Music

Today I've been thinking about music. As a kid, I just liked whatever everyone around me was listening to and it was nice to have on while cleaning, riding the bus to school, etc.
Then one night in jr. high, I went babysitting and brought my really awesome portable CD player (Walkman for CDs) but instead of bringing my usual Shania Twain and A-teens, I grabbed some CDs Bethany had left lying around.
Once the kids were asleep I got out my homework and popped in a CD that said Ben Kweller on it. And it was good. All of the sudden it was like a whole new world opened up to me: there was all kinds of music out there and it could be good and it make you feel something.
And we've had a beautiful relationship ever since.

Part Two

I guess I feel like my blog hasn't been embarrassing/juicy/revealing enough lately. So, I bring you the much-anticipated...
Confessions, Part 2

1. I spend a lot of time doing full blown interpretive dances to the corny jingles that come out of Clark's swing. It keeps us both entertained for at least 15 minutes at a time and is a pretty good work out.

2. The other day I was trying to use a computer at the library and couldn't get it to log in. Turns out instead of my card number, I was typing in the library's phone number printed at the top of the card. Over, and over, and over again.

3. I have a very wild, irrational imagination so I freak myself out all the time. Once at a sleepover, I was sure that someone trying to break into our friend's house so I convinced Olivia to hide in the bathroom with me for over an hour, heated hair styling tools at the ready. (This is why I cannot watch scary movies).

4. Lots of people think or have thought I hate them (this is ironic since I can't think of even a single person I strongly dislike). I attribute it it to one or a combination of three things: a) I have a naturally "sour" countenance. My out-of-it face looks a lot like a you're-the-worst face. b) I'm a little shy and a lot socially awkward, especially in big groups. c) I have a pretty dry sense of humor. So if you don't know me very well and think I don't like you, I do. Let's be friends.

5. My favorite Olympic gymnast was the Russian girl with really beautiful ballerina legs. I'm such a traitor.

Now, feel free to share some deep secrets with me.

Happy Birthday to Me

I'm treating myself to a trip to Idaho to hang out on a farm with some of my favorite people, specifically...

My BCF (best cousin forever)! I'm so excited!

Dabbling

I used to wish that I was really super amazing at just one thing, but I've learned to embrace the face that I'm just ok at a lot of things. I think this transition happened around Sophomore year of high school when I decided to quit going to ballet for 3 hours every day and just be a kid and have a social life. Then I reached my peak of hobby exploration. That year alone I was in dance, orchestra, and ice skating classes, culinary club, the ski/snowboard club, badminton team, and a few weeks on the tennis team (I think I quit after I got my fingers stuck in the strings of the racket when I was supposed to be listening to a lecture from the coach...or because if I did manage to hit the ball, it hurt my little wrists real bad). I even got the boy I liked to teach me and a friend guitar lessons.

Snowriders

Badminton

obviously

orchestra trip

So my latest hobbies are learning to use Adobe Illustrator to make the blog all cute (could you tell?) and penmanship. I just decided that being able to write really pretty would be a good skill to have, so I got this book last time I was at the library:

I guess if I can't be in school (I miss it so bad), I'll just teach myself anything and everything. Except sporty things. No hope there.

Perfect

One night in Provo when I was very pregnant, we had a bbq with all our friends whom we would soon be leaving. The weather was beautiful, the food was amazing, and Jacob compiled a bunch of home videos of the Fillmore boys' high school years for our viewing pleasure. It was one of those moments where everything is just perfect, and I was completely content. Love those.

Booo

With that title and it being October and all, I know you're thinking this is going to be a Halloween post. Well, you've been fooled. This is actually a random Jr. High memory post.

So. At the end of 7th grade I decided to audition for Advanced Drama. I was like, "Hey, I've starred in lots of Smith Children's Theater productions and been killed in a few Tragic Christmas films (our homemade version of a Lifetime Original Movie)." So I felt pretty qualified.

Everyone had to prepare a 1-2 minute monologue for try-outs. There was a lot of Legally Blonde, Never Been Kissed, and some Disney movies. Then there was me. I walked my gangly, high water-sporting 7th grade self up to that stage and delivered this...

Needless to say, I made it.

so many girls in ties

Last night I went to the midnight showing of Harry Potter for the 7th and final time (I wasn't allowed to see "Sorcerer's Stone" at midnight). I have grown up with these books and movies and have always looked forward to the next one coming out. I consoled myself after I finished the 7th book by being excited for the rest of the movies.  Never again! soo sad.

Anyhow, I threw a costume together the day of, as usual. I decided to be Luna Lovegood. So I made some radish earrings out of modeling clay...

And some spetrespecs with a free print-out I found.

I was trying to look crazy, she was trying to look smart, and we ended up looking the same.

It was only fitting to see the movie with Olivia, because we've seen almost every HP midnight showing together (and been delirious in school together the next day).

The movie was amazing! I was even tempted to stay for the 3 AM showing.

Thank you J.K. Rowling for giving me a magical childhood!

numb

I haven't been blogging, because I've been on a lot of pain killers that may have impaired my judgment. I think it's safe now maybe.

On Friday, I got my wisdom teeth out. I slept a lot and, fortunately, there was a Project Runway marathon on. On Saturday we moved down to Arizona, but really everything over the past 4 days is a blur. Now I know why Grandma Grace was always saying "I feel funny".

Now I'm sick of sleeping and eating baby food. So Jacob somehow put Yoshi's Island and Aladdin on the Wii! These games define my childhood. I didn't just play them, I also made up songs to the background music and acted out soap operas while I played. One Friday night Bethany and I played Yoshi's Island for several hours while having an in depth discussion on "What does Gusty taste like?", honoring Gusty's life, and interviewing his family members.

That thing in the top center is a gusty. I always thought it was a ghost fish, but now that I think about it, it's probably a gust of wind.. gusty.

hmm maybe my filter is still a little dysfunctional.

They turned life into a musical

I love crap like this. So much.
Olivia and I spent most of our high school career trying to make this happen: at lunch, in the locker room, running to seminary.
Then my cousin and I pretty successfully created an impromptu musical while dancing through crowded streets in Denver.

I'd say I'm due for another attempt. Who's with me?!

new semester and love and stuff

Last week was pretty eventful! On Tuesday, we started school. I think I'll really enjoy all my classes, but they will definitely keep me busy. I also work 18+ hours a week, so I will likely be on campus allll day.
On Wednesday, we traveled to Salt Lake for my favorite cousin's wedding. She looked so beautiful and genuinely happy. Seeing her reminded me of all the REALLY weird, fun things we did growing up and how she was the one person I could tell all of my deepest, darkest secrets. It made me a little sad that things will never be the same but also really happy for her at the same time. I wonder if my friends getting married will ever stop feeling kinda weird?

My mom, EmmaLee, and Adina flew in from Arizona for it so it was fun to hang out with them (and Kami+James) again! After the wedding, we all went to eat at the Lion House. Then the girls looked around Tai Pan Trading for hours while the boys went to a bookstore to look at Lauren Conrad books or something. When it was time for the reception to start, we drove to Morgan where we socialized, danced, and ate some more. It was a fun day, despite the freeezing weather.
On Friday night, my friend Megan came over so I could get her measurements to send to Bethany who's making her wedding dress. She ended up staying most the night to make dinner with us and tell me about all her wedding plans (girls can talk about this kind of stuff for hours).

On Saturday night, we went on a big date to Color Me Mine. It's one of those places where you pay lots of money to paint pottery. Everyone came all prepared with intricate things to paint, so theirs turned out really cool. Jacob and I just played it by ear...rookie mistake. But we had a lot of fun!

todayyy

I should be studying for the five finals I have next week, but instead I'm sewing my Christmas dress (and blogging..obviously). The last time I had a home made Christmas dress, it probably looked something like this

Here's my inspiration for this year's dress.
Hope I can pull it off!
If I can, maybe I'll make 4 more so we can all be twinners once more!

Halloween Weeekend

We began our Halloween celebration on Thursday night for a special waffle+"Office" night at the Coopers. We dressed up as Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask. This is the night I realize that not many people enjoy quality 90s anime programming. In other words, no one knew who we were. But the party was fun! "Fighting evil by moonlight...
Winning love by daylight"

On Friday night, we went to Shannon's trunk-or-treat and took Viv real trick-or-treating for her 1st time. It was cold and rainy so we only went to 3ish houses, but she thought it was cool. Then we went home and watched a pretty lame "Carrie" remake complete w/ popcorn and hot coacoa mmm

Nostalgia

Lately I've been doing a lot of reminiscing about old TV shows I used to watch and stuff. I even got into a pretty long discussion about them with some friends last night. I know I'm supposed to not be stuck in the past and all, but tell me this stuff doesn't make you want to go back in time for at least one weekend! (We could spend our Friday night watching TGIF!)
Best song ever!!


Did I leave out any really good ones?!

Rollin' With the Homies

For my 20th birthday party, I went with a 90s theme... mostly because some of my older friends were shocked that I wasn't born in the 80s.
The invites:

Jacob went a little crazy at the dollar store finding "90s candy". It did remind me of my childhoodI wanted a backdrop for guests to take photos in front of when they arrived. I got a white plastic tablecloth from the dollar store and splatter painted it.
Yes I'm sporting butterfly clips, ringlets, crushed velvet, and knee highs. So hawt.
Other festivities included a Pog tournament, Guitar Hero (no that's not from the 90s, I just like to show off my skills), and watching Clueless.
Probably the least amount of money and planning I've ever put into a party, and I must say it was pretty fab!

I like looking through people's stuff. Sue me.

Just when I think I know Jacob pretty well, I'm pleasantly surprised.
This week I learned that he's very sentimental. Upon discovering this box, I immediately went through it and found...-the usual cards and notes from friends, family, and myself
-tickets/programs to every concert, ballet, and basketball game he ever took me to
-every one of his high school I.D. cards
-a little toy we won at a mini golf arcade
and other random tidbits. So I concluded that he's gushier than I ever knew... or in the first stages of hoarding.
I love this boy.

Growing Up and Liking It

That was the name of a puberty film my mom showed my sisters and I when I was probably 6.
It also applies to this post, which will likely be long, cliche, and cheesy. That's just how I feel right now!

This is Donelle "Powdow". When I think of Donelle, I picture a little girl in spandex shorts and an over-sized Tweety Bird t-shirt, who couldn't pronounce her "r"s.

She taught me how to climb tress (I'm secretly terrified of heights),
and we had many secret clubs together. Whenever we played servant and princess, I made her be the servant. She never even complained about it. That's probably why Megynn Caffall and I always fought over who got to play with her.
She hated when people called her cute, but really. Look at those cheeks.

Yesterday she was the cutest little bride I've ever seen, and I'm so happy for her! But how did we get so old?! I really feel like we should still be playing house and rollerblading through chalk cities. I guess marriage is just the grown up version of playing house, and she was always really good at that game.
But seriously, she is the most selfless, giving person I know and will make a perfect wife.

This is another of my close friends, Shelby.
I think everyone in our high school chemistry class hated us, because we were really chatty and giggly all the time. We also tried to make love triangles by sending secret notes to people in class. Oh ya, and we made twin moles named Mary Kate and Ashley "Mole"sen.


The other day, Shelby became a mom. I don't think I've ever been so happy for someone. It's hard to explain, but just seeing pictures of her new son and knowing that will be me soon enough (as in 2 years), makes me realize how amazing it is. Really, it's a miracle!

So I guess what I'm saying is that being a kid was really fun, but the more difficult stuff means more. I think my sister, Kami, had a similar post and said everything I'm thinking 234 times more eloquently. {yep, here}

Also,I can't be sure because I'm still very much a kid.

October=

"the one [time of] year when girls can dress like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it"





Just a few of the great things about this time of year!

memory (all alone in the moon light)

Since I did make a "Cats" reference, I will share the message left on my voicemail the other day, from my (23-year-old) sister:

"hi natalli. I'm going to be a cat for Halloween. k bye"
It made my day.

But the real reason I made this post is because something made me start thinking about American Girl Dolls. They were every young girls dream circa 1995. My personal favorite was Molly. I read all of her books (and Samantha's and Josefina's). I love them.

Which was your favorite?