When did I get so much junk??

I'm sure many of you can relate to the junk factor. I've lived in the same place for almost four years, and only now when I have to move everything do I realize all of the junk I have accumulated! It overwhelms me! Why, why, why and when, when, when did I become a pack rat??!! Curses! I've been cleaning and cleaning for the past few hours. It is one a.m. now, and I'm no where near done. Why was it I decided to move? Curse the move, man. No fun! A HUGE thanks to Sean, Shannon and Conn for their help tonight. It was a pain, I know, but I really appreciated it. Gosh, I love my family. So good to help me. Love family, hate moving.

Here I am talking about how much I hate moving, and I'm letting it over shadow the fact that I am leaving a most beloved place. I have lived in this house (the Raynes compound) for the past four years. It has truly felt like a home away from home, and I've loved it. Thanks to the Raynes family for letting me live out some great memories here. They are like a second family to me - all of them. Love you guys!

To my old friend, Stress...

Thanks so much for coming by today. Really, you couldn't have come at a better time. You came by earlier in the week when I looked at all of my junk and felt the overwhelming task of moving. You sneaked by once again yesterday when I didn't see that object behind me that scratched up the back end of my new car. That was fun, thanks. I anticipate more of you this afternoon as I attempt to move all of my belongings to a lovely storage facility miles from my home, because all of the BYU students took everything remotely close to my abode. Then once again tomorrow while I do the last of the cleaning in my former casa, and then be on the road to the airport by noon. Oh, my friend, let's keep in touch from time to time. However, let's push it off a few years. M'kay? Thanks.

A Dutch favorite... an Erincita favorite.

Refreshing and delicious. Try 'em, you'll like 'em!

If you'd like to partake of an Erincita favorite, click here.

Amy Winehouse

Yeah, she's a messed up druggie 'n stuff, but I have to say, I really like her music. Every once in a while I come across something that really surprises me, and her style has definitely surprised me. She recently won a plethora of Grammy Awards, and deservedly so. So she's crazy - so what. The girl has got talent. Some of my personal favorites from her Back to Black album are: Rehab, You Know I'm No Good, Me & Mr. Jones, Just Friends, and Love Is A Losing Game. You don't even have to check her out, but she's bringin' it all back, folks. The beehive hair-do and all.

Keep it goin' girl.

Just a rant... thanks.

This weekend I'm heading out to Cali with some friends to bask in the lovely desert sun. However, every time I venture to California I feel a little, um, pasty. As my Mom once said, 'oh dear, you have such beautiful milky white skin'. Eeks! Blah! When you want to fit in the California beach scene, milky white skin is not what you want to have! The truth is, I am not only going to California for beach time. I'm going for a mid-singles conference. Yep, good fun for the over 30's! Actually, it's the part of the trip I am not so excited for - yet, it's what we've planned the trip around. AHHHHHHHHHH!!! In some ways it's the same way I feel about my older single adult ward. I know I should just leave if I'm not happy, but I fear that going to a family ward might be an even bigger adjustment. I mean, at least I know the quirks and craziness of a single adult ward.
I think what bothers me most about singles wards, singles conferences, etc. is that they are just a big ploy to get people together, and get married. Which, you know, I want to get married someday, and I want all of these other people getting married. BUT, there's something about it that drives me crazy! I know what it is, but I can't verbalize it. Anyone in the single scene know what I'm talking about?
It's a funny world, I'll tell you that.
Good fun in California. Ah well, if all else fails, we can go to Disneyland.

Thanks, Mom.

So, this weekend I got the flu again (after having it two months ago). It was a very busy weekend, full of b-day's galore, and there I was nauseated and sick. As everyone headed off to the big birthday party, I went home. Here's where Mom comes in. Colleen, as you know her, called and said "Honey, why don't you come to our house and just rest on the recliner until we get home. I'll make you some non-fat popcorn that might feel good on your stomach". Of course adding all of the 'oh, I'm so sorry', and 'you poor girl' sentiments. It's all beyond sincere, of course (because that's just how she is).

You know, I just never get the chance to tell her often enough how much I appreciate the way she takes care of me; the way she has always taken care of me. I often try to be the single, independent daughter that is able to take care of my needs just fine, without anyone else's help. I think I pull it off pretty well, even. However, there are those days when being alone isn't always desired. And in those times when I'm sick and just need someone , my mom is always there - no matter what. She and my Dad are incredible, and I couldn't ask for better parents. I'm amazed at how they managed to bring 8 children into this world. They have endured so much as parents, and I must say that I am grateful for their endurance; for never giving up. I know that every single one of my siblings would praise them over and over for the patience and love they've shown to each one of us. They've given so selflessly. I am amazed and have never known bigger heroes in my life. Thank you.

Love you both~

Sharon... another birthday!

It is my dear sister-in-law's birthday today! What an incredible mother, woman, friend, and yes, sister. I'm so grateful that she decided to marry into our crazy family all those years ago. I mean, how many sister-in-law's can you travel to Hawaii with for a whole week and never get bugged, annoyed, etc.?! She's the best, and though it's by marriage, she is and always will be my sister.

I love you!

P.S. Don't you love her new "do"?!

Happy Birthday Shane!

Happy birthday to my big bro! You've come a long way Shaney-o (from the tooth-less wonders we were), and you've done an amazing job getting here. Love you mucho!

The littlest nephew is TWO today!

Aidan Douglas Curran is two today! I love this sweet little boy.

Law & Order: SVU

I'm a fan! These days there is hardly a show that I watch as often as this one. They've got re-runs on every night at 9, and guess who is watching? Mwah!

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

When Irish eyes are smiling,
Tis like a morn in spring.
With a lilt of Irish laughter
You can hear the angels sing
When Irish hearts are happy
All the world is bright and gay
When Irish eyes are smiling
Sure, they steal your heart away.

A big day for the Curran clan, indeed! St. Paddy's day brings back a rush of memories for me. Mom coming to my kindergarten class dressed up like an Irish Leprechaun, making porridge and magically turning the porridge green with the oh-so-magic phrase "come on leprechaun". Ah, yes, mine was a blessed childhood. I love that my parents were so proud of their Irish heritage that they gave us all Irish names. Quinn, Megan, Shane, Erin, Shannon, Caitilin, Sean and Conn. I especially love that my dad chose to give all of the girls my mother's name Colleen, which also means 'Irish girl'. However geeky it may have been at times in my life, my parents always celebrated this day with such flair. Since I don't have my own family yet, it is my turn to light up my nephews' eyes with Irish pride.
Yesterday I took my 7 year old nephew Kai 'Leprechaun hunting'. I took him up to the canyon where we both waited for 'sightings' of the vertically challenged beings. We had a great time, and later at home were searching for images of leprechauns and found this site: http://www.irelandseye.com/leprechaun/lwatchnj.htm
It's a webcam in a hidden location in a field in Ireland. Kai was going crazy - since it was night time in Ireland, so it was obviously dark. He wanted to get a glimpse of a leprechaun so badly! I love it.
A very happy st. paddy's day to ye!

The fastest growing nephew, Kalin.

Megan, Kalin and Kai were in town this weekend for a quickie trip from Houston. It seems like every time I see Kalin he has grown an inch or two. This time was no different. I am 5'11 3/4", and Kalin as a 13 year old is EXACTLY THE SAME!! I knew the day would come, but I didn't think it would be this soon! He's a seventh grader! Holy moly! He's lucky to be getting so tall - since height goes great with being a fabulous athlete. He has also been MVP on his basketball team at school this year. I can brag about my nephew, can't I? I love this boy dearly. He is so important to me, and even though he is out-growing me, he will always be sweet little Kalin.

"Ohhh Mexico..."

Yep, I'm here in the biggest city in the world. HUGE! It's my second time here and I'm still in awe. Wow! We ate the yummiest tacos al pastor tonight. Really, really tasty. I have been off of meat and caffeine since November, but decided I would have both while on this trip. I'm not sure if either of those things agree with me at this moment. We shall see. Viva Mexico!

There is nothing fun about being sick!

I was one of those un-lucky ones to get the flu yesterday. I woke up with a pain in my stomach (you know what I'm talking about) and nausea to boot. Horrible! I usually have a high pain tolerance, but having flu symptoms automatically puts me in little girl mode and unable to get through the day without whimperimg every other minute. All I want is for my mom to take care of me. Lucky me, my mom lives only about a mile away, so she came over and brought me some diet pepsi (which I have been off of since November), crackers and anti-nausea medicine (hoping it would help stop the throwing up). There is nothing glamorous about being sick. If I could've, I would have showered 10 times yesterday to rid myself from all the icky-ness I feel being sick. After all of the nausea, etc. my day was topped off by a painful migraine headache! I give, I give! Sheesh, what a day! After all of that, I must say I'm sooo incredibly glad it is over. Phew! Health is a darn good thing.

Birthday girl

I love birthday's, and I love that it's time to look forward to another even better year. My dear friend Melanee and I were talking about photo shoots the other day and decided to have one for my big day. So, we took 5 minutes out of work, went outside with the sweet camera and shot a few. We have a few choice shots I thought I'd share with the blog world. And here they are...



My co-worker and cube buddy Stephanie and I not freezing outside.