Hey kids.
So I know I haven't written in here for an entire month... it's crazy how time flies! And how much you can put something off! Until a thousand things have happened and you don't know where to start!
But basically, I'm in Carmel, CA right now. And it's SOOO beautiful here! I can't get enough of it. We're staying in a cottage and I have a little separate cottage guest house that I stay in. It's so quaint and magical here. I feel like it would be totally normal for fairies to just start flying around the little garden with the creek and little bridge.
This place is known for its beautiful beaches and high society. They have a Tiffany's, Louis Vouitton, Coach, Cartier, and more stores like that here! In a small town like this, I was super amazed and realized that it spoke volumes about the type of people this place attracts.
I feel like Snow White or Little Red Riding Hood or something. It's just beyond breathtaking and I totally want to have my honeymoon here. Think what you want, but it's totally true.
We're here for Amanda's brother's wedding. They're getting married in Pebble Beach and I'm so excited to see how beautiful it is. I had heard of Pebble Beach before and I guess its only for the rich and famous. So I'M STOKED.
It took us about 6 hours to drive here from L.A., and it's about two hours south of San Francisco. It didn't feel like that long of a drive actually, even with Tobin being sick with the stomach flu all day. That didn't bother me too much until we got to the cottage and I brought him to the couch to sit down... and then he throws up on my arm and the couch. It was disgusting. I hurried him into the shower and it was pure chaos the first hour after arriving here. But I feel like that happens with children all the time, ya know? Everyone's quiet and peaceful and then out of nowhere ALL HECK breaks loose!! And you're scrambling around like crazy trying to keep everything and everyone from exploding!! Then somehow it all goes back to a peaceful moment again. It's a pattern. I'm tellin ya.
But life in Beverly Hills is good still. I got in a second fender bender on Sunset Blvd, got chewed out by Amanda's mother for saying that Mormons don't go to restaurants on Sunday, spent an outrageous amount of money on a haircut, and I ran out of gas at a stoplight in Beverly Hills 20 yards away from a gas station. That's basically the crazy moments of the last month in one sentence. Now you're all caught up.
How did all of those things turn out? Well-the guy I clipped while changing lanes in an insane amount of traffic was super nice and only charged the insurance company what actually happened and Amanda and Chape were disappointed but understanding which I was literally shaky and wanted to crumple up and die right when I clipped this guy. Then with Amanda's mom, she was trying to set me up with her best friend's son and he wanted to go out to a restaurant on Sunday and I told him that because of my faith I don't like to go out to restaurants or stores on sunday. He said that was fine and he'd call me another day and we could go out to dinner. Well the next day, Amanda's mom called me quite upset saying that she used to be very mormon and knows for a fact that there's nowhere in our doctrine that says that Mormons can't go to restaurants on Sunday, and I just have to be careful with what I say about the church because I'm making the church sound weird. I said I'm sorry if it came across that I was putting a bad reputation out for the church and I guess not all Mormons choose to refrain from going to stores or restaurants on Sunday. Then she told me good luck and ball's in my park now. This little conversation was a huge growing point for me out here. Made me really stop and ask myself what do I believe? What do I personally feel is the right thing to do without any other opinions? And I still felt that I shouldn't go to restaurants or stores on Sunday but I sadly questioned whether this was what we're asked to do or whether it's just a tradition that my family does. Then I talked to my oldest sister Heather and she reassured me that I was right and that I needed to stand by what I knew was right, and don't let others make you question what I've always believed. I decided not to tell Amanda because I knew she'd find out sooner or later and it wasn't a big deal to me. I know what I believe and how I've chosen to live my life. And I'll stand by this testimony and my beliefs until the day I die. So what's the point in getting upset over that conversation? She found out that evening from her mother and immediately came and apologized to me and let me know that if she had known her mom was going to call me and say those things, she wouldn't have let it happen. She said that it was none of her business and that the family loves me and she'll do whatever it takes to defend my beliefs. She's very protective of me and I really love Amanda a lot. We've become great friends and I feel like we'll keep in touch long after I'm the nanny here.
The expensive haircut-some of you may have seen the pictures I posted on Facebook of that haircut. I love it so much, but it was not worth the amount of money I spent. I went to a salon in Beverly Glen that the last nanny went to when she was here and the guy had great reviews online so I went there too. I got to the counter after my haircut and she told me my total. I wanted to move the decimal point one move to the left, if that gives any indication as to how much I had to pay. And a haircut isn't something you can haggle for, ya know? And you can't just put an item back, you have no choice but to pay the full amount! I was literally shaky and queazy the whole rest of the day. BAH..
Running out of gas-So I missed Stake Conference that sunday cuz I was ready ten minutes before it was scheduled to start, thinking it had to be close to my church building. Then I tried typing it into my GPS and it couldn't find the address, plus I asked Amanda and she said it would take me 20-30 min to get there! Plus I needed to get gas (how desperately, I had no idea), so I just went back inside, talked to my mom on the phone for two hours, and then decided to go to the bishop's house for the lunch activity he was having after the meeting. So I'm on my way to his house, and I just decide I should get gas before instead of trying to go to the bishop's house and then on my way back getting gas. So I'm sitting at an intersection, South Santa Monica Blvd and Crescent, I'm literally stopped at the last red light before the gas station and I'm looking right at it. I'm probably 50 yards away (if that) and my car just putters out until it stops. My heart sinks and I turn on my hazards and roll as close to the side of the road as I can. I first call Amanda, then realize she wouldn't be able to help me. So I decide to call my VT at the activity at the bishop's house. Inspiration!! So I call her and she has me talk to the bishop, who rounds up three boys who are on their way and will be there to help me get to the gas station in 15 minutes. So I sit there...and no one stops or says anything. Typical Beverly Hills. I guess if I got out of my car and started pushing it with a long dress and heels on someone would've come to help me... at least I hope so. But since I knew people were coming, I didn't bother haha. But once the guys got there, they waved down a lady cop who stopped traffic while they pushed me into the gas station. I filled up and followed the boys to the bishop's house. It was an event to behold that only happens to Halee Nelson and her silly life.
Now, since I've been in Carmel? The second day I was here, Amanda told me I had the morning off so I walked into town and bought pumpkin cheesecake from this little bakery and walked down to the beach where I watched the waves until I decided it was time to walk back. On my way back, I passed these three guys outside of some Inn in town. One of them yelled to me, 'Hey! uh, I'm sorry but I just love your style. Look at this guys, isn't it awesome?' As he was gesturing to all of me. I was flattered but clearly he just wanted a reason to stop me. I said, Oh thankyou that's very sweet. And he quickly asked if he could get a picture with me as I was starting to walk away. I agreed even though I thought this was the craziest thing and I seriously had to get home. He kept his arm around me for a while and I stepped away as we continued talking. They were from Maryland or something like that and were here for the week. I didn't say where I was from or how long I was staying-I just kind of went around the topic. All they knew is that I'm from out of town. I told them I'm with a family here and I'm the nanny and the one who wanted the picture(his name's Peter) said, 'Well I'm a kid. Know what I mean?' And the other guys chuckled and I didn't catch that until after the fact. I just played this whole random conversation off as no big deal and was talking to them about how they had to go down to the beach because it was beautiful, and then Peter walks up to me, holds the side of my neck with his left hand and wipes the sweat off of my upper lip with his thumb!!! It was one of those moments that you're extremely confused with what's happening and it happened really quickly plus I was in the middle of my sentence when he just came up to me and caught me totally off guard!! I pulled away and I must've had the ultimate look of shock and confusion all over my face. The other two guys kind of looked down and chuckled in unbelief that he just did that. Peter then starts to give this explanation that he was doing what I do all day-'wiping kids faces and stuff know what I mean?' I was like uhh.. ha. ha. I guess I broke a sweat coming up the hill from the beach. And they said how it was hotter here than they thought. Then Peter told me I should come hang out with them. I said I had to go home to the kids right now. And they asked for my number so we could do something this weekend. I said I don't reception at my cottage (which is completely true but I was also glad it was true), but they wanted it anyway. I was like.... well... and I'M HORRIBLE AT THINKING OF REASONS TO NOT GIVE OUT MY NUMBER IN THE MOMENT. It's one of my stupid freaking flaws that gets me so frustrated with myself! I can think of a million after the fact, but right when they're asking me I feel like it's so rude if I don't give it to them. So... I gave him my number. I know I know. Halee, seriously?? But then I walked away and he told me to look for his call. He called me as I was walking home. I didn't answer, and he hasn't called or texted me since. That might be because I don't have service.. heh heh. I only do when I go into town. So! Possible stalker/rape case avoided. wooooo! Super weird tho, huh? I'm tellin ya. Only happens to me.
Today's the wedding, and I'm super excited. I went on a run this morning and I'm excited to get all spiffed up to go to this ceremony at Pebble Beach. Last night I went to the cocktail party and that was super ritzy and fun. I had to stay with the kids in a separate room with all of the appetizers of course, but it was still cool none the less. I have developed this love for sparkling water with lemon. I order it everywhere I go. It's classy without the sugar and regret, therefore, it's perfect.
Guess what I did before we drove to Carmel? I'm super proud of myself and haven't had the chance to tell anyone of my genius. So it was one of my friend's birthday yesterday who's on a mission, and it's the first one of my friends to have a birthday on the mission. And I was debating sending a package, a cool card, making something...and then it hit me! He's in the states, so I got online and found a pizza place closest to his address. I called and ordered pizza, drinks, and churros to be delivered to his house the night of his birthday and paid for it over the phone! No shipping, going to the post office, nothin! It was perfect, and he's getting something he'll actually want instead of paying for someone to send him a package with balloons, candles, and a cake mix ya know? I had it delivered around 9:30 so I'm hoping he got it... if he didn't then someone else got pizza. And I'll be ticked!! But it's the thought, right? That's what I'm telling myself.
Anyway, I gotta get Tobin's throw up clothes into the washer :D
Over and Out!
--HayBay
