happy halloween

Sue Sylvester

"You know something Ohio? It’s not easy to break out of your comfort zone. People will tear you down, tell you you shouldn’t have bothered in the first place, but let me tell you something - there’s not much of a difference between a stadium full of cheering fans and an angry crowd screaming abuse at you. They’re both just making a lot of noise. How you take it is up to you. Convince yourself they’re cheering for you, you do that and someday - they will! And that’s how Sue Sees It."

in the footsteps of greatness

I went to the BYU football game yesterday, and ran into a few BYU greats.



On the walk into the game, I literally almost ran right into BYU's President, Elder Cecil Samuelson. We did that awkward dance of, "Are you going left, or are you going right?" then he sheepishly said hello. I thought it was cute.

I'm sure Elder Samuelson had much better seats, and he probably got a free catered meal. I starved while watching the Cougs (they won by the way):



After the game we went over to the Brick Oven to buy some soup, and guess who was also in the takeout line? Oh yes, the great Lavell Edwards! I was too embarrassed to say anything to him. But I thought it was cool he was smart enough to call in his order, while we had to wait for them to cook ours.

The best moment of the day, however, came when seeing this man:



REALLY? Really... bare feet in the stands of Lavell Edwards Stadium? That's just wrong.

opportunity to serve

(props to Shanna, as i'm totally copying her blog and posting it here, only with my name attached. we are working together to help our friend here at work)

i am not a fundraiser-er.

in fact, i loathe fundraisers. i hate asking people for money. i'm not a sales person and i definitely am not a fan of being asked to "donate" $20 for a tiny box of candy bars for the local elementary school.

however, i love serving.
i love helping people.
i love providing as much assistance as i can.

so yesterday, when i found out that a good friend and co-worker's family's home was completely destroyed in the wildfires in auburn, CA... all i could think was how could i help this family?

they came home from church on sunday and only had a few minutes to gather a couple things - a file of original birth certificates, a family picture from the wall and a diaper bag was all they managed to take with them. all of the rest of their belongings - clothes, dishes, appliances, photo albums, wedding keepsakes, blankets, music, furniture - everything.

e v e r y t h i n g is gone.
ashes.

so, while i do not like asking for money, or fundraising in an manner, i feel like they need help.
this is an opportunity to serve.
i have started a collection for this family and, if you feel so inclined, would gladly welcome any other contributions.

they need anything and everything - they have to rebuild their lives from scratch. luckily, they have the gospel in their lives and have maintained an eternal perspective of things, but i'm sure it's not easy. clothes, dishes, blankets, gift cards, cash, anything, i'm sure would be greatly appreciated.

we am sending a package to them on friday, september 11.

if you would like to help,
please contact me at
leigh.dethman@gmail.com
to arrange pick up and/or drop off.

but most of all, please keep this (and the other families affected)
in your prayers.

i think that will help the most.

carefree

care·free (adjective): free from care: as
a : having no worries or troubles
b : irresponsible
c: getting a pedicure with the girls (hooray for red toenails!)
d: eating zucchini spice cake with cream cheese frosting
d: jumping into the pool with your clothes on



The birthday weekend is officially a wrap. Tonight was just what I needed: a carefree night with the girls. We started with pedicures, then grabbed some dinner at The Soup Kitchen, followed by some amazing zucchini spice cake at the Nook. Those girls sure know how to bake. We then meandered over to Bishop's house for FHE.

After dancing with Steph (She's a great coach -- 'step-touch, step-touch, now shake those hips') and chatting with practically the entire ward, we somehow ended up in the pool with our clothes on. So much fun.

Definitely a night I'll always remember.

raindrops on roses

These are a few of my favorite things, and I was lucky enough to have them all on my birthday:

- waking up without an alarm clock
- fresh raspberries from lovely roomies for breakfast
- jokes in ward council
- night games at the nook
- Bishop Hale
- girl talk with Marf
- funny notes in sacrament
- hammocks
- lasagna
- mile-high mud pie
- cherries
- twinkle lights
- the grandma house
- emilia delmar
- girl talk
- new friends
- old friends
- bad blind date stories
- homemade ice cream
- the Batman kids serenading me
- phone calls
- text messages
- FB wall posts
- T-HO
- apple beer
- diet coke

Who could ask for anything more? Thanks to everyone for making 28 a great day.

introducing...

Mr. and Mrs. Finlinson!


Had an amazing day at the Salt Lake Temple with this lovely couple.

The new Mrs. Finlinson looked beautiful, with beaded buttons and a knock-out smile. Joe was happy as can be, with his lady by his side.

It was nice sneaking away from work for a while to go to the sealing (and I love that I have a job where they are totally cool with that). I can't wait for the wedding dinner tonight.

K girls. Who is next?

alta is for lovers

After surviving a busy work week (LDS booksellers convention) I'm rewarded with a return to a place that brought many a good memories -- the Alta.


I moved into the Alta during the summer of 2003 (right after I graduated). I stayed for about a year and a half. I begrudgingly moved after I grew tired of the long commute to Salt Lake City every day. Oh how it was hard to leave the Alta.

Favorite memories:
- Michael Jackson dance parties
- NCAA Football on the Playstation
- The spy
- Bishop Hawkes
- Dumpster diving at the bookstore
- Movie nights
- Spying on the parking lot make out sessions from our living room window
- Fro Yo
- Plastering "Alta is for Lovers" posters all over the complex (and then replacing the poster multiple times on the door of apartment 214 after they were offended and kept taking it down)
- Our refrigerator tribute to the Alta lovers:


Tomorrow night the BYU 77th ward is reuniting at Bishop Hawke's house. Luckily a girl in my current ward was also in the BYU 77th (not when I was in it) so I have a buddy to go down to Provo with. It should be a fun time!