addicted to NOT watching commercials. If I let the commercials play (which I often do when I'm watching TV and on the computer at the same time) he can't help himself from telling me to FAST FORWARD.
11. Biggest Dislikes: Who said dryer lint? Ha! That was funny! I agree about that, yuck. Also... Bugs! Sick I hate them all! I do not appreciate the bull frog hanging out on my hose nor the geckos that sometimes get IN my house. Get me out of Texas!!

I LOVE our BLOG!!

So today has been one of those 'no good, horrible, very bad days' for me! Can't really pin point why but for a lot of reasons and no reasons at all I'm just kind of bugged by most things today! So I came home from taking my 5 year old to have 4 of his 8 cavities filled (one of the reasons I'm bugged today, the COST of dental care, ahhhhhhhh, but that's a different story), anyway, I came home, turned on the computer, logged on to our website and read that Kacey is reading Twilight and LOVING it! INSTA SMILE!! It totally brightened my day! And then I read about the berries, and then Ang and Mandy's get to know you stuff and I'm totally back on having a good day (though the cavities thing is still hovering)! Anyway, Thanks for cheering my day! I LLLLOOOOVVVVEEEEE that we all have eachother via blogger! It's so much fun!
Oh and I promise I'll blog about my date with Stephenie Meyer once I decide to take the time to find my camera and upload the pics!!!
I'm off to finish reading "Eclipse"!

I guess its my turn!

1. Full Name: Mandy Brooke Green;
2. Age: 34
3. Married/Kids?: Married to Mr. Incredible, Brent Green. We have three exuberant and wonderful children: McKenzie-7, Indiana-6 and Presley-2.
5. Resides: Orem, Utah. Hoping for a European address sometime in my life.
6. Hobbies: Computer whatever, READING, READING, READING. the world just about ended when I took up quilting and love it! Photography, scrap frames and books, playing with my kids, and talking to girlfriends about life!
7. Loves: Russian HONEY CAKE!!! Chicken Marsala at carabbas, my life, smelly lip gloss that tastes good, a beautiful moon, great poetry, a fabulous book, HOMESTYLE pop secret, laughing hysterically, silver jeans, shopping, and watching kids say and do funny things!
8. I am on this blog thanks to: Shannnon! The queen mother!
9. Dreams: OF COURSE TO SPEND A WEEKEND WITH STEPEHNIE MEYER, and then have her cast me in her movies, and then have her create a new vampire based on me. To finish the outside of my house and have a deck that is like Alice's tea cups at disneyland. To have my children avoid the really terrible things in this world, and to enjoy every moment of this beautiful thing called life!

Thanks for all of your posts. I love reading them, and it is great to feel connected to others and share being a woman with all of you!

Long lost Sista

Hi girls, you might not remember me but I'm ya'lls best friend and I've totally been MIA! Well, some of you I don't know but it's fun that we're all totally blogging together. I finally got a chance to sit down and read through blogs the other night and just about died when I saw how much I still have to read on this blog! I haven't read all the entries yet, but did see that everyone was introducing themselves, so here goes....

1. Full Name: Angella Rae "Hotpants" "Flash" Glenn Jimenez
2. Age: 29
3. Married/Kids?: Married to Philip (or Phil) mother of Marissa: 5 and Dylan: 2
4. Work: I'm a full time mom with currently nothing on the side (which is a little unusual for me!).
5. Resides: I live just north of Charlotte, NC in Mooresville - Race City USA
6. Hobbies: You know, I'm really boring! I read and 'stuff'. Of course I love shopping and I'm totally off with TV right now so I'm trying to find other activities to occupy my time. I'm starting to enjoy decorating and wishing I had a money tree to get it all done at once.
7. Loves: Let's see, I love: the beach, the beach and the beach. I love my car and my ipod. I love fake toenails (see previous posts!), pink grapefruit anything, black beans, Dish jeans, my new body pillow, and baby kisses. I love U2, lipgloss, mint chocolate ice cream, and key lime pie. I love my sister, a clean bonus room and my towels folded just so. I love a balanced checkbook, Ice Breakers Pomegranate Lemon-aid mints and my new sports bra. I think that should do it for now!
8. I am on this blog thanks to: Shannnon of course
9. Dreams: I'd love to open a Bernard Callebaut store here in town to keep myself busy, earn a small fortune and be able to get the devil stuff for free. I'd love my husband to find a new career that's exciting as the current one, somewhere close to my sister or best friends. I hope my basement is developed within the next 5 years. I'd love to be a travel agent so I could really tell if I was being ripped off everytime I want to go somewhere. I dream of a WSH reunion again this year.

Happy blogging girls! Hopefully I can get caught up soon. But I have had a copy of Twilight for over a week now and HAVEN'T EVEN OPENED IT! Sharn, you can stop swearing now. Maybe I'll get started right now :)

A Good Movie

For my first post on this site, i though I'd share a good movie. For those of you who have not seen this movie... rent it right away. This is a good thing for sure. My sister Shannon will vouch for this one. We love this movie in our house. All I have to say is Simon Baker anyone?

Let's Welcome

Yes, it's true...someone in my family has decided to start blogging! So far, none of my sisters have a blog until now. Everyone, my sister, Lindsay is a blogger! Let's give her a big welcome!

My New Boyfriend

Since I have a fictional boyfriend (Edward) and teenage boyfriend (Zac Efron) couldn't we make them the same person!! Don't know if Zac is mysterious enough to play Edward but after watching the High School Musical 2 Premiere tonight, I've decided I love him just as much as I love Edward! He is so cute! It's a good thing I'm not a teenager or I would be SERIOUSLY love sick over this cute boy! :-)

Family/Friend Tree!

I think it was Louise who asked for a family/friend tree to figure out where everyone fits into our little blog. I will admit I don't know how a couple of you ladies fit in, so feel free to edit as soon as you like!



We'll start with Shannon


Shannon is friends with -

Julie
Jocelyn
Angie J
Yvette


Julie is sisters with MARILEE and HEATHER

Julie's sister-in-law is LINDSAY

Lindsay is friends with ALYSHA

Julie, Marilee and Heather are cousins with KACEY


Marilee is friends with LOUISE



Mandella, I don't remember where you fit in, so fill me in so I can remember!


I hope this helps! If I forgot anyone else I apologize for my stupidity!

REGULAR anyone???

Okay girls, now that we all know each other I'm going to broach a topic that is one of those taboo topics that, for social reasons, you don't talk about with just anybody! You know what I'm talking about, right? Those topics that in casual, social settings (ie/ work parties, church FHE in the parks, meet the teacher nights, etc.) you just DON'T talk about! This topic is one left for those friends and family members that you tell your secrets to. The ones you swear in front of (even though your not a swearer), the ones you can say anything to? You know what I mean! So, since we are now all friends, we are gonna go for one of those TABOO topics! Ladies, its time to talk about something most people don't even speak to their spouses about. I'm talking about POOP! Yes, I said it. Poop! We all do it and if I'm not mistaken we are all probably mystified by how much or how little we poop! The reason I bring this up is because in going with the name of our blog "We Know The Good Stuff" I must say that I REALLY do know the good stuff when it comes to pooping regularly, easily and comfortably. Let me give you a little history...

A few years ago I started to get these terrible stomach aches. The kind where I would get hugely bloated, feel like I was super gassy but nothing would ever pass. Sometimes the stomach aches were so bad that I could hardly stand up straight and when I did stand straight I looked like I was 5 months pregnant. So I started to eliminate things from my diet to see if that helped. Diet Coke (never fear, that wasn't the problem and I'm appropriately back on it :-), bread, dairy, gum, nuts, etc. Nothing seemed to help this problem and guaranteed, every time I went to dinner somewhere nice, this stomach ache would present itself. Finally after a few years of it getting worse and worse I started using over the counter stuff like Gas X, Mylanta, Metamucil, etc. These products worked temporarily but the problem always returned. I even went to the doctor and was tested for the glutin allergy but it came back negative (glutin is in wheat and almost everything we eat has it). Left to either deal with life in an uncomfortable, bloated state I had almost given up. Until I heard about colon hydro therapy (that's a whole other post- yes, I tried it, yes it was weird, yes it works). Through the therapist's recommendation, I found a product that has honestly and in every way changed my life.You MUST know about this!
What I found is an all natural fiber drink mix that tastes disgusting but works wonders on my digestive tract. It is called "Pura Cleanse" and is sold by a company called Miracles of Health (miraclesofhealth.net). I drink it regularly two times a day (plugging my nose and gulping it as fast as possible), and my life has changed. My stomach aches are completely gone, I'm never constipated, and I have soft, easy, regular movements. Not to mention more energy, a flatter stomach (no bloating) and a happier disposition because I'm not full of "crap". (just as a funny side note, one of the first times I met Angie, she told my mom and I that her parents told her the reason her eyes were brown was because she was so full of crap! Ha ha ha! Do you remember that Ang?)

Anyway, I don't tell you this to gross you out. Though this is funny to talk about I am really being completely serious. In the past year I have talked to so many friends who have the same stomach aches and issues that I had. It is so much more common than anyone realizes! I share this in hopes of helping someone who has "pooping problems" as I did. They are not fun to have but no one ever talks about it so no one knows what will help. If you have any issues like that, trust me, I know what will help and its this stuff.

Go to the website, check out their stuff and if you feel so inclined, order the PURA CLEANSE! If you want some quick results, order the CLEANSE CAPS too! You'll be more regular than you could ever imagine!

Good luck and let me know how it goes! Happy Pooping!! :-)

Yummy!

OK, so I haven't posted anything yet and I guess it's time since I do read this everyday. I will do the getting to know you one later tonight because I have a quick thing to talk about right now.

I got my first bottle of this stuff when I was visiting my sister in Pittsburgh. I went through it so fast and then was sad it was gone already and so I made my trip to Sephora here in Austin to get a new bottle. Whenever I use it I can't stop smelling it (I try not to use it every single day because I want it to last longer). It smells like the beach... well not really... it smells like a tropical beach resort!! That is better because growing up by the beach I know that sometimes "beach smell" isn't a good one. :) This. Is. Yummy.

Has anyone tried it? It is a little pricey but who can't use a few splurges?! Philosophy Sweet Coconut Milk shower gel. Talk about Good Stuff!

P.S. The matching body butter didn't seem to smell very good to me in the store and to top it off it was lots of moola... but I love the Sephora brand of their coconut body butter cream. Yum!

Here's Some Total Momsense

Hey Ladies, I'm Marilee's old childhood friend Louise...thanks for putting me on as a contributor! Love this blog! I feel a little like a third wheel girls. Could some one please post the" family tree/friend tree", I'm so confused about who's friends with who and who's related..you all have cute families and are such funny, articulate, and may I say gorgeous women! -the pressure! I guess I'll have to post a " get-to-know-you" soon. So, as per the You-Tube clip-hysterical! Her name is Anita Renfroe. Check out her website www.anitarenfroe.com to see all her funny book titles eg."It's A Purse-Driven Life", "If You Can't Lose It, Decorate It". Enjoy ;-)

I guess it is my turn!

I don't know how long it has been since I checked this blog, but apparantly forever. I guess I will fill you all in on me, while I take a break from reading Eclipse. A break you say, sometimes it is necessary when your kids are bugging you for attention.

1. Full Name: Heather Lynn Miller Empey
2. Age: 31 (how did that happen?)
3. Married/Kids?: Married to Steve Empey. Kids - Tyler who is almost 7, Brooklynn 4 1/2 (yes Lindsay stole my daughters name, I can't believe her - Just Kidding Twee, I love you) and of Joshua (who is running in circles and watching MoMo, Elmo) 19 months
4. Work: Empey Inc President, CEO and everything inbetween
5. Resides: California
6. Hobbies: Scrapbooking kind of, blogging, reading, when I can, go on trips whenever I can, can eating be a hobby? I don't know just hanging out I guess, I am with Lindsay and I am a home body.
7. Loves: Well first definitely is my hubby and then my funny little monkey's. I love it when Joshy dances and Brookie's toothless grin, I love Tyler snugglieness (Is that a word?), I also love Snickers with Almonds thanks to Julie, and I love a good Diet Pepsi every couple of days, I also love a good, butt kicking workout. NO really I do.
8. I am on this blog thanks to: Shannon
9. Dreams: To be able to hit the spa anytime I want. No, but seriously to get rid of my baby roll and then just to live close to some family and raise my kids and go on some fun trips. Nothing to fancy really!
10. Addictions: computer, I am addicted to the internet. Other than that not much, maybe ice cream and popcorn.
11. Biggest Dislikes: I don't like people who are late, it drives me crazy. I hate fish or really anything that you eat that comes from the sea. I HATE sushi! I also very much dislike when my kids don't listen to me. Drives me crazy!

That is me, I hope you enjoyed it!!!!

TWILIGHT OBESSESSION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is SO sad how my mind is TOTALLY obessessed with these books. But, they are AMAZING and they give me the "Rhetorical Milk-Bone" my mind needs to chew on each day!! GREAT ARTICLE IN THE DES NEWS TODAY ABOUT HER:
BYU GRAD'S VAMPIRE TALE ECLIPSES HARRY POTTER ON BOOK LIST
FULL STORY: http://deseretnews.com/article/1%2C5143%2C695199836%2C00.html
ECLIPSE IS JUST THE BOMB!!! There is also a 1 min video on amazon.com, where she promises to wrap up bella's story with a nice bow, but says she may write more about the vampires. BRING IT ON!!! I am a willing and anxious fan. In fact, I'm like a newborn VAMPIRE because it is so delicious that I can't STOP MYSELF.
okay, enough!
anyway, someone wanted the questions i used for our twilight party, so I will post them here. DRINK UP LADIES!!!

Twilight ?'s
Do vampires bathe?
Does Alice live vicariously through Bella?
Why can’t Edward read Bella’s mind?
Bite or no bite? Why?
Who broke the treaty first and when?
IF Bella turns, how would she feel dieting all the time (vegetarian)? All tofu, not cheesecake or cheating…EVER! How would you feel? What if she messes up? Is it murder?
According to the author, what happens when someone’s traits and characteristics when he/she becomes a vampire?
Do Edward and Bella ever open-mouth kiss?
When was the last time Edward kissed someone?
How are the Cullens able to do what they do?
Why do vampires sparkle?
If Bella turns, is it worth giving up her human life to be with Edward? Why or why not?
Why are some transformations more painful than others?
Edward or Jacob? WHY?
If you could be a character, who would it be and why? Ask EVERYONE!
What vampire skill or trait would you most like to possess and why?
Which man in the novels would you most like to be with and why?
What do you love most about the books and why?
How would you like to see it end?
What is your LEAST favorite part of the book(s) and why?
How long will it take you to read ECLIPSE?
Would you like to kiss a vampire? Why or why not?
If you are obsessed with these books…SCREAM RIGHT NOW!!!!******(this one is epsecially fun!)
Did any of the Cullens have any family before they were changed?
What is the only fluid a vampire has?
Why is there an apple on the cover of TWILIght?
What is appealing to you about Jacob Black?
How is Jacob much more realistic than Edward?
If you had been alive for more than one hundred years, would you look for a mate? What would you do with the time?

It's all about me!

1. Full Name: Lindsay Anne Brinkerhoff Smith
2. Age: 25, I'll be 26 Nov. 8.
3. Married/Kids?: Married to Colton Smith, mother of Madison 3 1/2 and Brooklyn 2 months
4. Work: I am a full time mom
5. Resides: Colorado
6. Hobbies: Scrapbooking, blogging, shopping for my kids(it's seriously a problem, they have more clothes and shoes than they need, but I love little girl clothes so much I can't help myself!) , vacationing with my family, just hangin' with my family, I'm kind of a home body!
7. Loves: cuddling on the couch with Colton and watching tv at night, scrapbooking after my kids have gone to bed, chocolate, DR. PEPPER (except that I can't have any right now since I'm dieting) my family, my friends, vacations, pedicures, going to lunch with friends, shopping, FOOTBALL, listening to Madison answer her pretend cell phone (the things she says and the people she says are calling her are hilarious!)
8. I am on this blog thanks to: Shannon
9. Dreams: To have a rockin' super model body that I know makes other women look at me and say, "Damn, I wish I looked like her!" I would like to run another marathon, be the best mom I can be all the time, go on more vacations with just Colton, have lots of money to go on more vacations, for my kids to be healthy, for me to be healthy, and to always be happy.
10. Addictions: Playing on my computer, Dr. Pepper (just not recently) Amazing Race (for real,when does it start again, I'm having major Amazing Race withdrawls right now), Grey's Anatomy, and Singing Bee- love that show!
11. Biggest Dislikes: Lateness! People who are late make me insane! I'm not saying that I'm never late, but I make a HUGE effort not to be, and if I am, it's only a few minutes, bad drivers and rude people that look at you like you're a bad mom when your kid is throwing a fit in a store.

FACEBOOK!!!

Girls Girls Girls! I've had a few questions about what is facebook so let me share!!! www.facebook.com is a social networking website that is similar to myspace. I have never actually been on myspace so I can't say for certain, but as I understand it facebook is more secure then myspace. So for instance...I have my facebook profile and I invite people I know that also have facebook profiles to be my facebook friend. They then accept or decline my invitation. ONLY PEOPLE I HAVE INVITED TO BE MY FACEBOOK FRIEND CAN LOOK AND HAVE ACCESS TO MY PROFILE!!!!! In return, I only have access to people's profiles if they have accepted me to be their friend. There are different security settings, so if you don't mind wack-o's looking at your profile you can set your security that way. The other thing is that you can join networks. So I belong to the Calgary, AB network. That means anyone in the Calgary, AB network can view my profile, but joining that network was totally my choice. So through facebook you can email, post pictures, write on people's walls, find people you haven't seen in decades and an array of other fun things! You seriously can't believe the people I've found on this thing. My best friend as a little girl found me the other day. I hadn't seen her in years!!! Its pretty crazy! That leads me to explain that the best way to find people is through your facebook friend's FRIENDS list. So my childhood BFF found me through my cousins profile. If you feel like checking it out just go to www.facebook.com and sign up. It'll then automatically send out an email to everyone in your address book and invite them to be your facebook friend. Then you can get rolling from there. It seriously is so fun and addicting and CRAZY who you can find on there. HAPPY FACEBOOKING!

K--I finally Have a Minute Cause Stinky Reecey's sleeping.

1. Full Name: Julie Jean Miller Brinkerhoff
2. Age: 28--almost 29 on October 31
3. Married/Kids?: Married to TJ Brinkerhoff and mother of Jackson-7, Natalie-5, Brady-3, and Reecey-3 1/2 weeks
4. Work: I am a full time mom.
5. Resides: sucky sucky sucky Plainfield, IL : (
6. Hobbies: Scrapbooking, reading, blogging, facebook, playing with my kids, vacationing with my family, doing picture montage DVD's
7. Loves: Date night with TJ, girls night, chocolate, DIET COKE WITH LIME, my family, my friends, vacations, pedicures, acrylic nails, going to the spa, going to lunch with friends, shopping, FOOTBALL, listening to Shannon talk about NASCAR, and lots of other things.
8. I am on this blog thanks to: Shannon
9. Dreams: I am so with you Shannon about a makeover from Stacy and Clinton, moving to Colorado, having lots and lots and lots of money so we can have WKTGS get togethers in Hawaii(my treat), have my kids be good forever, have my kids healthy and happy!
10. Addictions: Eating out, Diet Coke, my computer
11. Biggest Dislikes: Reecey screaming at me, Brady whining at me, when my kids are hurt, living in Illinois

ok--that's all for me! Can't wait to read all about you all!

Getting to Know Me

Alright I'll go next! I'll admit I have a bit of a internet information phobia, I must get it from Bonnie (that's my crazy Grandma for those who don't know her), but some info will be limited because I have an intense fear that some crazy dude will read about me and my kids, come find us and do bad things. So, hear is the more condensed version! :-)

1. Full Name: Marilee Anne
2. Age: soon to be 33, on October 2nd
3. Married/Kids?: Married to Adam, mother of Spencer, Annie, Garett and Logan
4. Work: Full time mom, work a wee bit for my Trainer doing scheduling and marketing, and now have an INTENSE desire to work part time at "The Tattered Cover" so I can buy all my books 35% off :-)
5. Resides: Somewherer in the rocky mountain area of the US :-)--LOVE IT.
6. Hobbies: Reading, Planning big events like parties and stuff, Photography (someday I'll be good like Shannon), watching Reality TV (especially AMAZING RACE), Blogging, eating, working out, mountain biking, golfing, vacationing, shopping, movies, girls nights, organizing rooms and closets in my house! Playing with my kids! keepig in touch with friends!
7. Love: My hubby, my kids, my mom and dad, sisters and brother, extended family, good friends, chocolate, DIET COKE, eating brownies and ice cream, meeting famous people, Edward Cullen, Ryan Seacrest, Lava Flows in Hawaii, massages!
8. I am on this blog thanks to: Shanon and myself (Shan came up with the idea and created it, I supported it and wrote the first post! :-) Thanks Shan, I have a feeling this could someday get us all on Oprah! Could you imagine! We'll have our first "We know the good stuff" Girls Weekend and be on the Oprah show ;-0

I'm Adding one more question:

9: What are your dreams?: I love this question because I have many dreams and its fun to share them. Some of mine are: to be a guest on the Oprah show because of something amazing i've done (don't know what that is yet) and NOT because some predator found me on the internet and hunted me down, only to let me live so I could tell my story on Oprah! To be BEST friends with Faith Hill and Tim Mcgraw (three of our kids are around the same ages)! To have a "mommy makeover" (ask me about this but as a hint it involves surgery, tummys and boobs, hint hint)! To have enough money that I can treat all my closest friends and family to fabulous vacations! To have all my children, nieces and nephews be good!

Tag, you're it now! Let's hear about ya!

And an article online...

Check it out, there is a great article online about Stephenie Meyer!

A non-Stephenie Meyer-related post

I know that once everyone is done reading "Eclipse" (or all of them in some cases...Ang, Linds, Kacey...get on it!) that we will all get back to our normal lives of blogging about other things. But in the meantime, I have to tell everyone to see "Bourne Ultimatum." Adam and I saw it last weekend for our bi-yearly outing to the movies. I love it. I loved the shaky camera, I loved Matt Damon, I loved the plot, and I love that he finds out his true identity! If you haven't seen it, do it now! It's highly recommended!

Also, since a few of us on here don't all know eachother, I have tagged everyone to write about themselves...I'll go first. You can copy my text, and then put in your own answers!

1. Full Name: Shannon (no middle name) Petersen
2. Age: soon to be 29, on September 20th, yikes!
3. Married/Kids?: Married to Adam, mother of Collin Jex: 2 1/2
4. Work (and yes, a mom is work!): I work full time at SOS Staffing as a Corporate Trainer of new staff, and a Software Trainer of existing computer programs, and a full time mom!
5. Resides: in good ole' Utah Valley...but someday dreaming of living in St. George, UT.
6. Hobbies: Photography (shannonpetersenphotography.blogspot.com), Scrapbooking (i love me some archivers), Cooking, Wood Painting, watching Reality TV, Ironing, BLOGGING, reading, collecting trashy gossip magazines, river rafting (don't get to do it much though), eating, gossiping with friends, and shopping!!!
7. Loves: dark chocolate, DIET COKE, baked lays, good friends, testing out new recipes, eating at Rumbi, NASCAR, the Purple baby lotion, good shampoo, getting my back scratched, loves from my husband and son, my mom, my sisters, typing fast, meeting famous people, playing around on photoshop, Edward Cullen, people with accents, volunteering, my Beehives, laying out (which i haven't done in ages), pina colada's, the beach, vacations, getting pedicures, and much much more!
8. I am on this blog thanks to: me, myself, and I!
9. Dreams: to be a stay at home mom, to also be on Oprah with the Miller girls, to have my photography published someday, to have all my kids grow up to be good and faithful, to be best friends with Stephenie Meyer so I can find out all the juicy details about book 4, to have enough money to visit my friends whenever I wanted to, to have a makeover by Stacy and Clinton, to have awesome vacations with my family, and live happily ever after!

Now you all need to post about you!

Evan Almighty!

So I'm not much of a reader, but I love movies. So I thought that I would be the first one to post about something other than Twilight. I'm sure it's great, I just can't relate until I read it. This movie has been out for awhile, but we just saw it last weekend and I loved it! I didn't hear anything good about it, so we didn't bother to see it. But then my friend Lara was talking about it on her blog and said how great it was. She was right! It is such a clever and cute movie, plus, Steve Carrell is always funny. It has such a great moral and is a story that little kids can relate to if they know the story of Noah's Ark. Do you ever have those moments where you see a really great movie and you think, "Wow! I could never think of something that clever? There are a lot of people in this world that are smarter than me." This was one of those movies. If you haven't seen it, you should!

I felt 14 again...

Okay girls...so we had THE MOST AMAZING "ECLIPSE" party ever!~ My neighbor Tara hosted it in her awesome backyard, strung with red christmas lights, great food, and Twilight/New Moon/Vampire trivia. The whole ambiance was done by candlelight and the red Christmas lights. We talked all about funny vamipre trivia, my friend Mandy made these questions up from the Twilight Lexicon website (if you've never been there...go now...it's AWESOME). We took some photos, and then we were off to Barnes and Noble for the madness. They were having a huge party with a trivia game, dress up contests, and scavenger hunts. IT WAS PURE MADNESS! It felt like the time when Angie and I went to the Backstreet Boys Concert, and when she was on the phone with the ticket people and she asked them if they had an "over 14" section. The place was swarming with teenagers and their "I LOVE EDWARD" shirts and tattoo's (which i had on also, of course). Anyways, after about 20 mintues of madness, we left and went to Borders to see what their party was like. There were tons of people, but they were getting everyone in line already. We had #26 for Barnes and Noble, so we left Borders and headed back to Barnes. We got there with 5 mintues to spare. They did a 20 second countdown, and we were in! We left buying 5 books, and were outta there in about 6 mintues. Everyone was cheering and screaming like Justin Timberlake was in line or something. It was such a site to see! I am still reading (I wanted to savor it, and have un-interrupted time to enjoy it), but we'll have a dialouge once everyone is finished so we don't ruin it for anyone!

Lots of Books!

Hey girls! I just got home from Tattered Cover where I picked up my copy of "ECLIPSE" and got my ticket for the Stephenie Meyer book signing in two weeks! My friend and I looked HILARIOUS as we purchased a total of 7 copies of the book. I am so bummed that I can't sit and read ALL DAY LONG, but I've got a billion things to do around my house to get ready to head to California for my sister in laws wedding! I'm gonna work really hard (after I get off the internet) and then hopefully have some time to read tonight! Shannon, we're waiting for your report!

Oh yeah and I just picked up "Austentown" too! Can't wait to start it! Oh, and I saw "Becoming Jane" last night! It was SOOOOO good! Take tissue as it is a very tender story! Oh and I also bought 2 Jane Austen books "Emma" and "Pursuasion" today at the book store as well! I love all the movies, but have never read the books. Time to start right? I'll be busy the next few months with my nose stuffed in a lot of good books! LOVE IT!! :-)

Twilight=AWESOME!!!!

Okay girls...sorry I've been MIA on the website but I've been a little busy...I know you all understand! So just to let you all know that I started on Twilight. Holy Crap! I LOVE it. I read it everytime I sit down to feed the baby and it is so amazing. As I've been reading I've been trying to cast the parts also. I can't think of anyone beautiful enough to play Edward though...keep up the search Shannon. I know there's someone out there. Anyways, that's about it for me for now.