Final Countdown

The time is finally here. I am going to Spain in less than 2 days! Life has been insane the last month so time went by very quickly. Here's a rundown of my December:

• Salon, everybody needs holiday hair
• Christmas projects (Why did I volunteer to be the family historian?)
• Salon, more people need holiday hair
• Christmas celebrations/ avoiding sugar (yes, I still don't eat it)
  
• Salon, apparently everyone's hair is an emergency :)
• Snow, driving in it takes 8 years longer than usual
• Salon, I think I should have slept there because I practically lived there

As you can tell by my list, I didn't really have time to do much else in the month of December besides hair. Don't get me wrong, I love being busy and making my clients' holiday hair fantasies come true, I just need a good break now. Lucky for me, I'm getting one! Spain here I come!

I will try to post while I'm there, but don't count on it... :)

As Requested...

I have a request to expound on the teaser in the last post about not having long hair. Although this is a hard one to tell I will take one for the team, I may shed a few tears. So here's the history of why my hair never got caught in the rope swing while unwinding at the speed of sound is this:

At the tender age of 6 going on 7, circa year 1989, I had a desire to get my haircut. While on a trip to Colorado, my grandmother raved about the wonderful head massage she got while getting her hair done at the local salon. I apparently had already developed my propensity and love of massages while so young because I cried out with a plea to my mother, that I too wanted to get my hair cut and of course get a head massage. My request was granted and I was driven to the salon.

At this point in the story, my memory becomes hazy, perhaps is has something to do with trying to block traumatic, scary life experiences out. It's a defense mechanism. What I do remember is this, I got a hair cut but I never got the head massage only a spray down with the water bottle and somehow my request for a hair cut was interpreted to mean I wanted a hair cut like my grandma. I'm sure you are already imagining Relief Society hair/Roller set hair, and your imagination has served you well. I left that salon disappointed and confused on why I no longer had my luscious, dark curls.

This moment in time resulted in a 5 year drama of short, never cute hair because I didn't know how to do it or had never imagined such beauty as a flat iron. Don't worry I have school pictures to prove it. The battle was finally won in the sixth grade, which in my experience is not the best time to go through awkward stage in the grow out process. It's awkward enough on its own.

Before the hair was actually long I was mistaken for my sister's brother and other such gender guessing questions. Excuse me, for not having any determining feminine characteristics. The "girls" didn't come til later.

To answer a certain someone's question, I didn't have to worry about getting my hair caught in the swing because in my tender, elementary age years, I looked like:

Yes, this is Pat. I was Pat's long lost sibling complete with high waisted "dockers," button up shirt, glasses and of course the hair. It's true, I swear. I think telling my story has been cathartic and good for me, maybe now I can move on in my life... :)

Welcome to the Forest

Some of you may know, but some of you may not know. I, Ruthie, was born and raised in a forest. This forest to be more specific.

No I was not actually delivered in said forest, but I was brought home from the hospital to this quiet, well secluded region of the Northwest and lived there until the tender, naive age of 18.

Last week I had the opportunity to go home for Thanksgiving and decided to try and capture a bit of my home to share with friends. Now you may start to understand when I say "I grew up in a forest."

The house I grew up in and the very green front yard

My backyard

More backyard (Mt. Hood in the distance)


Front yard, and the trees I used to pretend were the front door to my house, where I would make mudpies.

Tree swings, my cousins and I did "tricks" on. We also spun each other up really high and tried not to get sick or their really long hair caught in the ropes.
(I did not have really long hair but that subject will not be discussed any further)

I also grew up along side Christmas trees.
It still pains me slightly to see fake Christmas trees.
My dad also says it's like taking food food out of his mouth.

I don't know if you knew, but Oregon is always wet. Including the spider webs.

This little guy must love rain.


Does your dad light a soaking wet brush pile on fire on
Thanksgiving morning and get the flames this big?

We lovingly call this area of the property "Fairyland"
I think the picture explains it all.


View from the Christmas tree field.


My grandfather's barn and authentic farm equipment.

There it is, my childhood playground. If you ever need a vacation where you don't ever have to see anyone, let me know. My parents are very hospitable. You could ride around on the tractor with my dad and eat really good food, made by my mom.

The safest place for the two of us... Twilight

It's officially, I was one of the many on Thursday night waiting semi-patiently to see the the movie interpretation of the super fantastic book, Twilight, at midnight. I may have giggle, or even squealed with anticipation as the credits started. Actually, I didn't do that but a few around me did. Could you really picture me squeal? If you can, then I'm concerned about my public persona, because I wouldn't consider my self a squealer.

In the lobby of the theater before the movie started there were "actors" standing by the Twilight movie poster ready to have photo ops with the adoring fans. There were people who apparently resembled Edward, Bella and Jacob. I use the word resemble rather loosely because mostly they were posers, never comparable to the actual characters in my head, or in the movie. None the less I needed a picture to prove where I was and so I snapped this one.

Kirstin and I went together and I have her to thank for the fabulous night and sweet hook-up so we could see the movie opening night and not have to wait forever in an atrocious line.

Of course you have to have movie treats, but what's a girl to do when she no longer eats sugar (see below). With such a plight, Kirstin came to the rescue and brought us super good popcorn and this fantastic cookie made with no white refined sugar. Thanks again for taking care of your health nut newbie. I even denied my self a starburst. I won it when I answered a Twilight trivia question correctly before the movie started.

Overall I really enjoyed the movie. I don't want to be the blogger that gives out too much information, so if you want to know what it was like, go watch it. I have my opinions and they are positive but I'm going to keep them to myself for awhile. In a nutshell, I heart Edward, Bella's great and Forks for some strange reason reminds me of home...

Livin' Clean

No it's not cocaine. It's white refined sugar. Some may say they are similar in addictiveness, and some may say this stuff is harmless. I'd like to disagree to the latter. For the past 5 weeks I have been living sugar free and have never felt better in my entire life.

In this 5 week time I have gotten to know a lot of about myself and my previous eating habits. I used to eat random things just because they were there, never really paying attention to what I was putting in my body. Sure, I pretended to be healthy 50% of the time but that other 50% I indulged because I thought, "I deserve this extra cookie or one more small scoop of ice cream won't hurt or salad dressing isn't that bad." What I didn't realize was that my body has a strong dislike towards white refined sugar. All of these said items contain large of amounts of that white stuff. Now I know why I would get sick after eating Chinese food or eating a piece of pie or drinking a milkshake.

I've also learned, that too many items in our daily diets contain this seemingly benign powdered substance and/or it's evil cohort high fructose corn syrup. For example, have you thought to look on the label of your box of Cheezits, your jar of Miracle Whip or even your healthy box of Wheat Chex. It's true, they all contain these evil doers.

When I told a friend that I was no longer eating white refined sugar he said, "Sugar is in everything." That's a pretty true statement when it comes to pre-packaged, processed items at the grocery store. He's correct, I don't eat most cereals found on those shelves or soda or regular yogurt but there are so many better options out there that are way more fabulous and way better for you. Beyond the basics of fresh fruits and vegetables and lean protein. Here's a list of a few of my favorites:

They really are just grapes and sunshine!

I love raw almonds as an easy snack to ward of desperation sugar eating, especially when coworkers bring homemade chocolate chip cookies.

This yogurt could be my new found obsession. Not only does it not contain white refined sugar like all other regular grocery store brands but it tastes absolutely amazing and they come in really interesting and unique flavors, ie. maple, bartlett pear, strawberry guava and orange passion fruit. Instead of regular sugar it contains organic evaporated cane juice.

A healthy alternative to so many of those sugary cereals, and this cereal actually tastes good.

Whole wheat bread, not to be confused with its impostor wheat bread which is just white bread with brown coloring and usually contains sugar or high fructose corn syrup. WARNING: even some whole wheat breads contain high fructose corn syrup, so read labels carefully, choose honey instead.

Last of all I want to share with you the wonderful world of organic chocolate made with organic raw cane sugar. Surely I'm not going to go without some sort of chocolate in my life. Gone are the days of cheap chocolate m&m's, snickers and hershey bars, but in it's place lies the beauty of super fantastic, very adult, creamier than you can ever imagine, chocolate. I only need a small piece every once in a while and I'm satisfied.

I'm not abstaining from sugar because it's my new diet where I hope to lose a million pounds, I'm doing this because I feel good and if losing weight is its side effect (which it is) then so be it. Maybe you don't want to give up on sugar in your lifestyle completely like me , but maybe eliminating one sugar item and replacing it with a healthier option is a good place to start. I don't know exactly how much weight I've lost but I'm prettier sure I have lost some, my clothes are getting loose and people are asking me my secret to losing weight.

This is my secret.

Coming Soon...

In exactly 48 days I will be going to this place....
to see this fabulous family...

Fun Had By All

Audrey Hepburn, 80's Chick/Tiffany/Girl from "Teen Witch", Sarah Palin and African Ham Lady.

Yes, I did the hair or hair accessories for the entire group. Who knew my skills would come in so handy. Sarah Palin was so perfect that people at the parties took double takes and wanted their picture taken with her. Audrey was perfect as well, even down to the crown and earrings. She was easily recognized by most but there were a few 18 year olds who thought she was a beauty queen princess. Oh dear, they have so much to learn. You may wonder why my friend dressed up as an African ham lady. I will explain. Someone we know was in the Macey's parking lot and saw this women walking to her car hunched over and shuffling very slowly. She soon saw a ham drop from between the lady's legs and roll across the parking lot. To the friend's surprise and dismay the African lady yelled out, "Who threw a ham at me! Who threw that ham at me!" After the lady realized no one was paying attention to her she picked up the ham threw it in her car and drove off. So of course my friend had to dress up like the ham lady. Hence the strange expression on her face, it takes a lot of concentration to hold a ham between your legs.

Moral of the story:
Watch out for flying hams!

Weekend-O-Fun

Time well spent.

Spiritually Fed

These are some of my thoughts and principles that stood out to me today while listening to Conference. I feel blessed and amazed that every six months we have the opportunity to listen to our Latter-Day Prophets. Their foresight, knowledge and testimony witnesses to me that the Gospel is true, God loves me and with my Heavenly Father's strength I can be better everyday.

If you listened, what did you learn?
If you don't know what General Conference is, go here.

Reign Supreme

Previously, I had posted about Pet Peeve #1. There is a new Reigning Champ overthrowing the original pet peeve #1 of misspelled business names.

New Pet Peeve #1

If there is one thing in life that just makes me so mad it would be, people leaving during a closing song of a church meeting, conference or broadcast. It's so disrespectful to get up during a song and walk out. It's like those people think the extra 47 seconds of jump time will allow them to avoid traffic or that they must leave because they are late for an extremely important meeting with their couch or cell phone. If that's where your priorities are, then don't come to the church meeting in the first place. Or do they think that actually being present for the song and prayer is not a requirement, that they just can't be bothered to sit still for another 2 min? What ever the reason may be, it's not going to be a good enough one for me or anyone else with a sense of common courtesy and respect.

I spy a...

So the other night, a friend and I happened upon a book at a favorite literary mega store, at first glance the book seemed crass, insensitive and unrefined. At second glance the book was still crass, insensitive and unrefined, but was actually super hilarious despite the irreverance. This is what we saw,
Inside, on these crass pages was the secret world of douchebags and their trophy girls. Some girls, myself excluded, are strangely attracted to douchebags. Very cute and attractive women are lowering their standards and hanging out and dating these idiots. Why? Who knows? That knowledge still hasn't been uncovered. The entire book has countless pictures straight from myspace to prove it.

"A douchebag, what is that?" I hear the cry of confusion. This is my interpretation of said 'bag':

A guy who:

is semi attractive (in the worldly sense)

spends countless hours, grooming ie, body waxing, eyebrow tweezing, hair gelling, and tanning bed going

goes to the gym to get his daily dose of muscle milk and to pick up on hot chicks with tight little bodies

could at any point in their life wear a hat tilted at a perfect 10 degree angle

spends at least $250 on jeans and an additional $100 on the perfect slightly weathered, and oh so "original" muscle bearing t-shirt.

most likely could wear a leather cuff or have other such outfit accessories

loves to take pictures of himself on his blackberry, and send them to the 8 hot chicks he met at the club last night. Said pictures usually involve some sort of "sexy face," and the caption "u R so hott I can't stop thinking about u"

This listing is in no way complete nor all encompassing. There are so many different types of 'bags' that a book should be written about it, oh wait someone did write a book about it. My challenge to all of you is to ask yourself these simple questions:

Are there douchebags in my life I need to get rid of?
How many 'bags' can I spy at the gym, today?
How can I help rid the world of these 'men' and make the world a safer place to live in?

Extreme case of douchebaggery

Birthday Wishes Do Come True...

Saturday was my super good friend's birthday, she too has turned the blessed age of 26. We are kindred spirits, like unto Anne and Diana. Her birthday wish was to go to the BYU football game and to watch BYU bring home the victory. The stars, or at least all the cougar fans, were aligned and they did win with an astounding shut out over UCLA.

Moral of the story: birthday wishes do come true.

Skool is Kool

Pet Peeve #1:

Names of businesses spelled incorrectly on purpose.

For Example:

Skool Days
a pre-school and day care center
Hmm, maybe we should teach the kids how to spell the word that describes their learning location for the next 13 years, correctly.

Have you any examples of my Pet Peeve #1?

Labored Today...

So, I have a secret. A secret talent that is. I can edge and cut in like a professional. You say, "that's a strange secret talent," but nay, it's a very useful one. I can paint a room and only tape off the baseboards. All you need to have this secret talent is a steady hand and the secret weapon, Purdy. It's true, you can all have such skills with the proper tools. Such as this one...

Sorry you'll have to get your own Purdy, I don't lend. Yes, she is that precious to me.

My Purdy did so great today in the Labor Day Extravaganza of painting my bedroom. She, Purdy that is, helped me paint my room the most lovely shade of "Dark Storm Cloud."

Final pics will be posted when the room is fully decorated and put back together.

Celebrating NieNie

Tonight I went to a Balloon Launch for Stephanie & Christian Nielson who were in a really serious private plane crash last weekend. They are an amazing couple I know through Stephanie's amazing blog. I'm friends with her sister Courtney (cjanerun) and through her blog I started reading Stephanie's blog (nienie diologues). The balloon launch was in celebration of them and the lives they lead. To learn more about it all go here. To donate to their cause go here. I know that they will be blessed and will recover from this tragedy. This couple and their family are inspirations to us all and of the legacy we all need to start and live.

It's good to be even.

Monday was a BIG day. Not only was it the 18th of August, it was my BIRTHDAY! It's true, I am now closer to 30 than the long ago faded age of 20. A lot goes through your mind when you reach the point of 26 years, for example, "should I be worried about feeling old, because I don't, do I need to be concerned about sagging body parts, or is it still o.k. that I sing along to Hannah Montana?" The shear volume of questions about life's mysteries at the age of 26 are staggering.

A few years ago when I was 19, I was once mistaken for a 26 year old. The shock, oh the horror of being thought of that Old! Now that I am that Old, I don't feel old, I just feel cooler, smarter and a way better dresser than that 19 year old. She should have looked forward and been excited about her future and being 26, because with every year, life got better.

26 is good, life is good and I can't wait to conquer more of it.



Thanks to everyone that made my Birthday awesome! Thank you for the calls, texts, facebook posts and of course much appreciation to those who spent the day and evening with me. I love you all.

I am a Child of God

I had an opportunity last week to go to a good friend's temple sealing at the Salt Lake Temple. It was an amazing experience, amidst the chaos of wedding day drama the temple was the much needed respite.

The temple is a place of peace, worship and eternal purpose. A place where life's daily struggles seem insignificant and conquerable. It is where I want to be. This I know.

Better Late Than Never

My Spaniards finally arrived last night!
They were supposed to come Thursday night but they were bumped off their flight. Fortunately for me, and my near approaching birthday, they were nicely compensated. Mish requested no sign necessary, so of course that meant I needed to make one. I'm just trying to evoke the American Spirit, maybe they'll stay and never leave.

Speedy Spaniard

I just completed my 2nd 10k Race today, which started at 6:30 a.m. I was able to take off 5 minutes from my last race time. Which was the result of having my secret weapon, Kirstin dragging me along. Thanks Kirst!

Fun Had By All

Monday Night Family Home Evening
Hike Stewart Falls

Loads of fun! For some strange reason the trail was really dusty and I attracted all of the dirt, as shown in photo. Strange that a hiking trail was dirty... maybe I've drifted too far from my small town, rural roots. (Does that make me a city girl now?)

Change Could Be in the Air

Sunday

Relief Society Announcement:

Enrichment Tuesday Night 7pm
Come join us for a night of fun and ask a panel of single guys anonymous questions about dating and girl/guy relationships. Refreshments following.

Inner Monologue: Wow, I feel really great about this. This could possibly be the moment where the great chasm of male and female dynamics can be bridged and mutual understanding and trust will ensue.

Tuesday

Anonymous Question #1: Why do guys struggle when it comes to dating?

Male Response: Could you repeat the question, we don't understand what you're asking?

Inner Monologue: Wow, this is going to be a fun night.


Anonymous Question #2: Why do all guys want to date 20 year old Barbie's with testimonies? No matter how old or creepy the guy gets?

Male Response: That's not true at all.

Inner Monologue: Correct!!! Of course that's not true because Barbie's with Testimonies don't exist, just like the Easter Bunny and Santa Clause. But that doesn't stop any guy from chasing after that Pot of Gold. Sorry fellows, any girl with a 25in waist and extremely large man made "girls," probably doesn't read her scriptures or attend all her church meetings.

Anonymous Question #3: What traits and characteristics are most attractive to you?

Male Response: I want to date this type of girl, someone who...

What He Said (What He Meant):

Has a testimony (Goes to church, sometimes)

Funny, good personality (Always giggles at my lame jokes)

Cute, Attractive (Smokin' hot, tight little body)

Successful/Driven (Daddy pays rent when she spends too much on clothes)

Life Goals (Wants to get married before starting the rest of her life)

Be a Good Mother (Won't get fat while she's pregnant or at least loose all baby weight before leaving hospital)

Inner Monologue: Interesting, I'm so happy that single guys in this generation have their priorities in order. Oh wait, they don't. I guess that great chasm didn't get bridged after all. I've been sorely disappointed. They may say they want to date that type of girl but their actions speak louder than their words. I know so many amazing girls who date rarely, if ever and I also know some not so amazing girls that date all the time. Funny, how that works.

Refreshments/Mingle Time Following Panel: Five girls for every guy. I guess we enjoy making it blatantly easy for them and significantly harder for us. Maybe we are creating the world of lazy men.

Moral of the Story/Lesson Learned:
I don't know if there is a lesson learned, just that being single and living in this dating world is EXHAUSTING.

What Ruthie knows

Gilbert Blythe once told Anne Shirley,
that she should write about what she knows.

This is what I know...

Life is great, most of the time
I am a daughter of God
The Gospel is true
I love my family
My family loves me
I have the best nieces and nephews
Friends help keep me going
Being single is FANTASTIC
Being single is EXHAUSTING
I'm happier without snow
I live to travel
Good books feed me
I love So You Think You Can Dance
I think I can dance
Hair
I love to have a good time
Music runs through me, always

Good food

Prayers are answered

So now I'm going to write about what I know.

Thanks Gil