Sparkle Sparkle Shake

I Got Married

2011-12-29T01:24:00.000-06:00

I never thought that I cared much about aging...

2011-04-18T22:20:00.002-05:00

... but when the male employee at the hipster pizza place in town asked me if I was Jana's mom on Saturday, I seriously contemplated botox. I mean, yes, Jana has a very youthful look, but she's only 2 years younger than me and he thought I was 20 years older than her! I used to say that I "liked" my eye wrinkle crows feet because it means I smile a lot, but maybe it's time for some wrinkle cream or something.

Making Plans

2011-03-16T17:14:00.001-05:00

Anyone who knows me, knows I'm a planner. So naturally, Gard and I have been making all sorts of plans for our life together (knowing full well that life never goes according to plan). We have a lot of similar ideas about things we'd like to do, but there is one thing we can't seem to agree on: motorcycles. He loves them, I hate them. Luckily we got that worked out over g-chat today.

me: i wish you could watch this Sunday Morning with me right now
Gard: me too! what are you learning about?
me: it's about a 100 year old ski racer who rides a motorcycle
Gard: what?? how did they interview me in the future?
me: ha. you can have a motorcycle when you turn 100
Gard: before then
like 80
at the latest
me: ok, 80
Gard: but only if you're not still around
me: ok, fair
Gard: i'm buying one the day you check out
me: i'll leave a motorcycle for you in my will
Gard: haha
me: fine by me
Gard: ok
me: deal
Gard: no point hanging out by myself
me: you can ride your motorcycle around
and then it won't be as much of a tragedy when you get run over
Gard: haha
me: because you'll be coming to see me
Gard: thanks hun
me: you're welcome

Who would've thought?

2011-03-03T21:44:00.005-06:00

A few minutes after we got engaged.

A year and a half ago, I was at Sunday dinner with my parents and we got talking about dating. One thing led to another and I ended up laying in my mom's lap crying (yes, at 26 sometimes a good cry in your mom's lap is the only thing that will make you feel better). I just didn't get it. How did people fall in love and get married? It all just seemed so far off for me. Little did I know, the boy I would end up loving was already very much a part of my life, the time just had to be right.

I was busy looking for the guy I thought I wanted. I thought I'd marry some guy who was studying business or dentistry (maybe because that's 95% of the guys at BYU?) or maybe some guy who loved sports and dressed in business casual and had all of the same interests as me. I knew lots of those guys and they were all great, but I often found myself being self-conscious and trying to force something that wasn't there. It just wasn't working.

So imagine my surprise when I found myself falling for Gard (who was not what I was looking for, but way better for me in so many ways). We'd been friends with for a couple of years and in that time I'd become so comfortable not only around him, but more comfortable around me- more comfortable in my own skin. I was able to be myself with him. One of the first times that Gard and I went to lunch together (a year and a half or so before we started dating), I picked apart my entire sandwich and did a bunch of things I'd never do in front of a date and remarked, "It's a good thing you're not trying to date me." And that was the trick- he wasn't trying to date me, we were just becoming friends and that made all the difference.

It didn't matter that he adored all things outdoors and I'd only spent a lifetime total of 4 nights in a tent. I didn't get hung up on the fact that while I occasionally enjoyed sporting events, he was unfamiliar with the term "first down". Whether or not Gard liked The Dixie Chicks (he doesn't), I still liked them and whether or not I loved to ski, Gard still loved it and still loved me. I quit looking for all of those things I thought I wanted and found all of the things I needed (and didn't even realize it!) in Gard. I quit looking for the guy in a suit who had all the same interests and was able to look at Gard in his skinny jeans and t-shirts and fall in love with his kindness and sense of humor and intelligence (and adorable nerdiness!- the cool kind, not the weird kind) and testimony, etc etc etc. And miracle of all miracles, he fell in love with me!

It's not like Gard was looking for me either. I'm sure he thought he'd end up with a girl who loved to rock climb and ski black diamonds and who maybe knew a thing or two about science. But that wasn't me and ultimately he didn't care. Even though I still pick apart my food and have only skied 3 times in my entire life and get overly excited about stupid things and talk way too fast for any one's good, he likes me. Somehow with all of our differences, we understand each other and make one another happy. So a few weeks ago when we were baking in our pajamas and I turned around to find him on one knee in the kitchen, it was a resounding, "YES!" (well, after I said, "Really?! Wait, you're supposed to tell me nice things."). Who would've thought?

Calling Chickee to share the good news.

So I finally read the first Harry Potter...

2011-02-28T21:10:00.002-06:00

And I thought it was okay. I mean, I enjoyed it, but I haven't been in a huge rush to read the second one (much to Gard's chagrin)- I know, I know, that makes me unimaginative and boring or something, but they're just not my cup of tea. Anyway, Gard keeps telling me that I need to read them so I understand his Harry Potter jokes. My reply is that the majority of his jokes don't involve Harry Potter, so I'm still in no rush. To which he replies, "What if I got into an accident and the only jokes I could tell were Harry Potter jokes?" Okay, fine, then I'd read them.

Oh yeah, and we got engaged and I couldn't be happier about it! More on that to come.

Note to self:

2010-10-04T13:18:00.001-05:00

Do not apply your Burt's Bees lip balm with your finger and then rub your eye. The "soothing tingle" that the tin promises for your lips does not feel so good in your eyes.

B-Day weekend turned sister reunion

2010-09-30T17:48:00.015-05:00

Gard had this great idea to go to his family's beach house to celebrate his birthday. So after a TON of convincing (yeah right), I was on board. After a turn of events, Gard's birthday weekend with friends somehow turned into a Rozier sister reunion with none of Gard's friends. Good thing Gard is easy going (or maybe there was so much chattering between me, Nat, and Whit that he didn't have a chance to tell us otherwise?). At any rate, I think all parties involved had a great time. How could we not in such a beautiful place?

Doing what we do best (well, besides talking).

Twin ninja hoodies. Apparently we like to match in my family.

Yes, believe it or not, that's me in the middle of the ocean on a kayak.

I think it's time for an intervention or something.

2010-09-27T19:57:00.002-05:00

It's almost 7:oopm and I'm just getting ready to leave work. Yes, sometimes I have a tendency to work too much, but that's not the issue I'm tackling here. The issue is that I just moved a large pile of paper to find chocolate stuck to several documents that go into patient's medical charts. Oops. That, coupled with finding rainbow sprinkles stuck to my chest when I took my bra off the other night (those Banbury donuts are just TOO good), just screams for a cleanse. Okay, I'm not crazy enough to give up sweets or anything (because anyone who knows me knows my appreciation for all things sweet), but maybe I'll just start with some vegetables for dinner. Luckily I like those too.

Further evidence that I'm a 76 year old woman trapped in a 27 year old's body.

2010-09-21T20:39:00.002-05:00

I think Sunday Morning is the best show on television. News? Check. Fun facts? Check. Sketches on things ranging from the Hoover Dam to toothpick art to pop culture? Check, check, and check. What more could I want in a television show?

I take back all the mean things I've ever said about LAX

2010-09-16T18:06:00.002-05:00

I think I've flown into/out of LAX a handful of times in my life, but for some reason I had a total aversion to that airport- that is until this past Tuesday. I'm typically a glass half-full kind of girl, but whenever I heard someone say something about LAX, it was usually followed by a quick, "Ugh, I HATE that airport. It's just so big and busy and such a pain," or some other exaggerated response to that effect. Well, I take it all back.

On Tuesday, I was at LAX at 7:20 am (so obviously I was in an awesome mood after waking up at 6:00am). I got in the security line to be herded like a cow up to the TSA attendant to go through the huge rigmarole that is now airport travel- still in a totally awesome mood, I assure you. As I approached the TSA podium though, something was different. The attendants were smiling. What?! And on top of that, they were handing out compliments like it was candy. "Oh, Ms. Rozier, headed home today? You sure look nice!" Then I saw one TSA guy look at a lady's ID and say, "Oh, you've decided to go blond. Good choice, it looks great!" Then the lady at the next podium looked at another guy's ID and said, "Wow, nice smile!" For a second, I expected Ashton Kutcher to jump out, but then I remembered that it isn't 2003.

Some people think Christmas or Thanksgiving are the best days of the year...

2010-06-21T18:03:00.004-05:00

...I beg to differ. If I had to pick my favorite day of the year, I think it might have to be summer solstice. I mean, 15 hours of sunlight, does it get any better than that?! I think I'll celebrate with a grilled hot dog (well, let's be honest, I've been celebrating the warm weather with hot dogs for weeks now). So maybe I'll add a quick jog in the park as part of my celebration. After all, it'll be light until like 10pm or something wonderful like that!

"Dad is da bomb"

2010-06-21T01:25:00.002-05:00

A few years back, my dad learned how to send text messages. Shortly thereafter, I started recieving texts with phrases like the title of this post. I couldn't argue- my dad really is da bomb.

official start to summer

2010-06-03T18:20:00.002-05:00

I've had a grilled hot dog every night for the last 4 nights. If that doesn't scream summertime I don't know what does.

"It's your birthday?!"

2010-03-15T17:49:00.003-05:00

"It's your birthday?! Happy birthday!" I think I heard this roughly 297 times at work today. The best part is that it was from the same 7 residents. Sometimes having short-term memory loss isn't a bad thing because then you get to be excited about things like birthdays over and over again.

Once in a Lifetime

2010-03-09T00:50:00.006-06:00

I know I pick on Utah a lot, but there are some really great perks about living in Salt Lake- namely, stake conference in the Tabernacle. Oh and did I mention that our ward was the choir? Yes, I sang in a Tabernacle choir- not THE Tabernacle choir, but I was so excited about sitting in those choir seats and singing with that amazing organ, it may as well have been. I tried really hard to pay attention to the speakers, but my mind kept wandering and thinking about all of the wonderful Saints and General Authorities who have sat in those seats.

I think the lecture went well?

2010-02-26T00:24:00.003-06:00

Well, at least the professor invited me back next semester- so that's gotta count for something, right? Or maybe, it was the fact that I brought candy? I figured graduate students still like treats, so even if my lecture was boring, at least they had something yummy to snack on.

P.S. In all seriousness though- being a professor is my DREAM JOB. I really love my job, but being back in the classroom reminded me how much I really love school (and what a big nerd I am.)

I'm going to be a guest lecturer in a graduate social work class at the University of Utah on Thursday.

2010-02-24T00:39:00.001-06:00

Does that mean I'm a grown up?

I'm never sad to wake up to a box of donuts on my doorstep.

2010-02-17T01:28:00.003-06:00

Dare I say they rival Judy's Donuts in Clovis?

Perfect way to start the day.

I needed something to get me through these last few winter months.

2010-01-26T23:49:00.004-06:00

So you may have already figured out that I'm not a huge fan of winter. In fact, I don't really hate things, but I might hate winter.

So in an attempt to think warm thoughts, I booked a trip to Hawaii!!! It's not until March, but it's all I can think about. Hopefully tomorrow when I'm scraping snow off of my windshield in freezing temps, it won't be quite so bad 'cause I can just imagine myself on the beach. March cannot get here fast enough.

Conundrum

2010-01-20T01:38:00.002-06:00

I went to the dentist last week and he told me that I should drink out of a straw to prevent discoloring my teeth. But then my dermatologist says I shouldn't drink out of a straw to avoid wrinkles around my mouth. So I guess I have to choose? Wrinkles or stained teeth- it's a toss-up.

Hard to believe it's been 10 years since we were worrying about Y2K.

2010-01-01T20:07:00.011-06:00

We wanted to avoid having our house trashed like last year, so we opted out of throwing a New Year's party. Instead, we got a few friends together for some dining, dancing, rooftop celebrating, sparkling cider drinking, midnight kissing, and snowy hot-tubbing (platonic, snowy hot-tubbing). Welcome 2010, I can't wait to see what you've got in store!

Wore my bow tie for the occasion (compliments of Shea).

** Photo from the Belvedere rooftop via Beastmaster

Always nice to end the night with a good soak.

New Year's 2010

2010-01-01T20:04:00.005-06:00

New Year's 2010 from rebekah romney on Vimeo.

**Brought to you by the lovely Rebekah of Monkey City.

Senior moments

2009-12-31T00:19:00.003-06:00

One of the best things about working with people with Alzheimer's is that you never know what you're going to get when you show up in the morning, so it's always exciting. Sometimes I'll have a cute little grandma give me a hug and tell me I'm an angel and then turn around 20 minutes later and say "Help me break this window or I will kill you" (just happened 2 days ago)- only to come back in another 15 minutes and say hello with no recollection. Needless to say, it provides for a lot of laughs.

One of my favorite old ladies is the grumpiest lady in the whole community, but I just can't help but love her. Today, she had me in stitches.

Me (as I walk by her in the hallway): Good morning!

Old lady: Shut up.

Me: Did you just tell me to shut up?

Old lady: No, I said "Have a nice day."

Me: Oh, that's what I thought. (And then I gave her a big hug)

Utahans love terms of endearment

2009-12-28T23:41:00.003-06:00

Call me crazy, but I think terms of endearment (i.e. sweetie, honey, sugar, etc.) are supposed to be used with people that are dear to you, not by the man at the Taco Bell drive through. "Here's your taco. Have a great night sweetie." What? Did he just call me sweetie? For all he knows I'm not sweet at all.

Okay, okay, I don't really care that much. Maybe it stems from the fact that I'm not super comfortable using terms of endearment. I once had a boyfriend that told me that this bothered him. True story. Maybe I'll make that one of my 2010 goals "Use more terms of endearment". Then I'll be a true Utahan, darling.

I forgot what it feels like to be warm.

2009-12-18T02:18:00.003-06:00

Luckily I'm headed to Southern CA for a reminder. Can't wait to catch some rays (I'm in serious need of some Vitamin D- and a tan). While the sun will be nice, the real highlight will be catching up with these lovely ladies. High school flashbacks, here I come!

Holidate '09 (not quite as catchy as Holidate '08)

2009-12-16T01:50:00.009-06:00

It's that time of year again. The time to throw on a party dress, eat delicious food, and dance until my feet hurt. Check, check, and check. Already looking forward to Holidate 2010.

Good Company

Everyone loves a good white elephant gift.

Looks like the "hand on the hip" is not only my picture pose, but also my dance move.

BIG mistake.

2009-12-07T02:03:00.001-06:00

I know better than to drink Diet Coke at 9:30pm.

I need something to keep my mind off the fact that it's going to be cold for the next 4-5 months.

2009-12-01T00:20:00.003-06:00

I saw THIS on Kate's blog today and I got soooooo excited. It got me thinking about all of the other documentaries I've seen and loved- and yes, I realize that by admitting this, I cement myself in the dork category. I don't care. I've come to terms with it.

Anyway, I thought I'd ask if any of the 4 of you that read this blog have any suggestions of documentaries. Funny, informative, historical- I'll take it. It's starting to get real cold here, so I've got to come up with indoor activities to keep me busy until it's warm enough to hang out on the porch again.

You'd think I'd be better at this by now.

2009-11-20T00:30:00.001-06:00

How is it that after 16 years of shaving my legs, I still cut myself?

So maybe I lied when I said I cry only twice a year...

2009-11-18T23:27:00.002-06:00

Hailey (during her night time prayer while I was visiting last weekend): "Please bless mommy that she's having lots of fun in Heaven..."

...I just couldn't help it.

Does this mean it's all downhill from here?

2009-11-13T00:53:00.006-06:00

I stopped into Old Navy tonight to pick up a few items -not generally one of my regular stops, but I had a 30% off coupon and they had some great tights and a killer purse. Anyway, the shopping trip went as usual...I breezed past all of the cable knit sweaters and ugly stripped numbers and found the few items I came for. I was feeling great about the deals I had just scored as I swiped my card, but in an instant all of my post-purchase glory vanished as the sales associate mistook me for a teenager's mother. The conversation went as follows:

18 year old ON sales associate: "Are you CeCe's mom?"

Me: "Um, no." (somewhat quizzically- hoping that CeCe is a small toddler)

18 year old ON sales associate: "Oh, cuz you look just like one of my friends from school!"

Me: "Haha" (uncomfortably laughing as I realize that CeCe is not a toddler, but an 18 year old girl).

She might as well have asked if I was pregnant while she was at it.

Home Sweet Home

2009-11-09T22:58:00.004-06:00

I've lived in Utah for about 8 years, but Clovis will always be home. I don't care if I live here the rest of my life (well, actually I do care and I don't plan on it...), it will never feel like home to me. That's not to say that Utah doesn't have its perks- it certainly does (i.e. 7-11's on practically every corner, the seasons, temples, great people, etc.). I wouldn't live here unless I liked it, but it'll never give me the rush of warm, happy feelings I get when I turn onto Sunnyside Ave. I had the chance to go back to Clovis a few weeks ago and while I didn't recognize most of the city, my old neighborhood took me right back to high school- the fact that all the radio stations seemed to only play music from the late 90's may have also had something to do with it too. Seriously, I don't think I've heard so much Natalie Imbruglia and Blink-182 since I was in the 11th grade.

Sunnyside, just the way I left it.

When did the trees get so big?

For real?

2009-11-04T12:06:00.002-06:00

So I'm not in charge of the animals at work, but turns out that in addition to my counseling and assessment responsibilities, I am in charge of the Lost & Found (kind of random). Lost & Found in an Alzheimer's community? Isn't everything/everyone lost? I thought for sure it was a joke they were playing on the "new girl", but turns out it's not. This should be interesting.

Sometimes I hate being a girl...

2009-11-02T22:14:00.003-06:00

...because it makes me do things like burst into tears at Sunday dinner with my parents. I only cry like twice a year (although I tear up daily while watching Oprah and such), and for some weird reason, yesterday was one of those days. Somehow I ended up laying in my mom's lap in the rocking chair while she reminded me that at least we're not pioneers that got all the way to Utah and then didn't even have a rocking chair to cry in when things got hard. Needless to say, the tears quickly turned to laughs. Thanks mom for making it better.

P.S. Dad, you were right, we should've just stuck to talking about Bret Favre or something.

Just another day at work...

2009-11-02T00:34:00.003-06:00

Contrary to popular belief, I work with old people (and their families), not animals. But there happens to be a kangaroo, 6 dogs, a few cats, some birds, and a bunch of fish that also live in the Alzheimer's community. Oh yeah, and sometimes we have visitors like ponies and camels. And yes, Oscar the kangaroo is wearing a diaper- luckily that doesn't fall under the umbrella of my job description.

Old Soul, New Heart

2009-10-30T17:00:00.003-05:00

My friend (and past roommate- until she had to go and get married on me), Shea, is outrageously talented. So talented in fact that she started her own accessory business and was able to quit her 9 to 5 to become a full time crafter. Okay, the title "crafter" doesn't really do her justice. But anyway, she makes beautiful things and I want to buy all of them. Go HERE to check her stuff out. And yes, I know I'm not supposed to end sentences with a preposition.

P.S. I'm partial to the Sparkle Sparkle Shake. Maybe it has to do with the fact that it's named for yours truly?

We like to party, we like, we like to party.

2009-10-20T00:49:00.012-05:00

And by "party" I mean, throw weddings. Getting married seems to be the thing to do around here- maybe one of these days I'll hop on that bandwagon, but for now, I

love celebrating the nuptials of my friends.

The new Mr. and Mrs. Anderson

Had to pick up Big Gulps between the temple and recpetion set-up

I'm noticing a pattern in my photos- looks like my go to pose is the "hand on the hip".

Roommates

I must've been really feeling the beat.

Sometimes a little heart and soul...

2009-10-16T01:07:00.003-05:00

...does the heart and soul a little good.

*Picture via Melissa Lucia

(I just love how she translated our frenzied fingers onto film)

Two thumbs up

2009-10-11T21:47:00.003-05:00

I love magazines and I love documentaries, so imagine my delight when I got to watch a documentary about a magazine this weekend.

The key to my heart.

2009-10-08T01:22:00.003-05:00

I've always liked nerds. Not the Urkle kind, but the cool kind- you know, a nerd with personality and social skills. It's surprisingly hard to find.

I promise I won't be the next Anna Nicole.

2009-09-29T21:32:00.004-05:00

So I know I haven't had the best luck with guys my own age, but men in the 80 and older set sure do like me. Sure they have dementia and most of them can't see, but I still like it when they tell me I'm pretty.

Sometimes a bad economy isn't all bad.

2009-09-22T23:38:00.005-05:00

Like when one of our local eateries offers "free coffee (or hot cocoa) Mondays" until the DOW hits 10,000. All you have to do is bring your own mug and they'll fill it up. Not too shabby.

Is it bad that I want the economy to recover, but I also want the DOW to hang out at 9,999 for just a few weeks?

Not quite the Big Fresno Fair, but it'll do.

2009-09-20T14:42:00.009-05:00

I went to the Utah State Fair with a few friends last night and noted some differences from the fair of my childhood:

1) I could actually go to the fair at night (which was unthinkable at the Big Fresno Fair unless you wanted to risk being shot in a gang fight).

2)I didn't see any low riders in the parking lot. Weird.

3) There wasn't even one booth where I could get my name graffitied on my shirt. Luckily,

Natalie went to the Fresno Fair last year and got me one to help me remember my roots.

Even though it was a little different than the fair that I was used to, the Utah State Fair didn't disappoint. Between the funnel cake, brick of curly fries, cotton candy, fresh lemonade, and the big yellow fun slide, I was satisfied.

I survived my first day.

2009-09-17T00:15:00.002-05:00

I think I was more nervous today when I started my first real job than when I started the seventh grade. What if no one liked me? What if the kangaroo was mean? What if I had to share an office with someone that wanted to listen to techno music all day? SO many things to worry about. Luckily all my worrying was quickly put to rest. Turns out my coworkers are all super nice and they think I'm important or something and I get my very own fancy schmancy office- complete with a large oak desk and comfy couch. Did I mention that I have a mini-fridge?

Anyway, not much kangaroo interaction today, but just when I started to hit the afternoon lull, this cute little bulldog (well, ok, cute might be a stretch- but she's so ugly she's almost cute) wandered into my office. Just what I needed to distract me from the fact that I had NO IDEA what I was doing. Hopefully I'll figure it out soon.

Turns out a Masters degree is good for something- I was seriously starting to wonder.

2009-09-14T22:22:00.004-05:00

I finally did it. I got a job. Say hello to the new Director of Resident and Family Services at Silverado Senior Living-Aspen Park.

Did I mention that I have a kangaroo as a coworker? Don't believe me?

Check THIS out.

I have a feeling that Oscar the kangaroo and I are going to be fast friends.

The sun is setting earlier and earlier and I don't like it one bit.

2009-09-13T21:17:00.002-05:00

'Cause it means that winter is coming which results in fewer nights spent hanging out on the porch.

Nothing better than an unexpected visit from an old friend.

2009-09-11T13:04:00.002-05:00

Thanks, Joey, for "missing" your connecting flight and playing for the day- it was just what I needed.

Note to my future husband

2009-09-10T23:48:00.002-05:00

Just sayin'.

*image via ffffound

I'm proud to be an American.

2009-09-08T23:53:00.002-05:00

Not sure why THIS was so hottly debated. I couldn't find one thing that I wouldn't want children (or everyone for that matter) all over this country to hear and heed.

Code for "I'm Mormon"

2009-09-08T19:32:00.003-05:00

I saw this car at Walmart and had to laugh.

Roommate FHE

2009-08-31T23:35:00.005-05:00

*Don't mind the fact that I look 3 times the size of my roommates in the bottom picture (they keep telling me "it's the angle")

A little 30 Day Shred followed by brownies.

Counterproductive? Nah.

I'm starting to get desperate.

2009-08-27T13:55:00.002-05:00

* Found via indexed

We made the last week of summer really count.

2009-08-25T00:50:00.009-05:00

Hailey starts kindergarten tomorrow (and couldn't be more excited about it). But before she went to school, we made sure she had a fun filled week of 'cation at Chickee's house complete with trips to the zoo, Thanksgiving Point, the Monte L. Bean Museum, sleepovers, giant bubble baths, tea parties, and swimming in Chickee's basement. School will probably be a nice break.

I don't consider myself a jealous person.

2009-08-24T17:29:00.002-05:00

But I'll admit it, I'm feeling insanely jealous of everyone who got to go back to school today.

I just wish I could be a student forever.

What happens when there's a mouse in the house?

2009-08-20T19:35:00.003-05:00

A group of otherwise seemingly grown-up, logical girls instantly turn into screaming babies.

I've got to get a boyfriend, stat, to take care of this kind of stuff.

Confession

2009-08-13T17:44:00.002-05:00

I drank sodie last weekend. Lots and lots of sodie. But I don't feel bad about it 'cause I was on 'cation. And like I said before, just about anything can be justified while on 'cation.

My body felt like I slid down a 1200 foot glacier.

2009-08-07T11:44:00.008-05:00

The view from the top and the beautiful wildflowers were well worth the 15 miles, sore feet, and numb bum (fyi, one thin layer of cotton spndex is not sufficient for sliding down a glacier). Thanks Mt. Timpanogos, I'll be back.

I take staying hydrated very seriously OR I love sodie.

2009-07-28T18:06:00.004-05:00

I cleaned out my car the other day and this is ridiculous (in my defense, a lot of those cups contained water at some point).

So, I'm doing something crazy. I'm laying off the sodie for a month. Not for any particular reason, but just because. It's been 3 days and so far, so good. We'll see how long I can keep this up.

*Disclaimer: I do not intend for this to be permanent.

Church ended 5.5 hours ago.

2009-07-26T18:22:00.002-05:00

And I'm still in my dress.

Not because I want to be, but more because I'm too lazy to go change clothes.

Here's to Sunday naps in a now wrinkly dress!

Harajuku Girls

2009-07-23T01:42:00.002-05:00

Spent a little time in San Francisco's Japan Town with Whit.

Being Harajuku girls came very naturally as evidenced by our time in the Koiniki photo booth.

Sometimes it pays to hang out with a bunch of girls.

2009-07-14T23:28:00.003-05:00

Like when you go to the Kennecott copper mine. Which, by the way, is one of the best kept secrets in UT (okay, so maybe the fact that the side of the mountain is totally carved out and you can see it from space doesn't really qualify it as a "secret", but man, no one told me how cool that place is).

Anyway, point is, we made friends with the security guard. And maybe we chatted him up and asked questions incessantly about the mine and all of the minerals that are found there. And maybe he gave us some really cool sparkly rocks from the bottom of the humongous pit. And just maybe it made me sort of want to start a rock collection.

I had to speak in church yesterday.

2009-07-13T10:59:00.002-05:00

Then I promptly came home and took not one, but TWO naps. Really taking the day of rest thing to heart.

Whoever said Antelope Island is yucky didn't know what they were talking about.

2009-07-11T00:57:00.004-05:00

The salt stung my freshly shaved legs and the warm water creeped me out just a little bit, but the sunset was well worth wading out into the Great Salt Lake.

I have a crying hangover.

2009-06-30T18:36:00.003-05:00

I don't know why on earth I thought it would be a good idea to go see My Sister's Keeper.

Two hours, a lot of crying, and a really bad headache later, I realize that it's not much fun to watch a movie you've already lived through.

My dad has been to more "jump-arounds" than any other dad I know.

2009-06-21T18:50:00.002-05:00

I guess it comes with the territory.

In raising 4 daughters, my dad was subjected to more cheer competitions, dance recitals, gymnastics meets, etc. than any man should ever have to endure. I'm pretty sure he never knew one event from another (which is why he dubbed them all "the jump-around") and he probably had things he'd rather do (like golf), and my mom probably had to drag him there, but the point is he came.

So here's to you dad! Thanks for watching countless jump-arounds, for making the best Sunday night grilled cheese, for not disowning all of us when we call you on the same day with a major freak-out, for good advice, and for being such a wonderful example of what the head of a home should be. Happy Father's Day!

It's official.

2009-06-16T21:20:00.003-05:00

I passed my clinical exam and I'm legal.

Now onto the big bucks.

Rain rain go away

2009-06-09T10:15:00.002-05:00

It's June. So why does weather.com show the little rain/lightening bolt image for the next 10 days?!

Huh?

2009-06-04T00:57:00.003-05:00

I didn't know there was such a thing as a camouflaged kilt until I saw this man at Paradise Bakery today. I can't decide whether it was a decision of fashion or a matter of work attire. But then I tried to think of any job where it would require one to wear a camouflaged kilt and I couldn't think of one. He had a few tools and some serious boots- any ideas?

"Someday you'll be glad I kept that."

2009-06-01T22:39:00.003-05:00

I think I heard this phrase at least 26 times today.

I came down to Alpine to help my mom "clean" the basement. Somehow "cleaning'" became a little more like sifting through a bunch of junk that my mom wouldn't let me get rid of because "it's not junk, it's memories".

Just in case any of you need 47 picture frames from the 80's, any sort of electronic cord that is surely out of date, small teddy bear cheerleader figurines, or VHS tapes- don't worry, we've got 'em. And according to my mom, someday I'll be glad. We'll see mom, we'll see.

I love cation

2009-05-24T01:09:00.006-05:00

Anyone who has spent any amount of time with the Rozier family knows that we definitely have our own vernacular. One of my favorite Rozier words is "cation"- as in vacation.

When you're on cation you can do things like sleep in late and drink soda for breakfast (or maybe that's everyday) and read silly Hollywoood gossip magazines 'cause after all "It's cation!" ( I wish you could all hear my mom use that as justification for all sorts of things to my dad). Anyway, I was on cation this week, which means I ate frozen yogurt for dinner for the last six nights- guilt free.

Sorry I disappeared...

2009-05-22T19:41:00.006-05:00

I was busy graduating...

And drinking a keg of rootbeer (turns out it's a lot of rootbeer- like more than a few weeks worth)...

And being a bridesmaid...

And playing on the beach...

Be back soon.

Reason #156 I love living in SLC...

2009-05-10T21:16:00.005-05:00

Sunday afternoon walks to temple square.

I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living my mommy you'll be.

2009-05-10T15:48:00.003-05:00

Sometimes I forget that not everyone has a mom that carries a clown nose in her purse just in case (you never know when it'll come in handy)- which is just one of the many reasons I'm so lucky.

Food Storage?

2009-05-07T01:09:00.002-05:00

I went home to Alpine the other day and was happy to see that should the Swine Flu hit Utah, my parents will be okay. Don't worry, they've stocked up on Top Ramen and cherry flavored candy canes- two staples for any healthy diet.

So now that I'm done with school...

2009-04-27T23:53:00.003-05:00

...I've had to find other ways to fill my time. Like looking at pretty cards that I pretend I'm going to buy to add to my collection. There's nothing quite like hand-written correspondence.

In 45 minutes, I will be a master.

2009-04-24T10:06:00.001-05:00

I'm sitting in my last class of my entire Master's program. And yes, I'm blogging. I've been so excited to be done with papers and projects, but it's all comig to a close and I don't want it to end. What do I do now? Grow up?

Does this look familiar?

2009-04-22T01:19:00.002-05:00

It's that time of year again. The time when I say goodbye to any reasonable amount of sleep and hello to lots of reading and writing. And diet coke.

One of my favorite photos of all time.

2009-04-19T21:53:00.001-05:00

How cute are my parents during their dating years? I mean, you're still cute mom and dad (or, uh handsom), but man, you kids were adorable.

Preparing for Finals

2009-04-16T01:15:00.006-05:00

I love when the U plans a large outdoor concert because it should be warm on April 15th, but then it snows all day. Didn't stop me from taking a break from my studies to brave the cold temps and dance my heart out.

This is how the U of U prepares for finals week.

Happy Easter!

2009-04-12T18:39:00.003-05:00

Hailey to Me: "Auntie Lindsay, you should move here, California has a really good Easter bunny."

I didn't know the Easter bunny was regional these days. Hailey might be onto something.

Sorry for all of the heavy posts, it's been kind of a heavy month.

2009-04-11T10:09:00.006-05:00

It still doesn't seem real. I mean, in some ways it feels like I was just talking to her yesterday and in others it feels like it's been an eternity. How can a whole year have already passed?

I'll be honest, some things haven't been as hard as I thought they were going to be, but other things have definitely been more difficult. Emotions are so weird. Most days I'm fine, but occasionally I cry.

I cry because while I know Robin is always close, it's not fair that Hailey doesn't have a mom to help her shop for a first day of school outfit (luckily she does have a grammy and a chickee, a great dad, and lots of other mommies who love her a lot). I cry because Jason had to pick out a headstone and he's too young. I cry because I'm afraid of forgetting. I don't want to forget the sound of her laugh or the way her face would light up when Hailey walked into the room.

Luckily I also laugh a lot. I laugh about the funny faces she would make in the mirror when she thought no one was watching. I laugh when I use one of her phrases like "snicky snack" or when I think about the times we snuck her out of the hospital to go on craft store runs (sorry nurses).

So on this yucky anniversary, I don't want to spend my time crying. I'm going to go shopping, eat a great meal, wear Robin's trademark lipstick, and enjoy the beautiful flowers I got from my best friend because I'm pretty sure that's what Robin would want me to do.

Sometimes being a girl makes me do things like...

2009-04-09T00:34:00.001-05:00

...sleep with pepper spray next to my bed.

I couldn't find my shuffle.

2009-04-07T23:56:00.003-05:00

So I went to the gym without it. Which means I had to keep myself occupied, which means I did math in my head for an hour. Weird, I know- but it brings me an odd sense of satisfaction. There are just so many numbers to play with on the treadmill, I can't help myself.

She would have been 32 today.

2009-04-04T12:24:00.006-05:00

I know that the Lord has reasons for calling some of his children home earlier than others, but it doesn't stop me from missing my sister. It's her birthday today and we should be bickering over which restaurant to eat at. We should be sitting for hours and sipping diet cokes and laughing about the time I threw my lunch money at her because she made me get out of the car across the street from the high school because she was late for work. We should be going through her closet and throwing out all of the clothes I deem too "old" for her age while she tries to convince me that "those Naturalizer shoes are just so comfortable- just wait until you're a mom."

I definitely feel a little gypped, but at the same time I'm so grateful for the time I was able to spend with Robin. Sisterhood is truly one of the choicest blessings in my life.

There's something wrong with this.

2009-03-27T22:16:00.002-05:00

It's Friday night and I'm home working on a paper that is due by 11:59:59 pm. Fifteen pages down, feels like a million more to go.

And yes, I know blogging is proably not the most efficient use of my time but I've got to do something to keep me sane.

Sometimes the Internet makes me cry.

2009-03-25T11:55:00.002-05:00

Most things about cancer really suck, but every now and again it gives you a gift. When I was living at City of Hope with Robin, we met Christine Pechera. She quickly became one of our closest friends and biggest supports in our journey through the transplant process. Words can't express the joy I felt when I saw Christine in THIS PSA looking so healthy and vibrant and advocating for a cause that is so close to my heart.

My Heavenly Father Loves Me.

2009-03-20T11:34:00.003-05:00

I went for a run in Alpine yesterday and THIS song kept running through my head. The mountains never cease to amaze me.

Success.

2009-03-17T00:48:00.008-05:00

I did it! I mean, it actually worked. I still can't believe it.

Step 1: Bake 14 thin cakes.

Step 2: Frost large stack of cakes with homemade ganache.

Step 3: Frost ganache covered cake with homemade buttercream, decorate, and add sparkler candles.

Step 4: Look like a complete fool 'cause everyone finishes singing the birthday song long before the sparklers burn out so all the guests just keep hootin' and hollerin' and staring at you (note to self: sparklers cannot be blown out and unless you like prolonged attention, they are not a good idea).

Step 5: Enjoy. Even if it isn't as pretty as the picture on the internet.

Step 6: Explain to the cops that you're just having a dessert party and that people were only loud when you were trying to blow out the sparklers and talk them out of giving you a $100 fine.

Seriously, the cops showed up to my little sabbath day dessert party. I tried to offer them some 14 layer cake and diet Dr. Pepper, but they weren't interested.

Call me crazy...

2009-03-12T21:37:00.005-05:00

...but I think I might attempt to make this cake on Sunday.

It has 14 layers. 14 LAYERS!!!

I'll let you know how it goes- unless it's a complete failure, in which case I'll never mention it again and pretend like I never tried. Just like the time I ran for president in the 6th grade and lost to a boy who promised Taco Bell to the whole school (this might be the first time I've mentioned that failure since then). Can we say "fear of failure?"

Spring cleaning

2009-03-09T02:10:00.004-05:00

It felt so much like Spring today that my roommates and I decided to do some long overdue Spring cleaning.

Imagine my delight when we picked up the couch cushions to find a noise maker and confetti- remnants from our New Year's party (as well as a pen, a Q-tip, a bunch of hair, and a few other things that made me dryheave).

I've been told that I'm passive-aggressive.

2009-03-06T01:49:00.000-06:00

Turns out it's true.

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

2009-03-02T23:38:00.008-06:00

Christmas? You say.

Nope.

Last week was the 2nd annual gold party, which means I got to don the Dereon jacket, the very namesake of this blog.

Hard to believe, but it made me just as happy and I acted just as ridiculous (if not more so) the second time around.

Happy Birthday Chickee

2009-02-23T20:52:00.005-06:00

When I was a teenager, I would occasionally get frustrated with my mom (it's a daughter's job, right?). Hard to believe I could be a pill, I know. But my dad was always to quick to say, "You girls are lucky. There is no one in this world quite like your mom." As annoying as it was to hear that when I just wanted to be mad, I knew it was true.

I must have done something right, 'cause I totally lucked out in the Mom department. Happy birthday to the best listening, loud laughing (in the best way possible of course), big gulp drinking, good advice giving, Chico's wearing, Dateline watching, joke telling, gospel teaching, cotton candy eating, phone talking, time giving, pink dress buying, fun loving, most wonderful mom in the world.

46 and Sunny...Spring is on it's way

2009-02-21T17:11:00.004-06:00

I sat on the swing, drinking sodie, on a sunshiny Saturday. How's that for alliteration?

It's been a good day.

Meet me in...

2009-02-17T01:20:00.012-06:00

One of my 2009 goals is to be a little more spontaneous, so when my roommate Laura found cheap tickets to her hometown of St. Louis a couple of weeks ago, I jumped on it. Definitely one of my favorite 2009 weekends to date. We did lots of fun things. Lots.

We walked through a basilica that had 40.5 million mosaic tiles (it was breathtaking).

We visited the arch and witnessed a marriage proposal .

We played with butterflies at the Butterfly House.

We got the willies and squirmed/squilled like girls when we saw these beetles.

And did lots of chatting, eating, giggling, and a little sleeping. All things that make for a great weekend and prove to me that I don't have to be laying on a beach for it to be an enjoyable vacation. Although, if anyone's going to the beach anytime soon, I'm in.

I had the time of my li-i-ife. (Sung like Patrick Swayze)

2009-02-13T01:39:00.003-06:00

Last week I was called to be a youth counselor in the special needs mutual in Salt Lake. Lucky for me, because it was just in time for tonight's annual Valentine's dance. Dream come true. I have never received such a warm welcome from a room full of strangers, nor have I ever danced with such inhibition (okay, except for when I'm wearing my sequined cheetah print Dereon jacket). If only I were as popular with guys my age as I was with the 17 year olds with down syndrome.

No way am I paying 4 bucks for a sodie.

2009-02-12T00:00:00.004-06:00

I had some free time on my hands this afternoon, so I decided to catch a midday matinee. By myself. Everyone else was at school or work, so I just went ahead all by my lonesome and remembered that I enjoy my own company. Sometimes it's nice to be reminded of that. Anyhow, in order to maximize my cinematic experience, I knew I would need a sodie, but not a $4 movie sodie. So I just did what any smart, sodie drinking girl would do and stopped at the Circle K for a $1.06 sodie with crunchy ice and stuck it in my purse. The only problem was that I didn't have anyone to fill me in on what happened in the movie while I was in the bathroom.

They think I'm a grown up or something.

2009-02-03T21:36:00.002-06:00

I realized something at work today: I much prefer being call "Miss" to being called "Ma'am".

Call me crazy...

2009-01-30T13:18:00.002-06:00

But I don't think 37 degrees is shorts weather. Even if the sun is out. I know it's above freezing, but really?

I saw 3 people wearing shorts on campus today and I just don't get it.

And I thought The Snuggie was bad.

2009-01-27T00:42:00.002-06:00

Earlier this evening, I was innocently watching television when I saw THIS. Just to be sure it wasn't all a big joke, I called each of my roommates into the room to verify the ridiculousness. Oh, it's real alright. I thought for sure this was straight out of Provo, but then I was delighted to notice that it came from my very own hometown. As if K-Fed weren't proof enough that all good things come from Fresno, I introduce The Bumpit.