Copying Shelly

My friend Shelly has started a blog for letters she has written. While I don't intend to start another blog, I thought it was a great idea to send letters (especially commending businesses for things I appreciate), and am including my first below.

Dear Dairy Queen,
Often I want ice cream, but portion sizes are way too big for me to eat myself, let alone for my health. Thank you for the new mini size blizzard that gives me the chance to satisfy my craving for ice cream without overindulging.
Thanks,

Janelle Bentz

Welcome fall!

I love the "fall" weather that has come to San Antonio. It's still hot during the days, but not the scorching, sweltering heat we've had all summer, and it cools down considerably at night. Enough so that I can open my windows and enjoy the fresh air. I've seen people in sweat shirts (though I think it's still too hot). The only thing that bothers me is this:

That little pollen level thing is probably why I've started sneezing. I guess it's time to start loading up on antihistamines.

I want one!

Check this out!

...but where would I keep it?

New sofa

Well, after about a year of debating the issue, I bought myself a new sofa. The one I have was given to me by a friend when I first moved here-the sentimental value is infinite, but I want something a little more permanent since I am after all no longer a college student. I'm taking baby steps toward grown-up hood, this is the next one. It should arrive sometime in the next two weeks. If you know anyone who needs a couch, they can have my old one:)

Woes

I got my hair cut yesterday. After thinking about it for a while, and realizing that the last time I had it cut was when I donated it in February (or was it January?), I decided that it was time for a trim, and maybe some long layers. Nothing too dramatic, just a little shape and less split ends. Something that would grow out well, as I love my hair long and have been anxiously waiting for it to grow out. So after work I ventured to an un-named hair salon. I chatted with Desi about what I wanted-just a little shape, maybe a little shorter around my face for framing, long layers, I'm trying to grow it out, I wear it up to work, so not too short. I thought we had an understanding. More than an hour later, I left with a haircut I hate. It looks a little too much like a mullet for my taste. What were supposed to be long layers are way too short layers, and most of the front now falls out when I try to put my hair in a ponytail. The back poofs out, and I'm afraid of what will happen tomorrow when I do it curly-I'm envisioning an explosion. And I was so looking forward to cute trimmed hair with my new dress on Sunday. Now I have to figure out how to hide the mess until Tuesday, when I have an appointment with someone new to get this fixed. Unfortunately, that means going even shorter, and waiting even longer until I have long hair again. What a silly thing to be worried about, yet I almost cried yesterday when I got home.

It will grow out.

Eventually.

Meanwhile...here's the proof I should have known, for your viewing pleasure.

Dance!

Love this...a friend posted it on his Facebook. Obviously, a friend I used to dance with-I think all of us were at one time or another caught dancing on campus between classes or "fidgeting" in a class as we reviewed something we were learning.

News

I had written a lovely post with a video of Gus singing along with my music, but the video won't upload. The long and short of it was that I've discovered he really likes music (especially country), and will sing along when it's on-he also jumps from perch to perch. I think it's pretty cute.

Also, not connected, I was doing some laundry on Saturday and discovered my dryer wasn't really working right. I hung up my clothes and thought I'd investigate when I had the time. Today I did a little looking, and found a bird's nest in the outlet for my dryer vent. Too bad it's on the outside of my second floor apartment with no way for me to remove it. I called the apartment office, and they are sending out someone with a ladder to investigate. I hope there aren't babies...if that's the case, I'll be hanging my clothes until they molt and leave the nest!

I've been on a couple of dates with the same person in the past couple of weeks. It's been almost a year since that happened last, and while I don't know that this is really going anywhere, I have to say it's nice to be taken out, and I'm grateful for men who are men. They ask for a date, plan something, and come pick me up at my place of residence. They open my door, ask me questions about myself and are genuinely interested in getting to know me. I hope I make them feel as comfortable and important as they make me feel.

Lastly, what a beautiful CES fireside last night. Elder Scott bore pure testimony of the reality of God's plan of salvation for us, and the importance of marriage in that plan. I loved every minute of it!

Names

So in spite of some good suggestions, I'm leaning toward Gus...short for Gustav, but who will ever call him that anyhow? I don't know why I like it, but so does my brother and a friend at work, so barring an amazing name that I haven't thought of yet, Gus it is. :)