Marissa Nichole

Sewing Space

2011-08-22T16:12:00.000-06:00

A work in progress.

With a second bedroom I've taken over a corner of it to create my sewing space. It has been slow to get to the point it is as, I think it is basically done besides some accessories.

I did many things to create this space.

First was my desk.

I've had this desk for the two years that Carson and I've been married. I bought it with the intention of one day up-cycling it. Well with lots of Saturday and a day off time (because of the time consuming insulation job Carson had) I got to work.

Before (pretty good picture from my phone about a year ago)

I did this minty mix with lime green as the base primer, then this almost black matte. The color is just slightly grey. Then I distressed it and got new hardware.

After

I then bought the cabinet. Then of course I needed a matching chair, got this baby at D.I. for $10 and also some frames for a buck a piece and did the same painting and distressing. I didn't distress the chair because I just like the way it turned out.

I made the chalk board which did not turn out the way I expected. I bought this magnetic spray paint and the chalkboard paint with the intention of having a magnetic chalkboard, pretty cool and straight forward? Yes if the Magentic spray paint would continue spraying after a minutes of spraying and was actually magnetic. Needless to say I wasted $12 on paint that doesn't work, I even called Hobby Lobby and the replaced it with a new one for free, but it did the exact same thing. The product just sucks and I should have done my research before, instead of after. Don't by Kryon Magnetic Spray Paint. The chalkboard stuff though is good, I was able to make three other chalkboard besides that big one.

As accessories go I plan on making a pin cushion from the same fabric as on the wall, and an organizer to hold my scissors and other quick need while sewing items. Tell me what you think!

I like that if damask gets old and dated I can change that part but always hold onto the desk, chair, and frames.

Thanks for looking!

"Welcome to Logan!"

2011-05-28T10:32:00.004-06:00

"Welcome to Logan!" The sign said, heralding good changes, but then unexpected tough trials.

Good Changes:

I am working at a dermatology office working front desk/receptionist. Originally, the job was part time, but while doing paper work they offered me full time. This means benefits after the probation 90 day period. I'm pretty happy about that since I've gotten no news from one job and bad news from a USU one, which both I thought I had interviewed very well with. I really enjoy what I am doing and who I work with, it is great.

Tough Trials:

Both of us were pretty sick for the first couple of weeks making it hard to motivate to do anything, the house still had boxes unpacked. Also, Carson has had quite the change of things, the day we moved in, a Friday, we found out that the OIT type job he had with USU retracted their offer, only two days before he would have started. Which was horrible and quite a hit on our confidence on this being here is the right step for us. The next day, Saturday, we went to Carson's friend house to use his internet, and Carson applied for a couple of jobs. One was this insulation installation technician position, about ten minutes after emailing the guy the guy called him and practically offered him the job but wanted him to come in to make sure he was what they were looking for (clean cut and friendly looking) and if he would want to work that job.

He got the job. It is one of those paid by the job, and the hours have been not his favorite, or mine. They told him it would be like 6am-3pm which would be great, but lately its been more like 11 am to 7 pm along with full Saturdays with hardly any lunches scheduled in, so he is not particularly enjoying it because of the hours and unpredictability of it. However, we are grateful he has something, otherwise we would be hurting financially and Carson would be going crazy without anything to do. Needless to say, his job-hunt isn't over. We have had some hopeful news in the making that maybe his whole situation may change in the next few weeks. We are keeping our fingers crossed.

Amongst all these trials with this move to Logan, I feel closer and more grateful to my Heavenly Father who knows my needs and desires, but also knows I still need to learn a lot, and to Carson. I also want to say how grateful I am to the help, love, and support I receive from family and friends.

Celebrating 63 Years!

2011-04-13T14:15:00.000-06:00

I was lucky enough this year to have my Dad in town for his birthday. Not very often that happens.

I brainstormed with my siblings and we put together a surprise birthday party for him, on his birthday which conveniently fell on a Friday. First we decided to check out the Carl Bloch exhibit, which was beautiful and amazing to realize how many of his works we see in our church but dont realize they were done by him. Then, thanks to my creative sister Maegan, we themed the party at the church as the "Steven Glenn Smith Art Exhibit: Celebrating 63 Years."

Surprisingly in just a week I managed to get artwork from everyone but Jennie. If you would like to see all of them check out my collection here.

For the party, we made individual pizza's, had a "how well do you know grandpa" quiz, and delicious carrot cake with real cream cheese frosting made by Melissa.

Overall, I think Dad really enjoyed it. He stood up during cake time and announced how he thought it was going to be a boring day and no one would remember him. However, it was just the opposite and expressed how loved he felt. Mom told me he kept saying to her, "this has been planned for a long time." So I think it was a success :)

We love you Dad and hope you really enjoyed your birthday!

Time

2011-03-23T15:39:00.003-06:00

Time Flies!!!

It has been a year and I have only posted four blogs since my last birthday. Crazy, but I am loving every moment of it.

I need to shape up with posting blogs. I just feel so boring, there is either nothing to write about and I want to attach a picture that I don't have or didn't take. In order to not post a one sentence thought, here is a rambling topic for today. (oh and thanks for all the birthday wishes!)

I've applied to a ton of jobs lately in Logan and am slightly hoping to find one that is business professional dress code. Don't get me wrong, I'll pray they have casual Fridays and I love my jeans, but I just love these looks and I like any excuse to be a little fancier dressed one day from the next. I've bought some more professional style clothing because I had interviews or a presentation for my Business Writing class, example of some of my excuses.

I love that pants are acceptible in todays business society for women; although, in the LDS culture, I still stick to skirts for interviews to be on the safe side. As I have looked at dress slacks I thought, I could make them! So, depending on what the dress code is for any job I get (hopefully soon!) I may be trying some new things like dress pants, risky risky.

Wish me luck in both the job hunt and some of my sewing ambitions!

I'm working on that patience but any leads are VERY welcome. :)

Patience

2011-03-11T16:32:00.003-07:00

Yes, that is what I need, patience.

Right now Carson and I are at this point of uncertainty. We have many plans/paths that we can take starting after graduation, just which is the right one? Right now we are mostly worried about finding jobs in Logan, and when to move to Logan, which jobs will influence. It is such a roller coaster right now of plans so I wont confuse you in going over all of them.

I graduate (and carson too) in a little over a month. I am anxious to graduate but at the same time I am already missing school, or rather the learning. So I have decided that I'm not done learning! I know that we are never done learning and so I decided to set specific goals for myself after graduation, things to always work on. Any pointers on how to get started on learning to play the Cello - or where to get one - or a foreign language?

In addition to those new skills, I am most excited to let my creative juices flow once again!!! In fact I am almost too anxious for that part that I have started making plans, probably a little over ambitious. I plan on visiting my sister in Fresno this summer and maybe dragging her to LA fabric district with me for a day. :) (yes i'm aware that this would entail many hours of driving... I'm probably unrealistic)

Soon, soon I can start all my fun plans, which I REALLY want to get set in stone, but then they will probably get shuffled again because of job situations, blah.

Patience, patience, patience.....

(if I say it enough it'll happen right? or I wont have to be patience anymore?)

Oh Tannenbaum

2010-12-08T20:04:00.000-07:00

I love the Christmas season and everything it entails. Gift planning, making and giving, Christmas songs, good food and treats, eggnog and of course Christmas Decorations!

This year we bought a real tree and it smells awesome. Everyday we come home from school/work we take a whiff and we are even more glad to be home. It is amazing what a single scent can do to evoke memories or feelings of comfort. It looks pretty good too.

I only have about 4 of the ornaments on the entire tree, the rest are Carson's from the traditional yearly giving from his grandma and mom. It sure looks and smells Christmasy in our home.'Tis the Season!

Now for the last Hurrah's as I finish gifts and finals!

Happy

2010-11-22T16:00:00.000-07:00

Hello world! How are you? Me, well I have been pretty dang busy but happy.

School school school, that is what my life consists of lately. Because of that cooking, which I LOVE to do, gets put on hold during the week and the unhealthy options are taking their toll both outside and inside. It is time for a change, a healthy one. Any pointers, information and/or encouragement are gladly welcome.

Thanksgiving vacation starts tomorrow, which wont help with the healthy changes I want to make. But I am determined to only read the "my choice" novel during that time and just rejuvenate. It seems silly to get that rejuvenation when there is only 2 weeks and finals after if, but who am I to complain?

Other than being busy I am happy. I couldn't be happier with what I am learning, how I am doing in my classes and how great my husband, family and friends are.

Life could not get any better.

2010-06-05T19:55:00.002-06:00

Two and a half months later here I am finally shaping up and writing a blog that is long over do. I am not sure how many really pay attention to my blog but to those of you who do, I am sincerely sorry I have dropped the ball. As I hope to shape up here and get some promised things posted, I also plan on shaping up in many different areas of my life. Because there are several things this will be a long one.

First, I promised to post pictures when I have created new things and I really want to do everytime I make something new. New problem is my camera has decided to go on the fritz and not to mention just Carson to take the pictures so doing a photo shoot is a little out of his patience zone. Once my friend Jennifer is back in the area I am sure I will have help in that area to make the pictures actually interesting, attractive and cool. So here is some of the stuff I have.

Diaper bag for Cami:

My Supervisor at my job at school was(did actually now) having her first baby.

So I decided to make her a diaper bag, that didnt really look like those juvenile print padded bags. It is a faux leather and was hard to work with.

I will make this pattern again (my own I made) but probably not out of this fabric, maybe just a heavy cotton or something that doesnt stretch and I can iron :)

I also made a poopy clutch and changing pad.

Blue Ruffle Shirt:

I saw a shirt on a website and really liked it but didnt want to spend $50 stinking dollars on it so I tried to recreate it. I Think that it does look similar, although I made mistakes and if I ever do that pattern again will know what not to do and what to do. (its not a great picture)

Loose Neutral Top: (My names arent very creative)

I really like this shirt, and was my first time using my new serger. I thought it turned out all right, but once I decided to add the ribbon for accessory, I love it.

Sweatshirt Fleece Jacket:

This is my favorite that I did, I finished it about mid February when It was still cold so I needed something. I got the frog closures on laceheaven.com for a really good price. They actually are nothing like the picture of the ones I ordered but I like them better.

Tiled Poem and Picture:

Ok this isnt a sewing project but it is a creation of mine. For my new testament class we had to do a creative assignment. So for mine I wrote a poem, but I didnt feel like it was creative enough for me so I did this tile effect.

It is really easy to do. If there is interest next time I do one, which I plan to in the next month for a present for someone, I can make a tutorial of how to. It is fun!

Second, I went fishing with carson two weeks ago and caught some fish, first time in a while that I didnt get skunked. For the first while I was using lures and catching white bass, then once I had enough of that I cast my line in to get a catfish. There are two types of cats in Utah Lake, mud cats and channel cats. Mud are not good for anything really but channel are really good. I ended up catching the first channel cat of our fishing season, much to carson's envy :)

Then right before it got dark I caught this huge channel cat, literally my its wisker.

But it broke off our stringer so we didnt get to take him home. Oh well :) (can you tell I was a little cold, what can I say I can be a wimp sometimes)

Third, food. I dont have much becuase, like I said earlier my camera has decided to not really work.

Strawberry Filled Cheesecake

This was for Valentines day and it takes forever to make. Lots of partially cook this, then this layer, then cook, then cool, then more cheesecake layer and cook etc etc etc. But if you want the recipe I will type it up but right now, as this is becoming very long already I will wait. It doesnt look very pretty, I think my springform pan was a little small for the recipe, but it tasted amazing really really really REALLY amazing.

Fourth and final is just an Internship Update. This last week I've basically been made into a full time agent. One of the girls in my area ended up getting a different job so they needed someone to take over the mission travel and visa processes that she did. I got the majority of her things. I feel like they like me and feel that I am capable of doing this work. I have to say it is nice to now have my own assignments. I was starting to get bored of almost 6 weeks always just waiting or asking the other girls for things to do, where now I have my own things to do. I really enjoy it but am also looking forward to having a short two week summer and school, not to mention not waking up at 5 every morning to commute an hour and a half.

Life has been really busy because of work, and I feel like when I get home I am mentally worn and physically exhuasted and dont want to do much of anything. But I think that my body is getting more used to it and I have found some ways of winding down on the bus ride home from work that I am reenergized for the evening. I plan to really do more especially in the spiritual aspects and in the being productive side too.

Thanks to all of you who read, sorry again about the late post and how long it turned out to be. Man, I should write a novel. :)

Twenty One

2010-03-23T16:09:00.001-06:00

Today is my birthday, and I am now officially 21. That big momentous age.

I am so lucky this far in my life to have accomplished all that I have and I am proud of the direction I am taking.

I am grateful for so many things. I am grateful for the wonderful job I have here at BYU, and how appreciated I feel. I am grateful for the education I am gaining and how much more knowledgeable I feel because of my classes. I am grateful for all the opportunities and blessings that I have. I am really grateful for the love my Lord has for me, and how this semester I am realizing it more and more.

I love my parents for raising me the way the did, supporting, encouraging, and believing in me, and for the friendship and connection I have with them. I hope I can raise my kids as wonderful as I know they did.

I love my siblings and how they are always believing in me. I never could have done half the things without that encouragement.

I love my friends (you know who you are) for always being there and making potentially boring moments memorable and listening.

I love Carson for taking care of me, making me laugh, loving me and liking me, every day is a happy day.

Most of all I love being me and knowing who that is. Although I know there are still things I will find out about myself. That journey, along with love, is a never ending one.

Thank you all of you for your birthday wishes and for being apart of my life! I love you!

Never Imagined

2010-03-04T15:43:00.000-07:00

Well over the last month I have contacted a lady in Salt Lake City that works for Missionary Travel at the Church office building and applied, interviewed and was offered an internship for the summer. I start on the 26th of April and I am both excited and nervous for it.

The only thing I am not looking forward to is the commute, I am most days going to take the bus. It would cost nearly $75 a week if I drove, but a student BYU pass is only about $60 for all summer, also it takes just as long but I can read or do other things while commuting. Too bad I wont be getting home until about 7 each night :P

I also am nervous about wearing church clothes everyday. I am mostly nervous about shoes and my feet hurting, but I'll deal. I have to go shopping for more versatile nice clothing, especially for some good pairs of versatile flats :)

This is the thing, I never imagined myself having an internship, never, ever. None of my majors I have gone through require an internship to graduate, so I never really thought about it and if I did, the thought was usually "Getting an internship sounds like it would be hard." But I have to say I think the Lord handed me this one. I am going to gain a lot of experience and have a really good resume building block.

Less than two months and I will be working the the Church office building, just down the street from where my brother works (The Capital) and hopefully we will do lunch once in a while. I think I need to start quizzing myself on General Authority names just in case I am in an elevator with one :)

Everything, and More

2010-02-11T13:10:00.000-07:00

I am currently in a New Testament class, and I am loving it. There was something the other day that Bro. Harper said that really struck me and I just wanted to share it. We were talking about Mary being chosen to be the mother of Christ and the trials that Joseph and Mary went through. This is the main thought that came from this.

Joseph chose Mary to be his espoused wife. He believed and saw that she was beautiful inside and out and that she was righteous. After recieving a dream that Mary told the truth, he learned that Mary was worthy of such a special task from our Lord. Can you imagine how special of a relationship that is? What they must have went through together?

Mary turned out to be everything he wanted, and more.

There is my special thought that I will now always cherish.

Update

2010-02-09T16:12:00.002-07:00

I'm hoping at least monthly I can post a blog so people are a little up to date on our lives. Nothing much is happening, we are boring people. I guess that is what happens when you get married and are still in school and work full time so there is no time to be creative and let you know what I am doing :)
Currently, besides the normal work hours, Carson has a contract job that he has also been working on, adding another 10 hours a week. It is nice to have a little extra coming in so we are actually able to save money, at least for now. I have been busy but surprisingly loving all of my classes. The one I was most scared of is actually really entertaining, Marketing management. I am also still working as a student secretary for the School of Accountancy here are BYU and they treat me great, I love that job. I've been able to do some sewing, which is really fun with my new serger, and will soon have a post of my new tops :)
Lately I have had the chance to perform on my violin either in church and at Jocelynn's Baptism (my niece, daughter of Rachel). The piece I played for church was an Amazing Grace/As Now We Take the Sacrament/How great Thou Art Medley (I know long title) and I really wish Carson would decide to try and learn the piano part so we could play it together so that people, like our mom's, could hear it. I got a really nice compliment from a gentleman who was visiting that sunday and asked me to get a recording and then get it to him, ha. Then I just played the 3 baptism songs from the Childrens song book just transposed one so it was in the same key. I forgot how much I like to perform like that, but I also forgot now much I love being in a full orchestra, like I am this semester. So musically I have been very happy lately.
Well, there is nothing else really interesting, but as things come up I will post them. Thanks for reading those of you who do :)

Bridal Shower

2010-01-05T20:07:00.001-07:00

Right before Christmas my dear past roommate, Janice, got married. Sometime in October I decided I wanted to throw her a surprise bridal shower. So with a lot of planning, creating, consulting and juggling of other things I needed to do it all pulled together. Although not nearly as many as I wanted to be there were there, but I think she enjoyed herself anyway, or at least I hope so. Love you Janice!

Christmas Time

2010-01-05T19:33:00.004-07:00

I love Christmas time, and I think the main reason is that I love getting those perfect gifts for those I am in charge of. To start this holiday post I will post a picture of the gingerbread house that Carson and I made at my family Christmas party at Elisa's. It was a lot of fun :)

Coming from a family of 11 we are put in charge of a single sibling, so this year I was in charge of Elisa and her family. This past summer, Elisa made a doll house for her girls, so I decided to go with that. I made an oven, dresser and telescope out of polymers clay and three bean bags for the dolls. Along with the furniture I got princess kelly dolls for three of them, for her youngest I just got a soft monkey stuffed animal, as she is only 10 months old. For Elisa I made her an apron and a cookie mix, and Wes was probably the simplest, but not the easiest to decide, I got him a movie.

Then of course is the gift for my parents. Most of my Christmas gifts were homemade this year, due to being poor college students, but even when that changes I am not sure the homemade gifts will, I just enjoy it so much. For my mom and dad I made jackets.

My mothers was a deep purple fleece jacket, and my dad (modeled by Carson) a heather grey sweatshirt fleece. I think they turned out really good, and my moms tailored jacket fit her perfectly, with the exception of too long of sleeves.

The other gifts I did not make because they happened to be electronics, movies and such. But I got many things that I love, most of all is the Singer Serger that Carson got for me. Man do I love him.

My Eternal Family

2009-11-03T20:37:00.001-07:00

Carson and I have been called into primary, both in different areas. He teaches the valiant 9, and I teach CTR 5s. We are also Cub Master and assistant cub master. They have been a challenge to get used to but it is nice. Anyways, the theme for this year is "My Eternal Family." Obviously this entails that families can be together forever. I am excited to know that in a little over a month my sister Stephanie and her husband Scott on their anniversary are going to be sealed in the Temple, along with their son and daughter Kaytee and Dawson. Perfect theme for the year for a family with two kids in primary who will at almost the end of the year be sealed for time and all eternity to become that "eternal family."

I have also recently been thinking about all that an eternal family means. It is something pretty deep and the most amazing blessing and covenant that we can make.

I am SO gratful for my family. I love all of them dearly, and feel their love for me. They are everything to me, and yes I come from a big family but I feel it is the perfect size, too bad I cant see everyone more. My new family I love already, even if I am still getting to know them, and I know that they love me.

Thats all...

Food!

2009-10-31T17:08:00.003-06:00

I love to cook. It is a passion I think is becoming more and more apparent to me. I especially love desserts, but I love preparing and serving a very good tasting and look meals. So here are a couple of my recent makings:

Chocolate Cheesecake

This was delicious, although I recommend that you make it with the intention of more than 2 people eating it. I think we got fat by the end.

Rolo Cookies:

This recipe is very simple and I owe the credit to my sister Stephanie who introduced them to me. They are a constant make now, and my roommates have adopted them also.

Poached pears:

I got this recipe from Maegan's blog.

although I decided to use caramel instead of white chocolate.

It had a great drizzle effect and the taste was amazing.

French Chocolate Silk Pie:

This one is a keeper indefinitely and doesn't last very long, I decided for your benefit to post the recipe with my comments of what I do in parenthesis.

Crust:

1 refrigerated pie crust (from 15 oz pkg) or pastry for one crust pie (I usually use a chocolate graham cracker crust instead)

Filling:

3 oz. unsweetened chocolate cut into pieces

1 cup butter, softened NOT margarine

1 cup sugar

1/2 tsp. Vanilla (I usually do about 1 tsp.)

4 pasturized eggs or 1 cup refrigerated or frozen fat-free egg product, thawed

Topping:

Whipped Cream

if using pie crust, bake as instructed and let cool completely. Melt chocolate and let cool. In a small bowl beat butter until fluffy. Gradually add sugar beating until light and fluffy.Add cooled chocolate and vanilla; blend well.

Add eggs 1 at a time, beating at high speed for 2 minutes after each addition. beat until mixture is smooth and fluffy.

pour into crust, refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. (I usually make it the night before I want it, the cooler the better it tastes) top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings/curls if desired. store in refrigerator.

Spider Bites:

All these are simple brownies taking the gooy parts and smooshing together into a ball, dipping in chocolate and decorating. We used chocolate sprinkles, red hots and chocolate twizlers cut up.

Arent they Cute! :)

Wedding Festivities

2009-08-27T16:22:00.001-06:00

This post will mostly be pictures, the wedding was great and everything went according to plan, at least that which I knew about. Who knows though sometimes the bride is left in the dark to sort of, protect her. :)

You can look at all of the pictures at here and here. Enjoy!

New Ride

2009-07-21T13:21:00.000-06:00

With one vehicle and two slightly different schedules, it gets a bit difficult, and not to mention all the walking from the parking lot to work, and the gas prices.

So that is why we decided to purchase a Scooter

We bought a SUNL scooter 150 cc, it didnt cost very much and runs just as good as the $400 more ones. It has great gas milage and works great on our hill with the two of us on it. And we get to park basically on campus. This guy works great!

oh yeah, I cut my hair too :)

Yellowstone

2009-07-21T12:54:00.001-06:00

For the Fourth of July weekend I went with Carson and his family to Yellowstone. We saw lots of animals and mud pots :) Here is the count: 6 Grizzlies (one cub), 8 black bears (about 3 cubs), lots of elk, deer and bison (buffalo). Carson saw two wolf, but I was too slow with the binoculars to find them :)

The grizzly cub cause a traffic jam, cause he decided to hang out on this ledge right above the road.Up on the ledge. Cute little guy.

This was at our camp site, and these two hung out during the last full day there. and Carson snuck up on them :)
At the mudpots.
It was a lot of fun, besides the rain and not showering for 4 days. We took a pretty route to Yellowstone and back so the drive wasnt bad either.

Hitched & Honeymoon

2009-06-18T16:11:00.001-06:00

Well, its official, as of (thanks to Melissa I know this) 11:13 on June 12th, Carson and I were married and sealed for time and all eternity. :) pictures coming as soon as I get them. The Honeymoon was great! We stayed for two nights in a lodge/cabin thing at Mt. Rainier and went hiking one day and the weather stayed great. To much dissappointment of Carson we didnt see much wildlife, and what we did see wasnt to wild.

The White Breasted Nuthatch We are almost FINALLY to the top of the 1300 feet elevation gain and there is this really pretty rock ledge on the switchback. There were two white breast nuthatches, at least thats what they looked like to me with my new bird ID knowledge, the one flew away. We got the camera out cause it was a pretty spot and curiously the bird was actually kinda close.

With carson prepared with the camera the story began. So I held my hand out to it coaxingly and surprisingly it flew at me! I was so surprised that I jumped and so it flew back to the branch. Now I was prepared and tried again, it flew right behind me to a branch on the other side.

I held my hand out again and it started to come towards me, but right before it did I could tell it wasnt going to get on my hand, but test it for food, so I pulled away and had a thought. We had pringles for when we got to the top. So I got one out and surprisingly, it took it right from me (a piece stayed between my fingers from its fast grab) and flew off, thats all it wanted me for, was food.

Man am I glad that it didnt take my finger. Well the rest of the hike was fun and we were SORE. We loved that stay and the only complaint we had was of the sulfur water that smelled and tasted like rotten eggs. :) Now we are back and working and setting up house, quite a little adventure in itself. :)

Wow.

2009-05-27T13:21:00.000-06:00

Time really flies, which is surprising with not having school for the last month. Well, the wedding is right around the corner, and I got everything that I can get done done until I go home in a week to Washington to finish all that stuff up. Well at the beginning of the month I went up to Wyoming with Carson to his brothers, his brother had a black bear tag and carson was going to go hunting with him. Last minute I was invited to come along so I did.

On of the days we were there there was a cattle branding, which actually didnt bother me at all which surprised me. then after that Carson and I got to take two horses and just ride around. That was fun. I've not ridden a horse for about 4 years, and even then its only ever been in line or lead by a rope, never by myself. But I loved it and I felt like I knew kinda what I was doing and it felt right. The following monday we went to help herd some yearling cattle up. So I got to really ride just me. and I liked it and felt like I did good, but man was I sore! :)

Thats been the main thing that I've done this past month. I got a 3.51 GPA this semester at BYU, which is really good and the best I've gotten so far. Including an A- in my physics class :) and not to mention that I was engaged and planning a wedding that same semester. I am proud of myself holding that all together, and I dont really feel stressed.

Yes, Carson and I are excited and everything is perfect for the go ahead. We cant wait, well we can and we do, but we are excited.
Carson the Giant

Engaged!

2009-02-15T15:13:00.000-07:00

This really is not what I expected to happen to me this school year in the least. Me? Married?

I got engaged a week ago on February 7th. And I figured some people want to hear the story so here is the jist.

First you need some background. I am here in miserably cold Utah winter, and I only have two coats that dont do the job and that i have had since 8th and 10th grade! I have been meaning to get a new coat but never really had the funds, so i decided I WOULD get one come may during those big sells and all that.

So the story begins

We headed our way to go to the McGraths seafood restaurant in provo. he stratigically told me there was traffic and that we will take the back road to get there. I didnt think anything of it and complied. As I was in the middle of telling him about how I had talked to my parents that afternoon, cause i had just gone to a brial fair and had ideas, we pulled into this cool park that is kinda behind WalMart, if you know where that is. This park is also where we had our first kiss by a fountain. (perfect sounding right?!) I was distracted from my story telling and when we parked i was totally confused.

He told me he had something for me and got out. so I followed utterly confused. He pulled out a nicely wrapped big box and had me walk with him out to a fountain (the same one i will add) while walking in the mix of saying 'you shouldn't have gotten me anything,' "what are we doing" and finishing telling how my dad thought the reason i called earlier that day was because i was finally official. But no. and Carson turned to me when i told him that, that 'this isnt the ring, so dont get disappointed' I really believed him, for one he had JUST ordered the ring two weeks before, that is not enough time.

So we get to the fountain and he has me open it. It was a really nice blue columbia coat. warm and the right size. he wanted to see if it fit right everywhere so had me turn around. (now mind you I really was completely unaware!) so i did and as i came back around, there he was on his knee with the ring out. I dont know what exactly the words exchanged where because i was too utterly shocked! but i think the gist was he asked "Marissa, will you marry me?" and my response and yes, I hugged him after I took the ring, without putting it on. and I thought the coat was enough. :)

I LOVE the ring, and the date is June 12th! :)

Long time

2009-01-30T13:23:00.000-07:00

Ok, I promise from now on to be more loyal to my blog writing! It has been a while and a lot has changed since my last post. Carson and I are dating and am just waiting for THE question now. Although we are already planning.... weird.

Two weeks ago we traveled home to mom and dad for Carson to meet the parents, and the inevitable questions and answers where exchanged between my father and him. :)

He ordered a ring this week, so we shall see :D I may have a story soon!

School is going pretty good, I am rocking my Physics class, and have my School of Music audition tomorrow and am very nervous. Although as I talk to more people, teachers, and advisors, I'm not sure that the very intense school of music is for me. Nonetheless whatever decision I come too I hope all those I love can understand that. I do plan on minoring in music no matter what, if I dont major in it.

I dont have too much to say except that Maegan (my sister) and I have decided to start a little business type thing. Creating stuff with our talents for other people. and collaborating ideas. I hope to update my other blog soon. and another for this new business idea will be made soon!

MissyMae Style (or Design) name to be decided because missymae doesnt really work by itself becuase there is a person of questionable career with that name.

Give suggestions if you have an idea for a name. Love All!

Halloween Festivites

2008-11-03T16:13:00.001-07:00

Wow does time fly! It is already november. Amazing. So school is going good I am enjoying my classes and doing well in them. And those of you that dont know I am dating this wonderful guy named Carson Stam. His family is from Saratoga Springs, UT but dont worry! They are originally from Oregon and Washington. :D

Halloween was a blast, but I was swamped up to that day. I was working on costumes for myself (which I was a BYU racecar driver, and made the mistake of going to Salt Lake where our rivals live.... but I didnt get shot.. I was nervous though) and for my roommate Jennifer. I made every piece for both of our costumes except for the shoes and tanks we wore.

Highlights of the Racecar Driver costume-
- Checkers down the side
- Jennifers artwork with painting on NASCAR
- How comfortable the jumpsuit was, and NO pattern used! :D

Highlights of Pirate:
- Sash has cool tassle thing that I did
- vest looks awesome
- I made it :D

Me, Jennifer, Carson, Colleen and carson's roommate Alex went party hopping together. To a ward party, Jacob and Melissas party, and Jennifer's friend McCall's party.

Carson was Dwight from the Office. Although those are Harry Potter glasses not dwight glasses...

Colleen was road kill with
the courtesy of my car tires :D

Then of course is the Pumpkin carving. I am on activites committee and am one of the 7 leaders. I was in charge of a 'Date night" and it was a carving pumpkins one. I think that Carson's and mine owned. His was a cool skull that he shaved the front so it looked white. Mine of course is a Unicorn!

Good forms of Changes

2008-09-13T20:08:00.000-06:00

This has been a very good week, at least towards the end of the week. On Thursday I interviewed for a job at the BYU bookstore. It went really well and I really felt like I had the job already, but I didnt want to let myself get my hopes up too high if I didnt get it. But an hour later I got a call from the Bookstore Personnel Office and they were offerring me the job! Of course I said yes, but then started on a very stressful rest of the day. Because I am still employed at the Creamery on 9th I had to talk to my manager and figure out what it was that I had to do. She didnt call me back at all and I ended up going to work and talking to her in person cause we all know when her actual shift is. I was really stressed about all of this because the bookstore wanted to start me ASAP but I didnt know because my manager never called me back. So then my manager says that I need to do the two weeks notice. So I managed to find subs for the next 5 shifts so I start my orientation on Monday and then work on Tuesday! I am SO happy about all of this!

Not to mention that everything else, roommates, boys, and classes are going great and I am really enjoying myself. That is about all that I have to tell for this week. Its not much but I am trying to get myself into the habit of writing often.

Here are some more fun pictures that have happened since I have been back to school/BYU.

One week down!

2008-09-07T01:15:00.000-06:00

Since I have been slacking on the blogging duties I will do a really quick over the rest of my summer. I finished working at KCDA (Boo KCDA!) and spent the last week I had at home having a blast. I did plenty from having a stencil party, staining a fence, going to Stephs to go wave running, (throwing scott off of it har har) hanging out with Erin who got her wisdom teeth out,hitting some golf balls, seeing some movies, going to red robin, finger painting, hitting up Seattle my last day and finding the Fremont Troll! Then sadly I was stuck in a STUFFED car (lucky me got to get my parents to come too! I MISS them!) and drove for 12 hours straight to Utah.

(my shirt that I stenciled... though not at the party, Erin right after her wisdom teeth came out at her ward bbq, and Jacob Range who I went to Seattle with and the Fremont Troll)

Then comes the checking into the apartment. This was an adventure let me tell you. So now there aren't separate keys for the bedrooms so we got to choose when we got there. But tragedy broke and Janice was not able to move into her room! There where MUSHROOMS growing! The carpet soaked. There ended up being a broken pipe in the wall, so we had to get that fixed which luckily they started right away. Janice was not able to move into her room until Tuesday, and still is yet not fully in her room. To top things off other things where also not working, our gas had a lock on it, which it isn't suppose to have, so it didn't get turned on until Tuesday, we had our fair share of cold showers. And our Garbage Disposal is broken, shower lights are falling in, ruined and then new carpet, power in rooms going out.

Although many things where wrong when we first got here we are settling! Luckily we have our own washer and dryer, and the wonderful separate bathroom and showers, and no retarded illegal fireplace! We all love it, except for the management company. We all LOVE aspen ridge management.

Then we finally hit the here and now.

BYU won against the Huskies today! yepee!

So here I sit in my bed, yes late at night, finally writing a new blog. I have had my first week of school AND work. Which has been interesting because I have also had interviews for other jobs, and covering shifts for other people. Lets just say that it has been a long week. But I DO have good news!

I am taking a guitar class this semester and brought this old guitar that I got for $30 of a friend in like my sophomore year in high school. I went to this shop to get my books for the class and was curious if the guitar was a piece of crap or decent. The guy who ones the shop is a self taught guitar, lyre, and violin maker, so I figured he could tell me or not. When I told him that I only got it for 30 dollars he said "It probably is worthless but I need to look at it to get a true idea." Since no one was around like I hoped I got the guitar from my car and had him look at it. His response "Wow! This is actually a VERY decent classical guitar. Its just missing (don't know the word he used) piece right here." He was able to carve one up for me for only $16! Instead of buying a new guitar I got it fixed, lots of money saved! When I went today to pick it up to top it off he had restrung all my bass strings with new ones, free of charge!!! I really liked this guy.

My other classes are going to be great. I love all my professors and really think that going to class wont be the hard part. Just the coordinating work and what I need for the day will be.

Well on to the next week.

ROCK ON!!!

Quick recap

2008-07-21T21:46:00.001-06:00

I finally am sitting down during my not so busy summer and starting this blog. Its been an interesting summer so far, nothing close to what I thought it would be. Although it isnt what I wanted it to be I have been really enjoying it, except for the working part. As many of you have experience the world of KCDA know how delightful of a job it is, and not to mention the fact that it really isnt a lot better than minimum wage like it use to be. I have decided that instead of trying to get everyone up to date that I will just start from here and will recap on facts if I need to that coincide with present situations. For now i will start:

I am enjoying most of my summer hanging out with my really good friend Meagan Turner who luckily lives one a couple blocks from me. She graduated from high school and i was lucky to be there. I also chill a lot with Adam Steele (her long time friend and recently turned boyfriend) becasue it is hard to hang out without him, if you get what i mean, haha but I like him so it helps. I also chill with my bestie Erin Reynolds although not nearly as much as i would like. which isnt because we dont its just we cant, transportation is usually the issue. but I threw or i guss hosted an amazing birthday party for her. It was hollywood themed and on a small budget but it was amazing! I made basically everything which I need to be careful in being prideful! ;)

So basically the two of them are making my summer great.

I am super excited for the family reunion next weekend! cant wait to get a load of family and a camera full of pictures!