A Few Things...

Just a few thoughts I'm having.
I'm THRILLED that this is the last day of January.
I had a great weekend.
I am so proud of my country music.
I'm honestly elitist about it.
If you disagree perhaps you should just take a listen here.
If that song doesn't bring tears to your eyes or give you chills...I don't know what will.
I'm mildly obsessed with this song right now.
I embarrassed myself at Aleisha and Richard's the other night and I just need to vent it off.
First of all, I swore in their house.
I feel horrible about this.
I swear sometimes.
I'm honestly okay with this...I do NOT have a foul mouth.
But I have respect for people who really don't.
I shouldn't have done that.
I also was telling a story for comical value about Zach, a Guiness shirt, and a story at Misty's house on Saturday night.
I got worked up.
Because it's me.
And it's alcohol.
But it was a story I was telling for comic value.
Well...I'm my mother's daughter
It appears that I may have gotten a little too worked up about it.
And I was being regarded in maybe a little too much seriousness.
As in...I was taken maybe a little too seriously.
Because I get worked up.
Perhaps I got a marriage counseling seminar.
The reality of it all is that I adore my husband.
And I am getting better at laughing at things he does.
But I am also extremely expressive.
And I am also my grandmother's granddaughter.
And I do not apologize for that.
If I stand somewhere. I don't budge.
And that's okay, too.
And sometimes I'm misread.
And when I'm misread and someone starts talking nicely to me...
Sometimes (okay all the time), I start crying.
And that's what happened.
And I'm embarrassed about it.
I've been fretting about it all day.
But I feel better now that I've aired it all out.
Sorry again Aleisha.
I'm sick.
I'm getting ready to go to my mom's to watch The Bachelor.
I'm excited.

I have an exciting book that I'm reading.
I will share it on here when I'm done.
I'm teaching myself how to create things on my blog.
Be patient with me as I continue to rearrange things.
I drank orange juice in a wine glass while taking a bath tonight.
I was feeling ill and that made me feel fancy.
I read my book, too.
Stay tuned for the Bachelor thoughts tomorrow!
p.s. I know The Bachelor isn't real...it's a guilty pleasure :)
Take that back. Not guilty. It's just a pleasure.
I don't feel one bit bad about watching it.
Not one bit.

The Rite

I waited and waited anxiously all week for this movie.
The day finally came and I was just a tad disappointed.
In Hopkins? No. Not at all.
I love him.
He did an excellent job.
And if you didn't know...I have a soft spot for Catholic priests. I love movies with them...don't know what it is..and Anthony Hopkins as a Catholic priest was the best I could ask for...pretty sure about that.
I guess perhaps my expectations were a little too Emily Rose=a little too high.
I will not spoil anything. I promise that.
I just have to say that if the writers had somehow included Jodi Picoult in their screen writing,
or if Jodi had possibly written this as a novel.
It would have been better.
I couldn't stop thinking about the wondrous things that this movie could have been if Jodi had been included.
So Misty, when you see this movie (and I don't necessarily think you should until after Grace:) I want you to think about Jodi and tell me I'm correct.
That goes for any other hard core Jodi fans. You can tell me I'm right anytime as well! :)
As not-so-scary as this movie was.
I have a fear of possession.
I think that I know better than to see movies like this and so I always fear I will be punished somehow.
So I still get a tad freaked out for a few days.
I warned Zach that this would happen.
When we went to bed last night Zach couldn't sleep and he was going to read.
Normally, he reads with a mini-flashlight (Christmas gift from Nana and Granddad and it's so cute that he uses it) in our bed.
Normally I don't mind because we don't see each other during the week much and I like him next to me even if he is reading and I am sleeping. Yes, I am cheesy like that.
But last night I was tired. And I knew I would have all weekend with him.
So I asked him to go read in the living room.
As I drifted off into sleep. I started having weird/crazy dreams.
**I really am affected by any type of remotely graphic image because I don't see them that often.**
So twenty minutes after pretty much kicking Zach out of the room, I hollered out to him, "Zach! I'm scared!"
And he came back in. And put his hand on my leg. And read his book with his little flashlight.
So basically on a side note...I have no idea how I got so incredibly incredibly lucky.
I love him.

Nicknames

I have had a lot of them in my short little lifetime.
Including:
Shar
Rufie
Parsley
Parslet
Sharlotte
Fat
Ham
Fat Ham
Hamlet
Davidson
Daves
Mona
and
Sparky.
The whole reason for this post is that I just remembered Sparky yesterday.
I honestly don't remember how that came to be.
I do know that I used to get notes left on my bed in our first apartment from Misty addressed to Sparky.
And I can't quite remember if there was just talk of getting me dog food for Valentine's day or if it actually happened.
I do know that I was at Target when I had that random memory
and I grinned like a fool.
Our history is so incredibly beautiful.
I love it.
I also love every single nickname.
Including Sparky and Fat Ham.
They mean I am loved.
Really they do.

We're Going Here

Oahu
In three months...
I am thrilled.
We got cheap tickets.
Like...half the price of what it cost us to fly to Georgia for Christmas cheap.
Zach's sister is getting married.
I am thrilled.
This should really help move things along in the
loose weight and manage my money better department of resolutions.
I didn't really think we'd go.
I didn't.
All it took was a co-worker challenging my ability to make it work.
And so I did.
And we are.
And I'm thrilled.

The Bachelor

Thoughts on last night:

-Michelle is crazy. Absolutely positively crazy. And it seems Brad can't get enough??? Don't get it.
-Brad is totally smitten with Emily and I don't blame him. So am I. Still...even though she had very little airtime last night. I wonder how the race car date will end next week. I really think he already knew that and should've been more cautious.
-I no longer like Ashley H. (Remember, I've always like Ashley S. better?)
-I am completely thrown off by the chemistry and developing relationship with Chantel O. I think I like it. I think I like her.
-I still like Jackie.
-I am still loving this season.

Your thoughts?

Truth be Told

Truth be Told..
a little idea for a regular blog I had. So you may see this every once in a while...It means Sharlee's getting random stuff off her chest-When I curl my hair in the mornings (or to go out at night) I leave my curlers in until I'm one mile away from my destination. So I never actually no how I look when I leave the house. It's this OCD thing I have with my curls falling out.
-I am a very tardy person. Most of you know this. Did you know that one huge reason I'm always tardy is because I honestly HATE to be early. Even if I'm ready, I will busy myself until I'm late...just so I won't be early.
-I have an obsessive habit of hoarding things that I don't have "back ups of" this is actually becoming a real problem for me. I get almost anxious over using something like a nice lotion if I don't have another nice lotion to back up the lotion I use. I won't use gift cards until I absolutely have to. I hoard soaps, lotions, fancy treats or foods, and I always keep ONE pair of a new sack of socks unworn just in case.
-Just in case what? I'm not sure exactly. Just in case we are really poor and I can't buy new socks or nice lotions. Just in case I need something nice in an emergency situation? I have no idea what really started the whole thing but it's very strange and it is truly getting worse.
-I can't have more than 100 messages in any inbox.
-I can't stand having unread messages.
-I laughed when Kira and Zach called Oprah the anti-Christ.
-I hate hanging laundry. I could fold all day, but I hate to hang it.
-I have a tendency to be lazy. VERY VERY lazy at times.
-I'm happy my husband is in school but I dread Sunday nights because I don't see him all week.
-I'm ultra-ultra nosy.
-I like things clean and I tend to overreact when things are not clean. (Like the night when I was dusting for the umpeenth time--we have a little dust issue and I'm not sure what it is--and I started freaking out ad telling Zach that our house was absolutely unlivable.) Stuff like that. It's totally irrational which brings me to this...
-I'm irrational. Do not try to argue against me using this as bait though. I will tell you that I know I am irrational and then I will tell you why every feeling I have is still valid. And I will win.
-My husband handles me PERFECTLY.
-I do not handle my husband perfectly at all.
-I get my feelings hurt probably easier than anyone you've ever met. Seriously...so so SO easily.
-I'm tough, though.
That's about all. Do you have any confessions to share?

Answer This

This week I thought I would do something fun.
I mean super fun.
At least I really think so.

You get to share some of your "Lifetime Grammy Awards"

I practically host these exact awards on a weekly basis in the car with Zach. So I decided I should blog it and let you share your thoughts...so don't forget to comment and answer!
It may also be a little inspired by my recent viewing of Country Strong.

Best Male Artist: Randy Travis
I freaking LOVE this guy.
Like seriously...I get emotional when I hear his voice. I love him so much.
Do you remember how I got to touch him? And see him up close.
One of my most favorite memories of all time.
It's his voice. His lyrics. His oh-so-country nature.
L.O.V.E. him.
I have many favorites by Randy and I would recommend them ALL but look here.
Runners Up??: Jason Mraz, John Mayer, and Ben Harper

Most Beautiful Song Ever Written:
"If You're Reading This"--Performed by Tim McGraw
I may not be all that sophisticated in my tastes but this song is absolutely beautiful.
Runners Up: Virture--Jenny Phillips, Forever--Ben Harper (yes, 1 of our two wedding songs), and Blessed Union of Souls' I Believe

Best Hick Song
I Love Your Love the Most (Our 2nd wedding song:)
Runners Up: International Harvester, Papa Loved Mama, Bubba Shot the Jukebox, My Kinda Party, 8 Second Ride,Watermelon C rawl
There are many many more (I love me some hick music) but I can't think of them all right now.

I guess it was a pretty short Grammy presentation:) I'll add more later. Feel free to add who you want.

So answer this: Who would you award these prestigious titles?

The Bachelor

Thoughts on last night:-Madison actually redeemed herself before leaving...and she took out her fangs. Thank goodness.
-I still CANNOT STAND Michelle. I love Brad but when he commented that she can steal him away any night of the week...I began to seriously question his judgment there.
-I love Ashley S.
-I would have died on her date at the recording studio. No way. No way. I seriously cannot even sing a little bit and it took MONTHS for Zach to hear me sing...like goofy in the car...not real attempts. Anyway, it's definitely not first date material for me.
-With that said...did you not LOVE how Brad sucked at singing but really went for it. Made me love him just a little bit. I really enjoyed watching that date. I laughed.
-I love Ashely S.
-I love Ashley H. but she only gets one mention this week
-I love and adore Emily.
-I cannot stop staring at Emily. She is absolutely GORGEOUS!
-I loved the girl who said, "So nobody hates Emily...awesome!" I laughed at that too.
-I'm curious to see Chantel's stuff next week...looked exciting.
-I like Shawntel/Shawntal? Too lazy to look it up (I don't love her yet but I like her a fair amount).
-I also like Jackie a fair amount.
-I really am fond of Brad as the bachelor. I am LOVING this season...like I haven't loved a season in a very long time.
Your thoughts?

Coach

As I've already mentioned...I am coaching the YW volleyball "team" for our ward.
This consists of 3 girls showing up from our ward and I have to 'scout' out 3 or more extras each week.

I had an experience this morning called: pissed off first thing in the church building

Wanna know why?
Read on:

Like I said, I have to scout out some additional girls.
Basically, I find girls and I ask them to play.
If you know me...I know nothing NOTHING about any sport besides basketball
and at that...I would never think to coach it. Not ever!
I don't do sports.
Anyway, I do actually watch the girls from other wards playing and if I see one that looks good, I will ask her to play.
That is seriously the extent of my expertise.

Well apparently church volleyball is for women what church basketball is for the men.
I had no idea.
Our "ref" this morning is apparently a professional.
So when I had my girls...3 of mine and 3 from another ward...on the court, I was about to have us start.
The ref came over and started telling me random things that I really didn't care about it's CHURCH volleyball:
The court is regular sized so the girls who can't serve very well can move up to this black line but if they can serve they need to stay back so as not to take advantage. Okay?

She then seriously started getting pissy with me. Seriously. For no reason at all.
She starts telling me that if I am rotating girls (which I'm not...I ONLY HAVE 6) and I'm borrowing girls from other wards I should never have my girls sub out. That would be unfair to have 26 girls playing
Remember how I have 6...3 of my own
and then not to have someone from my ward playing.
That would be wrong.
"If 36th ward is playing then you always need to have 36th ward out there if you're recruiting girls."

Then she said this: We're all LDS here. We're all honest.

At which point I would have said some not very LDS things had I not marched off in a huff after giving her a very dirty look.

The nerve.

First of all, it's not like I was randomly choosing girls to add to our team to make us win. We only had three to begin with. We needed an extra 3 to make our team work.

Second of all, I don't know enough about volleyball to try to cheat. If anything she gave me some good ideas. I am competitive after all.

So...thanks I guess.
And then some other thoughts that I will not share on here....
Good day all!

Heartbreaking

This is totally heartbreaking if you ask me.
Totally and completely.
This was a question on a reading test I gave my students today:
Has anyone ever disagreed with something you believe in? How did you react?

And here are 2 heartbreaking responses:
Yes. ##### disagrees with me when it comes to Santa. I gave ##### reasons that Santa was real. I told him/her my brother and I wanted Zhu-Zhu pets one Christmas. My mom didn't go shopping before they sold out. It turns out, we got them that Christmas. ##### still insisted he wasn't real. I got pretty mad and asked, "Then how come I got a Zhu-Zhu pets that Christmas?!" I was kind of mad.

Yes, people disagree with me because I believe in Santa. They say that your parents wrap presents and put Santa's name on it. If you leave cookies and milk out for him, they say your parents eat the cookies and drink the milk."

Do these not make you hurt to your very core? Maybe I'm a tad dramatic but I really did ache. My kids are so amazing.

And then this response was heartbreaking...for another reason:
I have never been disagreed with about my beliefs. I actually don't talk about my believes. My mom says you shouldn't. She says sometimes if you do, you'll get made fun of. Only a few people know and understand my beliefs.

No comment.

Heartbreaking.

Firsts...

This holiday season I had a lot of firsts.
Some of my firsts were:

*My first Christmas away from home. I totally made it. It wasn't too bad actually. The 23rd was hard for me...because of Gram and Christmas Eve was actually harder than Christmas day. Opening my pjs on Christmas Eve just left me bawling. Other than that...it was a lot of fun!
*I had fried turkey for the first time. Verdict? Necessary and DELICIOUS!
*My first Gingerbread House Wars competition. Sooo fun!
*Meeting Jeremy. Verdict? Love him! He's Hallie's husband.
*My first time making Zach's mom's banana bread and liking it myself. I learned the ways while home...and I also used a Kitchenaid for the first time and fell in love!
*We played Cities and Nights (a Settlers Expansion) OH MY GOODNESS! We LOVE it! LOVE it!
Except when Warren keeps winning and Suzanne is actually vengeful and gets back at me. We had some intense games. Perhaps my favorite part was Dad having us put bets on how long Zach would last before getting pissy (secretly behind his back). I had the most faith in my husband I gave him 45 minutes. I believe Hallie gave him 15...he maybe...MAYBE lasted five!
*I shot my first handgun. We totally had a redneck Christmas. Jeremy got a pistol for Christmas and some of the boys wanted to go to the shooting range and shoot. So we did...on Christmas day. We were in good company, others had the exact same idea. It is Georgia after all.
I did okay. I don't think I ever hit our makeshift target. I told Zach's dad that it was because the target he drew was too cute to hit..but really it's hard. When I shot the pistol I will admit. I was terrified. Completely terrified. Almost frozen. When the gun kicked...I nearly died. Luckily, I survived and I had a pretty good time. I still have my earplugs in my coat pocket and when I reach in to grab something and feel them, it makes me smile.
There may be others but I'm just not thinking right now.
Picture warning.

Here's my team (Zach, Amber, Miss Betty, and me) we had a trailer park house...my idea. :)
Betty's idea was the antenna...do you love it?

Favorite quote of the night:
Zach is trying to glue the sides together for like EVER. (Remember it takes him an hour to do ANYTHING--which sometimes I love.) I was growing impatient at this particular time. I said to Zach, "Maybe married couples shouldn't be on the same team."
Rob says, "Married couples shouldn't even be married."
He goes on to say, "It should be a contract, renewable every 5 years."
Normally I would NOT laugh at something like that even a little.
In fact I would normally state my disapproval of the statement and intently watch Zach to see if he thought it was funny. I would then interrogate Zach about the statement. "Do you agree with that? I am definitely not okay with that. Do you understand why I think that statement was out of line?" etc...Instead I laughed...A lot actually. It caught me off guard and it just flowed so perfectly with my statement.
Oh and p.s. My mom was the judge. I texted her pictures of the houses. It made me happy that they let me have my mom involved in my Christmas away from home.
She voted us: Most Original

Here is the most creative winner.
Team was: Suzanne, Rob, and Jeremy.
I accidentally just deleted the best picture. The pool. I will post it later to give proper credit to the most creative team.
The Sorry for the weird pictures. My phone.

Best Overall
Can't argue.
It's so clean and pretty.
Team: Warren, Hallie, Bo, and Kay

I also need to include pictures of Bo's amazing wreath he added. This house was too cute.
Apparently this team was the same last year--we draw names to decide teams--and they lost.
Warren was THRILLED to win.'
He was hilarious. All night while we waited for my mom to call with the verdict, he would say, "I'm so nervous..."
The next day he was admiring the house in the kitchen and said to me, "Yeah, your mom definitely made the right decision." I had to laugh.

The only picture of me shooting. Although, I wouldn't be surprised if you found a video of me floating around on YouTube. Let's just say that the gun freaked me out and I didn't handle it too well...and the guys next to us thought it was hilarious...and apparently taped it.

Zach and Bo
I didn't get a picture of Zach and Hallie, but I just have to say. I love my in-laws. I love Zach's brother and sisters. I love their significant others. I love his family.

Redneck Christmas right here!

And then we went home and had fried turkey.
And it was amazing.

The Bachelor

Thoughts after last night:*I still cannot stand Madison...although she didn't really do anything last night.
*I really can't stand Michelle.
*I still adore Emily.
*Emily is absolutely STUNNING. I cannot get over it.
*I still really really like both Ashleys.
* I think I like (I CANNOT think of her name) she went on the Pretty Woman date last night...although I think she sang to Brad the first night...I still think I like her...and she's pretty.
*I think I like Shawntel or Shawntal? However you spell it.
*Brad is my favorite bachelor...he's the smartest one I've seen thus far...he sent the two cat fighters home!
*How embarrassing was the girl who got sent home and then told how she was the worlds worst dater...
she dates men at work, that doesn't work out
she dates men her friends hook her up with ...that doesn't work out
she online dates...that doesn't work out
the Bachelor was kind of her "last ditch effort."
What?!?
I'm going to compete with 30 other beautiful women for ONE desirable man?
Why would you leave your last chance to those kinds of odds?
And most of all, why would you share that???
I just don't get it.
**I also kind of want to see Chantel in a bathing suit...she's not quite as thin as most girls and I am just curious. I'm not criticizing her body, just sayin'!
That about wraps up my thoughts from last night.
Yours?

Gentlemen

I am still looking for answers to my answer this.
Yes, I know I still need to blog about Christmas and other exciting things.
I know I still have pictures from 2010 to post.

Right now, though, I need to post about this:
In my own small way I feel like I make small contributions to society.
One of them is teaching my boys (my boy students) to be gentlemen.
They are still at a good age...they are willing to listen and they are oh so cute!
I tell them how much I appreciate a man who will hold the door open for me when I walk into the store.
I tell them how much I appreciate good manners.
Then I make them laugh and giggle when I tell them that I very seriously looked for that when I was dating.
I tell them how I would see if the boy/man would open my car door.
If he didn't? He might as well not even bother paying for dinner.
All interest or possible interest would be lost.
Double points if he opens the door for me when I get out of the car.
Then I tell them how Zach still opens doors for me, and scrapes the frosty windows for me in the morning (even if he could still sleep for another hour), and how I just LOVE it.
They "ew" and "gross" and laugh.
In P.E. the teacher makes them line up in a boy line and a girl line.
I make the boys say, "Ladies first!" (with kindness:)
I make the girls say, "Thank you!"
And we walk out in our merry way.
Well today...
I was late picking them up from P.E.
I walk down the hall and I see one of my boys holding the door.
And out come my ladies.
A whole line of them.
And then the boys follow.
As it should be.

And I was as pleased as ever!
I made such a fuss over it.
I hope it is carved into their souls forever.

My small contribution...
about 13 possible gentleman.
What a rare gift these days, right?

Answer This

Will it always be this way?
If it will how do I: a). accept this reality b). deal with it?
I am not answering this week. You are.
Pretty please.

Okay so here's the deal.
Zach:
Works full time.
Goes to school full time.
3 nights a week.D
Doesn't get home until after 10.

I:
Work full time.
I teach the after school program 2-3 nights a week.
This means I work 10 hour days 2-3 nights a week.
You should note that that is the time I am TEACHING. Not the time I am working late planning, grading, organizing, etc...I put it a lot of extra time for work. I'm not an extraordinary teacher, I seriously have to put in the time I do or I might die.
I have a book study on 2 Monday nights a month at school. For college credit.
I do my ward missionary work on Tuesday nights.
I attend mutual on Wednesday nights.
I was just informed that camp director also means sports director...so now I coach volleyball on Saturday mornings.

I only eat dinner with my husband on Friday/Saturday nights.
Like a sit down at the table and talk dinner.

Zach just got a new job. Like a month ago (Yipee).
He now has weekends off.
So here I was thinking.
Oh we can enjoy our Saturdays together.
We can go to the ice festival in McCall.
We can feed the elk in Donnelly.

I am busy all winter on Saturdays.
It's like 9 weeks but still.
I honestly want to cry.
Like throw a fit and cry.

I like my husband.
I genuinely love spending time with him.

We're newlyweds. This is supposed to be the time we're supposed to enjoy it "just the two of us."
We do.
I love spending time with him.
I enjoy every minute.
But there aren't enough minutes.

I know that everyone who loves spending time with a person..be it a spouse or a kid says this.
But seriously.

Will it always be like this?
If it is...HELP!!
How can I maintain sanity.
How can I keep myself feeling giving and selfless instead of annoyed and pissed off that I am so busy ALL THE FREAKING TIME!
I seriously get really angry and annoyed about this...and if it's never going to get better...I had better let it go.
Suggestions?
Words of encouragement?
A smack in the head?
Any would be appreciated.

***Please note that I know lots of people work hard and harder than I do. I know that my job isn't necessarily more difficult than yours. I am just saying that it's a lot of work. I don't mean to whine. I know how blessed I am. I seriously am looking for help in changing my perspective.

I'm Ready for This

The Bachelor

Mom and I started another season last night. Here are a few of my thoughts:
*Madison ANNOYS the hell out of me!
*I am in love with Emily. She is absolutely gorgeous...not often do you hear me say that about a blonde..
*I like both Ashleys...I like the southern Ashley better than dentist Ashley, though.
*There are a few others I like--but don't know their names yet.
*I wasn't too impressed with Brad's options...
*I was very unimpressed with every girl being caught up on him leaving two girls standing at the end of his first season. What is the big concern? No matter what you are left with the possibility of being alone. Does it make your heartbreak any worse if he leaves two of you instead of just you? I think not. Plus, I'd actually trust the guy more. Those are just my thoughts.
*Basically, I like Brad. I am looking forward to this season.

Happy New Year...

This is the year that I will:

**Get much better at reading my scriptures and saying my prayers every day
**Lose 15-20 pounds...and possibly win the biggest loser contest at work this time around
**Budget money better
**Be better prepared with meals. Zach and I will not be eating dinner together until Friday night. During the week I am planning on freezing meals so that I can have them ready quickly and send him to class with them at night.
**Start a new hobby thanks to inspiration from my sister-in-law...making jewelry
**Be prepared (food storage, savings, put my mind at ease..etc..)
**Take care of myself

This year I will not:
**Eat fast food (Zach and I are doing this together and we've made one exception. We will absolutely have McDonald's on our anniversary.)
**Gossip or talk badly...as much
**Drink soda (with the exception of our monthly Idaho Pizza/root beer/Netflix date)
I freaking love being married

I digress.

I love the new year too. I love the feeling of a fresh start. I never feel overwhelmed with my resolutions, but I feel hopeful. Even if I don't meet ALL of my goals...working towards them gets me closer...and that will make me a better person by the end of 2011, right? And that's the best part about the new year.

Bring on 2011!

p.s. Something else I'm looking forward to in 2011? Playing with my best friend's little girl. She will be here in May. I am VERY excited to watch her (right Misty?). I'm very excited to SEE her--I want to see what she will look like! I'm very excited to see Misty be a mom! So much to look forward to!