Two things...

One: last night was such a good night for a few reasons...one reason being that American Idol was surprisingly good! I was starting to think I wasn't going to watch this season because I was bored with the first half of the season, but it seemed like there were more good performances last night than bad ones, which is hopeful, right? Here's my prediction for the top two:
I'm keeping my fingers crossed on this one!

Two: I had applied to participate in the Beehive Bazaar and was pretty sure that my friend Amy and I were totally in...turns out we got rejected! Lame. I had my game plan all figured out for making my goods over the next month and a half, but then the reject email came and put a halt on those plans. Oh well. But there's good news! I'm still in the crafty mood and have lots of ideas for handmade goods. SO, the first five people to leave comments on this post will win a handmade gift by...me! I'm not sure what I'll be making, but it'll be good!**

Oh...and one more thing. They don't call it "Happy Valley" for nothing. Utah made the front page of Yahoo this afternoon...it's something to be happy about!


**update: there's going to be a wild card drawing (inspired by last week's American Idol) for those who comment after the first five!

Spring, where are you?

More snow in Provo tonight...is it spring yet?? I'm under a pile of blankets trying to stay warm and wishing I had one of these right now!

Two sad stories. Story number one happened in Maryville, Illinois...right next to Edwardsville. The pastor who passed away actually lived in Edwardsville. So sad. I'm not quite sure why this story has occupied my thoughts all day, but it has. There's not much I can do from Provo, but I can pray for those who have been affected by this tragedy, so that's what I'll do.

Dad did a good job telling sad story number two. Obama, what are you thinking??

It's stories like these that make the snow not such a bad thing. It's all about perspective, right? Here's to a happier tomorrow!

ooxxooXoXXx

I spent the afternoon over at Katie and Joe and Claire's...nice, quiet, lazy afternoon. Claire's saying "I love you!" in this picture! Ha!

Things I've learned in the last week or so:
• Me + medicine = not good a good combination! I haven't really been myself the last week or so, and I don't really like it! I can't even remember the last time I went to see a doctor, but I went last week because I wasn't getting over my cold. I was feeling pretty anxious about going, but knew I needed to go. The doctor that I saw recently retired and used to live in my parent's stake, so he knew my parents and younger siblings. Crazy, small world connection! I felt better about going to the doctor after making that little connection with the doctor! Turns out I had the flu...a pretty intense case of the flu! I was down-and-out for the count for several days. Still not feeling 100%, but so much better than I was feeling a week ago!
• Those Puffs Plus with Vicks are lifesavers when you're blowing your nose every 2.9 seconds. I highly recommend them.
• I'm so, so ready for spring! It was near 70 towards the beginning of the week, and yesterday we had snow. Boo. I bought myself a beautiful boquet of tulips today to help me get through these last few weeks of winter.
• I ♥ ebay! My camera cord went MIA (surprise...it's always missing!) so I went to to the store to buy a card reader and a battery charger. Card reader = $20. Battery charger = $50. Total = $70. Found the cord I needed that would do both things for...$1 on ebay! I saved myself $69!
• Driving down State Street or University Parkway in Orem/Provo with all green lights is pure happiness. Doesn't happen very often, but when it does, life is good.
• See that little video on the right-hand side? Baby Claire is in it! Katie's neighbor has been involved with making several videos for the Church, and asked if Katie and Claire could help out. Pres. Uchtdorf gave this talk at last October's General Relief Society meeting. It was such an amazing talk and is worth re-reading! There are several other videos on youtube by MormonMessages that are worth watching!
• What about Jason? I think he's a loser. I know he's been on his 'apology tour' for the last week, but still...what he did was so not cool.
• And what about American Idol? I don't know if I have any favorites just yet...I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this season shapes up to something worth following. I am glad Tatiana didn't make it to the top 12 13. (I totally missed that they are having a top 13 until the next day!)

Happy 21st!

Finally! Katie is finally 21! Happy Birthday!

Please ignore the little sickie in the background {me}...I'm so wanting to be done with this flu thing. So not fun.

Love you, KT Bird! :)

Under the weather

Medicine is a good thing......and Puffs Plus with Vicks.

No Kissy-Kissy

Who would've thought there'd be need for this? Doesn't this sign just make you want to kiss your special someone that much more? Tempting, I know...

::25::

01. My name is spelled l-i-n-d-s-A-y (the correct way). My mom's name is Lisa, and my name uses all the letters from her name, hence the "a" rather than an "e."
02. Cinnamon Life Cereal is the best cereal ever.
03. I love all things vintage and antiquing is the best Saturday afternoon activity. I inherited this love of antiques from my mom and her sisters.
04. I'd be completely lost without my phone. Pre-cell phone days, I had everyone's phone number memorized. I got my first cell phone as a junior in college and couldn't have been more grateful for it! Erin's phone number is the only number I have memorized. I don't know my parent's home number!
05. I attended 3 high schools: El Modena (Orange), San Ramon Valley (Danville) and Sehome (Bellingham). High School was not my fave; college was much better.
06. My Grandma Bowerman always had orange tic tacs. She would always have a pack just for me, and I'd tell my younger siblings I couldn't share with them because they were "special pills and were only for me." Worked like a charm.
07. I am definitely a morning person and not so much a night owl.
08. I work for a scrapbook company, but have no scrapbook skillz. People assume I have the most amazing scrapbooks, and when asked about them, I tell them, "Oh, you have no idea..."
09. I love getting snail mail...and even better than getting snail mail is sending snail mail. Handwritten notes are the best.
10. Sunrises are amazing. I think what makes them even more beautiful than a sunset is that it takes a little more effort to see a sunrise.
11. My dad is the funniest person I know. Don't believe me? Check out his blog. Even during his health scare a couple months ago, he found things to laugh about. I have a thing or two to learn from him! :)
12. I love thunderstorms, especially midwest thunderstorms. The night before Katie and Joe got married in Nauvoo, there was a huge UGE thunderstorm and I thought it was actually kind of romantic! :)
13. Linnie Bell was my great-grandmother's name. I only met her once before she passed away. Could a name be any sweeter?
14. One of my favorite TV shows is Antique Roadshow. I'm actually watching it right now! Project Runway is another fave. Tim Gunn reminds me of one of my design profs at school.
15. I listed all of my roommates I've had over the years the other night, and I've lived with over 50 girls!
16. I love classical music and I love listening to it on long drives.
17. I get 'nervous neck' around certain people. Enough about that.
18. Sandals are better than shoes.
19. I got a bus ticket in 2nd grade for twisting a boy's arm. He told me I couldn't hurt him; I told him I could. I grabbed his arm and twisted it until he cried. Oops.
20. Of all the places I've lived, Bellingham was my most favorite.
21. I love the piano. Mom got a beautiful Mason Hamlin baby grand a few years ago, and I love playing it when I'm home.
22. Home really is where my mom is! When I'm asked where I'm from, St. Louis is the easiest answer, simply because that's where my parents currently live. I'm kind of a homebody and wish my parents (and Sarah!) lived closer! Four of the five Bowerman kiddos are now living in Utah.
23. I recently inherited my mom's Bernina sewing machine and I LOVE it!
24. Tulips and hydrangeas are my favorite flowers. I'm tempted to go to the Tulip Festival this spring.
25. I'll be 25 in May and I'm really excited about it! Perhaps I'll make a trip down to Disneyland for my birthday this year and get in free! Anyone want to go??

Lunchtime Visitor

My valentine came to visit during lunch at work today! We had a most delicious valentine's lunch, complete with oriental chicken wraps, chips & salsa, cupcakes, gingersnap cookies and homemade brownies. Happy love day.

*Love*

My Valentine

She just doesn't know she's my valentine. Can't get enough of this little love bug!

Dreaming of Spring

(Photo from Kristybee)

I decided this morning that I am ready for spring and summer to be here! I'm thinking this print would bring a welcome touch of spring to my room. These shades of antique pinks and creams get me in trouble every time...I just love them!

***

p.s. I'm really serious about wanting to send *you* a valentine! Really, don't be shy about leaving your address! :) And who doesn't love to get mail?

Doctor-Lawyer-Merchant-Chief...?

Isn't this Valentine's card the cutest ever??!! I love it. I wish that I could just spin the card and I would know a little bit more about my future hubby! (Wouldn't it be sad if it landed on thief?!) Anyways, we picked up Katie's Valentine cards that I did for her today, and now I'm determined to send out my own handmade Valentine cards this year! I wanted to last year, but time just kinda ran out. Want in on the Valentine action?? I'd love to send one your way! Leave a little "love comment" (with your address!) and I'll be sure to drop one in the mail with your name on it!