{Ali's Sweet Piano Skills}

All my friends who are planning weddings...Check this girl out!

She is just as sweet, charismatic, and amazing as her piano playing! She works hand in hand with you arranging your own personal music selection. Its creates the perfect mood for a wonderful calm reception. And of course she can bust out the moves if you feel like having a dance party too. Feel free to contact her to discuss possibilities.

And of course, it doesn't hurt that she's one of my best friends and played at my wedding reception (:

And of course she was one of my bridesmaids. I'm not sure if she'll do that too though....

Check her out here.


http://alisnow-piano.blogspot.com/

This series is: Catching Fire

Oh my goodness. SOOOOO good! When someone told me I'd get addicted...they're were right.

Read. in ONE day. Basically six hours spent in bed only reading. And I'm off to buy the third. Because that ending was ridiculous! And I have to know what happens, NOW!!!!! I was going to wait until I got my mom's copy, but this is one series I want to have for myself. And I just need to find out who Katniss picks, and if everyone survives! I plan on reading it all again very very soon to get more of the details and morals. There's always things you only pick up after you review it a couple times. Happy weekend!

Book ALERT

I'm sure many people have already read this, seeing as that has been the most frequent reaction when I ask friends if they've heard of...THE HUNGER GAMES.

But I, unlike many don't have (or make) time for reading 'fun' novels. So when I got this for Christmas, I figured it'll be like all my other books, collecting dust. But then I had to work some graveyard shifts and figured I'd take it to stay awake. And then I. Became. Hooked. Instead of just reading to stay awake, I stayed awake late into the night to read it. Now that I finally have obtained a copy of the sequel Catching Fire, I have a feeling it's going to be the same way.

If you haven't read it, I highly suggest you do. It's one of the fastest, most intriguing, addicting books I've read. EVER. I can't wait to finish the series, but then it'll be bitter sweet because it will be over. Oh well. Hope all is well and everyone is being studious while I relax with a good book and hot cocoa.

~MJMS

Our bit of Spring

Growing plants has never been one of my strong suits. I just don't have a green thumb. Normally within just a couple weeks they're dead. So I wanted no one (especially my previous roommates) to be afraid I will kill all other living organism's that are under my care. This plant is my very first success EVER so I'm very proud of this beauty that is sitting on our kitchen table.

To clarify I do not try on purpose to kill plants that are under my care....it's more neglect then anything. But I have been very good about caring for this gorgeous plant. I just love having something living and wonderful in our apartment that gives hope that spring will come.

So rest easy, (in the extremely far away future) when we have children, they'll be taken care of. Taking care of plants is pretty similar to taking care of children right?......

Just kidding. The plan is to get a puppy next to make sure we can take care of another mammal prior to kids. Smart plan, no? We like to think so (:

The start of training

For the first time since the New Year began I finally had some spare time in the afternoon to go running. How did it go you may ask? Well, seeing as I haven't really run since high school tennis...not so great.

But, that does not make me want to quit. It just shows me how absolutely out of shape I am!

(ready to go running in my new running gear from the Nike store in LV)

I started down our street to Sara Bareilles' Kaleidoscope Heart CD and got about half a mile before I could taste the metal taste and subsequently started being very short of breath. Lung full's of smog anyone? So I only jogged/walked back, but beginning new habits is the hardest I think so its a start. My goal is to go running 2-3 times a week, increasing my distance as I progress. I've been looking at some 5K's that could work and there are some near the end of February in Utah County that would work. 

And as a plus the new running shoes arrived (:

I'm looking forward to breaking these in. Here's to the happy miles ahead!

{New Years Resolutions}

Even though we weren't together NYE to make our new years resolutions together, we both have some big ones. This year I don't want to fail at mine like I normally do. And what better way to have people informed so they can motivate me other than the blog? SOoo I figured it would be a great idea to let you all know that....

MINE:

     1. I want to only work a little over 20 hours a week. The last two months of 2010 I was working about 45, almost 50 hours a week between my three jobs. And it was killing me.

     2. I (as always) want to do stellar on my grades this semester. That's going to mean lots of dedication and studying.

     and my big one this year....

     3. I want to train and run a 5K by my birthday (March 28th) and a 10K by the end of the year.

I have never run a race in my life, and I'm kinda afraid. I just bought some winter gear so I can run outside because I hate tracks so hopefully it will all work out. Any advice? Suggestions? Motivational tips?

JARED:

     1. Wants to get in shape.

     2. Start building a better savings.

     3. Do well in school

and of course....

     4. Go fishing more (He didn't say that, but I know its true.)

This year has been an amazing year for us (a lot to do with getting married), and we want this next year to be just as wonderful. No we have absolutely no family plans except to spend more time together, and to be better about weekly dates and more weekend getaways.

Happy 2011!!!

.Our sweet New Years' getAWAY.

I worked on NYE this year at one of my facilities so Jer and I took the advantage of a couple days off prior to New Year's and went down with my parents for a nice little getaway. We stayed at my parents condo in St. George, spent one whole day in the Forum's shops in Las Vegas shopping, and slept in until ten three days in a row. It was GLORIOUS.

We ate at Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville which was delish!

Browsed in H&M for over an hour!!! (I have missed this store soooo much!)

Ooggled at some wonderful, very expensive stores...

and posed in front of large nude statues...gotta love Caesar's Palace!

All in all it was a wonderful advenure that I'm very grateful we got to take. It was a nice way to end our wonderful 2010 and ring in the new year, even though I couldn't really physically be with my sweetie. More to come soon on our New Years Resolutions. I've got some BIG ones this year!