If we're being truthful, I've got about 3 blog posts that are in draft form and about 6 more that need to be written. But both you and I know that I'm not going to be posting those any time this weekend. So I wanted to say hi and let you all know that I hope that your holiday season is filled with merriment, good times, and plenty of food. Yes, lots and lots of food.
This is my last Christmas here in Utah, which has made for some bittersweet memories this year. My parents are still moving to the south and I will be leaving for Austin, Texas near the middle of January. The plan is to work for a year and then start my graduate studies so I can pursue my dream of becoming a librarian. Keep your fingers crossed and prayers sent that all goes well these next few weeks.
Love,
Gretchen & Karen Carpenter
Edit: Oh my word, I am such a dork. So I initially wrote "Gretchen & Mary Carpenter" thinking of Mary Chapin Carpenter (a staple in our house) when I of course meant Karen Carpenter. Silly me.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Sibling Revelry
I got this letter from Phil a while back and had to share it. (Reminder: He's currently serving his mission in the Dominican Republic.) Clearly, I have the best little brother in the whole wide world.
Dear Gretchen,
I'm chilling here in the hospital room right now because my comp has pneumonia. It's my last preparation day before I enter the field. Anyways, I decided that I would write you a good letter & recant some of my favorite memories with you. My first one comes from a long time ago. Back in Virginia, we had just bought this "How to Draw Rainforest Animals" book. We had this secret password in order to get in to each other's rooms which was "rainforest animals." Haha, good times. Do you remember your FatMan comics you used to make with your friends back in New Mexico? If we only had those now--how much entertainment that would give us. Do you remember how I used to say in a dumb voice, "My name's Gretchen and I live in a tree" and you would laugh every time? Imagine I'm doing that right now, because I am, and laugh.
"Wait...it's Christmas?!" Need I say more?
Do you remember when you would be playing the piano and I would start playing the low notes and claim I was harmonizing with you? One of my favorite memories of us is that time when we stayed up late at night bouncing awful pick-up lines off each other, both making them up as we went along. I remember one time I was super jealous of you at Christmastime b/c you got that sweet Lord of the Rings Mt. Mordor ring set. I remember when you finished Harry Potter 7 and you bawled. And I was baffled as to how a book could make you do that. But as I've talked with other girls I realize you're not the only one.
I remember the night before I began my senior you introduced me to Flight of The Conchords. We watched the pilot in your room and I loved it. My roommates & I quoted Mel frequently last year. I remember laughing at mom with you because she thought scrunchies were still in style because she found them at the dollar store all the time. I remember when we dropped you off at BYU-Idaho the first time and we ate at Hogi-Yogi/Teriyaki Stix in that strange dome building...and how sad I was to see you go. I remember staying up late watching Freaks and Geeks and busting a gut at the nerdy friend. {He means Neal Schweiber--he freaking loves Neal.} I sincerely hope you remember that part. I miss looking over your shoulder while you're on the computer. I miss humming Suicide Is Painless with you as we're watching a M*A*S*H episode. I loved going with you to that one Halloween movie. You'll have to tell me how it went this year.
I guess the point of my letter is to say that we've had some good memories together. I miss you and I hope you have a great 2 years until I get back. If life ever gets you down, remember this. You're 23 years old. The world is your oyster. Go out & change a life! To end my letter, I'll quote Joseph Smith. "Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren, and on, on to the victory!"
Love,
Your brother
P.S. You should feel pleased you got a letter. I've always said letter-writing is the second most sophisticated form of communication. Second only to mind-reading.
Dear Gretchen,
I'm chilling here in the hospital room right now because my comp has pneumonia. It's my last preparation day before I enter the field. Anyways, I decided that I would write you a good letter & recant some of my favorite memories with you. My first one comes from a long time ago. Back in Virginia, we had just bought this "How to Draw Rainforest Animals" book. We had this secret password in order to get in to each other's rooms which was "rainforest animals." Haha, good times. Do you remember your FatMan comics you used to make with your friends back in New Mexico? If we only had those now--how much entertainment that would give us. Do you remember how I used to say in a dumb voice, "My name's Gretchen and I live in a tree" and you would laugh every time? Imagine I'm doing that right now, because I am, and laugh.
"Wait...it's Christmas?!" Need I say more?
Do you remember when you would be playing the piano and I would start playing the low notes and claim I was harmonizing with you? One of my favorite memories of us is that time when we stayed up late at night bouncing awful pick-up lines off each other, both making them up as we went along. I remember one time I was super jealous of you at Christmastime b/c you got that sweet Lord of the Rings Mt. Mordor ring set. I remember when you finished Harry Potter 7 and you bawled. And I was baffled as to how a book could make you do that. But as I've talked with other girls I realize you're not the only one.
I remember the night before I began my senior you introduced me to Flight of The Conchords. We watched the pilot in your room and I loved it. My roommates & I quoted Mel frequently last year. I remember laughing at mom with you because she thought scrunchies were still in style because she found them at the dollar store all the time. I remember when we dropped you off at BYU-Idaho the first time and we ate at Hogi-Yogi/Teriyaki Stix in that strange dome building...and how sad I was to see you go. I remember staying up late watching Freaks and Geeks and busting a gut at the nerdy friend. {He means Neal Schweiber--he freaking loves Neal.} I sincerely hope you remember that part. I miss looking over your shoulder while you're on the computer. I miss humming Suicide Is Painless with you as we're watching a M*A*S*H episode. I loved going with you to that one Halloween movie. You'll have to tell me how it went this year.
I guess the point of my letter is to say that we've had some good memories together. I miss you and I hope you have a great 2 years until I get back. If life ever gets you down, remember this. You're 23 years old. The world is your oyster. Go out & change a life! To end my letter, I'll quote Joseph Smith. "Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren, and on, on to the victory!"
Love,
Your brother
P.S. You should feel pleased you got a letter. I've always said letter-writing is the second most sophisticated form of communication. Second only to mind-reading.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Dance, Magic, Dance
Here's something quick before I go to work, because I needed you all to be aware of this RIGHT NOW.
So think of the most surreal pairing of musicians that ever teamed up to do a holiday song together. That's right, David Bowie and Bing Crosby! Their duet of "Little Drummer Boy" is truly a classic.
Enter today, where a video of Jason Segel and Jack Black doing the same duet was posted, only with ANIMATION and BANTER and A CARTOON LOG PIANO.
Sadly, I can't embed it here for you, but I can give you the link and entreat you to go there. RIGHT NOW.
So think of the most surreal pairing of musicians that ever teamed up to do a holiday song together. That's right, David Bowie and Bing Crosby! Their duet of "Little Drummer Boy" is truly a classic.
Enter today, where a video of Jason Segel and Jack Black doing the same duet was posted, only with ANIMATION and BANTER and A CARTOON LOG PIANO.
Sadly, I can't embed it here for you, but I can give you the link and entreat you to go there. RIGHT NOW.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Slip A Sable Under The Tree
Dear Santa,
I've been a very good girl this year. (Seriously. I was a missionary for two-thirds of it. You don't get much nicer than that.) Here are a few things to keep in mind as you prep. Also, go easy on the elves. I'm in retail right now and I feel their pain. Give the wife my regards!
Hugs and hot chocolate,
Gretchen
The Pioneer Woman Cooks, $16
Obviously. There's not really a whole lot to say here, other than I need this in my life.
Chanel Chance, $65
I've never been much of a perfume girl. When I got a whiff of Chance, I fell in love. Hard. But perfume is pricey and I'm poor. Hint, hint.
Apple Cutting Board, $19.99
I was telling BFF about this cutting board and I used the word "gorgeous" in my description. She mocked me endlessly, but I stand by my assessment. I wouldn't ever dare use it to cut anything. I'd just stare and swoon.
The Dessert Fork Incident, $20
This print encapsulates my sense of humor in a neat little 8"x10" package. (It's even signed by Marc Johns himself! I want him to design my life.)
Hyperbole Shirt, $22
I am the queen of hyperbole. No joke.
Ukulele, $20.97
Why not? It would be easy enough for me to pick up and I can add it to my list of instruments I half-heartedly know how to play.
Mr. Darcy Proposal Towel, $12
I imagine owning a dish towel like this would bring floods of cute British boys flocking to my door. A girl can dream, right?
What are you hoping Santa slips under your tree this year?
I've been a very good girl this year. (Seriously. I was a missionary for two-thirds of it. You don't get much nicer than that.) Here are a few things to keep in mind as you prep. Also, go easy on the elves. I'm in retail right now and I feel their pain. Give the wife my regards!
Hugs and hot chocolate,
Gretchen
The Pioneer Woman Cooks, $16
Obviously. There's not really a whole lot to say here, other than I need this in my life.
Chanel Chance, $65
Apple Cutting Board, $19.99
I was telling BFF about this cutting board and I used the word "gorgeous" in my description. She mocked me endlessly, but I stand by my assessment. I wouldn't ever dare use it to cut anything. I'd just stare and swoon.
The Dessert Fork Incident, $20
Hyperbole Shirt, $22
I am the queen of hyperbole. No joke.
Ukulele, $20.97
Why not? It would be easy enough for me to pick up and I can add it to my list of instruments I half-heartedly know how to play.
Mr. Darcy Proposal Towel, $12
I imagine owning a dish towel like this would bring floods of cute British boys flocking to my door. A girl can dream, right?
What are you hoping Santa slips under your tree this year?
Friday, December 3, 2010
That's What You Get For Waking Up In Vegas
Hola, my blog-migos. It's been a while since we just talked. So...how's life? Anything new and exciting? Do tell!
Remember how I went to Vegas? And how that was a month and a half ago? I was looking at the pictures again tonight and some of them are too priceless not to share.
Remember how I went to Vegas? And how that was a month and a half ago? I was looking at the pictures again tonight and some of them are too priceless not to share.
It's like I'm not really not really in Venice! We spent most of our time around the Venetian. (We being myself, the BFF, the BFF's BF, and our friend Danny.)
Johnny Depp! My favorite part of the day was the wax museum. I have approximately 130,000 more pictures from the wax museum that I decided not to share.
My love for Britney is FOR REAL...
...but my love for Buffy is FOR-EV-ER. I felt like this was just an awesome teaser for the inevitable day when I actually meet SMG.
Now put your hands up! (For my fellow Wilco-fans out there, here's a video of Jeff Tweedy sort-of-covering Single Ladies. Hand movements and everything!)
This is a super crappy picture of me, but I love it for two reasons. 1. I have the same hair color as Elton John. 2. I have the same HAIRCUT as Elton John. Classic.
Requisite Bellagio picture--we were there for "God Bless America" and some classical number. Unfortunately we didn't get to see the iconic "Singin' In The Rain."
So I just had to re-enact it myself. This was post-Phantom, which was tres lovely.
Okay, so these last three photos are my absolute favorites. It's a three-part series I like to call:
Self-taken Portraits with Instrumental American Old Guys.
Consensus: Vegas is all glitz and glitter on the outside and the equivalent of a half-digested Taco Bell Gordita on the inside. When you're a Mormon girl that doesn't drink, gamble, or doing anything remotely promiscuous, the Strip is really only good for the showtunes and taking funny pictures with replicas of famous people. I can check "Roadtrip to Vegas!" off my bucket list and never worry about going again. Viva Las Vegas!
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