The Alero

I love my car, the Alero. We have gone through a lot together: a move across the country, midnight drives, snowstorms, a tree, and two car accidents (not my fault). I was wikipeding the Alero, and I found something uncanny under the pop culture section. You have got to see this. What does all of this mean? Could it be from Macho Peppers? Here is the link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alero

Public Service Announcement # 13: If you would like to edit a wikipedia article click here:http://www.ehow.com/how_2031034_contribute-wikipedia.html

Prize Patrol

The prize patrol came to town. The winners were announced and the prizes were awarded for the best blog comments. The awards ceremony was in conjunction with our goodbye party to Derek as he is leaving us for Munich. There was laughter and there were tears. The night ended with an excellent rap by Trent and a tender moment when each of us told Derek why we would miss him. Sniffle, sniffle.

The winners had a private party but it is only proper to announce the winners and their prizes here.

The Congeniality Prize for making me feel completely loved went to Kaylyn. She received bags of cinnamon bears that I hope will make her feel loved.

Me and Miss Congeniality

Orphan Annie Decoder Ring Prize went to Matt P. for his wonderfully coded message. He received a glorious magnet with a Mr. Potato sheriff.

Consolation Prize went to Dan and Peter for their love/ hate remarks throughout the blog. They received a beautiful magnet with wolves that said "Soul mates love each other and cherish each other's feelings." The also received a postcard about jerk(y) and some gummy bears.

3rd Prize went to Derek for his creativity in the form of a haiku. He was awarded the fine journalistic stylings of the Arco Advertiser.

Derek devouring fine literature

2nd Prize went to Trent for using my favorite person in the world…Collin and one of my favorite terms "kindred spirits" all in one sentence. Nice work! He was given a Butte Pirates basketball donated by Collin.

Trent's reaction to placing 2nd. Pride.

1st Prize went to Mary for going the extra mile and being an advocate for Costco employees. She was rewarded the grand prize of a Butte Pirates t-shirt. She looked striking in orange but was not available for a photo.

Ryan is sad that Derek is leaving. We miss you already!

Public Service Announcement #12: If you need help because you have not won a prize click here: http://www.wikihow.com/Console-a-Child-if-He-or-She-Has-Not-Won-a-Prize

Soy de Moore!!!

Okay, okay, okay. I say I am from Arco but I am really from Moore. Moore is even better than Arco. Moore only has 120 people in the city limits. Truth be told, my family does not even live within the city limits. We live on the base of King Mountain. Moore is a beautiful place full of open farm land squished between two mountain ranges. My house sits on farm land that has been in my family for about 80 years. It is such a different world. Life is slow, people are friendly, and everyone knows each other. Plus, who doesn't like to ride the John Deere?

P.S. I am sorry to disappoint but there will be no pictures of the Butte Pirate bus. I have learned that the buses no longer say Butte Pirates but now say Pirate Pride. This is due to the many pranks that have been done to the buses over the years. It is a sad, sad world.

Graffiti in Moore

The family's cattle - beef it's whats for dinner

A view from my parents home

View from the backyard - notice that nothing is around

Public Service Announcement # 11: If you ever need to move your family to a small town click here: http://www.ehow.com/how_2043561_prepare-child-moving-small-town.html

Collin

I love my three year old nephew Collin. His little mind soaks up everything around him. This means that you have to be careful what you say because he is sure to hear it. A few things that Collin has gleaned from my time with him are:

- I told Collin that he betta "check yaself befo ya wreck yaself." Later on that day he was playing with a water hose. The water hit his new shoes and he said "Oh man, I wrecked myself." Welcome to thug life.

-Collin hit his tee ball very far and he said "ding," smiled really wide, and put his forefinger to his cheek. * 3078 will appreciate this

- I tried to get Collin to eat his sandwich that he refused to eat because his dad cut it in half. I told him that "when I was his age" I was sad that my dad cut my sandwich in half but I ate it anyways and it tasted the same. At first he did not believe me but he tried the sandwich. For the entire day when he did not want to do something he would say "Mandy when you were my age you didn't like to do_____."

- I won't take credit for this one but I think it is cute and a little like me, the mental health therapist. Collin understands his feelings very well. He often says "I am sad because____". The other day he came up to me and said "Mandy, I am sad because my dad went to shoot birds. Why is he doing that? That is mean." Then we heard a bird chirp and Collin said "My dad is shooting that sound. I am sad."

Public Service Announcement # 11: If you need help talking with children click here http://www.wikihow.com/Relate-to-Children

Graffiti

This is a true statement about me

Arco has a graffiti problem. At least that is what I call it. In the 80's someone thought it would be a beautification project to get the same artist to paint the side of buildings in Arco. There are at least seven of these buildings. I thought that Mary would appreciate the scenic mountains, rivers, and animals.

This is a map of the Arco area. I live right under King Mountain.

Public Service Announcement #10: If you need help to appreciate this art please click here http://www.wikihow.com/Appreciate-Graffiti

A few of my favorite things

Here are a few more of my favorite Arco scenes........

No caption necessary.

We all love the fine news that comes from the Arco Advertiser. My favorite part of the paper is the police log. Once in the log, there was a man that called the police and said that some young kids sold him some bad marijuana. Of course, the police searched the man's house. Later in the log it stated that the bad marijuana was actually an old french fry. You can't buy news like that.

This is where I spent my high school days as a Butte Pirate.

Go, Fight, Win!!!
See the public service announcement at the bottom of the page.

This is the Arco number hill. Every year the incoming seniors climb the mountain and paint it. Arco is definitely not a "green" city.

This is a sign outside of a medical clinic ran by a retired Dr. The town people call him the skunk doctor. His office visits are only $10. He accepts cash, fresh eggs, beer, and cigarettes as payment.

Public Service Announcement # 9: If you would enjoy talking like a pirate click here: http://www.wikihow.com/Talk-Like-a-Pirate

Introducing......Arco!!!

Arco's claim to fame is being the first city to be lit by atomic power: therefore we have Atomic Days. The Atomic Days events include a fair, baseball games, car show, a 5k race, a parade, and a rodeo.

Arco, Idaho is a great place, full of wonderful treasures to be found. As a child there was no entertainment, so you had to use your imagination. I spent my summer days riding bikes, hiking, running through the sprinklers, and making home videos with my friends (a few of you have had the privilege of viewing those.)

However, when I entered my adolescence I noticed the strange things about my hometown. First, it is small with only 1,026 people. This made it impossible to get away with skipping school, dating people you witnessed eating playdough in elementary school, and go through your "ugly stages." A few of the other strange things are best described by the following photos.

My nephew, Collin, wanted to blog a little. The translation is in parenthesis.

gygfyydgyygagfsgffafVV (animals)

ddsdaccczzfdxdfssdfdsddsddhgfggdgthhdgdggdggdgfhglhllh (Mandy)

rrtrtrttyyytytyttuyjthtkltitiiii6i6i6oo6ooyyoyohotototr9ou (Cars)

rddddddddddddddtttdtdtdttdtdttdtgdgchrfhhgjhjjjjjjgjtggjgggngn (Curtains)

rfrffffrrff (jammies)

Yes, it is a submarine. Yes, it does have the numbers 666. And yes, it is a monument in Arco.

Hmmm....... a torpedo. This is part of the submarine monument.

A local store: I bought some prizes for my blog contest from the trading post.

This is the mountain man outside of the trading post.



Pickles Place: the home of greasy food, local gossip, and the "atomic burger."


Why a green rocking chair?


Yeap, this is mailbox. Arco is very patriotic.

Public Service Announcement #8: If you would like to be a tourist in your own town click here: http://www.ehow.com/how_4536_vacation-own-town.html

Reasons to Elope

Congratulations to my brother Justin and my new sister-in-law Amber!!!

Saturday was my younger brother's wedding. It was held in a beautiful rose garden. The roses were in full bloom and the aroma was divine. My brother looked handsome in his tux and Amber was absolutely breathtaking. My little nephew, Collin, was the ring bearer and, in his words, he looked "fancy." The ceremony was simple and sweet. As the ceremony was taking place, I glanced around the gazebo and noticed my family and family friends watching on. I was touched by the support and love surrounding these two young people. Of course, tears welled up in my eyes as I thought about how much I love my brother and my family.

It was a beautiful day but there is so much work that goes into a few hours of your life. And something always goes wrong. So I have developed a few reasons to elope to the temple. Yes.....these all happened.

1- You don't have to worry about anyone being late.

2- It doesn't matter if the alterations business "forgets" to finish your bridesmaids dresses and hands them to you on the day of your wedding and says they are finished.

3-Less amount of money goes into eloping than a full-blown wedding.

4- No worries about the music, setting up, and decorating.

5- Way less decisions to make.

6- You don't have to invite those people that your parents know but you do not.

7- You don't have to finish a gazebo for a reception.

8- You don't have to use your daughters vacation time as free labor. --- Just joking mom....I love pulling weeds.

9. We don't have to have the talk, again, about my mother's need to delegate.

10. Your parents do not, I said do not, show up on your honeymoon or make a reservation in the same hotel as you.

But.....alas.....we all know that I too will want the fairytale. Or maybe just a condensed version of it.

The Rose Garden

Collin and Carlee, my nephew and niece

Public Service Announcement #7: If you would like an intimate wedding gathering click here: http://www.wikihow.com/Have-a-Small-Private-Wedding

I am an airport blogger.......oh the shame.

Notice the screen has Mandy Moore......Thanks for the link Joe

I am in route to Idaho. I currently have a 5 hour layover in Atlanta. What does one do for 5 hours in an airport? There are restaurants, shops, and a lot of people watching but all I want to do is dance. I wish there was a room that I could go and get out all of my energy. I would play "Ain't no other man" and dance til I drop. However, there is no such place. So I am stuck in my own mind......dangerous territory to go alone.

I have started to think about my own behaviors that I have developed throughout my years of aviation transportation. Here are some of the things I have noticed about myself when I am in the airport.....

- While in the airport, I am permissive about what I eat. I eat everything and anything I want. It is only in the airport where I can eat a whole muffin and not feel gross. In fact, I feel empowered.

- I am usually very talkative and open but in the airport I am quiet and try hard to play the "mysterious traveler" role.

- I make up stories about people's lives (they are usually awkward misfits.)

- I become a member of the fashion police - I have given many violations.

- The words "we are able to board on time today" make me giddy.

-It is the only place where I get caught up on the celebrity gossip since I am suddenly reading every magazine cover in the bookstore.

- At the airport, I don't like the general public. They are pushy, impatient, and rude.

However, there is one redeeming quality about me in an airport. I love to read and I have time to do it!!! I am re-reading Glimpses into the life and heart of Margerie Hinckley. I have been reading about her genuineness with all those she met. It made me think about how we all need to be real with others. I love getting to truly know someone and understanding what makes them an amazing person. It has brought the most rewarding experiences of my life.

He seems a little old for a leash.

A classy fast food court.

Public Service Announcement #5: If you have a long layover in the airport here are some ideas: http://www.wikihow.com/Handle-Long-Layovers-at-an-Airport

If you are witty......

I am officially announcing a contest for all of my blog readers (since many of you seem to be competitive.) I will be writing often this next week in order for you all to fully enjoy the wonders of Idaho. I will be awarding prizes to those of you that write the best comments on my blog. Of course, those that know me the best will have an advantage - but you all should have thought of that before the contest. Make me laugh, make me cry, make me love you even more!!!

Definitions of witty:
1. Possessing or demonstrating wit in speech or writing; very clever and humorous.
2 Characterized by or having the nature of wit; funny or jocular: a witty saying.
3. Quick to discern and express amusing insights or relationships.
4. Entertainingly and strikingly clever or original in concept, design, or performance


Public Service Announcement # 5: Click here for directions on how to be funny: http://www.ehow.com/how_8538_be-funny.html

BBQ --- Melrose Style

- SuRec in rejoicing after the "merger." Trent still looks confused about the whole ordeal.

Nothing says summer better than a BBQ. SuRec held a BBQ this past week. Unfortunately, the BBQ was somewhat dramatic since our elitist SuRec group has had some contention within. A few of our friends, that will go unnamed, decided to make another group called Cerus (surec spelled backwards - originality was not their strong point.) When SuRec found out about the rebel group, Mary went into action to resolve the problem right away. There was a press release sent out which stated that Cerus would rejoin SuRec - kind of like the South coming back to the U.S. because even though we've got them back their still a little strange.

At the BBQ, both sides rejoined through speeches and a ribbon cutting. It was beautiful to be one for all and all for one. It is amazing how fast forgiveness works when you are with true friends!!! With the coming together of the groups, it was appropriate to announce the launch of the SuRec website: www.su-rec.org.

However, this has not been the end to the Melrose type drama of SuRec. There has been talk about ceasing activities for the rest of June for proper, paired-off dating. I find this drama to be a little too much so I must say my peace to cerus and surec alike - don't be fun haters, be peacemakers.

- Matt and Mary making their speeches about the "merger."

- A ribbon cutting to prove that we can work together and use synergy to make a better summer for each of us.

-Jenell, Peter, Derek, Michael a.ka. pants, me, and Matt.

- Before peace came to SuRec

- After peace came to SuRec

Public Service Announcement # 4: We all need to make peace and forgive. For help click the following link: http://www.ehow.com/how_4415_forgive.html

I so sewed this!!!

My younger brother's wedding is coming up in just a week. In order to make a great impression at the wedding and mark my place in the world as an capable homemaker, I decided that I should make my own skirt for this occasion. With the help of Erin Bradley, we cut out the pattern, pinned, pressed, sewed into the wee hours of the morning, and rejoiced in our finished project. The project even included many phone-a-friend lifelines. This was a great learning experience for me in the land of sewing. However, I think that it might just be worth it to buy something at the store - even full price (whoops... I shouldn't say that...it might take away from my Martha Stewart status.)

Erin -- a big thanks to you.....I could not have done it without you!!!

Public Service Announcement #3: If you would like to find the time to sew please click the link. http://www.ehow.com/how_8578_find-time-sew.html

A Shout Out to my Father

- Me and my father

Father’s day is coming up. I have been planning what to give my father. I will keep it a secret since he actually reads this blog. However, my gift has led me to recount so many wonderful experiences with my father. My father has always been supportive of me gaining higher education and going full force after my dreams.

I find it interesting to meet my friend’s parents because it reveals so much about my friend, for good or ill. You all might not be lucky enough to know my parents so I will share my biased opinion on how I am like my father.

- My father is silly. He sings opera, he dances, and he has the best wit I have ever seen. His brain must work double time in order to come up with the puns he shares. He even made up ridiculous songs for each of his children. Every car ride with him was an adventure. If you know me at all, you know that I love to play, laugh, and be down right silly at times.

- My father has a big heart. He is compassionate to those around him in our small farm community. He is in one word: tenderhearted. We both cry easily when we are moved by a song, a moment, or a kind word. It is not a rare sight to see my father's eyes become misty when he his thinking about his loved ones.

- My dad (in the orange shirt) being silly

- My father loves our Idaho valley. We both enjoy the mountains and peace found in our hometown of Moore, ID.

Public Service Announcement # 2: If you find yourself needing some directions for a last minute father’s day present click on this link.
http://www.ehow.com/how_17606_buy-last-minute.html