Precious Savior, Dear Redeemer

A Winner at Heart

Eh?

It's GREAT huh?!

Ya, I was pretty creative. So, I entered it in my ward pumpkin carving contest. Here were my opposing pumpkins:

And of course....

President Monson?

And the Angel Moroni...

I am definitely at BYU-Idaho. So. 

I didn't win.

 Crazy.

 I know.

Angel Moroni did.

Hmph.

I didn't know Halloween was supposed to be so religious.

At The Pumpkin Patch

Yay! Fall is HERE. And with that, pumpkins. Carving pumpkins is always a major event before Halloween. Each year, you carve a pumpkin, with the intent to be the coolest, most original, cleverest, finest knifework, pumpkin-carving-contest-winning pumpkin EVER! In reality, you go trick-or-treating the next day to find out your pumpkin really isn't all that great. Sad day.

But NOT this year! I have a brilliant plan.

I chose this beauty:

Ohhhhh. Don't you dare sneer! Size does not say anything about the coolness of a pumpkin (plus, I'm a starving student now and could only afford to spend one dollar on my pumpkin this year).

The reason I chose this particular pumpkin (other than the fact it was cheapest) is because of it's unique shape.

An Apple.

Am I right?

Of course.

(scroll down to look at my brilliant carving plan.)

It's going to be the pumpkin of all pumpkins.

I'll report back on Monday. Be excited. Or...

SCARED FOR YOUR LIFE.

That's probably a better Halloween approach.

Hee Hee.

A Worthy Role Model

In our world today, there are a lot of unworthy role models. Pop stars, fashion models, actresses, etc. People who don't uphold admirable values, even if they are beautiful, talented, or charming.

I met a lady who is beautiful, talented, and charming; who also upholds everything I value. Light literally shines from her eyes. She glows. She serves. She understands people. She loves others. She bears her testimony in front of millions of people! She loves her husband. She honors her role as a mother.

Sister Elaine S. Dalton

AHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I GOT TO MEET HER!!!!

WOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My life is now complete. 

I sang in the Women's choir last devotional and Sister Dalton was our speaker! She taught me that we can't be perfect, but we can be perfectly pure. She told me that I can change the WORLD! I learned I need to go out of my comfort zone, and DARE. Dare great things, she said. Dream Big. I shouldn't let others lower my expectations or nobility. To multiply my gifts and be confident! 

Aren't those beautiful ideas?! She told me exactly what I needed to hear. Especially since I have been here in ol' Rexburg, Idaho and don't know anyone! I'm a friendly and confident person, so I need to shape up and act like it.

After devotional was over I went to meet her and thank her for her wonderful words. She told me she loved me. And that I should never stop singing. 

And she meant it. She loves me. It's incredible that she does because she doesn't know me. But she does. 

I want to be just like her someday.

The Sentiments of an Apple Pie Result in Some Letters

The worst:
When you make an Apple Pie
before you go to bed
wake up
and it's been eaten.

Ah man.

Dear Apple Pie Stealers,
I WANTED A PIECE OF MY PIE.

Dear Disney,
It's been two weeks. PLEASE let me know soon. If I'm moving to Florida, I better get a-plannin'.

Dear I Spy book,
Stop making me cry. It's not fair.

Dear Idaho,
How come you don't have Fall Break like Utah? I'm super jealous.

Dear Creativity,
Where have you gone? My fatigue has zapped you.

Dear Blog,
Sometimes, you are a nuisance.

Dear Family Home Evening group,
I promise I won't ever plan the activity again.

Dear Hannah,
Becoming a Florist would be the world's coolest job.

Dear lady,
Thank you for the Cheeseburger.
I suppose it makes up for my pie.

Dear Lawson Inada,
I'm looking. HARD. I'm trying to notice the world.

Dear Ashley,
You've inspired me to take Black and White pictures.

Dear Laundry,
I don't want to do you.

Dear Readers,
This is how my brain works lately.
I can't connect things.

Dear Homework,
It's because of YOU.

Dear Lack of Normal Thought Processing,
Perhaps you will turn me into a famous poet.
Like Lawson Inada.

Sincerely,
Shelby.

At The Stadium

YELL.

Or Sing.
But badly.

Who knew what could go on
at an empty football stadium.

Or on the back of a motorcycle
driving into the night.

Or up on a water tower
looking at the lights.

Or in a Haunted Mill
controlling controlling fright.

Light is interesting. It guides
through the dark. That can be so scary.
But Why?
do you feel more comfortable
to YELL

Or Sing.
But badly.

When the the stadium lights flicker
And you are out of sight.

Thrifty Thursday

Sorry, I'm a day late. I have a special guest for Thrifty Thursday....well; two.

First,

Meet Miranda:

She my California Cutie. We'll keep her. 

Especially since she has fantastic style. See this dress? Thrift store. $4. That's my girl.

This guitar is even a thrift item. I'm pretty sure it plays in tune as well. $35! 

I'm not sure about the shoes....but, they're cute anyway!

So, the strap wasn't thrifted. It's actually handmade just for Miranda at the Farmer's Market down the street! We were there together when I hear the sultry sound of Ella Fitzgerald playing and dragger her away to talk to this old fart about Ella for forty minutes. Some girls would leave, but Miranda is a real pal. I think we will go to the Farmer's Market more in the future if they keep playing Ella. It feels like everything here has to do with Farmer's. Or Potatoes. Or the Horticulture department. Or the Ag Center. Or lack of boys.

Maybe it's just me, but I think all those things relate ;)

Because of the lack of male specimens; I've gone back to my rebound. I admit, I have one. We all do. I love him. Really, he's been with me through the good and the bad. He is my North Star. My constant. He is the kindest most patient, loving, huggable, soft, wonderful person alive. This is my second special guest. Meet:

Ol' Brown Eyes.

I know the name isn't much. Actually, I hate it. But, Hannah named it and it stuck and I just couldn't change it because that's who he is now. So, deal with it.

Apparently, most people don't bring their stuffed-animal boyfriends to college. I didn't realize this until I had a girls night (well...every night is a girls night) and my roommate decided to tell everyone I slept with a monkey.

(Laughter)

Is it really a crime?! NO. I mean, a real man wouldn't let you stain them with mascara and pen.

"I think Ol' Brown Eyes is better than a real man",  I told them.




Then I spent the next three hours how I was going to live a life of celibacy.


Joy.

After The Potato Harvest

Rexburg, Idaho is probably the most exciting place to live in the world.

Every day something new and thrilling happens.

For example, last week I learned all the Elementary School/Junior High/High School students had the ENTIRE week off for Potato Harvesting.

They get up at 5 in the morning, and harvest potatoes till 11 at night.

Exciting, eh?

Well, it is when you benefit from it.

Free Food.

I've never known something more thrilling.

Thrifty Thursday

Yesterday, I had a Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake Shake (Yep. That's right.) at Sammy's (this wonderful local band joint/shake and fry place/vintage hangout). It was karaoke night. I'm considering participating next week. As I stepped out the door away from the horrific sounds of karaoke and into the splattering rain with the taste of pumpkin still melting in my mouth; I began to dance.

Fall is here, ladies (and gentlemen?). Fall is here.

So, I decided for my Thrifty Thursday today, I'd bust out all my fabulous scarfs. They are quite thrifty. And a necessary Fall/Winter(or all year round if you live in Idaho) accessory.

Here's my tutorial on: 

Different Ways to Tie a Scarf.

Enjoy.

1) The Turtle Tie

Scarf: Free! Christmas Gift.

This is probably my least favorite on me. But a lot of people pull it off. You wrap the scarf all the way around to loop around your neck and pull it tight so it looks like a turtle neck!

2) Classic Winter

Scarf: Free! Gift.

Throw one end of the scarf over your shoulder. Simple as that. Then go make a snowman.

3) Braided Beauty

Scarf: Free!.....again. Free is the best way to go.

This one is more complicated to do but it's my favorite! You loop the scarf before you put it around your neck then slip one of the ends through and then the other overlapping like a braid!

4) Hang Loose

Scarf: 3 Euros. London.

Definitely the easiest look. Just put on a scarf.

5) Simple Slip

Scarf: 1$ Thrift Store

I like this one with thin scarves. You just tie a knot VERY loosely.

6) Pull It Through

Scarf: 12 Euros. Paris. OK...not extremely thrifty. But, French.

This one is like the Braided Beauty, except you pull both ends through the loop instead of braiding the two.

7) Retro Thin

Scarf: 1$! Woo! Thrift Store.

This is exactly like the Simple Slip except tight! It reminds me of those 50s scarves. This is a more summery look.

8) Drape Around

Scarf: 3$ at Chinatown, NY

This is like the Turtle Tie except I use large cloth scarves and don't pull it tight. You just wrap it all the way around and then fix it to lay the way you want. This is a popular way to wear winter scarves.

Let me know your favorites :)

Gloomy Monday

It's a Gloomy Monday.
But it's beautiful.
The rain romance.
My glasses are Misty.
I'm helpless
Like: a kitten up a tree.
The clouds are crying.
But, I'm smiling.
Well...smirking.
Reading children's books.
Drinking hot chocolate at the Cocoa Bean.
Bluesy songs.
Still.
It's because of Stormy Weather.
And this Rainy Day.

Hello, scarf.