The Many Faces of The Polka Dot Princess

I got bored last night and had some fun with my camera... Can you tell?

So its Friday Ya'll! AND a three day weekend! Any fun plans? I am having a yard sale tomorrow, taking it easy on Sunday and on Monday spending it with the fam. I cant wait!

PS. My favorite pic is the last one in the middle row. My parents are so proud.

Fill in the Blank Friday

Happy Friday Ya'll! Hope you have a fun weekend planned. Thanks to The Little Things We Do blog, I have started doing this just for fun. :)

1. One of life's most simple pleasures is sharing ice cream on a Friday night with the one I love.
2. When someone is rude and lies to get what they want makes me want to punch someone.
3. I like my husband because, he is my prince charming .
4. Couch is a funny word.
5. If I had to choose one beauty product to use for the rest of eternity it would be moisturizer!
6. I'm happy that today is friday!
7. I would never go skydiving. Why? Where is the fun in that? No thank you.

Pet Peeve

Ok so I have alot of pet peeves but recently one has been constantly brought to my attention and gnawing on my insides, driving me nuts!


To explain, I consider myself to be a pretty funny gal. I enjoy making people smile, and I enjoy making people laugh even more. I'd say I have a dry sense of humor with a dash of sarcasm. (Ok, if you know me, its more than a dash but hey, its all good)

Anyway what drives me bonkers is when I say something I think is clever/whitty and/or funny and the other person asks me where I got my joke from; or "where did you hear that?" Or "what is that from?"

Why is it so hard for people to think that maybe what I said was true inspiration and not something I stole from a movie/tv show/joke book? Do I really come across as someone who has no sense of humor or doesnt know how to let loose?

Harrrumph.... :( This is my pouty face.


Here is an example:
A few weeks ago I was chattin it up with my cousin Kaity about life and how this pet peeve of mine has been such a constant companion of my the last few weeks. We chuckled at that and eventually we started about other things like how Gav and I are moving into my grandparents house while they go on a mission. We talked about how we went and visited them and got a grand tour of the house and was made aware of what we needed to do while living there. One thing was to keep the garden and yard looking spick and span. There is alot of pressure to make sure it looks nice and well kept because when we arrived there was a sign up in their yard from the City saying they won an award for yard of the month.
Oh you know, no pressure!
Gavin got up to get some more food and on his way out said something like... "Oh I'm not worried because Lauren is a great weeder." I scoffed as he walked away and turned to my cousin.
"Yeah right... I am not much of a gardener..."

{Insert pause while the punchline dawns on me}

"But then again.... I am a Gardner...."
Kaity started laughing and my aunt came over to see what was so funny. We recounted the story and she laughed as she turned to me and said,
"What is that from?"


Bah... Humbug.



:)

Confessions of a Mormon Housewife

 -Sometimes when I drop things like cheerios in the kitchen, I kick it under the table with my foot. What?
- If all the dishes in the sink wont fit in the dish washer, I let the rest of them soak in water and wait for the load to be done so I can switch it out instead of just washing the dishes by hand.
- I am guilty of forcing my husband to eat tv dinners instead of making something myself.
- Sometimes instead of actually dusting something, I just blow it real hard. (Or I dust it with a sock)
- I usually just vaccum around things like the couch, shelf, table.
- I am guilty of going grocery shopping and spending over $50 and coming home with nothing healthy at all.
- When I dont know where to put an article of clothing, it usually just ends up in the hamper.
- Sometimes I cant help but snooze off in Sunday school.

I'm done confessing, although I'm sure there are more. What are your dirty little secrets?

Stuff I LOVE

This is one of the coolest websites I've ever seen. It has great photo's and great ideas for unique outfits. I just love it!
Click here to see more.

laceandflora: a ridiculously large post of things i love (clipped to polyvore.com)

Matacolors (clipped to polyvore.com)

Alexis Bledel Picture #472444 - 454 x 762 - FanPix.Net (clipped to polyvore.com)

ᏣᏫᏕᎷᏐᏣ ᎠᏌᏕᎢ ☽❍☾ (clipped to polyvore.com)

Kate Hudson - Kate Hudson Photo (79586) - Fanpop (clipped to polyvore.com)

ImageBam - Fast, Free Image Hosting and Photo Sharing (clipped to polyvore.com)

imgfave images faved by masa whatever (clipped to polyvore.com)

Untitled (clipped to polyvore.com)

It's a j'aime thing (clipped to polyvore.com)

Icon by Erin. (: (clipped to polyvore.com)

soulcookie://nsfw - Rachel Hurd Wood via suicideblonde (clipped to polyvore.com)

Amazon.com: The Little Mermaid - Out of the Sea Disney Fine Art Artist... (clipped to polyvore.com)

Peligrrrojas (clipped to polyvore.com)

[ファッション誌] [VOGUE] [VOGUE NIPPON 2002年3月号] [Tinker Belle’s Forest]... (clipped to polyvore.com)

Little Girl in Dress (clipped to polyvore.com)

Koto Bolofo ‘TinkerBelle’s Forest’ Nippon Vogue (2002) Cherchez La... (clipped to polyvore.com)

Photography - Vogue Nippon March 2002 (clipped to polyvore.com)

Tattered Rose images (clipped to polyvore.com)

marchesa (clipped to polyvore.com)

mermaid Tumblr (clipped to polyvore.com)

Hannah Mermaid :: Photo Gallery (clipped to polyvore.com)

dress, design & decor: another secret garden... (clipped to polyvore.com)

The Cinderella Project (clipped to polyvore.com)

~ ~ Independent Fashion Label ~ B O N Z I E (clipped to polyvore.com)

audreyhepburncomplex.tumblr.com (clipped to polyvore.com)

fashion photography Tumblr (clipped to polyvore.com)

ELLE girl spent eating Danish version of the latest blockbuster -... (clipped to polyvore.com)

ELLE girl spent eating Danish version of the latest blockbuster -... (clipped to polyvore.com)

ELLE girl spent eating Danish version of the latest blockbuster -... (clipped to polyvore.com)

ru_glamour: Magazine: Vogue Nippon March 2002Editori (clipped to polyvore.com)

jula' - jula's favourite images : jula, Couples, Love, lovers... (clipped to polyvore.com)

<--- Give Credit" border="0" alt="The Secret Garden by byDecember <--- Give Credit" src="http://embed.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/x/tid/7986249.jpg" width="500" height="500" force="1" />

The Secret Garden by byDecember <--- Give Credit (clipped to polyvore.com)

Yeah Face Characters! (clipped to polyvore.com)

Cruel Fairytale... (clipped to polyvore.com)

Daughter of a Police Officer

As most of you know, (because most of you who read my blog are family members) my father is a police officer. Growing up, I always thought this was really really cool. Especially in elementary where you'd have arguments with other kids about who's dad can be up the other dad, my dad always won. :) I really appreciated it in high school when I'd get a speeding ticket and I'd be able to "sweet-talk" my way out of a ticket by asking the officer if they knew my dad. Of course there were times when I wished my dad could have followed another profession, ok this was only once and it wasnt even serious... The story is when Gav and I first started dating and he was coming over to pick me up. My dad took out his gun and started cleaning it seconds before Gavin was supposed to show up. (Ok ok, I actually thought this was REALLY funny.) Another time I appreciated my father being an officer was when Gavin asked him for permission to ask me to marry him. Being a cop, he has access to cool gizmo's and gagets and was able to bug the entire conversation of Gavin asking for my hand! (Of course I heard this AFTER Gav popped the question.) I thought it was pretty dang awesome. I love my dad so much. I feel like him and I have alot of similarities. We both love the same kind of humor, same kind of food. I love talking to him and sharing stories and jokes. It actually scares me ALOT knowing he is a police officer and is more at risk of getting hurt than us sitting at our desk jobs all day; I am especially more aware of how dangerous it is now that I am older. I am so glad he hasnt been seriously injured, or worse in his line of work. But there are some really great stories he has told us and I'd like to share one of my favorites with you now.



This story is told by my Dad:


Starski and Hutch by Rick Jones:

While working for a Major department store as security/loss prevention officer I was working with another officer and we were watching two young males in the men’s denim area. The suspects were gathering clothes and they appeared to be longing around to see if anyone was watching them. Both of us were dressed in plain clothes so we blended in with the store customers. We could get fairly close to them without them suspecting us as officers. We continued to watch them as they gathered more clothes and the nerves to make a get-a-way. The other officer and myself stayed a fair distance away from them so they would go ahead and walk out the store doors. The suspects kind of wondered around looking to see if anyone was looking or watching them. They started headed towards the store doors and we were closing the distance between them and us. I knew they were headed out the doors without paying for the items.
I need to mention that the store doors they were exiting was near the employee doors. (The door where all employees enter and exit out of)
The suspects quickly exited out the doors, trying not to draw attention to themselves. But my partner and I were almost blasting out the door a few seconds behind them. When they saw us coming out the doors they knew who we were and started running. They each went in a different direction from the other one so my partner and I split off chasing them. My partner’s suspect headed through the parked cars in the parking lot darting in and out of cars. My suspect took a more direct line of travel running parallel to row of cars.
I caught up to my suspect and like a professional hockey player I body checked the suspect into the side of a parked car. He bounced off the car and I grabbed a hold of him and spun him around in a circle and bounced him against another car. He fell to the asphalt with me on top of him. I gained control of him and put him in handcuffs.
I stood up and pulled the suspect to his feet. I could see that my partner had grabbed his suspect also. Then I noticed that a crowd of people had stopped to watch all the commotion. I made eye contact with an older distinguished, well dressed, man who stood in the middle of a group of other professional men. I recognized him immediately as the store owner. Not the store owner like someone who is the manager but the owner of the whole national chain of stores. He said nothing as we escorted the shoplifters back into the store.
Now I should mention that this national store has a very strict policy about apprehending or stopping suspected shop lifters. We had violated several of those policies in front of the store owner.
The store manager’s office is across the hall from the security office where we had the suspects in custody and the store owner and the group of professional men had sat down in the store manager’s office for a meeting. As I began to do the necessary paperwork before the police officer arrived the store manager poked his head in my office and asked that when I was done with the suspects to come over to his office because the store owner wanted to talk to me.
My mind was racing as I reviewed just how many policies I violated and how hard I had bounced that suspect off the car and ground, all in front of the store owner. I came to the conclusion that I was about to get fired. I finished the paperwork and the police officers had finished theirs and the suspects were taken and booked into the county jail. Now I had to face the store owner.
I knocked on the office door and the store manager let me in. Sitting behind the office desk was the sober faced store owner and several other men were silently seated around the office. The store owner motioned for me to have a seat in front of him. The store manger closed the office door. I sat down and thought here it comes. I could feel my face flushing and the sweat beading up on my head.
The store owner began. “In all the years that I’ve worked in the retail business, I have never seen anything like that before.” He paused. ‘When you came busting through those doors chasing those guys, it looked like I was watching Starski and Hutch* episode.”
“That was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen!” He smiled at me and he stood up and shook my hand. “Good job.”
The other men in the office started talking about the incident and they all shook my hand and patted me on the back. But all I wanted to do was to get out of there as quickly as possible with my job.
Later as the entourage left the store the store owner smiled and waved good-bye to me as I was still trying to keep my knees from shaking.

Isnt he something? :) I love my Pops. He is the greatest. I would LOVE to see him in action like that. When I was younger, I'd sometimes go to work with him, and it seemed like nothing exciting EVER happened when I was with him, but something cool ALWAYS happended when one of my siblings went with him, but never me. I will share those stories another time! :)

Haha! I love this picture!

The Boy Who Wouldnt Grow Up

Today, I would like to share a piece of my soul with you.

Growing up, I was always taught to not be afraid to take risks, to be creative and to try new things. I was taught that magic was real and that dreams come true and there really are happily ever afters. Every day was an adventure and each hour was filled with creations from my imagination.
My mother helped make every day special. She would tell me about fairies, lead me to the entrance of Narnia and would play wonderful, upbeat music. There wasnt a doubt in my mind whether things things were true, they just were.

Even now, I love the thought of enchantment and something bigger than life itself.
I'm sure you can guess, but one of my all time favorite stories was about the "Boy Who Wouldnt Grow Up."

The tale of Peter Pan is more than just a story out of a childrens book. It revisits a time in everyone's childhood when danger and adventure lured us into the possibilities of the imagination. It reminds us of when anything could be believed and make-believe was real.

I have watched just about every version of Peter Pan ever made, and it never gets old. One of my all time FAVORITE quotes was by the actor, Dustin Hoffman. He best decribes the story this way… “In Peter Pan there is a place called Never Land and if you ask people what the metaphor is, you will get different answers. One person might say that it is a journey to imagination, to creativity. Others might say it means you never die. Never Land is the place that exists, for all of us, in the wish part of our brains.”

My life can pretty much be summed up in that simple, little quote. I have strived to live my life with the mind set of "Neverland'. Of not trying to grow up so quickly, that it is okay to grow old and to be an adult, but also know the importance of maintaining those childlike qualities, and simply believe.

I delight in finding the beauties in life that are all around me; to capturing a little bit of that magic and share it with my loved ones and with the world.
As I have grown older (not "up" I refuse to "grow up") I have learned to channel the imagination I have into creating. I create events, I create costumes, I create songs, stories, scripts, scrapbooks, dances and photographs.

I have had a dream to do a photography company unlike any other. My goal is to bring people to Never Land. To let them experience the magic and the imagination that comes with it, no matter the age! Never Land isnt just a place. It is a state of being. I will provide a moment of Never Land for my friends and loved ones and I will capture it in a way that will never be forgotten and can be enjoyed everyday.

Never Land... Let me take to there.

Children (and myself) all around the world can be found with their windows wide open in hopes that Peter Pan will find them and carry them to that second star on the right….and well, you know the way.

Oh to live... To live…is the greatest adventure of them all.

Demo Reel Scenes

A few months ago, I put together a bunch of scenes to make a demo reel for my acting "career". This story ideas were put together by Gav, my mom, my dad and myself. The sound is kinda bad, and my horse was being naughty but we still had fun.

This scene was also made up to go along with the story of Day Zero (Another film I am involved in.) I got myself to bawl but its hard to tell because we didnt get too many close ups. And the sound isnt the best. But it was way fun and I want to thank everyone who helped: My mom, sisters, Gav, my dad, Brad Gashler and Brenden Whitney.

Let me know what you think!

My First Love

I will admit, I have had a love before Gavin… and that love is still going strong, only now, I have someone special to share it with. That love is for a special place, a place called, Disneyland.


To me, Disneyland is more than a place, it revisits a time in everyone's childhood when danger and adventure lured us into the possibilities of the imagination. It’s a place where you can be a kid at any age. A place were, just as Uncle Walt said; "Here age relives fond memories of the past." I believe nothing could be more true than those simple words. I know every time I go to the park I feel like I did the first time I visited. There's just a "MAGIC" that gets into your soul that you just can't explain. The place just makes you live for that moment and nothing else. It reminds us of when anything could be believed and make-believe was real. It is the romance of knowing that there is good in this world and that you want to share it with someone, even if it is just holding their hand across a moonlit bridge. It is the magic of promise for better days and the righting of wrongs. It dares you to imagine what life should be and encourages you to make it so. That is what I love about Disneyland. It is "MAGIC FOR THE SOUL"

Some of my fondest memories come from this magical kingdom. One journal entry I found about Disneyland is when we were really little and my grandma promised that when Taylor, the youngest grandchild at the time, turned eight, she would take us there. All six grandchildren were ecstatic for that day we would be able to run into the open arms of that friendly and welcoming mouse.
Well, that day finally came… and passed without any sign of the upcoming trip. Since then, three more grandchildren were born. When the subject was brought up with our grandma, she said that she would take us when Sammy, a newborn at the time, was old enough. The older kids were disappointed because it was likely that we could be married and possibly have our own kids by that time. It looked like our childhood dream of the happiest place on earth would never come true.
Christmas came, and my grandma gives all the kids identical wrapped packages and tells us to open them at the same time. Inside, was a pair of little Mickey Mouse sunglasses. All the older grandkids realized what they meant, while the younger kids were perfectly happy just playing with them.
WE WERE GOING TO DISNEYLAND IN APRIL!!! My grandma had been saving for years so we could go and get the deluxe treatment. We would be staying in the Disneyland Resort in a top suite for four days. It was the best present I have ever received.
Our first night, we went to Downtown Disney and had dinner with the whole family.
The next morning we woke up bright and early so we could get to the park right when it opened. But when we walked outside we were surprised to see that is was pouring! We weren’t going to let that dampen our spirits. We were going to enjoy ourselves nonetheless. So everyone threw on ponchos, and took off for the park.
Although none of the fun characters were out and about for autographs, we had so much fun! My two cousins my age went to the Disney store and tried on princess dresses and took silly pictures.
I cannot believe how much fun we had that whole week together. I love spending time with my family and I cannot wait until our next big trip.
I also cannot wait until I have opportunities to share those experiences with my own kids. It really is a happy place, but being with my family makes it, without a doubt, the “Happiest Place on Earth.”

Journal entry #2
It always seems like at every family vacation someone has to get sick and throw up. Why this happens, I have no idea. But it happens without fail.
My “favorite” time we had a mishap was yet another trip to Disneyland. My baby sister was maybe three or four years old, and it was her first time to that magical place.
The morning we were first going to the park, she woke up feeling sick. We thought she would be ok in a few hours so we kept getting ready. All of the sudden, she threw up all over the hotel floor. But that is not the worst part; my dad had seen it coming and tried to prevent it from getting all over the place, with his hands! That’s right; he dove and caught the majority of the sick in his hands! That alone, made me want to puke.
And of course, she felt better after that, so we headed out. We waited for a little while in line before we could get in, and right when we got through the gates, guess who blows chunks again!? Oh yes… And guess who caught it again?! Oh yes… But guess who got to take her into the bathroom and clean her up? That’s right, me. Eww. I do not even remember why my mom did not do it herself, is not that what mom’s are suppose to do? But no, I took her to clean her off like a good big sister.
I guess it just goes to show how hard it is to be a parent. I asked my dad why in the world he would feel the need to do something “heroic” like that. He said, that as a parent, you learn that it is easier to clean up vomit off your body than it does clothes, carpet or cement; eventually it becomes a reflex and you do not even notice it anymore.
I do not know if I will ever get to this level of extreme parenting with my future children, but I must say, it is quite impressive that he would have the “guts,” (pun intended) to do something like that.


Disney has helped me find my one true love. It was approximately two years ago and for my birthday, Gav and I traveled with Dixie State College to spend the day at Disneyland. We left on a Friday night and traveled on a bus ALL night long. Then on Saturday, we spent the day exploring and having fun. Then at midnight, we got back on the bus and traveled home all night long.

Gavin and I had the best time ever. We skipped down main street, we had our pictures taken, we shared yummy treats, we danced at the parade. We held hands and kissed by the castle. We even hunted for a piece of grass to take a quick nap. (The only place we could find was on the far end of Downtown Disney) It was one of the best days ever. It got even better as we were waiting for the fireworks to start. It was chilly, so we were wrapped in a blanket when a voice came over the intercom explaining that due to high winds, the firework show would be canceled. We were a little bummed, but it had been a long day, so we walked for a bit and found ourselves at the base of the castle, surrounded by streams and beds of roses. For a brief time the lines between my life and my dreams blur and become one. Gavin looked deep into my eyes and told me that he loved me. It was as if I had been picked up out of the daily routine and placed in my favorite movie, alongside dreamers, stars and champions. It couldn’t have been any better. I knew I loved him back and I knew we would spend the rest of our lives together.
I was at my castle, and I had found my prince.




Lauren's Top Things To Experience at Disneyland

Indiana Jones:
There is nothing that compares to the thrills of the Indiana Jones ride, and it begins before you even set foot on the ride! Just standing in the line is an adventure on its own. It is the first ride we run to when we enter the park. We grab our fast passes for later on during the day and make our way through the maze. One of my favorite memories of the ride was when my little cousin, Dylan, was trying to get onto the ride. He had been looking forward to this ride for months, and when we went to get in line, the ride operator stopped him, and said that he wasn’t tall enough. So we all got out of the line and tried to figure out what to do. Dylan was devastated. He was less than an inch away from being able to ride. Suddenly, my aunt had an idea and ran into the nearby bathroom. She came out holding two feminine hygiene pads. All the girls burst out laughing as she made him take off his shoes and stuck them in the souls.
“What are those?” Dylan asked.
“You do not want to know,” was the reply.
So we hopped back in line and asked the operator to check again. She gave us a suspicious look, but let him go anyway. Dylan LOVED it… Addie? Not so much.


Pirates of the Caribbean:
Another one of my all time favorite rides. This one, not so much for the “thrills” as for the atmosphere. I LOVE the way it feels down there and the way it smells. (Yes, the way it smells! It’s the smell of adventure!) Nothing beats the feeling of drifting by the Blue Bayou and seeing all the twinkling lights before you head off into a dark pirate battle. I have always had a love for pirates and have wanted to be one ever since I can remember and being on that little boat really makes me feel like one! (It will probably be as close as I will ever get to being one.:)
If I could, I would ride this ride over and over again. Oh, and I love Jack Sparrow. 

Tiki Juice Bar:
Best cool, tasty treat in the park! Enough said.

Haunted Mansion (Holiday)
During the halloween and christmas season, this ride is transformed into two rides at once! It combimes The Nightmare Before Christmas and the Haunted Mansion into one fun ride. The ride basically remains the same, but all the artwork and decorations are changed to involved more of Jack Skellington and his friends. My favorite part is when you go through the cemetery and its snowing! Awesome.


The Intimacy
Let me explain what I mean… I love how when you are at Disneyland, people just seem to treat everyone around them, kinder. There is a magic in the air that make you feel grateful you are all in this together. Everyone seems a bit more patient, a bit more caring and a bit more innocent at heart.


The History
I love the history and the meaning of Disneyland. If you have ever taken time to read the plaque before you rush off to your first ride (Indiana Jones) it says:

TO ALL WHO COME TO THIS HAPPY PLACE: WELCOME. DISNEYLAND IS YOUR LAND. HERE AGE RELIVES FOND MEMORIES OF THE PAST, AND HERE YOUTH MAY SAVOR THE CHALLENGE AND PROMISE OF THE FUTURE. DISNEYLAND IS DEDICATED TO THE IDEALS, THE DREAMS, AND THE HARD FACTS THAT HAVE CREATED AMERICA, WITH THE HOPE THAT IT WILL BE A SOURCE OF JOY AND INSPIRATION TO ALL THE WORLD

What a beautiful way to sum up what Disneyland is all about! Here you can be eight or 80 and still have the same experience. Some of these rides at Disneyland have been around for 50 years, but the fact that they never get old says a lot. Nothing like nostalgia.

Space Mountain:
I just believe that you should sit beside someone on a roller coaster. You need to be able to grab your honey when you are scared. (Sitting almost in his lap on Matterhorn is ok too. I know that’s why Gavin liked it.)


Paradise Pier:
Is in California Adventure but is such a fun and restful place. I love to sit there and people watch. I LOVE LOVE LOVE seeing little families with little kids and seeing that joy and excitement from being at the Happiest Place on Earth. I cannot WAIT to bring my children here! Paradise Pier is a tribute to what we longed for in our childhood; music, color, food, water, sun. It’s one of the things Disney does best; reading our minds and creating what our hearts saw.


Soaring Over California:
Who doesn’t LOVE this ride? Seriously? This ride is epic! This ride engulfs ALL of your senses. You can feel the wind in your hair and the smell of pine and orange trees as you glide over the entire state of California. Ah… I can smell the oranges now.


World of color:
Just recently, Disneyland has introduced a new show called World of Color and if you haven’t seen this yet, pack your bags and go NOW. Seriously. This show is one of the most mind blowing, enchanting shows you will ever see. The World of Color nighttime water spectacular weaves water, color, fire and light into a kaleidoscope of fantasy and imagination. More than 1,000 jets of water form incredible shapes in time to the music as Disney characters come to life on a shimmering veil of mist. Different clips include: Beauty and the Beast, Little Mermaid, Finding Nemo and Pirates of the Caribbean. Oh. My. Gosh. A-MAZING. It was so beautiful, I cried.



One of my ALL TIME FAVORITE quotes is by the actor, Dustin Hoffman; and he once said… “In Peter Pan there is a place called Never Land and if you ask people what the metaphor is, you will get different answers. One person might say that it is a journey to imagination, to creativity. Others might say it means you never die. Never Land is the place that exists, for all of us, in the wish part of our brains.”

I would have to agree with Mr. Hoffman, but I would also like to point out that Never Land really does exist for all of us. It IS real. It is known as the Happiest Place on Earth. It is a magical place called... Disneyland.

Country Tunes

I love music. There isn't much that I won't listen to, and there is nothing I love more than hearing new songs and new types of music. While I can't love everything I hear, I can at least appreciate most genres. However, I love country music. I know most people hate it, and I just can't understand why. I have always believed that you should at least try something before making a judgment. I'm sure every country music fan out there has found him or herself in a conversation with another person who makes the claim that he or she likes every kind of music there is-except for country. Why is this? What is wrong with country music? Could it be the fact that you can actually understand what the artist is trying to say? Or maybe because it's not about sex, drugs and filth, and it's good, clean, honest music you can listen to while your grandmother is in the room?

I like country music because it's about the things in life that really matter. It's about family, God, love, children and sacrifice.Unlike so many other music genres where you may not know the actual words to even your favorite songs, with country, the words and meaning are crystal clear.

Instead of taking political sides on issues like war, country music celebrates the men and women who go to fight for our freedom. Country music is also great because it talks about how wonderful kids are. Too often we hear about how awful kids can be these days, but this music honors children and shows that there are great kids out there who just need a little support and understanding. One of my favorite songs is called "Watching You" by Rodney Atkins. He sings: "I've been watching you dad, ain't that cool? I'm your buckaroo, I want to be like you, and eat all my food and grow as tall as you are. We like fixing things and holding mama's hand, yeah we're just alike, hey ain't we dad? I wanna do everything you do. So, I've been watching you."

This is an example of what really matters in life and how we shouldn't take anything for granted. It's real music, sung by real people, for real people-the people who make up the backbone of this country.Country music isn't all dead dogs and broken hearts. It's about the same things any other type of music is about, and some songs are just downright funny. Of course, not everyone will like country music, even if they really give it a try. I can respect that. However, unless you've really listened to the good stuff, you can't say you hate country music.

Irrational Fears

We all have heard about phobias like fear of darkness and fear of enclosed spaces, but a lot of people tend to be afraid of the strangest things. I have come to find that I am a wimp and am afraid of a lot of weird things. To prove that, I have made a list of things that "frighten" me.
10. I have an irrational fear of people who have had too much Botox. To me, they just look like expressionless mannequins with eyes that blink. Creepy.

9. Scorpions and earwigs, especially the alien earwigs that crawl in your ear and cause you to go insane, like on "The Twilight Zone."
8. Old cars with a burgundy interior. It makes me feel like I am driving in a coffin.
7. Rejection. In other words, if you don't like this piece, don't tell me.
6. Dirty antique shops. There is this one antique shop on the Boulevard where everything is breakable and piled up high. There is everything from old stuffed animals that look like they have been dragged by a car, to porcelain dolls with half of their faces missing. I feel like I will get lost and never find my way out.
5. That everyone in the world is an actor, and I am the big joke. I have a fear that my whole life is being taped and everyone is in on it. I find myself looking around for cameras; I haven't found any yet, but you never know when the host of "Candid Camera" might pop out and tell me to smile.
4. Undercooked chicken-enough said.
3. Aliens. The movie "E.T." has to be one of the scariest movies ever made. I really don't understand why everyone insists on making him a cuddly, friendly little creature. My parents made me go on the ride at Universal Studios, and I almost cried when he said my name at the end. Even this picture scares me...

2. Repetitive patterns. Very distinct lines and certain textures make my skin crawl. I have no idea why, but things like fish scales and sponges give me the heebie jeebies. I can't stand honeycomb shapes, raw beef tripe, burned milk on the bottom of a pan, pictures of cells, or any irregular shapes clustered together with contrasting colors (dirty snow with holes from sprinkled salt). I'm not even gonna post a pic for this one. UGH! My skin is CRAWLING just writing about it!!!
1. My No. 1 irrational fear is clowns. When I was young, I got really sick, and my parents rushed me to the hospital. I was in and out of consciousness all night, so when I was dreaming, I wasn't sure if I was asleep or awake. In one of my dreams, I was waiting for the doctor in the examination room. When the door opened, my doctor was a scary clown with crazy multi-colored hair, a red nose, sharp teeth and long, brown nails. That was enough to send any child into hysterics. Fortunately, the nightmares stopped with age, but every once in awhile I panic when I see a clown. (I put a picture of a nice looking clown as opposed to the really scary pics I found...) There are plenty of other bizarre phobias out there. According to http://www.bli-aloo.com/info/phobias.php, arachibutyrophobia is the fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth. Didaskaleinophobia is the fear of school (sometimes I suffer from this as well). Hippopotomonstrosesquippe-daliophobia is the fear of long words (that's ironic). Chlorophobia is the fear of the color green (St. Patrick's Day must be a doozy). Logophobia is the fear of words. (If you suffer from this, I applaud you for facing your fear and reading this article.)

Everyone fears something silly. It is nothing to be ashamed of. Of course, if you were to ask me to accompany you to the circus, I would most definitley say, "NO."

So what are some of YOUR "irrational fears?"

I Wont Grow Up

Summer is one of my favorite season. It means life, awakening, blue skies, green trees and plenty of sunshine. As a child it meant going to my grandmother's house, going swimming, frog catching, bike riding, long days and short nights.

I'd look forward to sitting under the trees of our backyard sanctuary, listening to the birds and basking in the sunlight. Maybe I'll bring out my laptop and write, inspired by the beauty. All the colors come out of their winter hibernation.

And as the colors come out of their hibernation, my skin sheds its winter white, too. My freckles darken and my cheeks glow rosy red. All right, all right, for those of you who know me, you know that I am pasty white all year round. Dang it.

But I find myself stopping at least 10 times a day to enjoy the bright newness popping up around us, whether it's feeling the air get cool as I run through a shaded green-treed trail to our creek or watching the sunset create magical sky-paintings.

When I was young, I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by happy music, good books and magic. I've chosen to root myself in these ideals. It may sound silly, but I'd rather emulate a Disney princess than just about anything. Belle, from Disney's "Beauty and the Beast," was always a favorite role model. She wasn't afraid to be different and extraordinary. And like her, I'd rather find treasures in a good book than channel surf through filth, rubbish, slime, muck and putrescence. I don't ever want to be content sitting in a thoughtless stupor and watching other people live my dreams.

I wasn't quite a girly girl. I loved to play in the mud and wrestle with my brother. I climbed trees and caught crawdads in the river. Once, we caught a pail of frogs and left them in the basement window well and they all escaped, or so my mom said.

My inner child was a pioneer, off to explore my world and to conquer. I was a cowgirl riding my stick horse, leading a red wagon train of kids and blankets and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and toy pistols and other Western paraphernalia around the neighborhood block.

So even though we are older, the inner child within each of us longs to be heard, to be embraced and followed. Our inner child is creative, innocent and holds the keys to our true desires, though over time our inner child is often told to sit, be still and listen. The keys that our inner child holds are then stuffed deep down into the pocket and forgotten.

One of my favorite stories growing up (and still is) was "Peter Pan."

In a behind-the-scenes clip on the "Finding Neverland" DVD, actor Dustin Hoffman said: "In Peter Pan, there is a place called Neverland, and if you ask people what the metaphor is, you will get different answers. One person might say it is a journey to imagination, to creativity, others may say, it means you never die. Neverland is the place that exists for all of us in the 'wish' part of our brains."

We should never forget our "inner child." We must always remember what it was like to not have a care in the world.

One of my all time favorite songs is called "Fireflies" by Faith Hill. She sings of times where she would catch frogs, call them princes and make herself a queen. She tells of how she'd sleep in castles and fall in love because she was taught to dream.

My favorite part of the whole song means a lot to me because it reminds me of myself. It says: "I found mayonnaise bottles and poked holes on top to capture Tinkerbell. They were just fireflies to the untrained eye, but I could always tell. I believe in fairytales and dreamers' dreams like bed sheet sails. And I believe in Peter Pan and miracles, and anything I can to get by. And fireflies."

So in the spirit of keeping "Neverland" alive, I plan on making this summer the greatest adventure of them all.

My Dream Job

Samantha Brown has my DREAM JOB! For those of you who dont watch the Travel channel, Samantha Brown has her very own show where she gets paid to travel to the most beautiful places in the world. I have always wanted to travel. What a shame it would be to live your entire life on this beautiful planet, and not get to see it? I wish I had money, just so I can see what this world has to offer.

I never liked sitting in history class, but I LOVE to hear stories about people and actually BE in the place people has been and feel their presence.

Some of the places I HAVE to go before I die are:

Italy

Something about Italy, specifically Portofino, Italy calls to me. My heart knows I would love it there and probably never want to go back. I just better make sure Gavin goes with me when I finally go there.

France

City of LOVE.

England

HISTORY! And its beautiufl... and their accents are awesome. And JK Rowling wrote Harry Potter there.... Yes!

Cancun

This is full of history and would be awesome to see. Oh, wait! I AM GOING!!!! See you in JUNE!

Atlantis Resort, Bahama's
This resort looks like an adventure. Located in the Bahama's, it is an amazing resort that has a waterslide that goes UNDERWATER... IN THE OCEAN... Wow. CRAZY COOL! (and kinda scary...)

Scotland

Scotland is such a magical place. And what history! My family has always talked about going to Scotland, since my grandma is from there. I love the accents and the stories.

New Zealand
This is the location of Middle Earth, need I say more? :)

Greece

What a beautiful place. It looks so peaceful and amazing just sitting there on the mountain side. Ah. Sigh... Beautiful.

This is my friend, KC. She got to hold a baby tiger. I had the chance to do that in Cabo San Lucas, but I thought it cost too much. Now I regret it SOOOOO BAD! I have always wanted to do that, and I had the chance but I let a measly $25 hold me back! The dress I ended up getting for my souvenir has sat in my closet for almost a year and I havent worn it once! NUTS! If I am ever given this opportunity again, I am taking it!

Isn't he cute? (KC is too. :)

These are just a few places I want to go. THERE ARE SOOOO MANY PLACES TO SEE! I encourage everyone to travel and see all they can see and do all they can do! Life is too short to miss all this beauty around us!