I don't get it!

Can someone please explain to me why it is so hard to change the background on my blog?? I know it must be pretty easy...but last time my cutest sis-in-law did it for me. I tried doing it on my own cause I was getting sick of the old one, but now it just looks trashy. One day...

Once again, this week has been insane with little or no time allotted for blogging/blog stalking. {It's a sad story} Work basically sucked rocks this week as we upgraded to a new computer system. LAME! I was pretty much a whiner all week cause change and I don't really get along well. To make matters even worse, one of my biggest job responsibilities is to process the EDI orders (don't ask for an explanation of what that means). To make a long story short, that part of the new computer system is not quite functioning yet...so one week of piled up orders equals about 3 days of non-stop work trying to get caught up. Next week should be lovely...In the words of one of my favorite Space Ghosts songs, "sounds like somebody needs an attitude adjustment!"

By the way, you all failed miserably in my last quote challenge. Did no one catch the first question I asked about the song title/blog title? That was worth six points...and no one got it right or even attempted to guess. {Sad} Don't you ever listen to the Bee Gees? That song rocks!

And now, to the highlight of my week: I went to the gym every morning this last week at 5am! That is commitment folks! Sarah and I are gym-going rock stars!!! Here's to hoping next week is equally successful...

One last thing: I recently noted my new favorite party game called Boxers or Briefs. According to the knowledgeable man at the game store in the mall, that game has been discontinued. AHHH!!! Anyone know where I can find this lovely gem? Most sites like Amazon and Ebay are selling it for $200. Yikes! If anyone out there owns this game and wants to donate it to a good cause, just let me know! It will be played often and treated with LOTS of love!

Stay tuned next week for the "Alayna's best feature pinata" post. I know you are all dying to see what I am talking about...

Lonely Days...Lonely Nights

(six points to the person who knows the song my title is referring to)

Well, it’s official…I live alone now without roomie (and have for one week). How do I feel about that you may ask? Honestly, I can’t really find the words to explain it. Part of me embraces the excitement of finding a new roomie and beginning a new adventure, but the other part of me feels really lonely right now. It’s not that I have never been alone in my house…I lived there for almost a year by myself before I even got a roomie. Besides, my former roommate worked nights so I was practically alone most of the time anyway. But it just feels strange. Maybe it’s because the room is empty. I am used to seeing the door to the room and bathroom closed, and now they are very much open, constantly showing me how empty the space is. Maybe it’s because the sounds of the box fan humming in that room or the sound of the washing machine constantly rockin’ are gone. I don’t know what it is, but it’s just weird, quiet, surreal.

However, I will trudge forward. I have had absolutely no luck in finding a new roommate yet, but I am hopeful that something will come my way. I don't know when or how, but it will happen. So if any of you out there know of someone looking for a room to rent...send 'em my way! Heck, I'll take what I can get...as long as it helps me get my bills paid...

Well, things have been a bit chaotic in the life o' Alayna. Work has been INSANE!!! It has been heartbreaking not being able to check my blogs everyday like I used to. I have no time to breathe during the day, let alone time to check the old web. I tell you, getting one more major job responsibility and having one less day to accomplish it all has really been difficult. But being busy sure does make the day pass faster. This Thursday I had my first official "day off" in my newly shortened 4 day week. My AMAZING mother spent the morning with me. We went and got pedicures for our upcoming cruise, went shopping to try and find cute clothes for our upcoming cruise, and even stopped at Subway to get a $5 footlong. Mmmmm...delicious! I LOVE MY MOM!! She is always there to cheer me up when I am feeling down. Thanks Mama!

And I can't post about amazing parents without giving an honorable mention to my Daddy-O. He is crafty indeed! He came by my house the other day to do some patching of the walls and figured out how to fix my garage door opener using an empty paper towel tube and some scissors. Don't ask...I can't explain it. It was simply awe inspiring. YOU ROCK Dad!

And, no blog would be complete without thanking those who have been on the sidelines cheering me through this week. I fo' sho' have to thank Sarah...my new bestest pal, Visiting Teacher and RS Pres. She is awesome! We have had many a good time this week, and thanks to her mad texting skills we had quite the game night at my place on Friday night (boys included!!!). Sarah, I don't know if you will ever truly know how much you have helped me the last little while (especially because you don't read my blog), but I am eternally grateful for your friendship at this time in my life!!! YOU'RE THE BEST!!!

Well, that's about it for now. Hopefully my blogging won't be so depressing and lame from this point forward. I just have to say two things before I end.

1) I can't FRIGGIN' wait until I get on an airplane, fly to FL with the fam (minus grandkids), board a big old cruise ship, tour the Eastern Caribbean, and forget about ALL of my problems for 7 days! Joy and rapture!

2) Four points to the person who can guess the movie the following quote comes from (that I immediately thought of the minute I came home to my newly empty house last Monday):

"..in Greece, where he spent a year in silence, just to better understand the sound of a whisper"

{peace out}

P.S. Please play my games! 10 points are at stake here folks! And don't cheat and look at others' comments before posting your answers!

P.S.S. In reference to my previous post about winning a prize, there may just be a prize involved to whomever answers my questions correctly. GOOD LUCK!!!

I know you want it!

P.S. I promise to update my blog in a flash...but first I have to post this...cause I wanna win a prize!!!

I found this on several blogs and thought it sounded like fun---hope you all agree!
I'm excited to see who the first 5 lucky ducks will be!
The first 5 to respond to this win something from me!

But...you have to do this:

Repost this to your own blog and offer the same thing to your first 5 responders. The first 5 who repost it to their own blog will get something made by me! My choice. For you!

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make
2.What I create will be just for you.
3. It'll be done this year-no guarantees on when this year, but sometime in 2009!
4. You have no clue what it's going to be. the possibilities are endless.
5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The first 5 people post this on their blog and leave a me comment telling me they did, win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me! Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it! Sounds like fun right?!? So let's PLAY!

There is hope smiling brightly before {me}

Just so you know, I am feeling TONS better today! Yesterday morning my eyeballs were like faucets, toward the afternoon they were drying up, and pretty much now there is nothing left inside of me. I really wanted to go home last night and get in bed, but my gut got the best of me and I decided to hang out with the new pals instead. And boy am I glad I did! I had such a great night last night! Sarah, Lacey and I headed to Red Robin (yum) to celebrate Lacey's birthday. Good food, good conversation, good picture taking opportunity:Ignore my "scary, no make-up left on face" look. I am sure you can understand why I looked a little trashy...

After Red Robin was Enrichment (which is no longer my calling...I am now the Activities Committee Co-chair...yikes!) for a fun game night with some equally fun girls. If you have never played the game Boxers or Briefs, I would highly recommend it. Similar to Apples to Apples, but a little more fun. Needless to say, I had a good collection of Boxers going (and even collected a few Briefs). What a great night! EXACTLY what I needed!!! Thanks new friends!!!

And finally, to the hope hinted in my blog title: Around the time I had received word that Roomie #2 would be moving in, I had posted an ad on an LDS website for a roommate. I got an email from a girl claiming she was interested, but I had to tell her no because I had already told this other girl I would let her move in. To make a long story short, after my shocking revelation yesterday I decided to email this girl again to see if she was still looking for a place. She emailed me this morning and is still interested! Yes! One lead!!!

So, I will post another ad on the website and then my other good friend Landi is going to post an ad or two at the Institute for me. I have such amazing new friends from the Branch! Can I just tell you how much this reveals to me that the church is true (not that I didn't already know that)?! Sad thing is, my current roomie is moving out because she hates the Branch. Personally, the Branch is an answer to prayer for me and I couldn't ask for anything better at this time in my life.

I guess I just have one last thing to ask any of you home owners/pest experts out there. What are these?

I have these dust straws/icicles/stalagtites (sp?) growing out of my ceiling and I can't quite figure out what they are and how to get rid of them (besides just pulling them off and hoping they don't grow back again). My mom thinks they are termites, but I am under the impression that termites don't get in the ceiling. I have only found them in areas that are subject to moisture; mostly in the bathrooms and then these ones in my bedroom (because my bathroom is open to my room and the moisture build-up from my hot showers often steams up my windows). Someone told me they could be dust mites...but I'm not too sure about that either. Anyway, if you have any idea, please let me know! They are gross!!!

{P.S. I am obsessed with this new Ne-Yo song...don't ask me why. And secondly, thank you all SO MUCH for your kind words yesterday. It means the world to me to know that so many people care. I love you all!!}

When it rains it pours

That statement means a lot these last few days. Mostly because we have been having some wicked weather and insane rainstorms here in AZ. But more importantly, that statement directly correlates with my life at this moment. I have tried really hard to keep this to myself (because I know co-workers and other friends read this) but I just have to get it out today. I am a wreck! As you know from a previous post, my roomie decided to move out. It was a big kick in the gut not just because it was unexpected, but because she and my other friend had planned this little thing behind my back. To put it plainly, I felt a bit betrayed. I have worked out a lot of those issues and feelings of resentment within myself and now am over it. Besides, I have some AMAZING new friends in the branch that really pulled together and found me a new roomie within a matter of days. LOVE THOSE GIRLS!!! I was completely looking forward to the new experiences a new roomie brings, and besides her rent was going to include utilities so that would help me financially. Then I got the news last Friday that "due to the economic situation" we would be asked to cut back on our hours at work. One girl got laid off (and I got the privilege of taking over her job) and I now have every Friday off (meaning one less day to get it all done). Sounds like a party right? NOT QUITE!! I could barely make ends meet with a roommate and a full time job. Now I have less hours and the few extra dollars the new roomie would be paying don't quite make up the money lost. So needless to say, that has been stressing me out a bit. But wait...it gets worse! This morning I arrived at work only to open my email and find a note from the girl who is supposed to be moving in on Monday. She has decided that she cannot move in and I am on my own to find a new roomie...AGAIN!!! At that moment the dam broke. I burst into tears and have been an emotional wreck ever since. And to top it all off, I just recently bought some new mascara and it is not waterproof! I LOOK LIKE A FREAK WITH BLACK STREAKS ALL OVER MY FACE AND NO MASCARA LEFT ON MY EYELASHES! Wow! What am I going to do? Trust that everything will work out and somehow my bills will all be paid minus 8 hours a week and no roommate compensation...because I faithfully pay my tithing? Trust that the Lord will see fit to bless me abundantly even though I am not deserving of any blessings? AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Like I said...when it rains it pours...

Quote

You see that quote right over there...underneath my smiling face?
That's how I feel today.

{just thought you might like to know}

Q&A iPod Style

The Rules:

1. Put your iPod (or iTunes) on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. You MUST write that song name down no matter how silly it sounds.

Here we go…
1. If someone says “are you ok?” you say? Never Had a Reason To
2. How would you describe yourself? Slipped Away
3. What do you like in a guy/girl? Shattered Glass
4. How do you feel today? Last Beautiful Girl
5. What is your life’s purpose? Lay All Your Love on Me
6. What is your motto? Heartless
7. What do your friends think of you? Bye Bye Bye
8. What do your parents think of you? Don’t Want You Back
9. What do you think about very often? Haunted
10. What is 2+2? My Life Would Suck Without You
11. What do you think of your best friend? If I Were a Boy
12. What is your life story? I Don’t Believe You
13. What do you want to be when you grow up? My Last Breath
14. What do you think when you see the person you like? Bootylicious
15. What will you dance to at your wedding? Disturbia
16. What will they play at your funeral? It’s Not Over
17. What is your hobby/interest? Just Another Name
18. What is your biggest fear? So What
19. What is your biggest secret? Whatever You Like
20. What do you want right now? It’s Gonna Be Me
21. What do you think of your friends? My Happy Ending

Oh my heavens! Some of those are classic and exactly the way I would have answered them. I guess you can tell a lot about someone by looking into their iPod. Who knew?

I particularly love #2 (really describes so much of my life right now), 3 (yep, I find myself attracted to men who are so far from perfect), 5 (no comment needed here), 7 (all of my friends are so far away, and the ones that are here are leaving me too), 8 (such a loaded answer…and so very true), 11 (just plain awkward…), 14 (mmmm…), 15 (I think many people will be disturbed when I finally get married), 16 (you can’t get rid of me!), and 21 (love them!). I promise…I did not set this up. I followed the rules exactly. YOU should give it a try…

Ahhhh!!!!

So, if you haven't heard already (how could you not?)...my Cards fell a bit short yesterday. But wasn't that game AMAZING?! I loved almost every minute of it...

Sometimes the best part of watching the Superbowl is surrounding yourself with fun people and eating lots of YUMMY food. I had the privilege of going to Ashlie and Katy's place for an overly exciting Superbowl party extravaganza! I made some salsa spread complete with baguettes and whipped cream cheese, but just couldn't resist purchasing these exciting themed goodies at the store as well:

I don't know about you, but cookies just taste better when there are footballs on them...don't you think??

This was me before the game:

Let me give you a little background into this picture. First of all, I am a football freak! I go crazy watching football games and really get into the whole thing. In fact, I bought the above gigantic chocolate chip cookie complete with frosting football on it just so I could get the overly huge football ring I am sportin' in this picture. Anywho, we had planned to have the Superbowl party, but unfortunately Ashlie had to work until 5ish (and the game started at 4:30). To make a long story short, Katy was picking Ashlie up from work and their roommie (who is definitely strange) was the only one at their house. So it was just me and this stranger. I sat in front of the tv...by myself...with freaky paint on my face and decided I would pass the time by taking pictures of myself while the roomie was in another room. I watched the first quarter by myself and tried to keep the screams to myself as well. It was a little awkward...but I am not complaining. Ashlie, Katy and another friend arrived when the 2nd quarter started and things really picked up from there. Good old Ashlie sported the face make-up too so I didn't look so crazy. Here is the fun football cheerin' crowd:

(l-r: Katy, Alice, Stacie, me, Ashlie)

I think it was the most fun watching Katy watch football. Apparently she has never watched a Superbowl before (are you crazy?). It was entertaining to hear her questions ("that's good right?") and to see her get so excited when the Cardinals were making their comeback at the end. We all got a little bit freaky with about 3 minutes left in the 4th quarter (for obvious reasons) and it really looked like our boys were going to prove almost every footbally critic wrong! Unfortunately, with 30 seconds left to go, the Steelers made some incredible plays and ripped the rug right out from under us! We were crushed:


Good job boys! You have made us Arizonans proud...even if you are #2:

Super Superbowl Sunday

We are SUPER excited for the Superbowl today

{Go Cardinals}

P.S. The above pictures are of me and my mom in our Cardinals attire, holding our awesome Cardinals football balloon and jumping for joy! My prediction (and the prediction of the psychic on tv) is that the Cardinals will win 38-20. Yeah baby!!