Life, Love and the pursue of the Purse Part One

Wow it's been a while since I have updated the blog...but it's been hectic around here. I remember a time when life slowed down during the summer. Everyone would be outside, running around in the sprinklers, drinking lemonade and hanging out until well after the sun went down. Enter in adulthood. Nothing really changes from season to season. You still have to go to work, clean the house, pay the bills and try to get some free time in.
So a few weeks ago, me and a few of mu siblings look an inflatable raft up American Fork Canyon and floated around on the reservoir. It was wonderful. So good in fact that I am still peeling due to the sunburn. But it reminded me what summer was about. Thanks for the fun time Andy, Andrea, Wendi and Gina!

I have been settling into my new job and for the first time in a while, I am happy at work. I work with good people and enjoy my days more. Mike has been doing a lot of gigging with both of his bands, Molly Drive and The Wolf Gang. Hop on over to his Facebook page and you can see their You Tube videos. They are so much fun to listen to and watch. And I am not going to lie, the extra money has been nice too! It also reminds me of how truly talented my husband is. He is a wonderful musician and has a great stage presence.

Speaking of my husband, we celebrated our 2nd anniversary last month. It's kind of hard to believe that we have been married that long. It all seems so long ago that we became sealed for time and all eternity. We have been through a lot in the past two years. There have been some very hard times. A lot of married people don't experience half of what we have in the past two years for a long time afterwards. With health issues, heart attacks, surgeries, moving, cars, school, jobs, communication, money, it has been a rough road. But as I sit here tonight, looking over at my husband playing on his computer, I realize that I do love him more now than I did two years ago. So for our anniversary, Mike gave me a beach cruiser bicycle. I love it. I will post pictures later. And then I also got Harry Potter Lego for the Xbox 360. It is a pretty sweet game. I have all of the Lego games except for Rock Band. But I will own it someday. It will be mine.

I have also become slightly obsessed with a purse lately. It is a line of bags called Miche Bags (Mee - Chee). I have seen them for years and always wondered about getting one. And now...I am in love. If you don't know what a Miche Bag is, go to their website - www.michebag.com and check them out. Then go to the Fashion Place Mall, go to the kiosk by the food court, ask for Paul and get yourself one. Here is a picture of my most recent bad:

And here is the other one that I have:

I have such a hard time finding purses that are a reasonable price and sturdy. But these puppies are wonderful. They come on three different sizes and there are different covers for each one. Read about it on the website. Seriously...you won't regret it. Your husband may not like me for a while because you are buy so many, but he will get over it.

I was trying to think about more of the methodical things that have been cruising in my cerebellum as of late, but nothing is coming at the moment. But I think right now I can hear my pillow calling to me. It has missed me lately. We haven't had as many dates as usual. So, I will continue to think and continue on part two of this entry. So, until then, sweet dreams and Miche Bags!

50 Things About Me

Yeah...so this is one of those narcissistic post with me telling you 50 random things about myself. I am, after, the queen of random knowledge. Ken the Jeopardy man gots nothing on me! So...here goes!

1. I have been married for almost two years now. Sometimes it seems like more...sometimes it seems like less.
2. I never took a beginning acting class while I was in high school or college. Somehow I always got right into the advanced classes. This upset a lot of people...but I don't care.
3. I wear a size 11 shoe. This shocks many people because I don't look like I have huge feet. This is the one and only thing that Paris Hilton and I have in common.
4. I have a photographic memory. This came in very handy when I was in school because it was easier to memorize things, including line for a show.
5. My favorite color was not always pink. It didn't become pink until I was a senior in high school. Until then it was blue. And while I still love the color blue, pink is for princesses, which I am.
6. I hate the smell of cooked onions. They just smell burnt to me and it makes me gag. If I can burp something up hours later and still taste it, it ain't right!
7. Lavender and vanilla are my favorite scents. Fabreeze makes a great room spray. My husband isn't a fan, but I still make him use it after he's done in the bathroom.
8. Back in college, I was a founding member of an online group called "Walk to Rivendale". This was a group of people trying to get in shape and so the challenge was to get a group together, be it in your neighborhood or online, and walk the same distance that Frodo and Sam walked to Rivendale in the Lord of the Rings books. I made it there and back again several times while I was living on campus at the U. The Chicago chapter of the group was even on Oprah once. That's my true nerdom coming out.
9. I love Robert Downey, Jr. He is a wonderful actor and I have loved him even through the drug years. 
10. I have never read the book "Charlotte's Web". I have seen the movie and have heard the story, but I have yet to sit down and read th book. I have no desire to do so and I doubt I ever will.
11. I am a classically trained singer. It's not opera and it's not belting. Think Josh Groban...that's what I was trained to do. 
12. When I was 12, I won a contest on the radio by singing the national anthem in bubble language. This is when you sound like you are under water. I never did get my cd from them.
13. If I had the money and space, I would have the largest shoe collection in the world! I love them. Since I have been married I have only bought 3 pairs of shoes. So sad.
14. When I got my first iPod, I have to have my little sister and my husband teach me how to use it. I felt a little old at that point.
15. I love salsa! But not Pace or anything like that...no, REAL salsa. Like the kind I make and the kind I taught my sister Gina to make. It's fresh with lots of spice and cilantro and garlic. YUM!
16. If all else fails in life, I am going to go to school to be a massage therapist. I have been told I have a gift for it with my large "man hands". (Thanks Jill!)
17. It was my goal for the longest time to be a member of the US women's softball team and play in the Olympics. Thanks to my own, clumsy self, that dream was to never come true.
18. I love music. As long as I can sing to it, it's great. If it's a screamo or rap group, no thanks! I will pass.
19. Even though I love musical theater, I HATE Rogers and Hammerstein. Sondheim falls into the group as well, and Andrew Lloyd Webber is getting to that point as well. The next person that also tells me that Les Miserables is the best musical ever will get a stab to the jaw by yours truly. And no, Wicked isn't that great either. But whatever.
20. While we are on the musical theater topic, I also dislike Fiddler on the Roof, Gilbert and Sullivan and Cole Porter. I think I have covered everything in this realm.
21. Tennessee Williams was a bitter queen and a horrific writer. 
22. On the other hand, Neil Simon is my favorite playwright. 
23. I really don't like most chick flicks. I would rather gouge my own eyes out with a rust spoon then sit through most of the chick flicks these days.
24. Yet...I really loved "The Notebook." Go figure!
25. I buy DVDs for the special features and the commentary. That's the first thing I think of when I see a movie for the first time.
26. I love pasta. I could eat it everyday and be happy.
27. I am partially deaf in my left ear thanks to some ear drum damage from a few years back.
28. I doodle when I am talking on the phone. No offense...it's just how I roll.
29. I have to have music on when I study. It keeps the over-active ADD part of my brain occupied while the rest of me is concentrating. 
30. I cannot fall asleep with the TV on. It has to be quiet and dark. 
31. Growing up I had a fear that our house was going to burn down in the middle of the night because of a cruel game my sisters liked to play. It was called Lock-Holly-in-the-bathroom-turn-off-the-lights-and-tell-her-the-house-was-on-fire-and-not-let-her-out. Yeah...that caused some trauma.
32. I love to play certain video games - namely the Lego games. They have Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Batman and next month Harry Potter will come and join the family. I am so darn excited. 
33. I have been an editor for three published books. When I can, I will add links so that you can check them out.
34. I love chocolate. And cheese. But not together. Unless it's chocolate cheesecake, then bring it on!
35. My all-time favorite movies include: Singing in the Rain, The Court Jester, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Star Wars (the original three), Keeping the Faith and Lord of the Rings. Casa Blanca is up there as well.
36. I am allergic to certain bubble bath solutions. I have sensitive skin and can't handle it.
37. I was also allergic to disposable diapers as a baby and had to use the cloth ones. My siblings were not so happy about that.
38. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice? I kill you. That's all there is to it.
39. I have scars on my shoulders from getting some pretty bad sunburns as a kid. 
40. I didn't have much hair on my head until I was about 5. And now? It's out of control.
41. Flip flops are my friends.
42. Fall is my favorite time of year.
43. Baseball is my favorite sport.
44. Josh Groban could sing me to sleep every night and I would never get bored or annoyed with it. I love him!
45. My family and I can recite lines from movies for hours and still manage to carry on a meaningful conversation.
46. Diet Coke and Diet Dr. Pepper are my biggest weakness next to a maple donut.
47. I could never be a vegetarian. I love me my meat. 
48. My dream car is a 2010 Chevy Malibu. (I know...it's kind of sad. But I would love it!)
49. I have and love Clay Aiken's Christmas album.
50. I am double jointed. It's fun to gross my husband out with all of my tricks.

 So there you go! There are 50 random facts about me. Now here's the challenge...post 50 things about yourself. I would love to see what you are all about.

Sand needs toes and other words of wisdom

Happy Spring everyone! At least...the calendar says it's Spring time. I guess the more correct phrase would be Sprinter - Spring and Winter. Thank you Mark Eubanks!

A couple of years ago, not too long before me and the mister got hitched, we were at his uncle's house in Eden. No, really. He lives in Eden. It's up Ogden Canyon a little ways. He has all this land and we go up every year for a bbq and some fun. He has all of these fun things to play with. With all of this going on, I saw my nephew, Kaleb, was playing in the sandbox. He was all by himself and I went over to see if he was ok. I asked him, and he said he was fine. Here was our conversation. Mind you...he was 3.

Me: Kaleb? What are you doing?
Kaleb: I am playing in the sand.
Me: Yeah?
Kaleb: Yeah...sand needs toes. That's why my shoes are off. You should take yours off too.

As I looked, he was indeed barefoot, with his toes deep in the sand. With all that was going on around him, he decided to enjoy the most simple thing there...the sand. So, I followed directions and took my shoes off as well and buried them in the sand. I think we were in the sandbox for a good hour, just enjoying the sand. Not because our toes needed to be exfoliated...but because the sand needed our toes. Because, after all, what good is the sand if it doesn't have some toes in it once in a while?

We are all so depended on each other for survival. Not only for the physical survival, but the emotional and spiritual survival as well. And it's it funny how it is usually out of the mouths of babes that we are reminded of this?

When we were living in the Avenues, I was the Primary chorister. There were 12 kids in there...if everyone showed up. And there were two boys. The rest were mostly 7 year old girls. One of the younger girls, Zoe, was 5. She always had the biggest smile on her face and big blue eyes. On Sunday mornings, she would come in with her older sister and say "It is a beauty-ful day today!"  And after that, it always was. She would always remind all of us of the beauty that God has given us on this great Earth. It always made me smile when she was there.

I am not sure where I am going with this post...but it's these little things that I remember children saying that just make me giggle and brings a smile to my face. I have been so blessed to be able to work with amazing kids...and some that will forever be little shits in my book. I miss working with the kids. I play the piano for Primary in our new ward, and it's the best calling in the church...EVER! But I don't interact a lot with the kids. And there are Sundays where that's ok and I would rather sit in my corner.

Thanks again for reading my stream of consciousness. I almost felt like I was Henry David Thoreau and writing On Waldon Pond...at least I think he's the one who wrote it. The whole book was an endless stream of consciousness. I sure hated it. Anyway, the point to all of this is that sometimes, we need to step back, enjoy the beauty-ful  day once in a while and remember, sometimes, sand needs toes.

PS - I have started my new job at work and I am not nearly as stressed as I was before. It's amazing how a small change like that can keep you off death row for stabbing someone in the the jaw with a ball point pen. I don't even have the desire to do that anymore. Just saying...

An Epiphany...Of Sorts

Thank you to all of you for reading and commenting on my last post. I felt a lot better after writing that and you saved me thou$ands in therapy costs. As we are all poor folk these days, anything to save a little money is very much welcomed. 


10 years ago, when I graduated from high school and started college (sweet mother of Elvis, has it really been that long?) I already had decided what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to be a journalist. I was going to be on TV and was set to take over Barbara Walters' job on 20/20. There was no doubt in my mind that Diane Sawyer was going to eat my dust. It was going to be awesome. Oprah wouldn't be able to hold a candle to me. I knew I was meant to be a reporter and to be in front of the camera. Take that, Katie Couric!


My plan was going along just perfectly until one day, in 2003 at the University of Utah, I had an epiphany. I was in the middle of my magazine writing class when I started to laugh. And as I started to laugh, it slowly turned into a sob. A full-on-I-want-my-mommy sob. I hated journalism. I hated the classes, I hated the writing, and most of all, I hated that teacher that had just ripped my article apart because "she didn't understand why anyone would write something like that." It was an article about teenage girls in abusive relationships and the signs to look for. She said it made women look weak and that no real woman would allow herself to be in that situation. I wanted to walk up to her, all 4 1/2 feet of her, sit on her face, make a flarty, and not get up until the stink went away. (I know, it's a little graphic, but you should hear the desires I have to stab a current co-worker in the jaw with my pen.)


Every female journalism and communications teacher I had in college felt like they had to prove themselves to EVERYONE! They were just as tough as a man and would dress like it to prove it. I realized that I am not that kind of person. I don't have to prove myself to anyone but me and to my Heavenly Father.
So I left the journalism program. I decided to become an English major and study creative writing. That lasted for half a semester. I got kicked out of the program because I wouldn't analyze poetry and I looked at Shakespeare plays as a theater person, not an English major snob. (It also didn't help that I did all of this in the class that was taught by the department head's wife!) 


So I moved on. Finally, I graduated with my degree in playwriting. I know, it's been oh so useful in my life...but it has helped in certain occasions. I wrote plays for my after school program kids. I wrote plays for other kids. I have been the editor for three books. And here's what all of this comes down to:


I love to write!


I do! I love it. I can express myself so much better in writing. All of the witty things in my brain can come out and they don't sound as crazy on paper as they would of I were to say them out loud. (Except for the jaw stabbing thing. I do admit that it's going a bit to far. Don't worry, after tomorrow I will no longer work with this person. Praise the baby Jesus for that one!)


I think this is why I enjoy blogging. Because there isn't a certain format I have to stick to. I don't have to follow the inverted pyramid or the MLM. I don't have to regurgitate a bunch of stuff that my professor's expected me to do. This is me. It may not always be pretty, and it definitely isn't proper, but it's who I am. It's how I feel and think about life. And even if no one were to read this (I am VERY grateful that you do!) I know that I am releasing my thoughts into the universe of the world wide web and allowing the juices to flow. I am being true to myself and not letting anyone tell me that having feelings and emoting makes me weak. Because it doesn't. I believe that what doesn't kill you will only make you stronger.  And gosh dang it, if the past few years haven't killed me, then a little jaw stabbing action won't either. Nor does it show that I am weak.


It merely shows that I am human. And in the end, isn't that what this life is about?

A time to heal

(Wendi and my uncle Scott at our wedding)

So it's time for me to say a few things and to get some things 

off my chest. Here goes...

On March 17th, we found out that 

my uncle, Scott W. Johnson, had passed away.

As the day went on, we found out more of the details.

All signs point to the fact that he took his own life.

Police were called, a detective was assigned to the case.

He was found, dead and alone.

We don't know exactly when all the events leading to this took place, 

but it was determined that it was that day.

March 17th is already a hard day for my family.

Five years before, my grandfather, 

Lyle W. Johnson, also passed away.

He had been ill and mt grandmother had cared for him on her own.

He received better care from her

then he ever would have at a nursing home.

After several strokes, heart attacks and dealing with diabetes,

he was left helpless.

The night before he passed away, 

my grandmother had told the Lord 

that she had made peace and was ready to let him go home.

The next morning, on their way to the hospital for a treatment for his leg,

he fell asleep in the passenger side of the car.

He had gone home.

As the family gathered for his funeral, there was a sense of sadness,

but also a sense of peace.

He was no longer suffering.

He had moved on 

and was now able to do the work that he loved doing in life.

He was going to teach the gospel to those 

that had not heard it on this earth.

It was a peaceful farewell.

Ever since then, 

there have been moments where I have felt him very near to me.

He was at our wedding, just as he had promised me he would be 

at another wedding ten years before. 

When I was in the prep room for my gallbladder surgery,

he and my other grandfather, John Mike Gates,

were right beside me the whole time. 

I could feel them watching over me.

In a moment were I was alone, 

without my husband and my parents,

they were there to comfort me 

and assure me of their eternal love for me.

Families are forever.

After I had heard that my uncle had passed,

my heart began to hurt.

I had no idea that he was hurting as much as he was.

We had heard things here and there,

but he had become withdrawn from the family.

Even at this moment, 

I realized that I have not allowed myself to fully mourn.

I have great memories of my uncle.

He was always smiling and laughing.

He had the best sense of humor.

He had the biggest heart of anyone I know.

He hid his pain from us.

The last thing he wanted 

was for someone to worry about him.

He never asked for a thing

but he was the first to offer a helping hand.

My cousin, Tyler, got married two days after Scott passed away.

He and his lovely bride were married in the Idaho Falls Temple.

After the ceremony, my aunt, Tammy, was in tears.

It was an emotional time for all.

My mother asked her what was wrong.

She said that he had felt the presence of my grandfather there...

as well as the presence of my uncle.

He was at peace.

From that moment on, 

I knew that he had found the peace that he longed for.

I also knew that my grandfather was with him that night.

He was not alone.

A father would not leave his child alone in such an hour of need.

Just as our father, our Heavenly Father,

will never leave us alone in our darkest hour.

At my uncle's funeral, 

there wasn't the same sense of peace as at my grandfather's.

There was some bitterness.

Not only towards my uncle, but towards other family members.

There was a lot of finger pointing and blaming.

Even during the service, it was painfully obvious to see the family divided.

I was sitting at the piano in front of everyone.

But I was hidden behind a television.

I was playing the piano as my contribution to the services.

No one could see me.

But I saw and felt everything.

Including the presence of my uncle and my grandfather, 

standing in the back of the chapel.

They were watching, observing...

But there was a peace about them.

I'm not psychic or a "sensitive" as seen on tv.

But I am sensitive and as I have gotten older,

I have been able to understand it more.

But even though I know that he is at peace,

I still need to allow myself to mourn.

What's done is done, what's passed has passed.

No sense in blaming, pointing fingers or being angry.

The time has come to heal and look to the future,

And pray that we have learned from what has happened

in hopes that it may not happen again.

Thanks for letting me purge in a healthy way,

and not in the way of super models.

One of my favorite quotes ever is:

We write to experience life twice.

Once in the moment it occurs,

and again in the form of a memory.

(I'm pretty sure I slaughtered that quote...but you get the point.) 

PS - Ok, so this was not one of my more entertaining posts. Needless today, death is a heavy subject that is hard to not only talk about, but write about. But, there were some funny moments to the day of the funeral. As we were walking from the mortuary to the cemetery, Jeremy, Heather, Hannah and Jack found us. Once Jack was awake enough, he started to wave to us. After the grave dedication, Jeremy and company had to leave to go get their older girls from school. As I was turning to say goodbye to Jack, he kind of glared and gave me a thumbs down! His thing lately is to give a thumbs up to everything. But not at the moment! He gave his disapproval, and then waved goodbye. I still laugh just thinking about it. Also, thanks to Gary, my uncle's friend, the eulogy was NOT boring. Good times...good times. 

Oh Canada!

Well everyone, we made it. We managed to make it through another Olympics. It's hard to think that the 2010 Vancouver games just started two weeks ago, and now they are over and we have to wait until 2012 for the London games. We have had a great time watching the Olympics at my house. Every night after dinner, we turn on the games and watch them until 10:30 at night and then sometimes stay up and watch the late night stuff. Needless to say, there hasn't been much sleep the past few weeks at the Rohde house, but it was worth it.
Can you believe that it's been eight years since the games were here? That was us putting on the shows and trying to handle the chaos. My mother even learned to tap beer...on a Sunday...for Scott Hamilton! (Ok, he didn't get a beer, but whoever he was with did.) All the things that were learned and shared during that time...but I wasn't here. Nope! I was in Price doing King Lear at CEU. I missed the insanity and had to watch it all on TV on the late night rerun. But my mother had a great time and really enjoyed it, as did most of the volunteers. 
It's strange to think of all of the events that have occurred over the last eight years. Weddings, births, graduations, missions, funerals, surgeries...and we made it. By the grace of God, we made it. There have been many times where our faith in God, other people and ourselves has been tested. We have been through struggles that we never thought we would and prayed we wouldn't have to. But we made it. One step at a time, we made it. Be it by luck, karma, or by the sweet mercy of the Lord, we survived. And we came out stronger. 
I think the reason why I love to watch the Olympics is to see the human spirit try to over come adversity. We love the underdog stories of those who came from nowhere and melted our hearts. Like the poor luge athlete who died on the day of the opening ceremonies, or the strong Canadian figure skater who lost her mother out of the blue two days before competing and she took the bronze. Or the four man bobsled team that has ties to Park City. And who can forget my someday husband, Apolo Anton Ohno. I love him...and someday, he may love me too! 

(See? He's even holding my favorite beverage!)

So for now, we must bid adieu to the 21st Olympic winter games and go back to our normal, hum-drum lives...until the 2012 London games start in 18 months!  

House Cleaning = Nesting?

(My laundry room/kitchen)

My husband can be a very silly man sometimes. Today after church, and after a wonderful Sunday afternoon nap, I started doing some laundry. I cannot tell you how thankful I am that I have a washer and dryer here IN MY APARTMENT! I know that I have mentioned it before, and I will continue to mention it. After living without one for over a year, it becomes a selling point. I fell in love with this apartment the moment I saw it. And this baby was what sold me.

Anyway, I was doing some laundry to get work clothes ready for the week. The Mr asked if I was ok. I said yes and asked why. He said that I was "nesting" and it concerned him. So...discuss. House cleaning = nesting? Or just taking advantage of the amenities in my home? He's cute. I'll keep him.