Better Know a Barlow

Burn baby burn

2011-03-23T21:57:00.004-04:00

You know that part in Mean Girls where Regina glues her own picture in the Burn Book and for a minute you are thinking, "No, she didn't..." but oh yes, she did. Follow me: after Sam puked on me in the hall upstairs (sorry Katie and kids) I ran downstairs to get my Toddler Spray cleaner. I sprayed and sprayed. I scrubbed and sprayed some more. Then I realized. Burn book! Except there was no book. But for sure burn. Burn in my carpet from BLEACH. You heard it sister. I sprayed bleach cleaner (which I scored for 37 cents, thanks Target coupons) all into my carpet. I will now be accepting donations for new carpet for my home. Help a sister out.

Wakko

2011-03-16T13:18:00.004-04:00

Sam likes to say "wee-hah" a lot and enjoys swinging straws around as well as his magnetic fishing pole which goes with one of his puzzles. I learned yesterday that when he says "wakko" while swinging items around in the air, he is really saying "lasso". Thanks Backyardigans for raising my son.

Blog, Send a Revival

2011-03-15T15:35:00.005-04:00

She's been around for 4 months...she deserves to be recognized. I give you baby Ellen.

Heebie Jeebies Part Deux

2010-10-15T04:27:00.004-04:00

Picture of Sam from summertime... he's much chubbier, taller, and has a big boy haircut now. I'm not good at taking pictures. Sorry kiddos.

Maybe baby girl is not coming yet because I have not posted in forever, nor have I posted about how excited I am about her arrival. We really do love you baby. Sam points to your bassinet and says "baby" and he is climbing into your bouncer and to the storage compartment underneath your bassinet which he inevitably gets stuck in and then says "stuck, stuck, stuck". Your dad does not think I have my "wits about me" anymore. Which is totally true. We have no name for you because we need to see your precious little face. Your dad is quite proud of his rap lyrics to this song which he hopes will result in total intimidation by his fellow Yahoo Fantasy Basketball cronies. But I promise he's not like this. Do you need me to eat more pumpkin chocolate chip cookies to get things going? I think yes... who cares that it is only 4:45 AM.

Sweet 16

2010-07-03T21:35:00.003-04:00

In honor of the Lakers' 16th championship my top 10 highlights from the playoffs (in no particular order except the Artest one is the best):

"Acknowledge me please!!!"

Where was this at the dunk contest?

Love the "aww shucks" look from Alvin Gentry

"Kobe passed me the ball!"

Dragic takes Paul Pierce lessons:

Fish

Love this because of the two cheap shots that epitomize the Celtics - Pierce tripping Gasol and Rondo pushing Kobe.

Kobe hustle.

Garnett airball from less than 1 foot

They sure do.

Do blogs make you barf?

2010-04-20T06:57:00.004-04:00

Here's the thing... part of my individual blog hiatus stems from the fact that as I idly peruse the lives of others via their blogs, I get a bit nauseous. I'm a bad person. Hope you don't blow chunks reading this post.

Sam making up phone conversations OR Five-O can't keep me down

2010-03-11T18:57:00.003-05:00

Got a message from my brother the other day saying we haven't had a new post for like 5 months or so. It's 60 degrees in early march in Michigan so I figure there's no better reason to post a video and tell a story.

Video (above).

Story:

I am driving to a meeting from one building to another this morning and have to drive down the main thoroughfare to get there. It's one of those streets that doesn't have many stoplights and for all intensive (purposely wrote that) purposes is a freeway but they make the speed limit 55 because it's still technically a street and you can't have a street with a speed limit of 75 (now that I think of it I think it's a highway - Blue Star Highway in fact... in fact again I looked it up on Wikipedia (the Google of online encyclopedias) and strangely enough it says "Much of US 31 from the Indiana-Michigan state line and Ludington is built to freeway standards. Two notable exceptions are a short segment between Napier Ave and I-94 near Benton Harbor..." (sic the hyperlinks - those are the links from the article and I'm not removing them) which I think is the area I reference above.).

That being said - just because the speed limit is 55 it doesn't mean anyone goes 55 (I can't drive 55 - just like that song says). So I am heading south on an apparently unimproved portion of the Blue Star highway when I see a white Dodge Charger (sidenote trivia: when did police cars change from the Ford Interceptor? Trick question, apparently they are being phased out in 2011 so they have likely not transitioned in all locales) with lights on top which, to me, is a dead giveaway for a police car. The police car was heading north and as I mentioned I was heading south so he quickly makes a U-turn (across a double yellow - Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?) and I slam on the gas.

Sike.

I just pull over like a sweater. So then the guy asks me. "What's the hurry?" What kind of response are they looking for here? I tell him I'm late for a meeting because it's the most true thing I could think of given such short notice. My intent was to communicate that 1) yes, I was in a hurry and 2) I work for the company that keeps much of this town running. Is that an uppity, white-privilege thing to say. Might be - but all I have on my mind is the escalating cost of my Michigan no-fault insurance and how that might affect my ability to go out to lunch when I want to. So then he says "the speed limit is 55 you know". I say "ok" - I've been pulled over enough times to know not to say "I know" which is an admission of guilt something I am not going to do while there is still hope for a warning.

MB: "how fast was I going?"
Copper but not The Fox and the Hound version: "How fast do you think you were going"

nice try Copper...

MB: "I don't know I was just driving"
Copper but not The Fox and the Hound version: "You we're going 68"
Copper but not The Fox and the Hound version: "What's your driving record like?"

This is a tough one because have I been pulled over a lot? Yes. To be honest I've gotten out of a ton of tickets so my driving record is...

MB: "Pretty good"

At this point the standard routine, the officer sits in his car while I stew.

Copper but not The Fox and the Hound version: "You need to slow down and pay attention."

Exeunt Copper.

So I tell that story to ask this. Are Berrien County's Finest that savvy? Are they really asking those questions to see if I will admit to speeding because they may or may not have gotten a reading on the pitching gun thing? I mean this guy was driving the opposite way at what better be less than 55 miles an hour. Does his car alert him when someone passes him going over the speed limit?

The mystery remains unsolved.

Barf.

2009-09-24T05:49:00.003-04:00

Last night my purse (wallet and cell phone included) was stolen out of my car while I was with the Young Women at the beach taking pictures for our YW in Excellence project. Barf. I need new everything now. Double barf.

Collage Tri

2009-09-17T21:34:00.002-04:00

Clark and Holly Visit the Chi

2009-09-17T20:47:00.003-04:00

5 AM BARLOW

2009-07-06T21:20:00.003-04:00

Three sixteenths

2009-06-19T07:00:00.011-04:00

Brooke and our cousins (this is actually my generation of cousins... that's right, I'm the oldest, dorkiest cousin, I wish I had all of these kids to play with when I was little). These kids sure love the water.

Grandpa Sheldon & The Baby Sam

Picture of TutuLady and TutuMan

Sam, me, and Kaulana

The larger Keala family

The Sheldon Keala Family

I was so lucky to be able to go to Hawaii with my mom and sister, Brooke, for TutuLady's funeral. She was a strong woman who loved working hard, serving others, quilting, her family, and wanted her children and grandchildren to get a good education. I'm grateful for the legacy she left for our family. It was a great time to reconnect with family I've not seen in many years. Also fantastic:Guri Guri Ice Cream at the Maui Mall, Da Kitchen, meals at Auntie Flo's house, volunteering with Camp Imua, Fukushima Hot Dogs from the Fukushima Store (Kaulana & Keola's recommendation), Komoda Bakery (thanks Kaualana for learnin' us about the stick donuts), Roundtable Pizza, cousins, cousins loving Sam, and Polo Beach. LOVED IT! Not sure if you know this, but my son is W-H-I-T-E. My three-sixteenths Hawaiian has had no effect on my son's ability to tolerate sun. Boo.

The Word by Sam

2009-06-04T16:23:00.007-04:00

We asked Sam his thoughts about the Orlando Magic being way overrated. This was his response.

Orlando

2009-06-04T10:52:00.014-04:00

We were lucky enough to be invited back to Orlando for a stay at the Cypress Harbor thanks to our great friends, the Sadlers, over Memorial Day weekend. Two new baby boy additions this year made the trip a bit slower paced, but just as enjoyable. We loved relaxing poolside, going to Downtown Disney and Universal's City Walk, and enjoyed eating. Michelle and I pulled a classic move at Margaritaville and ordered Dessert with a house salad on the side. Gotta love healthy dinners. We loved spending time with baby Zach, he is the most adorable baby. Chris and Michelle purchased these awesome baby floats with canopies for the baby boys. Sam loved it so much he fell asleep in it in the water his first go. I can't wait to get him in swim lessons. Thanks again Sadlers! Next trip for Sam and I is Hawaii.

Zach reminding Sam that he could take him any day.

Chris, Michelle, and Zach

Forcing my son to love the water as much as I do.

Matt drinking his "drinking chocolate"

The boys waiting for the rain to stop.

Michelle reading to the boys.

Sam eating his favorite food--his fingers.

Downtown Disney waiting for our Ghirradelli ice cream sundaes.

Zach has the sweetest smile ever.

Rollin' with the homies

2009-05-19T13:32:00.004-04:00

Sam, I thought the poop all over your clothes was my Tuesday surprise, but nope that was just a teaser. You actually rolled over, and not in the urban dictionary sort of way. You can take your developmental milestone and go to your room. You've got a lot of nerve growing up.

Collision Course

2009-05-17T21:40:00.003-04:00

Utah... check.
Houston... check.
Denver...

Take the Wheel or Take Some Responsibility?

2009-05-07T22:37:00.002-04:00

"I make poor decisions" -Carrie

I'm out in the front yard raking the clippings from the first mowing of the season and have the iPod on shuffle. I end up listening to a number of songs that I would normally skip, partly because I'm just really caught up in the raking but also because it's an iPod touch (not to say look how cool I am because of my iPod touch - but if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck... I think you get the idea) and you have to slide your finger across it, then touch the "now playing" button, and then skip to the next song. So not a huge hassle but enough of a bother to convince me to just listen to whatever is playing.

The song that found its way to my ears this evening was "Jesus take the wheel" by Carrie Underwood. I call your attention to the first verse (emphasis added):

She was driving last Friday on her way to Cincinnati
On a snow white Christmas Eve
Going home to see her Mama and her Daddy
With the baby in the backseat

Fifty miles to go and she was running low
On faith and gasoline
It'd been a long hard year

She had a lot on her mind and she didn't pay attention
She was going way too fast
Before she knew it she was spinning
On a thin black sheet of glass

She saw both their lives flash before her eyes
She didn't even have time to cry
She was so scared
She threw her hands up in the air

Jesus, take the wheel
Take it from my hands
Cause I can't do this on my own

I'm letting go
So give me one more chance
To save me from this road I'm on
Jesus, take the wheel

Now I don't mean this as a knock on female drivers in general, but just this driver in particular. Are you serious? You start spinning out and what do you do? THROW YOUR HANDS UP IN THE AIR? Are you kidding me? How about you think back to your driver's training course - I don't care how long or hard of a year it's been. You have a baby in the back seat for crying out loud. Take some responsibility. I understand it's a scary situation but you know what's going to make it worse? Taking your hands off the wheel.

Can you imagine if that pilot who landed the plane in the Hudson river (Scully? Or is that a X-Files caracter?) just threw his hands up like that? The scene on the major news networks would have looked a lot different that's for sure. You can't just panic and throw your hands up in those situations, that's all I'm saying.

"Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?"

2009-04-27T09:19:00.001-04:00

Anyone else catch 30 Rock last week?

How far is too far?

2009-04-27T09:15:00.000-04:00

Just in case you are still hungry for more cheesy blog posts of our son, we thought we'd hit you with another. This week in our Lakers excitement, we did this to our son. Yes, that is a do-rag on his head with his matching "I Drool Purple and Gold" onesie (thanks Aunt Kristine and Girls). Someday our blog posts will be about something else other than Sam but 'tis not this day.

One "W" Down

2009-04-20T17:10:00.004-04:00

This is how the boys spent their Sunday afternoon.

It's Kobe's old number, don't hate. Matt's mom and I found this jersey at the American Way (a thrift store in Burbank). Annell has good luck at thrift stores.

Show me that smile

2009-04-10T13:11:00.001-04:00

Live Blog

2009-04-06T21:40:00.004-04:00

I thought I would do a live blog since I would be sitting in front of my computer as I watched the Michigan State – North Carolina game tonight. Here’s as far as I got:

Pre-game: Is UNC the new Duke? It used to be that everyone would root against Duke because they had the best players every year and their coach was in those commercials saying “I want you to develop as a basketball player and I want you to develop as a human being…” But recently Duke has had some off years and now UNC has the kind of unlikable guy that Duke used to get (by the way - what kind of college basketball player has his own fansite and goes by the nickname "Psycho T"? If you're going to go by the name "Psycho T" you cannot own any t-shirts with sleeves and they must all say something like "2nd place is the first loser" or "It ain't braggin if you can back it up". I'm not sure which nickname is worse - Psycho T or Matty Ice). (Wait I have another in-parentheses comment - if you really like Tyler Hansbrough is it called a Tyler Hansbroughmance? I googled that and I am apparently the second person to use that term but the first to use it unhyphenated)

Psycho T and Friends

That was the only entry I got in my live blog - by the time I looked up from the computer MSU was down 30 or something. No one wants to read a live blog when even Magic Johnson is probably leaving at halftime to beat the traffic. I may watch the whole game though just to see how many times GM can tell me that they are reinventing the company. Maybe that will convince me to buy a Pontiac.

"What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers."

2009-03-27T09:39:00.002-04:00

"You've got it, and I don't even know what it is, but you've got it"

2009-03-21T21:45:00.004-04:00

Bonafide

2009-03-03T18:55:00.002-05:00

"Sam meets Grandma Great & Auntie Shauna" or "Sam before his skin met seborrheic dermatitis & eczema"

2009-02-21T12:30:00.011-05:00

Grandma Great, G-Pa, me & Sam

Grandma Great (my Grandma MaryAnne) and Auntie Shauna came to visit last weekend. We celebrated Shauna and Lindsay's birthday and enjoyed Lindsay opening up her world to all of us... the world of criminal justice. A post is soon to follow just dedicated to Lindsay's criminal justice "career". Get excited. On the skin front, I'm sad to admit that Sam comes from two parents with bad skin. So much so, that Matt sent this text to Sam's G-Pa Gary:

"Sam said his first words, "Thanks for the seborrheic dermatitis grandpa!"

Sam & Auntie Shauna

Doing what we do best--chilaxin in the basement, drinking sodas and eating Haribo gummy bears

Sam & Auntie Brooke

Samn it

2009-02-04T15:21:00.006-05:00

Samn it:
def. An interjection used as an expletive to express frustration when your son projectile poops all over you and your most comfy chair you inherited from the Ferderbers. This interjection is most commonly used in place of d*@! it.

So my mom went through a "no fake swearing" phase when I was in high school. She said if we were going to fake swear, we should just say the real thing (which of course was a trick, because surely we would get in trouble for real swearing). However, I've decided that when your son projectile poops all over you and the couch when you are wiping up his last fecal mess it's okay to fake swear even if that fake swear word involves a play on your son's name. In my defense, Matt was the one who thought of this expletive while we were in the hospital with Sam.

To answer your potential question: yes. Yes, Sam's poop made it from the ottoman onto the chair. You've out done yourself Sam.

It's all about the pottyman, baby

2009-01-31T17:34:00.002-05:00

A day does not go by that Sam does not pee whilst having his diaper changed. He has probably urinated on the ottoman about a dozen times and he is only eight days old. So, I give you the new Barlow word of the day: pottyman. In regards to Sam's urinating at inopportune moments, Matt takes the "aim approach" and just directs the pee away from himself, even if that means his poor son pees in his own little baby eye. Grandma took the cover-it-up approach, and threw kleenex over Sam's flowing stream. I often block his pee with my own hand, with the exception of last night when Sam peed all over our bedroom wall. The boy's got aim.

Sam

2009-01-24T20:01:00.002-05:00

Seriously this is what it's come to...

2009-01-21T11:34:00.002-05:00

I know it's more socially acceptable in the Mormon culture to talk about how "crazy busy" we are, how we just don't seem to have a moment of down time, and how we can't possibly get everything done that we need to in a given day. Such busy people earn respect and are praised with things like, "Wow, I don't know how she manages to do it all." Our worth equals what's on our "to-do" list. Be honest, that's how it is.

But anyway, I'm casting away all pride and declaring to you out there in blogosphere that I'm not busy. In fact, I have time to read, go to the gym, watch movies, catch the "Bonnie Hunt Show" everyday, prepare Young Women lessons way before I actually have to teach them, and write seemingly pointless blog posts such as this. Add in some good chocolate donut holes, Arrested Development Episodes, re-watching FNL on my DVR, checking CDs out from the library and you can color me unproductive and self-indulgent.

I'd like to meet you baby, so anytime you feel ready, come on out.

Heebie Jeebies

2009-01-15T16:21:00.013-05:00

12 days. I'm really trying to practice my mindfulness skills of being "in the moment". Not going to lie, I stink at being mindful. I wake up all throughout the night and its that same feeling like you got the night before Christmas when you were little (okay I still get that same feeling even now) and you're just so excited. I think I've blocked out the painful part that I hear happens before you get to actually hold your baby.

Anyway, here's what's been going on.

I look like this (do not talk about the double chin or make any comparisons to me being the size of any edifice):
I'm grateful for him:
Especially when he:
Not so grateful for:
Or for:
Who sent me this e-mail:

"Ohhh, it looks really cold there. It is 80 here."
(No offense Dennis Barlow, you know how highly I think of you.)

Excited about Matt naming:
As "The Ancle" (you know, the aunt/uncle).

I've spent some good time watching this:

I'm craving this:
And proud of organizing this (yes this is the basement "organized"):

12 days!!!

16 days...

2009-01-11T20:42:00.005-05:00

I've been quite blessed by great friends in Ann Arbor, Stevensville, and Grand Rapids who have thrown amazing, over-the-top, baby showers for me. I am so grateful for such great friends. Our friend Jeannie prepared the following "non-game" at my shower in Grand Rapids and asked questions to Matt ahead of time, asked me the questions at the shower, and then read Matt's responses to the following questions. Thought I would share with all of you. I was not prepared for the last response which made me cry my hormonal pregnant eyes out. Thanks M. Davis.

Just a few questions for the new Dad...
1. Are you planning to help with the late night feedings?
No. I lack the biological equipment to be of much help.

2. Why do you think that (on average) it takes boys longer to potty train than girls?
Yes. Boys have to learn both sitting and standing, girls only have to learn to sit and complain that someone left the seat up.

3. What extra curricular activities would you encourage or discourage your son to participate in? Encourage - sports (specifically soccer and tennis but would also allow swimming). Discourage - any medieval fantasy-based clubs or organizations including but not limited to renaissance fairs.

4. Do plan to teach him how to throw a punch?
No. Boys are born with that knowledge.

5. If he asks for a Barbie, would you get him one?
Not unless Callaway comes out with a driver called "Barbie".

6. What sort of male bonding activities do you envision for the future with your son?
I will coach his little league teams (providing opportunities for the strategies discussed below) and home improvement projects such as finishing the basement.

7. Do you subscribe to the “suck it up” approach many fathers take with their sons?
Absolutely I do. But my variation is the "walk it off" strategy.

8. Male cheerleading…yeah or nay?
Give me an "N", give me an "A", give me a "Y"

9. Do you see yourself allowing him to do extreme sports?
I'm going to guess based on his parents that he will have no desire to do extreme sports. Maybe guitar hero on expert will be as extreme as it will get.

10. If your sixteen year old son was dating a nineteen year old girl, would you be cool with that?
I guess - it depends on the girl. I mean she could have been held back a year and the boy could have skipped a grade so theoretically they could be in high school together. But in general I don't think I would be cool with it - I mean it's kind of weird, I would think she was off some how, I mean why would she show interest in a sixteen year old kid no matter how muscular and good looking he and/or his father are? Did this happen to someone at the shower? No offense to anyone, I'm just saying,

11. What will be his curfew?
For the first few years I assume he'll just have to be home when we are, once he starts walking I would say midnight.

12. What are some challenges you foresee raising a son?
The talk. I don't look forward to that - I'm hoping there's a class of some sort that I can just put him through. Also the circumcision - I feel apologetic just thinking about it.

13. What are you dreading?
The Biography of Wallace Stegner and From Beirut to Jerusalem. Oh dreading... some of the stuff above but also I dread junior high and high school - in two ways; one that he might not fit in or be on the outside looking in socially; or two that he might be the kind of kid that makes other kids feel that way. Does that make sense.

14. What are you looking forward to?
Honestly, this may sound weird but I've always looked forward to the stage when the boy can stand and I can push his head back and forth. Also looking forward to the age when the boy is old enough to start posing a real challenge in athletic activities. Also when he starts talking and says funny things that I can then tell people even if they get sick of hearing it. Also when he is born and grips my finger. And when he is little and is wrapped up in a towel after taking a bath.

A Whiskey Tango Christmas

2008-12-28T21:44:00.006-05:00

Matt looked oh so charming in his Grandpa Barlow's jumpsuit and his hand-crafted Christmas sweater on Christmas eve. Luckily for me, the attractive Christmas turtleneck he made for me for Christmas '07 still "fit". Please note Matt's mustache. On Christmas morning Santa shaved off Matt's mustache for me--a true Christmas miracle. Happy New Year everyone!

Oh the weather outside is frightful

2008-12-21T22:41:00.002-05:00

Sure there is a Blizzard Warning, we are shut-in at my parents' house, church was cancelled, with the wind chill it's well below zero... No. That's not going to stop my dad from putting food in his bird feeder no matter if he's dressed or not. Merry Christmas nature.

If I could turn back time

2008-12-13T15:17:00.005-05:00

While waiting to board my airplane from Burbank to Chicago, Matt noticedMitch Richmond getting on my flight (Matt flew on a separate flight his work booked for him). For those of you who do not know, Mitch Richmond is a basketball player who played for the Washington Wizards, the Sacramento Kings and the Golden State Warriors. He ended his career as a bench player on the LA Lakers back in 2002 and is now a scout for the Golden State Warriors. Before take-off, I received a text from Matt begging me to do him a solid and take a picture with Mitch. I noticed Mitch Richmond chatting it up with some chick a few rows ahead of me and I told myself in my mind repeatedly that I would talk to Mitch and ask if he would take a picture with me when we landed in Las Vegas.

It is important that I give you a brief history of my shyness. When I was younger, I was painfully shy; so shy that my parents consulted with my pediatrician about my refusal to talk to strangers and even some non-strangers. Then something turned for me. At the age of six my dad brought me along to a youth dance for our church he was chaperoning. I don’t think he realized the hours I spent watching Kids Incorporated and the Mickey Mouse Club on the Disney Channel, let alone my VHS tape of an NKOTB concert that I watched faithfully as any true Jordan fan would. I firmly believe this self-directed media training prepared me for the moment when I shed my timorous personality and started dancing my heart out during the competition portion of the dance. My “Running Man” and “Roger Rabbit” must have had a lasting effect on the judges who of course crowned me victor of the competition and winner of a prized gumball machine. Personality break through number one. Throughout my adolescent development, I transformed from a shy little woman, to a slightly pluckier individual. I ran for Class President of Jack London Elementary—“Stop, look and listen, vote for Kristen” turned out to be a successful campaign slogan, as did the Black Diamond Middle School Presidential Campaign: “It’s not an impossible mission, vote for Kristen”.

You would think this metamorphosis of character would prepare me, now a 25-year old individual, to introduce myself to a stranger of Mitch Richmond caliber. This brings us back to the tragedy.

I get off the plane and Mitch is walking rather fast towards the restroom. I wait outside the restroom. I continue the positive, self-assuring talk, until Mitch comes out of the restroom and continues to walk rapidly away from me. I thought to myself, “time is slipping before me…I’ll never get this moment back…I don’t want to disappoint M. Davis...” My Local sandals and “secret fit belly” maternity pants did not move one bit. There I stood in a pool of timid regret. 21 years after the dance competition, I remorsefully return as the little girl in need of an ego-strength intervention.

I sure hope the boy has more chutzpa than his mama.

Matt Barlow, Male Model

2008-11-25T18:01:00.008-05:00

"You want to see the real world of male modeling, the one they don't show you in magazines and the E! Channel?" Derek Zoolander in Zoolander.

So it's official. The world of show business (or simply "the business" to those of us in "the business") has come knocking on my door once again. I don't know if I am ready for all the paparazzi again (I spell it out for the readers' sake but I typically just call them "paps" or "the 'azzi" depending on how Italian I'm feeling) but who was I kidding? You don't co-star with the likes of Elijah Wood (of Radio Flyer fame), Tea Loni (interestingly enough, married to David Duchovny, of X-Files and more appropriately, Zoolander fame), and Morgan Freeman (of narrating countless movies fame) and hope to live a life outside of the spotlight. I mean, had I not starred in one of the most popular lifeguard-themed beach dramas (and I don't mean Saved By The Bell Malibu Sands episodes) ever produced, I could understand being able to live my life as I please at my desk job, each day changing the world in my own little way.

But no - no sooner do I begin to get comfortable in my mild-mannered job does the glitz and glamour of Hollywood come calling again. And by Hollywood I mean my co-worker Emily, who despite my short time with the company, has likely heard rumblings of my past experience and asked me to be a hand and torso model for her soon-to-be-released, blockbuster food processor packaging. Luckily, my previous roles likewise did not require verbal speaking. But as we know, 90 percent of communication is non-verbal so I will take after the yellow pages and let my fingers do the talking.

I know everyone is concerned with how I will be able to continue my job with the constant media scrutiny. I understand your concern but luckily winter is upon us so I'll be able to wear gloves a lot of the time so as to not be recognized.

AT&T may be the man, but the man is not the new president

2008-11-05T08:01:00.011-05:00

Since my Internet service will be willingly disconnected today due to my total disgust with AT&T, I thought I would quickly show you pictures of some recent events.

1. Visit from Michelle & Zach. Highlights: playing with Zach, spilling a tray full of Culver's garbage on Michelle's head at the restaurant (typical Kristen fashion), relaxing and hanging out with Michelle.
2. Visit to Provo to see my darling sister, Shauna. Highlights: L&L Kalua Pig (even though it did not taste as good as my mom's), Daily Universe crossword puzzle, Coldstone (new favorite combo: Gotta Love It size half chocolate cake batter ice cream, half marshmallow ice cream, with chocolate sauce...thanks to Grandma P for the gift certificate), Shauna: the wittiness and the sass!

3. Spending time with the Barlows in Utah. Highlights: Meeting Clark & Holly's little Abigail; talking politics; eating yummy food; visiting with Matt's parents, Jacob, Clark & Holly, McKay& Julie + the boys, Matt's Grandma, aunts & uncles, and cousins; Abigail's baby blessing.

Nature, Goulet

2008-10-21T11:33:00.009-04:00

So this post has absolutely nothing to do with Will Ferrell, but its all I had in terms of post title. Anyway, gorgeous morning. Here's the photos I took on my phone. As you ponder the beauty of nature also ponder the physical accomplishment of walking 7 miles without stopping to use the restroom... no easy task for me these days.

Buddy Walk

2008-10-12T20:56:00.017-04:00

Molly & Layla, Mom, and Me (and my additional 20 lbs of pregnant glory); Mom & Lindsay

We had a fun time at the Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan's Buddy Walk yesterday. Lindsay was quite excited given her recent interview on 97-LAV, and while waiting in line to get our t-shirts she told someone behind us, "I'm famous," and proceeded to explain her radio interview (which we heard several times on the radio on Friday). Our friends Molly & Jeremy and their two little girls joined us in the walk, as did Lindsay's fantastic and amazing aid from high school, Bonnie. Lindsay ditched us on the walk and opted to go to the front of the pack to hold the Down Syndrome Association sign along with some of her buddies. The weather was fantastic... I'm so dreading the winter.

Lindsay & my dad on LAV:

WLAV-Tony & Lindsa...

The Lou on LAV

2008-10-08T08:57:00.004-04:00

Lindsay at Citadel's office in Grand Rapids

In support of the Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan's Buddy Walk on Saturday in Grand Rapids, disc jockey Tony Gates of the Grand Rapids Classic Rock radio station 97-LAV FM, interviewed Lindsay on Monday. We are all quite excited to hear the interview. Lindsay, of course, was the most excited. I'm not sure if you have heard of her infamous "band project" (Lindsay does lead vocals and reportedly plays the bass guitar). But any aspiring music artist would appreciate an interview with a classic rock radio station, right? My dad reports that on the way down to the station she told me dad, "This is big." By the way, Lindsay was Employee of the Month at the Grand Rapids Culver's. Way to go Lou, we're all so proud of you.

Ghost Town

2008-10-08T08:26:00.002-04:00

Matt and I love this movie. So much so that we've seen it twice...in the movie theater. Big spenders, I know. Ricky Gervais is hilarious and this movie made me laugh until I cried and then also made me cry. For the swear-word sensitive, there are two inappropriate "f" words (as opposed to the appropriate "f" words like "fun" or "family" or "friends").

After watching this movie, we are also prompted to check out this video. Enjoy.

Gender Identity

2008-09-16T16:37:00.003-04:00

So rather than post pictures of our ultrasound and let all of our blog readers (yes, both of you) try to guess the gender of our child, here is a video from a classic 80's song that should be enough of a clue:

Interestingly enough, upon watching the clip I realized (87% positive) that the boy at the beginning who was forced to wear a dunce cap is the very same actor who went on to have a supporting role in the film Newsies with such Hollywood mainstays as Batman and Doogie Howser’s friend from the show of the same name.

That being said, it has not gone unnoticed that in announcing our unborn child as a boy I have made two very non-masculine references: Let’s Hear it for the Boy and Newsies (three if you count Footloose, the movie soundtrack from which Let’s Hear it for the Boy was taken). So, to keep it fair and balanced – Fox News style, here are some things that our child will be interested in.

Optimus Prime Voice Changer Mask

Nintendo Power Glove

Building Sketchy, Somewhat Dangerous Forts

Rocky III, More Specifically the Clubber Lang Fights

Building (Or Having His Father Build For Him) Iron Man Out of Legos

Rebember, to rebber in do yer hahr

2008-09-02T21:25:00.003-04:00

Kristen's sisters introduced us to this video over the weekend...

La Misma Luna

2008-08-17T21:32:00.004-04:00

A bit too convenient, sappy and fantastic? I'll take it.

It should be no surprise that I'm a sucker for movies which highlight the realities of privilege, power, oppression, and social justice in the United States and abroad. I love this summation of the movie's major strength: "It puts a real human face -- many human faces, in fact -- on a problem that many politicians would prefer to portray with a racist caricature."

La Misma Luna is about a boy Carlitos, who lives with his grandmother in Mexico while his mother works two jobs in Los Angeles in order to send money home. After Carlitos' grandmother passes away, he makes the trek to the United States without informing his mother. The movie tracks his journey to find her. I cried throughout the whole entire thing. Whatever your political views on how the United States should respond to illegal immigration, this movie can make you feel a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunities we enjoy as citizens of the United States.

In the movie there is a song called Superman is an Illegal. Here are the lyrics (in English):
He arrived by air, but not in an airplane
He came in his ship all the way from Krypton
and it appears that he is not an American.
Rather, he is just like me, undocumented.

So you see, Border Patrol, he shouldn't work
because even though it hurts, Superman is an illegal alien.
He's a journalist, well so am I
and he didn't go into the Army, oh what a deal.

And he is blonde, blue-eyed, and well-built
and I'm dark, chubby, and very short.
But at least I have already marched (in the military)
with the smuggler I had to pay when I crossed (the border).

He didn't comply with military service,
he doesn't pay taxes and he acts like a judge.
He doesn't have a green card nor a license to fly,
and I bet he doesn't even have a social security card.

We have to deport Superman from this region
and if possible return him to Krypton.
Where are the immigration authorities when you need them?
What's new, Mr. Racism, in the nation?

Thus ends my political vomit-blog for the month of August. Peace.

I'm not like all those other aunts, I'm a cool aunt

2008-08-14T07:05:00.011-04:00

Matt flaunting his victory in my face

I admit I have a strong desire to be the fun aunt in the Barlow family. This stems from watching our family friends, the Hanlons, aunt Mora whilst accompanying them on their summer vacation in 2003. She comes prepared with all these cool ideas and games for the kids and they seem to all love her. Being an aunt is great--you get to have fun with people's children until they are poopy or are in need of discipline and then you just do the classic aunt play: the hand-off. This move must be executed properly or you risk fumbling the ball, so to speak, and may also lose control of the game: you may appear that you just want to make the parents' life easier by changing said poopy diapers. This is not what you want. I'm happy to report that I changed 0 diapers during the visits of the Greg & Heidi Rose and Adam & Kandis Barlow families.

We really enjoyed visiting with Matt's parents and the Rose family a few weeks ago. Heidi and Greg's son, Jackson, is quite the cute, fun kid. Jackson is master of stealing food from other people's plates. Really, singing a made-up song which goes like this: "I want some... I want some..." is a clever decoy to distract eating adults before you steal their food. I fear Matt beat me in the fun aunt/uncle department with Jackson. I should have thought of a toddler's fascination with Internet animal sounds. Don't worry, my quest to be an all-star aunt didn't end there. We still have to report on Adam & Kandis' visit with their kids Kenedee and Lincoln. I think I beat Matt in the Kenedee game. So let's review the scores: Matt-1, Kristen-1. And the game continues...

Working on our Chi-ness

2008-08-03T14:08:00.011-04:00

The Sadlers, Elders, Quinns, and Us

Matt and I were just a bit excited for a great weekend with friends in Chicago. I am mostly saying "excited" because two weeks prior to the trip Matt made me mail everyone a 14-page document entitled "First Annual Windy City Weekend" to our friends including a welcome letter, facts about Chicago and Wrigley Field, and their assigned baseball players to research.

Some highlights, briefly:
- "Social networking".

All the young dudes

- Matt's industrial-strength waffles.

- Jamba Juice regret: No sooner had we arrived in the Chi, parked and purchased sunscreen did I notice one of many Jamba Juices seen that day. I did not purchase a single Jamba Juice—my sister Brooke and Meredith cousins would be so ashamed.

- Wrigley Field and ballpark shade: Sure, we may have been in the worst seats in the house but it was nice and cool and you could enjoy an incredible view of Chicago. Read about why we white people like Wrigley so much here.

- Despite others' conjectures our post-game wait in line at the 7-11 was tolerable.

- Hormonally-challenged: Some individuals' pregnancy hormones began to overtake their body (so mostly mine) as evidenced by the emotional overload that was having to go to the bathroom every fifth step.

Elizabeth, Lisa, Michelle & Kristen

- Scene-It Squabble: whoever actually won the game is inconsequential; what matters is that Lisa blew the game for us gals by forgetting the title of the movie Terms of Endearment. Seriously, Lisa.

Lisa & Shawn

Now to the good part:

I've often wondered if Matt would leave me to my own strength and agility should I be attacked by another civilian. No offense Matt, but you and my dad are so similar that I feared that Yosemite Trip 2005 may replay itself. On this occasion my father basically threw me to an unidentified animal to save himself while hiking Half-Dome in the dark at 3:30 in the AM. Luckily, we were traveling with our great friend Chris--now there is a person who is not afraid to stand up for his wife. Matt tried to act tough and come to Chris' aid (who clearly had things in control) when a rude, intoxicated pedestrian approached Michelle. Matt pulled a "yeah, what he said" move--you know when you show up to display your masculinity but clearly your buddy does not need your help. To be honest, I've turned the whole incident into a skit for my parents which is partly based on actual facts and mostly based on my interpretation of those events which primarily are jokes at Matt's expense.

Michelle & Chris

On the drive home from Chicago I feared the worse--shamelessly dropping a swear word in front of the Mormon friends due to Matt's driving "technique" around a curve on the highway. I think I resorted to an abbreviated swear word which is of course more socially acceptable.

Check out those B. H. t-shirts

So then we went to church on Sunday blah blah blah and Matt got the "Aren't you teaching Elder's Quorum today?" scare. The Great Haribo Gummy Bear taste test, dinner, and farewell to great friends and we bid adieu to a lovely weekend.

Disclaimer: I've unabashedly used all photographs taken by the Sadlers, Elders or Quinns as I was not so camera-focused.

Womb for One

2008-07-15T21:02:00.001-04:00

It was such a wave of relief for Matt and I to see the heart beating on the ultra-sound a few weeks ago. The little sea monkey is due to arrive on January 27th.

My Letter to AT&T

2008-07-10T21:55:00.001-04:00

I've written this letter in my head a hundred times but only tonight did I finally get it down on paper. I will send it tomorrow and they should receive it in 5-7 business days. If they function anything like XO Communications, where I worked in Utah, a human should read it by July 2010 - at which point I will have had the issue resolved or given up and gone with another company.

Still it makes me feel better:

July 10, 2008

AT&T
P.O. Box 7215
Indianapolis, IN 46207

To whom it may concern;

I would really love to give your company my money. I would love more than anything to give your company $29.99 of my money every month for the foreseeable future. I would love to have my world… delivered. All I ask is that your company does one thing for me. Install my DSL service.

I’m quite sure that your company is as anxious to receive my money as I am to give it; that is, of course, if your billing statements are any indication. However, it seems that your company has misunderstood the arrangement. I understood that you would provide me with DSL service and I would provide you with money. You have yet to provide me with DSL service but still seem to want my money.

I originally called AT&T on June 4, 2008 and was assured of the fact that my DSL service would be installed on June 11, 2008 at my home, 1234 Main St., Stevensville, MI. The whole ordering process seemed quite simple enough and on the evening of the 11th I was excited to install the service using the installation kit that would no doubt be waiting on my doorstep. To my dismay, there was no such package. AT&T assured us that it was shipped and the delivery company confirmed that it was shipped… to 3333 Main St. You might ask why the package would be shipped to the wrong address but it makes sense once you understand that THE SERVICE WAS INSTALLED AT THE WRONG ADDRESS!

For some reason, despite numerous phone calls from me, service was not installed at my address until June 23, 2008, nearly a week AFTER my first bill (exhibit 1). I use the word installed loosely because I received a door hanger (exhibit 2) saying “your service has been installed by placing a service wire temporarily on the ground…” However, my service was still not working. I looked in the customer care pamphlet included with the door hanger for help and found the following, “[i]f there is anything we can do to improve upon the service you received, or if the work was not completed to your total satisfaction, please contact me at the number provided on the business card below and my team and I will work to resolve any outstanding issues. Your local installation manager, (exhibit 3)”

Blank. No business card, no contact info.

Customer service. Delivered.

I called the customer care number and was told by an AT&T representative that my service was not working and that she (the AT&T representative) couldn’t tell me when it would be working.

Customer care. Delivered.

On June 30, 2008 I received a voicemail saying AT&T wanted to verify my address. This was the third such voicemail I had received from AT&T asking me to verify my address – each time from an individual named April and each time leaving only the general customer care number. No information as to why my address needed to be verified and no way for the representative with whom I would eventually speak to know why my address needed to be verified.

Customer care. Delivered.

I eventually spoke with an individual named Steve who informed me that he would need to put in a disconnect order for service at 3333 Main St. (order number D833072) and install service at 1234 Main St. A process that I was assured by various “supervisors” would be taken care of weeks prior. Steve assured me that I would be receiving a call from Nicole with the installation order number. I am still waiting for that call from Nicole (fingers crossed).

Customer care. Delivered.

Finally on July 3, 2008 I had tortured myself enough and decided to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (complaint case #94188065). I then got a call on July 7, 2008 – as a result of the BBB complaint or not I’m unsure – from Chandra who assured me that my service would be active on July 9, 2008. Nearly a month late but at least it would be working. On Wednesday the 9th I saw another door hanger (exhibit 4) stating “[y]our DSL service request has been completed up to your house…” I can’t imagine that the work was that difficult considering the line had been installed and buried nearly two weeks prior.

Again, I went through the installation procedure only to see the blinking red light on the Motorola modem that assures me that I have no DSL service.

Customer care. Delivered.

I have only related a small portion of the frustration that I have experienced with your company. The irony is that I purposely chose AT&T upon moving into my house to avoid the hassles of Comcast. I can assure you that I have never written a multiple page letter to Comcast.

Here are the account numbers that might help you assess my situation:
0842163045 (service at 3333 Main St. – not my address)
0842183184 (service at 1234 Main St.)

All I am asking is that you deliver the service you have promised. If you are unable to deliver a $29 per month DSL service how can you expect to deliver the world?

Frustrated and disappointed,

Matthew Barlow

Fourthin it up

2008-07-07T13:21:00.005-04:00

Waiting for the big event

Sunset at Tiscornia Beach

Tiscornia Beach

Matt and I are going to be sad when we can no longer persuade our Ann Arbor friends to come visit us. We are so lucky that we only moved 2.5 hours away. A few weeks ago, Sam and Aubrey came to visit and the Sadlers came out for fireworks this past weekend. What a lovely 4th of July! We had such a great time with the Sadlers and Michelle's mom, Mary Anne. We walked around downtown St. Joseph and then hit Silver Beach to scout out a spot for the fireworks, but let's just say there were way too many people who had been drinking way to0 much. Lucky for us, Tiscornia beach is on the other side of the pier and much more family friendly. We had fun chatting, snacking, and viewing the firework display. Thanks again Sadlers!

Rock-N-Roll Ain't Noise Pollution

2008-06-25T10:41:00.004-04:00

On Monday Matt and I took a leisurely stroll to our local Pizza Hut. For Matt this brought back fond memories of going with his brother Adam to use their free personal pan pizza coupons. Matt related that what he liked best about these trips was the juke box and playing Sir Mix-a-Lot's Baby Got Back to, you know, make everyone in the restaurant feel uncomfortable. I don't think they had Baby Got Back at the Stevensville Pizza Hut, so Matt went with ACDC's Rock-N-Roll Ain't Noise Pollution. Matt quite enjoyed himself. We wanted to make sure the evening was as "whiskey tango" as possible (Matt hates when I say that), so I stopped at the local Family Dollar to buy some brownies on our walk home. Good old Stevensville. And for those of you wondering, yes. Yes this is how lame our blog is--posting about a walk in the hood. Peace.

10 Things I Learned From the NBA Finals

2008-06-18T23:41:00.004-04:00

1. DVR – A blessing and a curse (like Spiderman’s powers): SO excited I was to get the DVR right when the finals started (day of game 1 to be exact). I was going to save those games for all time, even if the Lakers ended up losing a game. It would be my own little ESPN Classic that I could revisit time and time again. Now I sit here and that debacle of a series is holed up in that DVR device. Sure I could delete it but each of those games will have forever stained my once-new digital video recorder.

2. Middle school facial hair is never a good idea: Especially on grown men. Maybe it’s because my facial hair grows in red like many pirates (if you believe the “Redbeard” hype which I’ve never fully bought into) or doesn’t grow in by my left ear eliminating any chance of my becoming the next Brandon Walsh or Dylan Mckay, but seriously does Paul Pierce get ready in the morning, pick up a razor, look in the mirror and say to himself, “naw Paul, don’t even think about it… leave it just like that… yeeeah.”

3. How to get your food spit in at Taco Bell:

4. Chris Mihm really does have a jersey and shorts on under his warmup: Seriously, I look at guys like Chris Mihm and Ira Newble both in warmups and Newble with the audacity, or better yet tenacity, to wear a headband when they have to know they aren't seeing any floor time. Just think about it American Idol winner David Cook got more tick than Ira Newble. But then Phil Jackson puts Chris Mihm in the game and throws the universe out of whack… which brings me to #5…

5. Phil Jackson is either the smartest or craziest man alive: The Lakers handled with relative ease the likes of the Nuggets (Iverson, Anthony), Jazz (crazy Delta Center, yes still calling it Delta Center, fans and increasingly good Deron Williams), and the defending champion Spurs and did so with a team that was clearly too inexperienced to compete in the Finals. So Phil is the smartest man alive right? Then, in a must win game 5 he puts Chris Mihm in the game. That in itself should be reason enough to call Phil the craziest man alive – Mihm hasn’t even played in like 2 years and you’re going to throw him in during game 5 of the Finals? But even more crazy is the fact that he let a whole franchise get embarrassed by what felt like 50 points in game 6 without sending in a bruiser to prove a point – I think that’s crazy… which brings me to #6…

6. I should never play professional sports: There is no way that I play in any of those games and not get thrown out for taking out someone’s legs on a fast break - probably Pierce or Rondo – just saying… Posey would have got some too now that I think about it, you’re just asking for it with a two tone mouthpiece, he just looks like Ivan Drago from Rocky IV – the movie that single handedly ended the cold war.

7. Blacklists are formed in the playoffs: I having running list – sometimes mental sometimes wall-posted of NBA players that I blacklist. Being blacklisted can result in being generally disliked or being completely banished from my fantasy basketball team. Players on the last in the past have been Raja Bell, Tim Thomas, Tim Duncan, Bruce Bowen, and most of the Utah Jazz. But when I saw that the Lakers would be playing Boston in the finals I thought, “hmm… pretty likeable guys – Garnett, Allen, and the gang – should be fun.” But as the series carried on I realized that the Celtics too had their own band of miscreants. Paul Pierce, James Posey, Eddie House, and Jon Barry (yes announcers can be blacklisted)… welcome to the blacklist.

8. European players are too soft: This isn’t stereotypical because it’s true. If we are to believe what we saw in these Finals, Kendrick Perkins is Shaquille O’Neal – but not this years Suns version when he was shaq but back in 2000 when he was Shaq. Please Pau Gasol, we did not bring you to the Lakers to drop passes and not score in the post. We do not need a Kwame Brown with a Spanish accent. We could have just sent Kwame to San Gorgonio High School for a few years and achieved that.

9. “Beat L.A.” is a substandard sports chant: According to Wikipedia the Lakers moved to Los Angeles in 1960. From the same source we learn that the Celtics were founded in 1946. So if my math is correct, in the 48 years since the Lakers have been in Los Angeles, Boston has yet to develop a better chant than “Beat L.A.” At University of Michigan hockey games when Michigan scores the student section all turns and points right at the opposing goalie and chants “It’s all your fault… It’s all your fault…” until I guess the goalie gives in and forfeits or the fans become distracted by the play on the ice.

10. Don’t give yourself a nickname like “the machine” and have one good game in 6: That’s for you Sasha.

When life hands you...

2008-06-14T11:41:00.007-04:00

Matt gave me a bag that said: "To: Kristen, From: Life."

I opened the bag to find lemons. The next gift was this darling drink dispenser which I've coveted for some time now. Thanks M. Davis.

Matt probably would not want me to stop here in praising his wittiness and charm. So I'll include his latest Matt-phrase for which he is most proud: Barack-it-lock-it.

See the picture below.

Now when he puts his fist out for "knuckles" (which I really hate for some reason and never return the gesture) he'll say, "Common Kristen, Barack-it-lock-it."

Stevensville

2008-06-07T15:08:00.007-04:00

We're officially residents of Stevensville. It's such a cute little town with lots of local produce stands, vineyards, and Sanitary Cleaners (there around every corner). After moving in to our house on Tuesday our appliances and kitchen counter tops finally arrived yesterday. Good thing too, because I was going in to a "they'll-never-put-our-counter-tops-in" funk. I've even met some neighbors and sized up that the Wyndstone development is really young Whirlpool employee housing. Overall, I thought our neighbors were quite nice. The real gold mine of the whole week is the discovery of Sandra Kay's bakery. DELICIOUS: pastries, desserts for only $2.50 (add a scoop of ice cream for a dollar), breakfast, lunch, cakes, pies, breads (even sourdough, my favorite)...what more could you ask for? Matt and I are determined to become "regulars"; you know, where you walk in, people say "Hi!" and call you by name. Typical local treatment. We're hoping to accomplish this by eating there every Saturday morning maybe more.

Kitchen before--yikes

Kitchen after
Lake Michigan

Fine Clothing store at the mall in Benton Harbor

Ghost Town Derby

2008-05-11T20:06:00.008-04:00

Sam, Aubrey, and Matt at the train station

Yesterday my friend Aubrey humored me by letting me run 8 miles with her in prep for the half-marathon we hope to run in June--cause you know that’s what we white people do. I’m pretty sure I slowed her down, but it was a gorgeous morning and fun to chat while gasping for air. Later that afternoon, Matt, Sam, Aubrey and I headed to The D to eat at Slows and go to the Roller Derby Championship (my new favorite derby girl name: E. Norma Sass, sorry I just had to put it out there).

One of the benefits of living in the Detroit Metro Area is the luxury of visiting architecture that was. There are countless abandoned buildings--the town itself is a museum. The wait at Slows (the Mecca of Macaroni-and-Cheese) was about 45 minutes so we hit the pavement on our self-guided foot tour.

One amazing landmark near Slow's is the abandoned train station. The surrounding locals were almost as interesting as the building. One woman seemed to come out of nowhere and then got inside a green van with a random guy, hung around for a bit, and drove off. Another friend we met was circling the street on his bike and stopped and told us about some cool features inside the abandoned train station; well really just one, the Marvel comic graffiti inside. Biker man encouraged us to climb the stairs to the roof to enjoy the view but fairly warned us to be on the lookout for the po-po, apparently trespassing remains illegal. HEY DUDE: I saw I Am Legend, and I am not about to be attacked by infected dark seekers. No stank you. We had a great evening.

Matt scanning the perimeter of the building

Apparently Troy was here.

Congraduations

2008-05-03T10:44:00.005-04:00

M. Davis before the graduation ceremony

Matt graduated with his MBA yesterday! The graduation went well--goofy costumes, a speech about how the earth is overpopulated (plus other things, but that's mostly what I listened to before singing the "Zero Population" song to my parents) and lots of names read.

After graduation, Matt had a difficult time navigating his way out of the Breslin Center to meet up with us. It seemed like we were waiting an abnormal amount of time for him and my dad was growing impatient so he began dancing/prancing around singing a song he made up which had simple lyrics really-- "Matt, where the he*# are you?" Except he used the "L"s. I think it was mostly because he was hungry.

Kristen and the graduate.

Carrier and how I hate Comcast

2008-05-01T22:47:00.006-04:00

Ever since Comcast pulled a fast one on us by taking away some 40 channels (including ESPN) and making us pay more for our cable, we've had to change our viewing habits. We've been obsessed with the documentary Carrier, which tracks the journey of the USS Nimitz during its deployment in the Gulf. It's absolutely fascinating. Lucky for us, it's on every time we try to watch it. Check it out clones.

Also, it's our anniversary today so I took the day off of work and we went to visit our new house and finish choosing the lights. When at the light store, the woman working told us that she changed one of the lights we chose because it looked "like a boob". Anyway, here's how our house is developing.
And here is the beach I plan to frequent daily when we move. It was so exciting to drive by and imagine myself this summer reading a good book, drinking a soda, and being warm.

Enough Said

2008-04-30T08:34:00.002-04:00

I'm Bi-Cola

2008-04-16T19:24:00.005-04:00

It's time I come clean... I'm officially bi-cola.

My cola journey started my junior year of college at BYU. On the walk to campus I would stop at the gas station and get a large fountain Pepsi (not diet, and with caffiene). What is better than a fountain soda? Well, I know what it is better. Then after we got married I transitioned into the Diet Pepsi (yuck, I know). Gradually, that taste became comfortable. At the time diet coke was a swear word. You may well be aware that fast food and fine dining establishments do not share my "play for both teams" love of cola beverages--they're either Coke or Pepsi: McDonalds- Coke; Wendy's- Pepsi; Taco Bell- Pepsi, etc. It's sad that I didn't even need to google that. With no other choice when dining at such establishments, I was forced to drink the Coke products. Slowly but surely, I appreciated the taste of both.

Now, for the big news: in my refrigerator there is a 12-pack of diet Coke AND a 12-pack of diet Pepsi (I prefer my cola to come from a can, then poured into a large cup with lots of ice... thanks Karan Perras). I only pray everyone can accept me for who I am.

Matt & the Lou Girl

2008-04-06T20:09:00.008-04:00

My sister Lindsay really loves Matt, but rarely shows it. When we come home to visit she often rolls her eyes, throws her head back and says, "Here we go." Matt doesn't take this as rejection and continues to taunt and annoy her by telling her she looks "pretty", reminding her of the time that she went on a "date" with him to Chili's, asking about her band project, her best-friend Jackie, telling her she's a lovely young lady, etc. Lindsay acts like she can't stand him, but we all know deep down she really loves him because sometimes she'll come downstairs in an outfit quite similar to what he's wearing.

Not missing a moment to bug her, Matt wrote Lindsay a lot of notes during General Conference. One of my personal favorites was a note that said, "Lindsay, understanding the gospel begins with 'U'!" OR "Lindsay, please bee reverent" (with a little bee he drew next to it) OR "Lindsay, if you ran into a genie, and he gave you three wishes, what would you wish for?" Lindsay's response was "1. School; 2. A career; 3. Friendship." She's a simple girl, well, tom boy.

Here's the time at Christmas '07 when Matt played Human Jenga while Lindsay was sleeping--you know, where you see how much stuff you can stack on someone before they wake up.

The basket finally did the trick.

Laughing when it's not okay to laugh

2008-04-06T07:57:00.003-04:00

I'm sure you're familiar with the Seinfeld episode in which Jerry, Elaine, and George are at George's girlfriend's piano recital and Jerry puts the Pez Dispenser on Elaine's leg and she starts laughing. Unfortunately, yesterday I was subject to such a blunder thanks to my wonderful husband. Whilst sitting in the chapel watching General Conference, Matt leans over and whispers, "His father was a cobbler, he had Great Expectations," during a certain talk. I know, I know, it really wasn't that funny but for some reason I busted up laughing and had to quickly bury my face in my arms and lean forward so no one would see me, I just couldn't stop. I was crying laughing. It's no surprise that something similar happened when I was in the second grade and someone said something that made me start laughing during story time, only that time, the instant I started laughing a stream of snot came rushing down my face. Not cool. Anyway, Matt quickly points out how rude I'm being during General Conference. Lucky for me, we were watching via satellite and not at the Conference Center so I'm pretty sure the speaker didn't hear me. Matt, you just wait for karma to come back around.

I Heart Cinnamon Melts

2008-04-03T11:48:00.003-04:00

Large Soda + Cinnamon Melts = One fantastic Thursday morning. The butter even snapped out of the box when I opened it this morning... delicious!

Lot 131

2008-03-30T15:18:00.009-04:00

We finally made it out to our new neighborhood to choose the details of the house like cabinets, counter tops, flooring, lights, etc. Hopefully we won’t regret our quick decisions. Here’s the pictures… if you hate it, don’t tell us because now it’s kind of a done deal :)

A home in our neighborhood kinda like ours, ours will be a different color

Our home-to-be

Sorry, I tried to put boxes in for what everything is, but this is our carpet, tile, cabinets, hardwood floors for kitchen, and counter tops

Decor Obsession

2008-03-23T21:25:00.003-04:00

I'm in a place where I'm needing to distract myself with mindless activities after going through some tough stuff over the last week and after only making it out to Grand Rapids (where my parents live) this weekend due to a SNOW storm (not the planned St. Joseph seal-the-deal on the house trip). Thankfully, I filled my time with an extensive Internet research on furniture and home decor...all weekend long. Matt and I went to Home Depot and had a lovely time choosing our dream paint colors (we're diggin browns, greys, greens, and even some light blues). I've found a few rooms online that I just love that hopefully will be our inspirations in our future home decor. Let me know what you think of this kitchen color idea blogosphere...also, would you go with white kitchen cabinets or a wood stained cabinet?

"Are you a homeowner Greg?"

2008-03-21T08:53:00.007-04:00

The Barlow exodus from the Woodchase Apartments is as close as its ever been. This weekend Matt and I quite timidly go to St. Joseph to hopefully purchase a home! After negotiating over the past week, we're quite excited for the big move. The house will be built in June, but here's a picture of a similar home. Hopefully we'll have more pictures to post this weekend.

Long Overdue Blog about our Florida Trip

2008-03-17T10:43:00.009-04:00

I'm so sad I haven't blogged about this fun vacation sooner. We are the luckiest--our friends Chris & Michelle so kindly invited us to go to Orlando with them for Spring Break. We had such a good time going to Gatorland, Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville Cafe (which Chris loved, and so did we) Coco Beach, Sea World, and just hanging out by the pool. Did I mention the weather was warm? I just love vacations and the overeating. Five pounds heavier, I returned to Michigan to the freezing cold weather. Thanks again Chris & Michelle, we had a blast! More photos to follow and thanks Michelle and Kerri for letting me steal yours until I get back to Michigan from California...

Gator Wrastlin in Gatorland
(I also forgot to mention that the only music played at Gatorland: Country. Our favorite hat Chris found in the gift shop: "Beer is my Wife.")

Chris holding this fine creature, to Michelle's dismay (she sprayed his arm sweatshirt with anti-bacterial spray after he returned to his seat!).

The Costley Family, Chris & Michelle, and Matt & Kristen
(You are looking at the same waters where Matt no-so-cleverly did a front flip into the maybe 1.5 feet deep water... his tail-bone hurt for a few days)

Me and Michelle at Gatorland

Chris & Matt by the Manatees

...goes all the way around friend.

2008-03-14T12:35:00.000-04:00

This is my second favorite:

I SEE EVERY GAME DUDE!

2008-03-06T17:00:00.002-05:00

I can't get enough of this commercial. If only they had a channel that showed these commercials and those Sonic commercials nonstop.

The Long Overdue Blog About Our California Trip

2008-02-25T18:15:00.006-05:00

So we went out to California a few weekends back (by the way - before I go on it seems to be pretty common to start a blog entry with "So..." I mean I don't have the statistics or anything but I know I do it and I've seen others do it so I'm pretty sure that it's pretty common, I think it's to add some informality to the whole thing, much in the same way punctuation and logical flow seem to be abandoned. I think also people - myself included - are trying to get across that they aren't serious about this whole blogging thing - just in case later on it turns out to be dungeons and dragons-y and we can deny that we were really all that into it anyway) to spend some time with Kristen's grandparents (Gary's parents) in beautiful San Leandro. Kristen and I both spent our youths in Nor-Cal (what's with the term "Nor-Cal" anyway? I think it was derived as a term to counter the term "So-Cal" which no one whose really from this "So-Cal" area ever even says... it's kind of like when you meet people who aren't from California and they say to you "oh, you're from Cali?" and it kind of makes you cringe because who really says that, kind of like when someone with whom you're about to shake hands puts their fist out instead), I in what I call the "Twin Cities" of Yuba City/Marysville and Kristen in the San Ramon area.

First let me note the distinct smell of California. I'm not sure what it is but I noticed it as we went to the Jamba Juice in SL (that will be the subsequent abbreviation for San Leandro for the remainder of this and possibly future blogs) - I think it's a mix between Eucalyptus trees and overpriced real estate. Great smell... if you can afford it.

Also, San Francisco is awesome. It was funny though... as we were walking around Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf It was strange how familiar everything seemed to me. I hadn't been to P39 (another abbreviation that may or may not stick...) or FW (again...) in over 20 years so I didn't understand how I recognized so many things until I realized... I skated the San Francisco level on Tony Hawk Pro Skater for the Playstation 2. I am only mildly embarrassed of this.

We went to Fenton's (by the way doesn't that first picture on the Fenton's site of that little boy look just like my dad in this picture? He does) in Oakland which was fun because we got to see all of Kristen's mom's side of the family except for her parents who live in Vegas but don't work in the casinos and her brother who lives in Colorado Springs but is not in the Air Force. I enjoy ice cream as much as the next person... well I guess that depends on who the next person is. I learned soon after Kristen and I got engaged that I do not love ice cream as much as the next person if that next person is a member of the Keala/Perras family.

All in all we had a great time - it's always good to see family and to enjoy 70 degree weather in February. We just wish we could have stayed longer.

Here are some pictures:

Einstein

2008-02-05T11:35:00.000-05:00

I was collecting tests in the undergrad marketing class that I T.A. for. A student comes up and I check to make sure he's put his name on the Scantron sheet and I see:

I said "good job Einstein!"

No I didn't... I just said "thanks."

Ann Arbor Folk Festival

2008-01-30T12:04:00.000-05:00

Some of the teenage gals I work with in Young Women asked Matt and I if we wanted to go to the Ann Arbor Folk Festival last Friday to see Ben Folds. We were quite surprised that they actually wanted to hang out with us. I just love those girls--they are smart, funny, and genuinely good girls. We also got to hear from some new-to-us artists. I really enjoyed Brian Vander Ark who is from Grand Rapids, MI (you may know him from his band the VervePipe). He writes about some heavier stuff--such as conservative Grand Rapids. Totally loved Natalia Zukerman. Check out these songs: Loved Like That by Natalia Zukerman and Lily White Way by Brian Vander Ark.

Spur the man down

2008-01-24T14:29:00.000-05:00

Let's just say Matt doesn't do well when the Lakers lose, let alone to the Spurs. It's tough because he stays up late to watch the game in its entirety (we went to bad last night at midnight), only to be let down. He couldn't even watch ESPN today in fear of Lakers highlights coming on. On the other hand, the Lakers are responsible for the "best day in his life" as he identified on May 1, 2006 when Kobe Bryant made his famous game winning shot in game 4 against the Suns, Matt just got back from golfing with my dad, watched the game, and after this shot stood on the couch, fists in the air and shouted, "this is the best day of my life." Mind you this was also our anniversary, but I don't think that mattered too much. Cheer up Charlie.

Personal Soundtrack

2008-01-21T00:35:00.000-05:00

So Kristen has been putting all kinds of posts into the blogosphere so I thought I'd let people know what's going on from my perspective.

Most important right now is adding a personal soundtrack to my life. Mostly just two sounds. When things go well this is the sound I play:

Good times

When something goes not quite as well...

Bad times

I am a firm believer that most of life's emotions can be summed up with a few sounds from game shows (why do you think the Game Show Network has been so successful?). The next step is to create some sort of device - preferably on a key chain but with enough juice to be heard in a crowded lunch room of some kind (just in case someone drops their tray... picture it now, the tray drops, everyone turns, the room goes silent, and then... Bad times... classic) or in the high school quad [a bully tries to steal some Chili-Cheese Fritos from an oft-taunted youngster and the youngster has been picked on once too often and turns on the bully and starts wailing on him until the bully is taken to the office crying... Good times (I saw this happen and no I wasn't either of the parties involved - though I do like Chili-Cheese Fritos)].

Don't hit on my husband, some weird guy at Nordstrom's Rack!

2008-01-20T23:37:00.001-05:00

At the risk of too many blog posts in one day, I share this experience.

Yesterday Matt and I went to Nordstrom's Rack with my parents. While I ferret the racks in search of a suit jacket which says, "hey I'm only 24, but I'm a good therapist...trust me", Matt and my dad were perusing the men's department. Suddenly, some guy approaches Matt and says, "Hey, you got to rummage through this stuff, huh?" Matt says "yeah". This guy, whom I will just call "some weird guy", continues the conversation as follows:

Some weird guy: Are you working or going to school?
Matt: I'm going to school.
Some weird guy: Do you keep your options open?
Matt: What do you mean do I keep my options open?

(My father, rather than assist Matt in escaping this situation, simply walks away.)

Some weird guy: Like financially, do you keep your options open?
Matt: What do you mean? I have a job already.
Some weird guy: Have you heard of Facebook or MySpace?
Matt: Sure.
Some weird guy: Well it's kinda like that.
Matt: What's kinda like that?
Some weird guy: Oh, me and my wife are starting up an investment business.
Matt: ...
Some weird guy: You looked like a sharp guy so I wanted to see if you "kept your options open." (Matt says that I shouldn't use quotations there because it makes it sound like an innuendo. It clearly was.)

Back off some weird guy. He's married. To me.

Strike that

2008-01-20T23:19:00.001-05:00

For some reason after my recent post I single-handedly brought our readability level down to college undergraduate status. Trust me, we had postgraduate readability for a minute there.

"You know what keeps me warm at night? that's right, my degrees." -Kanye West College Dropout Album

2008-01-20T23:09:00.000-05:00

Just when I was feeling down on myself because I'm, let's just say, amateur at the sewing machine, haven't worked out in about two weeks, am not currently reading a book, and the scary old H. Clinton seems to be taking over the world... I discovered this. Way to go team Barlow.

Matt's Christmas Creations

2008-01-19T20:43:00.000-05:00

Matt hard at work

Matt instituted a new Perras/Barlow Christmas Eve Family Tradition: matching Christmas attire. Yes, he created these lovely shirts and sweater jackets with a trip to K-Mart and Value World, scissors, cut-n-stick white felt, and of course, a little bit of tacky Christmas love. Don't we look cute.

The Family, Christmas Eve at the Hanlons

Hint for next year

The Detroit Pistoffs vs. The Pistol Whippers

2008-01-16T11:09:00.000-05:00

Well, last Saturday the Detroit Pistoffs pulled out a big “W” thanks to the jammin skills of their teammate “Effin Money”. Totally awesome name, might I say. We owe Sam and Aubrey a big thanks for introducing us to the world of Detroit Roller Derby. Despite the initial scare that the tickets were sold out, Matt and Sam managed to weasel some tickets from other spectators to eventually get us in to the big event. Surprisingly, the roller derby is quite the family affair—there were little kids playing with hula hoops while rockin out to the band at half-time (I think it’s called half-time in roller derby) and the token drunk old guy dressed in all black including a black beret doing the twist on the derby floor. Those derby girls are pretty tough...it's pretty awesome to see them knock each other down. I decided to side with the Pistol Whippers, but was bummed that they couldn’t pull it off in the end, despite a consistent lead throughout the game. For those interested Michiganders, the derby is once a month at the Masonic Temple in Detroit. We will for sure be there next month, I just have to brush up on the derby rules. Go Pistol Whippers and thanks again Sam and Aubrey! For more derby reading check out this website.

believe me sweety I got enough to feed the needy

2007-12-14T16:51:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to remind Matt of what a fly guy he is.

Lars and the Real Girl

2007-12-12T21:19:00.000-05:00

Matt and I just got back from seeing Lars and the Real Girl. I totally cried throughout the entire movie! A very artsy film, the movie is about a man named Lars (Ryan Gosling) who develops a delusional disorder and purchases an anatomically correct doll (Bianca) and believes she is real. Recognizing his emotional need, his little town takes Bianca in and treats her as if she's real--she has a job on the school board, she volunteers reading books on tape to children at the hospital (they put in a tape recording of a book on tape and place the book in her hands), she goes out in the evenings with the women of the town. The movie is both sweet, thought provoking, and funny. We absolutely loved it!! Oh, and by the way, I beat Matt 42-35 in the NBA Hoops game at the movie theater. How do you like them apples?

Thanksgiving 2007

2007-12-08T05:41:00.000-05:00

The Big Barlow Family

Before Christmas, I thought I should bloggerize about the lovely time at Thanksgiving in Burbank this year. Some highlights:

1. Disneyland/California Adventure: Kristen loving the Tower of Terror; Matt not-so-much.

2. In-N-Out Burger (‘nough said.)

3. THE GREAT DEBATE: Family gathering of 28 people in one house makes for some interesting political discussions. For more Kristen Barlow propoganda: check out "If the World Were a Village video" on YouTube.

4. Nieces and nephews: we just loved playing with all the cute kids.

5. WARM WEATHER!!!!!!!!!

6. Matt getting his whole family to buy train tickets to go to Olvera Street before realizing that our return tickets (already purchased, mind you) would only give us about 20 minutes to enjoy PLUS the fellow train rider’s comments, “Looks like there’s a family reunion up in this train” when the Barlows exited the train).

Why there's no costume pictures

2007-11-19T12:09:00.000-05:00

Okay, so Matt and I had pretty sweet costumes for Halloween. We went to a Halloween party on Halloween thinking people would be dressed up. They weren't. We acted like we weren't really embarrassed, and Matt claims he doesn't get embarrassed, but I was way embarrassed. Just to keep it honest, it brought back haunting memories of that time in Kindergarten where my mom told me my class was all dressing up as either pilgrims or indians (not so p.c.) for our Thanksgiving party and I came to school dressed up as an Indian, and the teacher informed me the party was the next day...also embarassing. Two grown adults dressed up along with all of the three-and-unders. The next day at church this girl who was at the party says, "I barely recognized you without your fake mustache." I'm so awkward. Anyway, Matt dressed up as a Mexican wrestler (thermal underwear bottoms, shorts on top, "Tijuana: City of Tomorrow" t-shirt, and Mexican wrestler mask compliments of Taylor Barlow) and I dressed up as his 1970s agent Dr. Gordita (Matt's grandpa's light blue all purpose jump suit, aviator sunglasses, fake mustache, and trucker hat). We were one hot looking couple.

Matt & Kristen's Halloween Costume Preview

2007-10-31T16:39:00.001-04:00

Préparer

Friday Night Lights

2007-10-23T15:23:00.001-04:00

Rather than post a cheesy blog about all of our fun outings here in Ann Arbor, Michigan, I'm keepin it real and letting you know what we've really been up to since our last post. Our current date nights have taken us to the fictional town of Dillon, Texas. Listen up everyone: television shows on DVD are a most excellent and enjoyable way to waste hours of your life. More specifically, Friday Night Lights is the best show you aren't watching right now. I'm addicted. Matt and I bought the first season at Target last week and it is fantastic. I love football in general, but the show is much deeper and brings up issues of disability, mental illness, etc. which I feel are both often underrepresented and misrepresented in the media. It's threatened that it will be cancelled after this season, which I am super sad about. Take a second and read this review from the NY Post: http://www.nypost.com/seven/10052007/tv/thank_god_its_friday.htm and then join our crusade to save the show. The show airs every Friday night on NBC.

Atlanta Pictures

2007-09-13T21:27:00.000-04:00

For all those who were eagerly anticipating our Atlanta pictures here is the link. Enjoy responsibly.

Atlanta Trip - Labor Day 2007

"Georgia on My Mind" or "That Time Kenedee Hated Our Birthday Gift"

2007-09-05T12:03:00.000-04:00

"Why is everybody so mad at the South for?"

Good question Fat Joe because Kristen and I had an awesome time in Atlanta this weekend. Just a few highlights in no particular order, except maybe chronological except where I get confused as to the temporal order of the events, in which case it reverts back to no particular order:

1. Georgia Aquarium - Some have said that this is "arguably the most exciting Atlanta attraction unveiled in years." An excellent array of marine life highlighted in my opinion by the whale sharks and huge spider crabs. Also an excellent Beluga whale tank where it was apparently (quite apparently) mating season and the only thing missing was some Marvin Gaye music playing in the background.

2. CNN - I have to admit, I thought there would be more security or something. I don't know I guess I just thought that since they report on a lot of important events they should have security similar to the UN or something (is there a lot of security at the UN?). Pretty cool - I think Kandis was hoping to see Anderson Cooper. Maybe she has a celebrity crush on him, similar to the one I have on Nancy Grace (also not there that day... unfortunately).

3. The World of Coke - Excellent 4-D movie at the beginning of the tour (except for the part where it feels like you get shanked in the back) during, tons of cool memorabilia, and of course the part where you get to sample all different flavors from all over the world. Adam introduced me to "Beverly" which, according to the wikipedia article, is "familiar to a number of Americans for its bitter taste, after having unknowingly tried it at Coca-Cola tasting stations at the World of Coca-Cola..." Glad to know I'm not the only one. If you ever get a chance you should try it... it's good... trust me.

4. Williamson's Bar-B-Q - Adam and Kandis took us here - maybe the best pulled pork I've ever had. All you can eat meat and sides for 8 bucks. I made the mistake of ordering the fried okra. That's the second time I've done something like that - third if you count the time I ordered collard greens at the Cracker Barrel. Why do I do that, what do I have to prove? Okra and collard greens are bad tasting foods. I just have to accept that and move on.

5. High Museum of Art - They had a Leibowitz exhibit one of which was a Bush War Cabinet. I think it would be fun to look at that picture and play "which of these people still have jobs?" - it's a fun game. We did get called out for drinking soda in the gallery - I HATE getting called out, even for dumb things like "you can't drink that in here" especially when they sold it to me no more than 200 yards away.

6. Atlanta Botanical Gardens - Luckily for everyone this was a great setting for me to express my little-used, oft-demanded photography skills to whip up a few artsy pictures (to follow). I was surprised when I asked Kristen to go stand afar off so I could take her picture through this window and she did it. I was almost baffled. I just assumed she would look at me like and idiot (or more likely, tell me I was an idiot) but she was a sport and I think you'll all agree that the picture is better for it. They had quite a few carnivorous plants on display which makes me wonder why they don't sell dead flies (or live flies for that matter) to feed to the plants. They sell hay and stuff at petting zoos sometimes, why not flies? They could do the same thing with rates at the reptile house. i think it would add a new dimension to the experience that's all.

7. Trump and Subsequent Rochambeaux-Off - Kristen and Kanids won the first practice round of Trump after which I came through and dominated when it counted. To more accurately determine the winner, Adam and I held a two out of three rochambeaux-off. Can you believe I got him on a rock over scissors two in a row? Who throws scissors twice in a row? It's unheard of.

8. Waffle House - Two buttermilk pancakes, triple order of hashbrowns and an orange juice got the day off to a perfect start.

9. Zoo Atlanta - I got a great picture of Kenedee petting a goat with her foot, not sure why but I think she uses her feet to touch things and her hands are only for pointing at stuff. They had some Pandas on lease from somewhere, presumably China (is there some sort of business that captures/raises Pandas and then leases them out to Zoos throughout the world? If not there should be, sounds like a good business idea... much like flipping houses) - apparently it costs US$ 1 Million to lease the panda and another million to take care of them. Kind of explains why my 32 ounce drink cost like 2.50.

10. Stone Mountain - I had planned to break out the video camera at Stone Mountain but it is now clear to me that there are many nuances of the video camera including charging the battery that I have yet to master. So unfortunately no pictures here. However, had I taken a picture it would have looked something like this:

11. Celebration of Labor By Way of Barbecue and Volleyball - I came to the realization that I can now jump as high as I could when I was in 8th grade and that my volleyball skills aren't quite what they were in 8th grade (although my instincts and cat-like reflexes are as sharp as ever), both of which culminated in a hard-fought loss to a family of four in a "best of the 'beach'" labor day tournament. Adam hooked it up with some sweet barbecue and fun was had by all - except maybe the family of four who left after we called them out for cheating. But it was fun for everyone else.

Overall an awesome weekend at the South Barlows even though Kenedee hated our gift that we got her. It was a ladybug puppet that you put your hand in and the fingers become the ladybug's legs. She was apprehensive of it when your hand wasn't in it and absolutely terrified (Kandis made her cry at one point - just for fun, she likes to do that kind of thing) when it was. But seriously it was fun to hang out with her all weekend and Adam and Kandis too.

Stay tuned for pictures...

Shauna's a Cougar

2007-09-05T08:13:00.001-04:00

Shauna is now at BYU. I need to post pictures of our final hoorah with her, it was quite sad for me. Hope this picture of her and her roommate will suffice. My parents' house is going to be so quiet with out her and let's face it, not as fun. What I love about Shauna is that she is a LOUD laugher, has a good sense of humor, is an avid reader, hates when people chew bubble gum, calls you out for stuff you may do--she finds it especially annoying when you say, "You're so mean" or "I'm so fat." She is quite socially conscious; cash money says she goes into the Peace Corps at one point in the next ten years.

Shauna is loving BYU, likes her roommate, she's adjusting to the marching band kids (she plays the tuba), and she recently joined the Black Student Union. Shauna went on a double date with her roommate with some returned missionaries (RED LIGHT). I guess it didn't go so well because my mom reports that Shauna and her roommate made the following oath:

1. They will date only Freshmen guys this year.

2. They will not go on a date the day they meet a guy.

3. They will carry mace on their person at all times. (I love this one)

Two words Shauna: DINING PLUS. Eat lots of good food for me!

Day 1 of P90X

2007-08-23T14:51:00.001-04:00

I will be the first to admit I'm a sucker for fitness infomercials. They get me every time but I never buy them because I know Matt will mock me. This time I gave in and Chrissy and I are doing the P90X challenge. Yikes! Today was Chest & Back and I nearly died. A bazillion push-ups, pull-ups, chin-ups (which I really can't do, by the way) and "dive bombers" and I now know I have no muscle strength. Seriously, none. Yet, when it was over I felt like a bad a*# and also felt like I was going to vomit and pass out at the same time. Working out sounds great in theory... not so fun actually doing it.

Sephora Opening Party

2007-08-17T10:33:00.000-04:00

Taaa daaa! The Ann Arbor Briarwood Mall now has a Sephora, a fantastic makeup store :). My friend Chrissy and I went to the opening party last night which was fully equipped with desserts, a DJ and a free tote bag with your purchase (not to mention the mean girl from my spin class who I saw there). Chrissy and I are co-founders of the C.A.A club and are currently the only members. For those of you who don't know C.A.A. stands for chronic adult acne, something that really brings Chrissy and I together! It was fun to joke around and ask for help from the Sephora employees together--they all sort of cringed when we said we had really oily, acne prone skin. At least we could laugh about it. Unfortunately, we had to go through EIGHT different employees to find an employee who could handle our intense needs... our skin is that bad :)

Dirty Car and Other Tragic Flaws...

2007-08-13T18:53:00.000-04:00

In the past, Matt has enjoyed sitting back and saying, "look how cute and socially awkward you are," in moments where I try to say "hi" to someone and perhaps they just don't hear me or are choosing to ignore me. I’m here to say that yesterday was full of said socially awkward moments!!!!

First, I enter sacrament meeting in a pretty bad mood. I will even venture to say I was ticked off. After the first sacrament meeting speaker, the young women and leaders got up to go sing their camp theme song Temple of the Lord. Due to the said bad mood coupled with the fact that I was sitting in the very last row of the chapel overflow, I willingly chose to be less-mature than my young women and I just don’t go to the stand. Keep in mind I am horrible at singing and there were plenty of leaders up there. Then as the girls sit down I think about my choice and realize that indeed I am immature. I think about this fault of mine, and continue to enjoy the bad mood.

Second, in Young Women yesterday we said farewell to one of our girls who will be going to BYU in a few weeks. The leaders and girls were joking around about dating and her older brother's rules for her dating at BYU and I pulled a Debbie Downer (can I get a loud whaa...whaa...). Said I (audible for all to hear) "Well let's be honest, there are a lot of dorky guys at BYU." Who says that as their best wishes to an optimistic freshman? I do have a rather firm, and I would say factual, opinion that there are an overwhelmingly large pool of dorky guys at BYU (excluding my husband and those male BYU alums reading this) who are able to go out with girls way out of their class. Seriously, some of these girls would not have given some of these dorky guys the time of day in high school.

Socially awkward I am.

Thirdly, after church we had a Young Women Presidency meeting with our girls right, so Matt rode home with our friend Ryan without leaving me the keys to our car. My good friend Meredith Smith kindly drives me home and I arrive at our apartment to observe that both of our cars aren't there. Matt is then stuck at the church with both our cars and without his cell phone. Another friend volunteers to drive my car back home. Keep in mind my car is disgusting. Literally. I'm not sure if you know this about me but I have a deep love of soda. It's my defense mechanism at work and well, after work too. Unfortunately, my car is loaded with old cups of fountain sodas, workout clothes, garbage, mail, etc. Our poor friend had to drive it home. I went postal when Matt came home and informed me that another person had to be in that vehicle. Seriously, that car is a disorder in itself. I went crazy with guilt, even after telling my mother last week that I was giving up guilt. I'm not sure if you are familiar with the Janice Kapp Perry classic "I Walk by Faith"--my mother sings this song and changes the lyrics to "I Walk by Guilt." Despite my renewed attempts to rid myself of this familial chain of irrational guilt I'm ready to admit it: My name is Kristen and I am freakily guilty.

A sundae from McDonald's, free slice of cake from work, a new book and I feel much better today.

Friends Don't Let Friends Vote Republican

2007-08-02T21:52:00.000-04:00

Today my mom and sisters drove out to Ann Arbor to shop and hang out with me. Shauna and I purchased these sweet shirts at the Urban Outfitters (well actually Shauna had to pay for them because my wallet was either a: stolen at McDonald's yesterday; or b: I threw it away at McDonald's yesterday along with my double cheeseburger meal...thanks again Shauna)! I can't wait for Shauna to wear her shirt at BYU :). Have a great weekend everyone!!

Rescue Dawn

2007-07-28T11:29:00.000-04:00

Loved this movie! At parts I felt like what I imagine I would feel like had I watched Apocolypse Now. That said, Matt and I saw this movie last night and it was fantastic, but not fun. Definately not for the faint of heart. A major theme of the movie is the power of hope; but I found myself also thinking a lot about the Vietnam War and its similarities to the war in Iraq and about the US' treatment of detainees at Guantanamo Bay. If you see it, let us know what you think.

Missing Matt

2007-07-19T20:06:00.001-04:00

Hooray! I've made it to another Thursday, which means Matt will be back tomorrow night! Matt now says, "We've been married for 2 years and separated for 1"--sad, huh? I think we plan to check out the Ann Arbor Art Fair this weekend and lay around by the pool. As excited I was for my summer of eating ice cream in bed every night, I now know that even independent girls like myself can't live life eating cartons of ice cream each week. Matt is that sound voice of reason... darn it. Fun weekend to all!

Youth Conference 2007

2007-07-17T20:35:00.001-04:00

Our ward youth and leaders at the Peter Whitmer Farm

Last week my friend Katie (who is also in the YW presidency AND was on my floor freshman year at BYU) were leaders at our Stake's Youth Conference trip to Palmyra. I was quite excited to go especially because Matt had a sweet idea to give the girls "And it came to Passports" in which they had to answer different questions at the various church history sites and then they got to stamp their books. At the end of the week they got a prize. Surprisingly, they were quite enthusiastic about their passports. Katie and I were mistaken for youth all week long and even got stalked to the bathroom by a leader when we were up past curfew.

The trip was fantastic, it was so great to take time away from work and real life to visit such sacred locations. The girls were quite fun. They have a deep love for the game Ultimate Frisbee. Matt and I have never been fans mostly because the students at BYU had a Utah-way of saying "Ultimate" with ending the last part of the word in a higher pitched tone. Really can't explain it. Anyways, the girls wanted to play Ultimate at any down moment, we had to stop them from playing at the Hill Cumorah. Looking back, I would much rather them be active than lazy.

Our cute girls after successfully setting up their tent W.A.M. style

Taking it upon myself to be a great leader for the girls, I instituted a motto of "W.A.M." for the entire week. W.A.M. stands for "Without Any Men" and meant that the girls could not get any help from men in setting up their ginormous 8-man tent or any help in packing up camp, etc. They made me proud. Not only did they stick to the W.A.M. policy (except for when they broke the zipper on their tent), but they packed up our van full of stuff 30 minutes faster than the young men did. I considered the trip a success.

Our first night we took the girls on an "away team" to get ice cream (my favorite thing ever). After the ice cream, the girls asked to do trust falls Mean Girls style while waiting for the fireside--it was pretty crazy. We also enjoyed going to the Hill Cumorah pageant the night before we left and Katie and I hunted down some pretty cool cast members for a photo-op.

Our gals at the Chill-n-Grill for ICE CREAM

My friend Katie and I with two cast members, and some kid

Ben Folds & John Mayer!!!

2007-07-07T23:18:00.000-04:00

I've (this Kristen) been blessed with great live music in 2007. My friends Stephanie and Krista and I left work early in order to go to the Palace of Auburn Hills to see Ben Folds and John Mayer!! It was incredible. We didn't have great seats, but the music was fantastic. Ben opened for John Mayer and played for about an hour. We were sitting in a sea of people who I don't think had ever heard his music, so I don't think they appreciated us belting our lungs out to "Kate" or "Landed." But belt out we did. Ben took time to talk about why he wrote each song; he's a pretty funny guy. My favorite little bit he shared was that he got the crap beat out of him while in college on a scholarship for playing the drums. As a result of this brouhaha, his hand was messed up and he couldn't play the drums anymore and lost his scholarship. So what did he do? Threw his drum set in a lake and went back home to work at a grocery store. Anyway, he played a lot of music from his album Rockin the Suburbs which I admit I do not own, so I have made a summer goal to get the album and commit the songs to memory. The only disappointment of his performance was that he didn't play the One Down and 3.6 song or whatever it's called. That's a good one.

So John Mayer was also fantastic. With all this business about him dating and breaking up with Jessica Simpson, you forget that he is one gifted guitar player. Ben Folds isn't all commercialized and pretty, so it was sort of an odd contrast from his performance to John's. Stephanie and Krista sort of hated on John Mayer--we have another friend who thinks that John Mayer only writes songs that make girls take their clothes off. Ha ha. John opened with the song Neon from his first album. Though he may be a pretty boy now, I still loved the concert and sang along to all the songs. Vultures and Gravity from his latest album are my favorites.

Silver Beach

2007-07-01T22:00:00.000-04:00

I finally coerced Kristen (and our friends the Blauers) to make the drive that I make every day from Grand Rapids to the St. Joseph/Benton Harbor area... You would think that a trip to the Whirlpool World Headquarters (as exciting as the world of white-box appliances is) would be a treat enough but to sweeten the deal we decided to take a trip to Silver Beach right on Lake Michigan. Apparently back in the day they used to have an amusement park of sorts with a Coney Island type feel to it. Being from California the first thing I notice is the silence - no waves so no real "beach" sound to it. Also you lack the salty smell of the ocean. On the other hand you don't have the seaweed and the sand crabs - both aspects of the ocean that I could do without. I don't know what it is about sand crabs; lots of kids like to dig for them and even take them home but I've never wanted anything to do with them.

Anyway, we walked around "downtown" for a little bit (side note: we even went into a store called FuzzyButts Dog Bakery which makes fresh-baked dog treats and, oddly enough, is still in business) and then went and had lunch at a pizza place (side note b: this was the third restaurant where I have had deep-fried pickles and I have yest to find a place where there weren't excellent and I have now vowed to order them any and every time I see them on the menu) not too far from the lakeshore. All in all it was pretty uneventful but a fun relaxing weekend and it was good to be able to show Kristen a little bit of my Monday-Friday life.

The Single Life

2007-05-06T10:15:00.000-04:00

Matt starts his internship later this week, which means I'm preparing for my single summer. Matt's working for Whirpool in Benton Harbor, Michigan which is about two hours from Ann Arbor. He plans to stay at my parents house in Grand Rapids (one hour from Benton Harbor). We've decided to alternate spending our weekends together between Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids. A few months ago the prospect of seeing each other on the weekends seemed to have its perks--I could eat a pint of Ben & Jerry's in bed, while watching television every week night without Matt questioning my mental health, etc. I'm getting all sentimental and sad we won't see each other very often.

John Legend & Corinne Bailey Rae

2007-04-16T07:43:00.000-04:00

Matt and I got sweet tickets from our friends, the Hanlons, to see John Legend at the Fox Theater in Detroit. We were so excited, especially because we had third row seats! How lucky are we?!? John Legend was fantastic! If you have not listened to any of his music I suggest you listen to Used to Love You, Save Room, or Ordinary People. Corinne Bailey Rae was the opening act and she was incredible. We bought her album on I-tunes. She played a cool Led Zepplin song, Since I've Been Loving You. Matt's "high came down" during John Legend's performance when a security guy almost made him delete all the pictures he took on his camera. Lucky for us, we were able to save most of them. Thanks again to the Hanlons for sharing these sweet tickets!!

Just por pun

2007-04-05T20:46:00.000-04:00

And a very good Friday to all. I promised Kristen that I would submit my own post to this b-log so here goes. Let me just mention first that I had the idea of naming the blog "A Boy and His Blog", a title not-so-loosely based on the old Nintendo game "A Boy and His Blob" (which, by the way, I'm convinced is unbeatable despite the many accounts to the contrary circulating on the world wide web, or "WWW" as the kids are calling it these days). After thinking about it a bit longer and performing a simple Google search I realized two things:

1. I think I may have stolen that idea from my brother Clark.
2. I think my brother Clark may have stolen that idea from any one of the thousands of blogs already in existence with some form of the title "A Boy and his Blog."

But I digress. I was in line today at the MSU cafeteria and ordered a cajun chicken wrap - the daily deli special. The girl working the deli counter clearly was uncomfortable making a wrap and asked the individual working beside her, "can you do a wrap?" The second individual responds "maybe a little freestyle but nothing major."

Is there any higher form of humor then a well-placed pun?

Favorite Song of the Week

2007-04-05T19:57:00.000-04:00

My friend Chrissy introduced me to Amy Winehouse today--specifically, the song "Rehab." It has an old-school sound, and it's pretty funny.

Ohio State Lost!

2007-04-03T19:59:00.000-04:00

For those of you who may not know, my dad (Kristen's dad) has been a long-time University of Michigan fan. It is safe to say that he cringes when he hears the word "buckeye." Last night we went to bed around 10:30 or so and awoke at 12:00 AM when my dad called Matt's cell phone and said, "It feels so good to see Ohio State lose. It feel so good to see Ohio State lose." I don't think I did a good job of hiding the fact that he woke us up, but I did not feel so bad because, after all, he was calling while sitting pool-side in Hawaii.

First in football, now in basketball, Florida has made my dad one happy man.