Beautiful Surroundings!

Last month when I came out of the Temple I thought it looked beautiful. It already is very pretty, but just the way the sun was hitting it at that time of day made it even more amazing. Luckily, I had my camera with me so I snapped a few photos of the Temple along with the unique flowers.

 

 

 

 

 

Swimming Fun!

Towards the end of July my friend had 2 kids over for the weekend and one of the days they went swimming. I tagged along for the fun! 

I already know I'm a dork in these pictures and I look ridiculous, but they are so funny to me.

 

Someone left these goggles at the pool so I 

thought I'd use them while I was there.

 

I learned my lesson this day: Wear sunscreen 

while at the pool for 2 hours in 110 degree weather. 

Having a sunburn is no fun. the end.

Let's Get Down to Business

So during school days when I'd be slacking and putting off doing school I'd tell myself I have to get busy. Well I remembered a song from Mulan that says, "let's get down to business..."  and it actually did help get my mind into work mode. Funny how some songs can help you out in different ways.

Here it is for your viewing pleasure!

Car Smashed

At the end of July my car was parked on the street in my neighborhood and it was hit. The person didn't leave a note or anything. So obnoxious. My friend and I went knocking on a few doors, but of course everyone said they didn't know anything about it. 

 

 

 

I was able to get a rental car just fine and everything was hunky-dory. Well 2 days later after I had barely driven it, I went to leave and it wouldn't go into reverse or any other gear. It was a pain in the neck setting up a tow truck and then getting a new rental. It took all afternoon talking on the phone to either my insurance or the tow truck company. In the end, though, I was able to get another rental and it all worked out.

Since the car wouldn't go into reverse the tow truck guy had to put green things under the tire to help scoot it along when he was dragging it backwards.

A week later I was able to get my car back and it looked great. I thought they blended the paint perfectly. You can't even tell. It looks just like new!

Love for Lana

During July a lady in my stake was attacked by a bear. Isn't that awful! This lady was amazing! Here is a list of things she volunteered for around the city.

- volunteer fire fighter

- addiction/recovery program teacher

- helped with church services at a jail

- humor therapist dressing up as a clown at a few hospitals 

- made homemade bread for people who she heard was having a hard time or new in her ward.

- went to the Temple weekly

Those are just a few things I can think of off the top of my head. Oh and she LOVED animals. She had several herself.

Since my roommate was in her ward she helped with a big benefit to help raise money for the hospital expenses that were incurring on the family.  She baked and baked and baked. At the benefit was a car wash, bake sale, people selling all sorts of things, popcorn, massages, cotton candy, balloon making, and face painting. Most of it they just asked for donations when getting something like face painting or the balloons. It was neat to see the community come together for her. You could tell she was very loved.

 

 

Lucy made sure we didn't burn the treats

 Tons of people made all kinds of goodies. It all looked amazing!

 A lady made all these aprons.

He also volunteers at the hospital with her.

This is Mr. Giggles setting up shop. A few other clowns came 

to help and support her too.

 Mr. Giggles gave us clown noses

 Me got myself a tattoo!

 Mr. Giggles made all kinds of fun balloon stuff!

The car wash was a big hit. This was the ladies

son helping out in the heat.

 In the courtyard they were selling tiled sayings, bow clips, and other little accessories.

 In the end, she ended up passing away a few weeks later from a brain hemorrhage. I'm sure she is doing amazing things in Heaven.

Haboob... say what??!!

Isn't that a weird name for a monsoon?! I sure think so. During this time of year we get some crazy weather sometimes. Back in the first part of July I went with a friend to the store with clear blue skies out and when we left the store, just 30 minutes later, we saw this as we were getting on the freeway. At first we didn't know what it was, but soon realized it was just pure dust and strong winds. Crazy huh! It was a little scary not being able to see very far in front of us while driving. Surprising what a little, I mean a lot of dust can do to a town. Well it can swallow it up whole! So needless to say I was in my first real dust storm. I was so glad that my friend had her camera with her!

 

Visitors & Trip Home

In the middle of June my sister and her family came to visit me! It was fun showing them around town for a few days before they headed up to visit other family. Then a week later I went up to my parents house and they met me there. While I was there I dyed my hair for the FIRST time! I was pretty nervous about it, but my sis and sis-in-law kept reassuring me it was no big deal. Here is a play by play in pictures of the momentous occasion.

 

 

  

 

It turned out a little more red than I was expecting but it's toned down since then.