The Epic-ness of Us *Updated*

*Updated from the original post on 3/11/2011. More quotes added to the end*

Ah, what an enjoyable morning.
I just spent a few hours dancing, eating lunch, and chatting with a very pleasant friend of mine.
The topics of conversation were varied. Some of the discussions were about:

• super-gluing and bleaching spiders
  
• the dangerous, upsetting nature of food
• "Hate is a strong word, but I really, really, really don't like you..."
• the 411 on how to deny stress
• the murderous nature of hot water to some hard-backed creatures- but Asians love it
  
• french-kissing an ant
• "too many midgets"
• eating tomatoes like apples
• you can't have a fly for a pet
  
• Psych is the West Coast of tv shows
• "I feel like AJ right now!"

Add on to that enjoyable luncheon the great times we've had preparing for and competing at Dancesport. We went and picked out shirts (and tie and vest for him) that matched. We had pizza with Ruth and he 'made a fool of himself' jumping to grab me an abandoned, yellow balloon on the ceiling. I named him Ben (the balloon, not James), who was then taken from me at the Marriott Center because they "don't allow balloons in here." More unforgettable quotes that need mentioned were:

• Ooh, that one! I hate that one!
• But why orange? Orange isn't a color. It compliments, only.
  
• "I told him you're fine with it."
  "With what?"
  "Going to Wal-Mart before dancing."
  "Oh, yeah, I'm fine with that."
  "... Thank you for re-affirming what I already said."
• 'We beat Stephen' *cue sing-song voice and funky, victory dance*
  
• Who's that dancing with the banana?
• Go AJ!
  
• "What do you think of this one?"
  "Actually, I think I hate it."
• Watching open is like watching a bunch of Skittles dance."
  
• He's more twisty than a pretzel!
• *Aaaaye don't liiiike o-ran-ge-ehs*
• Powerade tastes like laxative.
• That's rude!
• I like that couple, because they're married, and that's nifty.
  

From the 'what if...?" random-answer game and other events of the night.

• ... I would like it. And it would probably end with them sucking on my toes.
• ... Excuse me sir, you have a banana.
• What if you were stuck in the sewer and couldn't get out? - I would have myself a tasty soup.
• What if we all had 6 toes growing from our elbows? - We would all look like old grandpas.
• What if Jimmer was a golfer instead? - I would move in with your mom instead.
  
• ...Geico would save you 15% or more in car insurance.
• What if there was an earthquake and you were stuck with JB and he made a move on you? - I would take a bite out of them!
  
• ... I would like it... then, maybe not.
• What if the hills were alive with the sound of "Friday, Friday." - We would burn them down.
  
• "I wasn't chewing them up... I was just sucking on them for a bit."
  
• "Oh, my giant blue head!"
• "Oh, yeah that's funny. That random 'she' friend was ME."

And any others:

• But I'm still reliable!
• Hmm, pudding... yeah, I'm thirsty.
  
• What gain comes from stomping on slugs?
• Hey man look at my new dog! - Oh yeah, that's pretty cool- Aaaah! There's no dog there. Oooohhhh - Aaaahhh...
• There's something on your face? *punch* It was pain!
• *Camel laugh*
• Oh, they're gonna do that, but it didn't show it.
• And we thought; sad.
• "eeeeeeeeeeeeee"
• Hyperbole and a Half blog
• "Aaaahhh... "
  "There is no __ there!"
• *vacant stare* Oh, no. I was just noticing that Kimber's foot is basically massaging my breadsticks..."
• "James ?" -Argh! What?! What do you want from me?!
  
• "Admit it, I'm pretty bad."
  "Well... I'll admit you're decently bad."
• Gr-urk-ah-br-ngh-gasp-akgr-blgr...Brain freeze!
• Come on, French people can't lasso!
• Hey, why can't I be a stone pig with horns?
• Is that how they used to tell if someone was dead? Drown them?
  
• Her head is always tilted to the right.
  It's because of the earring.
  
• Aaaaaehhhhhh... dead? or sleeping...?
• "Bla, bla, Toms, bla, I'm awesome, bla bla, Toms, Toms, Bla."
  "Well, I got these at Shopco for $3."
  "..."
  "Good."
  
• They're like eating happiness. And the happiness is all gone!
• Well these have stupid, little pictures on them too, why not just get these?
• James, what is this? I feel like I'm being possessed!
  
• This just in - I'm Awesome!
• "Why are we friends?!"
  "You're not my friend. You need me."
• Homegirl totes cray-cray.
• *text chain* R: You're late. J: Lol. No i'm not... R: Well you arent here J: Yes i am... R: ... where? J: Umm...here of course R: >:P Let me know when you get to 278 then J: I'm already there...
• I have a village of muffins in my fridge.
• *both simultaneously out of several minutes of silence* doo doooo, doo doooo, doo doo doooo doooo...
• Crunchy leaves are like steak...
• ...they probably outlaw it because ducky has too many brothers and sisters.
• mm^hmm.
• "Why do I always assume your father was eaten by that cat?"
  "Ooh, that's no good!"
  "It happens."
• Suit up!
• Run forest run! This makes me nervous for you... eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
• A large, noisy Brazilian with food smelling strongly of bbq has taken over our table.
  The table is under attack by an army of dwarves.
  
• "Are you dead?"
  "Yes. But I'll be there in a sec."
• No it's not- shut up.

Another one of those days...

So today was, unfortunately, a normal 'me-day.'
I'll guide you through a brief snippet of roughly 15 minutes, so you may understand.

You are rushing across campus to your 6th class of the day in too-big shoes.

You just got out of your last class late, having waited for several precious 'rush-minutes' in order to get your graded paper back. Unfortunately, all you got was the words that you wouldn't get your paper back with the others in the class because "the TA gave you a perfect grade." So, of course, the teacher must think the TA is blind, or graded your test whilst he was asleep or on hallucinogens or possessed by a hippo, or encountered some other difficulty that would cause him to have mistakenly given perfect marks. No way do you actually deserve a perfect grade. So, as the responsible and sensible person she is, the professor must sink her claws into your hard-earned A. She'll look over your paper herself, pick it apart, and return it to you with a shaky C.

With a sigh that's more of a gasp because of your quick pace, you try not to knock into all the other students that have deciding to enjoy the lovely 35° drizzle at a sedate pace. Whilst traveling from the previous disappointment to another class of certain enjoyment, your phone begins to ring loudly. You stumble, trying to pull it from your backpack pocket without dropping your umbrella or extra armload of dance gear. Miraculously managing to extricate it, you put it to your ear as the caller hangs up. Lovely.

You look at the CID and recognize it as your ride to an appointment later that day. Dreading what the call could mean, you redial as you again head toward your now-late-for-certain class.

Guess why that dear friend was calling? Wouldn't it just be lovely if they wanted to call and wish you a good day and promise a package of coconut M&Ms when they pick you up later? Well, whether it would be lovely or not, their actual message was to inform you that they can no longer give you a ride. Of course. Because how could your day get better than it now is?

But wait- you still aren't to that class. The fun isn't yet over. In the middle of assuring your friend that you bear no hard feelings, and thanks for being willing anyhow, you trip... over nothing. That happens a lot. This time, your phone goes flying across the sidewalk and into a puddle where both the case, the cover, and the battery separate like three negative ends of a magnet. Meanwhile your umbrella catches on another person (who pleasantly sends you a death glare) and stabs you in the side as you land hard on one knee.

At least you didn't face-plant.

And like an armored vehicle transporting goods on a cop show, you're still not safe because you're still en route. Having collected all your gear, you finally enter the science building that houses your classroom. Or, at least, you try.

A taller version of Frankie Muniz is chatting up some little blond in the doorway. Unwilling to move yet, he half-opens the door (which swings in) for you as you come barreling towards it. He props it open with his arm above his head and, after attempting a little 'oh, I've got it, or okay, nevermind, thank you' dance, you finally duck awkwardly under his arm and between the couple. But apparently that blond really has some hypnotic eyes because, within the 2 seconds before you're all the way through, the 'gentleman' removes arm and the heavy door swings shut.

Of course, you are foolishly thinking that the thoughtful Frankie was going to deal with the door, so you have your attention on putting your phone back together and folding up your dripping umbrella.

Wise move.

The heavy door charges toward you and catches you roughly on the elbow. Your arm is bruised, your is face red as some science nerd chuckles at you, and your phone is once again all over the ground.

After gathering your armload together, (it's a habit by now) you finally, miraculously, gloriously, reach your classroom and plop gracelessly into a chair. You're 10mins late, you've missed the quiz and your teacher gives you a dirty look. But at least you can sit (safely?) for 40 minutes before you are forced to brave the world again.

Isn't life an adventure? It's so much fun to be me.

Unlocking Incompetence

I've come to dislike every situation that should be normal. Mostly because, for me, things really just can't be normal.
When people walk up to their door, they pull out their key, unlock the door, and enter their house. Right? I mean, nothing can really go wrong with that except, perhaps, realizing you don't have your key with you or having to set a grocery back down because you haven't enough hands.
But like I said, with me normal things aren't normal. I always have the biggest trouble getting my key out and the door unlocked.
Imagine, if you will, this small part of my life that so personifies my existence.
You set your backpack down beside you and pull out your keys. As you straightened, unlocking the doorknob, your backpack tips sideways.
But of course, you're ignorant enough that you keep your keys in the same pouch as your pens, pencils, and other tiny objects. And you're even so lacking in common sense that you didn't zip the pouch back up after retrieving said keys. So of course, because it can, your backpack tips sideways, spilling all of your things.
And yes, you live at the top of the stairs. So yes, of course, they all fall through the cracks of the stairs, several stories, spread all over the ground and stairway. You run about trying to quickly pick them all up so you don't look like a complete fool (failing in the process) and finally get them all gathered and shoved back into your bag. Gasping from the frantic running up and down stairs, groaning in frustration, and thoroughly disgusted with yourself, you snatch up all your things and rush into...
the door. Face first. Of course. Because you unlocked the knob, but the drawn bolt is still restricting entrance.
The only redeemable thing about the whole experience, is that it would be hilarious to watch. Too bad I don't have a mini recorder following me around. I could have my own slap-stick comedy show.

"Key to the city? Key to my car? Tic-tac?" *zzzzap*

Miss Clumsia

I think I have a talent. My ward has a talent show coming up soon, and I was considering singing. But perhaps I should change to my newly discovered superiority.
I trip. For no good reason.
Just within the last couple days I have: fallen out of a chair I was sitting on, literally walked into a wall, fallen flat on my face while talking to someone, did a Miss Congeniality in heels, nearly fell over taking a simple side-step in dance, and most amazingly tripped while standing still on a flat surface.
Honestly, I'm not sure you can beat that. There weren't even any stairs, dizzy spells, holes, or evil-5th-graders trying to trip me up.
I just have skill.

Magic Trips

So I've decided that I'm not meant to be a magician 'when I grow up'.
I've been remembering back to this summer and some of the interesting experiences I had. One of them resulted in this decision I previously mentioned. I was downstairs with my Aunt Nonnie and her adorable little (now 3 year old) daughter, Boo. And, to entertain her, i decided to do a 'magic trick.'
You know, the first time, it actually turned out really well. I had some strange little water-glitter-pillow-tube thing and I told Boo that I would count to three, lift it over my head, and it would disappear. So I shook it in my hands as I counted, and on three, I easily tossed it over my shoulder into the next room. She was very surprised and had no clue where it had gone. I then managed to pick it back up without her seeing. I stuck it in under the hat my brother was wearing and, after she'd searched around for some time (in both my hands, my pockets, etc.), told her to look there. She lifted the cap off and was thoroughly impressed with my skills. It was some sweet moves on my part.
Unfortunately, I didn't stop there. I should've learned by now that, if something actually does happen to go right for me once, I shouldn't push my luck- just be happy with it. But Boo thought it was so cool, she wanted me to do it again.
I tried.
But the second time, I threw the stupid thing too high and it whacked into the low ceiling and thumped onto the floor directly behind me. Boo raced under my legs and picked it up, smirking in triumph. The little devil.
She then told me that she wanted to show me a magic trick. She held the toy, waved it around for a bit, chanted some string of kid-babble and threw it across the room.
"Where'd it go? Magic!" she proclaimed like a true entertainer, as my aunt laughed uproariously at my expense.
Hmph. So yes. I've decided that I'm not going to be a magician... ever.

Dr. Do-Less

Carsten, pops and I were reminiscing on some of our attempts at raising animals. These included the mauling of our poor bunnies and their babies. What kind of animal can skin a rabbit and never actually get it out of the cage?
We talked about the various chickens we've owned. Some we hatched and raised from their incubated eggs. Others we bought at Big R as little fuzzy, newborn chicks. They all produce very few eggs (total of 5 or so a week, from a dozen chickens) and have had rather traumatizing lives/deaths. One batch was attacked and eaten/scattered by a bear. Some would get out of the pen, wander into the woods and most assuredly were eaten before the next morning. One poor chick got caught in between the netting and the covering that were pressed against each other, when it was already sleeping at the bottom of the yard-deep box (we haven't a single clue how in this wide earthit managed that Houdini act). The rest ... well, they eventually ended up in the freezer.
I believe the oddest thing we ever produced was Clara's duck. We all went to Big R and picked out a chick. But the super-random 6yr old had to insist on the ugly duckling. As the only non-chicken we didn't really give it any special care. It ended up thinking that it was a chicken. It made the strangest, most pathetic quack. It wanted to walk like a chicken, with a duck's anatomy and ended up shuffling around on its stomach, constantly tripping and face-planting. It would get attacked by the actual chickens, so we had to separate it and then it would pace up and down by the separator and rub the tip of its feet raw.
I felt bad for the poor, confused thing.
You know, I think the only animal we've actually had any luck with are goldfish. We had a batch of 10 goldfish about 5 years ago that are still alive. How did that even happen? I didn't even know they could live that long! Don't goldfish usually die after only a few days?

Fun with Roommates

Honestly, my roommates are pretty much the best. Meet:
Kaia- the friendly, passionate, artistic redhead. We have some of the best conversations.
Tara- the smart, musical, fantastic cook who is occasionally alarmingly hyper!
Brooke- the tall, beautiful, blond with a gentle nature and the best sayings and 'voices.'
They are supremely awesome.

For Tara's birthday, on Memorial Day, we had a party, in which Kaia was the decorator queen, Brooke made the coolest Tie-Die Cake, and I took tons of pictures of our adventures.
Our adventures included drawing an enormous, effective welcome 'mat' on the sidewalk in front of our apartment, with chalk. We also drew (most likely) the World's Largest Hopscotch- each square was the size of a cement slab and it went clear down the side walk. We took turns trying to make it all the way through, even filmed our endeavors. But no, the videos are not going to be released. :)
After it got too dark to draw on the sidewalk anymore, we went inside and proceeded to make fools of ourselves with glow-in-the-dark swords. Yes. We are awesome. We danced around in the dark, took crazy evil-pictures in front of the bathroom mirror. We even dressed up and recorded ourselves having sword-fights and etc.

Another time in which our splendid originality and personalities were manifested was just last Saturday night. At my insistence, we had thought to go together and roll down the hill by the Periodicals section of the library, on campus. But there was a couple making out there, and it would have been slightly awkward... So, instead, we went back to the apartment and ran around in the sprinklers like hyper chipmunks.
Kaia was quite (overly) excited that she could see the constellations and would randomly scream out things like "Ah! Look! I found Cassiopeia! Yes! Look!" At one point, we had moved on in our conversation, while she was still admiring the stars. Realizing that she didn't have our attention, she turned to me, grabbed at my arm, and in a somewhat stern voice informed us "Hey! That's Draco the Dragon!"
We ended the night after we had been playing around on the Wyview playground structures, claiming different 'kingdoms,' declaring war between the wood chips and the grass, cajoling the more tentative Tara to join us by saying that she could be "MY adviser" or "I'll name a STAR after you" or "Well, she's MY favorite counselor and I've given her a large estate!" and such. At some point we decided that we must be at least partially insane because of the late hour and finally retired to our apartment.

So there you have it. We've had many an exciting and interesting time/conversation. Like when we almost installed a 'Whoopie Alert!' security system against creepers because we don't have a chain for our apt door. Or our almost constant teasing Tara of her 'Coccasion' (yes, I know that's not a word. It's actually a mixture of 3 different ones, including a boy's name, Caucasian and occasion).

As I mentioned earlier- We're the best.

Sharing humor

I have a ton of different quotes, jokes, experiences, etc. I want to share. Mostly from my religion (D&C) class, but also because I just haven't gotten around to posting anything much, lately.
My D&C Professor- Bro. Walsh- is hilarious. He tells a lot of random stories and jokes, but still manages to teach something with it, even if it doesn't exactly apply to the previous subject matter.

The first thing he said to us, told us to write it down and he got this serious look on his face, was "There is more to life than school. Chill!" But a few minutes later he did say, "Everyday is a class period- we need to take notes. This life is an education experience."

He likes to share jokes or funny stories at the beginning of each class. He's shown us 'The truth according to 7yr olds' stories, Darwin Awards, Memorable Epitaphs, and You know you're old when... (everything hurts, and what doesn't hurt doesn't work, etc.).

One he said is- "My son was having a hard time getting up when he was a teenager. My wife put a mousetrap on top of his snooze button. I don't recall her ever complaining about it after that."

Another time he said, "There are three kinds of people- Optimists, pessimists, and improvers. And while that's true, sometimes there are days when enduring well just means you got out of bed."

Here's one- "Would the ocean be deeper if there weren't sponges in it?"

Or- "Our Father in Heaven is a God of humor. He's said, men are that they might have joy! Will the Gods tell jokes to each other? Sure!... But they probably don't laugh, because they already know the punchlines."

He quoted Pres. Hinckley who, speaking to the missionaries at the MTC, said, "Well, you're not much to look at, but you're all we've got. I guess we'll use you."

Just today he said "Here's a joke I made up- If Lot's wife was trembling as she looked back, does that make her the first salt shaker?" And after we all chuckled, "Okay, okay. Stop it!"

Whenever someone else in the class says something funny, or people laugh, he gets all mock-upset and insists "You're not funny- I'm funny!" or "Stop being happy- this is a religion class. You're not supposed to have fun!"

On a more spiritual side, his greatest point that he emphasizes the most is that "There is a lot more hope in this plan than we give it credit. God is all powerful, and we underestimate how much he is going to help us, how great his mercy is."

He said defined the different answers you get from asking the Lord a question. He said that a 'right' answer is that you feel peaceful. No anxiety or anything. It just feels right. Whereas the other, rather than just being a 'stupor of thought' ("sometimes not thinking is peaceful!"), it's the opposite of peace- confusion, anxiety, frustration, indecision. And that helped me a lot. Because I've been confused a lot on how to tell the difference between peace and 'stupid thoughts' (which I have all the time).

I'll probably post other quotes or stories from him. He says a lot of good ones. But I think this post is already long enough.

---
A short note on my Astronomy teacher- Prof. Moody. He's also pretty great. Not quite as funny, but still quite a good teacher and he tends to throw in random comments that just crack me up. Like yesterday, he said he was quite tired and, with about a half hour left in our 2hr period, he began going off on this tangent about science movies he really doesn't like (namely Armageddon), and how, if he wasn't an astronomer or geologist, he'd be a movie critic. lol It was great.
---

Cue crazy laugh

You know those days when you just have to give up and accept that it's going to be pointless and miserable and just hope you can get through it with limited damage? I had one of those. I'm sore from yesterday, and I just keep making a fool of myself. I mean, more than normal, that is. :)
As just a small part of this fantastic day, I went to Macey's to get a movie from Red Box and perhaps pick up some bread. But the movie wasn't there and I ended up getting a whole bunch of heavy stuff that wouldn't fit in my backpack because I already had it filled with books, dance shoes, and Mel's computer. On the way back the wind was blowing just short of 1,500mph in my face. I had to get off my bike and walk it because, with all my extra baggage and trying to ride uphill into that wind- well. I was too sore from yesterday and it just wasn't worth it.
I'm pretty sure I looked like a complete goof. But that's alright. Because it's getting later and soon it will be tomorrow and I can focus on doing homework and getting Mel's computer fixed and move past this 'epic fail' of a day.
*Mwahahahahah! ~Crazy laugh* -because it somehow makes things better. And sometimes it's the only option.

Things...

So, I feel I need to jot down a few things so I don't forget.

1. Tanya and my efforts in transporting my bike via her car to Wyview was... quite the experience. We first tried the trunk. Silly idea. Then we tried shoving it into the backseat handles first. Again, silly idea. We had to move around to the other side of the car so it was 'downhill' and finally got the bike in. But it was too long. So we stuck one handle out the rolled-down-window, didn't quite get the other door to latch properly and shoved the driver seat so far forward that... well. To save dignity, I will end there. In any case. I laughed quite hard about how ridiculous it must have looked. My hands were black, Tanya had grease marks on her face, and the top-inside of the car was marked up from the handles.
2. I rode to school this morning. In 40° -something weather, with a plastic sack over my ripped-up, water-logged bike seat, and while it was hailing (sort of). Note to self -and anyone wise enough to learn from my experiences- DON'T DO THAT! Bad for you!
3. I'm pretty sure that I'm going to take Astronomy, first half D&C, Dance 380, and Weight Lifting. But who knows, honestly. I'm hoping to get a job Ushering in the HFAC (I turned in an application yesterday), but I'm thinking that might not happen.
4. I'm mostly unpacked. Yup, already. In 2 days. A record for me.
5. My friends Yuri, Grant, and Ben (probably others as well) made Spring team. I almost tried out, but I didn't want to have to get up so early every day. I'm beginning to regret not giving it a go though, it would have been fun. Oh wells.

I think that's all for now...

Pudding pie, sunburns, & ice cubes

Wow. I don't think I've laughed that hard in... well, quite a long time. Months, definitely. Ben literally was crying, he was laughing so hard. I couldn't stand up.
"Why did you... squeal?"
"Well, I think one of them said 'ow!'"
Oooh, boy. Still chuckling.
She came out of the bathroom and gave us a 'look.' Said, she really did need to go to sleep, so... And I was still laughing. I almost just told her- then go to bed already, you're not getting any closer standing out here in the hall.
It was only 10pm, honestly. :p

Strange Dreams

I usually never remember my dreams. Sometimes I wake up with a few images or something, but they usually fade. Last night I had some pretty interesting, lasting dreams that I thought I would share. They actually have to do with a few things in my life, so I'll gives a short preface (if I can manage to keep it short).

Yesterday, during one of my short breaks from studying, I watched a couple Britain's Got Talent performances. I saw someone sing, a couple of kids dance, and a dog perform.
Also, yesterday, I was worrying a lot about having time to study and take all my finals, and still be able to pick up my sister (Donalee) from the airport and take her to the MTC. I thought the testing center closed at 5pm on Wednesday (my lovely roommate informed me this morning that it doesn't, fortunately) and I wouldn't have had time to pick her up and take that final.

So, on to my dreams. I had two. The first was that I was on Britain's Got Talent (even though I'm American, I know). But instead of several rounds (semi, finals, etc.) We had to perform three different things in a row, and I couldn't just sing three times. I hadn't known this ahead of time so, panicking backstage right before I went on, I decided to sing an opera piece, then dance the polka in a Tango outfit with my 7 foot tall turtle. Yeah. lol It was crazy. They showed this whole clip of me with my turtle and how I raised it from a little egg and etc. Then I went onstage to perform and some director dude rushed after me and started fixing my dress and telling someone to 'fix up her nose.' What was wrong with me nose? I think I sort of woke up after that or something, because I don't remember how I did, or what my third act would have been.

My second dream, has to do with seeing Donalee and finals and all. I dreamed that I was with Donalee, but we were somewhere... else, where she was living, by the ocean. And I was visiting her because she was going to be leaving. So we were hanging out, taking boats out on the water looking at starfish mounds (I don't those actually exist, tho) and she was super excited to go see this aquarium, but it was like a 5 hour drive, and I told her that I couldn't because I had a final scheduled at 2:30 and it was already 11 and, really, I should probably do some studying. lol Basically, I was just all stressed in my dream that I wouldn't get to spend time with her and do my finals. Ridiculous how obsessed I am with things...

Sunday Thoughts

Today it was really nice out, so Emily and I walked over to Kiwana's park and layed about on the grass for a bit. Walking back, I was smelling a couple flowers I picked, listening to When the Love Falls by Yiruma, and loving the beautiful day. But then a stupid, loud, smelly truck drove by and I just thought- "Now why did people have to go and ruin this awesome world by making those nasty things?"
I'm not an environmentalist, and I like air conditioning and dishwashers and motorcycles same as the next person. But they're loud and rather annoying, actually. And you know, for a while, all technology really made me miffed.

Later, I was in the kitchen trying to find something to eat. I finally decided to open a can of something, but most things I had were just sides, (beets, tomato juice, etc.). I found the can of freshwater shrimp that dad left for me when my family came to visit last month. It's funny, because, I remember him holding them out to me and saying "These are really good."
And apparently I wasn't paying attention, because I thought they were tuna. I said "Oh, I know. And I just got some baby dill pickles- which is perfect, because they're way good together."
He gave me an odd look. "Pickles?"
"Yeah, nothing better. SO good. I can't wait. Thanks Pops."
And he just half grinned like he thought I was super weird but he'd go along with me. I love him for that. I feel so silly now. Pickles and shrimp? Eh!

The Rose

It is only a tiny rosebud,
A flower of God's design;
But I cannot unfold the petals
With these clumsy hands of mine.

The secret of unfolding flowers
Is not known to such as I.
GOD opens this flower so sweetly,
When in my hands they fade and die.

If I cannot unfold a rosebud,
This flower of God's design,
Then how can I think I have wisdom
To unfold this life of mine?

So I'll trust in Him for His leading
Each moment of every day.
I will look to him for His guidance
Each step of the pilgrim way.

The pathway that lies before me,
Only my Heavenly Father knows.
I'll trust Him to unfold the moments,
Just as He unfolds the rose.