Resolute

Remember back in the day how we would write out a LIST of stuff to improve on each New Year? A List?! Waaayyy too intimidating. Even if you accomplish half the stuff you write down then you’re still left feeling disheartened that you didn’t do the others. My resolution credo? Pick one and make it relatively easy. Leave that list stuff to shopping. I know this philosophy works because last year my one resolution was to read more books. Twelve exactly. I was running a book club at the time and I figured it would be safe to say I was going to read one book a month in 2008. So it wasn’t so much a resolution as merely a fact of future endeavors. Well it turned out that the book club only lasted until March - BUT - I still managed to read 25 books. I know, I know, I’m awesome. Don’t rush to fill my “remarks” sections with praise. In actuality I moved half way across the country where I have no friends, family or television and I visit the library about twice a week. So the truth is out, I’m not actually awesome, but really rather boring. Oh well, maybe I’ll resolve to be more awesome in 2009. If you’re interested my favorite books of the year were Hunger Games, Pride and Prejudice, The Glass Castle, Kite Runner, and The Devil in the White City. This year I defiantly won’t have to make a resolution to read more, I have 17 on my to-read list. Even though I grew up in a family of avid readers, it took me 25 years to figure it all out, man did I wasted a lot of time not paying attention in AP English.

So what is my resolution for 2009? Well that’s the other part of my credo: Pick one, make it relatively easy and don’t tell anyone about it. That way you can stew in your own guilt as opposed to casually hearing from Brad, “What ever happened to your resolution to be more on time?”

HAPPY NEW YEARS! Here’s to making an easy secret Resolution meant only to make you feel better about yourself!
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cure for the post christmas blues

Our Christmas visit to Naperville was wonderful, but way too short. There just wasn't enough time to properly visit with everyone. At one point there were 27.5 members of the family in the Carn's home! Brad and I left late Sunday so I could get back to work bright and early Monday morning. I can fully attest that the last possible place you want to be after spending 4 days stuffing your face with Diane's amazing food, playing Rock Band with "Mass Carnage", and laying around all day in your pjs is back at work. Blah. The only cure for the post Christmas blues? My mom and sister are arriving in Alton this afternoon for a two day trip and then Brad and I are off to Indiana to visit my brother and his family this weekend.

It really is the most wonderful time of the year. I'm really not looking forward to next Monday when we have to get back to our normally scheduled programming (err... life).

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM ST. LOUIS!

We are doing our Christmas card gen-y style, or the green movement style, or the lazy style. You decide! It's how we roll. Either way consider this your Christmas card from the Carns. Have a safe and happy holiday.

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Love, Brad & Bridget

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Not in the Christmas spirit yet? Go here or here or even here.

Feliz Navidad Alex!

I have a pretty awesome little sister. I just found out that she reads my blog so I thought I would do a little tribute. Her birthday (a day that she gloriously shares with Britney Spears) was a few weeks ago and I feel like I have new leaf to overturn. Before she turned 14 we were mortal enemies but nowadays the playing field has leveled and I can finally respect the fact that, at age 21, she is no longer annoying but actually pretty cool. I started to think of funny stories about her from our childhood to include in this tribute, and after a while I started to realize that you can pretty much chronicle her life by the different unique phases she went through. I then realized that they needed to be recorded for posterity; if I don’t, who will? I don’t remember the exact ages but these happened sequentially between ages 3 and 12. Now Alex may refute some of these stories and call them embellished and/or false. I would like to remind her that I have witnesses!
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· The Annie phase {This one included a daily living room performance of the song “Sandy”, complete with costumes.}

· The exercising phase {She went around the house for a year wearing tights, a leotard, and a headband doing jumping jacks. If you asked her what she was doing she’d say bluntly, “I’m eker-sising”.}

· The Rosie phase {No, not Odonnell or Perez. My parents refused to get us a dog when we were growing up – in hindsight for good reason – but poor Alex loved animals. As a sort of cop out my parents gave her this stuffed dog attached to a wheel and plastic leash. Alex could “walk” the dog around the house and it would yelp everywhere it went. Oh boy did it ever. She named the dog Rosie and it was a recognized member of our family for a good decade. I just talked to my mom the other day about Rosie and apparently we still have her. Good, I was worried.}

· The “Wizard of Oz” phase {She was Dorothy for 3 Halloweens in a row. My cool thrifty mom even made ruby slippers for her by covering her church shoes with red foil paper.}

· The “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” phase {She watched this movie everyday for six months until I hid it on top of the china cabinet. I still don’t understand the draw. Oh Alex, Kevin Costner? Bless your heart.}

· The “Grease” phase {I’m betting she could still show you the routine she made up for Grease Lightening, AND she knew every word! I’m just glad she was too young to understand the message.}

· The “Feliz Navidad” phase {This pretty much lasted every Christmas for 12 years. Every holiday season she played this song on repeat for hours. She always seemed so pleased that her birthday was near Christmas and that she was born in Spain, so I’m pretty sure she was convinced this song was written for her.}
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· The Black Eye Debacle {Not so much a phase as just a good story. She received the shiner featured below after she tripped and fell on to the corner of a coffee table while I was babysitting her at our neighbor's house. This black eye prompted her elementary school to 'investigate' her home life and our neighbor had to intervene and set the record straight before we were all shipped off to foster care. But it did up the awesomeness factor of her cowboy costume a week later. The whole situation seems comical. Now. Kind of.}
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There are many more phases, but these are my favorite. Ever since she was born she’s had a strong personality – the story goes that she came out unimpressed with the world and didn’t even smile until she was 15 months old. Because of this I think she’s always found a way to entertain herself, even when her mean bigger sister was constantly mocking her. I really was the meanest.

And apparently I still am.

PS – She can’t get back at me because she refuses to start a blog of her own. How do like them apples Lex?! Love you too :)

dentist glasses

Brad got his "dentist glasses", which is what I call them, they are actually called loupes. He just got them yesterday but won't be able to use them until next semester (unless he wants to find something to do around the house that requires a super magnified lens and an LED light, I'm thinking he could start building doll house furniture ...).

Oh, Brad. He gets his inspiration from America's Next Top Model, don't let him tell you otherwise. Fierce!

PS. I woke up Monday morning at 6.30AM to find Brad at the dining room table studying. He had been up all night and got cold so he put on his leather jacket. In the study haze it didn't occur to him to turn up the heat or grab a blanket. Poor guy.
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These Christmas tunes? Yes, please!

This is by no means a difinitive Christmas list, just the ones I would never change the station on or skip on my iPod. Just your run of the mill all time favorites. You know, to balance out the universe from the Worse Christmas Song List.

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Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – Judy Garland {I would venture to say this is the most recorded Christmas song ever. But, sometimes I’m a purest. There are a handful of good versions, but none come even close to the original.}

White Christmas – Bing Crosby {No explanation needed. There is a reason this is the best-selling song of all time.}

Silver Bells – Frank Sinatra {City sidewalks, busy sidewalks. Dressed in holiday style, In the air there's a feeling of Christmas. It’s just not Christmas until I’ve heard those lines. AND it’s Frank, come on.}

Last Christmas – Wham {For 25 blissful days Wham is cool again. I love it.}

Let It Snow – Michael Buble {The scatting he adds is awesome.}

Auld Lang Syne – James Taylor {Best recording of this song. Ever.}

Christmas Song – Nat King Cole {This song IS Christmas to me. It's also in the name. Apparently they didn't want any confusion on the matter.}

All I Want For Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey {If anyone else sings this song it’s super cheesy. These two were made for each other. She should have married this song instead of that 20 year old kid.}

Come Home For Christmas – Aaron Neville {It’s a sad song but it wierdly always puts me in the Christmas mood. PS - Is there a more distinct voice then Aaron Neville? …Cotton, the fabric of our lives.}

Cool Yule – Louis Armstrong {Louis just makes me happy, especially with this song, how could you not feel all Christmasy listening to this song? Yes, Christmasy is a word. Just like Christmas-ish and Christmasier.}

Carol of the Bells – really any boys choir/ MOTAB {I was obsessed with this song when I was little, I didn’t know any of the words so I just made up sounds to go along with the melody. I still do it. Good times.}

Run Rudolph Run – Chuck Berry {This always reminds me of the scene in Home Alone where they are running through the airport, definitely a very Christmasy experience.}

Christmas Waltz – The Carpenters {Because it’s Karen’s voice. It's amazing. Side note - someone needs to change the title to this song. As Ben Stone would say, "Whose clue was that? It's not very... it's. not. good."}

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town – Ella Fitzgerald {I don’t like any other version of this song, that includes you The Boss. Ella makes it all jazzy and cool sounding.}

People are way more clever than I am

If you love Pride and Prejudice and know anything about facebook this is very amusing... in a very nerdy way. I love it!

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http://www.much-ado.net/austenbook/

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UPDATE: Someone was inspired by the above link and came up with this Twilight version.

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http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/books/omni/MEYERBOOK.pdf

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These Christmas tunes? No thanks.

Okay. I’m only doing this in response to Ellie’s blog, to show her what a real Hated Christmas Songs list looks like. Actually, you shouldn’t trust me. I own and know every word and harmony to the “Osmond Family Christmas” album. I proudly hang my head in shame because it’s amazing (Pine Cones & Holy Berries!). You’ve been warned; don’t rely on my taste in Christmas music.

Christmas Through Your Eyes – Gloria Estafan {I’m sorry Gloria. I love you. Hate your music. Combine that summery Cuban style with Christmas and it’s all wrong. Plus the lyrics of this song are terribly sappy and repetitive.}

A Few of My Favorite Things – {The phrase “packages tied up with string” does not a Christmas song make. Please stop the madness. You are ruining a classic musical number. Why would anyone want to re-record a Julie Andrews number anyway? Like they could do better.}

Silver & Gold – {Shudder. What is this song about exactly? All I know is I can’t change the station fast enough. It’s the exact affect the M.A.S.H theme has. If those two songs were somehow combined I’m sure the world would implode.}

Mary Did You Know? – Kenny Rogers and Wynonna Judd {I’ve actually heard good versions of this song. Kenny and Wynonna’s version is definitely not one of them. I also take issues with the lyrics. Why exactly are we questioning the mother of Christ? I’m pretty sure she saw an angel. She knows. She’s got it covered.}

Breath of Heaven – Sung in an LDS church. (So bothersome!... I have my reasons.}

Christmas Shoes – Newsong {I haven’t heard it here in St. Louis but in Utah they play it at least twice an hour. It’s practically a Lifetime movie set to music, and that’s an insult to Lifetime movies. I can’t even listen to it past the first line.}

Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer – {This was funny to 5 year-old Bridget, the 20 years since have been ridiculously painful. Why is it ok to sing/joke about death near Christmas? Is it too taboo for Easter so we had to pick another holiday?}

Let There Be Peace On Earth – {My hatred of this song stems from singing it in the school choir for 10 years straight. Someone should start writing more PC Christmas tunes or our great-grandchildren are doomed to sing this song 50 years from now.}

Christmas (W)rapping – The Waitresses {I’m sorry. The entire song is sung flat. It literally hurts my ears.}

Santa Baby – {When I was kid I was horrified that Santa had a mistress and that she was audacious enough to write a song about all her material demands. I don’t know why I viewed the song this way, but I’m still scarred.}

Brad’s addition: Little Drummer Boy – {I asked Brad if there was a specific version he hated and he said “All of them, I hate that rump pa pum rum”.}

What did I forget?

christmas came early

We were fortunate enough to receive a special advance visit from Mr. Kringle this year. Apparently Mr. Kringle lives in Naperville and his name starts with a B and ends in rad's parents.

The night we got home from our Thanksgiving vacation we stayed up until 3 AM putting our dresser together (watching Finding Nemo that late at night defiantly keeps you alert). Drawers! Oh how I have missed you!

We put the TV stand together the next day - it's actually a book case but it serves our purposes nicely. Brad and I have an embarrassing amount of movies, those will eventually go inside baskets so as to hide the numerous lame teeny bopper movies I own (can anyone say Crossroads?).


This should technically be a blog post all it's own... When Ashley graduated from BYU and her parents came to move her stuff back to Texas a few things were voted off the island (aka thrown or given away because they didn't fit). I fortunately inherited this miniature tree and it's been a Christmas staple for probably seven years running (including the BYU years when it wasn't mine yet). Thanks Ashley! Your tree is well taken care of; it's the only tree Brad and I have ever owned.


K & Ash, PS - yes that is the same tiny tree to the left that we all purchased one of freshman year. Sadly it's doesn't light up anymore. Can you tell I keep stuff way past it's prime?

EDIT - Also, I forgot to mention that the fabulous TV featured in picture #2 was actually gifted to us by Kristin. She has a very generous fiance who gave her a sweet flat screen so eventually Brad and I inherited the silver fox (it ways a ton, but free is my favorite price!). We love it.

It kind of seems like Brad and I never buy our own stuff... I promise we do. Couches and book shelves just don't seem as riveting as a dresser :)

Elder Wirthlin

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin
6.11.1917 - 12.1.2008

I haven't had a living grandparent since I was 12. And I always thought that if I could adopt one to stand in for a while I would definitely choose Elder Wirthlin. He seemed the right amount of serious, witty, and wise that is key in a tender hearted grandfather. After hearing that he passed away Monday night I instantly told Brad, "But he was my favorite apostle!", as if he should have known to live longer just for me. In my interim farewell I want to say that am grateful for the testimony that he has left behind.

"The simple secret is this: put your trust in the Lord, do your best, then leave the rest to Him.” .Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

thanksgiving '08 recap

Brad and I didn't take any pictures over our wonderful holiday weekend because I forgot to bring our camera. Naperville was surprisingly warm, Thanksgiving dinner was expectantly fabulous, card playin was supremely competitive, and chillin with the nieces and nephews was consistently crazy (but lots of fun). My favorite conversation of the weekend went something like this:

Bridget: Gracie, what would you think if we chopped off all your cute curly hair?
Grace (age 3): Nooooo.
Brad: What if we dyed it purple!?
Grace: Nooooo.
Bridget: I think that sounds like fun.
Grace: (furrows her brow and shakes her head slowly) You guys aren't the best.

Brad and I have been saying that to eachother since we got back. She's adorable and ridiculously well spoken for her age, she's gonna be breakin hearts soon! We were also given some early Christmas presents. I'll put pictures up as soon as we put our house back together. Let just say our TV doesn't have to sit on a side table anymore and our clothes now have drawers we can put them in to. Who knew I would ever be old enough to be thrilled about getting furniture for Christmas!