The following post should be read at night with all of the lights out. This is only a suggestion, but highly suggested to get the full effect. Ha Ha Ha!!!


HAPPY HALLOWEEN PEOPLE!

Darkest Black By Rose Graves

The house was dark as I pulled into the drive way. There was no moon tonight, not even a street lamp to illuminate the crisp earth. As I pushed the button for the garage to open, I was surprised when nothing happened.
“Great” I muttered to myself “it doesn’t work”
Frustrated, I turned my car off and gathered up my things, to carry into my newly acquired house. It was small, with only two bedrooms, but I was alone so it was more than enough space for me. I struggled to make it to the front door without dropping everything, but I made it and had my key ready to unlock the door. I opened the door and let my things fall to the floor, just far enough inside that I could still close the door behind me. As I did, I hung my keys on the hook. I felt around for the light switch, still unfamiliar with the layout. My search however was wasted, because when I flipped the switch, nothing happened. The power must be out I decided.
I stumbled around my dark, cluttered house. Everything was still in boxes so I knew I’d never find my flashlight. Then I remembered that I had left some candles in my bathroom, in hopes of a nice relaxing soak, by candlelight. Now I was glad I did, since I knew exactly where to find the candles and the matches. Now I knew at least something was starting to go my way. Maybe tonight was the perfect time for that hot soak, I thought as I smiled heading toward the bathroom. After only a few paces my foot caught the corner of a box and I tripped. Immediately my smile vanished and was replaced by a grimace.
I finally reached the bathroom and felt along the counter for the book of matches and the candles.
“How can blind people do this?” I mumbled to myself, urging my other senses to kick in.
I soon found the matches and opened the pack, fumbling, I struck a match and illuminated where the candles were. As the small flame lit the room I was taken aback at the pale face that stared back at me. I gasped and dropped the match, it went out. The room was immediately black. My heart hammered in my chest, I felt dizzy with adrenaline. Taking deep breaths and irritated with myself I struck another match. This time I kept my eyes down, I found the candles and lit them quickly so as not to burn my fingers. I looked back up again at the ashen face. I had always had pale white skin knowing it was useless to try and get a tan, since it seemed my skin was completely drained of color. I knew with sun, I would only end up with more of the spotty freckles that I had come to dread. My only choice was to plaster myself with sunscreen to avoid the annoying sun specks. My ashen skin was enhanced by my auburn hair, which I was grateful was dark thick and silky, instead of the usual frizzy, orange. I took in my emerald green eyes, thinking for the thousandth time, that they made me look creepy. I’d always thought so, though most people generously complimented them.
Turning away not wanting to critique myself further, I took two candles with me as I made my way into the living room. I found my way easily now with the aid of the flickering flames. I set one candle on a table in the living room and then went into the kitchen. I was starving. I didn’t think I could even make anything, with the power out. I frowned to myself debating on whether or not to order something and have it delivered or just go out again by myself. I walked into the kitchen and set the last candle on the counter.
As the light filled the room I gasped in terror. Standing only fifteen feet in front of me was a figure from my nightmares. He was tall and lean, easily towering over my five-foot four-inches. His hair was dark brown almost black. I couldn’t see the color of his eyes. Then he turned and smiled wickedly at me.
I gasped, my eyes filled with tears. How could this be happening? I was frozen in absolute terror. I stood there in front of this hunter knowing I was soon to be his prey. I wondered fleetingly if I could escape. The thought was quickly lost to the fear that coursed through my body.
He laughed. He laughed at me!
“You aren’t making this much of a challenge” he whispered
He looked at me with ravenous eyes. As he said it, I knew he wasn’t here to rob my house he was here for me.
“It’s ok” he said, his words dripping sickeningly with sweetness. “You couldn’t do much to get away” He smiled again, enjoying himself.
I felt nauseated. He took a step toward me closing the distance between us. How could I just stand here and let this continue, I wondered to myself angrily. As he moved closer I grew angrier. The rage surged through my body giving my brain a jolt, just what I needed to begin forming a plan. I tried to think where my phone was; maybe I could call for help. Then I realized I’d left it in my car. The car! If I could make it to the front door my keys were right there. I could drive away and call for help on my phone. It was a simple, yet perfect plan.
He was only Ten feet away now, I had to act now! I turned around and raced to the front door, grateful that I was doing so without tripping this time. I grabbed my keys and pulled the door open at the same time. I ran as if I were an Olympic sprinter, full speed to my car, pressing the unlock button as I ran. I didn’t dare look behind me to know that he was coming. I opened the car door, climbed into my seat and closed the door. As I put the key in the ignition, I turned it. Before the engine could even start, my door was ripped open. He was tearing me out of the car. I began to kick against his chest in an attempt to reach the passenger side door. He was not deterred. He reached in and grabbed me, yanking me into him effortlessly.
He wrapped his arms tightly around me, pinning my arms to my chest. He kicked the car door shut and shoved me back toward the house. I screamed, in desperation that someone, anyone would hear my cries and come to liberate me, but I knew it was hopeless. The closest house was a half mile away and in the short time I had lived here I had yet to see anyone come this far up the street.
I tried to kick him, aiming for his knees, attempting to incapacitate him, so I could break free. But it was hopeless. He just wrapped his arms around me even tighter, making it nearly impossible to scream or even breath. He half pushed, half carried me, back into the house sealing the door behind us and locking the dead bolt. Again, a rush of fear coursed through my body. My throat was ablaze and my eyes stung with tears.
“You sick demon!” I seethed, trying to push the fear to the remotest depths of my frame.
He laughed again “So feisty” he hissed, “With a fire that goes perfectly with your red hair.”
He pulled my hair to his face and I could hear him inhale. “Ahh, mouthwatering”
“How can I resist you” he whispered into my ear, making me cringe in horror. I defiantly looked ahead giving no response, yet feeling so helpless. I commenced once again to internally explode with fury and I began screaming again. My cry was piercing. I recoiled, forcing myself out of his arms, using my final strength to flee from this monster. I started to run again, seeming momentarily to fly, but he caught me effortlessly and threw me down against the living room floor, fully pinning my arms and legs. I was completely immobilized.
I continued to scream and struggle, my options were completely exhausted. Everything inside me desired to be as far away as possible from this monster. I was so fatigued, having no more strength to struggle or scream.
He laughed again “I am really going to enjoy you” he smiled wickedly
He brought his mouth to my cheek and let it trace the edges of my jaw, bringing it down my neck to my collar bone. Then he lifted his head and brought his mouth to my ear whispering,
“Sweet dreams “
Then to my absolute terror, he brought his mouth to my jugular. His sharp teeth melted through my skin. As I, disbelievingly, sank into the black darkness…….

Shake it off and take a step up...

This is in response to a dear friends vented frustration.

You know who you are this story is for you:

One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried

piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do.

Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be

covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.

He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all

grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the

donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to

everyone's amazement he quieted down.

A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He

was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his

back, the donkey was doing something amazing.

He would shake it off and take a step up.

As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the

animal, he would shake it off and take a step up.

Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the

edge of the well and

happily trotted off!

Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to

getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of

our troubles is a steppingstone. We can get out of the deepest wells

just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step

up.

-author unknown

Bottom line sometimes life sucks and there really isn't a whole lot you can do about it. You just gotta take a minute be mad and then unclench your butt cheeks and let it go :)

Your always going to have trials there is no way around that, and I truly am sorry. I so know how it feels to get your hopes up only to have them dashed later. I know only to well :( So shake it off and step up, things will get better you'll see.

BYU vs. UNLV

Ahhh another Saturday spent at a BYU football game. The best way to spend a Saturday in my opinion :) OK so maybe that's stretching it a bit, but this last Saturday I was happy to be there. Regardless of the less than perfect play :( I mean what was the defense doing out there? They obviously had something other than football on their mind. Phil was going nuts, we couldn't believe the rape that they were allowing to happen! Who does that?! At one point, at almost nothing and goal UNLV had 3 guys on one end and BYUs defense only had two guys covering them! Who did UNLV throw to for the touchdown? The guys that weren't being covered! AAAARRRRGGGG!

Was that an obvious play or what, lol!

Oh well despite lacking severely in the defense department they did end up getting the job done, so I will give them that.

The video I have posted is priceless. Having occured in the end zone with seconds left on the clock and BYU barely holding onto their 7 point lead. UNLV had the ball, marched it down the field, and were right in front of the goal line. At this point the crowd was going wild with an almost defening roar. I can tell you that nobody left this game early. This clip is of the game winning interception by three of BYU's defensive players. Ok, maybe they didn't all three catch it, but they were all there for it. The excitement was tangible and electric!

It was so much fun!

I...........

I saw this on someone elses blog and I liked it and decided to copy the idea and then tag others to do the same thing.....

I am......a mother
I miss.....my sisters
I think....about the things I want to accomplish
I know.....I am a daughter of God
I want.....a Dr. Pepper
I search.....for meaning
I wish..... for world peace
I hate.....being tired
I am.....a wife
I fear.....for my children's future
I always.....worry
I love.....my family
I feel.....lonely sometimes
I hear.....so many sounds
I smell.....my husbands shirts when he isn't around
I don't.....like chicken
I wonder.....when the savior will come again
I care.....about others
I regret.....to many things
I am.....beautiful
I believe.....in myself and my family
I dance.....with my little boys
I sing.....even though I am not very good at it
I write.....because I have to
I win.....sometimes
I lose.....sometimes
I never.....give up
I listen.....to the words of the Prophet
I can.....do and be anything



Ok now the rule is you have to put the first thing that comes to your mind as you go through the list of "I"s then tag at least three other people.
I Tag.....Wendy, Kendra, & Shannon

The Pumkin Patch

We have a tradition. Every year in October we go to a little place called, The Pumkin Patch. We always go through the corn maze, then on to see the animals. There are bunnies, goats, chickens, phesants, ducks, and even turkeys. Then at the end of the "trail" They have a spook alley. We had so much fun this year. Both of our kids are old enough to really enjoy it. After we go through all of that we go and pick out our pumkins. We each get our own and later we'll carve them and put them on our porch as our little pumkin family.

I've been tagged. Answer 5 with 5.

-TEN YRS. AGO

1. I was 15
2. I was a sophmore in high school
3. My best friend was actually my sister Charity. We did everything together. Including
skipping class. A lot!
4. I didn't have any kids.
5. And I didn't work at all. :(


-FIVE THINGS ON TODAYS LIST

1. Clean the garage. (its always on the list)
2. Do the dishes.
3. Vacuum.
4. Make dinner.
5. Get the kids to bed.
That is very boring. Let me see if I can spice it up a bit.

1. Take the kids to Disney Land.
2. Run around and play the whole day.
3. Eat junk food (and not care) and enjoy it.
4. Smile and laugh more than I have in a long time :) Not that I don't smile a lot now.
5. Have no expectations or work and just be able to enjoy playing with my babies and husband, without saying, "just a minute."

-FIVE SNACKS

1. Carrots and vinegar
2. Grapes
3. Isagenix snacks
4. Leftovers from dinner last night.
5. Toast.

-FIVE THINGS I WOULD DO IF I WERE A MILLIONAIRE

1. Pay tithes and offerings of course
2. Pay off any and all bills
3. Invest
4. Take Phillilp to the Canary Islands. Or let him take me :)
5. Finish my basement

-FIVE PLACES I'VE LIVED

1. Pleasant Grove
2. Orem
3. Mapleton
4. Holiday
5. Spanish Fork
all in Utah

-FIVE JOBS I'VE HAD

1. Nanny
2.Alhambra theatre
3. Hogi Yogi
4. Quiznos
5. Mother (truly the best thing ever)

-NOW I'VE GOT TO TAG FIVE PEOPLE BUT HOW ABOUT IF YOU READ THIS, HAVE A BLOG, AND HAVEN'T DONE THIS ALREADY, DO IT! :)

Dream House

This one is for you Wendy.
This is my dream house. I was going to post this right after you posted about your dream house, but it took me this long to get a picture. Lol. I'm glad its for rent because I don't think I looked as creepy as I would have other wise standing on the side of the road taking this pic, lol.
Anyway I love this house, I wouldn't want this particular house though. Instead we would build one very similar. I love the white cottage with all the trees surrounding it. My landscaping would be more beautiful by far, but this pictures gives you an idea.
I say this is my dream house and not both mine and Phil's because quite frankly he doesn't give a darn. lol. He is more interested in what goes into the house. I however love, love, love this house. I love the windows, I would totally change the door, and the porch would need to be bigger. I have no idea what it looks like on the inside but I am sure that we could make it just the way we want it. I must admit I am a little bit tempted to go see it as prospective renter just so I could see the inside, lol! This is obviously a long way off because we don't plan on moving any time soon. But it's nice to dream and have some sort of plan for the future. :)

Oh Yeah, It Totally Snowed!

We went to a relatives ward on Sunday morning, all the way up in Highland. As we drove it started to snow and the further north we went the more snow there was. When we got to the church there was at least a couple of inches on the ground. Bear was so excited he said,
"now its summer and we can play in the snow!"
I laughed and explained to him that the season he was looking for was Winter. lol!
I am so excited for this time of year. I love the fall and the smell of harvest, and I love the snow and going sleding. My boys are especially excited about throwing snowballs. As soon as we left church that is what they were doing, having a snowball fight. I don't like to freeze my hands and I don't like to get hit in the face with snow! So for me its Duck and Cover. Seriously!

LOL! :D

Lyon put Bear's helmet on and thought he was so cool. Of course, I have to admit, he was. When it was time for Bear to put it back on Lyon was so upset, he did not want to take it off. LOL!



Here is Lyon Playing at the park. We go almost every single day and the boys always have a blast. Lyon tries to do everything Bear does, and it absolutly terrifies me. But he has so much fun and he loves to go down the slides. He goes down feet first on his belly. I love to see him walk up to the slides, even the big ones, and go down without hesitation, no matter how worried I am, I am glad that he isn't afraid. :D



Here Bear has found a friend. He and some other kids about Bears age showed up while we were there. Bear immediately introduces himself and then asks each of them their name. They then started playing. This boy in the picture above was showing Bear how to jump off of the contraption in the picture. I couldn't hear all of the instructions he gave Bear, but I did hear him say,
"you tighten your muscles and then you release"
LOL! I just thought that was a funny line to come from a three yr. old. Anyway Bear showed no fear and jumped, I got the picture mid-jump. :) After the boy asked Bear if he wanted to play tag Bear had no idea what that was so the boy explained that he was "it" and then tagged Bear and said "now your "it" and you have to chase me and tag me"
Bear loved this he didn't care that he was "it" the whole time I think he thought they were just running around. Every time he ran past me he would yell,
"Mom, I am playing tag"
He had so much fun. That is why we go to the park, it is a whole lot easier than trying to set up a play date. LOL! :D



Bear built this tower of cups by himself on the living room carpet. I am impressed he could even stack the cups at all. I was even having a difficult time balancing them later, on the hard kitchen floor. What can I say, my kids are frikin amazing!



We had a BBQ on Friday for the BYU football game. Go Cougs! We made gourmet burgers, our own recipe. I have got to say they were quite honestly the best burgers I have ever had!!! The picture above does not do them justice, seriously. Normally I don't even like burgers that much, but these were magnificently mouthwatering. :D

My ugly old couch

I Have just got to say how happy I am to have an old ugly couch. Phillip and I got this couch (The one underneath the windows)

from his parents basement storage room about 4 years ago. It has served us well. It is very comfortable, is big enough for the two of us, and has with stood probably more than twenty years of abuse.

However I have still been wanting a beautiful new couch since we bought our new house. I don't like to make such big purchases for things we don't really need unless we have the cash saved, so I have simply made due with this one.

The poor old thing has become sadly threadbare, and although I have tried to stitch the holes back together it simply has made no difference. My two little boys torture it by pulling out the fluff and pulling on the unraveling threads. I have countered these acts by covering the cushions with a blanket. (the blue one in the picture above)

As the days have passed I have noticed just how dirty this blanket gets. What with two boys wiping their hand and faces and unfortunately boogers too, the blanket is increasingly dirty. Luckily all I have to do is pull it off and throw it in the washing machine, but through all of this I wondered. Just how dirty are my couches without the shield of a blanket?

EEEEEWWWWW!!!

So as my boys grow and are no longer smearing bananas and whatnot on my couch I think then it will be time for a new and beautiful couch. As for now I think I will simply thank my old ugly couch for taking all its taken and pray that it will hold together for just a little bit longer.