grandpa? what big teeth you have...

Yesterday I was sitting at work when my phone began to ring. I had an incoming call from an unknown number and because I'm always more curious than worried about that type of stuff, I answered. The following conversation happened.


"Hello?"

"...hi. Is this K...."
(it was muffled so I couldn't hear, but it sounded like Caroline)

"Oh, no, this is her sister, Rachel."

"Oh, Rachel! How's it going? I must have dialed your home number on accident."

"Um, no, this is my cell phone. Ha..."
(I'm uneasy at this point because this person obviously knows me and I have no idea who it is)
oh, and you're welcome for the commentary. continuing on...

(A conversation in which I attempt to explain what is happening even though I have no idea what is happening follows. What stranger knows about me and my sister?! I decided to find out.)

"Um, I'm really sorry but who is this?"

"Oh, Rachel, it's grandpa!"

"...Oh my gosh! Grandpa! I'm so sorry, my speaker must be messed up because your voice sounds so different. Are you feeling ok? Do you have a cold or anything?"

"No, I'm ok. That's interesting though. Well, I'm trying to get ahold of your dad. But obviously have the wrong number. Where can I reach him?"

(I proceed to give him my dad's cell phone number, bantering as only grandfathers and granddaughters do)

"When did all of this change? This is a completely different number than I have for him."

"I don't know what you mean. This is what it's always been grandpa. Maybe you're looking at Uncle Mike's number or something?"

"Mike? Wait...how old are you?"

"Grandpa...hahaha I'm 21! You should know that. Come on grandpa."

(silence)

"Is this the Richardson residence?"

"Um....no...." 
(finally starting to realize something's wrong)

"Oh my goodness. I'm not your grandpa."

"Oh."

The conversation awkwardly ended with me almost saying "love you," because in my head I was still talking to my grandpa. After barely avoiding that and wishing each other a happy life full of pinatas, fairy dust, and everything happy, I hung up and proceeded to collapse against the filing cabinet, laughing so hard I couldn't stay upright.

THE END.


peace and pertussis symptoms
curse you immunizations. i am obviously not immune to you.

rrw


And since it's Tuesday, the worst day of the week in my opinion, let's listen to some music.

welcome to june

Taylor Swift came to Salt Lake and it was a big deal and lives were changed and tears were shed.

In other, less important news, I went on an adventure Saturday morning because I woke up and felt super antsy. I learned how to navigate American Fork probably not as difficult as i was making it discovered that you have to pay to go up the canyon there, was totally turned off by that, decided to hike for free somewhere in the wilderness, did so, and came up with a life plan in case I were to get bit by a rattlesnake and have to have a leg amputated. the things i think about when i hike. i tell ya. it's deep.

Then I helped a friend move, packed for next week's vacation, forgot my swimming suits i ALWAYS forget something. at least it wasn't underwear this time. #familywillneverletthatgo #sheesh picked up my friend Tracie, and went to Salt Lake. I seriously love that city. We admired all the brides swarming the temple grounds, enjoyed the wonderful weather, and stuffed ourselves at the Lion House Pantry ok, only i did. but you can't say no to one of those rolls and honeybutter. just can't. unless you're Tracie. 

I had a great time showing Tracie the Salt Lake temple, telling her about when I saw the entire Quorum of the 12 and First Presidency there, how to get to the cafeteria, the tiny bathroom and super cool doorhandles. You know, all the important stuff. I realized I had missed that temple more than I thought. It was great to be back. 

Then we relaxed in the hammock at my parents home, I talked with an old friend on the phone loving this whole missionary-coming-home thing that's going on all summer we did our hair and makeup like we were right out of a cheesy Hairspray or High School Musical movie, and went to a wedding reception with Italian Sodas and really good meatballs. We danced, ate cake, and I met a cool guy going to Ukraine with me in the Fall yesssssssssssss. i'll have a friend there. maybe he'll keep me safe-ish. 

whatever. i'm going to be fine. i got my immunizations today. i'm untouchable. 

We returned to the Weiler residence where we spent time bantering with Caroline and making a new game called "Grab the Flab" easy for me and my dad to play. difficult with Caroline. i mean, LOOK AT HER.

this picture scares me. we all agreed that it was a bad angle and that her legs don't actually look like that. but it's funny to bring up the fact that she looks like a newborn colt in this thing. :) love you caroline. promise.

where was i?

Right. Grab the Flab. Well, after that, Tracie and I went back to Provo and had some good heart to hearts on the drive down.

also, let me clarify that Tracie didn't participate in the Grab the Flab game with us. we're crazy, but not THAT crazy.

The next day I woke up, went to church, was extremely grateful for the things I learned there, got in the car, and made my way back to Salt Lake to have dinner with Spencer and Annie, who just returned from a climbing trip to Greece. yeah. i walked up a hill this weekend. they got nothing on me. They had some fun pictures and videos to show us. We even figured out how to show them on the TV without the help of Wes, our technology guru. we missed you burninghams. 

After sitting on the red couches in our basement - which are things of beauty and wonder and are not allowed to leave our ownership ever - we were all challenged to a game of croquet by Spencer. That was entertaining. Mainly because Spencer got a ton of lucky shots and overreacted with his celebratory dances and electric guitar moves on the croquet mallet. It's normal. But really, it is.

It was the perfect weekend to sendoff May 2013 and welcome June 2013. I have such a good life, you know?

Oh, and in case you didn't know, Taylor Swift came to Salt Lake City. It was a big deal.

peace and peanut butter cookies

made and ate all of those with the fam.

rrw

PS. Want to feel bad about the amount of physical activity you do each day? Click here to read about my brother and sister in law.

To specifically read about their trip to Greece click here.

They had a professional photographer or something with them there. I can't wait to see those photos. You better believe I'll link those up when they come. So...stay tuned.

Here's a teaser from Spence's blog.

4 Pics 1 Week

-Mountains, trees, hiking...I mean come on! Summer is here. Get out there and take in the vistas. I suggest Glacier National Park surprise surprise but Logan Canyon, Millcreek Canyon, and even Provo Canyon have some pretty fantastic areas if driving 14+ hours isn't in your weekend plans. My goal is to find some new trails this summer because this whole sitting-in-a-chair-all-day thing is killing me. Kind of.

-Sorry for all those who are grossed out by feet holla atcha jr high friends and those who are just grossed out by MY feet ....sisters.... but I have had some pretty successful dirt/tan lines going on this week. This is nothing compared to my sister-in-law's Chaco lines though. She's so cool.

-Batman was spotted at the nearby Macey's on Tuesday.

-Met up with these lovelies for some frozen yogurt and to catch up on their lives. sorry boys, both are taken.  I was extremely please with my cold concoction of Cookies...you know what, never mind. I can think of nothing more boring than reading about what someone else decided to put in their dairy product. So just enjoy the picture, which shows that my #nomakeupmonday became #nomakeupanyday this week. It happens.

peace

rrw

we have words for a reason

So, like any good twenty and older girl without a boyfriend, I have dedicated a larger portion of my life than I care to admit to the fabricated affection of others via reality television. But let's get real, nothing in these things is real. Except for the real bewilderment I feel towards the disappearing act of so many women's eyebrows. But...that's a different tangent.

I've been watching this truly terrible show. I just can't stop. It's basically a Bachelor spin off with less traveling, no roses, fewer cat fights, and no Chris Harrison. i really don't know why i even watch it. In it, three guys date numerous women and then send them home one by one. And I've noticed a trend in these girls that is seriously driving me crazy. They all tell this man how in love they are with him, are very generous in their show of physical affection, and plan their lives out with this man. Then the man sends them on their way and in their few moments to say goodbye all the girls say is "It's ok. It's ok. I understand...."

And I'm all like "WHAT?"
You had already named your children with this guy.
How are you NOT slapping him in the face?
He kissed you good, like, yesterday.

Ok. Sure, they went into this knowing what was in store. And like I said, it's all fake, but I mean really?

The few times I have experienced a guy "sending me home" I was not ok and I was not about to make him feel like everything was fine and dandy. I mean, I tried not to go all girly cray-cray on them, but I tried my best to stand up for myself. Not just say "It's ok. It's ok. You're a great guy and only good things will come to you and I'm just going to stew over this for the next 8 and a half months and tear myself apart about it but for your sake, it's ok. I understand."

NO.
Use your words people. And if you don't have a broad enough vocabulary for it, then buy a dictionary.

peace and rants

rrw

4 Pics 1 Week

Ok. So it's not Friday. And I kind of thought I would do this type of post each Friday. But I just didn't. And I'm doing it now. So deal. please?

-The BYU Bookstore literally sells everything. And sometimes you just have to wonder why. Why are you trying to get college students to buy ridiculous things they don't need? Like a backpack that looks like a plaid shirt? Ok. So that one makes sense. But it's about the only thing that does. i'm thinking their target audience must be all the EFY kids that are about to invade campus. they need that teeny tiny pen that has a cat head as a grip in order to remember their time spent here. obviously.

ps. look at that cute bride to be! her dress is a lot prettier than that backpack. trust me. i've seen it. #maidofhonor

-Summer is here and the hiking has commenced. I have this thing where I wear sandals everywhere wait, is that like, the name of this blog or something? and this rule absolutely applies to hiking. I love having my feet dirty. I know, it's weird, but whatever. Plus when you get to hike with pretty people like my Tracie friend, it's just a double bonus.

-Wow. So I realized that all three of my favorite friends are in these pictures. i'm waiting for the day when they all meet and we all become the best of friends. it's going to happen. even if that day is my wedding day. no. i am not getting married anytime soon. Lindsay and I started a scooter gang because I mean, what else are super intimidating white girls supposed to do? PS. You want a natural high? Get a scooter. It is impossible to frown while riding such a blessed vehicle.

-Oh look, we went hiking! We never do that. jklolhags The four of us went to Logan to enjoy that place, be with the pony, and hike. This trail was a beauty. 10 miles in perfect temperature, on lovely single track, alongside a stream/river/brook...natural water feature, with the destination point being some super cool tree that's older than your 1500 year old grandma. apparently this thing was a sapling when the pyramids were being built. #treesforever. 

Oh. And if you really have a 1500 year old grandma, I want to meet her so I can ask what life was like before cheese quesadillas.


My life is so good. I mean...what?

And since it's Tuesday....

You can't listen to this and not feel just...cool. So go ahead. Feel cool.

peace and rain showers

it smells so good out there

rrw

humans are cool

I'm in one of these moods where I just want to write. I think it's probably because I've been looking at Humans of New York for too long and seeing all the different types of people on there gets in me in an expressive state of mind. I probably should stop looking at that website because it makes me want to be a liberal. And we all know that it's completely unacceptable for a middle class, Caucasian, BYU student whose dad works in the finance field to be a liberal. Plus I would be the worst liberal because the most eccentric article of clothing in my wardrobe is a pair of neon pink shoes with green polo players printed on them. (I think they're a Ralph Lauren knockoff or something. But I don't know enough about clothes and brands to be sure.)

One of my favorites from Humans of New York.

I want to be that woman someday.

I'm going to have to start stretching now though.

In other news, my friend Tracie and I discovered the place for single girls to eat. Firehouse Subs. Seriously, we went there last night and were two of three girls in the entire place. Sure, there was obviously a Young Men's activity happening so most of the population was under 18, but there were others who were older. Promise! We decided that while girls prefer Zupas guilty! that pulled pork sandwich just can't be beat the boys seem to choose this place.

So...maybe we'll go back there in the future.

Oh, and I curled my eyelashes for the first time this morning? I felt like a Bionicle Woman with that contraption up against my face. And I thought, "Who in the world came up with the idea, 'I'm going to clamp metal and rubber against my eyelashes, in severely close proximity to my eyeball-the means through which I observe the world around me-because then I'll look pretty.'?" <---- holy monoly, how does the punctuation work right there?

Anyway, curling your eyelashes is a completely ridiculous concept that has some seriously devastating potential outcomes.

I'll probably keep doing it. Because dang, I feel pretty. heh heh heh.

peace and peeling
i'm like a freaking snake over here. disgusting.

rrw

tuesday tunes and travels

The song for today's tunes was chosen because if I could make a super artistic and cool video like people do about this past weekend, I would probably put it all to this song. Why? Because we love, love, love the arches. And camping. And each other. And sandal tan lines.

Ok. I'll stop rambling now. Here's the song.

Love, Love, Love by Avalanche City

 

So now that you have the music to the weekend, how about a few visuals? But first, I'm going to start with a statement of truth: If you hate Utah as many of my confused acquaintances do then you obviously haven't been to Moab or millcreek canyon. or the uintas. or capitol reef, bear lake, cache valley, the cottonwood canyons, or downtown slc. but...i digress. It's impossible to go Moab and not feel like something magical is about to happen-like Indiana Jones being around the next bend in the trail, Stanley Yelnats about to offer you onions and Sploosh, or looking in the mirror and realizing you suddenly have dreadlocks.

This was either my 6th or 14th time visiting and I enjoyed it just as much as if it had been my first. There was no parental guidance because heck, we're adults now! Sure, we forgot the utensils and had to eat all our food with our hands. And yeah, we weren't super great at planning meals so we might have visited the grocery store 4 times. Maybe I ended up throwing things in the back of Sneaky because I just couldn't get everything to fit nicely like my dad does and maybe we got lost trying to find our campsite.

But we ate relatively healthy minus the 9 smores saturday night and rose before 8am every day i even went running. practically died, but still. We drove halfway across the state without one mistake, including a joyful jaunt to Goblin Valley, put our own tent up, including the rain guard and stakes, packed our own lunches, replenished our own water, kept track of our own things, and flirted with boys on the trails, which would have never happened if parents were there well, lindsay and i flirted. I personally taught myself how to put the backpacking propane-powered stove together and cooked meals on it, started the fire and kept it alive for 5 and half hours, and used paper maps to find where we needed to go. Kudos to the parents for teaching me well.

A few themes/moments from the trip were as follows:

-Naked Juice and all the jokes that inevitably follow such a purchase
-Bickering like an old married couple, only to laugh hysterically about it three minutes later
-R Kelly's "World's Greatest," because that is THE BEST song to sing while hiking. case closed.
-Lindsay's new Chacos and the love-hate relationship she had with them
-My love-love relationship with Chris Pine in the new Star Trek show. LOVED IT.
-Mental breakdowns at the grocery store
-Seeing naked, old men on the trails i'm just...not going to get into detail on that one
-Trail games like "20 questions" "rhymin' time" "let's tell a story" and "word for word."
-My backside and Zumba hips? it happened.  don't question.
-Speaking chipmunk
-Arrested Development, Simpsons, and King of the Hill references. None of which I got.
-Bonding over deep questions around the campfire
-Watching the engaged couple interact because they might be the most entertaining people I've ever been around
-Adventure Pants from Slovakia
-Learning Slovak, Tahitian, and French. i remember nothing
-Dance parties under the arches
-The gems of wisdom that you could only experience at a stake conference in Moab


And now I give you a bazillion pictures. Admire our beauty.

come at me bro

no. you don't understand how unbelievable this was.

self-timer. boom.

they're a boy band with girls in it

i'll take that awkward-fifth-wheel-pose-in-the-front any day.

engaged. enlove.

e.p.i.c.

model shots at delicate arch.

peace and Arches National Park

rrw