Competitive Drive...

I've been told a lot that I can be really competitive. I never really noticed that it was more than normal people until around high school and college when people would saying things about the Palmer kids being competitive. Before that I thought being competitive was normal, thats just how you were... you just tried to win. Looking back, I guess I can see it. We never finished a monopoly game without someone getting really mad because the other kid wouldnt make a trade with them for their property. We all three had baseball card albums, and I can remember my brother Jim convincing me to trade him my Nolan Ryan for his John Kruk when I was around 6. Anything became a competition. Seeing who could read a page of their book faster for summer reading, we timed each other. Exercising, I couldnt work out without being asked to list exactly what i had done. Even who's quad muscles was bigger after a day of soccer camp (Jim compared mine to his, a contest I'm sure he figured was an easy win). Even little things that we'd do to try to beat people who didnt even realize we were competing. I'd say my brothers were the worst. Maybe it's because they're twins, I'm not sure, but to this day, we cant look at our christmas card without one of them commenting on how they were taller in the picture.

anyway, this last week I got an email from Jim. The phrase inside read: "win at all costs!". His friend Jamie had forwarded him a series of pictures from his wedding that Jim was in. I thought this would make my point nicely (I hope this link works).

look at these pictures . watch the guy to the right of the bride...It explains everything...

EDIT: ok Carla, and others who the link didnt work for... double click this photo below... it should blow it up on your screen and then you might be able to see:). Let me know if it works.

Work Prom

So last Saturday was work prom. it was at northern quest casino. They hired a professional photographer and this was our prom favor from the night. I wish it was centered. It was fun/awkward. Our agency is fun... others are awkward. Adam ate 6 pieces of prime rib. I danced to single ladies with paula at the Impulse lounge afterwards. adam won $100. He was the only one at the prom that gambled. overall.... an uncomfortable/fun night.

another drug store cosmetic love...

at this time in my life, reloading my makeup arsenal is generally limited to a trip to nearest walgreens and the occasional outing to the coeur d alene beauty supply. Perhaps some of you are in the same boat? therefore, piggybacking off my stiletto mascara post, i'd like to share my latest find in the land of the cosmetic "offbrands":

Covergirl Wetslicks. I've always been a fan actually... since high school, when my pick of choice inevitably ended up with some shade of icy pink (ew). But today I picked a more updated shade: No Care Bare

perks:
1. $6.00
2. moisturizing
3. hint of color and not too much shine.


anyone else have a current drugstore cosmetic love?

Some might call me a suck up...

but i did learn a few things today during traffic school. I actually found it interesting and an effective tool for educating the public on traffic laws and our local police departments.

here's a few points i learned:
-As a nation, it would take one month to kill as many people in car accidents as the number of people who died on 9/11.
-it would take us a year to kill as many people in car accidents as the number of people who died in the Vietnam War.
-And in response to those who think cops have nothing better to do than pull people over, i guess several murderers and bombers have been caught by being pulled over for a traffic violation:
-Ted Bundy was pulled over for not having his headlights turned on
-Timothy McVay (Oklahoma City Bomber) was pulled over for a license plate violation.
- More related to my case, the point when a cop turns his lights on is where he wants you to pull over. So dont keep driving looking for something else, they think you might be up to something (turtle neck or no turtle neck) and might call for back up.
-You can be sitting too close to your steering wheel. You should be able to reach up and rest you wrists on the wheel and you'll know it's a safe distance. otherwise you could get wrapped up by the airbag in a serious accident.


ok, so i might be a nerd, but i did learn a few things. and as irritated as I was having to go to this class, I was pleased to know that it was a good way for our community to spend it's tax dollars.

Small Group youtubing...

watch this and this

Pork Help

ok all you awesome home-makers, chefs, and cooking gurus...

costco had a sale on pork chops . and after having my sister-in-law make some good pork over christmas i thought i'd give it a try. but now we have about a million pounds of pork in our freezer. Keeping in mind they are chops, not a roast or tenderloin, does anyone have good recipes?

key points to look for: easy, quick, or not a lot of ingredients... doesnt have to be all three but the more the merrier.

Traffic School is for Losers

Losers named Tricia.




I got pulled over last week. For speeding. I was going 48 in a 35 apparently. Here's how it happened:

I'm driving down NW Blvd on my way back to work on my lunchbreak (I had to run home and search the house for a rebate that's deadline was in 3 days--I hate rebates... but that's for another time). I'm driving along and pass a cop as I pull up to a stop light. No big deal. Anyway, I'd say 3/4 of a mile later I look back to see those horrifying blues and reds. great. In a panic, I frantically look around to find a place to pull over. none. Finally, after a couple hundred yards, we come to a cross street and I pull into a neighborhood.
The cop comes out
O: "do you know why i pulled you over today?"
T:"No, I'm sorry I don't"
thinking: actually i'd guess speeding but I'm afraid you might say because my registration is expired and then I'd have given myself away.
O: " well first, your seatbelt wasn't on"
thinking: hmm... then what is the belt strapped across my lap and down my torso?? wouldn't you have noticed me strapping it on as you pulled me over if i had just done it?
O: "and second, do you know what the speed limit is on this road?"
T: "no i'm sorry i dont"
O:"35 and you were clocked at 48"
thinking: really, because i passed you at a stoplight...
T:"oh i'm sorry officer I didnt realize"
O: "is there any reason you didnt pull over right away?"
T: "no sir, I just couldnt find a safe place to pull over"
O: "well... usually when people dont pull over right away they're hiding something..."
thinking: really??? Hiding something? at 12 o'clock in the afternoon? I'm sitting here in a turtleneck. do turtlenecks really scream possible threat to you?maybe if some hidden snake tattoo were peaking out the top of it, but nope. no neck snake tattoo here.

and so the conversation continued. Fast forward to the end of the story: My abnormally rebellious attitude and sarcastic comments were held inside but my attempted politeness and sincerely shakey voice got me no where. I have to go to traffic school. for 3 hours. on a saturday. cool.

the only pictures I took....

I went to write a blog with all my pictures from Philadelphia and these are the only ones i found...

Wouldnt be Christmas without the Palmer family circling around singing Christmas carols.

Siblings

My dad wore that apron all night.

Adam, Nan, Me

why is she the cutest ever?

...hence why on of my resolutions for this year is taking more photos. we'll try to quantity this year, ya know, just getting the camera out there. next year we'll work on quality. For more, perhaps better, photos, there are some on facebook.

Some kids never grow up

as I laid in bed this morning, debating whether or not to get up and start moving boxes or sleep just a bit longer, I rolled over to see my husband was having some sort of crazy dream. After all had settled and I asked what it was about, he just rolled over and said "basketball and trampolines".


guess some kids never grow up...