The best thrift store in the world is the DI!!
You got to love how LDS people will donate the ugliest things you have ever seen and DI will charge you $5 for it!! Which is you favorite?
Mom, Aaron and I took Ren(susan's daughter) with us and then we all went to lunch. I missed Texas so much we went to Texas Roadhouse!
I started at a new single Branch since here in Texas!
Before people get too excited about my supposed excitement and the prospect of being the oldest person in the branch. I did not go on my own accord...of course there was a good looking gentleman involved in my decision to "check it out" :-)
As I am nearing a new decade, I often wonder if I look as young as I think I do. Or if like all of us in this stage of life, I am delusional!
My question was answered last night.
It's Fun to watch people try to calculate my age by the things I say. Last night I was telling a story about my little brother and I was trying to remember how old I was....in doing the calculations I let it slip that,"if he was one then I was ten"
The rest of the conversation went something like this
Guy: "how old is your brother now"
Me: **laughing**"are you trying to figure out how old I am?"
Guy:"Mayb e"
Me: "Well I am not going to tell you, but it doesnt really matter I am 29"
Guy: **silent**
Me: "how old did you think I was?"
Guy:" You are a hard one to figure out I was thinking between 26 and 30 but you look to good to be 26"
Me: "Thanks"
Guy: "We could just tell everyone I am 25 and you are 28" (said guy is 24)
SO there you have it I look as young as I think I do or maybe he was just flattering me, hummm?
Disscussion among me and my cronies has lead to the question. Where did the phrase come from? First off "No comment from the Peanut gallery" A peanut gallery is an audience that heckles the performer. The term originated in the days of vaudeville as a nickname for the cheapest (and ostensibly rowdiest) seats in the theater; the cheapest snack served at the theater would often be peanuts, which the patrons would sometimes throw at the performers on stage to show their disapproval. The phrases "no comments from the peanut gallery" or "quiet in the peanut gallery" are extensions of the name. Next: 'Going to hell in a handbasket' is to be deteriorating - on a course for disaster. Origin The transit to hell is conjured up in various terms that use the imagery of swiftness; for example 'hellbent' and 'hell for leather'. There are one or two theories as to why 'handbasket' was chosen as the preferred vehicle to be conveyed to hell. Handbaskets are, of course, baskets that are carried by hand. Items put in a handbasket are moved without resistance and it could be that the imagery of someone being taken off directly and without choice was in the mind of whoever coined the phrase. Another theory is that it derives from the use of the guillotine and the imagery of decipitated heads being caught in baskets, the casualty presumably going straight to hell, without passing Go. The first use of an alliterative 'in a handbasket' phrase does in fact relate to head rather than hell. 'Going to hell in a handbasket' seems to be just a colourful version of 'going to hell', in the same sense as 'going to the dogs'. The 'in a handbasket' is an alliterative intensifier which gives it a catchy ring. There doesn't appear to be any particular significance to 'handbasket' apart from the alliteration. That view is backed-up by the existence of similar earlier phrases, which, not having the same catchiness, have now disappeared - for example, 'hell in a basket' and 'hell in a wheelbarrow'. Given the perfectly serviceable phrase 'hell in a handcart', the reason why the handbasket version arose isn't clear. There may be a connection between 'going to hell in a handbasket' and 'basket-case', but that's just speculation. "Not every small town girl, casting her lot in the theatrical world of Broadway, scoots to hell in a handbasket." http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/hell-in-a-handbasket.html "Going to hell in a handbasket" |
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The Bucket List
Copy and place an X by all the things you've done and remove the X
from the ones you have not, and send it to your friends (including me). Or your Blog
This is for your entire Life!
(X) Gone on a blind date (not technically but I have been on some that I wish I had been blind
(X) Skipped school (for weeks at a time)
( ) Watched someone die ( watched lost of births)
(X) Been to Canada
(x) Been to Mexico
(X) Been to Florida
(X) Been on a plane
(X) Been lost (I lost 2 years once)
(X) Been on the opposite side of the country (depends on the move)
() Gone to Washington , DC
(X) Swam in the ocean
(X) Cried yourself to sleep
(X) Played cops and robbers
(X) Recently colored with crayons (Odd but even in College we use them)
(X) Sang Karaoke? (with the 7 year olds)
(X) Paid for a meal with coins only?
(X) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't?(more times then i care to admit)
(X) Made prank phone calls
(X) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose?(ouch)
(X) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
(X) Danced in the rain()
(X) Written a letter to Santa Claus
(X) Been kissed under the mistletoe
(X) Watched the sunrise with someone - the sunset
(X) Blown bubbles
(X) Gone ice-skating
() Been skinny dipping outdoors (I hate the water)
(X) Gone to the movies
1. Any nickname? Not that anyone calls to my face except Mergelette
2. Mother's name? Dorothy3. Favorite Drink? used to be Dr Pepper now Chai tea
4. Body Piercings? 2 in each ear lobe
5. Tatoos? Had a few fake ones
6. How much do you love your job? Love my job wish I had more hours
7. Birthplace? Kansas City, Mo8. Ever been to Africa? nope too hot
9. Ever eat cookies for dinner? OREO"S
10. Favorite vacation spot? VEgas Or Tia's house
11. Ever been on TV? nope
12. Ever steal any traffic signs? No
13. Ever been in a car accident? Yes
14. Drive a 2-door or 4-door vehicle? 4 but they all dont work
15. Favorite number? 18
16. Favorite holiday? 4th of July
17. Favorite dessert? used to be cinnamon ice cream, no diary now so humm I dont have one yet
18. Favorite food? spaghetti or roasted potatoes
19. Favorite day of the week? Tomorrow
20. How do you relax? Read a book hide in my room21 How do you see yourself in 10 years? Wish my imagination was that good, I would never have guessed where I am now 2 years ago
22. Furthest place you will send this message? Cali
23. Who will respond to this the fastest? who ever is bored first
This year I learned how to knit and after several attempts, I made a hat! Landon seems to have liked it...
He sure hugged it alot :-)
"On the road again...can't remember why I'm on the road again..."
A favorite little song of my family is from Mother Goose Rock and Rhyme(insistently a great kids movie and if you ever find a copy it would make a great gift for yours truly)
In recent times I have found I have many people following my blog that i don't know about....
That having been said. I would like to make an announcement for those who are stalking me as my non closet friends have already heard the news!
My time to move has come again! 2 1/2 years is apparently the limit on how long I can live in any one state at any given time!
Texas here we come! Dad and Bev live there along with my Gma, an Uncle and a couple cousins. It's only 8 hours to Kansas City so that means I MIGHT make it home more often.
Utah however holds many people that are family to me. Alas it is a 20 Hour drive! So coming home to Utah will not be as feasible :-(
Before everyone starts to drown themselves in boxes of chocolate at the thought of loosing me...I will be back!!! March is for sure then Probably June. I am going to continue to work for the school so I can get paid to come visit 3 times a year! (sometimes I can be so smart)
Other than that..who knows what's next!
At the very least I will have a better chance of snagging me a cowboy! BTW for all of you who think I am such a great person, why haven't you set me up yet? I am not getting any younger :-)
Cheers everyone!
Ok so Blogging is not my best subject...Where did we leave off. Summer? wow uhmm well it's snowing here today so I think I missed some time in there.
Here we go...
I went home to Kansas City at the first of October to see my family, go to a reunion and oh yeah see my babe! Such a good trip! Let's do One event at a time.
Baby James is 6!
Here is the latest picture of all the nephews and niece. Really I think someone needs to have a girl...poor Alex! Anyone want to volunteer? Not it!
Aunt Lori still has it, everyone is smiling and at least on the sofa still!
Back row left to right Jon Pemberton, Jd Pemberton, Joey Mergell, Alex Conner,
Front row left to right Austin Mergell. James Mergell, Joey Pemberton and Jacob Pemberton... Missy and Uncle James have one more to join us at the end of November! Jude :-)
Grandma Dorothy made pillow cases for the "Mergell" kids...if your kid doesn't have one they will soon!
This was a great Summer! Baby James made his first trip alone. Cousin Jessie did too! And Alex and I spent alot more time the usual just hanging out and enjoying each other! I actually got a tan! I sure hope all these visits become a summer tradition. We would LOVE LOVE Joey and Austin to join us!(hint hint)
The end of the summer is always marked by Alex's birthday. This year we had birthday dinner with Alex's favorite "twin" Allie Swain..jpg)
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The girls sure had fun! As always we enjoy our time hanging with the Swain gang!
I was going through old boxes and I came across a picture of Scott and I as toddlers! Blond!! ME!! Who would have ever guessed! My mom didn't even remember! Of course I look like my roots need to be dyed.
In light of recent events in my life, I have decided to take up running again! Yuck I know!
Alex was totally offended that I would not let her go on my run with me. I explained that it was getting dark and I was planning on doing 2 miles. I didn't want her left behind on a dark road. To which she replied," I can train for it Lori"
Well how am I supposed to tell her that she can't! So off we went! She actually passed me! Twice! I was in worse shape than I thaught! The good news is I now have a LOUD little girl to bug me every night to go running! Nothing like motivation!
Alex does not like to brush her hair! I really do feel sorry for her with those tangles! Yesterday morning the tears started and I asked her for the 500 time if she wants to just get her hair cut short. She said,"If I want long hair I have to get used to it and get tuff"
I asked her if she would like to read The Swain blog and see Allie's new hair cut(a new reason to blog, peer pressure) She immediately said yes she would like her hair cut like Allie!
Side story when she was 5 she got a bad case of head lice! As you can imagine it's about impossible to get the eggs out of that light hair! To this day no one will admit to who's idea it was but she showed up at my house with a crew cut!! Since then she won't let anyone cut her hair!
She love her new hair cut! This morning she seemed very disappointed that it only took her 2 minutes to brush it out! I on the other had was thrilled!
Alex stated it so well," I know why we don't get along, He's a boy and I am a girl!!"
I couldn't have said it better myself. Needless to say James loves to make her mad and she loves to be mad at him.
We went to the park and met up with Stacie and Landon.
By the way James said next year he wants to stay 5 weeks!
That's right I know at least two girls who claim this as their "favorite" place(truth I am getting tired of it but don't tell the girls)
Sunday afternoon the Kids had their Birthday pictures taken and cousin Jessie had her senior pictures taken. Thank goodness for friends because this session never would have happened with out him! It has been a long time since I picked up a camera for anything more than a snap shot! ANYone who has experienced me as a photographer will tell you it's one of the 2 things in life that I have OCD about! The pictures are great! He even got a good one of me and the kids!
Thanks Again Big D for your help, you saved the day!
Mom took the kids to bridavil falls this afternoon... The said the water was cold! I missed the fun but Cousin Jessie took some pictures. We can't seem to get Alex to open her eyes!
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| Make a Smilebox postcard |
In the car today Baby James was telling me how yummy the peach was that he was eating.
I asked him if he knew that there was a movie called James and the Giant Peach.
Alex looks over and said,"Yeah and your name is James!"
I should make a tee shirt for her that says," In case you don't notice, I will point out the obvious"
Becca Beth Alex James(left to right)
(OK well I'm not sure that the kids posting is a good idea but here goes!)
(Alex) Last night we went to the pool and movie theather and today we also went but we had the girls Becca and Beth. No Rachel when we all got there it was very surprising, (James) and very watery. He also wanted to add, "James is so funny, Aunt Lori and Alex and me our whole family is funny"
(Lori) Yesterday and today we did go swimming We went to the dollar show and saw Nim's Island. Surprisingly it was pretty good!
Alex helped me with my sun block and now I have an interesting burn on the one shoulder.
Everyone arrived late last night safe and sound! (what does that phrase mean anyway?)
Lot's of hugs an squishes all around!
Our house is very confusing for most people. It is circular in logic. So I spent 15 minutes making sure Baby James and Alex knew where the bathrooms and Aunt Lori where located!
I opened James' suitcase and he informed me,"You can't just take stuff out of there you will mess it up" Then he wanted to unpack at 10:15 at night. He could see no other way to get to his PJ's with out messin' up all the nice piles!
They bounced on the bed for at least 15 minutes and Alex fell asleep! James was still awake at 11. Though he was laying quietly on top of the blankets. He wanted to know why I couldn't sleep with him cause there was lots of space behind his back for me....Tempting but no thanks!
This morning started just like I thought it would. 6:08 am~ I felt someone searching through my blankets! It was morning for them! I grabbed some clothes and headed up the stairs. Where James explained to me "That's not how you're shirt post'a goes" Inside out shirts just don't cut it for him!
I was called out to a birth this afternoon so I missed the trip to the park :-(
Oh Baby James has a new nickname" muffin top" Well That's what I called him and his reply was "it's MR Muffin Top" Followed by "no it's "Dear Mister Muffin top to you"
The day ended with Alex crying hysterically because as she says "I have to miss everything and I have to do every thing" ( Can I just say that she woke up too early and now it's after 10:00)
They are too much fun! We start again in the morning!
The trip hasn't been going so well so far. Yesterday morning James woke up early and could not find grandma. He grabbed a zip lock bag and started packing his things. Then he woke u his mom and said that they left with out him!(luckly she isn't that forgetful yet)
Alex lost her chunks on grandma's clean laundry, everything had to be rewashed.
They waited for Uncle Aaron to decide he was moving here then change his mind and stay. They didn't leave Kansas City till late afternoon.
The caravan made it to a hotel in the middle of Nebraska last night. Cousin Jessie is helping to drive and it's a good thing cause Grandma is sooo poky, they might never get here!!!
Glad I am not there! We will see them tonight!
The kids get here tomorrow!! I wait for this all year! Baby James is old enough to come this time, he is 5 and a half!My cousin Jessie is coming for 2 weeks, I used to change her diapers! She is 17 now. She will be a great help!
Oh and my brother Aaron is moving out here too!
For the first time we will have more Mergell's than Bjarnson's in this house!
Let the fun begin!
Here in Utah not all restaurants carry Dr Pepper (they do in the Midwest) and it got me thinking. Who actually buys Mr Pibb? I mean doesn't everyone ask for Dr Pepper and then they settle for a Pibb?
Same goes for Mt Dew. Who buys Mellow Yellow on purpose?
It's one of those things that you buy because it was on sale!
When you go to someones house and they ask you if you would like a soda, you ask for a DP. They say oh we have Mr Pibb.
What do they always say next?
"It was on sale"
Moral to the story..
Don't be a Mr Pibb in a Dr Pepper world!
Link to the other Dr Pepper impersonators!
On friday night a group of us went to the Melting Pot! The food was good but not worth what some people have been roomered to pay! We found out that you can order cheese dip, a salad and dessert for around $20 per person.
You Are An Exclamation Point |
 You are a bundle of... well, something. You're often a bundle of joy, passion, or drama. You're loud, brash, and outgoing. If you think it, you say it. Definitely not the quiet type, you really don't keep a lot to yourself. You're lively and inspiring. People love to be around your energy. (But they do secretly worry that you'll spill their secrets without even realizing it.) You excel in: Public speaking You get along best with: the Dash |
Your Heart Is Blue |
 Love is a doing word for you. You know it's love when you treat each other well. You are a giving lover, but you don't give too much. You expect something in return. Your flirting style: Friendly Your lucky first date: Lunch at an outdoor cafe Your dream lover: Is both generous and selfish What you bring to relationships: Loyalty |
My seester(Janet), not to be confused with my sister(Yolonda) and I have some funny text message conversation. At least we think they are funny and our mom does too. Wait maybe that's a good reason not to post this?!
Yesterday I was swimsuit shopping and this is what happened..
Me:Does Victoria Secret make good swim suits
Seester: I don;t know I have never tried any of them on
Me:They don't have them in the store but online and I have that gift card
Seester:Oh I think my friend Sheena has gotten some. And she seemed to like them.
Me: I used to have a speedo one that held everything in place but it was stolen :-<>
Dear who ever is blog Stalking(not stoking) me-
The world my brain functions in is, well, different? Mostly my veiled attempts at humor are really just me trying to get out of homework.
I am so glad that you have joined me in Lori Land!
I know people stop by but why does everyone have to stay incognito?
I was wondering though, if you might that is if you feel up to it, Leave a message a comment of just grunt and let me know you were here.
Thanks
sincerely
Me
In my quest to stretch the lack of a college fund...I have started eating Toast.
Is there any comfort food easier to make? You pull it out of the toaster and plop on your favorite topping. Presto! Breakfast
The first is peanut butter and marshmallow fluff.
Topped with butter (or a butter substitute)
Topped with your favorite jam
Topped with peanut butter
Topped with honey butter
Topped with butter and sprinkled with a 30/70 mixture of cinnamon and sugar
Topped with butter and dipped into hot cocoa
Topped with butter and slices tomatoes
Topped with butter and slices of bacon
Topped with egg - alone or in combination with cheese and or a breakfast meat - to form an open-face McMuffin style sandwich
Topped with pizza, spaghetti or bruschetta sauce for a quick breakfast pizza (try adding bacon or breakfast sausage to make it more breakfast-specific)
Topped with salsa for a Mexican toast pizza
Rubbed with a sliced garlic clove and spread lightly with butter to create instant garlic toast (Breakfast garlic toast?)
Topped with a light spread of butter and a half teaspoon of finely grated orange or grapefruit rind. Sprinkle lightly with sugar to offset the slight bitterness that comes with the rind.
Topped with cream cheese and smoked salmon
Wonderful or Weird: Topped with cottage cheese and prune baby food (Breakfast Lover Rosie C. writes "...it's great on pancakes... a variation on an old Czech recipe my mother used to make... also nice on toast for a quick treat")
Brunch or Lunch? Topped with hummus for a savory Mediterranean-themed breakfast
Topped with peanut butter and banana
Topped with mushed bananas and cinnamon
Topped with avocado and cheese
Topped with sun-dried tomato, cream cheese and sliced onions
Topped with cream cheese and fresh blueberries
Feeling weird? Topped with peanut butter and cheese
Feeling weirder? Topped with peanut butter and sliced onion
Lest we forget... Topped with Spam
Hot Breakfast! Topped with jalapeno peppers and either butter or cream cheese
Topped with brie cheese, sweet cherries and pecan pieces and sprinkled lightly with baker's sugar
Topped with tangy lime butter
Toast your first piece of bread and spread some peanut butter over it while still warm... pop 2nd piece into toaster and while it's toasting, sprinkle milk-chocolate chips on the first piece... top with HOT 2nd piece of toast, wrap up in a paper towel... viola. Reese-Toast-Sandwich.
My dad's Favorite threat for dinner...chipped beef in cream sauce on toast, otherwise known as S. O. S.( Stuff on a shingle)
To get you in the mood, here is one of my pumpkins favorite songs
Yeah Toast!
http://toooast.ytmnd.com/
Please feel free to add more recipes to the comments section!
With the recent out break of pregnancy in my circle, I thought I would give a fair warning to all in my life, it seems to be catching faster than that flu out break this last winter!
With my circle of friends, as to who I am referring, all being Midwives, it is fun to see their reactions at the thought of being pregnant! So for them and everyone else who might soon be touched by the plague, Here are a few pointers on things that do not cause pregnancy!
1. toilet seats- though I wonder how it spread so fast!
2. washing or not washing of hands
3.Kissing-no matter what your grandma told you! This may lead to babies but it in it self does not cause them.
4.Eating Dinner- though I do have more than one niece/nephew who's existence has been blamed on Thanksgiving Dinner
5.Chocolate- I wonder about that one though because the craving of chocolate usually co insides with hormone changes
6. jogging
7. deer hunting
8. wal-mart- I bet if they could figure out a way to make a larger base of consumers they would totally jump on the band wagon!
9. Driving in the carpool lane- I wonder if being pregnant allows you to drive in the car pool lane
10.Homework- in most of our cases we read about babies all day long! though I would think that the actual viewing of births would detour us!
11. The stork- I bet if they did come from the stork the arrival of a baby could really be counted as a surprise! But who knows what you might end up with. Let's look at Dumbo for example, his poor mom, she unwraps her baby and finds ears bigger than he is. I bet she wondered where she was going to get that big of a Q-tip. And then their is the case if Laaambert. I mean the stork gave a baby lion to a sheep!
Conclusion...I don't really have one other than to say...It must be in the Water!
I was speaking to a friend from school the other day and I was talking about how I felt a little stressed out and anxious lately she replied "A little? You just noticed?!?"
Being that she isn't the first person to apprise me of this condition I am being forced to look at the fact that I may appear to be "uptight"
Without actually admitting to such an erroneous statement, I have been doing some research to see if a stranger on the internet knows me better than my friends...here is the test!
http://www.lessons4living.com/stress_test.htm
My score is = 17
1-6 Few Hassles
7-12 Pretty Good Control
13-17 Danger Zone. Watch out!
18+ Stressed Out. You may need help
I take it it is safe to say that I am not completely over the edge, I am just living on it!
Further research has shown that their are basic steps to reduce stress...
1. Leave The Situation- interesting idea... from now on I can just walk away from you in the middle of a sentence when I assume that what you will say next will stress me out or at the very least not entertain me.
2.Take A Nap Or Go To Sleep.- YES at last an excuse for narcolepsy!
3.Take a Warm Bath/Shower- For those of you who don't know I have an aversion to water...as in I don't like it. I mean I could drown with my new found Narcolepsy and all!
4.Listen To Calming Affirmation Tapes/Music.-So now I need to go through all of my music and decide what calms me and what stress me...that in it's self sounds like too much stress!
5.Talk To A *Positive* Friend- So if when talking to me you find I don't abruptly leave in the middle of a conversation then I guess you should deduce that you are a positive friend!
6.DON'T CONTAMINATE THE GOOD TIMES.
"Telling yourself I really shouldn't be doing this as you relax doesn't do you any good. Enjoy the moment. Relish the time. Remind yourself this brief respite will make you more effective later."
Strange where have I heard that advice from before??? Alas, an excuse to do what ever I feel like!
7.PRACTICE UN ATTACHMENT.
"Unattachment is the release of need or expectation associated with a specific outcome," "We become attached to the way we envision something working out, and struggle to make circumstances bend to our desires. Life, however, often has its own agenda, and we are destined to suffer unless we give up our attachment to things working out exactly as we would like."
In other words No expectations besides all of you being the most positive people who have to entertain me I expect nothing from you...there, now I feel relieved!
8. Practice daily Meditation.
I wonder if that word was supposed to be medication?? Chocolate that should do it but how much a day would I need to practice with and how much do I just get to eat?
9. Ask For/Seek Out Professional Support-Help
Here is my new singles AD
SWF looking for SWM
must have no expectations of me
willing to change a CD for me at any sign of stress or unfullfilment
Not bothered by me falling asleep when watching a movie/talking/walking or shopping.
OK with me walking away from you when I don't feel like listening anymore
Must be incredibly positive
And willing to feed me bon bons all day!!
Any takers?
For: Karina and Jason
Last week I went to my first LDS temple wedding. One of the best friends I know was married for time and all eternity to a great girl.
If I had been given a chance to make a toast I would have said," Karina, everyone keeps saying how Lucky Jason is to have found you and I agree but I want everyone to know how lucky you are to have found Jason! First off he will try anything you cook for him, even cilantro cheese burgers, trust me they were BAD and he will eat it! If you ask for his opinion on the recipe he will tell you it was probably not your best idea but he eats it anyway!
When your sad he will go any distance to be there for you just to remove some of your pressure.
some things you probably don't know... he will change your car battery in the middle of the winter at 11:00 at night in the dark with a flash light.
He will listen to your absurd story's for hours and never roll his eyes!
He will share his testimony with everyone because he wants them to be as happy as he is! Now that he is married I am sure we will hear his testimony of marriage over and over!
Mark Twain said
"After all these years, I see that I was mistaken about Eve in the beginning; it is better to live outside the Garden with her than inside it without her."
Now we all know how blessed you are to have found each other....blessings to you both
He just thinks his hat is too funny!
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