Ugly is the New Pretty

Here is a photo of me the day before my ugly transformation... and then a photo of my metamorphasis into Betty Suarez, aka Ugly Betty. It was such a fun day, including the winner of the costume contest being yours truly. We had a potluck at work and I actually went for my daily walk in this costume. I'm growing weary of the eyebrows though...I want my makeup and fashion back!!!

Additional Photos:

From the Desk of Tawny L.

I would like to announce that I have been officially accepted at Simpson University. Oh my goodness... I am going back to school. I couldn't be more terrified or excited. Exciting is winning out though because I get this chance of a lifetime. It includes already finding a place to live, thanks to Aunt Marlene for caring, and to Cathy for saying yes. Cathy is a friend of Aunt Marlene and lives in Redding (and now a blog reader, so please keep what you actually think of me to a minimum...)

My friend Jennifer is also going and we are waiting on her acceptance. A trip to Simpson is schedule for Nov. 12th (Veterans Day, we have off of work, but the college does not) to finalize details of our relocation. Thanks for all of your prayers and encouragement and I will keep you updated via this blog as much as possible. Think of it as Nanny Tales meets 18 and 19 year olds. Part of me is already irritated at the youth of the group I will be learning with, but part of me is glad that I never went any earlier.

Also.... I am 4 hours closer to Oregon. Alysun-- maybe your babysitter dreams are going to come true!

I won't be leaving until after Christmas, so there is still precious time to spend with my family (and dog!). Until then you will probably have to read about my beef with credit cards and how layaway should be brought back and if credit cards were stripped away, we be surprised about how much people actually had. Ooops, guess I just covered it. Happy (and careful) seasonal spending!!!

My best friend at work had her baby this weekend and I got to put together the announcement :



Madison is the last of my friends/family babies due this year (that I know of!), and it's going to be a fun ride helping as many mommies out as I can!

The Birds and the Bees-- literally

Even though I vowed to stay away from the place, I decided to go to Olive Garden for lunch with my very pregnant friend Shawna yesterday. She is due any moment! Anyway, she has been off for a couple of weeks from work and it was great to see her and catch up. Instead of ordering the soup, salad, and breadsticks (butter and garlic free breadsticks for which I get an eyeroll from the server everytime. Thanks for the tip, Andee!), I opted for a real pasta meal at this lunch. I mean really-- how bad could it be? I ordered the Chicken Gnocchi Veronese figuring I had blown my 1,200 calorie diet for the day. It came and I studied the dish. It was a Chicken breast surrounded with baby dumplings with cucumber diced on top as a garnish (cucumber is healthy right???), drenched in a parmesan and ricotta cheese sause. My thought? Well, at least it's not alfredo sauce. I slowly ate everything except the noticably buttery sauce parts. Intrigued, I came back to work only to stupidly google how many calories I just took in. I actually had to google it twice because I did not believe the numbers the first time. The grand total of the damage done to my body was: 3,751 calories.

I know. I cannot believe it either. Aren't restaurants restricted from serving meals over 2,000 calories??? They should be! I did not blow one days worth, I blow 3 days worth. For dinner last night, I ate an apple. As I was sitting at the dinner table with my family, they were contentedly chomping on hamburgers and I was staring at the large jar of mayonnaise in front of me. 20 calories per servings, 62 serving in the jar. A quick math problem entered my head, but the answer did not come easily at all. Grabbing a calculator, that's 1,240 for the entire jar of mayo. I could eat 3 jars and not equal my lunch. The idea made me almost lose my lunch.

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In a surprising turn of events, Simpson University in Redding, CA is now #1 on my radar of colleges to attend in the spring. There are manys benefits, one big one being how warm it is there. If you know me, you know what a draw that is. The sun is out 88% of the year there, the second highest in the nation. Thanks to hard work from my family and the Lord opening some doors, this possibility might just be realized. I would not be going alone, my friend Jennifer would also be going. She's the one who applied in the first place. God has a very mysteriously way of working things out (history: my mom went to Simpson so growing up I was always saying "yuck, I am not going to Simpson!"). There is much to do before getting accepted, but I will let you know when I do. Speaking of that, I got accepted into CSU Northridge yesterday, so at least I have options.

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A bee followed me into the car at lunch today, and my coworker, Kaci, who was going with me to Subway, had to lean over after I stopped shreaking and thrashing to roll down my window and prod the bee outside. She was surprised at how freaked out I was but after the wasp incident, I am a little skittish. She said she is more afraid of birds than of bees. How does one become afraid of birds?

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Bill Cosby was on Oprah yesterday. I think he is the only one who gets it. Bill Cosby for president!

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Heather is not the best top model contestent, or even the smartest, but boy does she crack Mallory and I up. Go Heather!

Bang bang

Here is the after photo. I like the change, but when I was getting it done, I decided I did was not doing it to like it or not like it. I did it because I wanted to make a decision, stick with it, and see it through. I know-- its only hair, but this was a big step for me. So, score one for the 27 year old reformed non decision maker.

Speaking of that, the decision to enter college is weighing heavy on my heart and life. Like I said before, I am positive about going to school, but the where is the question. I literally feel 1,000 pounds as I weigh my options. I am heading out next weekend to look at more schools, so please pray that God clearly directs my path.

Baby Spencers funeral was so very sad. We were handed programs on our way into the service and inside it said “If you live to be 100, I hope I live to be 100 minus 1 day, so I never have to live without you.” It was as gut-wrenching as it sounds. But it was a beauiful service. And there is good news! Paige and Levi are growing so very strong on their own and the doctor's think it will be only about 3 weeks now until they come home. I can't imagine Amanda and Brians relief at having them come home.

Yesterday cousin Kevin Friesen came to town, and he is looking and doing wonderfully! It was great to see the light in his eyes and the passion for his job. We had coffee at Starbucks and usually we talk about life and our mistakes and how we are going to fix them the next time (to prove that we got the lesson instead of just saying we did.) I ask so many questions about Kevin and his life and about his kids because his responses intrigue me. I told mom last night that somehow I just get his words, and that he has done more to pastor/mentor me this year than anyone else has had the chance to. It is truly a blessing the friendship that I have with him. He's not perfect, but that's what makes it so cool. Turns out I am not perfect either. (I know, it was a newsflash for me as well).

Oh, and I want Heather to win Top Model. She is not the prettiest or Miss personality, but I think she has one heck of a story.

Fridays Thoughts

Summer time here is California seems officially over. I know beacuse it has happened again. The first day of cold comes and I throw open my closet and I have nothing to wear. Nada. Ziltch. The one jacket I thought I did have has stains that I never noticed before and now I realized that I have over given clothes away. Again. I literally cut my closet by 30% when I go through my closet and thrown things out or give them to Goodwill, and I do that about two times a year. I know I am not buying clothes at the same rate, so I literally make it so that I have nothing to wear. Winter clothes are the hardest for me to keep because I rebel against winter and freeze by not having the appropriate clothing. In the fight between me and Winter, Winter always wins.

Also, I do not like winter for another fashion reason: long sleeves. When you are six feet tall, there are just not sleeves long enough out there to actually cover your arms. If you are my size/height, then that throws you into the "large" category which means the sleeve will be long enough, but the armpit is at your elbow, and you will be swimming in your top. There was help with the 3/4 length movement, but I have a feeling that that's not always going to be around, or its in a yucky style. So, for the next 6-7 months, I will be awkwardly trying to hide my wrists.

Take a good look at this photo. I am using it as the before. I am going out on a fashion limb and getting bangs cut this evening. I know, I know... bangs are so 4th grade! But wait! Bangs are making a come back. I made the appointment tonight to get my hair lightened, but when I analyzed it, I think I am just needing a style change. Dark hair with thick, piecey bangs might be good. If not, it will at least hide my crying eyes.

Speaking of crying, this has been the week for it. On Tuesday night I found out that baby Spencer's funeral is tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. I am so anxious to see Amanda just to hug her! My sister works for a children's clothing/toy store and Amanda's mom and sister came in the get the funeral programs. It's so sad for everyone involved. Please pray for the family to make it through the day-to-day when you get the chance.

Alanis debuted a new song on House, M.D. this week. It's a great song to cry to. I would know.

I love you all.

Pain and Heartache

Yesterday my friend Amanda posted that one of her triplets, Spencer, was not gaining weight. She sent out text messages telling people to pray for him, for he needed a blood transfusion and he was not even 3 pounds yet. The procedure went well and then he needed to go back on an IV and the doctors said there was no cause to worry.

Then this morning I got an update that Spencer was very sick and needed to go back on oxygen. More prayers, more pleading with God to give this tiny life a chance. Today at around 6pm I got a text message that he had a rough flight to Stanford and was undergoing surgery. My phone buzzing woke me up at 10:30 tonight, saying that Amanda and Brian have lost little Spencer. Amanda pleaded for our prayers as she "doesn't know how to survive this."

Oh God, how does a mommy... daddy... family survive this? How do you prepare for 3 and then come home with 2? My heart squeezes in pain. Hold her and Brian in your arms, please Lord. And take good care of Spencer. He was so very precious to us all.

Spencer pictured here, between Paige and Levi. They kept him warm, with Paige kissing his head.

Micky's 30th Birthday Party!

It was the best of times, it was the best of times... Dickens had it all wrong. My family threw Micky a non-surprise 30th birthday party at my aunt and uncles house this past Sunday evening. All Micky got to know was the guest list and the fact that it was a Red Sox party, but we kept the rest of the details from him. Details included: A two and a half tier baseball cake made by Laura's good friend Jen; nachos, hot dogs, and clam chowder for dinner; crackerjacks, peanuts and redvines for the guests; and a personalized montage of Micky in Sox clothing throughout his entire life (put together by Mallory). We asked everyone to come dressed in their favorite baseball attire and most people did. Almost 40 people came out to celebrate Mick's life. We all had a blast. Enjoy the photos!

Also, here is a link to our dog, Zeke, singing Happy Birthday to Micky. Well, sort of.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AVPChBpkrc

Auntie Debbie touches Melissa's stomach. Melissa is having a baby in April!

Micky, his girlfriend Laura, and her son Mikey helped us to celebrate!

3 times the fun!

Remember how I was bragging about my friend who was expecting triplets? Well, they're here! Amanda and Brian welcomed Paige, Levi, and Spencer on September 19th. Though they were born so little, they are happy and healthy and I swear you could just stare at them sleeping all day (I've been to the hospital about 3 times now, doing just that!). Amanda has started a blog on their progress, as they will be in the hospital for a little while still. Check out my Triplets link to the right.

A quick rundown of premiere week...

**This includes spoilers of all of last week's shows. If they are still unwatched on your TiVo, stop reading now**

Chuck- One of the few new television shows that I ventured to watch. Like I needed to add anymore to my tivo, but this looked kinda cute. And it was. Kinda. Cute. Still I was entertained by the spin on the Geek Squad calling the ID guys "the Nerd Herd". I laugh every time I see the previews where the Nerd Herd car is speeding past 2 stoner/skateboards to escape the bad guys and one goes "Whooooa. Computer Emergency!" Chuck is nerdy in an adorable sort of way. The girl who plays his agent looks so much like Carrie Underwood that I call her Carrie. The best friend is a Seth Green-like character that I could really enjoy watching. I give it 3 more episodes to thrill me.

House- This is the greatest show on TV if you are not watching it already. From season to season, they have kept continuity and balance, having him be the same jerk he always was. Only I swear the storylines and the people and scenarios just get better and better. In the premiere, House is trying to break into a locked house and another doctor leans over his shoulder and said, "I'll bet that looks easier on youtube." Very modern and funny. I like it because he is mean to people and I am not. He is Bizarro Tawny.

America's Next Top Model- Ugly is the New Pretty. Yikes and bow wow to all but one. But still into cycle 9, the photo shoots are so much fun to watch!

Private Practice- Madison should have stayed on Grey's. Everyone ended up liking her on Grey's but I don't think they liked her enough to follow her to this show. She is great—don't get me wrong. The camera loves her. But the new cast and crew and the petty divorce arguments is what I want to see on Grey's, not somewhere new.

Life- This was supposed to be the grab-your-attention pilot but I paused it at least ten times to get things done (maybe because I was sitting too long this week watching tv???) but actually I really think that this just wasn't all that good. I wanted it to be good because I think Captain Winters (Bands of Brothers) deserves my undivided attention, but this just reeks of corniness. The meditation, zen, motivational, chakras-calming talk he gives himself are going to get annoying. Also annoying is the fact that he was just in prison for 12 years and cell phones and instant messaging are foreign to him. Didn't he ever watch 20/20 as I heard they love in the slammer? Yet the one redeeming quality is that he pulls his ex-wife's new husband over every time he sees him. That was the one guffaw of the show. Oh and what is his obsession with fruit all about?

Survivor- It's going to be really blah this year (but I am hooked!). Honestly, this season I am going to mute it and just watch James the grave digger as he wins every challenge just by being a brick wall.

Ugly Betty- I watched the first 2 seasons, missed all last year, and then came in again on the premiere. Bringing Rebecca Romijn as the "brother" just ruined it for me somehow. I do not like her or the character. But Betty, Henry, Daniel, the feminine guy, and his partner-in-crime (the now chubby secretary) are worth every minute they are on. Even Vanessa Williams gets on my nerves. I think its tall women under a size 4 that I can't stand. It is not clear to me, but I think Betty's sister lost her fiancée in the gunfight and she was flashing back the whole episode until the end. Is that what happened?

THE OFFICE!!!- No, it's not my favorite… why do you ask??? Oh my goodness, Season 3 the Office hit a slump and now it's back in an amazing stride. Kevin was more predominant in this show, and was actually spot-on character wise. The Jim and Pam moments had me squealing out loud. I mean, you know they had to be dating because she was wearing her hair down. I LOVE the subtleties of that because Pam in her own ratty-hair way is trying hard to impress Jim. They had seamless moments of genuine affection for one another even if it was only with their eyes. As for jokes, Michaels "I'm not superstitious, just a little stitious" was awesome and the nipple chaffing, and the stripper brought back as a nurse, and the carbo-loading RIGHT before the race, and the fact that the 5k was straight out instead of leading back to the office were all genius. I don't like cats, so the Angela storyline did nothing for me. High Five for the same religion!

Grey's Anatomy- Being the sentimental being that I am, I miss Addison and Dr. Burke. It's really bare without them. Meredith's sister is as skittish and dumb as she is (really? You are going to stand in front of a trauma to air out that you are Meredith's half sister and expect something other than "get out of the way??") I did have 3 moments to well up with tears. One was George stepping in to deliver the baby. The other was the 3 blinks that little girl gave her daddy (OMGoodness!), and then my tears poured when Lexi, the dumb half sister of Meredith, built George up in the locker room so that he could now feel like a super star intern instead of one who had to repeat his year there (unknown to everyone but Lexi). Watching more closely, I can't believe that Izzy won the Oscar. I think Sandra Oh deserves it every year. That woman can act. Oh and the George/Izzy thing can fizzle anytime. It's just wrong!!!