Friday, November 30, 2007

Thanksgiving...Scenes from Grandma's house

I know its been a while since I updated anything...I've been spending all my spare time writing essays about Sherlock Holmes and the beauties of nature (yeah...a whole class on nature writing. Yikes.) But last week we went up to Grace, Idaho and spent Thanksgiving morning and afternoon at Keaton's grandparents house. Since I don't have any left, it was sure nice of him to share! There are so many little things to look at at Grandma's house, I couldn't help but snap some pictures!
This reads: "If you put off doing that which is your duty, it will then become a chore." Story of my life, Grandma. Story of my life.




Paula made everyone write to Logan...I wouldn't say forcibly, exactly, but she can be convincing!

I love the little things: Does anyone notice that one of the geese is wearing a special ribbon around its neck? Things like that get my imagination going...

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Personality Tests

Lately at work we've been talking a lot about different personalities and communications styles. My manager recently had to do a presentation about the Merrill-Reid communication styles for a meeting, but he practiced on us first. I personally dig this kind of stuff...I think as a writer I embrace anything that "characterizes" me and the people I know. I can't explain it exactly...it's just, everyone has an idea of what kind of person they are, it's just fun to see it put into words. Of course, no personality test is 100% accurate seeing as how everyone is unique, but still, sometimes they get awfully close! It's important to point out that there is no "better" one, they all have their share of good and bad. Here are the Merrill-Reid styles:

Driver: · Objective-focused · Know what they want and how to get there! · Communicates quickly, gets to the point · Sometimes tactless and brusque · Can be an "ends justify the means" type of person · Hardworking, high energy · Does not shy away from conflict

Other Driver Personality traits:
__ PERSUASIVE
__ BUSINESS LIKE
__ TACTLESS
__ ARGUMENTATIVE
__ STUBBORN
__ COMPETITIVE
__ POSITIVE
__ CONFIDENT
__ BOLD
__ DOMINEERING
__ FORCEFUL
__ PRODUCTIVE
__ RISK TAKER
__ LEADER
__ OUTSPOKEN
__ DARING
__ PROUD
__ IMPATIENT
__ TASK ORIENTED
__ STRONG-WILLED
__ DECISIVE
__ SHORT-TEMPERED
__ INDEPENDENT
__ THOROUGH

*Does this sound like Keaton to anybody? Thought so!

Expressive: · Natural salesmen or story-tellers · Warm and enthusiastic · Good motivators, communicators · Can be competitive · Can tend to exaggerate, leave out facts and details · Sometimes would rather talk about things than do them!

Other Expressive Personality Traits
__ SOCIABLE
__ CHEERFUL
__ MESSY
__ DISORGANIZED
__ OPTIMISTIC
__ POPULAR
__ FUNNY
__ LIVELY
__ TALKATIVE
__ RESTLESS
__ UNPREDICTABLE
__ CONVINCING
__ LENIENT
__ EXCITABLE
__ HAPHAZARD
__ LOUD
__ FORGETFUL
__ CHANGEABLE
__ MIXES EASILY
__ INCONSISTENT
__ ENTHUSIASTIC
__ INTERRUPTS
__ PROMOTER
__ UNDISCIPLINED

...no surprise here, I was labeled "expressive" by every single one of my coworkers before I even got the results of the test! I wonder if that means I talk too much at work...

Amiable: · Kind-hearted people who avoid conflict · Can blend into any situation well · Can appear wishy-washy · Has difficulty with firm decisions · Often loves art, music and poetry · Highly sensitive · Can be quiet and soft-spoken

Other Amiable Personality traits:
__ LOYAL
__ GOOD LISTENER
__ PLAIN
__ FOLLOWER
__ WILLING
__ PEACEFUL
__ DEPENDABLE
__ FRIENDLY
__ SHY
__ TIMID
__ HESITANT
__ COMPROMISING
__ WORRIER
__ SUPPORTIVE
__ SUBMISSIVE
__ GENTLE
__ RESERVED
__ DOUBTFUL
__ AGREEABLE
__ RELUCTANT
__ PATIENT
__ SERENE
__ CONSIDERATE
__ GOOD-NATURED


Analytical: · Highly detail oriented people · Can have a difficult time making decisions without ALL the facts · Make great accounts and engineers · Tend to be highly critical people · Can tend to be pessimistic in nature · Very perceptive

Other Analytical personality traits:
__ LOGICAL
__ DETAILED
__ DEEP
__ HARD TO PLEASE
__ FUSSY
__ SERIOUS
__ RESPECTFUL
__ ORGANIZED
__ PESSIMISTIC
__ MOODY
__ WITHDRAWN
__ ACCURATE
__ LONER
__ PLANNER
__ PERSISTANT
__ SCHEDULED
__ SYSTEMATIC
__ CRITICAL
__ BEHAVED
__ STUFFY
__ INTROVERT
__ IDEALISTIC

I have to say, I've probably already decided what most of my friends and family are, but I won't say, I'll just let you decide for yourself!

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Sexy Saturday...in pictures












Sexy Saturday (or "Fancy Female" day, as dubbed by a father uncomfortable with the word "sexy") :) was a blast! First we went to the Union Station and took a couple of shots of our earlier-arriving gang. Then, we walked to Roosters and spent a couple of hours just talking and laughing. It's always a blast to get together with the girls, this has become a staple for us...once a girl's been married for a while, she needs a little R&R with her pals! Posted here are the candids, for the real "portraits" go to the Envision Image blog!


Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Tagged

Seven things no one knows about me? Are you kidding? I talk so much about myself all the time, I don't have anything left to say. Well, here goes...

1. Since Carma already "outed" me on her blog about our long-standing love of the band Hanson, I guess I have to come clean. Its true. The summer of '97 was a glorious sunny cavalcade of jumping on the tramp, listening to mmmbop, and more jumping on the tramp. And more mmmbop. Oh, the joyous memories... I was forever converted to the way of hanson. And since they're almost the exact same age as me, I feel like I grew up with them. Now they're all married and have kids and stuff. Makes me feel really old and long for the days of sun and trampolines.

2. I'm addicted to anime. My husband and I are continuously searching for unknown shows to feed the addiction. Favorites are Ruroni Kenshin, Escaflowne, and Fullmetal Alchemist as well as movies such as Howl's moving Castle (I hate potatoes). I think what draws me to this mode of entertainment is that the emotions of the characters are so exaggerated, love and hate and sadness and fear are all magnified. None of that subtle stuff. Most people try so hard to keep their feelings inside, its refreshing to watch characters unabashedly blazing from one emotion to the other.

3. Unlike Carma, the straight A student, I have failed a class. Several, in fact. I seem to have a problem with doing what I'm supposed to do when I'm supposed to do it. (shrug) I'm one of those people who loves to learn stuff, I just hate having to jump through hoops. Worksheets were the worst things ever invented. I hate pointless things, so I just don't do them. No, this is not a good trait to have, but it's who I am nonetheless.

4. I am the worlds greatest procrastinator. When I know I have to do something, I'll get thiiis close to doing it, and then I'll distract myself with something else to avoid it. My story would have never gotten finished if I hadn't erased Spider Solitaire from my computer. In fact, right now I'm avoiding another immensely boring essay about nature and trees by writing this post. (see #3)

5. I laugh like Marge Simpson. This is something I've only recently noticed. If any of you hang around me sometime soon, try not to be embarrassed for me. Its unavoidable. I laugh after EVERYTHING. Even things that don't need laughs. I'll just start a sentence (laugh.) and then I'll start another (laugh.) It just never stops. (laugh.) The marge laughs come when I'm more bemused. Its kind of a sucking/nasal thing.

6. I love most kinds of movies, but please, don't ask me to attend one of those heartwarming sports-themed ones. I'd rather read the minutes of a rock-watching convention. No, there is no such thing as a rock-watching convention, but i might organize one if someone tries to make me watch a show about some down-on-his-luck athlete who makes a miraculous comeback just in time to earn the love of a winsome girl and make his dying father proud.

7. I would trade all the glitz and glamour the world could ever offer me for a quiet night at home in my jammies, cuddled next to my husband, with a cup of hot chocolate and an episode of heroes. I'll never understand the "party" scene that seems to suck the life out of the rich and famous. Keaton, Duncan, and a healthy dose of Hiro Nakamura and co. are I need to make me happy.

I tag Ann Marie! I don't know if you read my blog, but if you do this means you have to update yours!!!

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Sexy Saturday!!!!

Hey thought I'd drop a line and let everyone know that we're going to be doing another sexy saturday on Nov. 10th because Carolanne will be back in town! Details are still pending, but seeing as how Carma and I are now "official" in our little photo biz, be prepared for lots of picture-taking! We kind of skipped that part last year, but no such luck this year! Get ready!! And if you have any suggestions for venues, give me a shout. Here is a basic itinerary:

morning: get ready
afternoon (approx 1-5 pm): shopping
late afternoon (5-6:30 pm): pictures
evening (6:30 on): dinner @ cool restaurant
late evening: fun actvity or movie