Morning Lullabies

Posted on by Sierra

Lately Jeremy’s been playing me this little lullaby to lull me to sleep, which usually helps me wake up on the right side of the bed. Several mornings ago, I woke up holding Jeremy’s hand. I don’t know who initiated the hand-holding session, but I felt perfectly romantic and a little bit like Ron and Hermione when they fell asleep holding hands in the seventh Harry Potter. And I apologize for another “Now I’m married OMG OMG blog” but being married is still such a novelty to me, and it’s like I got the holographic Charmander, so naturally I need to talk about it.
Waking up hand-in-hand is sublime. You feel like you’ve just dreamed an epic adventure together. I think one of the best parts of being married is The Morning Cuddle (and no, this is not a euphemism). When sleep has healed the wounds of last nights’ homework. When you can’t yet remember the ever-generating To Do list for the day. Where you can just tangle your knees together and transform into awake-ness, slowly and gradually and with a friend who wants you to stay in the covers just as badly as you want yourself to stay.
Jeremy, can we still cuddle when we’re old?

My Personal Fear Factor

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For some people, it’s public banisters and door handles. For others, it’s the ice at restaurants, and after having worked at a restaurant for three years, I can affirm that you probably ought to be disgusted by what swims in there. But not me! I’m not scared of toilet seats or bottoms of purses or even snotty-nosed toddlers. I’ve never really been a antibacterial-toting germ phobe (well, I guess except for a brief spell during the Swine flu epidemic). But there is one thing that sends the “sick nasties” dancing through my bloodstream:

Yes. Loofahs.
 Don’t be trusting of their strange, colored innocence. These puppies are germ factories. Germ Central. Bacteria Absorbents! 

 Oh my gosh, they gross me out so much. Something about the softness of my skin post shower suggests that they’ve been scrubbing off all my dead skin cells, and I’m not entirely trusting that those skin cells made it down the drain.

In my world, Bath Time is Supreme and the Loofah is King. I replace the Loofah regularly. I rinse and wash it meticulously. At one point, I even had two loofahs so as not to cross-contaminate their purposes (Don’t think too much about this).

So when Jeremy off-handedly mentioned that he borrowed my loofah recently, I can’t say that my reaction was as Suave (shower joke) as I would have hoped. It went something like this:
Jeremy: Hey Sierra, I borrowed your loofah, I hope you don’t mind.
Sierra: (Visibly losing all color in my face) You… I’m sorry… you…. what?
Jeremy: I used your loofah.
Sierra: (Reaching for something I could lower myself onto to keep from passing out) But… honey, why did you do that?
Jeremy: Cause you bought me that body wash, and… I’m sorry? Was that a problem?
Sierra: No! No… Um… Just-just…just… NEVER DO IT AGAIN!!! 
(At this point I went on a rampage, pouring Jeremy’s shower gel down the drain and laughing maniacally while I did it. Clearly, a switch had flipped.) *

This is why I will be stopping by the drug store today to locate a loofah for Jeremy. He expressed preference in a manly loofah, so I hope I can find a black one with skulls all over it. But it’s worth whatever great length I have to go to, because Jeremy’s shower gel is expensive and smells really good, so I would hate to see another bottle down the drain.
*-Story may have been embellished. The fear is real.


The Perks of Being an Inn-Dweller

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Several days ago, Jeremy and I came home to our basement of an inn apartment, and our bathroom sink (which is the entry way to our home, very welcoming) was filled to the very top with strange black sediment. On the top of the sediment sat a green, perfectly healthy little leaf. It was picturesque almost.  But also slightly unnerving. Our landlord sent over the repairman to investigate, where from our pipe he proceeded to remove two very healthy twigs. There was no other sign of foliage, but we are curious to see if a zinnia bush blossoms out of our shower head sometime soon.
Other perks include: the fact that we have a set of highly versatile neighbors. Most of the time the inn-dwellers are very normal. They park their cars and grin embarrassedly when you make eye contact and they see that they are going to the nice part of the mansion while we descend to the bellows. But one time, we got some domestic disputers on the floor above. It began with stamping feet that shook our roof, and a muffled argument, and then the detectable outlandish screeches of “I HATE YOU! I. HATE. YOU.”
Another time, I had a wreath of Christmas Jingle bells that hadn’t quite made it from my car to the house in the move. This was while I was still living by myself and waiting for Jeremy to move in with me. One night, I heard a disembodied tinkle beside my bedroom window. Convinced that someone had broken into my car and taken my bells out for a midnight jingling, I called Jeremy in distress. He came to my aid, did some nighttime poaching, only to discover that the jingler was, in fact, a sweet little kitty who just wanted to keep my window company.
All of this being said, I love our little basement apartment. I feel like every day, despite the new quirks, and despite the fact that there are no doors, and that the bathroom is in the entryway and that the tiles are loose, I could live in this place forever, or at least another two years. Besides, if China takes over the world, Jeremy and I have a hiding place behind a shelf of books that you’d never expect. 

Honeymoon Highlights

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Here is a photo journey of our Honeymoon to Victoria, British Columbia.

  After a long day of airplaning, ferrying, and bussing to the island, we made it in time to see the legislative buildings all lit up. If the Eiffel Tower lights up, and Victoria’s legislative building lights up, can’t we at least put Twinkle Light Mustaches on Mt. Rushmore?

 Please note, despite the hours of mass transit and lack of sleep, Jeremy and I went to great pains to ensure our hair still looked good. Our server captured the good hair experience nicely. Also, he somehow managed to get the legislative building in the background without any window glare. He got a big tip, even though we weren’t entirely certain of Canadian tipping customs.

 There is a very specific sort of gear for whale watching in Canada. A coat that makes you look distinctively Oompa Loompa. 

 I had a soft spot for these lazy seals. The tour guide called them rock sausages. I thought that was a little unfair. I think they at least look like burritos.

 This was the alpha sea lion of the pack, and a seagull coming to poop on him because that’s what seagulls do.

 A mature male bald eagle! Thank heavens for optical zoom and a cool new camera, Penrods.

 These are our Orca Whale friends. They were a little cliquey at first, but they warmed right up to us in the end. They swam right underneath our boat, thereby welcoming us into their pod.

 Let it be known, henceforth and forevermore, that I, Sierra Lynn Robinson Penrod, rode a scooter all by myself. I got up to 30 km per hour, and slowed down several cars. All were patient and kind to me because I would mouth “I’m so sorry” to them at red lights. Also, Jeremy made me pull over periodically so they could pass me and my slow scooter (it was the scooter’s fault, I assure you).
 Somewhere hidden in the shadows of the Butchart Gardens is a honeymooning couple. Since it was our honeymoon and all, we liked to stick to dark corners… 😛

 We were happy to emerge from the shadows however to see the splendor of this pretty place.

 I just love the shots of the plenteous fields of gorgeous flowers, and the gardens arranged by color so nicely. Also, I am shocked to find that plenteous is actually a word.

 There is, how you say, a butterfly in this picture. 

 This is not a joke. This is actually a flower. We couldn’t believe it either. It’s like when Jackson on Gilmore Girls crossed a kumquat and a raspberry and got a Raspquat. 

 This is to remind Jeremy what my favorite flower is. It’s a dahlia. And it is nice. 

 Put your glasses on for this one, the locals never did get picture-taking with our Ultra Deluxe Thank You Penrods Camera quite right. It’s blurry, but we’re happy and there’s a heart in the bench, so it made the cut.  

 These were the Japanese Gardens. They were SO cool but our photos don’t do them justice quite the same way. But I felt like Turning Japanese, I really think so, the whole time.

 Now it’s REALLY concrete. Jeremy PINKY PROMISED me he would help me with a garden one day. But just in case, I may use this picture years down the road insisting Jeremy PINKY PROMISED he wouldn’t make me go to a football game, or Jeremy PINKY PROMISED he would take the trash out for the rest of our lives.

This begins the food reel, Jeremy’s favorite part of the trip. This was my butternut squash ravioli. Also, good hair. 

This was Jeremy’s seafood risotto. He won that day. It was to die for. Also, he’s wearing a cardigan, and I don’t hate it.

This is my lobster and Jeremy’s Surf and Turf. Next time, I won’t get the whole lobster. I did not take joy in that particular journey. 

This was our exploding dessert! Americans! Take note! SPARKLERS IN CELEBRATORY DESSERTS! I repeat:  SPARKLERS IN CELEBRATORY DESSERTS!
(And, for good measure, in case you weren’t listening: sparklers in celebratory desserts.)

AND PANSIES IN CELEBRATORY MOCKTAILS!

AND WHITE CHOCOLATE CONGRATULATORY REMARKS! Henceforth! Forevermore!

The husband might object to the photo editing I cooked up here, but this concludes our journey to Vancouver Island.
Thanks Husband Mine! Such a good trip!

Things I’m Learning about my Husband in Bed

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Things I’m Learning about My Husband in Bed
Unless he has the exact right pillow under the exact right place under his neck, he will snore. Sometimes his snores are not just snores—sometimes they are long, drawn-out, cavernous bellows. Sometimes they are little sizzle snores that start low and deep at the grumble pack in his throat, and then travel up to his nose where they peter into a dull wheeze.
Also he talks in his sleep. Last night he woke me up so we could have this conversation:
Jeremy:  Harang the Mitsu Plank.
Me: (Consulting the clock. 5:30 AM) Huh?
Jeremy: (With a little more desperation) Harang the Mitsu Plank!
Me: (Desperately searching for meaning in this through a cloud of sleep haze) What, Jeremy?
Jeremy: (Definitely frustrated now) Harang the Mitsu Plank! Psshh. Gorglefunk (At this point, Jeremy rolled over defiantly, and promptly began snoring again).
But sleeping Jeremy was on finest form on our honeymoon, when I woke up to Jeremy humming a delightful little tune. Assuming he was awake, I tapped on his shoulder and his body seized, as if he was being pulled from a coma. He allowed his eyes to focus, probably as surprised to wake up to a wife as I still am to be waking up to a husband.
Me: That was a pretty song love—Whatchoo singin?
Jeremy: Was I singing?
Me: Yes, and it sounded like the theme song from CatDog.
Jeremy: I don’t know the theme song from CatDog. But I do know the theme song to Angry Beavers. I can play it on the trumpet (he hums it, to prove it).
We spent 3:00 AM in Victoria singing and humming all the old Nickelodeon theme songs from our youth, and then cuddling until sleep overtook us. I am finding bedtime to be one of the greatest learning experiences of all…. Now I know the Angry Beavers theme song. You don’t? Oh, Gorglefunk.

The Mean Reds and Wedding Reminiscences

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Whine Whine Whine Whine Whine. That’s what I’ve been doing all day. This is because I’ve been annoyingly bed-ridden all day as I combat some sort of sickness that I feel like I don’t rightly deserve. Yet, I am so lucky to have a husband, that’s right, a husband, who not only listened to me whine all day, but held my hand while I did it. Makes the Mean Reds (which is what Audrey Hepburn calls grouchy days) much more bearable.

Speaking of husband, I should probably mention that we got married! Remembering this also makes the Mean Reds go away. Which is why I am going to devote the last bit of strength I have tonight to posting about the wedding and honeymoon, and then I think my avid campaigns to publicize the wedding will come to a close officially.

First of all, a hearty “thank you” is required to everyone involved with putting this wedding together. Thanks for coming to both receptions, for spoiling us rotten with beautiful gifts, and thank you for celebrating with us. That being said, there are a few special thanks that need to be given specifically.

Thanks to A Simple Sugar, Deb Christopherson, Bethany Jackman, Dee Robinson, and Dana Rees, who helped us do this wedding on a budget and still make everything completely and one hundred percent beautiful. You need desserts, videography, cakes, flowers, or photography, they’ve got you covered.

Thanks to the Bridesmaids and Groomsmen, many of you who traveled many miles for me to boss you around for a day. Also, thanks for being, by far, the best-looking wedding party of all time. You pulled off the vision nicely, and looked like stunners with those croquet mallets.

Thanks also to the Penrod family, who threw a beautiful reception in California, and thanks to Fawn who completely outdid herself (even though I hear that’s how events by Fawn usually go). As soon as I can get my hands on my own copies of photos from this reception, I will post about this, because the pictures will be worth seeing. It was so much fun, so classy, and an event to remember, I am sure. Plus, those in attendance got to sample Fawn’s “Cherry Berries on a Cloud,” and those who did so probably recall that it was like being transported instantly to Heaven.

And thanks to the Robinson clan for putting up with Bridezilla, for spending countless hours hand-making decorations, for stringing lights, for having brilliant ideas like croquet and badminton, for making the vision happen, and for funding a seriously beautiful wedding. The whole day went without a hitch, or at least, if there were hitches, thanks family for hiding them from me. I love you guys.

And thanks to my Heavenly Father, for giving me Jeremy. Especially on days like day, I am so eternally grateful I get to be with him forever. I am thankful for his crooked front tooth, and grateful for the way he hums the harmony along with music we are listening to, and I am thankful for his sweet kisses, and for his waking up in the middle of the night and holding my hair back for an hour, and still thinking I’m beautiful after all is said and done.

And thanks reader, if you actually made it through my thanktimony. Here, have some pictures, with love from Bethany Jackman and Fawn Penrod.

  Everyone in my wedding party was so stinking gorgeous. 

The Groomsmen. Half of them are single and “ready to mingle,” so let me know if you see any eye candy you’d like to sample.

The Bridesmaids in all their glory. I totally got Pippa-ed by these gorgeous girl, but it makes for some nice photos, so let the beauty of these girls keep on coming.

Mass influx of sisters. You know what? You can never have enough.

I have sweet spots for every one of these little kiddos. How could you not?

This is the King and Queen Table. I have to say, it turned out rather nice.

Flowers by Deb, Books by Grandma Pat’s and my Mother’s ponderous library, and silhouettes by Kristy Robinson. Inspiration by Bethany Lee.
Cake by the Glorious Dana Rees.

The venue: The Manor House. I’d never have guessed when I learned about this historic house in elementary school that I’d be celebrating my wedding here one day. Kinda looks like the White House, eh?

Oh, there’s my groom. He’s so special. Gosh I’m wild about him.

Desserts by A Simple Sugar. There was nothing Simple about this Sugar though.

Photo credit: Bethany Jackman. I really like this one.

Handsome musical handsome handsome handsome groom. I’m so giddy just thinking about him.

Where all the real goodness took place. Such a special moment.

So neat to have some of the most important people in our lives here to see us kiss like this.

Photo credit: Fawn Penrod. That breeze felt nice. 

I’m Kinda Tired of Not Being Famous

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I never was much of an actor in high school, and people tire of hearing about it. I was just a little girl with such ambitions, and probably a little case of big britches. I knew I wasn’t good enough to be a famous actor, so I decided to conquer the world in other ways.
I seldom get jealous, but I will admit, as all my friends flock to the coasts and pursue their post-graduate careers, sometimes little demons of envy poke their pitchforks in the pit of my stomach. I have so many friends having success in the actor-realm, who are truly brave enough to live their bicoastal dreams. I have friends doing internships with Big Deal Art Curators in Santa Barbara and Big Name Magazines in New York. And here I sit, in Little Old Utah not graduating yet and working at a restaurant.
I’m jealous because I’m impatient. 
I want it to be my turn for a big, exciting career. 
There is this obnoxious worldly part of me that recognizes that I’m not getting any name recognition right now, I’m not building my ultimate awesome resume, and I’m not adding tremendously to my arsenal of talents at the moment. I’m not making any effort to go after my personal career goals, and for that reason, sometimes it feels like they are passing me by. And you know what, it’s all my fault! If I really want to do something, then I’ve really got to do something, right?!
So I am beginning today, truly and zealously pursuing one of my biggest dreams: I am going to finish my novel. I am going to force myself to write something every single day, even if my muse is not cooperating with me. Even if it’s just a paragraph per day. Because that is something that I can do. And I don’t have to be on a coast to do it. 
Does anyone have any tips on how to stay motivated, and… you know… finish something? 

Engagement Photo Dump

Posted on by Sierra
I cursed myself: I preemptively blogged! I figured that my visit at the lady doctor would be the genesis of hilarity; in actuality, it was rather routine.
Thus, I’ve been avoiding my little neglected blog. I’ve been haunted by the idea that I must make something funny that… may or may not have been funny, and may just come across as crass. And so I’ve avoided the blog world entirely.
A Disclaimer: This is more “journal-esque” than I typically write. But since my journal is neglected these days too, I figure this is an appropriate forum for my goings-on.
I’ve been watching my the apologies on the blog reel rack up as my blogger friends poetically admit that they’ve been too busy relishing the sun and flattering the butterflies to maintain their blogs. Sometimes I wish my summer consisted of making ripples in the pool with my toes. Instead, I’ve been frantically and gloriously busy.
 Doing what, you ask?
 
Here’s the condensed version (maybe just for posterity’s sake if it fails to interest the masses):

1. I’ve been working four jobs! With varying degrees of success. I’ve been maintaining my TA position in the Theater and Media Department, and loving it with my whole heart and soul. I am a Writing Fellow for an educational law class at BYU, and then occasionally managing content for Jeremy’s web design business. Finally, I admit, I took the walk of shame back to the old Tucanos. It’s a walk that many make with empty pockets and heads hung low. And truth be told, my experience back there has been nothing but delightful. You may even think I’m being sarcastic, but I assure you, I’m not! It’s been fun!

2.     2. I’ve been sending invitations, making decorations, and receiving congratulations for the upcoming wedding, which creeps ever closer every day. It’s been far more stressful than I’d ever imagined, but there are some gratifying moments as well. For instance: Wearing your sister’s wedding dress. Nothing could be more special. It’s my favorite part of the wedding  (besides the groom, of course), and trying it on makes me feel like such a bride. And you know what, when I don’t feel like a complete Bride-zilla, being a bride feels wonderful. (Pictures not included because Jeremy can’t see!)
3.    

3.           

3.     3. I’ve been battling some serious bouts of anxiety, be it my own or my family members’. The Robinson clan is seeing lots of big changes this year, and while we have momentary moments of panic, I think something characteristic of our little family is our resiliency. When the tough keeps coming, we keep punching back. Eventually, we come out conquerors. But you could probably still send some prayers our way.

4.     4. Jeremy and I put a deposit on our first little starter apartment in Provo. And it definitely has character. It is at the basement of a 100-year-old inn. The entryway is our bathroom and there’s no living room, but there IS a bookshelf with one book on it. If you TURN the BOOK, it opens a secret passageway. It makes my heart sing. To quote my good friend Eleanore Steinmetz: “Sierra, that’s incredible and awful! Incredible for your writing career, awful because we may never see the Will Be Sierra Penrod again. You’ll be stuffed away writing a Potteresque novel in your secret passageway.”—Is it bad that I kind of hope so?

This is our new kitchen, with our new table and chairs! We have a new stove and a newly installed fridge. Also, white tiles.
This is the before shot of our bedroom.
Don’t be fooled by this seemingly innocuous bookshelf.
Or our (so far just MY) giant mountain of stuff.
Seriously nothing sexier than a man doing the handy work. Jeremy’s been hard at work making all our cabinets close tight and straight. He makes living in a fixer upper so much fun.
This is the secret passage way I told you about! Aren’t you just riddled with excitement? Aren’t you just dying to peek inside?
This is the bedroom’s current state. This is just my stuff, since Jeremy won’t move in until we are properly wedded. The bedspread is likely to change. The bear stays.
Another picture of my handyman. Couldn’t resist.
My handiwork. I’m no decorator, but books do a nice job of looking nice on their own.
5.I5. I’ve been showered! I had a lovely and classy and slightly embarrassing bridal shower thrown by my sisters Bethany and Kristy and my best friend Chloe. I had some transcontinental friends, Kelsey and Jenni travel in for the affair, which made me feel so very special. My friends far and wide spoiled me (and Jeremy) rotten.
Wouldn’t you like to know what was in this present?

 

Jes and Caitlin came even though Jes really should have been having her new baby girl that day.

 

Just because the photo loaded weird doesn’t mean I love these girls any less.

 

Some of my oldest and dearest friends at the shower.
6.    6.   I’ve been family-ing in Colorado, California, and Utah! We had a great weekend getaway where we could let go of the wedding stress and just enjoy our new family members and relax in the Colorado mountains.
My aunt Margie got married! Never a more deserving bride, and we sure do love Mike too!

 

This is sweet Doug who brought a bouquet of flowers to his mommy. Thank goodness this woman is procreating!

 

Teeny has indeed bonded with “Uncle Jeremy.” And to be honest, I think he has a little soft spot for her too.
Jeremy and I in the Mountains on Memorial Day. My family is patriotic. Please note the flag my father hung on the tree.
Jeremy sharing his love for entomology with the smalls. Kiana was especially excited that he caught a butterfly for her.

7. Mere moments after I had just been asserting to Jeremy that I was man enough to change a tire–I got a flat tire and had to put my money where my mouth was. Conveniently, I was wearing overalls that day (Because the 90’s are coming back, don’t you know?!)

Dang straight.
7.    8.   I’ve been spending time with my future husband and enjoying every single drop of time I get to just relax, cuddle, and be with him. We are that gross couple that accidentally alienates their friends with their PDA. But you’re only engaged once, and through the stress, I am loving it all.

Oh my gosh. My blog is becoming a Mormon Housewife Blog. Next blog, I will repent, I promise.

You’ve Been Warned.

Posted on by Sierra

I’m afraid my in-laws are in for a surprising treat: I am an over-sharer. I can’t help it. It’s genetic. I hold to the theory that if something embarrassing happens to you, you must immediately inform six of the nearest passer-bys, and then blog about it in order to alleviate humiliation. So frequently I do “over-share.” You may reference the following blogs for proof.
So with that forewarning in place, I want to warn the masses, but most especially my in-laws, that a blog about my experience at the lady doctor’s is soon to come.
Please still love me after.