Happy Birthday Quinner Binner

Today Elder Quinnton is no longer a teenager (because he turned twenty). Quinn is the youngest child and is generally agreed to be the favorite.

Quinn was always a cute little fellow...

...but he could be dangerous too.

He has cat-like attributes, like for instance the ability sleep for hours and hours on end, pretty much anywhere he can find the space.

In his spare time he enjoys helping old ladies...

...and playing scrabble.

He has always been known to keep handsome company...

...and these days he is sweating it out in southern california working as a missionary.


Quinn is a son to be proud of, a sibling to admire, and a friend to treasure. We hope you had a nice birthday young quinnton, we love you!

Funny Friday

We had just gotten married and finished the luncheon at a cute beachfront restaurant. We were gearing up to take the three hour drive back to Thousand Oaks from San Diego (because I was a brat and picked the furthest away temple ever, sorry Mom). Sam and I were in Grandma's old benz following closely behind the van full of Galerias. We were all very nervous that we weren't going to make it on time to our 7:00pm reception (and by we I mean me because I was told if I was late I was going to be writing apology notes to everyone that was invited = not fun). Traffic was miraculously non existent for the first leg of the trip (weird) and before we knew it we were quickly approaching Los Angeles, which basically means bumper to bumper driving. Since we were making such excellent time we began relaxing, and then the worst possible thing happened.

We had come to a complete stop behind the van because of stop and go traffic, and then as the van continued on, we stayed at a complete stop. The car broke down. We honked the horn to try to get my Dad's attention, but to no avail and we watched them leave in a helpless panic. I grabbed my phone as we looked at each other and tried to restart the car, step on the gas, or do anything we could think to get it to go forward. I looked behind us as people we trying to switch lanes and get past us. We started nervous laughing as we tried to figure out what to do (after all we were in the fast lane with no shoulder in bumper to bumper traffic, which is basically a death wish). The only bright side was that since traffic was at a crawl there weren't cars coming up on us at 80 mph. What seemed like seconds later a tow truck appeared from nowhere (maybe heaven???) and started hooking up the mercedes and then dragged us off the freeway. He didn't even get out, he just pulled in front of us and backed his crafty little hook under us and pulled us to the closest exit where he gave us some free gas and then drove off into the horizon.(probably to join the other two nephites somewhere)

Happy Sumo Tales

You know you are a disgusting person when:

after not working for five days you remember you forgot to wash your work clothes and have to be at work in fifteen minutes. And since you don't want every black piece of clothing you own to smell like soy sauce you only have one designated work outfit, so you pick your clothes out of the dirty hamper and put them on.

The icing on the cake:

in order to not throw up from the smell of my own clothing I febreezed myself.

I have officially hit an all time low.

Parade of Tears

I think every now and again its ok to sit back and have a bit of a covet. Nothing too serious, just a little, "man I could go for one of those...or a...I wish I could have that instead of them having that." You know? I'm not talking like armed robbery or anything, maybe just more of a "hey, I'll give you double what they're paying you." My now and again came this past weekend when Terri told me we were going to a parade. I was down because parades are fun and sometimes they fling candy at you, but then I found out it was a house parade. Terri dragged me to the first home and then I dragged her to the rest.

I don't know if it was the indoor heated pools, the home theaters, or the elevators that most ignited my covetous yearnings, but what I do know is that despite the wonders I saw there is a part of me that wishes I could take it back. Because now I have to live the rest of my days knowing that those homes, and others like them exist, and that I do not live in them.

Funny Friday

The first time this happened we were dating. This particular night we were on a group date with Sam's roommates at their place. The pizza was ordered and there were no drinks. Since Sam and I were involved with part of the set up (little Quinner Binner with a much taller girl, oops) we decided to run to the store while the others mingled. As we were walking out the door I asked Sam if he had his wallet. He immediately answered yes. I then responded with "are you sure, I am leaving my purse here so I don't have any money with me." He assured me he had sufficient funds and we were off. As we are checking out the teller scanned our items and then announced our total. I turn to Sam who had a blank stare on his face, like he was deep in thought. He turned to me and said he didn't have his wallet. Are you kidding me?

Lucky me got left behind at the store, sitting there with our groceries, as Sam ran back home to get his wallet. Why he had to run all the way home? Because the emergency stash of cash I keep in my ash tray was lovingly spent on "emergency donuts and slurpees at 7-11." Some of the most humiliating minutes of my life. Why I was the one that got to stay behind, I am still not sure.

This past Wednesday afternoon I was feeling hungry. Sam was approaching his break time at work, so I decided to visit him so he could keep me company while I ate. As I was driving to him he told me to pick up some food so I could eat with him while in the car. I declined his offer with a new proposition for him to come with me to get food so he could pay for my sandwich. He accepted, and next thing I knew I was ordering my 5 dollar foot long. As the girl is ringing up my order I once again turned to Sam who had that all too familiar blank stare while deep in thought. Unfortunately yes, he did it to me again, and once again I got left behind in the ghetto subway on 9th east while he ran back to his work van to get his wallet.

And he wonders why I often force him to show me his wallet as we are walking out the door...
Sam, it is because your word of having it is just not good enough for me anymore.

Happy Sumo Tales

The most eventful thing that has happened at work in a long time?

I was minding my own business serving some sushi when a little baby squirrel snuck into the open patio door and hopped/ran around the restaurant. It took ten minutes to get the brave little guy back out the door. Who would have guessed that squirrels love sushi too?

Funny Friday

Today's post comes as a plea for help to all you husband closet blog readers out there (you know who you are). I need some advice on an escalating situation. Terri started doing this p90x thing a few weeks ago and it was all fun and games at first, but on Saturdays she does this kenbo or kimpo or whatever workout and it involves a lot of punching. Before when she used to slug me playfully it was no big deal, but lately its been starting to hurt, real bad! I don't know what to do. I am conflicted between living in a society that teaches men to be strong and to ignore pain, but sometimes I feel like the charlie horses are more than I can bare - especially since she has like 10 more weeks to go and I know her judo punches are only going to get harder and harder. I can hear her downstairs right now and I swear the guy just said, "okay, now in the face and gut. HIGH-YAW." What should I do? Please help me!