Day 28: Doughnuts aren't only harmful to your health

I really don't have that many scars, but I do have a little one above my lip on my right side. Pounce, our dog, bit me when I was almost two. I was eating a doughnut, and I guess he wanted some too. We had to put him down soon after. Sorry this post is so short, but I have stuff to do before tomorrow and just wanted to keep up with my last few days of the challenge. Sad, I only have two days left to go. I'll have to figure out something else to do to give me an excuse to keep blogging on a regular basis.

Day 27: My first day, and the first time I really can't think of a good title.

Well, today was my first day of college. I think it went pretty well. My first class was Sign Language which was interesting. The teacher didn't talk for practically the whole class. It was a little confusing, but I think it will grow on me. My next two classes were Music Theory, and World Music. Music Theory was well, music theory, but I think I'm really going to enjoy World Music. Sadly, I think the hardest part of the day is going to be the hour and a half break in between sign, and music. I might need to take up crocheting on a regular basis to pass the time, or something of the like, but I'll probably just end up doing homework during that time.
I guess for a feature I love It might be hair (is that considered a physical feature?). Although I have a love/hate relationship with my own, it's really neat to see how other people do their hair. I don't really have a preference for hair type, style, or cut, it's just neat to see how other people communicate with the stuff growing out of their head.

Day 26: Having returned from an adventure, I now embark upon another

We got home today around 2ish, wet, tired, somewhat miserable, but wholly intact. Because my mom and I don't know how to drive a stick, Mitch chauffeured Hannah and I there in the truck. It took around 3 1/2 hours to get to the McGillivray campground. We had to go through Libby and around lake Koocanusa to get to the sight. Below is a picture of the Libby Dam. the campground was about four miles away. On Saturday we actually took a tour. It was really interesting. Everything was super sized inside, from the turbines, to the wrenches. I would recommend it to any of you if you are ever out there to take a quick detour to take the tour. Sorry I don't have pictures of the tour itself, but they don't let people bring anything in since 9/11.I don't know what this river is called, but it was gorgeous to dive along. Had the weather been warmer, I would have been at risk. Our camp sight was right along a cliff overlooking Lake Koocanusa. Some parts were definitely too high to jump off, unless you have a death wish, but other parts would have been pretty safe and really fun to jump into the water from. *sigh* If only it had been warmer. Although this picture doesn't look like much, I hung over the side of a steep ridge to take it.

So you better like it. Christian, Matthew, Luke, and Mitch building their fort. Mitch said they were going to be like survivor man and build a fire, drink from the lake, and scavenge food. It lasted around two hours before they came back for smores. Funny, when taking this picture Mitch asked me if it was for my blog. *guilty*Interesting fact about the lake is that awhile ago they had a contest to name it. One gal came up with Koo (for the Kootenai Indians) can (for Canada) and usa (for the USA) to get Koocanusa. Mom and Hannah warming themselves by the fire. It was pretty cold Fri, Sat, and Sun. Thursday when we were driving it was scorching, And the irony? None of us had air conditioning.

Last night you could hear the light patter of rain drops on the tent. That morning unfortunately we still heard it. It never stopped raining. It's absolute misery packing up in the rain. All the camp chairs were soaked, so no sitting, they did get the fire going, but the whole way home we were that sticky damp. Yuck.

As for my childhood memory. Hum.... I once had a dream that a bird lived under the dirt in one of our house plants when I was really little. So when we moved to MT and left the plant behind I first had to dig up the "bird" to let it go free. Needless to say, there was no bird, and I was confused.

Oh, and the adventure I'm embarking on if your wondering, I start college tomorrow. Pray that all goes well.

Day 25: Banana boy

Today was a Luke day. At noon my brother had his fiddle lesson, then at 1:30 he had his first fitting for his braces which he gets in a few weeks, and later he had soccer practice. So I ran around town with mom getting Luke to where ever he needed to be, while simultaneously shopping for our upcoming camping trip. We should be leaving sometime tomorrow and won't get back until Sunday. I might get a post in early tomorrow, but don't count on it. The challenge will just have to wait a few days.

For a recipe here is a link to my favorite banana cookies. They are so easy, and something new to try with old bananas. I don't put the nuts in, we are just not a nutty family (some may beg to differ). I've made this recipe probably around seven times, and it is one of my never fail, always quick, favorite recipes.

See you all Sunday, ciao!

Day 24: I'm seeing multicolor sugar birds!

I'm supposed to shock you all with a movie none of you would expect me to love. I have a dilemma. Being as sporadic and strange as I am in my tastes, I think it would be impossible to surprise you. I enjoy a good romance, as well as a zombie movie, a disaster movie and a animated cartoon. I tried hard to think of something that any of you who know me personally wouldn't know that I liked, but I failed. So I apologize on my first failed challenge. Do you ever feel like you have a fizzing, gurgling, mass of creativeness trying to escape, but you just don't have the time to let it out? I was feeling it today, only I did have some time and an excuse to try this batch of cookies. I wanted to try something new, something challenging. I love a baking challenge don't you? I found this cookie recipe on the very back page of our mashed up, unorganized, binder of miscellaneous recipes, and we had everything to make them! So I got started. They were pretty labor intensive as cookies go, but overall they were easy. They didn't turn out as perfect as the picture in the book, but I also didn't put a lot of effort into making them flawless either. I thought they tasted bland, but other people seemed to like them, so maybe I'll make them again sometime. Also, something else I've been up to was redoing the cover of my planner. The college gave me a daily planner when I had my orientation. It's really quite nice. It has all the phone numbers in the front, and a quote each day, but I didn't like the cover. It just sat on my desk screaming for me to do something with it. At first I thought I might just tear off the cover, or maybe crochet something, but I never got around to it. So last night I got out my scrap booking supplies and some card stuff and put together a very "me'ish" cover. Front
Back

Day 23:Shark Bait

So, we got a call today from my brother in Florida, and he had an exciting story.

Everyday my brother goes for a swim in the ocean, he lives right on the beach so who can blame him. He had finished doing his daily laps and was floating on his back. He noticed some people getting out of the water but didn't take any notice. He then heard someone yelling something about watching out, but again he didn't really process that he was trying to get his attention. After a few moments he decided to stand up to see what was going on. He was in about chest deep water. Two feet from him by his feet was a six foot long Bull Shark. He said he didn't even think of panicking, just "that's a really big Bull Shark". The motion of his standing up made it go away, thank God. He said that it swam really fast, and that he couldn't have ever out swam it. So that was my brothers encounter with a shark, and he lived to tell of it, and with all his limbs.

Oh, and on a much lighter note, I got all my books for college today. They actually look really neat, and I should hope so for what they cost. And as to my day, how I would like to be remembered; I want to be remembered as having served God with all my heart, and always having joy.

Day 22: No longer 17

For day 22 I have to give a website. One place I really like to visit is 17 and baking. The girl who does it is a fantastic photographer, expressive writer, and a phenomenal baker. If you ever have some extra time and want a good blog to read, or a new recipe to try, I suggest you go there. I tried making her blackberry jam almond bars a while ago and they turned out wonderful, and Mitch tried her ice cream cake and that was heavenly too. So go give it a try, and tell me if you ever try baking anything from her site!

Day 21: Do you love waffles?

In general, I'm a pretty typical girl. I love to be clean, look nice, and never be under or over prepared. I wear jewelery, makeup, tee shirts, and denim. In the summer I wear flip flops, and in the winter boots. I eat typical foods, and do mostly normal activities. I do have some quirky personality traits, and can contort my body into bizarre positions, but mostly I'm pretty normal. So, finding something that I do differently than most people is hard. I asked my family and my brother Luke said that I have an uncanny ability to break just about anything I touch. But I think I will go with my mom's suggestion. I eat the same thing every morning for breakfast. Unless my mom makes homemade waffles, pancakes, or french toast, I have the exact same thing. I have always been this way though, for years I would have cream of wheat until one day I just got sick of it. For the last three or so years now I eat two wheat Eggo toaster waffles with a itsy bitsy bit of syrup on them and about an inch of milk. I don't really know why I do this, I'm just a creature of habit and probably always will be.

Day 20: The Hu Hot Adventure

I guess a hobby of mine could be that I love to wear costumes, which fits perfect with my post for today.

Today Hu Hot was having a dress like Genghis Khan day. If you came in three or more Genghis pieces you would get a free meal. I convinced Luke, Mitch, Matthew, and Christian to do it with me. Hey, I'll dress funny for an hour for a free meal. Luke and I waiting for the rest of our mangy bunch to arrive.

Needless to say we got funny looks.Christian getting his food. The guys there are so cool. They can do all these flippy things with their spatulas and are just so good at what they do. My plate, or at least the first one. Yummy.Matthew being goofy.Luke, Matthew, Christan, and Mitch at our table.Luke and Christian looking, well, I'm not actually sure what they looked like. Some Viking, Mongolian, Sasquatch hybrid.Come to Montana, The locals are great!

Another great day!

Day 19: Meet me at the fair

Today we went to the fair. It was Mrs. Vestal, Christian, Hannah, Luke, Mom, and I. It was quite a warm day but not scorching hot which was really nice for the fair. We got there so early that everything wasn't even open yet, oh, well. Christan looking grim, Mrs. Vestal smiling nicely, Mom, and my brother Luke goofing off.It was fun to try out the four wheelers and motorcycles. The guy was nice enough to let us have a quick photo shoot on them. The animals were as cute as usual. Hannah of course had a soft spot for anything small and cute (I wonder why?)I apologize for the skin, but don't worry I did have shorts on underneath. I have always loved rock walls. I think the part that was the most fun was bouncing down. I'm not sure if I've already said this before, but I just love heights. I can never pass up a free chance to climb even if I am in a skirt.The boys enjoyed the Ferris wheel.Christan trying out a helmet. I'm not sure if he looks more like a police officer, or a astronaut. OK, so I sorta almost maybe bought this scooter. I love Vespas and there similars, and I could barely pass up this offer. Luke was like "you have to buy it Megan, Megan you just have to buy it". He would make a great sales man would he not? Only I didn't get it. I thought about it for a few seconds, and everyone was for it, even mom. I'm just not a spur of the moment type of person, and I'm saving my money for something else anyway.Mom and Luke.

It was actually a blessing they were up there too. We were walking to the very back of the fair looking for a way to find an entrance, and Mom called me and said that we were going the wrong way. Long trek back.

I'm sorry this last one is really washed out, but what can you expect from a cellphone picture in direct sunlight. But here are the boys on there dream car.

So as to the challenge today, I asked Hannah what talent she thought I had, and Hannah said that I'm bendy girl or something. I'm not sure if being inhumanly flexible is a talent, unless I decide to run away to the circus, but it is something that I do have a natural "proclivity" for. I guess I'm also good at looking at something and being able to figure out how to make it myself, or just figure how it was put together.

So that was my day another great one. Isn't God good to give us so many blessings! I just absolutely love being happy, life is to short to have bad days, when we can have wonderful ones.

Day 18: Two things new

Today's challenge is a time when I felt passionate and alive,

and today I defiantly had those feelings.

So, Mitch and I went to the meryme concert at the fair. It was great! I had never really been to a concert before, and it was a really neat experience. I loved how it was so God centered. They really made it about Him, and not them. We got there around 6:45 and it started about 7:37ish. Mitch had one free ticket so we split the price, but still were in general admission. We sat in the back row in the center, which seams like it would be hard to see from, but we actually had a great view, and it was by no means quiet. They started and ended with a bang, and had the audience on their feet multiple times. It was great how many people I knew. You can actually see Emily Rickel behind Mitch. It was awesome when they had the audience singing Amazing Grace, and I love You Lord. You could see the people's love for God, and it made be feel great being there. They aren't my favorite genre of music, but I loved their passion for God, and I even got a CD for $5, can't beat that even on Amazon.

Day 17: The gentleman

For an art piece I just love this painting.

I can just imagine what they are saying.

The gentleman: "OK now ladies follow me, flutter you fan like this, then draw back your skirt into a slight curtsy."

Ladies try

The gentleman: "Very well done," his stomach growls because he hasn't eaten lunch yet.

The chaperons: "Isn't he just dashing, I'm just sure he and Lucy will be married by the spring."

"No, no, I heard he is quite fond of Mary."

"I'm sure your mistaken, he had tea with us a fortnight ago and said how much he admired her scones, and said he would come again when work permitted him."

"Well, at the ball last night he danced twice with Mary, and I'm sure would have danced two times more if your Lucy hadn't practically wrote his name on her dance card."

"What are you implying about my Lucy?"

"Why nothing, whatever could you mean?"

The gentleman: Thinking about how all he wants to do is go to his residence, and leave these empty headed girls and their fans.

Day 16: Rugs

I don't think I have ever cried while hearing a song before. Yesterday though, Ridge showed me a song that made me have some tears of laughter. It's called Rugs From Me To You by Owl City. It's hilarious. You all know the drill you can find it at my playlist on my blog.

Day 15: It's all sticks and stones

I was trying to think of a person that I admire, and I thought of Stephen. Even as he was being martyred he asked God to forgive the people stoning him. It's hard for me even to imagine forgiving someone of a transgression of that extent, while or before it's even happening. What a great man of God.

Day 14: Adventure bound

Ever since I was little I have had a bit of a wanderlust. I would go anywhere practically. If you said that you had an extra ticket to go to Iceland, China, or some little unknown town in Kansas, I'm there. I'm not saying that I'm not happy where I am, I love Montana, living in the woods with my family, this is my home, I would just jump on any opportunity for an adventure. But the question isn't where I wouldn't go, or where I could have a blast, but where would I take a vacation. Tough. I think I would chose one of two places. The first being Samoa. I love (or I think I would love) this beautiful little island. I watched a Bizarre Foods in Samoa, and the whole time I was thinking that's were I need to go. I'm not sure if it is from God, wanting me to become a missionary, or just my own pull to romantic tropical islands, but anyhow that is my first choice. My second choice, which I think would be more of a vacation is Belize. Alas, I'm just a tropical girl stuck in a mountain valley.

Day 13: strawberry, peach, or huckleberry

A guilty pleasure.... Hum... Well, I have lots of things I find pleasure in, but few I might feel guilty about. I guess I really have a weakness for Italian sodas. So there you go, my not so guilty pleasure.

Italian soda Recipe:
1/4 cup half and half
1/4 cup flavored syrup of choice (we like strawberry, peach, or huckleberry)
Ice and
Club soda.

Fill a glass about 3/4 the way with ice. Pour in the half and half and syrup. Fill the remaining glass with the club soda. Mix (we do this by pouring it into a different cup and then back again into the original glass).

enjoy!

Day 12: Pigg, Playlist, and a Problem

Well, I haven't ever really given it much thought to what song I would like played at my wedding. I guess I really like Darling I Do by Landon Pigg, but I also wouldn't mind playing Mr. Blue Sky. I'm sure my tastes will change by then, and the guy will probably also have an input. But till then, you can here Darling I do on my playlist at the bottom of my blog.

Day 11: A promise fulfulled, a picture found, and the curse of the photographer

Surprisingly, I had a really hard time with today's challenge. It was a picture of me taken recently, and believe it or not, I couldn't find that many. I'm normally the one behind the camera, seldom in the foreground. So with a little digging I came up with this one, and I'm also fulfilling a promise I made a long while back to post pictures from the Homeschool Banquet. It was in the end of April, so a little old, but I haven't changed that much.

Day 10: A parade, bangs, and Simba

This picture is way over 10 years ago. I'm about two and a half here at a Disneyland parade. I guess I loved the Lion King parade and when we lived in San Diego and we had passes to Disneyland so we went a lot. As you can see I had bangs at this young age, but they didn't last until I was four. I have a awful cowlick by my forehead so I could never really do them again without looking funny.

Day 9: A little late, a little big, and a lotta' fun

Here is a picture I took of my hand. But as you probably noticed it's not my hand that is interesting it's whats in it. About a week ago we had a short lived storm that had some massive hail, and below you can see how large the hail actually was. Today Mr Todd (my neighbor) took my brother Luke, Christian, and I rafting down the Middle Fork. It was so much fun. (One of these days I will actually put on a picture of us rafting). We left around 10 a.m and got home around 4ish. He has a different type of raft then Mr. McLean has. Mr. Todd's raft has a frame and is much smaller, and the McLean's everyone has to paddle. I can't say if I enjoyed one more than the other because all three trips I've taken this year have been a blast. Christian caught five cutthroat fish but had to release them, and both boys jumped into the icy water multiple times. It was a perfect day today to raft, sunny, but not too hot. The only thing that was sad was that the water had gone down too far to jump off the bridge, but on the bright side the low level made for some awesome white water:)

So that was my monstrously fun day, and it's getting late so ta ta till tomorrow!

Day 8: A Thank you letter to my Grandma Betty

Dear Grandma Betty,
I love you so much! Thank you for everything you do for me. You and I have such a special relationship and I treasure every moment of it. We do things together that no one else understands or likes to do. When we go shopping together although I do enjoy the actual shopping part, the thing I love the most is being out with you. We have so many of the same tastes, and likes, it's funny sometimes how similar we are. I can always rely on you for a second opinion on something. I'm so glad you and I agree on things that are fun or cute, that my mom might not like. Thank you for loving me and for being my grandma.
Forever your granddaughter,
Megan

Day 7: Pina Colada, outrageous, and a white lie

Five things I couldn't live without is a little to easy. It would be God, Air, Food, Water, and the sun. So I'm going to stretch the truth a little and blog about five things that would make life a little harder and less enjoyable to live without.

1. Fruit! I love fruit. I would choose a smoothie over a milk shake, a juicy pineapple over chocolate, and watermelon instead of candy any day.2. Denim skirts. knee length jean skirts are my everyday staple. I wear them just about 90% of the time. They are like jeans but more comfortable, versatile, and cute.

3. Dancing. When I'm dancing I feel wonderfully energetic. Like the world stops around me and it's just me, the music, and if I'm dancing with my brother or someone, them. It's one of the only things that I do and don't feel restrained, and that I can go a bit on the wild side. 4. This is a though one but it would probably be makeup. I'm sad to say that I really do enjoy my mascara, lip gloss, and eyeshadow. Don't worry I never go as crazy as the picture. I think my favorite part about it is not how it makes me look or feel, but the creativeness of applying it. Will this match this? Can I do silver and pink together? 5. This one struck me funny. Gum. I love my gum. Especially fruit flavored. Every time I get into a car I need gum. I don't carry it around in my purse, or even have a piece in my room, but I can't go without it on the road.

Day 6: A blushing bride, a long trip, and very yummy food

I'm so sorry I missed day 6 yesterday, but I have a wonderful excuse and I'll try to post twice today to make it up. A moment I wish I could relive is easy. Right now I would love to relive yesterday.
Around 8 a.m yesterday my Mom, Mrs. Vestal, Hannah, and I went to Missoula to look for a wedding dress and just had a fun day. After a two hour trip (which isn't so bad with great company) we went to the first bridal store. Hannah tried on some and we oohed and awed over lacy white dresses, then we went to another store and did the same.
For lunch we went to a Vietnamese grill and had yummy sweet and sour pork, oodles of noddles, and a bowl of heavenly curry soup (I love curry).
We also did a thrift store, and a second hand boutique. I got a really cute top, and at the thrift a funny frilly jacket.
Lastly we went to the mall to look for a mob dress for Mrs. Vestal. We couldn't find one, but we did have a fun time walking around and looking at mostly cute clothing. They have clothing for every personality at the mall. Whether your preppy, classy, trendy, or kind of goth, they have a store for you. I wish we had had more time to walk into some stores that we don't have around here that looked interesting, but it was getting late.
We got home about 9:20ish and I didn't turn off my light until after 1:00a.m. because I had too much energy left to sleep so I studied for a writing test I might take. Did you know you put a "an" before honour because the H is silent?"

Day 5: A quote, an opportune photo moment, and ice cream

For every minute you re angry,

you lose sixty seconds of happiness

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

My dad had never been to Lone Pine Park, so we decided to take him because he has the week off work. The Vestals came with us, and we headed up. It's a really neat park, and we took the very short hike to the look out point. From there you can see pretty much all of Kalispell, and a little beyond. It is also a great place for photos, and if your a hiker you can go all the way down the the bottom. Afterwards we got some ice cream (yummy) and then talked wedding on the way home.

Day 4: A plane crash, unsure, and a not so island paradise

For day four the question was what my favorite television series is. As a family we watch a lot of series. We actually don't end up watching that many movies because we always have a series going. We don't have TV, so we wait till they come out on DVD and then rent them from Netflix.

My favorite series is Lost. At first it was a toss up between Crusoe, Lost, and Lie To Me, but in the end it had to be Lost. I love the suspense and the constant unknown. It is one of the only shows I know of that the main character might actually die, and some do. It's addicting so be warned, you can't just watch one episode, without finding yourself on just "one" more.

The first season starts when a plane crashes on a island. Weird things are always happening and they even have flash back of the 70s (Fun). They really build on the characters, and you love each one for who they are. It's one of the only movies that made me almost cry when they killed off a character.

Day 3: Surge Monkeys, Addicted, and Twisted Bliss

My favorite book, hum....... Well I think it would have to be Specials. It is the third book in the Uglies trilogy. It actually has a fourth book too (go figure). But anyhow it takes place in the future/alternate reality sort of place were when you turn 16 you have a surgery to become Pretty (basically flawless). The story revolves around a girl named Tally who, to make a long story short, runs away into the woods and finds The Smoke. This all takes place in the first book called Uglies. Just in case any of you do read it at some point in time I won't spoil it and tell you any more but it has so many twists and turns. Scott Westerfeld is an incredible author and I was devastated when the series ended.