The Daily Grind...or Clench & Peta Day

For the last month or so I've been clenching my jaw at night and because of that it has caused some major stiffness in my neck and back along with a major case of insomnia, (ha, I sound so old), but this situation has totally SUCKED! I finally broke down and went to Wal Mart with my mom who almost broke the bank and bought me a 97 cent football mouth guard, one of those that you boil then stick in your mouth to let it form around your teeth. Assuming that this would be a quick fix, I excitedly placed the guard in my mouth and went to bed. While I was laying there, enjoying the fact that my jaw was relaxing around this drool-promoting piece of plastic, I started popping the retainer-like mouthpiece in and out of its secure place around my teeth hundreds of times. While I was sort of enjoying this new toy, (ya know when you have something in your mouth and your tongue won't just leave it alone? It's like that), I failed to realize that despite my joy of having a relaxed face, I still wasn't getting any sleep!!! I stayed up almost the entire night playing with this stupid thing! It's been a few days and I still use it, but also still find it totally irrestistable to fore-go the incessant motion of popping it in and out at least 300 times before falling asleep. I think on the whole I am getting more sleep than I did before, I don't understand why I have such ADD with this wonderfully dreadful little device.

Moving on, yesterday was PETA day...a day for the world to try and understand the vegan way of life. While I'm not a huge meat-eater, I think that the vegan mentality is completely out-of-whack. So with this in mind, and with a fridge full of meat that my sweet aunt gave me on my last visit, and knowing that there was no way that my roommates and I could eat it all, I decided to host a PETA/Eat a big, tasty animal for PETA day party in hopes that the animal-rights activists who hate the so-called mindless slaughtering of innocent animals would nod in approval at my fervent endeavor that these animals did not die in vain. So I covered an enormous roast in an excellent dry-rub of my own creation and stuck it in the oven to cook to perfection. I also made my signature biscuits and veggies and invited the masses. The party was a huge success. The meat was delicious, the company was fabulous, and we had a rousing game of 'screaming ninjas' and a deep, political discussion about how none of the presidential candidates spark any of our fancies. So with a heart full of love, and a stomach full of beef, I wish to thank the PETA people, where ever they are, for a wonderful day!

Things that I love...

I was thinking about this today and thought that it would be fun to list some of my loves, regardless of how 'out there' they are...so here goes: I love laughing until my cheeks hurt, hot showers, warm, clean blankets, good books, cheap dates, the way my legs feel after a 7-mile hill run, going to the Temple, playing the violin/piano, singing on stage, giving talks/teaching in church, the perfect fitting jeans, the way guys look in football pads and those tight pants (whew!), random text messages, swimming fast, smooth butterfly, making a fabulous meal, soft kisses, and big hugs.:) I think the best smells in the world are: chlorine and hot, wet cement, Mom's sunday roasts, Grandma Pat's house, chocolate chip cookies right out of the oven and Abercrombie and Fitch's 'Jake' cologne on the guy you like. I also love the smell of rain and wet grass, new shoes, and puppy breath (I know it kinda sounds gross, but they're so cute!). I love the feeling I get when I finish a huge assignment or project, and when my students realize that they are capable of achieving everything they want in life regardless of their past. I love my bed soooooo much and my 7 foot lovesac is a pretty close second. I love petting my dogs and my cat, throwing a football, and long walks in pretty places. Looking at houses, people watching and test-driving cars are also favorite activities. I love the way a guy looks at me after I've spent three hours in the bathroom with my mom and sisters applying enough make-up and hairspray to make a drag queen sick, and then adding the perfect dress to make his jaw drop. I love being told that I'm beautiful, that I am a Daughter of God, and that I can make a difference in this world. I love fast swimming, fast cars, and slow dances with cute boys. I love spoiling my siblings and am excited for being able to spoil both my own kids and my siblings' kids someday. I love thinking about my future and remembering my past, laughing at all the dumb things I've done, but being so grateful that they happened. I love to live in the moment, be spontaneous, and do things that are unexpected. I love my family and my friends and above everything else listed, My God.