BL Audition Video

Getting this made has been a HUGE production and you wouldn't be viewing this video without the talented editing styles of my sweet, talented, caring and angel Angie Pectol Sullivan!!

Anyone that knows Ang knows that she is one of the most supportive and caring people you will ever meet. When the editor I was planning on using dropped out on Sunday I was SOOOO sad that I after all the time I took of my cousin Kylie's as she filmed and all the people who agreed to say something, my dreams of my best effort to getting on the biggest loser looked as though they were not going to happen.

In comes Ang! A mother of 3 busy girls she took a time out of life to make this video happen. Not only the audition video, but this blog video, and a charming case complete with cover that I will take a picture of when I get it. Ang, sacrificed hours away from her normal routine because she knew that this was important to me and she BELIEVES IN ME!

Thank you to Angie for Editing and adding music and keeping such a great flow, Kylie for the hours she spent filming and Meems for inspiring me that I CAN DO IT, and Mom and Pat for your straight from the heart tributes. I LOVE YOU ALL SOOOO MUCH!

Since getting word that I didn't make the show.. I decided to repost this so that you could all see the starting of my Biggest Loser Journey

Let's here it for the Girl... The Birthday Girl DEVENEY!

I couldn't start my day off with out a shout out to my sweet Deveney! She has celebrated my birthday with me oh so many times since our blessed meeting at EFY! I even have a birthday picturebook she made me one year! One of my prized possessions!
Dev is an all star! She is a trend setter! She is the first to make you laugh your guts out! She is the life of the party, a diva! If only I could come close to looking so fashionable ALL the time, even when she is dressed down! Dev is the only person I have EVER turned over a nanny family too. She became a member of the family! I was so glad that it worked out! I knew they would love her as much as I did!

We have had more fun in groups than I could ever count! I worked a summer with her on my specific team at EFY and I don't think I have ever had more fun and she was always so good at entertaining my wacky ideas... tuck in anyone?

Then the day came when she found her one true love.. Oh how we love Chris!

They started their Happily ever after and now how this most adorable baby, Paisley that I have yet to meet but can tell from all the pictures that I see that she is a bundle of personalty like her Mommy!

Dev I miss your smile, your laugh, your look, your fun... I miss having you at get together's. You are the BEST!! I hope this Birthday brings you a day full of love and magical memories!

I love you my sweet Dev!

** I am sorry if I have missed your Birthday. I depend of facebook to remind me. If you aren't in there or you don't have your Birthday listed chances are I won't remember to do a birthday blog for you. Sorry...

The only Utahan on Biggest Loser this far!

Some FYI about this girl. She is the ONLY Utah contestant who has made it on Biggest Loser. She is a member of the church and her name is Heather Hansen.

Her braveness payed off... She nearly won season 3. When she came back for the grand finale though.. she was PREGNANT! So instead of winning they gave her a baby nursery!

I think that is the best prize that she could get! Doesn't she look adorable?! Today she has still kept off the weight. Here is a recent picture that I found of her...To think that you may be given a chance to learn such healthy lifestyles and a once in a lifetime chance to work out for hours a day... I am just excited by the thought! Just thought I would share.

Biggest Loser Audition Tape.... Here I come!

I can't believe I did it!! I finally committed to going to the next step and submitting the tape to be considered for The Biggest Loser!
This is really a big step for me. Granted, there is thousands of people who send in audition tapes so the chance that I get picked is very slim. I am just so proud of myself for actually trying and putting myself out there like this!

I have been watching this show weekly since season 1, I love it! The people on the show inspire me and I am now looking for an opportunity to inspire myself.

It has especially been fun to see 4 members of the church it this season! (it aires every Tuesday night at 7pm on NBC) Having a common connection with the players always helps to feel an even deeper connection.

Special thanks to my cousin Kylie who has been helping me with the recording process and my family members who have willingly donated their thoughts for my sake!

I am finishing up the interview/about me portion in the next 2 days and then will hopefully have someone amazing to edit it for me. The audition tape is due March 31st!

Hopefully I can say.... SEASON 8 HERE I COME!! Season 8 contestants start May 4th!!

Wish me LUCK!!

STAY TUNED...

A complaint sometimes go a long way!

I had a new experience today. I realized that sometimes a valid complaint can benefit you greatly!

I have been a mothers helper to a family in Highland quite a bit lately and being in highland gives a good excuse to go to my Fav sandwich shop from the days I lived in Carbondale, IL... Jimmy Johns. I love that shop. They make the most delectable homemade wheat bread and add on the special tuna fish and you have a delicious lunch! I have been going about once a week and have thoroughly enjoyed it.

Well today I had a situation in their drive through... I ordered a my adoring sandwich spoken of above, granted these sandwich's aren't cheap ($6.87)and asked also for some ice (i had a drink from earlier today and wanted to make it colder) as well. Surprisingly they told me that if I would like some ice, I would have to pay the full price for a drink. I said to the lady in the speaker, "Really?, you want me to pay $1.79 for a cup of ice?" She said that is the only way I can give you some. So I said, I will just take the sandwich.

When I came to the window the lady just had a weird smirk on her face, like saying, I am in a NO mood today, as I pulled up and handed her the money, I politely replied, "Could you put some ice in a bag for me?" she said, sorry we don't have plastic bags. I said, "will you please put it in a paper bag for me? I am just going to dump it into my own cup" She said, Sorry, that is a violation of health code and then she just starts giggling like she is playing a game with me. I took my sandwich out of her hand and drove off.

The ride home is about 25 minutes and I was getting madder and madder as I drove. Finally I decided that as dumb as this is, I am going to call the manager and tell them how dumb I think it is that they would make such a HUGE deal over a thing like ice. Our conversation went like this...

Me: I have never done this before and definitely not over something as small as
this but I just wanted to let you know how frustrated that I am feeling
Jennifer the manager: Ok, what happened?
Me: I just drove through and
bought a sandwich and asked for some ice to go with an existing drink I had and
was refused ice.
Jennifer: Jimmy Johns has a no free drink policy
Me:
Well, I can understand that, but I wasn't asking for a drink I was asking for
ice.
Jennifer: I am sorry but it costs about $2.00 for a cup of ice.
Me:
Well, that is absolutely ridiculous. Ice costs you nothing. I was more than
willing to pay something for the cup but not full beverage price.
Jennifer:
well that is Jimmy Johns policy. I am sorry if you don't understand that.
Me: Jimmy Johns corporate policy?
Jennifer: Yes, ma'am.
Me: Well
then I apologize Jennifer for stating this complaint to you, it appears I should
be calling Jimmy Johns corporate. Sorry to bother you with this complaint, I
will get a hold of them. Have a good day (hung up)

***No more than 10 minutes later my phone rings (granted I hadn't called the corporate office yet, I was still in my car) ***

Me: Hello?
Jennifer: Hi Megan, this is Jennifer who you just talked to at
Jimmy Johns.
Me: Oh.. hi?
Jennifer: I just wanted to call you back and
apologize that the owner heard our conversation and let me know that we do give
complimentary cups inside for water and the same should be in the drive through,
so we want to have your next 4 meals here on us!
Me: I really just wanted to
call and let you know that maybe you need to change your policy cause asking for
a cup of ice isn't the most unusual request.
Jennifer: And we just wanted to
call and tell you that you are right and would like to show our appreciation
with the free meals.
Me: Thank you for your apology, I really appreciate it
and will love the meals!

In the past I have been afraid to stand up for a SMALL minuet request like this, but today, it paid off and I am sure the drive through now knows all to well, that ice is FREE!! Thank you Jimmy Johns for being able to admit a mistake!

The Difference between Male stress and female stress.. Wish I had a Nothing box!

I just had to share this with you all.. you will love it!!

Friends Blogging about little ole' me?

Since I use my blog as a journal to myself as well, I had to post this blog entry that was written about me on my friend Em's blog! Thanks Em for loving me and honoring me.

Monday, March 16, 2009

my favorite plus size barbie

So, I know this girl, Meg, who's fabulous and amazing, and who I love, and I just spent an hour or so cyber-stalking her on Blogger and facebook. Anyway these, are her favorite quotes that she has on facebook, and they are now my favorite quotes for the evening, and I'm posting them in honor of feeling lifted and inspired by all of Meg's writings.

Yay Meg.

**It's okay to have a bad day, not a bad life!
**Fat people are harder to kidnap!
**Sometimes you have to trade something we want, for something we want
more!
**Girls, lock your cupboards and stop letting the freeloaders in!

There will be days so dreadful that you may regret ever getting out of bed,
and there will be days so beautiful that you'll wish they would never end. You
can make something good and valuable out of all of them.Some people you meet
will make you instantly feel that you've known them for years. Others you meet
may make you want to get as far away from them as quickly as you can.All kinds
of people are equally worthy of your kindness, respect and consideration, and
have their own valuable gifts to offer. Remind yourself often of that.There will
be stretches of time when you'll feel you can't get anything right, and there
will be periods when everything you touch seems to turn to gold. Don't allow
either extreme to get the best of you or to compromise your precious
integrity.You'll experience times of boundless joy, and moments of overwhelming
frustration. You'll discover places of extraordinary beauty, and regions of
terrifying ugliness.Through it all, remember that whatever you may encounter is
virtually insignificant when compared with what you choose to do with it. Always
choose the best response, no matter what comes your way, and each day you'll
rise a little higher than you were the day before.-- Ralph Marston

I was so honored that my sweet Em would post these things that she has learned from me! Of course they are things I love, but someone else has said them first! But I am SOOO glad to be her favorite plus sized barbie!!

Em, you are a shining light to everyone that you come in contact with! You have wisdom beyond your years and I have and always will adore you! I loved our magical BYU team summer we spent at EFY! You were always so on top of everything and kept us all going and laughing! You are a true woman of GOD!

Thanks for spending time with me on my blog and facebook tonight. It means the world to me that as busy as a mother can be, you chose to spend time learning about me and my life! Love you always!

*** EXTRA SNIPPET*** If you wonder where the Fat people are harder to kidnap saying comes from.. it is from a YOU TUBE video I saw and nearly died laughing. It is a Marriott commercial from Singapore and I thought it was clever.... It is a good laugh. a disclaimer... I have heard from others when I post You tube videos that if you click on other videos that pop up they aren't very appropriate. So don't go searching You tube off this video link.. just watch this video... happy laughing

HAPPY 50th BIRTHDAY....Uncle Mark

As you can tell this has been 3 days in a row of BIRTHDAYS! But I just had to post about my Uncle Marky.. He is such a BIG part of who I am...

I mean where do you think I got my loudness from?!

As most of you know, I grew up with my Dad out of picture and my Uncle Mark was one of the men in my life that picked up a few pieces. My life was blessed several times by Uncle Mark at Daddy daughter dates and blessings of healings etc. I always felt like the luckiest girl there when I had Uncle Mark at my side!

Mark was my protector. He also took the role of Dad when My brother and I were having issues. He would always come to my rescue, probably LOTS more than he wanted too! :)

Mark always has a joke in a hand, always relentlessly teases the waitress at the restraunt, gooses you in a store when you don't even know he is around, but our whole family will tell you what the BEST thing about him is.. HIS LOUD BIRTHDAY SONG in public places. He sings a few notes behind everyone else at the top of his lungs.. and yes this is on purpose! He has done it our whole lives and it still makes us laugh to tears every time he does it.. Never gets old!All the joking aside Uncle Mark has one of the purest and loving hearts of anyone in my life. He is sensitive to the spirit and loves deeply. Whenever he comes into family things the first thing he does is go hug and kiss everyone. I love that I can always count on him for that!

Uncle Mark, I hope you always stay a child at heart and even though this is considered a doom and gloom Birthday, I hope you see it as a celebration of all that you have. You have loving parents, 1o wonderful Brothers and Sisters, millions of neices and nephews (even though you don't know most of the little ones names) A gorgeous wife, 5 amazing and beautiful children, 3 fantastic son-in-laws, 6 grandbabies, and HUNDREDS of people that love and support you!

50 years doesn't seem so bad after all! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

THANKS FOR ALL YOU'VE MEANT TO ME!

I LOVE YOU!

You have arrived... HAPPY 30th KEV!

THIRTY ~ FLIRTY~AND THRIVING!

How could we not celebrate the birth of our sweet Kev! I love this boy!

You can always count of Kev for a great phone chat, a listening ear, a big chuckle or as a stalwart friend. I love the spontaneous side of Kev where he breaks out into song or dance. Where he gets everyone involved in a fun themed party or a game that pulls you out of your comfort zone. He always has been the glue that holds such good friends together. He is the first to build you up and make you feel that you couldn't have done better and will also laugh with you when things go differently than imagined. Kev has a million dollar smile that never stops!

I love when I see him or even a picture of him, it INSTANTLY brings a smile to my face. He is always so great at keeping in touch and keeping track of people through emails, get togethers, phone calls and texts. And he is so intuitive as to when he does contact you, it is EXACTLY when you need it!

One of my favorite memories of Kev was from my first BC summer at EFY. When we were checking in for BC training registration I went to his table he was busy at work as always and didn't realize that he didn't look up. When I saw that he didn't know who was standing there I took advantage of the situation and when he said, "your name please?" I looked down at the name tags there and saw one that said Barbie (for Barbie Brett) and he looked up and gave me a grimise and I said, "PLUS SIZE Barbie" it was the talk and joke of BC training and so the first week of EFY. I made him Ken, Julie Little, Skipper, the real Barbie, barbie of course and I was Plus size Barbie and I made them all shirts and we were the Barbie family! I don't know where the picture is where ALL of us are in it together.. but here is a sample! There is not a single person you will ever meet that does not adore him or have something positive to say about him! I admire his people skills and the fact that he realizes the most important part of life besides the gospel of Jesus Christ is the truth that it is the people that matter most. Kev thanks for your abounding love and friendship to all of us! Thanks for you constancy in our lives. For the things that you share and for the ways that you love that is so unique to people in our days. I love that I know I will always be in contact with you. That I can count on Peterson family parties and themed get togethers forever because that is who you are! I love how you know how to love so individually to fit peoples needs and that you aren't afraid of embracing the creative things (scrapbooks, chick flicks, decor, cooking) in life, in fact you do it head on! You are truly amazing and I love you! HAPPY 30th!
CELEBRATE WELL!

You all know him as the infamous SCOTTY in my life!

Today is a treasured day, a hallowed day! For on this day 28yrs ago a star was born and the heavens sang!

As many of you know Scotty is not only like a brother to me, he is one of my bestest friends in the world! We have lots of fun times together. How can you NOT have a fun time when most of the fun times are critiquing food!! YUMMO! We love to shop, eat, watch movies, laugh and people watch together!! What more do you need from life right?!

Writing a blog about this man is like drinking water from a fire hose. There is just too much great things that I can say and TOO many memories that I can share. Some of you will get it and others of you may need more explanation, but all that matters is that "the boy, potkins, dottie, creapy uncle" whatever the nickname of the day he is called get's it!

Scotty here are some of the memories or things that I love about you...

• Cruisin together is one of the best things that we can do. We win BIG (even a bottle of wine...don't worry we gave it away to the first drunkards we found) and we eat like KINGS no calories spared!
  
• We are definitely not afraid nor embarrassed to pay a little skinny man in Cabo $5 to bike the two of our chaffed, not little skinny bodies 3 miles to the ship dock
  
• Scotty hypnotised? Need I say more?!
  


• Scotty is the awesomest boss of all times. My fav was us NON morning people working the opening shift together...where does depression hurt? EVERYWHERE!



• There is no one I would rather be irreverent with at church (hence why we no longer sit together!)
  


• If I want someone to REALLY enjoy the yummiest thing I have made or found in a restaurant, he is who I would chose to be with
  


• He wins the most immaculate house award hands down
  


• Never know what accent is going to come out of his mouth when he is telling a story or making a point
  


• Car sense? Scotty's got it!! He knows everything about cars and loves to help anyone find a good deal
  


• Scotty can't walk near a penny slot machine.. there is something about the fact that you can pull the lever 100 times for only a dollar that makes him go crazy! But it is literally one of the funniest obsessions I have ever seen him possess!
  


• Want a trip buddy.. scotty is the perfect travel companion!
  


• I have never seen a boy more adored by his sisters. He starts to tell stories and they are glued in ready for a good one!
  


• Scotty and I had bordering missions (Michigan/Ohio). It is so much fun to talk about the people we taught, the places we shopped and the food we ate.. it is so similar!
  


• Scotty is just good company. I am always glad when I get to spend time with him
  


• He is loyal, dedicated, and always someone that can be counted on at church or at home.

These are some of the fun and dearest things about Scotty Pectol. But the most important of all is he is NEVER afraid to be exactly who he is, no matter where he is and that is the NUMBER ONE thing I love about this boy!

Happy Birthday my dear partner in crime!! Can't wait for MANY MORE of these memories in the years to come!