The Christmas Extravaganza!

We had a great Christmas this year! We were able to spend it with the Bowen Family in the new house. It was delightful. We were able to relax and do nothing...its a great feeling. Everyone but Brandon's family was there for Christmas and his family came the day after. So, the day after Christmas we were all able to spend some time together tubing with Grandpa Tractor and Uncle Clinty driving the tractor. Other than sore backsides, we had a blast!
We came back to Logan on Saturday the 27th where we were able to open presents from the Canfield's and attend the famous Boxing Day Bash. We were also lucky enough to talk to Nickole from Brazil. It was great to be able to be with all of our family. We were also blessed to leave Burley on Saturday. Yesterday, the wind blew so bad that church was cancelled for the day and I'm not sure we would have made it back!
That is the 411 on our holiday happenings. We hope your holiday was as good as ours!

Update

So I have had a complaint that I don't update my blog. So I suppose that I will update.
I just finished my last final. One more semester down, 3 more to go. I don't think I will ever graduate. Its just too far away!
Oh I also paid tuition yesterday. Talk about a killer. I just hate seeing all the money that you have put away disappear in two seconds. So to all those that don't get a Christmas gift, you will receive an IOU. IOU's are redeemable when we have made our first billion. If you don't want an IOU, I am giving away hugs. Who needs a better Christmas present than that?!
Now that finals are out of the way, I'm in full blown Christmas mode. Well kinda. I don't have ANY christmas gifts purchased and I haven't even thought about purchasing them. (Mostly because tuition has severely depleted our Christmas budget). However, I'm excited to spend Christmas with Momma and Papa Bowen this year!! I'm sure there will be some good food and family and it will be fun to spend it in the new house.
Well, that is about all that I have to say. I'm fairly certain I'm the most boring person on the planet.

Green tractors?!

This post is for Dad. I looked for a Case IH background for the blog, but alas, I was unsuccessful. I had to settle for the green tractors. Just so you know Dad, I am still true to the red.

Research Project

Well friends, its official. I start my undergrad research project this week. Yes, I am on my way to becoming a scholar. And I couldn't have done it without my dear brother. Thanks Clinton! Although, I never thought that it would pay to know someone at Beta Seed.

Hi Ho Daddy-o!

Happy Birthday Daddy-o!! Hope your day yesterday was stupendous!!

Genius!

I'm using THIS excuse next time I have $400,000!

Happy Birthday!

Just a shout out to my mother. Hope your birthday yesterday was great! You're the best!

New House

So, our "new house" is coming along. I suppose I should say our different basement is coming along. But if any of you desire to do yard work, please come help! Seriously...

I also have some pictures to post but I can't find my camera cord. Its in a box somewhere in the only room we haven't unpacked yet. So as soon as I find my cord I'll post pictures of our camping trip and of our 1 year anniversary.

Who's protecting us?

Read this one. It'll give you a laugh.

Best family EVER!

I just want to say that I have the BEST FAMILY EVER! It makes me super super super happy that its only 10:30 and everyone in my family has called to wish me a happy birthday. Thanks guys, you're the BEST!!

I heart Parafilm

One of the perks about working in the lab is using cool gadgets. Today I have been able to use a fair share of Parafilm. And all I have to say is that this company should manufacture Parafilm for household use. Its an extremely sturdy plastic material that stretches. You can put it over bottles or whatever you need to and it holds the contents in place. It is AMAZING. I tell you what, I would use it for everything in my house if I could! I beats foil and plastic wrap!

So today I just wanted to let all of you know how much I heart Parafilm.

P.S. its also used for grafted branches in orchards.

A reproductive day...

Disclaimer: if you find the animal reproductive system offensive in any way, you may not want to continue reading.

So on Tuesdays and Thursdays I have two classes in the same classroom. Well just yesterday I was in my animal science class and my teacher was talking about the male reproductive system in the bull. Well he was talking about how over the years due to natural selection, the scrotum has developed a seperation causing the testes to become seperate as well. So he drew us a picture on the whiteboard to show us what he was talking about. Later that day, I went to my class and proceeded to give my presentation on agricultural biotechnology. Right in the middle of presenting to the class, I glance at the board and see a scrotum staring back at me. This causes me to giggle inside and lose my train of thought. After I presented I sat back down and my friend asked me why I got so flustered. This is how our conversation went...

"Why did you get so flustered? Thats not like you."
"Do you know what that picture is of on the board?"
"No, but I have been trying to figure it out."
"Well its a scrotum."
".....yep that'll do it to ya"

And yes, a picture of a bull's scrotum would probably fluster you too.

Motherly Energy?

So I just got done babysitting our neighbor's 1 1/2 year old little boy. He's the cutest thing but man, does he have tons of energy. All I have to say is that I hope when you have a baby, energy is something that comes along with motherly instinct. Because I'm pooped!

Moose

Bad news. Moosie Goosie gets cut on Monday. Wish the poor little guy luck.

An extension of yesterday...

So today my post is an extension of yesterday. This morning I had to give a presentation in class. I gave my presentation (it was excellent I must add) and then sat down. As soon as I sat down, I heard some whispering and giggling behind me. Two girls started to comment how small I was and how bad it must suck and they went on and on and on. Let me tell eveyone who is reading this...I'm short, NOT DEAF!! I was getting so upset that I turned around and gave them a polite smile. Yeah, I'm quite certain that they felt like retards so that was a plus.

Yes, I'm married and yes, you're an idiot

One more thing. I hate it when people find out I am married and can't believe it. I usually get something to the effect of...no, you're way too young to be married. Or no, you LOOK way too young to be married. And I want to reply something like this...Thank you for your concern, but I'm at a legal age to be married. You may think that 19 is too young to be married but I can guarantee that I'm more mature than you. And just because I'm short doesn't mean I'm 12. So please stop jumping to conclusions and mind your own business.

I think I'm done venting for the day. Maybe...

Thank you Captain Obvious!

So I have often wondered why people always have to point out how short I am. I love it when people say wow you're short. Most of the time I just want to yell at them and say something to the effect of....WOW! Thank you Captain Obvious! I not like I haven't looked in the mirror for the last 20 years!

So, if anyone is reading this that has ever pointed out how short I am, I just want to say to you...yes, I know I am short. Yes, it makes me mad when you point it out. And yes, if you say it again, I will probably blow up at you.

That's all.

Giving up the blog?

I've been contemplating deleting my blog. I've become another cliche. It's like some unwritten rule that once you get married you need to start a blog. And I really don't want to be another cliche. Plus I don't really have much to write about. And I'm not really that interesting to tell you the truth. Let me know your thoughts.

College is overrated

So I just got done taking one out of three tests today. How did it go? Well let me tell you.

On Monday I woke up with a cold. It has slowly gotten worse. So, every night I would sit down to study and fall asleep only half an hour later out of exhaustion. Needless to say, I didn't get any studying done. Last night in a sorry attempt to make up for lost studying time, I tried to cram. It didn't work. So I decided to at least go to bed early so I would at least be rested. Well I spent all night coughing so I didn't even get any sleep.

I sat down to take my last test in my greenhouse production class. There was absolutely NOTHING going on inside my head. I couldn't even comprehend what the question was asking. And that was the multiple choice and true and false questions. Don't even ask how the short essay questions went. I couldn't even think up of anything to b.s. my way out of those ones.

I am now off to take my animal science test. This is the first test of the semester and my 87 year old professor is calling it a 'midterm.' Yeah, I think alzheimers has set in for the poor guy. I don't even want to know what his test questions are like seeing as how his quiz questions don't even ask for a general knowledge about the information. Instead of 'Explain the importance of lactation' he asks 'What is the fat percentage in the milk of the yak.' So I am certain that this test won't go well either.

But I will look at the bright side, it is sunny and warm outside. And I brought "My Little Pony" fruit snacks for lunch. I may fail the tests, but I'll still have my deliciously fruity snacks to eat outside in the sunshine.

Its a Fact

Well folks, it's true. We have officially gotten our 2 $1,000 checks in the mail. Now at least one of us can go to school this summer. Yeah, free money is basically the best!

Dude Ranch part II

So yesterday I talked to Brittany and we decided that we're going to go in on this dude ranch together. Brittany (I guess Brandon too) will cook while Kaden and I do the rest. The only deal is that I have to let Kami-Bami ride horses any time she wants.

That got me thinking, I think this could be a great family investment. We could combine our skills to have the most wicked awesome place ever.

Clinton could grow a cowboy moustache so that people will come from miles around to look at it. Mandi could dig for gold and make us money. Dad could build an amazing swing set and run the farm. Mom could keep a watchful eye on the place and go for taco runs. Brandon and Brittany can cook. Well Brittany can and Bradon can eat candy or something. Cooper can give out candy to all the visitors. Landon can chillax. Kaden can make sure we don't get sued. And I can ride horses with Kami. Heck, maybe even one of our distant relatives has a ranch and is going to die soon.

So, all of those talents combined would be super rad.

P.S. If our distant relative doesn't die, there is a ranch in Montana for sale. Only 6.5 million. That's a STEAL!

Rollin' in the dough...almost

So last year, I was getting ready to pay my tuition bill when I looked into my account and saw a random scholarship. I couldn't figure out where I had gotten it and I felt really bad thinking that someone else was probably wondering where thier scholarship money went. So I called the scholarship office to see what the deal was. No one could figure out where it had come from and no one could see where it should go. So, I got to keep it.

Now, Kaden and I are trying to figure out how to pay for next year's tutition without having to take out a student loan. We've applied for a Pell Grant but it looks like we're not going to get it. So today Kaden talks to me and says that he got an e-mail from the financial aid office saying that he was awarded $1,000 in financial aid for the 2007-2008 school year (the school year that ends in May). So he goes and checks it out, and once again, no one can figure out where the money came from. It just popped up. Well, about 20 minutes ago, I checked my e-mail and lo and behold, I was also awarded $1,000 for the 2007-2008 school year. Supposedly we will be getting 2 $1,000 checks in the mail. That means our summer tuition is paid for! Yipee!

I don't know about you, but I would say that someone is watching out for us. But, if you feel the need, I'm sure that we can still accept donations. Just kidding!

Good News

So I have a few bits of good news. First of all, I'm not dying anymore and it feels pretty good. And I don't have anymore classes until March 17th. Man I love USU!

Dude Ranch

So Kaden and I decided quite a while ago that someday we would like some land to farm, or possibly ranch. But, today, I decided that we are going to start a dude ranch. I mean think about it. People pay you to "live the cowboy life" by scooping poo, riding a horse, and other things. Who wouldn't want to own a dude ranch?! Plus, I was researching them today and the average cost to stay on a dude ranch is $1,500 a week for ONE person. Now that's some easy money. So, if anyone would like to donate money, or land, to get our ranch started, it would be greatly appreciated! A bonus too: if you donate you can stay at our ranch for a 30% discount! Is that a great deal or what?

Still not complaining

Ok, so this past week I've had a hard time not complaining. If anyone even remotely knows me, they know that I do not handle sickness well. I have been switching to some new meds and ever since Wednesday afternoon, I have not been feeling well. First I thought that it was just the withdrawls from going off my first medicine. But I was just not getting any better. So my dear papa called the Dr and the Dr said "oh maybe her dosage is too high. " All I could think was hmm...this would have been helpful to me LAST WEEK! But after many days and nights of puking and not eating anything, I am finally feeling better. Minus the fact that several times a day I feel like Lucille 2 with her vertigo. And good news...I actually ate something for dinner! YIPEE!!

I must say that Kaden has been a trooper. I'm sure he wanted to kill me, I know I would have killed me if I was him. He has been making sure that I have everything that I need/want, he's done the laundry, he's done the dishes, he's kept everything tidy, he's gone and gotten me a burrito from Taco Time that I only kept down for a little while. I must say that he's been great. He's only said "ohhh stop your boobin" a few times and that was because I said that I wanted to go to the vet to be put down.

Now I just have to get through midterms this week and maybe I'll stop my complaining. And if only I can get over this vertigo I'm sure I'll live. Maybe.

Can Me!!

I win at cool name tag

1.YOUR GANGSTA NAME (fave ice cream flavor, fave cookie)
Bull Tracks Chocolate Chip

2. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME (first pet & current car):
Lady Neon

3. YOUR “FLY” NAME (first initial of first name, first three letters of last name):
Mcan

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME (favorite color, favorite animal)
Yellow Pudu

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME (middle name, city you were born in):
Lee Twin Falls (yeah that's a lame one) maybe I'll change it to Lee Burley...yeah not any better

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME (first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 of your first):
Canmi (HAHA CAN ME!)

7. SUPERHERO NAME (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink):
The Red Juice

8. NASCAR NAME (the first names of your grandfathers):
Henry Bob

9. STRIPPER NAME (the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy):
Nollie Peanut Butter Cup

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME (mother & father’s middle names):
Lynne Lee

11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter):
Macias Miami

12. SPY NAME (favorite flower, favorite season/holiday):
Daffodil Spring

13. CARTOON NAME (fave fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing now + “ie” or “y”):
Apple Pantsy

14. HIPPY NAME (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree):
Old Donut Ginko

15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”):
The Reading Lightning Tour

Model Idiot?

So I have recently been discovering what my dear sister has been studying at school and what she has been doing at work. I must say that I have never been more depressed. It has made me realize that I know nothing. Well I know stuff about plants and dirt and thats about it. I mean here she is working on these research projects about who knows what and I'm grinding soil to make mud pies. She's studying people in countries that I've never heard of and I'm studying the process of photosynthesis and how to make your fruit crop better. All that I have to say is wow.....I don't know much. Maybe I should change my major to digging for gold. That's gotta be where the money's at right?


*Note: This post was not me complaining, merely stating facts.

Not Complaining

So I'm taking Rev. Will Bowen's advice and not complaining or gossiping. Actually this was my new year's resolution. Rev. Will's advice just reached me later. I'm not going to lie, its been pretty tough! But to help me get over this habit, I've decided to post things that I can't complain about.

I just got a 94% on a take home test.
I paid off my car yesterday! (Thank you tax returns)
I'm not a democrat (JUST KIDDING MANDI!!!)
Its almost spring At least for now
I cut some wood today in class and didn't lose any limbs
My boss is thinking about taking another vacation
Spring Break is only 8 school days away
Clinton hasn't made fun of me on his blog yet

Ok that's about all that I can come up with today. Maybe I'll come up with some later.

Doggone it!!

Ok, I have to vent! As we speak I am sitting in MY office at work and my bosses dog is in here with me. Yep, a full grown chocolate lab. Supposedly the dog has a hurt tail and they don't want to leave it alone because they're afraid it will bite at its tail. So, she brought it to work. And right now, she's giving a tour of the lab and I'm here alone with the dog in MY office. She has put boxes and various materials in front of her office door so that the dog won't go in there. I mean, if you're going to bring your pet, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE put it in YOUR office. AHHHH!!!! It's drooling all over, whining, barking, and growling. And its drooling and breathing on me! I can't take it! This is ridiculous! Does anyone else think this is ridiculous? I wouldn't mind so much if it was in her office but it ticks me off that she's blocked off her office. Ok this probably doesn't even make sense since I am writing it in anger but thats my vent for the day.

15 inches and hosed again...

Well it snowed ALL day yesterday in Logan and ALL night and it was snowing this morning. We have probably gotten 15 inches or more. So, you would think that the University would close right? WRONG! They didn't. And let me just tell you that getting to school this morning was a mess. Basically all of campus hadn't been cleared when I got up here. Everyone was bundled up and trudging through the snow. I mean, COME ON!! If you can't have campus cleared by at least 7:00 (alot of classes start at 7:30) then cancel school! And now as I look at the window the wind is starting to pick up. You would think that some common sense would kick in. But then again, maybe not.

Is tommorrow the day?

Ok, quick update. There is about three new inches of snow outside and it is still snowing. AND it is slightly breezy. So, will tomorrow be the day? The SNOW day that is? I say, yes. It may be. Just because I don't have any classes on Fridays and that's just how my luck is.

Do snow days exist?

This semester had been a LONG one. And its not even half way over yet. Everyday I wake up hoping...nay, praying that there will be enough snow on the ground for the University to shut down. And every day, I wake up disappointed. Well just recently I discovered that snow days don't exist in Logan like they did in Burley. Kaden has only had 2 snow days his entire life! So now I pose the question...what the heck is wrong with Logan?!?! I think that they should follow Burley's example and be more generous with snow days. I mean come on! All kids need a break. Especially the big kids like me! But for now, I will still wake up every day and look out the window first thing. I can hope right?