Truth Tuesday

Who's feelin' a Truth Tuesday post? I'm feelin' it. Here goes. A few quick truths for your Tuesday night, brought to you by Kelsey.

• Brian spent the last hour and a half in our garage, building the scene for our trunk-or-treat. Why can't we just put a bowl of candy in our trunk and call it good? I don't really know the answer to that question. But I do know that if everything goes according to plan, we will have the coolest trunk-or-treat vehicle in town. 

• This past weekend, I had a double date planned with my sixteen-year-old sister. We were going to a haunted house. I was abnormally excited all day leading up to the date. I think a part of me felt like a young high school kid again since we were going to hang out with young high school kids. When we arrived to the haunted house and got in line, I felt all cool and hip being the big sister doubling with her high school sister. But all the coolness instantly went away when a lady mistook me and Brian for Lexi and her date's parents. Do I really look old enough to have a sixteen year old?! 

• This past Sunday, I had a big bowl of Halloween candy for the kids. After church ended, I gathered my things from the Primary room (including my big bowl of candy) and went to find Brian. Sidenote: We have a lot of old people in our ward and they are all adorable. Anyway, an older lady wanted a piece of candy and I was like, "Sure, take whatever you want!" Then I instantly had this long line of old people. They were just grabbing candy bars and then thanking me and telling me how thoughtful I was. I realized suddenly that I was standing right by the door. I think they assumed I was just passing out candy to ward members (and that's kinda what it turned into). In the moment, I found it a lot funnier than it probably is. But I seriously lost it when we got outside to the parking lot. We are talking crying from laughing so hard. I hope they don't expect me to bring them candy every week now. 

• Same day of church in Primary, a boy requested that we sing Super Mario Brothers. The chorister was all, "Sorry, that's not a church song." But I was just all perplexed and wanted to ask him, "How in the world do you sing Super Mario Brothers? 

• Remember how years and years ago, women were banished when they had their period? Well, sometimes I don't think I would mind that. As long as banishment involved a sofa, ice cream, and lots of good movies.

• I already have our Halloween costumes for next year planned. I'm feeling like an overachiever. Or maybe just a psycho.    

And just for fun, here are some photos of Halloween looks from the recent past:

Hoarding Gourds

Brian and I like holidays a little too much. Especially Halloween. We currently have a graveyard in our lawn, a skeleton sitting near our front door, and a glass bowl full of skulls on our dining room table. Oh, there's also a giant spider hanging from the ceiling above the dining room table.

Needless to say, our trip to the pumpkin patch was sort of intense this year. Our poor friends we recruited to go with us probably think we are a couple of crazies, but they keep agreeing to hang out with us, so we must not be that bad.

We've lived in our bungalow for a year now. A YEAR. My, time flies. We moved in last October, so we didn't get to deck the halls for Hallow's Eve as much as we would have liked. This year we are making up for it. Last year we managed to buy a few pumpkins, but they looked rather pathetic sitting in the corner of our very large deck. So this year . . . we were ready. We were prepared to buy ALL the pumpkins. We piled big ones, small ones, warty ones, smooth ones, green ones, orange ones, and white ones into the back of the pickup truck. 

Then when we got them all home and arranged them very nicely on the deck, Brian and I both agreed we needed more pumpkins. But we refrained because we aren't millionaires. I'm certain that's what millionaires blow their money on too; pickup loads of gourds.

Anyway, I look forward to our pumpkin patch trip each year. I'm really quite sad October is about over. Just this morning as I was drinking my orange juice, I got rather depressed when I saw the sell by date was in January. January is a sign that all the best holidays have ended. So let us all learn a lesson from my Simply Orange Juice. Time is valuable and life is short. Take some time to celebrate the everyday moments with friends and family. Especially if those everyday moments have anything to do with Halloween. Who knew I'd learn something so profound from a fruity beverage?    

Sunday Best: For Monica

dress: Old Navy, tights: vintage, boots: Old Navy, necklace: Amalooo Jewelry & Art

My friend Monica was in town this Monday, and it was so great to see her after a year of being apart. Monica is a person who just radiates light. You want to be near her because she makes you want to be brighter and better.

Sadly, there are a few people in the world who aren't like this. There are people who are toxic and constantly negative. These people sometimes crush down on you like a heavy weight. You still want to love them, but it can be draining. 

Monica isn't a heavy weight. She's a balloon person. She makes you feel like you have hundreds of colorful balloons tied to your arms and legs and they just lift you up, up through the air. Yes, I understand it's not logically possible for balloons to lift you off the ground . . . but let's just pretend we live in the world of "Up" for a moment. Monica is one of the many lifter-uppers I'm blessed to have in my life. And while she was in town, she randomly said to me, "I miss your Sunday Best posts on your blog. They're my favorite." Of course she said this basically because she's nice, but I thought I'd make the effort to do a Sunday Best just in case she was also being honest :). So this one is for you, Monica! I'm so glad I got to spend a day with you! 

These photos aren't the best because my camera is dead. And I seem to have misplaced my battery charger. I ordered a new one off Amazon so hopefully it arrives soon. And since I bought a new one, I'm willing to bet my lost one will turn up as soon as the new one arrives, which wouldn't be entirely bad. Having a back-up is always a good idea, right? So since my camera was out, BWell took these on his phone and I think they turned out just fine. 

I love this dress. Brian bought it for me a few days ago while we were in Old Navy. It was an awesome price, the cut is just lovely, and stripes are always in style! I see myself wearing this dress a lot in the future. If you haven't been to Old Navy lately, hurry your bum over there. I've been on an Old Navy kick. I just think there fall items are cute as a button (which is such an odd expression).

Happy Sunday! Here's to a great coming week. I'm going to focus my energy on being a balloon person.      

Truth Tuesday

• When you pull into our driveway, it smells like apple cider. Our kitchen counter is currently covered with apples. I love having an apple tree (one that's very good at doing it's job, btw). Send me all your apple recipes. I'll send you apples in return. 

• Brian and I are already in full-out Halloween mode. We have serious discussions each night about our super epic Couples Halloween Party. This will be the fourth year we've held the party. I sent out Facebook invites and so far only two people have responded that they are coming . . . and those two people are me and Brian. I'm having major panic attacks. So help relieve some stress in my life and respond to my party invite. Even if you say no, that's okay. But say yes! Because it's going to be super fun. And if you want to come but don't have an invite, heck, come anyway. We aren't the exclusive type. In the meantime, while I wait for you to RSVP, BWell will continue to tell me to simmer down because it's only the beginning of October. 

• On the topic of Halloween, we bought a skeleton and spent way too much money on him. I think we may leave him up all year to get our money's worth. We're already way too attached and gave him the name of Eugene. 

• I like to tell myself that I could care less what anyone thinks of me. And when it comes to my hair and dress, that might be true. However, when it really comes down to it, and I absolutely hate admitting this about myself, I am constantly worrying what others think of me. I'm an over-analyzer (duh, I'm female). I sit and fret after I run into someone in the store thinking, "Did I say the right thing? Was I friendly enough? What if they think I'm rude? What if they think I'm weird? Do they hate me? Did I come across as snooty?" I think we all, in a way, want everyone to like us. Right? I am a people-pleaser. It's one of my many downfalls. So while I try putting on a front that I'm a bold and brave individual who is not swayed by the opinions of others, I'm actually this timid girl who just wants to be liked by all, even sometimes at the expense of not liking myself. However, every day I get a little bit more secure with myself and who I am, and I realize a little bit more that it's okay if everyone doesn't like me. People won't like me. It's a fact of life. So I guess it's more important that I focus on liking myself and the person I am. It's a journey, but I think I'm making progress. 

• I like vegetables more than I like fruits. 

• I'm really struggling at getting up in the mornings. I used to be like the Energizer Bunny. When my alarm went off, I'd instantly pop up out of bed, ready to start the day. Now I hit snooze one too many times and dread coming out from under the covers. It's a bad deal too, because I like to work out in the mornings before work. If you have any suggestions for this sleepyhead, send them my way. I'll try anything.   

• I think I like listening more than I like talking. And I'm okay with that. Honestly, I feel like there are too many talkers in the world and not enough good listeners. Being a good listener is like a forgotten art. I have a very long list of things I'm bad at. However, I think I'm a pretty good listener. It's one of the things I like about myself the most. 

I think that's enough silly truths for now. I need to go to bed so I can (hopefully) get up early.

A big fat thank you

A couple photos from the mountains behind my parents' house.

To say I was surprised when my recent blog post #myhusbandisbetterthanyours went viral is an understatement. I was amazed by how many people commented, shared, thanked me, and gave positive feedback over what I had written. It's such a blessing to know I'm not alone in this journey. We are not alone. You have all inspired me to work everyday at being more supportive of those around me. A couple days after I wrote that post, Deseret News contacted me saying they wanted to share what I had written in an article. I am so thankful I received that opportunity. I can honestly say I have never felt quite so vulnerable as I did this past week, putting my words and feelings out there for others to judge. I learned that there will always be people who do not agree with you, who want to tear you down and who want to see you miserable. However, I also learned that there are many more people with sweet souls who want to lift others up and see those around them succeed. Thanks to those of you who focus your time on lifting up rather than tearing down. There is some ugliness in the world, but the good around us definitely outweighs it.

After gaining some new followers and receiving more page views, I feel slightly intimidated. Do I need to start creating thought provoking posts everyday? Will I ever get as many comments again as I did on my last post?

The answer to both of those questions is possibly "no" and I am okay with that. I originally started this blog after a professor told me that in order to be a good writer, I would have to write something every day. This blog is a place for me to practice growing as a writer. It's as simple as that. It will never be something I invest hours of my time in, it's not something I dream of making a living off of. I have many responsibilities that come before this blog and I hope it remains that way.

More than anything, this blog is a place for me to come after a long day at work and just write about anything my heart desires. If you enjoy reading along, then I am honored.

I can't promise you consistent posts, amazing giveaways or lovely pictures. I can promise you that I will always be real, honest and raw.

I've never claimed to be a blogger, but I would love to claim the title of writer.

Ahem, also there is a new button for my blog on the sidebar, so use that one from here on out. I love to do button swaps with other bloggers. One of the things I've loved about this blog is the opportunity I've had to meet so many amazing people. Email me at mrskellwell@gmail.com if ever interested. 

Truth Tuesday

• I am quite proud of this ridiculous photo above. I arranged the heart out of the leaves that were, at the time, taking over my lawn. Then I started snapping photos. I obviously had to get my feet in the picture because, duh, that's cute or something. Then a guy drove past my fence on his bike and stared at me and I felt super ridiculous. Don't mind me, biker dude, I'm just making hearts out of piles of leaves. I'm an adult. 

• Speaking of that, today before Brian and I went to a meeting, I ran to the bathroom mirror to quickly apply lipstick and said, "Sorry, I need to put this on so I'll feel like an adult." Honestly, do you ever hit a certain point where you actually feel like an adult? I kind of hope I don't.  

• I think I like room temperature water. 

• This week, I've been feeling so overwhelmed yet so thankful all at the same time. It's a weird mixture of emotions. 

• A couple nights ago, I walked out to my driveway to get in my car and a couple was walking past on the sidewalk. They startled me. I wasn't expecting a couple to be there in the darkness strolling past my car. I jumped and I screamed. It was embarrassing. 

• I bought Snowflake Ritz Crackers at the store instead of the regular ones and it was basically the highlight of the day. 

• That was a lie. It wasn't the highlight of my day. But pretty close. 

• BWell brought home a deep fryer and now we want to deep fry everything in sight. We're Americans and that's how Americans gotta eat. Okay, I'm kidding. We actually strive to eat healthy for the most part. However, we do want to experiment. We've mostly just been making fries. So, friends, what do you like deep fried? I think I need to try some deep fried Oreos because I've never had them. 

• I'm going to Selena Gomez's concert this week. Yeah, that's totally happening. When you're ready, come and get it. 

Girls' Night Out at the Pumpkin Walk

The week before Halloween, Brian went out of town due to work for two days. I'm not one of those people who gets freaked out when I'm home alone or anything like that. However, I do go a bit crazy after being cooped up in my house by myself for too long. Think Jack Nicholson from "The Shining". Heeeere's Johnny!

I decided that I needed to get out of the house to pass the time that evening, and I convinced my mom and sisters to accompany me. We went out to dinner and then paid a visit to the North Logan Pumpkin Walk. The Pumpkin Walk is amazing for kids and adults alike. It's a free event the week before Halloween where people set up intricate displays using pumpkins, squash and other things. Many of the scenes are from movies, television shows or books. My favorite this year was probably a display of "Despicable Me 2". Pumpkins make the cutest minions, for real. This year, there were 50 different displays. The weather was even pretty mild for late October in Utah so it was nice to walk around outside. When I went two years ago, I'm pretty sure it was snowing and I walked through as quickly as humanly possible before my ears froze off.

I love that I live in a place that still has that American small-town feel. The Pumpkin Walk is just one of the many reminders of that. Guess what they do with the hundreds of pumpkins after the event is over? Well, they have the Pumpkin Toss. Teams build their own catapults to throw the pumpkins. I went to cover that event for work on Saturday and it was a blast (no pun intended).

Anyway, I didn't go camera crazy at the Pumpkin Walk and get a photo of every display, but we did take plenty of pictures using the face hole setups at the front of the park. Keep scrolling for further enjoyment . . .

    

and my personal favorite . . .

Girl time with my mom and sisters is the best. 

Sunday Best: Plain Jane

top: TJ Maxx skirt: Forever 21, flats: PacSun

Because sometimes, nothing beats a button-up, a skirt and flats. 

Also, these photos are from a month ago. 

Also, today was the first snowfall of the season and I made pumpkin roll. Life is good. 

That's really all I have to say. 

Truth Tuesday

• I should not be allowed to enter a dollar store unsupervised during Halloween . . . or any holiday for that matter. I went in searching for one thing and came out with a bag full of weird Halloween shenanigans. But it was only a dollar. I brought home a glow-in-the-dark skeleton, an ice tray with finger and bone shapes and Halloween stickers. I was also tempted to buy Halloween pencils and a Halloween snow globe, but I refrained. 

• Today was my last time with my Activity Day girls (it's a church group thing). Technically, I already got released and they found a person to replace me . . . but everyone was nice and let me participate one last time since I have attachment issues. Everyone came to our new house and we had a Halloween dinner. We made green Mac&Cheese and called it gopher guts. Yeah, that happened.

• Also, we are now going to our new church ward. Everyone is really nice and things are super organized. There are lots of old people who like to make jokes about how they're going to die any day now. One man told me to start having children because he wants more little kids in the ward . . . and that was about 10 seconds after we met. But all joking aside, everyone was so kind and welcoming. I think we are going to love this neighborhood.   

• It will probably take me another month or two to memorize our new address. I am the worst ever with addresses. In rural Idaho we just don't really use them. Instead of giving addresses we say, "Turn left by the old tractor and it's the blue house with the goat in the yard." 

• When I was little and I unwrapped presents, I would get super offended if anyone tried throwing the wrapping paper away. I liked to scatter it all around me (I was a super weird child). I feel like I'm being like that with the leaves falling off our trees and into our yard. Brian cleaned them up over the weekend and I was sort of upset. 

• My biggest fear is dying. I hope I just die of old age in my sleep. I have no desire to go out with a bang. 

• This morning, there was a spider in the bathtub and I washed it down the drain to its death. I feel really guilty now. 

• My current favorite song we are playing on Utah's VFX is probably this one. I know it repeats itself a lot but don't judge me, it's catchy. I'll probably be sick of it in a few more days since as a deejay you hear the same songs over and overrrrrrrrr. Hey, I'm not complaining. My job rocks.  

Local Pumpkins are the Best Pumpkins

I figured I need to prove my middle-class, white girl status by posting about our trip to the pumpkin patch.

We went with our good friends, Richie and Lauren. We love Richie and Lauren but let's be honest, the real reason we invited them was so we could watch their baby Claire be ultra cute.

I don't, for the life of me, understand why anyone around here would buy their pumpkins at the nearest Walmart. I suppose it's for convenience sake. However, it's only a short drive to many local farms where they sell a plethora of pumpkins. Variety is much greater than what you get at a store in town and the prices are much kinder on the wallet, too.

We live in an agricultural area. Everyone should be buying from our local farmers. Handing our money to the owner of the pumpkin patch felt a lot better than running a debit card at a cash register. Plus, the pictures at the pumpkin patch turned out much cuter than they would have in front of Wally World.

Sorry I'm anti-Walmart (except I'm really not sorry).

Check out Richie and Lauren's blog here. They're both pretty witty and I think they need to post more often, if you ask me.

Sunday Best: Subject of All Mockery

sweater: Smith's, pants: ShopKo, combat boots: Shoe Carnival, levi jacket: Gap, scarf: Bohme

I am the baby of my work. Everyone is older than me. Being the baby means you become the butt of all jokes. I understand this. After all, I grew up in a home where I was the oldest and had the privilege of doing all the mocking. Now I guess it's my turn to be mocked. It's okay, I can take it. 

An easy thing for everyone to make fun of is the way I dress. I tend to wear what I think is cool, regardless of whether or not it is actually cool. 

I wore the above outfit on Tuesday and, you guessed it, I got made fun of. 

All our different radio stations are housed in the same building. Each station has big glass windows, so you can look in at those working in the station next to you. You can't talk but you can stare at each other . . . and do sign language if you both understand it. Anyway, I get to work and notice the deejay in the studio next to our newsroom is diving around the room very dramatically and shooting at me with his hands. He looked like an insane person. Then I walked down the hall and realized what was going on after another guy asked me, "Are you going on a big hunt?" 

Ohhhhh, they're making fun of my camouflage pants. 

Which makes no sense because another deejay wears camouflage shorts every other day. I never see them make fun of him. 

"Actually, I'm going to war," I replied dryly. 

What I don't understand is why no one made fun of my sweater. A bulldog wearing glasses, seriously? 

Just wait until they see what I wear to work tomorrow.  

I also want to add, we took these photos in our driveway. Isn't our driveway the cutest? I think so. 

Sunday Best: Count Kelsey

jacket: Forever 21, t-shirt: internet (can't remember the site, ha), pants: Kohl's, boots: TJ Maxx, earrings: Kohl's

One! Two! Three! Three weeks since last Sunday Best, muahahaha (lightning in the background). Obviously, if you don't know what that counting nonsense was, you haven't watched Sesame Street in a while.

So I've been slacking on Sunday Best posts. Let's get real, they're awkward. I feel awkward posing all sheepishly to take pictures of myself. I feel awkward posting them here and making myself look vain. But in all honesty, it's fun for me to look back through my Sunday Best posts and see how myself and my style have evolved.

I'm the furthest thing from a fashion blogger. Heck, I don't even feel like a blogger at all. But this space is mine to document and grow, and I'm cool with that.

Maybe in a few months time, I'll look back at this post and get a good laugh. "Look at me with my anti-Twilight t-shirt, pleather jacket, red lipstick, and pasty skin. I'm like a Bella-hating vampire."

Yes, I'll probably say something like that.

Just call me Count Kelsey. At least Halloween is this month, right?

Shuffle

It's nice to be sitting at my own computer at home. Not only that, but I'm facing a window and the tree in my yard is making me smile. The green leaves are starting to glow yellow with autumn. I'm beginning to feel at home in our new place. Things are still in boxes and it will be a long while until we are completely settled, but I have a bed to sleep in and I finally went grocery shopping so all is well.

The past week has been a whirlwind. My computer was packed up so I was unable to blog. I was so busy at work too that I wouldn't have had time to blog whether my computer was in a box or on a desk. I am also going out of town with my mom all of next week and I don't even want to think about the packing. The trip will be nice. Packing, not so much.

I'm looking forward to a weekend filled with catching up and relaxing. Conference Weekend is always a goody. Things will be even better if USU beats BYU tonight.

I've decided to do this new thang called "Shuffle". Since I am a radio deejay and all, I figure I should incorporate some more music into my blog. So, here's the deal. I put my iPod on shuffle. The first 10 songs to come up are the ones I share here. Although I deejay on a Top 40 station, my taste in music is very broad and random. Hope you find something below that makes you want to sing in the shower.

1. Almost Lover - Fine Frenzy

2. Mrs. Robinson - Simon and Garfunkel 

3. The Quiz - Hello Saferide 

4. Corona and Lime - Shwayze

5. Sweater Weather - The Neighbourhood

6. Love Is Blindness - Jack White

7. Typical - Tickle Me Pink

8. Angel - Aerosmith

9. Begin Again - Taylor Swift

10. Give Me Everything - Pitbull (feat. Ne-Yo, Afrojack & Nayer

How was that for random? Well, gotta go dress in more layers and head off to the football game. Let's go, Aggies!

Instagrams & Milk: Summer Reminiscing

Well, according to my calendar and the cooler temps here in the mountains of Utah, it appears to be fall! The very best season. It feels so cliche to say that because, like, everyone's favorite season is fall. However, in high school when everyone's favorite season was summer, my favorites were fall and winter. I have never been much of a summer girl. I absolutely love parts of summer but when looking at the season as a whole, it's not my favorite. I don't like the heat, I don't like being sweaty, and I am not crazy about summer fashion. When I'm at a cookout, on a hike or swimming then summer is the best. But on an average day in summer, it's usually just hot and I want to sit by a fan without any clothes on.

But let me not remember the days my clothes stuck to my skin, or the days I dreamed about being at the pool instead of at the office, or the days mosquitoes attacked my legs. Instead I'll reflect on the happy things by looking at this amateur collage of all my favorite summertime Instagrams.      

Summer morning runs. Swimming. Hiking. Sun-kissed skin. Monster truck shows. Amusement parks. Family gatherings. Four-wheeler rides. Fireworks. Yes, I'll choose to remember all that wonderful goodness.

I also want to add, I actually really love summer a lot. I think I was just bitter this year because it was so extremely hot. That is all.

You can find me on Instagram @mrskellwell.

Truth Tuesday

• I am just mind-blown by this pretty area that surrounds me; this valley I call home. Sheesh, I'm blessed. We went to Bear Lake for Labor Day, even though it rained on and off all day, and Logan Canyon had me in awe with her beauty. Some of the trees are already in the beginning stages of changing colors, which makes me thrilled.

• September through December . . . it's my favorite section of the calendar. So happy September is here and I feel like it's going to bring plenty of good things with it. 

• Since I didn't work yesterday, I keep thinking today is Monday. But then I realize it's actually Tuesday. Tuesdays that feel like Mondays are one of my favorite things, because the weekend seems to come extra quickly. 

• Sometimes on long drives, I enjoy talking the lyrics to songs. Even better, whisper the lyrics to songs. It makes the most endearing love songs sound like they're coming from an obsessed stalker. 

• Should I be worried about myself since the two items at the top of my "Kelsey wants to buy shiz" list are kitty shoes and overalls? 

• Brian and I were talking about how we coped with our anger when we were younger. I used to chuck rocks at a stop sign. I think that's, like, against the law, probably.

• I finally saw Django Unchained. I was really disappointed. I think maybe I just had too high of hopes since everyone was all, "Oh gosh, best movie ever." And I know what you're thinking, "Oh, it was just too violent for you and you couldn't handle it." Nope. I'm just a girl who gets impressed by solid story lines with well-developed characters. The story line was, meh, alright. I felt no connection to the characters. On the bright side, at least I got to stare at Leo. Too bad it took a whole hour until his character was even introduced. 

• I don't own a brush. It's kind of a pain and I should maybe think about buying one. Or I could always shave my head because that would be a lot cheaper and save me tons of time.