I CAN do it ALL!!

So, back in September, I was staying at my grandma's house in Utah and trying to make plans for the weekend. I was only going to be there a few days and I didn't have a car. I'd already made plans for my cousin Sydney to pick me up and bring me to cousin Kim's house where we'd all go out for dinner and then play games. I then borrowed Kim's car, met up with a friend in Salt Lake and rode with him to Logan for a wedding reception and to hang out with old friends from Greenbrier. I came back in time to sleep, go to church with Kim, and then met up at Grandma's house again for her birthday party and games with more cousins. I was arranging all of this and wondered if I could also hang out with my old roommate, Shmarah while I was there. Grandma told me, "Brooke, you're so busy. You need to learn that you can't do it all!" 3 text messages later, Shmarah was on her way to meet me and Grandma's house and take me hiking! Grandma ate her words. "Well, I guess maybe you CAN!"

So, I'm realizing that this is how I live my life. I want to do it all. As soon as friends invite me to do something, I HAVE to figure out a way to do it! I was struggling with October's plans. I'm leaving tomorrow to go to Salt Lake for a concert, then we fly out of Salt Lake Sunday morning for our cruise to the Bahamas. Our flight gets back to Salt Lake at 11:30 p.m. Friday night, and I have some friends hiking the Narrows in Zion National Park on Saturday. But, Kimball's in a play in Rexburg on Saturday night that was only performing Saturday the 24th and Saturday the 31st. I'm still set on going to Lagoon on the 31st. I was going to have to sacrifice SOMETHING and I didn't like it! I knew making arrangements for the Narrows would KILL me, so I cut that out of the plan. I can always go next year. :(

Then, today I hear from Kimball. Her show's been changed. They're not doing it on the 24th. They've moved it to November the 7th. We're back on board. Sydney's picking me up at the airport in SLC at 11:30 p.m. Friday night. We'll drive down to Zion National Park to meet Brooke, Lisa and friends to hike Zions by 10:00 a.m. Saturday. Who needs sleep, when you can do it ALL??? 

I'll be back after the concert, the cruise, and the Narrows to report.

One of these days, I'm going to get really tired.

Up and coming ...

I know. I haven't done so great at updating on the goings-on and life events of the past few months, but here are the two biggest attractions coming soon!

Next week, I'm going here:

on one of these:

with these people:

Then, the week after that, I'm moving to one of these:

*just kidding. I couldn't find a picture.*

with these people:

Rock on.

Holy Flip, I suck!!

Note to friends:

So, I've just been scanning through my blogging history. Seriously? Only like 3 posts in the last 3 months, and I don't even know if they all count. One was just a video with a broken link! Geez!

So, I'm back! I promise, I'm back! I have a LOT of catching up to do, but I have every intention to do so. I just don't have time to do it right NOOOWWW ....

:D

Brooke

Oh, Blog, you neglected fool!

It's really intimidating to try to catch up when you've gotten as far behind as I have. It just gets worse and worse ... it's kind of like cleaning my bathroom. The longer I wait, the bigger the job gets and the more I want to push it off. 

I need some motivation ... for my blog AND for my bathroom.

Addiction

This is a very real subject that is always accompanied with a lot of pain.

This dance illustrates the reality of addiction. My favorite part is when her "addiction" grabs her face and she throws her arms out to escape. How real is that?

Sorry, but this hits close to home and I can't watch this video enough. AMAZING.

Tribute walk for JoAnn Cramer

JoAnn Cramer is Lisa John's grandma. Lisa lives with her grandparents, so I was able to get to know Grandma Cramer and spend time with this awesome woman.

This is a tribute walk we did in her honor last Saturday. Grandma Cramer passed away Thursday, July 16, 2009.

In the video clip, you'll see me picking up garbage! :)

They also did an interview with Lisa, and she did a GREAT job.

This was taken from www.localnews8.com website.. 

By Aman Chabra, Local News 8 Reporter

AMMON - It was more than just a friendly stroll down Ammon Road Saturday evening, but a way to honor a local woman who made a difference everywhere she went.

Friends and family of Joann Cramer took to the streets to honor her memory as one who cared about the beauty of her community.

Joann passed away Thursday of a stroke at the age of 78.

To pay tribute to her, more than 50 family and friends followed Joanne's route up and down Ammon Road Saturday, picking up any pieces of trash they saw, the same way she would have.

For nearly ten years, Joann could be seen walking up and down Ammon Road picking up trash and putting it in a large black garbage bag.

Joann's efforts were first recognized on Local News 8 in 2004, and she was even honored with a nomination for a community award for her efforts.

"She wanted to serve, and hopefully everyone will remember her for that.  It was an honor to be able to remember her this way," said Granddaughter, Lisa John.

Funeral services for Joann Cramer are scheduled for Monday, July 20^th at 11:00 a.m. at the Idaho Falls Central LDS Stake Center.

Too busy living!!

So, I've had no time to blog about my life because I've been too busy living it! But it's been a whole month, so I'm gonna take a bit of time to do a little tiny pathetic excuse for a catch up.

Since I blogged last I've been:

counterproductive:

I gave myself a pedicure, and then went on a backpacking trip and turned 3/10 of my toenails BLACK and had at least 2,700 blisters.

I bought Crest whitening strips, then the 2nd day of using them, I ate a grape sucker that turned all my teeth purple.

I want to save money so I can finally move out of my parents' house, but then I take at least 2 days off of work per week all month to play. (And playing isn't cheap!)

seeking new adventures with awesome friends:

me, Lisa, Brooke, Taletha and Skyler playing at the rope swing in Havasupai Falls, Arizona

Lisa and I showing you how awesome Havasupai Falls is. We backpacked about 22 miles round trip with lots of little hikes during the days in between. ROCKIN' AWESOME!!

Our whole group, minus two. 7 of us knew each other pretty well, and we got to know the others during our week of awesomeness!

bonding with Aunt Lizette (in ways that I probably shouldn't publicize on the internet):

poker face

enjoying the greatness that is my family:

Me with my cousins Amanda and Sydney getting ready to ride!

"I want to hold on clear over here!!"

Grandma and Grandpa with all their grandkids--minus three. They're so proud. :D

Me, cousin Alex and Aunt Lizette, getting ready to go four wheeling

I had Lizette check for dirt on my face after the ride. She said I was fine.

being a kid again in the happiest place on earth:

me, Gina and Brooke in front of the castle in Disneyland

Lisa, me, Minnie, Gina and Brooke. Gina and I bought Minnie Mouse ears, so of COURSE we had to get our pictures with her!

reuniting with old friends to celebrate weddings, graduation and mission calls:

me, Kimball, Erica and Ako in West Yellowstone! It's been FOREVER since I've seen these girls! ("forever" is a loose term. 2 weeks for Kimball, 6 months for Ako--6 months? really!? That's a LONG time! and 2 years for Erica. Wow!) Ako's going on a mission to New York!!!

Big group of fun friends at the Playmill Theater in West Yellowstone.

saying goodbye to an amazing woman and trying to be a good friend to her amazing granddaughter. I couldn't love you more, Lis. We'll miss you, Grandma Cramer!:

My best friend, Lisa, lost her grandma JoAnn Cramer on July 19, 2009. Lisa lived with her grandma and we were all able to build a relationship with this sweet woman.

Lisa's sister Jana, me and Lisa after the Memorial walk for Grandma Cramer. She used to walk around Ammon and pick up garbage, so we got a group of people together and did a garbage walk in her honor.