2/1: Got a call from my principal from California: she wants me to return to her school in the fall! (Me, too! - of course, all is still pending on what spots open up, but this is an important step.)
2/5: Heard 2 different beautiful bird songs outside this morning.
2/7: I found a great pair of jeans that make my tush look really good - $20 at Burke's Outlet!
2/13: I found 5 exciting and desirable books in 5 minutes at the Enterprise Library - woo-hoo! Who knew?
2/14: Fun celebrating Valentine's Day with Todd - he makes special occasions exciting. We got to spend 5 hours together in the middle of the day because he had a break in class.
2/15: Todd asked me to dance during a Celine Dion song on the radio - adorable.
2/25: Heavenly Father answered a prayer of mine today - within hours. Wonderful.
2/26: The discovery that breading chicken before you bake it holds in the juiciness!
2/27: I watched a gorgeous sunset tonight: Also, true spring blossoms on the trees.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
I'm Nuts About Alabama
As mentioned the other day, here in Enterprise we honor the boll weevil because they ruined the cotton crops, which motivated farmers to try peanuts, which became a huge success. If it hadn't, we probably wouldn't have a boll weevil monument in the center of town after all.
Apparently, half the peanuts grown in the United States are grown within a 100-mile radius of Dothan, Alabama, which is the big town we drive 40 minutes to get to whenever we want to shop somewhere other than Walmart. Peanuts are a big deal in Dothan. They even hold a two-week National Peanut Festival every fall.
Perhaps the part about this I enjoy most is that there are over 60 4-foot fiberglass peanut statues decorated by local artists and scattered all throughout Dothan. It is a game to try to find them all. Perhaps we could do just that if anyone cares to visit us while we're still here. (Bonners, are you up for it this June?)
Todd's dad has already had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of the Golden Peanut, which is located at the Visitor's Center:
I believe we also spotted the Elvis Peanut when he was out here:
The locations of the rest are still a mystery to me, but here are some photos to appease your curiosity. The Sports Fan Peanut:
The Sheriff Peanut:
The Shopping Peanut:
The Policeman Peanut:
The Mona Lisa Peanut:
The News Reporter Peanut:
Aren't they cute? Now, who wants to come visit?!
Apparently, half the peanuts grown in the United States are grown within a 100-mile radius of Dothan, Alabama, which is the big town we drive 40 minutes to get to whenever we want to shop somewhere other than Walmart. Peanuts are a big deal in Dothan. They even hold a two-week National Peanut Festival every fall.
Perhaps the part about this I enjoy most is that there are over 60 4-foot fiberglass peanut statues decorated by local artists and scattered all throughout Dothan. It is a game to try to find them all. Perhaps we could do just that if anyone cares to visit us while we're still here. (Bonners, are you up for it this June?)
Todd's dad has already had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of the Golden Peanut, which is located at the Visitor's Center:
I believe we also spotted the Elvis Peanut when he was out here:
The locations of the rest are still a mystery to me, but here are some photos to appease your curiosity. The Sports Fan Peanut:
The Sheriff Peanut:
The Shopping Peanut:
The Policeman Peanut:
The Mona Lisa Peanut:
The News Reporter Peanut:
Aren't they cute? Now, who wants to come visit?!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Bowling Jubilee
Last night Todd and I each bowled our personal best. It was an incredible night, full of high fives, cheering, and even some sweet dance moves.
I got 12 strikes over the course of the 3 games. In the final game, I got two Turkeys (3 in a row), including the final frame! I scored 136 on that final game - without my handicap!
Todd got 29 strikes all together (with only 36 frames in all). He got 15 strikes in a row!!! He is now in the 275 club.
We were in a state of major jubilee last night. Woo-hoo for us!
Disclaimer: I should probably mention that the league is playing by rules where you get a strike if you knock down 8 or more with the first ball. We're not quite as fabulous as we sound!
I got 12 strikes over the course of the 3 games. In the final game, I got two Turkeys (3 in a row), including the final frame! I scored 136 on that final game - without my handicap!
Todd got 29 strikes all together (with only 36 frames in all). He got 15 strikes in a row!!! He is now in the 275 club.
We were in a state of major jubilee last night. Woo-hoo for us!
Disclaimer: I should probably mention that the league is playing by rules where you get a strike if you knock down 8 or more with the first ball. We're not quite as fabulous as we sound!
Monday, February 25, 2008
Ode to the Boll Weevil
When Todd and I learned that we were moving to Alabama, we started looking for housing. One of the first things I noticed was that most of the major businesses were located on a street called Boll Weevil Circle. That did not bode well for a bug-enemy like me.
Sure enough, it turns out the main street that circles downtown is named after the boll weevil. Actually, there are several honorable mentions for the above-mentioned insect. The most notable is the enormous monument in the center of downtown. The woman is holding a boll weevil high above her head, in order for it to be honored, I believe.
This is the plaque on the monument.
I did some research and learned that the reason for all of this fuss is that long ago, farmers in the area all grew cotton. One day a huge swarm of boll weevils swept through town and destroyed all the cotton. The farmers decided to start a new crop to try to maintain their livelyhood, and chose peanuts. It turned out peanuts were a grand success in the area.
My very first day substitute teaching out here, I came across this book in the classroom. It tells the story of Billy the Boll Weevil, giving the farmer the great idea to plant peanuts instead of cotton. Please notice that the subtitle is "A pest becomes a hero."
I have been meaning to post about this ever since we moved out here, but it took a while to get a great picture of the monument. I would always either not have my camera with me, or the lighting would be bad, or there would be too much traffic (it's in the center if the intersection). Long story short, I found that picture online and it reminded me I needed to post this great info.
Long live the boll weevil!
Sure enough, it turns out the main street that circles downtown is named after the boll weevil. Actually, there are several honorable mentions for the above-mentioned insect. The most notable is the enormous monument in the center of downtown. The woman is holding a boll weevil high above her head, in order for it to be honored, I believe.
This is the plaque on the monument. 
I did some research and learned that the reason for all of this fuss is that long ago, farmers in the area all grew cotton. One day a huge swarm of boll weevils swept through town and destroyed all the cotton. The farmers decided to start a new crop to try to maintain their livelyhood, and chose peanuts. It turned out peanuts were a grand success in the area.
My very first day substitute teaching out here, I came across this book in the classroom. It tells the story of Billy the Boll Weevil, giving the farmer the great idea to plant peanuts instead of cotton. Please notice that the subtitle is "A pest becomes a hero."
I have been meaning to post about this ever since we moved out here, but it took a while to get a great picture of the monument. I would always either not have my camera with me, or the lighting would be bad, or there would be too much traffic (it's in the center if the intersection). Long story short, I found that picture online and it reminded me I needed to post this great info.Long live the boll weevil!
Sunday, February 24, 2008
A Little Romance
Todd and I made a quick trip down to Pensacola, Florida this weekend. He and I love to make little journeys. Among other things, they keep the romance alive. We spent the night in a cabin on the beach. This was our view from the cabin.
We grabbed some dinner and watched a chick flick, then took a walk along the beach in the dark. It was magical to stand in each others' arms and listen to the surf come in. I've got a sweet man.
We went to a fun place for lunch on Saturday - McGuire's Irish Pub. Todd brought on his Irishman accent, and we were daring enough to try some authentic food - boxties (fried balls of mashed potatoes) and also had a classic: Shepherd's Pie. The homemade root beer was divine.
As we came out of the restaurant, a flash of manly red hair caught my eye. A strange combination of romance and root beer caused me to lose myself in a moment of wild abandon:
Todd says he's not sure he can trust me to go back to McGuires on my own!
We grabbed some dinner and watched a chick flick, then took a walk along the beach in the dark. It was magical to stand in each others' arms and listen to the surf come in. I've got a sweet man.
We went to a fun place for lunch on Saturday - McGuire's Irish Pub. Todd brought on his Irishman accent, and we were daring enough to try some authentic food - boxties (fried balls of mashed potatoes) and also had a classic: Shepherd's Pie. The homemade root beer was divine.
As we came out of the restaurant, a flash of manly red hair caught my eye. A strange combination of romance and root beer caused me to lose myself in a moment of wild abandon:
Todd says he's not sure he can trust me to go back to McGuires on my own!
Friday, February 22, 2008
An Unexpected Surprise
Yesterday I took our beautiful car, Tuna, in to the Nissan Dealership Service Station. We got a notice in the mail stating that they have found a defect in some Altimas made the year ours was, and they would fix our car for free if we would bring it in to the dealership. Well, anyone who knows me knows that I adore Tuna, so of course I took her to the Car Doctor as soon as I could.
It was supposed to be a one-hour job (actually ended up being 1.75 hrs instead), so I brought a book and planned to read while I waited for Tuna to get fixed. When I went into the waiting room, I saw a sign on the wall that filled me with surprise and delight:
"Thursday is Ladies' Day. Free manicures."
I looked at the lady sitting at the table under the sign and said, "Free manicure? I'm all in, girl." I hopped right over and had my nails done. What a treat!
Who knew that I could find such a treasure at the auto repair shop? Chock that one up on the Alabama Gratitude List!
It was supposed to be a one-hour job (actually ended up being 1.75 hrs instead), so I brought a book and planned to read while I waited for Tuna to get fixed. When I went into the waiting room, I saw a sign on the wall that filled me with surprise and delight:
"Thursday is Ladies' Day. Free manicures."
I looked at the lady sitting at the table under the sign and said, "Free manicure? I'm all in, girl." I hopped right over and had my nails done. What a treat!
Who knew that I could find such a treasure at the auto repair shop? Chock that one up on the Alabama Gratitude List!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Happy Valentine's Day
My friend Courtni tagged me for a Relationship Quiz, which I will respond to because
1) It's the Day of Love, and
2) It's fun to talk about Todd.
It basically asks me to tell all about Todd and how we met.
Love is in the air!
1) It's the Day of Love, and
2) It's fun to talk about Todd.
It basically asks me to tell all about Todd and how we met.
Love is in the air!
What is your husband's full name? Todd Floyd Bonner
How long have we been married? 3 years, 2 months, 26 days, and 3 hours.
How long did we date? About a year. We met in late August 2003, started hanging out in September, went on our first official date in October . . . were engaged the next September and married November 19, 2004.
Who said I love you first? Hmm. . . I'm pretty sure it was Todd. I don't remember the first time he said it, just the first time I said it, but he'd been trying to get it out of me for a while!
Who is taller? Todd, by 2 1/2 inches.
Who sings better? Hard to pinpoint. We both LOVE to sing in goofy voices. I am the one who brings out the hymnbook at FHE and makes us sing all the verses, and he only sings half the time at church, but ... when he does sing, it makes me melt. I love his singing voice.
Who is smarter? We are different kinds of smart. We are both geniuses, we often say.
Who pays the bills? We do them together. Usually I write the checks and stuff envelopes while he sorts through the mail and pays the online bills.
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I have been very adamant about us not having "our sides" of the bed. In the beginning of our marriage, I would flip from one side of Todd to the other side in the middle of the night to keep the whole thing fair game. It is "our" bed, and just "the side you're sleeping on tonight." However, we have definitely gotten into a most-of-the-time habit where Todd sleeps on whichever side the alarm clock is on. In California, that was the right side of the bed. Here in Alabama, that is the left side. And in truth, I'm almost always in the middle, anyway. A third of our bed goes unused!
Who mows the lawn? No lawn yet, but that will definitely be Todd if I have any say in it.
Who cooks dinner? That is a great question! We like to say we're co-chefs. The best meals come when we cook together.
Otherwise, most of the time it's me, but it's really hit or miss whether you're getting something amazing or something straight from a kid's meal. I'm a big fan of mac and cheese and chicken nuggets. Todd likes the more sophisticated meals. We have two big dinner issues:
1) Sometimes dinner doesn't even cross my mind until Todd walks in the door. Oops!
2) I hate touching raw meat. That keeps me from making many a sophisticated meal.
Who drives? Probably Todd 2/3 of the time. For short jaunts, Todd for sure. For road trips, lately he brings his homework, so I drive while he studies until the sun goes down, and then he drives in the dark.
Who’s more stubborn? Hmm. . . maybe me a little more than him??? I'm definitely more bossy. We like to say, "ONE of us is always right!" Sometimes it's him, sometimes it's me.
Who kissed who first? Todd tried to kiss me for weeks while I resisted. I wanted to be sure I loved him first. So it was actually the night that I first told Todd I loved him that he kissed me the first time. It was a great celebration.
Who asked who out? Todd asked me to Homecoming. I'd put a dance flier on the front door to make it obvious to all my gentlemen callers that I wanted to go. Todd flipped the flier over and asked me on the back of it, and left it on the front porch with a rose. I found it when I left the apartment that morning.
Who proposed? Todd did - several times casually at first, and then he'd change his mind and say he wasn't ready. We went ring shopping more than twice, only to come home and have him say he wasn't sure he should marry me after all.
When the real deal came along and he got on his knee and meant it, I was like - FINALLY! I'd been begging for it for months. I knew I wanted to marry that boy!
Who has more siblings? Todd does. He has 5 sisters and 1 brother. I've got 2 sisters and 3 brothers.
Who wears the pants in the family? We're co-pants wearers.
I tag: my sister Emily, Stephanie Hadfield, and Laurie Hansen.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
At least ONE of us is a high-achiever!
Last night Todd made it into the 225 club at bowling. His score of 202 from last September seems so piddly now. I think he had 5 strikes in a row. Maybe 7. Yeah, he's cool.
(Don't ask what my score was - embarassingly low!)
Editorial Note: Just for the record, I checked my stats: Todd got 7 strikes in a row in 2 different games. (We play three games a night.) He's a bowling genius!
(Don't ask what my score was - embarassingly low!)
Editorial Note: Just for the record, I checked my stats: Todd got 7 strikes in a row in 2 different games. (We play three games a night.) He's a bowling genius!
Sunday, February 10, 2008
"My feet are cold. My socks pinch my feet. I can't find my slippers."
That is what I've been hearing from Todd all afternoon. He lost his slippers yesterday and didn't know what to do.
"Did you look for them?" I asked.
"Yes."
"Did you look by the couch? In the hallway with all the other shoes? Upstairs in the closet?"
"Yes. Yes. Yes. I can't find them anywhere."
Same story again today. Finally I put down my book and said I would look for them because I love Todd so much.
I scanned the floor in the living room. No slippers. Not even under the coffee table. I looked in the hallway, in the bathroom, in the laundry room. No slippers. I went upstairs and checked in the second bedroom first, because it really was possible he took them off in there and forgot about them. No slippers. I went in our room and looked behind the door, under the bed. No slippers.
Guess where I found them? In the closet, with all his other shoes.
I brought them downstairs and gave them to Todd, who asked, "Where did you find them?" I gave him a kiss and told him, "Thank you for making me feel like I have a kid. They were in the closet."
"Did you look for them?" I asked.
"Yes."
"Did you look by the couch? In the hallway with all the other shoes? Upstairs in the closet?"
"Yes. Yes. Yes. I can't find them anywhere."
Same story again today. Finally I put down my book and said I would look for them because I love Todd so much.
I scanned the floor in the living room. No slippers. Not even under the coffee table. I looked in the hallway, in the bathroom, in the laundry room. No slippers. I went upstairs and checked in the second bedroom first, because it really was possible he took them off in there and forgot about them. No slippers. I went in our room and looked behind the door, under the bed. No slippers.
Guess where I found them? In the closet, with all his other shoes.
I brought them downstairs and gave them to Todd, who asked, "Where did you find them?" I gave him a kiss and told him, "Thank you for making me feel like I have a kid. They were in the closet."
Monday, February 4, 2008
Chain Letter!
My great college friend/next door neighbor/then roommate Brittany tagged me for this survey game. Kind of like those chain letters that used to go around snail mail when I was in 3rd grade. Send it on to 12 people within 12 hours or you'll get a gross disease within 12 days. . . I'd better get writing!
A: The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.
B: Each player answers the questions about themselves.
C: At the end of the post, the player then tags 3 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.
10 years ago: I was 16, a sophomore in high school. I was BIG into drama. I tried out for the school musical and didn't get accepted - I was devastated! Three months later, I tried out for the school drama (they did one of each every year) and landed the female lead. Turns out I am an incredible actress, but not so hot of a singer/dancer! (Nick: Do you remember the day the power went out in drama, and we had a sword fight in the pitch darkness? That was an awesome day!)
I had HUGE royal blue warm-up pants that I wore whenever I had a math test. They were my good luck charm (studying was not). I remember a day that I went to school and someone mentioned the test we were having in math that afternoon - I had COMPLETELY forgotten about it, hadn't even looked over my notes the night before. During lunch, I talked a friend with a car into driving me home so I could get my good-luck pants for the test - don't you think I might have STUDIED during lunch instead? Hmm. . . .
5 things on my to-do list today:
1. Wash the kitchen floor.
2. Pay the bills.
3. Make a checklist of which nursery kids have had a turn taking home the treat basket, so everyone can get a turn.
4. Tutor a 2nd grader after school - helping her with her homework.
5. Beat my previous best time on electronic Sudoku level 4.
5 Snacks I enjoy:
1. Cookies - especially chocolate chip or soft ginger
2. Nature Valley Sweet & Salty Almond granola bars
3. Apple slices with crunchy peanut butter
4. Dried apricots and cranberries
5. Ice cream!
What I would do if I were suddenly made a billionaire: Todd would keel over if I didn't say "invest in real estate." Truth is, buy my dream house in California - just a nice one with a yard in a fabulous neighborhood in the boundaries for incredible schools and the best ward ever. That's all. And travel to Italy, of course. Probably battle with Todd over where to put the rest - in the bank or in stock!
5 places I have lived:
1. West Jordan, UT
2. Provo, UT
3. Mountain View, CA
4. Enterprise, AL
5. A couple tiddly little places when I was too young to remember, mostly all in UT.
5 jobs that I have had:
1. Telemarketer for my dad at Allstate Insurance - worst job ever!
2. Daycare provider for 1-3 graders - awesome! I got paid to play, go to the park, and tan at the pool, all while being followed around by little admirers. I loved it! Worked there every summer for five years.
3. Burger flipper at Scoreboard Grill, BYU food court. Greasiest job of all time.
4. Early morning custodial. 5-8 am. 4:30 is too early to wake up at any time of life, but especially during college. Got put on bathroom shift. Cleaning urinals is a great reason to crawl out of bed before the sun rises!
5. Teacher - mostly kindergarten, but student taught and substituted in a range from pre-k to 5th.
5 Things people don't know about me:
1. I'm a closet New Kids on the Block fan - I heard a rumor last week that they were reuniting, and I was estatic. Researched it online. Turns out it might not be true after all (no one in the band has confirmed it yet) and I was truly disappointed.
2. I've always had big biceps and was a huge arm wrestling guru in my pre-teens. My claim to fame is that I beat Kellen, the 9th grade wrestling champion - I save the part that I did it in 6th grade until after the shouts of acclimation!
3. I wish I was an artist. I would love it if I was awesome at painting landscapes!
4. I always want to visit art museums until I get inside them - then I realize that I don't like to look at paintings unless they're really fantastic. I usually like 2 or 3 paintings in the entire museum and end up feeling ripped off.
5. I'm obsessed with serving dishes. They have to be just right. I gave away every piece we got for our wedding because they weren't cute enough, or the right size, or were too fancy. . . Every time I pass the dish aisle at a store, I have to look at them. I've only bought four pieces ever. I need more! But I'm very picky. I don't know if I'll ever end up with enough, and it doesn't usually bother me until we have people over for dinner. Then I'm mortified.
I tag 1. Amy 2. Nick 3. Kelsey
A: The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.
B: Each player answers the questions about themselves.
C: At the end of the post, the player then tags 3 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.
10 years ago: I was 16, a sophomore in high school. I was BIG into drama. I tried out for the school musical and didn't get accepted - I was devastated! Three months later, I tried out for the school drama (they did one of each every year) and landed the female lead. Turns out I am an incredible actress, but not so hot of a singer/dancer! (Nick: Do you remember the day the power went out in drama, and we had a sword fight in the pitch darkness? That was an awesome day!)
I had HUGE royal blue warm-up pants that I wore whenever I had a math test. They were my good luck charm (studying was not). I remember a day that I went to school and someone mentioned the test we were having in math that afternoon - I had COMPLETELY forgotten about it, hadn't even looked over my notes the night before. During lunch, I talked a friend with a car into driving me home so I could get my good-luck pants for the test - don't you think I might have STUDIED during lunch instead? Hmm. . . .
5 things on my to-do list today:
1. Wash the kitchen floor.
2. Pay the bills.
3. Make a checklist of which nursery kids have had a turn taking home the treat basket, so everyone can get a turn.
4. Tutor a 2nd grader after school - helping her with her homework.
5. Beat my previous best time on electronic Sudoku level 4.
5 Snacks I enjoy:
1. Cookies - especially chocolate chip or soft ginger
2. Nature Valley Sweet & Salty Almond granola bars
3. Apple slices with crunchy peanut butter
4. Dried apricots and cranberries
5. Ice cream!
What I would do if I were suddenly made a billionaire: Todd would keel over if I didn't say "invest in real estate." Truth is, buy my dream house in California - just a nice one with a yard in a fabulous neighborhood in the boundaries for incredible schools and the best ward ever. That's all. And travel to Italy, of course. Probably battle with Todd over where to put the rest - in the bank or in stock!
5 places I have lived:
1. West Jordan, UT
2. Provo, UT
3. Mountain View, CA
4. Enterprise, AL
5. A couple tiddly little places when I was too young to remember, mostly all in UT.
5 jobs that I have had:
1. Telemarketer for my dad at Allstate Insurance - worst job ever!
2. Daycare provider for 1-3 graders - awesome! I got paid to play, go to the park, and tan at the pool, all while being followed around by little admirers. I loved it! Worked there every summer for five years.
3. Burger flipper at Scoreboard Grill, BYU food court. Greasiest job of all time.
4. Early morning custodial. 5-8 am. 4:30 is too early to wake up at any time of life, but especially during college. Got put on bathroom shift. Cleaning urinals is a great reason to crawl out of bed before the sun rises!
5. Teacher - mostly kindergarten, but student taught and substituted in a range from pre-k to 5th.
5 Things people don't know about me:
1. I'm a closet New Kids on the Block fan - I heard a rumor last week that they were reuniting, and I was estatic. Researched it online. Turns out it might not be true after all (no one in the band has confirmed it yet) and I was truly disappointed.
2. I've always had big biceps and was a huge arm wrestling guru in my pre-teens. My claim to fame is that I beat Kellen, the 9th grade wrestling champion - I save the part that I did it in 6th grade until after the shouts of acclimation!
3. I wish I was an artist. I would love it if I was awesome at painting landscapes!
4. I always want to visit art museums until I get inside them - then I realize that I don't like to look at paintings unless they're really fantastic. I usually like 2 or 3 paintings in the entire museum and end up feeling ripped off.
5. I'm obsessed with serving dishes. They have to be just right. I gave away every piece we got for our wedding because they weren't cute enough, or the right size, or were too fancy. . . Every time I pass the dish aisle at a store, I have to look at them. I've only bought four pieces ever. I need more! But I'm very picky. I don't know if I'll ever end up with enough, and it doesn't usually bother me until we have people over for dinner. Then I'm mortified.
I tag 1. Amy 2. Nick 3. Kelsey
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