Girls Camp 2010

Big Bear, CA

me and aunt diane (had to crop this picture--if you could see the entire thing, you would see that I'm totally doing a gangsta crotch grab. I really don't know how or why)

leading the hike... The girls hated me after this because I made them work their booties!

I don't know...

totally not holding on to the iron rod, fools! (anyone in that outfit shouldn't be allowed on the iron rod--says the girl in the spacious building)

The two that terrorized me for the week. They weren't horrible but they weren't nice all of the time either. So they get to be shown off in their oatmeal masks. sweet revenge!

The oatmeal masks are pretty awesome. You just use straight up oatmeal and water(plain oatmeal-don't be trying to use no brown sugar or peaches and cream). You mix in enough water to make it pasty--this takes some smashing and stirring for a couple minutes. Then you put it on and leave it for 15 or 20 min. Your skin is hydrated and soft afterwards. So awesome! I put it on one arm and hand and compared. Their was a noticeable difference. Thanks to Kristen Trimble for teaching the skin care class!

What has Tracy Lee been up to? I'm taking it to back in the day--Junior M.A.F.I.A. Players Anthem, I Need You Tonight, and Get Money. I could listen to those songs non stop and never get sick of them. (**parental advisory**)

This month has been so crazy. Disneyland with Michelle's family, beach with the whole family minus Scott's :(, Arizona for a hearing, and girls camp. August isn't even over yet!

I've been doing some sewing. I'm really in to this one dress pattern for little girls. I've been tweaking it different ways. Here is one that I've made for my friend Gina's baby Gracy--who was actually born today!

Mike Whiting(brother) needs some items to sell in one of the galleries he is going to be showing his work in. He wanted a plush toy of sorts so this is what we came up with so far.

rabbit, robot, owl

They rejected this idea at first and wanted to go with a T shirt design. However the T shirt isn't going to work out so they picked these! I am going to be busy sewing a bunch of these over the next two months. I also have some wedding alterations to do and two bridesmaid dresses to make. My room is going to be a sweat shop.

My corn is here! I picked it today and the biggest ear measured at 13 inches!! 13 is my lucky number--so fitting!

So I guess it's shark week and what better time could there have been for this little video to come along. This is Zoe. She made a bunch of videos and took a bunch of pictures of herself all stealth--no one was around and she pulled up the camera program all by her self.

I took some pictures of my garden blossoming. The onions aren't doing much other than looking like grass so I haven't taken any pictures of that.

zucchini

tomato

corn

The zucchini is actually growing now! A week ago I had some for dinner and it was delicious!

This is Caleb holding the first zucchini I picked!

Garden 2010

So here is my garden. I planted seeds for corn, tomato, zucchini, yellow onion, and green onion. I was nervous that it wouldn't grow but I planted the seeds anyway after hours of digging, clearing weeds, and mixing in fertilizer.

before

after

The seeds went in on Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. I watered every day and prayed that my little garden would grow. By Thursday, I had sprouts!

Pretty soon the entire garden was sprouting and just about every seed I had planted, grew...

and grew....

and GREW! These were taken on July 12th which is about 6 weeks from the day I planted.

I used Miracle Grow one time and the caterpillars ate at my squash leaves a little so I had to use some pesticides. Other than that, I've just been watering and letting the sun do it's thing. So if you're wanting to plant a garden, do it. If I can do it, YOU can do it!

So there I was...Mt Charleston. Mark the dentist and I had just been on a hike and we were driving down the hill when Mark exclaimed, "Oh there are some donkeys over there!" So he pulled over in to this tiny town. It's mostly small homes and trailors. It's more of a neighborhood than a town. In this large grass area were the donkeys. I was tempted to go pet one but was afraid one might turn on me.

wild, wild donkeys!

couldn't drag me away!

I didn't notice it at first but at the back of this grassy area, there was a skate park. I know, what? A skate park in a tiny town in the middle of no where? Crazy. But it was there complete with one kid skating and....donkeys.

Skate or Die! donkeys!

Have I told you what my nephew Nathan said? Ok well we were at Disneyland and I was telling Steph about how Uncle Dale had Autism and Aspergers. He passed away a couple of months ago and none of us ever knew this--we just thought he was strange. Uncle Dale was my mom's cousin and he used to come over and spend the night after he would go to singles dances.

So Nathan is listening to our conversation and he said, "Tracy, what is donkey burgers?" I looked at him confused and asked him, "What?" So he said, "You were just talking about it...Donkey burgers." He then went on to explain, "You know how an ass is a donkey?" Suddenly it clicked that Nathan didn't want to say the 'as' in aspergers because he thought he was swearing. So he came up with an alternative. I started laughing so hard I couldn't even talk to tell Steph and Mike what he had said. That kid is so awesome.

I just got done with a weekend of child tending. Three boys--12,10,5. We had a lot of fun but I am TIRED. The pepsi I had earlier is tricking me in to thinking I'm awake and I feel like I haven't showered in years.

I am also dog tending. It was 4 dogs but I got it down to 3. I gave one of them away. Yes I gave someone else's dog away. But before you judge me, I had their permission and the dog went to people that LOVE it.

Before all of this I did some house sitting for about a week and a half. AND don't forget I have my own garden to tend to...oh wait I might not have blogged about that yet. More to come on that.

housesitting: june27-july7

kid sitting: july9-july12

dog sitting: july 10-present

I haven't been home in days!

It's times like these though that make it all worth it...here is Austin(12) rapping...

I mentioned before that I was crying a lot from a traumatic situation. Well guess what popped up on my head from that--TWO GREY HAIRS.

You can't really see them and they blend in and look like blond highlights but they are definitely GREY--like a wolf--or an old lady. I didn't think I would get any grey hair for years to come but here we are! The time is now! I am totally blaming it on the emotional trauma because I'm not kidding you, those hairs were not there before. They are about an inch and a quarter long which is how long my regrowth is since my last color. (I know- I needed to get my color touched up like a week ago) The crap hit the fan that coloring day and the next and the crying ensued from then on. I am freaking out now and I can't freak out or else I'll get even more grey. I guess hair color will now be my best friend--forever!

long hair

It doesn't look that great today but whatev!

It's official, my hair is long and I am loving it! I have grown my hair out before but it was kind of on accident so I didn't really appreciate it like I do now. I wear my hair down nearly everyday and I have embraced the crazy waves it tends to form. Here is what is working for my hair--Alterna. I can't use it too many days in a row because it can be a little heavy for me but I love switching up shampoos either way so it's all good.

This is the Caviar Moisture shampoo and conditioner. They also make Caviar volume, blond, brunette, or red hair.

This is a favorite for a lot of people. It's called Beach. It's the perfect spray to give you beach waves in your hair.

When I don't use Caviar, I put Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum in my hair to keep the fuzz down. I can blow dry my hair and flat iron it and it will protect it from the heat. If I let my hair air dry, it keeps it under control. I can also put it in after my hair is dry to give it a little extra control. It's really pretty awesome.

A couple of weeks ago I noticed that under my eyes I was looking really puffy, wrinkly, and dark. I started to panic that maybe my age was finally catching up to me and that maybe I should start using eye cream everyday instead of every once and a while. Youthtopia from Origins is a good one. It will actually reverse signs of aging--they make a face cream as well. My friend Kathy started using it maybe a week ago. When I saw her today I could honestly see a difference. Her skin was fantastic.

....OR I could just stop crying everyday. This is probably the more logical solution to depuffing and dewrinkling my eyes. I have managed to do that now. I'm not an emotional basket case, I was just hurt really bad by someone I really care about. I just have to do a shout out to all of those who have prayed for me and given me kind words of advice and encouragement. I have never felt so comforted, calm, at peace, blessed etc. This too shall pass.

AnnMarie pretending to be a bride....

for Ahlinphotography.com

It's been forever since I did this--over a year-- but I finally got copies of the pictures and they are so beautiful. AnnMarie was pretending to be a bride for a friend of hers who is aspiring to be a photographer. So I did her hair and makeup all pretty. It took me about two hours to put her together and fingerwave her hair like that but it was totally worth it. For her make up I was experimenting with some ideas from a Kevin Aucoin book, Making Faces. I was surprised to see that the techniques he teaches actually work. I learned a lot that day!

As I was looking through the pictures, I started to cry. I wished that these pictures were real, that AnnMarie was actually a bride, and that she was really in love. So I said a little prayer for her...I think I'm really tired and overly emotional tonight. So does anyone know any amazing guys in their mid thirties for my beautiful friend? She's going to make a lovely bride!

My niece Jada loves silky material. I had some left over silky material from a nightgown I had made for my grandma so I used it to make a little dress for Jada. She's going to be two in a couple of months so this is her early birthday present.

The dress fits perfectly! It's a miracle!

Jada got her first pair of glasses the same day she got the dress so it was kind of a big day for her. haha She looks adorable!

Middle parts are so hot right now. I've seen them around but didn't really notice until everyone and their mom had a middle part on 90210--even the ones that really shouldn't part their hair in the middle. Oh and yes, I watch that show. I am only half ashamed to admit it!

So they had planted a little seed in my head and it was growing. Then Heidi Klum rocked the middle part on the last episode of Project Runway.

That was it for me. I had to try it.

It might stay for a while. Unfortunately the longer my hair gets, the thinner it looks. That middle part really accentuates that. Extensions are looking like a really good idea...

I do not have a testimony of having the overflow closed during sacrament meeting. I have to sit as far back as possible. I have this thing with sitting in front of other people. I don't want to feel their eyes staring at the back of my head--because that's what people do when they are behind you, look at the back of your head. Or maybe, just MAYBE that's just me who does that. It might have started when I was in hair school but I think I was doing that before then. I like staring at other people's hair. I also like watching everyone and reviewing who is at church. I can't very well do any of that from a side seat or middle seat or worst of all front seat. So you can imagine my shock and horror when I entered the chapel last week and found the overflow doors shut. My dad and I stood there for a long time trying to figure out where to go. Virtually all of the benches are taken by people who have occupied the same seats for at least the last five years. So all we could do was join one of the families on their bench. It was cramped and claustrophobic. I was totally worried about the fact that we were in someone's territory, I had people sitting behind me, and there was no way I could get out of that bench without having to do some serious climbing. I did not have the spirit with me.

So today I got there early in hopes to snag a good seat. I got lucky. The entire back bench near the door was completely unclaimed. So I took it. I saved a seat on either side of me--one for Jason and one for Deanna. Jason came in a few minutes later and sat down. So far so good. There was only room for one person to sit on the other side of me so I wasn't worried about anyone but Deanna taking it. We started to sing the opening hymn and all of sudden someone was sitting in the single seat. It wasn't Deanna. So I looked up at this person who said, "oh" knowing he had made a mistake. His wife was still standing because he clearly had poor judgement on how many could fit in that spot. He just sat there and I didn't budge because surely he was going to get up and find a spot where they would both fit. Instead he made us all move down. This left no room for Deanna and no room for the spirit in me. Once again, I was squished in a tiny space next to people I didn't want to be by--except for Jason of course. I felt terrible when Deanna came in a few minutes later and there was not a seat for her. This is exactly the sort of thing you can avoid when there is adequate seating. Apparently I am no longer going to have that and I am going to feel like Elaine on Seinfeld when she's trying to save seats at the movie theater.

This week I had a few surprise visitors including a computer genius slash model. I pulled up the photo booth on my computer and took some silly pictures with my nieces. Zoe snuck in here later and figured out how to turn it back on. Not only did she find it and open the program, she figured out how to use the special effects. So stinkin cute.

I think I love the DMV. I know it sounds crazy but where else are you going to see that wide of a variety of people? I know it sounds so cliche to say that I love people watching but I do. I think everyone does. Why do you think reality shows are such a big hit? The DMV line wrapped around the building yesterday. I brought my book and stood there and read as much as I could. I didn't want the people around me to notice that I was staring at them.

I wonder if sometimes people want you to stare at them. This Mexican kid in front of me had this hip hop ring tone for his text messaging. It only plays about 5 seconds of the song but it goes off every time he gets a text. Usually teenagers will not just send one text. They have to text 3 or 4 messages back to back. After standing in line behind this kid for an hour and a half, I wanted to grab his phone and throw it across the street.

These two black ladies in front of the Mexican kid had a baby that was probably about 9 months old. She was really cute sitting all cozy in her car seat. After about 15 minutes one of ladies pulled out a can of vienna sausages, opened it up and handed one to the baby. At first the baby stared at it like, what do you want me to do with it? She finally took it and wrapped her fingers around it. It was actually the perfect size for her tiny grip. She held it for a while and I think eventually she got curious and put it up to her mouth. I was almost shocked that this was a snack option for a baby. But this lady didn't hesitate. It was as if Gerber Graduates had been printed on the side of the can. I looked back at my book. I couldn't bare watching this. The line moved forward and we had actually made it to the next corner of the building in a half hour. I looked up from my book again to see the baby had another snack. It totally blew the vienna sausage out of the water. It was a little fried chicken leg. The baby was gnawing at it getting chicken all over the place. The lady finally got her out of the car seat and brushed the chicken pieces all over the ground. I thought, Well that's ok the birds will eat it...but will they? Do birds eat chicken? Then I noticed the bling on the baby. She had her ears pierced and she wasn't wearing studs, they were full on gold hoops! And as she was getting cleaned off the thick gold rope necklace came spilling out of her shirt! What the? I contemplated taking a picture of the scene but I didn't have a camera with me. Then I wondered even if I did, would this lady be freaked out that I was taking a picture of her and the baby? Normally in situations like this I'll have my friend stand in front of me like I'm taking their picture when really I'm focusing on what's behind them. I can't tell you how many times it has worked. But alas I was alone and without a camera....and in line at the DMV not Disneyland.

When I finally reached the front of the line, it had been about 1 hr 45 min. The worst part about it was that they couldn't take care of the problem I had. They guy handed me piece of paper and said to send a copy of my information and an explanation to bla bla bla address. And that is why I hate the DMV.

Things that only happen at a basketball game with the young women (ages 12-18) in the church.

The players hug after they foul each other.
Everyone cheers for every basket no matter what team they're on.
Gracefull ballet leaps equal a lay-up--and they start from the top of the key.
AIR BALL! again and again and again and again
Dribble?
She shoots and nothing but net! --the bottom of the net that is.
"I'm a captain! I don't have to be a good sport!"
A girl goes rogue...can't find her anywhere in the building...stop the game...oh wait there she is chillin down some random hallway.
The score is two to two--it's half time.
The ball is passed and ends up in the corner of the court nowhere near anyone playing "Oh I threw it to the wrong person!"
The ref calls a foul. The girl who fouled says, "Can't I do anything?"

Seriously I love going to these games. The girls don't get overly competitive or fight with each other. They just come to play and have a good time. Sure they totally stink at basketball but who cares when you're having fun?

Last night I watched the Olympics for a minute after LOST and it was the men's figure skating competition. A few of the competitors came out in crazy costumes and I dismissed it thinking well, of course that's what they're going to wear, they're foreigners.

Finally it was time for the 'man' from America to hit the ice.



Johnny Weir. Really?? THIS is what you are going to represent the USA?
What about a little red white and blue instead of pink tassels and glitter??
After some background investigation, I found out that he really is just a dramatic, highly effeminate male skater. I know what you're thinking, aren't ALL male skaters dramatic and highly effeminate? I suppose that they are. I guess I was just hoping for some of the competitors to put the male back in to male skater. Skating doesn't have to be all queer or girly or whatever you want to call it. Haven't we all seen the Cutting Edge? Seriously. It takes a lot of strength to pull off some of those moves and what embodies the male more than strength? I heard there is even a homosexual retired male skater commentator (did I get enough adjectives in there?) that was criticizing him for his look and his drama on the ice. I mean, even that guy is embarrassed. That's saying something.

we're a happy family

we're a happy family

me, mom, and daddy

--Ramones

So we're at Michelle's house for Christmas and we're all just hangin out when I look around and notice that WE'RE IN ORDER. This has a specific meaning in my family. For some odd reason whenever we were doing something like walking around in a zoo or sitting in the car or just watching tv, we would always be oldest to youngest or vice-versa. This was never on purpose--it was just one of those things that has no explanation and ultimately no meaning but it's just funny. Michelle hated it. Anytime Steph or myself would notice the order, we would wait and see how long it would take for her to notice. Once she noticed the smirks on our faces it didn't take her long to figure it out and move. We decided to have Alicia take a picture of us and we squished in for the picture....I just stole it from her blog!

Over Christmas vacation this year, I became engrossed in a novel written by Suzanne Collins. Some of you may have already read it, Hunger Games. My parents and I drove up to Orem to spend Christmas with my brother and sisters and I quite literally could not stop reading this book on the trip. The sun was slowly disappearing behind the mountains so I pulled the book closer so that I could make out the words. My dad must have noticed that I was going to lose my eye site so he passed me a small flashlight. I was glad that I didn't have to position the book to get light from other vehicles. Putting the book down simply wasn't an option! We stopped for dinner and I was forced back in to reality where I was so car sick from reading in the backseat, I couldn't even talk for fear the vomit would come out when my mouth opened. I was trying to tell this story and I had to stop in the middle of it because I was making myself more sick.
I had the book finished the next day and was ready to start the next in the series, Catching Fire. I didn't have the chance with everything going on so I read it as soon as I got back home. It too was amazing.
Today I am feeling a little bored--I already went to church, played Guitar Hero 3, Dr Mario, and watched a movie. All I want to do is get lost in the world of Panem and see what is going to happen with Katniss Everdeen but I can't until August 24th, when the 3rd book is released.
I just read that they are going to release a movie in 2011. I am curious what the rating will be with how gory the story is. PETA is going to freak out over how many rabbits and squirrels die. It's going to be great controversy! haha