Bugs

I got more "Yes" answers on my poll then I thought I would. I am really interested to hear the story behind them! I will start with my story. Post a comment with yours, if you would!
About 2 years ago, I woke up to a NASTY taste in my mouth. You know how a stink bug smells? It tasted like that smell. I went in the bathroom and rinsed my mouth out and all this black stuff came out! It was so gross! Then, only a month or so later while I was in Germany, the same thing happened!!

Speaking of bugs, Ryan and I found a huge spider in our house (2 inches across) and we spent a while on the internet determining for sure what kind it was. It was a wolf spider like we thought, but we learned about several other types of spiders that are really cool! Anyone who is interested should look up fishing spiders. They are big! Ryan put the spider in the freezer so we could study it without it moving around so much. He left it in longer than we meant too... Oh well. It looks small in this picture but that is because half of it is on the side of the cup. It could have spanned the whole cup.

Hiking part 1

Ryan and I decided to hike to the wind caves. Pretty much everyone here has done so and we figured we should too. Ryan thought it was cool to the the mountains shadow on the other mountain.
More mountains
This is to show the road below us.
These are smaller caves we saw on the way up.
We ran into a rattler though! I was in front and was within 6 inch- 1 foot of this snake before I saw it, and I saw it moving and backed up before I knew what kind it was. It was rattling but it took a bit to realize it because I was shocked. I think we scared it more cause we were walking really fast and were loud. Anyway, no harm done, we scared it more so it would get away from the trail and continued on.

Hiking part 2

Here is us at the cave. It was really cool looking!
View of the mountains from the cave.

See the hole at the top? You can climb to the top of the cave and look down through it.

24th of July

I got the 24th off of work, and it turned out to be an awesome day! I had everything I needed to be done, done by 10:00 am. Then I decided to do some sewing. I am afraid the pictures don't show it well, but I took this shirt I got from David which is almost a dress on me, and altered it to be my size. It was actually fun! We also got to go on a hike of which I will post pictures later.

Tribute to Avatar

I don't think I have ever been so excited about a show before. I LOVE AVATAR!!!! For those who don't watch, the last episode was just shown Saturday. I have such mixed feelings. I loved seeing what happens, but I am so destitute that it is over.

Signs of an Avatar junkie:
We get so excited about new episodes it is all we think about
We watch the entire series over and over
When we meet someone who also watches Avatar, they are an immediate friend
We are such geeks, and proud of it!

Seriously, I thought it was silly when I first heard about it (Ryan and his cousin watched them). But then it happened. Ryan and Ammon(cousin) were starting from the beginning again, and I sat down by them with a book to read. I don't think I turned a page (we all know how much I love to read)! I was sucked in and still am.

Well, I could go on and on all night, but I know you who don't watch Avatar are bored with my ramblings.

Improvement

Do you ever feel like you are making no progress in life? Even though you feel like you try and try and try to change those not so attractive qualities? I feel like that alot, but today proved otherwise. I was reading my journal, and I realized something. My entries were on positive things! It used to be EACH entry would start out "I am mad today..." or "Today was horrible..." NO JOKE. I was such an onery brat! (No comments on that allowed from Chris or Mom) and it continued for a LONG time. But now, I am finally on the verge of breaking free from that old me! Yay! I am not even sure how things finally changed. I think it was from several things. 1- Ryan. What can I say, he is my positive anchor and brings out the best side of me. I don't know how he does it but the inner beast in me is tamed. 2- experience. I love how as you continue through life you understand things better and it changes your whole outlook and attitude about that thing. 3- My scripture study and other religious activities are done with an attitude of learning instead of duty. I actually look forward to scripture study time! I never thought that would happen! 4- appreciation. See, I have this great Mom who I was horrible to for a long while, for no reason, but as I get older and realize all she does for me, I have been able to loose the brat, and gain a friend. 5- and of course, I am surrounded by good people and good examples.
Whew, I feel like I just had a heavy confession or something. Anyhow, the point is, I am happy, more positive, and my journal entries are filled with blessings instead of curses. Signing out.

Allen Family Ramblings: Far World Book Contest

My mother in law is having a book contest for a free copy of Far World by J Scott Savage. It is actually a pretty good book! Not too many have entered yet so follow the link below for a great chance at winning!

Allen Family Ramblings: Far World Book Contest

Thief, or not a thief?

These pictures were (stolen) from my sister-in-law's web site (sorry Mindy).

I guess the Barlows and Allens have one thing very much in common! These couches are right across from eachother, so there were six of us reading. It was not planned! It just happened, and no one noticed we were all there until my Mom-in-law started laughing and brought it to our attention!

My baby

This is my baby! Isn't she cute? OK, maybe not my baby in actuality, but I loved holding Cassidy! She is a very cuddly baby and she is so calm. Sorry the picture is bad, it was taken with a phone in bad light.