Sunday, November 30, 2008

Coming Soon- Thanksgiving

I would love to write a Thanksgiving post right now, but I really need to head to bed. I have a busy day tomorrow and week. I had an amazing Thanksgiving, and I'm so grateful for my family and friends. Heavenly Father truly blessed me this weekend, and I love Him so much. Hope you all had a good one. I'll be updating soon.
Love ya!

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Just My Dog

So this weekend while working on my bug collection for Entomology I was watching Grey's Anatomy Season 2. In this season there is a point where Meredith buys/rescues a dog from the pound named Doc. Sadly he only loved Meredith, and she had to give the dog to someone else- who was that someone? McDreamy of course! Anyways, in the episode I was watching Doc had bone cancer and cancer reached his brain. You then see Meredith and Derek putting Doc down. OMG- I forgot all about that part and I was in tears!! I couldn't help but think of my boy. My Baby Huey, who is no longer a Baby but getting up there in age. I miss him tonz right now and just want to go home and see my boy. I found this poem online and it's perfect describing him.



JUST MY DOG


He is my other eyes that can see above the clouds;
my other ears that hear above the winds.
He is the part of me that can reach out into the sea.

He has told me a thousand times over that
I am his reason for being: by the way he
rests against my leg; by the way he thumps
his tail at my smallest smile; by the way he
shows his hurt when I leave without taking him.
(I think it makes him sick with worry when heis not along to care for me.)


When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive.
When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile.
When I am happy, he is joy unbounded.
When I am a fool, he ignores it.
When I succeed, he brags.
Witout him, I am only another man. With him,
I am all-powerful.


He is loyalty itself.
He has taught me the meaning of devotion.
With him, I know a secret comfort and a
private peace. He has brought me understanding
where before I was ignorant.
His head on my knee can heal my human hurts.
His presence by my side is protection against
my fears of dark and unknown things.
He has promised to wait for me...
henever...wherever--in case I need him.
And I expect I will--as I always have.


He is just my dog.


--- Gene Hill ---

Monday, November 17, 2008

Cowboy For Christmas

Yes I know Thanksgiving hasn't even come yet but hear me out!

Every year on my Mom's side we draw names for Christmas, that way everyone at least gets something. It's usually suppose to be a secret, but with this family it doesn't last long till you find out who has you. This year my Grandma got me, and she always does a really good job! Anyways, I was talking to my Mom last week and she said she needed a Christmas List from me so she can give ideas to my Grandma.

Well the past couple nights I have stayed up to think up a list. Needless to say my interests are pretty pricey. Who would of thought to live the Western Lifestyle it would be pretty pricey. So on my list I have some items from the PBR, new Cowboy Boots, my traditional Stud N Spurs calendar (until I get married), basically anything western/cowboy/cowgirl-ish along with some books and movies as well. I saved the best for last though. At the bottom of my list said:

Reese Cates

Now, if you have been following at all or seen the pictures I post of him (if not, there is one right on the side) you know who he is. If not, he's a PBR rider who actually just won the 2008 Daisy Rookie of the Year! GO REESE! Anyways, Reese is one of the sweetest guys I've seen/meet on the PBR Tour. I pretty much love his guts after reading his blog posts on pbrnow.com and meeting him in person. He made my whole day when I asked for his picture and he came around the tables to where I was and put his hand on my back (yeah I was a little excited). Yeah, I want him for Christmas, naturally.

Well I sent my list off in a email to my Mom last night, and after getting home from classes today I got a reply back. Basically my Mom thinks I'm kidding. If you know me at all...I'm totally not kidding here. I would love to find Reese sitting on the couch where my presents from Santa go.

If not Reese, I will settle for another cowboy! If any of you run into one for sale while you go out shopping on Black Friday or any Christmas shopping you know where to send him!!

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Family Pics

Everyone is use to the usual family portraits and all that jazz. Well, my family doesn't stay up to date on family portraits. In fact, both my parents have a picture of the three kiddos (Theresa, Jeff, and I) that was taken back probably when I was still in Junior High. Needless to say, we have changed a bit.

The three of us got together this past Sunday, and had our pictures taken for our parents. It's their big Christmas present from the kids. Here are 4 photos out of 63 we took. I don't have them all because I need to get the picture CD from Theresa, but I made her email me some.

Meet the Dillon Children!

You have Theresa, who is the oldest and shortest (you'll see) at 23- very girly girl, myself Marie, who is in the middle and tallest at 21- cowgirl, and then my brother Jeff, who is the youngest getting to my height at the wonderful age of 16- and well he's Jeff!









Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Car Accident

This weekend was eventful for sure, but didn't go as planned. The original plan was to leave Flagstaff at around noon Friday, Staci and Drew's wedding that night, Saturday go to the Zoo, and Sunday spend time with family. Well, most of that changed...

Friday Karisa and I didn't leave the apartment till about the usual time around 1pm. Which was fine, no biggie. Jamie was doing Karisa's make-up to practice for her wedding, and then she did my hair for the wedding I had that evening. I looked so pretty and felt like a princess! I kinda looked like Auroa from Sleeping Beatuy, or Snow White. You kinda had to see it. Anyways, Karisa and I were headed down the usual way and the trip was going really fast. I was telling her my long story about a certain friend so time passed quickly while we were enjoying each other's company. We get into the Phoenix area, on the I-17 still and right across from Sky Harbor Airport when it happened.

All I remember was talking to Karisa when the black car in front of us stopped suddenly. As a natural reaction I yelled "KARISA!!" cause she was driving, and she slammed on her brakes. Unfortunately, they didn't work quick enough or not at all and we slammed into the car in front us going probably about 45-50mph still. I just remember yelling her name, turning my head, then I blacked out and came to conciseness sitting in a car filled with toxic smoke from the airbags going off. My first instinct was to get out cause the smoke was horrible and I couldn't breath, so I went to open my door but of course I was opening it into another lane were traffic was going so I was stuck inside. I was coughing and told Karisa I couldn't breath, so she got out and I had to work my way out the drivers side. When I got out I began to cough, and my chest was killing me to the point where I was having a hard time breathing. Karisa's hand and face was burned by the airbag hitting her but other than that she seemed okay.

The car in front us turned out to be an undercover cop with his trainee on duty. Luckily they got out and they said they were fine, the girl's (passenger) neck hurt some but otherwise they were fine. Then the witness was actually an EMT on his day off, who was on his motorcycle. He was very nice and was making sure Karisa and I were okay. He told us to sit down, checked our pulses real quick, and then was trying to make conversation with us to make sure we were alright. The cop then took things from there calling other officers, firetruck, and ambulance. We drew a crowd that was for sure. We had six cop cars easily, the firetruck, and ambulance.

I have to say though, with all the attention no one would really talk to us. They wouldn't tell us what was going on, etc. They kept talking to the undercover cop. Luckily, this other undercover cop lady who came to the scene stuck around with us to make sure we were okay. She asked if she needed to get us anything, wanted to know if we were told anything, etc. She was the one that actually told us we hit an undercover cop- we originally thought he was just off for the day. The firemen that also were at the scene, weren't that nice either. Yes, a couple were hot, but the guy that talked to us was pretty rude. Karisa was doing fine, but I was having a hard time breathing and my chest killed. All he did was ask my age, asked if I had heart problems, and then was like "You are 21, you will survive" and then walked away. Kinda pissed me off. He didn't bother to check me out like take a pulse and different things. They didn't make sure I was okay until I finally complained to the officer that I was hurting and I wanted to make sure I didn't need to go to the hospital. Unlike the undercover cops we hit, they tested them with everything, and even took them to the hospital even though they said they were okay.

After the cops were all done with things Karisa and I were told we could go home. Karisa in the end was just burned on her hand pretty bad and little on her face. I on the other hand have burns on my arm and head, seat belt burn on my neck/chest, and my chest is all kind of colors from bruises.

I would of taken pictures but we were both in shock and that was the last thing on my mind. Though here's an idea of what Karisa's car looked like, but the front was still more damaged then this one I found. Plus, I can't really take pictures of my injuries for reasons.

After the accident which occurred at around 3pm, I didn't get home until 5pm and Staci and Drew's reception started at 6. I had to take a quick shower to get the toxins off, and then run to their reception. I think I was still in shock/slight concussion because I was acting a little different than usual.

Saturday, I didn't end up going to the Zoo because I was having hard time breathing and was hurting bad in my chest area. So needless to say Saturday and Sunday I didn't really do much yet I was still kinda busy running little errands here and there.

Even though I got hurt, and still hurt pretty bad, I'm glad I was with Karisa. I couldn't imagine what would of happen if I wasn't there with her. We both said that we're no longer allowed to travel together anymore because something always happens (first time her tire blew, then the accident, and on the way up my Dad's truck overheated so we had to turn around and switch cars before heading back up again), but we both know we're going to travel together more anyways.

I'm so glad that Heavenly Father has blessed me by protecting me and Karisa. I know we are pain, but things could of been much worse and I know he was protecting us.


Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Fun Filled Weekend!

Howdy!! Well it's been a couple weeks since I last posted, so how about an update! This past weekend I had the opportunity to go home since my roomie Karisa was going down and I didn't want her to go by herself. The weekend was lots of fun and something I needed. -A Break! All the fun began Friday...

I got home about 4 o'clock and right before my Mom arrived. Once my Mom got home we decided to go grab something to eat (b/c I hadn't eaten all day) before going to the Mt. View football game. I talked her into going to Sonic because I haven't had it in forever, and it was SO good. :) We had a good time at Sonic sharing funny stories and laughing at each other. Afterwards we still had an hour till the game started so we went to her classroom to get some things for Theresa's photo shoot (she won a Halloween costume contest) and a couple other things. Needless to say, I found my costume when we went. I was in a hyper/silly mood and my Mom has this thing for her students when teaching about the body. Basically it's mini blow up body parts, so for the brain you were this head band with the brain on it, then there was like a thing you put over your shirt that had the rest of the body parts. It was pretty much AMAZING and screamed "MARIE". Sadly, I forget to get a picture of it. I do on my phone, so if you see me ask to see it! After we were doing being goofy at her classroom we went to visit my Grandparents for a little and then off to the game.

The football game was good, yet kinda boring. Mt. View was creaming Red Mt. so my Mom and I decided to leave at the beginning of the the fourth quarter. Though I did see a family friend at the game and had a blast catching up with her. She was telling me about this cool country-line-dancing bar up here at NAU that Karisa and I are going to check out (for dancing, not drinking). After the game I got to hang out with my best friends Dan and Jill! :) The three of us went to Applebee's (and yes I was still in full costume, it rocked) and it was like old times. We had fun sharing updates about each other, telling family stories, and of course the usual funny and unforgettable moments. I heart those two!

Saturday morning my Mom woke me up and asked what I wanted for breakfast, so I had my favorite Chocolate Chip Pancakes! YUMMY!! When we were done I got in the shower, dressed for the day and we went to Bed Bath & Beyond. We got me an electric blanket and wedding gifts for friends. It was pretty funny when the lady there thought it was my wedding and wondered why I was registering a week before. Haha. That afternoon I got to go with Dan's sister Lacey, Jill, and Sis. Bienz to get Lacey's ears periced. It was exciting and reminded me of when I got mine done...except I was a Junior in High school and didn't get the whole lunch and thing with it. Haha. Afterwards I played a couple games of wiffleball with the boys, and went home for dinner. Mom made homemade Chinese food. It was awesome! At around 9:30 I went back over to the Bienz to play games the rest of the night.

Sunday was an interesting day. Haha, I was suppose to go to the Zoo but that didn't work out. Well more like my Mom thought it was too crowded and turned around. Then we were going to go somewhere else but it was closed. Needless to say I missed Stake Conference just to ride around and end up going home to play cards. Though, I can't complain too much I got to spend time with my family.

This weekend was lots of fun, and I'm so glad I got to go home. I honestly didn't want to leave. I wanted to stay home and continue having fun with my family, and hanging out with my best friends. Im so glad I have friends like Dan and Jill in my life. I don't know what I would do without them. They're amazing, and I always have fun with them- plus they don't mind my randomness. Haha. Before I came up Jill gave me the coolest present ever!!! It's this awesome sports bag that the PBR and NRL riders use!! It has a special place just for your boots, plus huge to fit the other gear and things in. I LOVE IT!!!

Now for an update on this week so far. It's been a stressful and tiring week, that's for sure. I have this research paper due in Entomology Friday and it's driving me crazy! It's based off our collections from a field trip we did and needless to say our TA sucked at explaining it. No one really knows what they are doing, which makes this paper hard. We got a good portion or well the hard part done last night and now it's all up to me to finish it. Woohoo!! I get to explain our results and all...yeah...fun. I also had a PreCal test today which was awful. I had no idea what to do and there were problems we never did before in class, it was annoying. Though, there is some good news! For example, I started a new class! That's right, I started a new class all about these little guys..


Aren't they cute!?! Oh man, I already like this class. It's with my professor I had for Animal Behaviors and I loved him! We watched a movie which was an introduction to the 5 week course, and man it was a tear jerker. These creatures really mean no harm, and actually really important to the environment. Though they are almost extinct, and people continue to hunt and kill them...yeah that wasn't fun to watch. Yes it's true, they do explode when you shoot them. I saw it myself like 20 times.

I also got to have dinner last night with my cousin Scott before getting together for Entomology paper. It was lots of fun and I had a really good French Dip! Im really glad I have Scott up here because he can help me escape from the apartment and have fun. He showed me what my cousins Brad and Greg were for Halloween and I have to share! Haha. They are awesome!!! Needless to say they won best couple that night. I also got to see a picture of Madison (Brad's little girl), and she makes the cutest devil!! What do you think?


Before I go, I almost forgot to add that on Monday I had the chance to go to my Bishop's house with Karisa to watch the new Emma Smith Story movie. Oh man, it was SO amazing and a tear jerker as well. I can't imagine what all she went through, along with her and Joseph as a couple/family. I just hope and wish one day I can find a man just like Joseph and we can have a relationship like him and Emma did.

ALSO- WOW ALMOST COMPLETELY FORGOT!!! The PBR World Finals have been exciting!! I'm so bummed and mad I don't get to be there, but hopefully I can watch the last round on TV this Sunday. I have to say, Im so proud and happy for Reese Cates!! He's in 6th place right now (awesome for a rookie), and tied for 2nd place in Round 3 with Justin McBride with a 90.5 ride. GO REESE!!

Alright, now Im going! Haha. Keep Hanging On!!