"The world changes when it snows. It's quiet. Everything softens."

At least for me, the title of this post plus the pictures are enough words for me...Enjoy.

"Okay, I’m sorry, did I mention the tassels?"

So i've decided to do something really random...I'm going to list my top 15 most played songs off of my iPod and say a little something about why I have played those songs so many times. (I will spare you the actual # though...it is slightly embarassing...) (I'll be linking my FAVORITE ones so PLEASE check them out...even for just a few seconds...) okay. here it goes:

1) I Don't Know If I Should Stay--Alexz Johnson
~It is from the show "instant star" (pausing for eye-rolling...) that I used to watch and i just think it is beautiful and a little descriptive of a certain person who was in my life..
2) Tear Drops On My Guitar--Taylor Swift
~For me (and those who know me well), this song just hits home with a ridiculously painful stab. (not so much anymore though)
3) Kiss the Girl (i'm ashamed of myself..)--Ashley Tisdale
~It is just an AWESOME disney song and I just love singing my heart out to this version...
4) Apologize (feat. OneRepublic)--Timbaland
~Please! Just listen to it! It is a hilarious but awesome song!
5) No Good--Kate Voegele (sorry about the first few seconds...)
~your gonna notice a trend soon...yeah. it hits home plus it is fun to sing like crazy to it...
6) Potential Breakup Song--Aly & AJ
~I just really really really enjoy listening to it...
7) Something That I Already Know--Backstreet Boys
~It's BSB...do I really need another reason?? but really...remember that trend i was talking about?...this is another one..
8) I Can't Make You Love Me--Bonnie Raitt
~this one is because my mom used to sing it to me when i couldn't sleep, and it has just kinda stuck...
9) Before He Cheats--Carrie Underwood
~If you haven't heard it, LISTEN TO IT. 'Nuf said...
10) Nobody Wants To Be Lonely--Christina Aguilera (feat. Ricky Martin)
~Well...I love christina aguilera but i also like the idea of the song...
11) Something Pretty--Patrick Park
~Again, just listen to it...it is really beautiful...but the video is weird...so just, listen. :D
12) When You Believe--Whitney Houston & Mariah Carey
~I love singing this song. I like to pretend I have their voices...
13) Moondance--Van Morrison
~because dad always played Van the Man when we cleaned on Saturdays so again, kinda stuck. Plus, it is an AMAZING song...sorry it is a cover--although not a bad one...
14) Iris--Goo Goo Dolls--
~Pretty sure it is one of the best 90s ballads and it is in so many of my favorite guilty pleasure movies...cool...
15) Paralyzer--Finger Eleven
~I really like working out to this song. It is really fast and fun.

Okay...so most of the songs I listen to are about love, lost love, broken hearts, exes that won't go away, exes that should go away but can't be let go of...It hits home...
Alrighty...that's all for now...Enjoy, listen, and COMMENT! :D
Oh yeah. Look forward to pictures tomorrow of my FIRST New England Snow! So pretty. but COLD!
Okay. I'm done...

"... Reality has absolutely no place in our world!"

So for the past couple of weeks I have been organizing a Sub4Santa for 6 families in need throughout the Boston area within my ward. What the project ended up being was this:
Each of the 6 FHE "families" were assigned a family in need of a Christmas. They were given the family's wish list and then within their groups they did what they could afford. I was told by the organization (see below) that the wish list was a GUIDELINE to give us all an idea of what the families wanted/needed. I then told the FHE group leaders (FHEGLs) that same thing. I don't know how many of you know this, but I tend to work myself into a worried, anxious frenzy for what usually ends up being for no reason. I did this while organizing this project (come one! There were only 100+ ppl involved in the ward!!). It was slightly stressful and intense, but I was able to keep my head afloat for the most part--thank you diane for dealing w/ me!!!--and I like I said, ended up worrying about the wards participation for nothing. They went above and beyond what I thought they would. I am so very proud of them for working together and giving all they did. These families will get almost ALL they asked for and more.
In honor of my parents who have taught me that it is in the service of others that brings out the best in the world (okay, they may have never said that but you get the idea), I did two things--went shopping at heavenly Target instead of "evil" Wal-Mart (mom) and gave each of the six families a set of Dominoes because there is nothing like family game night to bring a family together (obviously, dad).
and yes. Even though this project was NEVER about me, I feel very accomplished and proud. I want to be able to do stuff like this for the rest of my life.

All of the above stuff (which is actually a lot more stuff than it looks like) went to the below place--Heading Home in Cambridge, MA

And I had to post a picture of the minivan parallel parked because I ABIGAIL EVE BICKMORE, parallel parked for the first time (in Boston) by myself! No help from anyone except the cars sensors and rearview camera. YAY ME!! I'm quite proud considering the TINY size of the street and the GIANT size of my car...

**Quotes used to encourage my ward to get involved (which I shamelessly used...)
--"Being humble means recognizing that we are not on earth to see how important we can become, but to see how much difference we can make in the lives of others" — Gordon B Hinckley
--“Charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever.” Moro. 7:47.
--"Individual recognition is rarely an indication of the value of our service. We do not know the names, for example, of any of the 2,000 sons of Helaman. As individuals, they are unnamed. As a group, however, their name will always be remembered for honesty, courage, and the willingness to serve. They accomplished together what none of them could have accomplished alone."
--Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Lift Where You Stand,” Ensign, Nov 2008, 53–56

Okay. I'm done. :D

*sorry for the length...you all know how I get...*

"So wide awake I could watch the Ken Burns' documentary of Sadd and I wouldn't fall asleep."

So tonight was bittersweet--a lot of fun with friends but sad because one of those friends is leaving (back to UT so somewhat happy) tomorrow afternoon.
So as a last hoorah for her we all got together at our friends house and I made dinner which was praised, which is awesome especially since the meal is one of my favorite comfort foods--spaghetti and meatballs with salad and garlic bread.
One thing I've learned from dad is that spaghetti sauce is better when "experimenting" with seasonings. Today my sauce had oregano, basil, bay leaf, paprika, black pepper, salt and a small amount of garlic. It was delicious!
And my garlic bread was just butter some minced garlic and basil toasted. Yum.
Good food, GREAT company and a really late night...
So on that note--comment ppl!
Good night and Good luck!
Okay I'm done.