Yep!

This blog is not so great. I don't blog daily. So I have started a new blog...no rhyme or reason...just because. anyway. it's found at tstarrlivingthedream.blogspot.com

yep yep!

Pics yo.

So um...well... I have had a request to blog. It has been a while. My friend asked me once..."What is daily about your blog?" That is a valid question. Nothing is daily about it.

Ten Pictures I heart:

1.) Eating out is a joy:

2.) You know you have good friends when they come to freaking Nebraska to visit you! Thanks Teenah (and Amy) and Tamaroo!

3.) My coworker and I have a whiteboard drawing competition daily. I usually (do not) win!

4.) My arm got sunburnt...with a T in it...random!

5.) Sometimes you gotta copy people...when they be looking real good!

6.) If Mormon missionaries come to your door...just let them in. Look how fun they are!

7.) My favorite person in the world picking my favorite fruit in the world...(Sadie and raspberries!)

8.) My sweet new cell phone. Don't be jealous!

9.) My family + the Virgin Islands= legitness.

10.) Maybe the best thing that ever happened to Lincoln.


11.) no picture. Just trust. Living the dream is treating me well!

Press On!
-TStarr

game on

my life as of late:

1.) Ludafish died. We got a new fish...Sunshineeeeee (as said on the movie Remeber the Titans)...new fish died. We are now a fishless house as for now...

2.) Easter Candy has ruined my life in the best way possible. I love it and I ate a lot of it...a stinking lot!

3.) I decided to stop blogging...apparently, it's only part way working.

4.) I went to Les Miserables. Um. Seriously. I am in L-O-V-E with it. So wonderful...

5.) I got hit by a car as I was crossing a crosswalk...no for reals. It's a pretty good story.

6.) I am not addicted to Glee...it often makes me unrelatable to people in my age group.

7.) Becoming the relief society president for the singles ward has been a wild ride...mostly for the bishop.

8.) I tried to learn how to speak southern from my aunt and uncle...I failed miserably but learned a new phrase from my uncle..."The Pig's whistle" it means something is really legit.

9.) I got all crafty... I tied bows on these little bags for Relief Society and I helped sew Melissa's tshirt quilt.
9...take two.) by "helped sew" I mean I did like 5 -7.293 inches and it was totally not straight at all and well...I blame the lazy eye.

10.) I rode an elephant from the circus when it was in town...okay, that's a lie but I wish it was true.

11.) I lived the dream a lot of the time...

onward and upward. -t.

Believe...

So. I know that last post wasn't that great. My sister, Melissa, said and I quote, "You didn't even put who the quotes were by..." Yes, indeed, she does make a valid point. I am over it though. Mostly I just loved the quotes by those people...so that blog was for me.

Moving on...

Our friend, Anneli, was in town a while back and I was telling her that I only believed in 2 things in life...1. Sanuk Shoes and 2. Simply Orange orange juice. Her response..."Uh...don't you believe in the Gospel?" Well, yes, yes, I do believe in the Gospel. Anyway, I thought it would be fun for me to try and think of things I "believe" in... not like core values, because I am not a core value/deep inspiration type of blogger. This will mostly be a list of material/worldly things I believe in...take that for what it's worth. Let's hope I'm not really this materialistic in real life...just in fake blogging world life...

I believe in...

1.) Sanuk shoes. They are a brand of amazingness. I have like 4 pairs & one day I hope they are all I wear. They are SOOO (emphasis on the so...apparently) comfy and nice to wear. I dislike wearing flip flops...they are never comfortable and well they usually make me hate life and my feet after a day in them...until you meet the Sanuk YOGA mat flip flops. Changed my life...yes they did. Thank you I can now be an average person and wear flip flops all throughout the summer days. (Some winter days too...if the snow isn't that deep.)

2.) Simply Orange juice. Anywhere from pulp free to the kind where you have to chew the pulp...I'll drink it either way. It is what we would call De to the Lish. I love it. Any other orange juice is a waste of calories and time. Simply Orange may be a waste of calories...but never EVER a waste of time or taste.

3.) Burts Bees chapstick. Dry lips are for the birds and this brand definitely takes care of that problem. I thought all chapsticks were created equal but that is a falsehood. I now prefer only burts bees. It does the job with better quality than other chapstick. Thank you also for not testing your product on animals. Or something.

Ok folks...this is when I start stretching it for things I 'believe' in...

4.) The iPhone. When I went to get a new phone last summer the last thing I thought I would walk out with was an iphone...but alas, that's what I have. I appreciate the iphone for giving me hours of entertainment and for helping me have something to look at or pretend to look at or listen to or pretend to listen to when I want to avoid partaking in conversation with the rest of humanity.

5.) Chewing gum. I believe in it as a whole. Some types are better than others. Some flavors I prefer over others. I do not appreciate cinnamon types...I do not believe in that. at. stinking. all. But chewing gum is something I definitely adore. Some people think it is a bad habit in public situations (mama J)...I on the other hand, don't feel this way. So I will continue to chew gum. It's a free country still...until you step in discarded chewing gum and have to buy new shoes. Be kind...throw it away in a proper place.

6.) I believe in songs that have words. Instrumental music is okay but I struggle with it. I am really trying to learn to like it more...but it is hard for me. I prefer/believe in listening to music with words. That's just me and my ridiculousness. I am not trying to offend people out there. Anyway, give me some musicia with words and I am good to go.

7.) I believe in adding random espanol words in my everyday language. I feel like it adds a little spice to life and talking. Plus sometimes I just like the reaction of it all. This should not be shocking for all of you who know me. Que bueno.

8.) I believe the children are our future. If it's good enough for Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston. It's good enough for me.

9.) I believe in owning a truck. It hasn't happened to me personally yet...but I hope one day I can have claim to this adventure. Oh how I really want a truck. Dream big people...dream big.

10.) I believe in showering daily. Just a personal preference. My roomie, Shannon, sometimes tries to see how long she can keep me busy on Saturdays before I shower... but it will not work. I know her game. I will win and I will shower. Anything else is failure...and stinky.

11.) I believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And. I love this Gospel. Seriously. It makes me think. It helps me have hope. It enlightens me. It enlivens me. It gives me better perspective. It makes me kinder and better and truer. It fills my voids. It makes me happy. It brings joy and satisfaction. It calms my fears. It conquers my inadequacies. It makes me work. It stretches and strengthens me. It defines my goals. It is what I hope to become. I love this Gospel. The end.

So. This was a weird blog. But it is late and I am going to bed because I, for sure, believe in SLEEP!
Adios. -Estrella.

Quotes I wanna recall...

Quotes from hilarious people in my life...


1. "I don't even know how to play rock, paper, stone."

2. "Coupon keepin on"

3. "Honey, something's wrong with your pop. It tastes like dirt with NO carbonation."

4. "I could hear the hair on his chest."

5. "She is taller like my mom and...uh....thicker"

6. "There's only two things money can't buy...Homegrown tomatoes and true love."

7. Question: "Who is the prettiest? Mom or Dad?" Response: "TSTARR"

8. "Do you hear the words coming out of my mouth?" "Nope"

9. "She said she was at a bach party....I dunno why...oh a BACEHERLOTTE party."

10. "It's the kinda canasta you wanna take to the temple"

11. "I already paid you 300 in pixy dust!"

Slack Attack

Why was I slacker for November and December?
Ooohh ohhh. Let me answer....because. You see. I had to write the family Christmas letter. It's a task when the familia doesn't change that much. So I am taking a top ten mini vacay and just putting on here the christmas letter instead of a top ten list. It'll suffice. Trust.
It's so long. If you only care about certain individuals....namely me or my fish...just go to my section. My fish didn't actually get a section. Next year....here's to hoping. :)


December 2010

People whom we adore,
     Hello. Can you believe 2010 is almost over? I am certainly in denial about the whole ordeal, for a few reasons. The year went so fast and well, the Starr family is plateauing when it comes to excitement and that means less material for the Starr Holiday letter. I gave everyone a week to do something really amazing that I could write about; the week came and went and all I heard about was that Melissa had finished her Christmas shopping. See what I am talking about with the excitement lacking a bit? Let’s try it out anyway. The family....

Pops. Oh gee, he just did some craziness this year. He followed the wife’s lead (and persuasion) and made the leap to get hearing aids. Poor guy...it now takes twice as much work to ignore us all. Bless his heart (and his ears). Pops decided to pound the pavement this year as well...he worked for the Census Bureau. Government agencies run in that man’s blood. It was a good time for him, and he met...um...a lot of interesting people. Pops is living a good life spending most of his time being a good ole dad and grandpa, and, every once in a while, we even let him sit all alone without his hearing aids and read a book.

Mama J is in love with her new hearing aids. Who knew hearing the grandkids screaming could be so “joyous.” She is still working about 6 hours a week as a physical therapist...she gets to work just in time to leave. She went on so many trips this year that I thought she was trying to get a side job as a pilot. She keeps us all in order and even took on the challenge of getting us all in order for a family picture. It was a great adventure and she might have been the only one with a smile on at the end. We love our Mama J and when the mom is happy, everyone is happy.

The Habel Clan. They are a busy bunch with probably the most excitement. We all look to them to keep us guessing and for the free entertainment. Nate has been busy with his job and his business. He got a little crazy this year and decided to take Abby and Mia on a road trip to South Carolina...ALONE! That’s a bold move, and he now will forever have my respect. I think he had a good time especially because he got to learn all of the words to the songs from “Annie.” That is a skill that will forever come in handy. Nate did get a sweet ride this year...a Studebaker. Dreams do come true. Catherine also got a little crazy this year and has been taking care of 4 kids under the age of 5. It’s a lot of organized chaos and a lot of boogers. Disgusting right? She is a good mom to those kiddos, and the State of Nebraska’s foster care system should be proud. I would write about all the vacations she took, but we realized she only left the state one day this year to go to Kansas City. Hmm. She does have a new adventure though. The church asked her to work with the cub scouts program. The outfit is very “flattering.” Again...dreams do come true.

Abby is now 5 and full of spunk. She started kindergarten this year. She is becoming very logical and smart. She informed me the other day that I was to the left of her. What 5 year old knows that? I’m scared she will surpass us all soon enough. At least we can read. Take that kid. We enjoy hearing about all her activities with school, swimming lessons, being the big sister, church, etc. etc. etc. She keeps us well informed, and we certainly appreciate that.

Miss M is 3 and is full of fun. She started preschool this year and gets to take the bus. That’s a big deal around these parts...if you are 3 to 5 years old. She sang a song from Les Miserables to us the other day... that was highly impressive, and we are hoping for a Broadway star in the near future. Be on the lookout. We love her and pray that we can adopt her soon. The process is slow (and just plain annoying sometimes) but her smile and even the time out moments keep us motivated.

Baby D is 1 now and had a fun year of firsts. She learned to crawl and finally decided that walking isn’t so hard and scary. She is moving all over the place and is SO dang cute. She doesn’t talk much yet, but around our baby hungry family, she couldn’t get a word in edgewise anyhow. Besides, she doesn’t need to talk when we all dote on her every need. We love this foster kid something fierce.

And introducing a new foster babe....Lil A. Lil A is Baby D's half sister and was born in July. She’d cried 24/7 for a long while, but we think she is on her way to cuteness now. Baby D loves giving her sister kisses and Lil A mostly just loves the wind going through her lungs and the sound of her own scream. She really is cute and we do think she is something special.
So, there you have it. I tell ya...those Habel’s are something else. (Hopefully, Mama J included a pic so you can see those cute kiddos that we love and adore.)

Melissa is still around. She found a new hobby this year (which she should probably turn into a business). She writes email complaints to companies when they screw up things for us. But seriously, Melissa really has been busy this year. Her work has given her the opportunity to teach at the community college about physical therapy...or something. She also helps at her alma mater, Creighton, with labs and interviews for prospective students. She works hard so she can play hard. She traveled with me to Utah for ten days, she went to Virginia a couple times this year, and she went to Arizona. She is definitely living it up...I guess that’s what happens when you write email complaints to airlines as a side job.

As for me, Theresa, life is seriously legit. Work time and play time are pretty much the same as last year (which works for me). I also tried a new hobby this year...the lost art of stick shift driving. Those in the car have never been so grateful for seat belts. But, it certainly is a fun way to drive. I also did something that I hope to never do again...I was the maid of honor in my friend’s wedding. Getting all gussied up and standing around smiling in pictures is for the birds, but I was happy to be a part of it all. I also got to travel around for friend’s weddings in Chicago and in Utah. Ten days in Utah with Melissa and we didn’t fight once! That’s a serious record. We are just getting so big. Life is stellar. I love it!

We are a very blessed and happy family. We love having each other so close and the opportunity to spend lots of time together. We also enjoy visitors...hint, hint. We hope all is going well for each of you and may you know that we care and love you. God Bless you at this time and throughout the future. Happy happy 2011! Have fun. Be good and mostly just Live the Dream!
-TStarr

october

fail. I fail at having a blog. ten reasons why...
1. i am lazy
2. i don't recall how to put pics on here and it BUGS me.
3. no one really reads this.
4. i think of brilliant things to put on here and well...just never do it.
5. the stories of my life work good with my vocal chords....in person.
6. the stories of my life work better with my facial expressions....in person.
7. the stories of my life work best with my lazy eye....in person
8. this year has FLOWN by. fastest year of my life. does life always go this fast when you grow up?
9. see numero uno.
10. i work on a computer all day and well...therefore, don't always wanna be on one when i get home.
11. sometimes being a failure is more exciting than being successful. (what an excuse....ba ha ha.)

although, my goal was to blog once a month this year. i think i have won that so far. think being the key word.

good day yo

-tds.