It's pre-Friday. Rock on.

This week has me sliding down into a not-super-bad-but-still-there depressive period. I read somewhere online that March and September are the peak periods for depression to hit; it has something to do with the drastic, rapid change in daylight hours. I'm not sure if that's true or not but I know for sure that September/October is always the worst for my depression and then I stay pretty low through the entire winter. (That could just be based on my deep hatred for cold, though.)

I'm trying to fight my way through it and I'm still on that really great trial medication so I will survive and come through the other side. Right? Right.

Grey's Anatomy is back tonight. That's something to be happy about, I guess. Even though they killed Lexie and I'm still REALLY, REALLY MAD ABOUT IT.

I think I am going to cut my hair. The last, like, three inches of my hair is thrashed and needs to be cut off. So I figured, if I'm gonna cut that much off, I might as well make a go of it and do something a little drastic. But I need your votes... let me know which of these you like best.

I like to curl my hair so it needs to be long enough to curl. I also really love asymmetrical cuts, but I don't know if it's something I could still pull off. And I am still totally undecided on color. I think maybe my natural color would be good but it remains to be seen if I can get back to that or not. I dunno. It just needs to change.

Go and do. And all that other junk.

There are a few cool things going on this weekend. Check them out!

What: Chalk The Block
When: Friday and Saturday, the 21st and 22nd, from 9am to 10pm
Where: The Shops at Riverwoods - 4801 University Avenue, Provo
Why: It's a street painting festival, and it benefits a local school for Autistic children! The art they create on the streets is incredible and absolutely worth seeing.
How much: free admission, but you should donate to the school, because I said so.

What: Chocolate Lovers Treat
When: Friday, September 21st; 7:30pm-9:30pm
Where: Heber Valley Historic Railroad - 450 South 600 West, Heber City
Why: freaking chocolate on a freaking train! I think the better question is, why not?! You get to sample Utah's best chocolates, with entertainment, on a train ride!
How much: $25 per couple or $15 each

What: 26th Annual India Fest
When: Saturday, September 22nd; 4pm-9pm
Where: Krishna Temple - 311 West 8500 South, Spanish Fork
Why: The festival features world class entertainment, cuisine, a gift shop, art, photography, cultural exhibits on India, a gala pageant of the epic Ramayana, the burning of a 25' high ten-headed demon named Ravana, and spectacular fireworks. Everything you could ever want from a temple!
How much: $3 Adult, $1 Child

Wordless Wednesday - arrrrgh, me cat is a crack head! Aye! (part 3?)

chillin' in the fridge.

This is why I blog.

It's not to get free stuff, contrary to what most people think about bloggers. It's not to make money (which I don't) or to get famous (HA!).

It's because of the people I get to meet through blogging.

Growing up in Utah, stuck somewhere between Mormon and not, I've rarely found people who I felt like I really fit in with. Since elementary school, I have bounced from one group of friends to the next, trying to find a place for myself. So, I start blogging and all of a sudden I am meeting people who I can really relate to, who I can see a little of myself in, who I can be myself with.

Thanks to this little place where I can flaunt my crazy and be myself because who really cares?, I've stumbled into a little group of people who I love. And without this blog, I wouldn't know them or have the honor to call them my friends.

So, thanks JaKell, Brandy (who is actually my cousin but we're so much closer now thanks to the blogs), Evonne, Erin, Kristen, and all of the other people who have really made me feel accepted. I really, seriously, truly appreciate all of you.

Wordless Wednesday - this is what root canal looks like.

so hot.

DogVacay - for your dawgs, yo!

Thinking about getting a dog, but not sure if you can handle the responsibility? Need a running buddy? Want some socialization for your dog? Look no further - DogVacay is exactly what you need!

DogVacay is a relatively new site, started by a young couple who took a big hit during the recession, then boarded over 100 dogs in their home as a way to help pay for their wedding. Aaron and Karine are expecting their first child in August - and Karine plans to get the most out of her dogs Rocky and Rambo to take off the baby weight! (Research shows that dog owners are significantly more active than those who don’t have dogs - they spend at least 30 more minutes exercising per week.)

DogVacay's site is simple - you post a photo of yourself, your place, your nightly rate, and a few sentences about why you're a great candidate to watch dogs in your neighborhood. Then, dog owners near to you can can search for free through all the nearby hosts and find the perfect match for their dog. It's cheaper than a kennel, and dog owners feel good knowing their pet is in a real, loving home. The focus of DogVacay is on dog boarding, but people can also sign up to be dog walkers exclusively.

Sound like something you'd like to try? Use coupon code SUMMERVACAY for $10 off boarding a dog through DogVacay! I'd love to hear your thoughts if you've used the site, or if you do in the future.

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day.

It was good to see this today. The Bloggess will never know how many people she has helped, myself included. Go read her post.

Just a piece of it... "About one in four adults suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year. That means if you think about your 10 favorite people in the whole world two of them could be at risk of suicide. That’s why it’s so important to recognize the warning signs and to know how to get help for yourself or others. If you or someone you know is thinking of suicide call 800-273-TALK..."

Or go to her site to find resources and thousands of other people who also suffer. You're never alone. I know it feels that way a lot but I promise, there is at least one person in this world who would be CRUSHED to live without you. Always remember that.