You asked for it.

A few weeks ago, I opened the blog up to questions. I must be an open book because only four of you had questions for me. Either that or I'm just not that interesting. I'm choosing to believe the former.

Let's do this, shall we?

1. Melanie asked, "If you could have lived in any other time period, when would it be and why? Random. I know."

Well, Melanie, I'm basically cool with the time period I already live in with all the convenience of modern technology and what-not, but since you asked specifically for "other," I'll bite: 1950's, post-war baby-boomer era. Back when times were simpler, women were classier and furniture was cuter, but you could still use the toilet instead of heading to an outhouse to do your duty.

And I would have looked like this:

Wow, that's not disturbing at all, is it? Sorry for any nightmares you may experience tonight.

2. Kara asked, "I want to know how you curl your hair like in your main picture and what tool(s) you use :)"

I have to be honest, Kara. When I saw your question, I was like, "I'm SO GONNA MAKE A TUTORIAL!" And I did, but it was bad. BAAAD. I said things that made Dill cry with laughter, and not because they were funny but because I sounded like an idiot. One line included, "Don't stop 'til you get enough," said in a deep British accent. (WHY???) So, I am going to re-shoot it one of these days and then I'll post it. But in the meantime, just know I only have one weapon: a 1"-barrel curling iron from Conair. It was about $10 at Wal-Mart and worth every penny.

3. Creole Wisdom aka Katie asked, "I'd love to know what you hope to do after your kids are grown and out of the house. That is NOT to make you feel bad about where you are- I think it's the best job ever! I'm just curious is all ;)"

It's funny you ask, Katie, because I've recently had little thoughts pop into my mind about getting a Master's degree in Music Education. I always saw myself teaching music in a school somewhere and that idea still really appeals to me. I imagine once my kids are older and in school during the day, I will at least get a teaching certificate and teach at a junior high or high school. I feel like teaching is my life's calling. I'm sure at some point, I'll figure out just what that means.

4. Heather asked, " I've heard that local honey can help with allergies but I've also heard that it doesn't (b/c allergies are also from grasses/weeds/etc). What has been your experience?"

Heather, you might remember about a year ago when I blogged about trying local raw honey to curb my allergies. It seemed to help! We decided to try orange blossom honey simply because it was the yummiest of all the honeys we sampled, but this year, I figured out I actually am allergic to orange blossoms. How did I come to know this, you ask? Well, in March, I was driving down the 202 freeway toward northwest Mesa and within seconds of coming upon the orange groves, my throat was on fire and my eyes were watering. I got through about an hour of choir rehearsal before I HAD to leave because I had become a snot-faucet. Now, I don't know if all that orange blossom honey I ate last year had anything to do with it because I've never had issues with orange blossoms in my entire life until now. I know that repeated exposures to allergens actually cause an increase in allergic reaction so it's a possibility I created this monster myself. Sad face.

I hoped that I could cure my allergies naturally with honey, but for now I'm a daily Zyrtec-taker, and Dill and I are even considering allergy shots. I've heard of various natural remedies that might work -- camu powder and homemade kefir, among others, but I haven't tried them yet. I think the best course of action to take is to get tested for allergens and then avoid those things like the plague. Sad for me because the smell of orange blossoms is my all-time favorite scent and no candle or air freshener even comes close to the real deal.

Thanks for playing, friends! I'll try to get that hair tutorial done at some point. I may just have to resign myself to the fact I am super-awkward on camera and post it for educational purposes only.

My best friend's graduation.

Last Friday, I had the honor to attend my best friend MoniQue's graduation from Arizona State University. I still fondly remember what a special occasion my own graduation was and I was excited to support MoniQue at hers.

Mom and I headed down to the Phoenix Convention Center and grabbed some seats in the exhibit hall.

We had a pretty good view, which I was worried about because my brother-in-law Jason graduated in the same hall a few years back and Mom had some colorful stories to tell about that day. Stories involving people standing to get a better view, more people standing to see over them, angry people yelling obscenities at the standing people and security personnel helplessly standing by as it all unfolded. I guess the Health Solutions grads draw a classier crowd because we didn't have to worry about that at all ruckus. Good thing, because I tend to wilt when people yell at me.

Soon, the graduates filed in and we got to hear "Pomp and Circumstance" about 239 times. The ceremony started with a song and then some speeches. I was moved to tears while listening to some of these graduates' stories. One woman, who received her PhD, talked about how as a child, she had a learning disability so severe her teachers said she would never read or write. Well, now she has a doctorate degree so she sure stuck it to the man! One man decided to pursue school again after a 15-year break, which he took when he failed the same basic community college math class twice. He tearfully told us how one professor taught him, "Perseverance always wins." I had never considered this before, but it's true. The people who continue to fight for their desires and never give up eventually achieve them regardless of their skill level or talent. He proved his professor's theory true by not only graduating but attaining a 4.02 GPA.

MoniQue graduated in Nutrition Communication so her section of graduates walked last. She was only the second grad to cross the stage during that section so I nearly missed her. Dang it! I did manage to get her as she was shaking hands with some fancy people on her way off stage.

P.S. -- the girl in the decorated cap is NOT MoniQue, but I thought it was too cute not to capture.

Afterward I went outside and met up with MoniQue, her husband Mike and his sister and mom for some congratulations and pictures. Soon MoniQue's long-time Californian friend Vin showed up and I got to meet him, too.

The six of us took a short walk down 3rd street to have lunch at District American Kitchen. It's in the Sheraton lobby and it's my new favorite restaurant. Chef Jay really took care of us with some fabulous apps and desserts. Being a macaroni and cheese aficionado, I ordered theirs straight off the menu and my, was it GOOD! Yes, those are cheese puffs you see on top. Also bacon and chorizo.

For dessert, Chef Jay regaled us with berry brulee, chocolate whoopie pies with peppermint ice cream and the most dense, moist carrot cake I've ever had IN MY LIFE. It was amazing and I don't even like carrot cake usually.

My favorite part of the day was when MoniQue bestowed the Stole of Gratitude on her husband, Mike. It's always an emotional occasion with plenty of waterworks.

I want to publicly congratulate MoniQue on the accomplishment of graduating from college. It's a tough venture for anyone, but MoniQue did it while enduring a few surgeries and unexplained chronic pain. She faithfully went to class and studied her butt off to graduate cum laude. I'm seriously impressed, but if anyone was up to the challenge, it was her. I hope she enjoys some much-deserved time off (hopefully hanging out with me). Love you, Q!

Yep, we're white Mormons ...

... but that doesn't stop us from eating delicious Mexican food and crackin' open the "pi-yaya" (as Buckwheat calls it) every year on Cinco de Mayo!

Enjoy this video I made to forever immortalize our annual tradition.

(Music: "Bien o Mal" by Julieta Venegas)

To all who come to this happy place: welcome.

If you're one of my many new blog friends, this is my official "hello!" Just a few weeks ago, I lost my header with all the fancy links on it so you might be confused as to what this blog is about. To be honest, I'm just as confused as you are -- I never know what the heck I am going to yammer about here. It's basically as random as you can get. For so long, I thought I needed some sort of direction on this blog, but I've decided no direction is where it's at. So au revoir, fancy header with links. It was fun while it lasted, but I'm onto greener, less-organized pastures.

Anyway, if you're a newbie, you should probably start here to see what my deal is. Or don't. It's coo. I'll sum myself up right here.

Things I am passionate about:

My husband, the Tom Cruise look-alike (only way hotter)
My sweet cherub children (cherubic in appearance only) (just kidding)
Ending body-hate
Eating real food and enjoying it
Music
Motherhood
My faith
Education

I sometimes take pictures of people and things, but let me just say I take the best selfies EVER.

I've got my eyeeeeeee on you.

I try to be crafty at times. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I don't blog about the times when it doesn't work. Maybe I should?

I'm a story-teller. It's one reason I got my degree in broadcasting -- you get to tell a lot of stories (though roughly 95 percent of them are depressing, and I'm all about happy stories, so I decided news isn't really for me). My parents say I should write a book, but I say just read my blog.

So, what do you want to know? We've played the question game before and it was quite fun. Ask me anything! Even if you're not a noob. I'm feeling up to the challenge. GO!

Cancer strikes again.

Let's just get this out there: cancer sucks. Since losing two loved ones (my grandmother in April 2010 and my uncle Mike last October) to this evil villain, I have developed a soft spot for those who must endure its deadly effects. It's extremely painful for all involved.

My sister-in-law Rochelle's brother Derek has suffered from Hodgkins lymphoma since October 2008. It was discovered just two weeks before he was to marry his sweet bride, Kaela. Despite the grim diagnosis, they were married and had their cute son Camden in July of the following year.

 Last night, after a grueling 4 1/2-year battle against cancer, Derek passed away surrounded by his family. He leaves behind a young wife and their 3-year-old son.

If you'd like to help this family out with medical and burial costs, a fund has been set up where you can donate any amount of money. Please consider what you can give. Any amount will help. And if you can't donate for any reason, please share this post and spread the word. 

You can also donate through Wells Fargo Bank under the name of DEREK BEACH MEMORIAL FUND under the account number 1749326862.

Please pray for this sweet family, that they may have peace and comfort during this tragic time.

Click to donate to the Support Love Beach fund.

My favorite workout.

You all know how I hate to run. If you didn't know this tidbit or had forgotten it, let me refresh your recollection. I do feel that aerobic exercise is important, but this is just not my cup of tea. Kudos if running is something you enjoy and are good at. I plainly suck at it.

For a long time, my friend Jessica and I would go walking about three times a week to get our fitness (and chit-chat) on. But before too long, it started to get really hot outside and we decided to move our fitness activity indoors. We began doing this workout called "Fluidity" that is actually quite hysterical. It involves a bar and creepy, sheer tights (optional).

We still do this workout on occassion as it's really great for building leg strength. Let's not discuss how I snapped Jessica's resistance band in half during the arm portion of the workout earlier this week, though. Yeesh.

Fluidity is a good strength workout, but it's not cardio. One day last August, I was helping my sister-in-law move into her new home when I came across a Jillian Michaels DVD I had never seen before, called "Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism." Now, I'm not fond of the connotation the word "banish" lends with regard to fat, but I'm all for boosting metabolism. So I asked to borrow this DVD and got to work a few days later.

Let me tell you, this is a HARD workout. I have done CardioX (P90X's cardio workout) before and I think this Jillian workout was just as difficult. It's 45 minutes long and includes a warm-up, seven circuits (two kickboxing, two plyometrics, two calisthenics and one core) and a cool-down. Each circuit is repeated before you move onto the next. She offers some modifications for really difficult moves, but for the most part, it's straightforward.

You start the warm-up and you think, "Oh, this will be fun!" and then you finish the first circuit and your mind immediately shifts to, "What the heck did I get myself into?" The first time I ever tried it, I only got through the second circuit before I had to quit. I was dripping in sweat and my legs were shaking so hard I could barely stand. I couldn't fathom how anyone could do the whole thing all the way through when I had to "phone it in" not even a third of the way in.

But I kept at it. After about two weeks, I could get through four circuits. I was still nearly dead at the end, but I was improving and getting stronger each time. For one thing, I could finally do more than one burpee! I also noticed that my posture improved and most importantly, my pain was all but gone.

I have been doing this workout a couple of times a week since August (had to take a few breaks during periods of illness) and I still can only get through five circuits. But I'm OK with that because I'm satisfied with how I feel at this point. I will say that during my breaks, my pain came back full-force and I didn't feel as good as I had before. That's pretty telling.

The video has its flaws -- Jillian sometimes talks about how a certain move will improve the appearance of a particular body part ("It gets rid of those saddlebags that none of us chicks love") but for the most part, she talks about gaining strength and feeling alive. That, for me, is the whole point of exercise. Not to look a certain way, but to feel better. Jillian is also known for being quite harsh, but I feel like she's not nearly as mean in this video as she is on The Biggest Loser.

Now, why am I writing this post? Well, lucky for you, this entire workout is on the BeFit YouTube channel (BeFit is part of Lionsgate, the company that produces Jillian's workout). So you can do it any time! Check it out.

How would YOU describe your features?

You may have seen this video campaign by Dove going around the Internet. It's called Real Beauty Sketches and it's absolutely fascinating. It really resonated with me as I have recently accepted the challenge to love my whole body, even the flaws. You HAVE to watch it. If you're anything like me, you'll be a puddle before the end.

I became more and more discouraged throughout the video as each woman -- all very beautiful in my opinion -- exaggerated her flaws to the forensic artist in various tones of resentment and distaste. How were they seeing those things in themselves? Things I hadn't even noticed. And I observed how they isolated these features and targeted them in a demeaning way, whereas when the strangers were asked to comment on the same features, they were much more complimentary and admiring in their communication.

It got me thinking -- how would I have described myself? Sadly, I know what I would have said. "I have a really small, upturned nose. Like a pug dog. Bags under my eyes. Small, wide-set eyes. Big teeth. A huge forehead."

Yep, just like those ladies in the video, I would have pinpointed what I perceive to be negative features and emphasized them, completely omitting the fact I have a radiantly huge smile, apple cheeks, full and pretty lips and expressive, sparkly eyes.

Why do we do this? Do we feel like we aren't allowed to see beauty in ourselves for fear that we will become vain and selfish? Do we feel undeserving of the beauty we possess? Are we conditioned to feel this way as a result of how others -- our parents, friends, teachers -- communicated to us as children and teenagers? Do we foolishly compare ourselves to the airbrushed, surgically-enhanced and heavily made-up faces in magazines and on television?

I believe it's all these things and more.

I want you to watch this video and put yourself in those women's shoes. What would you tell the artist about yourself? What important details would you leave out in fear of being perceived as vain? Also, think about what you would tell the artist about someone you love and admire -- your mother, your sister, your best friend. In describing them, would you capitalize on their imperfections or focus on those features that make them truly beautiful to you? You know the answer.

I'm glad Dove is talking about this in such an eye-opening yet constructive way. You go, Dove. We all need to hear it. All women are beautiful, but so many of us don't know it. Let's help each other see the beauty within ourselves. Give someone a heartfelt compliment today and tell them they're gorgeous. We can do this!