Make it work.

When I was 17/18 I was asked to be in the "Dairy Princess Pageant". Since then as now I
a) can't say no.....
and
b) am always up for a new experience...

I said yes. I've never been what one would call a fashion plate. As a child and pre-teen I just let Penee pick out my clothes. What did I care what I put on? By high school I had more of an opinion, but in general I was just a lazy shopper. I remember needing a formal dress for the pageant and going with Penee to find one.

I hated this dress. We looked at many different dresses and Penee loved this one. From equal parts not having the energy to fight and being too lazy to continue on to find a more promising gown, this is what we went with.

Here's the thing, I made this dress work. It's not that the dress doesn't have a certain charm. Just ask "Thoroughly Modern Millie", it's eerily similar to her wedding dress, that is if you wear the shoulder puffs as a hat......but I digress.

I just decided to work with what I had. I pretended like I was the prettiest girl at the ball with the prettiest dress. The truth is, but for a botched answer about the recommended daily serving of milk (the USDA said 4, the dairy council disagreed with 6). That actual princess title could have been mine!

Life for me sometimes seems to be like this pageant. There seems to be a lull and then a build up to what seems like a "big" event. The event ends up being just a brief moment really, although it doesn't always feel that way at the time. Sometimes I'm not completely in love with the pieces of myself that I've brought to the event. I usually find that I wish I'd prepared better, or done something different that would make me better in the situation. Unfortunately time doesn't stop for me to get more prepared, or for me to be a more perfect version of myself.

Regardless of my level of preparation or lack thereof, I get to decide how I will handle each challenge. Will I just dwell on all that I don't have or will I take what I do have and make of it the best it can be? I take comfort in the fact that unlike with the pageant, one failed answer doesn't stop me from becoming the Princess in my own life.

I think I'm going to try to channel my inner Dairy Princess and decide that in my life I will "Make it work".

Eat your heart out Tim Gunn.

Idaho. You remind me of the babe......

I went to Idaho this weekend. Still here actually, I've been playing with baby Pierce (who Canyon insists is named Ace). Here is a photo montage of what we've been up to.

*Special shout out to the Brijs's for letting me crash at their home. It's beautiful and amazing! Thanks a million guys!

Me and Pierce. Notice how Penee looks ready to kick back and enjoy herself a little. She deserves a little relaxation!

Mommy and baby. Canyon kept asking Miley if her baby sister is in her (Miley's) tummy. Keep on dreaming kid......maybe some day.

Man of the hour, and man is he adorable.

How is Canyon holding up? I'm glad you asked. She's keeping her spirits up tolerably, with mass amounts of playing "Princess".........

......Dishes

......Forcing Aunt Linny to eat fake food.

She does arts and crafts. Painting.....

Picking her own cool animal paper.

Modge Podge-ing

Modeling her finished product.

Love these kids and I'll be so sad when the fun has to end and Penee and I head home tomorrow. At least I get an extra hour of sleep tonight to soften the blow.

Let us conclude with a gratuitous pic of Pierce in all of his cuteness.

Amen.

Hello neglected blog. It's not you....it's me!

I am a seriously lame spice blogger. Since a picture is worth a thousand words here is a few pics to show what I've been up to the last month or so. And a commitment blogosphere.....I will be a better blogger. Cross my heart!

So without further adieu......Here's what I've been up to lately.

Hanging with Princesses,

....and cute Robots

Consulting with Presidents......

Getting attacked by Burro's

Channeling my inner Cinderella.....not quite there yet. I'll let you know when I make it IN the carriage.

Rocking out with friends

Laughing at the Po' Po'

Seeing old friends and celebrating events

Even more celebrating!

Doing my part for the Michael Jackson estate.

And the good times keep rolling on......It's good to be back blog, it's definitely good to be back!

The recent haps.

Carny Fun

Cousin bonding time

Payson Lakes

Training for a half marathon

There is still a few more weeks of summer left. I can't wait to see what kind of continued fun comes my way!

Paranoia Justified

I've always been afraid of spiders. To the point that when I see one I prefer to spray it with something from afar (usually windex) in hopes of immobilizing it before I attempt to kill it. I don't just like to hit it with my shoe because who's going to clean the guts off of said shoe for me? Bleck!

Once whilst living in my Aunt and Uncles basement I came home really late one night and saw a spider in the corner of the room. There was no way I was killing it without some sort of reinforcements. So I prayed that it wouldn't devour me in the night. No seriously, I prayed about it. Then the next morning super de dooper early I cornered my cousin-in-law Ryan before he left for work to come down and do the honors of killing it.

Turns out it was a black widow. After he killed it we both spent some time jumping around and screaming like little girls. I don't know about him, but it made me feel better!

Flash forward to this Monday. I noticed that I had what appeared to be a small spider bite on, let's just call it my chestal region. By the end of the day it had a red ring around it and looked to be quite inflamed. Yesterday it was worse and now looked like it was blistering.

After searching my bed for any remnants of spider carcass to determine what type bit me (I have a feeling that it looked something like the above picture) I hied myself off this morning to see my doctor (yes, the one who hates me and whom I hate, which is clearly a story for another time). He informed me that it was in fact a venomous spider bite and prescribed me some antibiotics.

My point is that my paranoia now feels justified. Spiders are in fact out to eat me. If you need me I will be the one sleeping with a bottle of windex next to my bed and one weathered eye open ready to immobilize even the smallest of eight legged assassins.

I watched "The Bachelorette". Yeah, I said it.

I have only ever watched 3 full seasons of the 13 that have aired between both the men and women of this show. I've just caught snippets of all the other seasons because, let's be serious, I like to keep my finger on the pulse of pop culture.

I have to admit that I almost always enjoy The Bachelorette over The Bachelor. It just seems like the guys who go on the show looking for love and marriage almost never are in actuality looking for either of these things.

I'm not judging, honest. I mean if I were a dude I would be all about going on a show where I would get to go on a two month spree of drinking, making out with 15 + hot girls. Then when I'd finally narrowed it down to 3, getting to have "fantasy"( I'm pretty sure we all know what this is a euphamism for) dates with all three. You aren't in trouble when the girls find out because, oh wait, all the girls know about each other and in fact knew that this was going to happen before they ever signed up. This sounds like what man heaven is probably described as. Well, non mormon man heaven.

Let me qualify by saying that I know this whole show is just so wrong on so many moral levels. Trash T.V. at it's finest.

While The Bachelorette follows this same pattern, in general I feel like the woman who says she is there to find love and marriage actually is. This is one of the reasons why I like it better. Maybe it's my romantic nature, most likely it's just a way for me to feel better about watching all the debauchery. Somehow I justify that it's ok because it has a good purpose. Love! Marriage! Hooray! I know, I know, it's just something I tell myself so I can sleep at night.

While browsing MSN this week I came across an article "Why 'The Bachelorette' Is a Sham" by Diane Vadino. On many points I completely agree with her, the premise itself is a bit of a sham. It did feel a little obvious to me that Jillian had a clear favorite in Ed. I also agree that the concept of the show,by it's very nature "forces" love and intimacy in a 2 month span.

But here is where I become baffled. Diane says, "Because this is a rebuttal of the truest truism in the dating universe: Men react poorly when affection is demanded of them. Women, I think, can be cajoled, and convinced. (I'm not saying it's good, or it's right, just that it's life.)"

Let's recap, these guys got to see what she looked like, they probably watched the previous Bachelor to see her personality, then after seeing something in her that interested them they came on the show. These guys didn't have affection demanded from them, they signed up for this. She said she was coming on this show to find love and get engaged and married. So doesn't she have a right, not to demand, but to expect that these guys are going to really be in it to win it? I don't see how this is so unreasonable?

"Men react poorly when affection is demanded of them." Men should be the pursuers, another reason I like The Bachelorette vs The Bachelor, so shouldn't the woman they are pursuing have an expectation of affection? If a woman is upfront about what she's looking for, i.e. marriage, kids, then is it demanding of affection to expect that the relationship she's in is heading towards that? If either party isn't interested in marriage, kids or not in a position to make it happen then it's time to cut your losses and move on.

I guess I'm just questioning the use of the word "demanded". It's true that men probably don't like affection to be demanded. Man or woman who likes having things demanded of them. I'm just confused as to how Jillian saying, I'm going on The Bachelorette to find the love of my life, get engaged, then married, and start a family in a year or so. Then she starts sending home the guys that don't seem ready for it, or won't tell her where they are at, while at the same time expecting those that are staying to be committed to a proposal and a life together at the end is demanding?

Here is the lesson I'm taking away from watching Jillian the bachelorette: Be super clear and upfront about where you are wanting to end up. Have as much fun as you can along the way. Expect that the guy you are with wants to end up the same place as you. Let go of all the ones that don't. Don't settle for anything less.

HMA Family Reunion Goodness

We had a family reunion over the 4th of July weekend. To me there is nothing better than when my extended family gets together. We laugh and exhibit and all around have a great time.

My Aunt Candy is a genius with cardboard. For our first event on Friday afternoon she recreated the town she and he brothers (my Dad included) grew up in.

Miss Canyon hanging out at Grandpa and Grandma's Blythe house.

Where else but the Arnett reunion can you "milk" a cardboard cow?!?

We roped and branded.

We went to Benefields for fritos and pop....

And hung out where Grandma taught school

That night we reconvened and had some delicious dinner followed by our SYTYCD numbers.

H.B. started us off right with some sweet James Brown moves.

Canyon, Aaron, Myself and Aussie held it down straight street with some old school moves.
Canyon was clearly the MVP.

Larry's family killed it "Thriller" style

By land or sea Arnett's have talent. The Jeff Arnett fam brought it with a synchronized swim routine.

The Walker family kept it classy. Really, when is a man in a unitard not funny?!?!

The best part for me was just being around all my cousins and their kids.

Wendy and I got to reminisce about the good old days.

And it was so good to see Boggs.

All in all I'd say it was a most heavenly weekend!

I miss the Lexi

I officially look like a wild animal. My hair is out of control. I haven't had a haircut since the beginning of February. I wish I could say that it's for the same reason as Sampson. If only all this not cutting of the hair was giving me special blessings or powers. It's not.

Mostly I think I'm in denial. Surely my hairdresser didn't really leave me? I like to imagine that she's just too busy to come around (which really isn't too far from the truth). I mean sure she hasn't been to my parents house, or to any Sunday dinners, or parties or come over to play the Wii. But she's not really GONE. Right?!?!

I'm clearly in denial. Let's just say that I'm semi-permanently rocking the curly haired 'do. Most of you will understand what an indicator that is of the desperate state of affairs I'm currently laboring under.

The thought of going to someone else for a haircut feels like it will be the final nail in the "I'm missing the Lex" coffin. But people I think it's time. Past time. Way past.

In Memoriam

Yesterday was a sad day for the H.B. Arnett family. Due to failing health and old age Queenie was put to sleep yesterday. She's been a part of our family landscape for so long that I'm not sure it's quite sunk in yet.

Penee, cried (which has only happened approx. 3 other times in her life). H.B. found a perfect spot of ground for the perfect doggie grave. He's informed me that he's placed a potted plant there to mark the spot. I'll go over today and take a picture to post.

Queenie was the best little dog ever, she had boundless energy and a gave lots of love to everyone (whether you wanted her to or not!). She was known to jump up on your bed during sleepovers and lick faces at the most inopportune moments. Mostly she was Penee's best friend. They went on drives, just the two of them, played hide and seek, and took many walks. It's possible that Mom loved her more than any of her natural children, as evidenced by the fact that Queenie always got the best Mom had to offer. Expensive haircuts, special meals, and back rubs. H.B. always joked that Penee was lobbying to have her sealed to our family. She was definitely a good little addition to it.

We'll all miss her very much, but are glad that she is no longer blind, unable to eat and in pain.

If you have any memories of Queenie you'd like to share, please leave them in the comments.

The People Have Spoken

We found out the results of the HOA board vote last night. This beautiful lady came to give me the news. The people voted me in! Now the real work begins of course, but I'm excited to try and make some positive changes in my community. I have fantastic people to work with and I think it will be a great year. Wish me luck!!

I want a made by Megs Craft

http://megscraft.blogspot.com/

My cousin is a craft goddess. If she is offering to make me a handmade anything I want in. I also want her to teach a workshop so that I to can exercise my inner need to create.

A "D-Lux" birthday shout out

It's this beautiful ladies birthday. I hope it's a good one. I'm double blessed because I both get to be related to her and consider her one of my best friends.

Love you lady!

My Bid For President

I'm currently in the middle of a hotly contested campaign for HOA President of my Condo Association.

The incumbent who I'm currently running against has been the President of the Board for at least 12 years (at least until he was impeached last Fall). His has been a puppet regime run behind the scenes by his wife. There have been allegations of bullying and I've witnessed first hand their dictatorial style of managing.

My character has been slandered, phone calls have gotten heated. I'm loving every minute!

I've been out on the campaign trail. Glad handing voters, kissing babies, petting dogs. It's getting serious.

My platform........Power to the people. Pass it on.

Wish me luck, all votes have to be turned in or post marked by Friday May 15.

Disney was a blast!

Day 1: Disney

Highlights:

-I took one for the team and rode in the front on splash mountain. Those are new jeans so let's just say I walked away with some sweet blue legs.

- Tower of Terror. We went on it twice both times it was delicious.

The nicest old man approached Ashley and I after this ride and insisted that we take our picture with Buzz. I told us where to stand and everything. Disney really is the happiest place on earth.

Day 2: The Gumball 3000

Highlights:
-The Hoff
-Sweet cars

Ok, true confessions. I didn't even know what a Gumball 3000 was before we arrived at the beach, to be honest I'm still a little fuzzy. But there were fun looking cars and grown men in costume. In my experience this almost always equals a good time.

Really what we did was hang out here

Don't mind the two people at the bottom of this photo, what can I say.....it's California and people are exhibitionists.

Needless to say it was a delightfully relaxing trip and I had a ridiculously good time. It's the magic of DisneyLand. Or maybe just of vacationing.

DisneyLand

I'm off to spend some time with this guy! Looking forward to some warm California sun and some Disney time. The last time I was at DisneyLand was with Auntie Kathleen and her whole crew. That was a fun trip, I'm not sure this one can quite live up to how fun Auntie Kathleen made it, but none the less I think it should be a very fun time!

Pat's Run

I came down to Arizona to get a little new baby time. It just so happens that I arrived in time to be a part of Pat's Run in Tempe on Saturday. Dave and Lacy's family participates in this every year and I think it's a wonderful thing. There were well over 10,000 people there all participating in this 4.2 miles run/walk.

Next year I plan to come back down and run it myself. Here are a few picture highlights.

Just mass ammounts of people getting out and excersising and making a difference.

This was the "extra hydrated" water that was passed out for free to all participants. On of the reps for this brand told Lacy and I that this water was extra hydrated. When we asked him what they put in it extra he replied, "oh, no it's 100% pure water." Extra hydrating indeed!

Just because she's ridiculously adorable.