ONE

Here it is my last full day as a single lady. It makes me want to listen to some Beyonce songs... my roommate Christina and I know that Beyonce has a great way of making single women feel empowered, and like they want to shake their booties (which I know I have said this before, you really should do that a little each day!!)

What am amazing roller coaster ride this single life has been. As I look back at it all I can not help but recognize the INCREDIBLE women that have been in my life. From elementary school to now, I have had girls to share my late night secrets with, get into a little trouble with... :), giggle incessantly about things that aren't funny, over-anylyze relationships, try to understand what men are thinking, discover life, create things with, laugh with, cry with, dance with, strengthen faith with, and learn more about what it means to be a women and who I REALLY am.

So this morning I look back and remember you Krystal Shonka, Heather Johnson, Angee Jaroscack, Natalie Wolfbauer, Megan Klossner, Michelle Erickson, Lindsey Olson, Sara Arne, Gina Harris, Linsdsey Neumann, Sara Burboch... ALL of my missionary companions, Pam Koyle, Laurie Hammer, Jenet Jacobs, Sara Ware, Kristy Benjamin, Jenny Paynter, Melinda Keefe, Christina Stuetz, Eliza Steele, Chelsea Sachs, Sara Burboch, Christy Pagles and pretty much everyone in the Dinkytown Relief Society... MY MOM!!!!! Beth, Katie Merrick, Julia McDonald, Megan, Joni and Toni Call, My Grandma Krause, Aunt Becky, Mary-JO and Liza... I really think this could go on and on and on. You get the idea, and if there is anyone I left out know that you ALSO have made a difference in my life.

I can honestly say that I am moving forward, confidently in the direction of my dreams. I know that Charles is going to be the best husband EVER! I am aware though that I will still NEED many incredible women in my life and I hope these relationships will still continue to be a source of great strength in my life.

And here it is... a last little bit of relationship advice... this is perhaps the best and most meaningful, because it comes from the greatest source of advice in the universe.

"Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be ONE flesh... I say unto you, be ONE: and if ye are not ONE ye are not mine."

(Genesis 2:24 and Doctrine and Covenants 38:27)

*** I should also note that I also enjoy Genesis 2:25... I will let you look that one up.

You probably wont hear from me until long after the honeymoon, when I shall emerge a new women... with a new name even. Till then my faithful Blog readers. I LOVE YOU!

Tacy Marie

It takes 2

Two days until the wedding...

And fittingly enough here are 2 pieces of marital advice I have received...

"Have Fun!!"
- My 12 year old cousin Ellen

"Be Open,
Work it out,
and when you are frustrated breath down to your toes."
-Auntie Liza

And then there was 3

To bed after 1:00, and up at 6:00... I tried to go back asleep but the mind racing had begun... the lists began formulating, and out of the corner of my eye I caught the piles of my life that need to be sorted through and put into boxes. Moving is always an interesting endeavor, it is a trip down memory lane, but also an interesting insight into what matters most to you. I have been throwing things away and sending stuff to the thrift store in mass quantities. Very little of my "things" mean anything to me... I think I should just keep my scriptures and running shoes and toss the rest. Ok, so maybe underwear and clothes might be nice to keep as well.


I did a little mind numbing Blog surfin' this morning to fully wake myself up. I found this picture of a print by Louise Bourgeois, and it spoke to my soul....





Here are a few other things that inspired me this morning, I hope they can be a nice distraction for you and whatever you have racing through your brain...

A Mango

Right when I woke up I walked into the kitchen and devoured the most juicy and delicious mango,

I wish I had another one.

A poem

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in my heart)

i am never without it(anywhere

i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done

by only me is your doing, my darling)

i know

no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet)i want

no world(for beautiful you are my world,

my true)and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant

and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows

(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud

and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows

higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)

and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

-ee Cummings

(the original poem said "I fear" but I changed it to I know, because I really don't have anything to fear.)

A Post Secret

I am waiting for Saturday at 10:00 am, what are you waiting for?

4th and Goal

4 days till we tie the knot, get hitched, ring the bell, jump the broom, take the plunge... wed, unite, unify... (insert other cleaver synonyms here). Today was a roller coaster ride of emotions, for a lot of reasons... but mostly because everything is just falling into place so perfectly, like this incredibly beautiful fairytale. I even get to wear a fancy princess dress!!! Thanks to Chuck for helping all of my dreams to come true... what a guy!

As a side note:
Did you know that for most of my life I have avoided buying white clothing due to the fact that I almost always spill something on myself... it will be interesting to have a full blown white outfit on... good thing we are not serving sloppy Joe's and red Kool-aid.

Today's bit of marital advice...

"Always be yourself, and never stop laughing together!"

-- Cousin Jenny

T minus 5 days

Here it is the official I am getting married countdown.


School is done.... AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! I will have to let you know what my report card is when I finally get it. Hopefully it is not too shameful and Chuck and I will be able to hang it on our fridge.

So I awoke this morning to an amazing feeling.... I had no obligations. I have errands to run, but I can do them when and where I want to, no rushing around. What a good feeling. I am about to read a book, that I WANT to read, FOR FUN!!!!! Almost four months of text-book free life coming my way.



Just for fun I am going to share with you a bit of marriage advice I have received over the last few weeks everyday until the wedding... And if you have anymore I would love it!

"Always show love and affection, and be forgiving."

--Grandma Denny

Finally Finals

Hours and hours of studying.... it's so hard for a girl to keep her mind focused. Did I mention to anyone that I am getting married in 8 days!!!!!!! (Scream, gasp, sigh, faint). My roommate and I were camped out in the living room the other day putting in diligent hours of finals prep. Those who know me know that I can not sit still to save my life. This condition is worsened when I am doing incredibly mundane and boring things, like re-listening to course lectures online and reviewing notes.

My roommate turned away from her computer to find me in this position... and we started laughing. We decided to document it... yes it was really uncomfortable and that is precisely why I was in this position.... no pain no gain. If I get cozy with a book, it will no doubt only be moments until I am snoozing.

Only 1 final to go... the dreaded Microbiology. Then I have a whole week to prepare for the big day, I have tried to not have too many little details to take care of. My mom is pretty much finished with the dress (can't wait to show you all the amazing job that she did). More wedding day updates to come this week.

Hope your finals went well... and if you have any left, GOOD LUCK!!!!

My life in Bags

I am sure some of you will remember a post that I wrote a few months ago entitled My life in Piles. However I have since switched from piles to bags because it seems I am constantly on the move and needed a way to transport my piles. I am in essence a bag lady, and as such I thought I would spotlight the current bags in my life.

Ahhhh, the lower back friendly air bag... purchased on my mission and sold at your local shoe store. I like to carry my scriptures in here when I am on the go... in essence it is my "Sporty Scripture bag"

This sparkly little number is a new addition, received at a bridal shower and stuffed with all of the lotions and body sprays my little heart could ever desire.

Gym Bag... turned overnight bag.



This is the Sunday Scripture bag... used to haul my journals, pencils, tissues, lip gloss (never leave home without it!) and many other goodies that I may need during a 3 hour church block.

Black and white stripped make up bag.... an oldie but goodie. ALSO essential in overnights, filled with make-up, picks, bobby pins, Q-tips, contact stuff etc...

Who could survive with out a perfume bag, and another small little bag that matches your make-up bag to stick random things in like rings and hair binders.

The Hawaiian print nail care kit, home to my monkey head toe spacers.... I love painting my toe nails.

The Back Pack... (aka The Back Killer) which THANK GOODNESS, will be retired for the summer in just a few short days. This is pretty much a permanent attachment to my body during the school year. Also purchased on my mission at the good ole' MTC.

My NEW pink and orange polka dot make-up bag... also full of new make-up received at bridal showers and my Bare Essentials kit that my mom got for me (as a side note it really is the best foundation make-up ever created).

And last but definitely not least, my brown leather purse... on sale at Macy's. This used to be home to my moola... but it now just filled with receipts and credit cards I really should cut up. However now it serves as my camera case, and transport to lip gloss and gum.

You would think that I would have devised some sort of way to consolidate. I feel so bad for Chuck who is always so very helpful to me... it seems everywhere we go he is hauling at least two of my bags and I usually have one in tow.

I think I ask myself this questions at least three times a day...

"Now which bag did I put that in?"

GET THAT CORN OUT OF MY FACE (part II)

Disclaimer: So for the past 24 hours I have read countless blogs and articles about High Fructose Corn Syrup, in addition to the discussions that I have at school about it, I feel like my braining is swimming with information that I need to release at this time. So this in essence is going to by my corn puke post... ewwww that sounds gross!!! HOWEVER, there are a few different ways in which I could present this information. I could present both sides of the story in a very unbiased fashion and encourage my readers to further research the topic for themselves and decide. Or I could present a completely biased opinion that expresses my views on the matter. I have chosen the later simply because this is my blog and I can write anything that I want on here. Yet I will say that I do encourage discussion on the matter. I should also note that while I do believe HFCS to be a contributing factor in the obesity epidemic in our country I am in no way claiming that it is the SOLE culprit... obesity is a much more complex issue.

I think I have previously expressed my feelings about HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrup). Basically I am one of the many people who have deemed it an evil food additive/sweetener. I think it is junk... and I don't want it in my food!!!! There are many people who will tell you, Oh it's made from corn and corn is natural so that makes it good (see these commercials put out by the corn growers association for more lies).

Stop me if I'm wrong but doesn't the word "Natural" imply that it comes from nature? I don't know if this is news to any of you out there but fructose does not come from corn naturally... people in large factories do make it.

So here's the science (and I just realized why by Biochemistry class was worthwhile)....

Corn is grown and processed into corn syrup which is almost entirely glucose (molecule shown below).

Next enzymes are added to turn glucose molecules into fructose (molecule shown below)

This changes the syrup to be roughly 90% fructose. And then manufacturers add glucose back in to give it the common ratios used in foods (HFCS 55 which is 55% fructose and HFCS 42). And I know you are saying to yourself well what is so bad about that... I mean Sucrose (common table sugar) is a combination of fructose and glucose molecules as well (molecule shown below)

Well here is the kicker, historically humans consumed about 16 -20 grams of fructose a day in the fruits they ate, however today the typical American diet contains 85 to 100 grams as High Fructose Corn Syrup is in a plethora of foods.
Fructose is metabolized in the body different than other sugars...



Basically fructose is absorbed into the body and processed by the liver. However if you notice in the upper right hand corner of this diagram there is "no control" mechanism for fructose. Meaning when you eat a ton of it there is nothing in your body that says "I think I've had just enough!" The problem is that HFCS inhibits leptin secretion, so you never get the message that you’re full. And it never shuts off gherin, so, even though you have food in your stomach, you constantly get the message that you’re hungry. Meaning that if you keep eating it you will eventually deplete the enzymes in your liver and can cause of build up of VLDL (which is the way your body transports fat around).

The exposure of the liver to such large quantities of fructose leads to rapid stimulation of lipogenesis (fat creation) and TG (triglyceride) accumulation, which in turn contributes to reduced insulin sensitivity and hepatic insulin resistance/glucose intolerance.

Hmmmm interesting that Obesity is on the rise and people are getting diabetes like crazy... Similarly If you plot the rise of HFCS in the American diet and compare it to a plot of the rise in American obesity you should see an amazing correlation.

SO now I will bullet point the reasons why I have decided not to eat HFCS because bullet points make things more interesting to read....

• I trust the opponents of HFCS because really they have nothing to gain, most of them are educated people who want to take care of their bodies and feed their children good food. They are looking for answers to some of the problems that are plaguing our country and looking to prevent them.
• The corn growers association and food manufacturers have a lot to lose however. If people reject HFCS they will lose lots of money. HFCS is cheaper to produce (because of government subsidies and sugar tariffs in the US) and because it is sweeter then sucrose they can use less of it to get the same effects. Oh course they want you to believe it is harmless!
• Studies in rats have shown that taking fructose in excess can cause problems including anemia, high cholesterol, heart hypertrophy, and delayed sexual development
• Massive corn growing is bad for the environment. The genetically modified corn used to produce HFCS requires more pesticides and chemical fertilizers than natural corn. It is also not a crop that is rotated, which severely depletes top soil quality.
• Making HFCS requires a lot of processing, and therefore energy. Other sweeteners can be produced with less input of energy and chemicals than HFCS.
• Fructose gets converted to fat more readily in the liver than any other sugar.
• Many beverages and other processed foods made with high-fructose corn syrup and other sweeteners are high in calories and low in nutritional value. Regularly including these products in your diet has the potential to promote obesity — which, in turn, promotes conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and coronary artery disease.

These past couple weeks I have been shocked to find it in more of my favorite foods. I seriously feel betrayed when I see it listed amongst the ingredients.

Here are some of the culprits...

SO delicious with Hummus, and yet so wickedly full of HFCS,

And perhaps most disappointingly....

You will note that I did not give you links to all of the articles that I read or gave references to all of the claims I made... frankly that would make this feel like a school assignment and I blog for fun and release. If you want to know if what I have just said is legit, well you are going to have to research it... 854,000 links to click if you google search it, that should keep you busy.

I am cutting myself off from the time being of researching this because I need to study for finals.

my liitle butter cup

Happy Cinco De Mayo everyone. For some reason in high school, my friends and I used to always have a big celebration on Cinco De Mayo... even though we had no idea what it was really about. We just wanted to have a reason to scream "HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO!!!" out of our car windows and throw a party. I think the Cinco De Mayo celebration that happens in Minnesota is primarily just an excuse for people to drink margaritas on a weekday.... it seems to be a very profitable night at the bars, kind of like people who aren't Irish getting all dressed up in green and acting like fools on St. Patricks Day. So if you are a caucasian getting all hyped up for Cinco De Mayo just know that you might stand out a little bit, just like the musical production of My LIttle Butter Cup sung to a bunch of Mexican outlaws. Enjoy. And please don't drink and drive.