pictures, finally

So, I thought it was high time to do a post with some pictures. Let's see if I am smart enough to do it, since it's been awhile.

So, this is a picture of my "nightstand" in my old apartment. I took a bunch of pictures of my apartment, in all it's crazy messiness, before I packed it all up. This is my pile of books and magazines that I had been reading at night.




This is my bookcase, full of books. I spend too much money on books, but I can't help it. On top of the bookcase is Anna Karenina, a book I bought a couple of summers ago. I actually didn't really like the book, but I read it, because it kept me busy for a long time. Most books I read in a day or two, but that one lasted all summer, I believe. I also have my cute "W" and picture frame on my bookshelf. I made those for girls camp the first year I was camp leader. These were the samples I made, the girls got to do their own initial and frame. They had a great time with it, and made such cute ones - much more creative than mine.


I am having issues with picture placement. So sorry.
This next picture is my front door. I was #1. :)









This is my sister Rachelle and my cute niece Carly Jo in my apartment the day we were boxing everything up. Carly was a great help!

Kaylynn came down with Carly from Logan to help me box everything up. I whined a little bit that day, but she really was a great help, getting stuff ready to move the next day.
I had done a lot by myself before she came, but I needed her there to keep me working all day. I am sort of a random girl when it comes to packing. I work better when someone is there helping me.

And, this is the last picture of me in my clean apartment. I went back on Tuesday night and finished cleaning. And Rachelle came and helped me. We got done in about an hour. Luckily we had done most of it on Saturday.

So, that's a short journey through my packing and cleaning adventure. Hope you enjoyed it.

My normal has changed.

Change is ... hard. complicated. good. bad. unnerving. fun. learning. crazy (good crazy & bad crazy). Humbling. different. happy. sad. inevitable.

So, I've been living here for 4 nights. I am still very much learning the tricks of how things are supposed to go around here. For instance, tonight, I learned that if I am not going to get home until 9:30, my grandpa is going to stay up until I get home. (His bedtime is usually 9 o'clock. I didn't think he'd be up when I got home, but he was.) I also learned that he likes brownies any time of day. (Rachelle gave me a brownie for him tonight, and he ate it tonight.) I am learning that he likes to talk a lot. He is just lonely and needs someone to talk to. I know. But, I never knew an old man had so many words.

I am learning how to balance life. I feel like I'm sort of living two lives. My "normal" life with work, and hanging out at Rachelle's to have dinner (which was yummy by the way) and watching The Biggest Loser finale. And then my "other" life, here, in West Jordan. It is still weird and new and different. My "normal" life hasn't changed a whole lot. But, it has, because now I have a new, "other" life. Sometimes when I am in my normal life I feel guilty, and want to be here at home. But, then, when I am home, it is hard to shift gears back to this life. Old people just run on a different time schedule, and do things differently. It is just interesting to switch back and forth. I am sure as I get settled in, that part of things will settle down in my brain, too.

Another thing I am learning, that is hard for me, is learning how to live with someone again. I've been living alone for a good long while. So, I could walk in the door, drop everything right there, and plop down on the couch, grab my laptop, turn on the tv, and just veg, and no one cared. Now, when I come home, I have to talk to someone. Not saying this is a bad thing, at all, it's just something I'm getting used to. I feel like my sense of normalcy is gone. Change will do that to you. But, living alone was normal to me. Not talking to anyone else at home was normal to me. Being able to eat whatever I wanted whenever I wanted was normal to me. Being able to have the TV on in the living room, and the radio on in the bedroom, right next door, and not caring about the noise, or worrying about waking anyone up, that was normal to me.

My normal has changed.

On another note, I finished cleaning and checked out of my apartment tonight. It was a little bit sad to walk out of there. I took a few more pics. I looked around as I closed the door, thinking that it was a good apartment for me. I had some happy times there. Those two years were good two years. Good apartment. good neighbors. good friends. good ward. good callings. good jobs. good times.

Now I am on to bigger and better things. Who knows what the next two years will bring? Hopefully some more good times. more good friends. more good callings in a good ward.

Moving is emotional

So, it was an emotional weekend for me, since I moved. (Am I the only one, besides my sister and my mom, who think that moving is emotional?) I didn't work on Friday, and spent that whole day finishing packing my apartment, thanks to my amazing sister Kaylynn, who is a whiz at doing anything one-handed (with a 8-month old on her hip). Then Saturday, luckily, we got most of my stuff out of my apartment into the trailer and all six cars that drove to my new house before the snow hit. Unluckily, we had to drive in it to West Jordan. Luckily, my grandpa's house has a garage, so we backed up each car to the garage and unloaded that way, so we weren't traipsing around in the snow too much. We made it with 90% of my stuff in one trip. We had to go back for my washer & dryer, a few bookshelves, and my bike that has two flat tires and a old ripped up seat. (Ask me when the last time I rode it?... no idea. At least 2 years, probably longer.)

I have to go back tomorrow after work to finish cleaning and to get the rest of the garbage that we left. Oh, and the food in the fridge. I am really afraid I'm going to forgot that part, and that would not be a good welcome to the new tenants. :)

My new house: that has been part of the emotionalness of the weekend. I moved in with my grandpa. He is lonely and needed some companionship. He is in fairly good health right now for an 86-year-old man, so I am not his nurse or caregiver. I am just here as a warm body in his house, for the most part. I will be helping out with certain things, as needed. It is going to be interesting and challenging, for both of us, I'm sure, as we settle in and get used to each other's schedules. It is hard for me because I've been living alone - footloose and fancy-free, and hard for him because he is 86, and I just invaded his house. He thinks I have a lot of stuff. He watched it all get brought in and was a little overwhelmed. Lucky for me he has a nice big house with a nice big basement which I took over, pretty much.

I had a good cry about it this morning, with my mom and dad. I think it helps just to cry once in a while. I guess I have been crying way more than normal for me lately. Maybe that will stop, who knows. But, I am feeling good about it. We will be ok. My biggest stumbling block right now is food and the kitchen. I don't have any space in the kitchen, for anything. Ok, not totally true. I have two random cupboards. But, I knew that was going to be the case. I packed up most of my dishes, and I'm just going to use his stuff, for the most part. But, the eating thing is a challenge. He feels like he needs to feed me. I don't want to be fed, because I'm on Weight watchers, and therefore trying to be picky about what I eat. But, I've been eating with him, which is ok, but I can't do it all the time. So, I tried to tell him about WW, and that was why I wasn't eating everything he offered me. But, he still offered cookies and ice cream after that. So, the food is going to be a challenge for a little while, until he figures out that he can just let me do my own thing and he can do his thing, and we can eat dinner together once or twice a week, and be ok with that. For now, I am just doing the best I can, trying not to offend him, because he gets offended when you don't want to eat his food. I figured I earned lots of activity points this weekend moving, packing, hauling, unpacking, sorting, etc. that I am sort of ok to eat whatever.

Church was also interesting today. Everyone knows grandpa, and therefore knew of me at least. Some people knew I was coming, so welcomed me when they saw me. They tried to get me to go to a singles class for Relief Society, but I refused. Was that bad? Probably. But I think that most of the girls that went were 19 or 20. Not really my idea of fun. Then, after church, I was supposed to meet grandpa outside the relief society room. I got stopped, and was talking to a nice lady in the ward. I saw grandpa peek in the room, and then leave. So, I finally was leaving, and couldn't find him anywhere. I got stopped in the hall again by 2 nice ladies, so I talked to them for a minute, then I asked if they knew where grandpa was. They told me he had walked out the door. So, I was afraid he had walked home without me. I went quickly out the door, couldn't see him anywhere, tried to go look down the street to see if I could see him walking, wasn't sure what I was going to do. And of course, I looked lost. Another nice lady, the bishop's wife, got out of her car, and asked if I needed help. She started walking back in the building with me to see if we could find him, and luckily he walked out right then. We had been going in circles looking for each other. We need to do better next week with that one. I shouldn't talk as much, or he should just stick to the original plan.

But, my mind was going, as I was looking for him, thinking, "I can't even keep track of him for an hour, how am I supposed to do this for 6 months? or a year?"

I feel a little bit responsible

So, I spent the afternoon at my sister's house, had dinner with them, helped (mostly watched) them make a gingerbread house, made pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, and just hung out with them. I was playing with Lindsay's hair (she is 3), telling her how pretty it was, and long. Hailey was sitting next to me, and said she wanted to cut her hair, so I said I would. She went and found some scissors, and I jokingly pretended to cut her hair. Then, of course, Lindsay wanted me to cut her hair, so I pretended to cut her hair. Then, I realized that I was planting a bad idea in her head. So I told them that we don't cut hair, only professional hair people cut hair. I was afraid Lindsay would do something she wasn't supposed to. And, unfortunately, my suspicions were right. She came back a while later with her hair chopped. It actually could have been much worse, she didn't cut it completely off. She just gave herself a little bob. With a little mullet in the back. I was going to take a picture, but I wasn't sure that was a good idea, as her mom and dad were not amused, and trying to teach her that what she did was wrong.

I feel like I am slightly responsible for her cutting her hair, as I put the thought in her head. But, I guess that's what a good aunt does, huh? Get the kids are riled up, teach them to do bad things, and then I just get to go home and leave the mess for the parents to clean up. :) Ok, that's not how I really feel. In fact, I feel really bad about this. Not that they are blaming me, but I still feel bad. I guess everyone makes mistakes.

50 things

My friend Clarice just did this on her blog, so I thought I'd do it. Sorry if you are sick of reading lists on my blog. Maybe someday I'll post some pics again... :)

50 things you didn't know about me until you read this...

1.What color is your tooth brush? yellow and white
2. What were you doing 45 minutes ago? eating Cafe Rio pork salad
3. What is your favorite candy bar? Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
4. Have you ever been to a strip club? Nope
5. What is the last thing you said aloud? To go
6. What is the best ice cream flavor? mint cookie
7. What is the last thing you had to drink? Diet Dr Pepper
8. What are you wearing right now? comfy gray pants and my long sleeve Life Is Good shirt
9. What was the last thing you ate? Cafe Rio YUMMY pork salad
10. Have you bought any new clothing items this week? Only if a new purse counts
11. When was the last time you ran? I did for a few minutes at the gym on Monday morning
12. Who was the last person to send you a message/comment on your blog? Clarice, my old Archivers friend, I think
13. Do you take vitamins daily? no, but I should
14. Do you go to church every Sunday? yes
15. Do you have a tan? no, I just sunburn, but that hasn't happened for a long time
16. Do you like Chinese food over pizza? Definitely.
17. Do you drink soda with a straw? that's my preferred choice, a fountain drink with a straw
18. What does your last text message say? let me confer with my husband really quick & then I'll get rite back 2 u (my sister, Rachelle)
19. Are you someones best friend? perhaps, mostly I have lots of good friends
20. What are you doing tomorrow? cleaning and packing and moving, then going to Art Market
21. Where is your dad? in Idaho Falls, don't really know what he's doing right now
22. Look to your left, what do you see? the pile of books, mail, pens, watches, and the remote on the back on my couch
23. What color is your favorite pair of shoes? brown, kinda boring, I know
24. Do you use chap stick? yes, and I tend to lose them constantly, so I just keep buying more
25. Whats your favorite thing to do in your free time? Read a book or be creative
26. Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit the drive thru? Drive thru!
27. Do you have a dog? no thanks
28. Last guy you talked on the phone with? my brother-in-law Matt
29. Last girl you talked on the phone with? my sister Rachelle
30. Any fun vacation plans soon? going to Phoenix in February to see my sister Sharon
31. Do you dye your hair? I do get highlights sometimes, but it is an expensive habit
32. Can you say the alphabet backwards? zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcba
33. Do you have a maid service clean your house? it's a dream, but no, I do the cleaning
34. Are you jealous of anyone? jealous... I don't think so
35. Do you love anyone? Yes, lots of people
36. Do any of your friends have children? yes, most are married with kids
37. Do you use the word Hello daily? I think so, it's one of those words that you don't think about
38. Do you like cats? no, not really a pet person
39. Have you ever been to six flags? no
40. How did you get your worse scar? Falling off a plastic slide in my unfinished basement and hitting my head on the pipe for the toilet, had to have stitches
41. What is your favorite smell? i love the smell of fresh cut grass
42. What is the last DVD you watched? Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2
43. Have you ever been to Disney world? No
44. What is your favorite number? 5
45. Do you toast your pop tarts? Haven't had one for ages, but when I did eat them, I think I just ate them cold. yum
46. Have you ever waited tables? No
47. Where did you have your first kiss? i don't kiss and tell...
48. What should you be doing? packing
49. Do you enjoy wasting time blogging? love it, but i don't count it as wasted time, because I keep up with friends and family this way
50. Who do you want to tag? Anyone who wants to do this too!

Bad Service

I don't want to complain, but I have to tell you about two experiences I've had in the last 24 hours. Last night I stopped at Sonic for dinner, and ordered the grilled chicken wrap combo. On the menu it was $4.89, so I was expecting $5 something to be the total, but the guy told me it was $6.22. What? I couldn't figure out why. So, when the girl brought out my food, I asked her why it was that much. She didn't really understand what my problem was, didn't think there was a problem, and after trying to make her understand for a minute, just decided to give in, and gave her the $6.22. But, I shouldn't have, because I was mad about it all night last night. I'm not always good at fighting for myself in those situations. It is only $1, but still, it's the principle of the thing. I've had issues with that Sonic before. So, I will try not to go there anymore.

My other fun experience happened at Walmart just now. I know I know, I should expect it at walmart, but I actually like Walmart, they have good prices, and I've had pretty good service at this one. I didn't have a lot of stuff, maybe 12 items. I put some of my stuff on the belt thing, and then it moved, so when i put the rest of my items down, they weren't right next to the first pile. There was a space, but no little wooden bar separating orders. So, I must be tired or something. He rang up my items, I ran my debit card, I thought he did it fast, and that the total wasn't very much, but once again, must be tired, because I didn't think too much of it. I paid him, took my bags and left. And then I got home. And was missing 1/2 my items. milk, eggs, yogurt... grrr. I was, still am, pretty annoyed. How hard is that? I know, I should be paying more attention, but he, the dumb 16 year old cashier boy, should have been more aware of what he was doing. So, I'm guessing he tried to make the lady behind me pay for my milk and eggs. Oops. My only consolation is that he didn't charge me for them and then not give them to me. But, still, I needed those things. And, I don't want to go back to get them.

I'm just wondering where good service went to?

playing with Wordle

If you haven't seen this site, you need to go check it out. Wordle.net. It is so fun to play with. I was having a hard time playing on my PC, but my mac laptop (Firefox browser) works pretty good. I made a couple Wordles. You could waste hours playing on this site, as every time you click a button, it changes the layout of it, so it is fun to see what it will look like next.

The first is most of the words from my Grateful post on Thanksgiving.
It is small, but I think if you click on it, it will open bigger. Also, the colors were different. I don't know why they are weird on blogger.

This is another version of some of my "thankful" words. It is just fun to play with. It can do so much. You can post your Wordle's to their gallery, for everyone to see. And, you can look through other people's creations. It's fun.

Here is one I did of all the names of my family members (and last names of my married sisters). One thing I did learn, in case you go play: If you want a word to be big, type it in several times. Wordle thinks the more a word is in the text, the bigger it should be. So, in my text, I had "Waite" written 4 times, and "Carol" and "Randy" written twice. Just a little FYI. I just learned that by trial and error.

I had a fabulous Thanksgiving weekend at home with my parents and several of my sisters. My brother was sick, so they stayed in Logan and had their own Thanksgiving. I saw "Twilight" Wednesday night with one of my sisters. It was ok. I'm not in love with Edward like most people are (the movie Edward...). We did not get up at 4 am to go shopping on Friday. In fact, I didn't go out until about 8 pm that night. We went to Target, because you just have to go to Target when you go to Idaho Falls. My dad doesn't understand this principle, but it's true. And Deseret Book, where I bought a new book called "A Single Voice". It is really good so far.

I am pretty much done with my Christmas shopping. If only my parents would be easier to shop for. What do you do for your parents? We always have a hard time deciding what to do for them. I do want to make a few more things for a few people, but who knows if that will get done.

I have decided to move on the 13th. So, the next two weeks will be spent packing up my house and getting ready to move, and the 2 weeks after that will be spend unpacking and organizing. So, homemade gifts might be out the window this year. Christmas cards are definitely on hold. I'll be lucky to get out some New Year's Cards.

My other goal for the next few weeks: to get back on the Weight Watchers wagon. I got sick at the beginning of November, so I quit going to the gym, and haven't been back. I have still been losing weight (17.8 lbs so far!) but I haven't been as committed as I was at first. So, my goal for this week is to be more committed. To write down everything I eat. To exercise every day. On Thursday (weigh day) I want to be down 2.2 lbs, which would get me to my 10% goal. It is very doable. I will keep you posted about what happens this week.

I am grateful for...

I'm feeling the blues a little tonight, so I thought I'd attempt a gratitude list to help me see the good in my life.

I am thankful for:

1. My family
2. That I was able to travel home this Thanksgiving to spend it with my family.
3. My car that got me here
4. my laptop, so I can sit in bed and write this post
5. my parents treadmill, so I could exercise this morning before I stuffed myself today
6. my job
7. my friends at my job
8. my apartment
9. friends in my ward
10. a church calling that keeps me busy
11. being able to hang out in the nursery with all those cute kids
12. living in the USA
13. Carson, my nephew, who is so adorable
14. Lindsey, my niece, who is also very adorable, and a cute princess
15. family that lives close to me, and lets me be a part of their lives
16. my grandpa
17. glasses & contacts, so I can see
18. photos, to help you remember the good times
19. my health
20. Diet Dr. Pepper
21. cute socks
22. teddy bears
23. the gospel
24. good books
25. good movies
26. friends to go to good movies with
27. friends who will help out in times of need
28. Facebook, for helping me reconnect with all kinds of old friends
29. email
30. my cell phone
31. mountains
32. sunshine
33. homemade cinnamon rolls
34. Archivers, for being a happy place for me to work for two years
35. all my great Archivers friends
36. my dad, who is willing to come help me move
37. my ability to go help my grandpa
38. brother-in-laws
39. sisters
40. warm blankets
41. money
42. cheap plane tickets to go see my lil sis in Phoenix
43. flowers
44. yummy smells that make me happy
45. my ability to be healthy and lose weight
46. my dreams, and that some of them are being fulfilled
47. tv
48. the internet
49. roads that take me places I want to go
50. temples
51. my mom's house, it makes me happy to come here
52. Heavenly Father
53. my hands
54. my creativity
55. my love of learning
56. paper
57. cute clothes
58. good sales
59. electricity
60. happiness
61. water
62. stores - practical stores like Walmart where I go often, and fun, eclectic stores where I go for inspiration and fun
63. my camera (which I haven't gotten out yet this Thanksgiving)
64. people willing to help me move
65. mail
66. family histories, so I know where I came from
67. my own memory, of grandparents, and stories I've been told
68. toothpaste
69. cute shoes
70. snow
71. cute coat, to keep me warm in the snow
72. music
73. the prophet, President Thomas S. Monson
74. homemade rolls
75. running water
76. people who love me
77. pens
78. teddy bears
79. medicine, for headaches, heartburn, etc
80. being able to go to girls camp with my ward for two years
81. camping & hiking opportunities so close to where I live
82. fun creeks in the mountains to play in
83. artists who make beautiful things for the rest of us to enjoy
84. a shower
85. blogs, so i can keep up with people I know, and get to know new people
86. my hobbies
87. chocolate milk
88. 94% fat free popcorn
89. vegetables
90. fruit
91. gum
92. ipod
93. google
94. The Book of Mormon
95. the Holy Ghost
96. having a good laugh with my sisters
97. a clean house
98. leaves, especially in the fall when they are all over the ground and make a crunching noise when you walk through them
99. washing machine
100. my life

Do it, Done it

I found this on someone else's blog, thought I'd copy it. The bold ones are what I've done. Italics is what I want to do.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars (in my front yard when I was young. it was so fun!)
3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables (does doing it as a child count?)

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon (one of my life goals, though)
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight (would LOVE to do this one)
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling (in the crater at The Homestead in Midway...)
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China (this one's on my bucket list)
57. Started a business (Daisy Dreamer)0
58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies (I've bought and eaten lots of them)
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma (twice, nearly passed out both times, scared to do it again)
65. Gone sky diving (LOVED IT! would love to go again. such a rush!)

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten caviar
72. Pieced a quilt (not a whole quilt, yet)
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book (how about made my own book, from scratch... I know, not the same)
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car (thinking about buying one soon)
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper (in elementary school)
85. Read the entire Bible (I think most of it, for Seminary)
86. Visited the White House (saw it from the street, didn't go inside)
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chicken pox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous (walked past John Denver, does that count?)
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Hmmm, what does this say about me? I haven't traveled nearly enough in my life. I've been all over the western US, and some parts of the rest of the country, but never overseas. One of these days I'm just going to quit my job and go travel the world for a year. Who wants to come with me? Ok, a year might be too long. 6 months? 3 months? Ok, I'd settle for a 2 or 3 week trip.

Archivers

So, tonight was my last night at Archivers. It was a good night. I got to make one more sample and put out some new product. It was just kind of anti-climactic. Nothing happened. No one really said anything about it. I shouldn't be surprised, since I've been only working once every other week or so for about 6 months. So, I sort of was already gone. But, it seemed like there should have been more of a deal made about me leaving. I mean, come on, I've been there for 2 years. I was a good employee. ;) I guess not everyone makes a big deal when people quit. I'm just used to my office job where we have a party/lunch/treats when someone leaves.

I do want to say how much I loved working at Archivers. It wasn't always easy, working two jobs. But, I loved the girls I worked with. I loved working in a scrapbook store. I loved seeing all the new products that came in, and bought way too many of them. My wallet might actually be happy that I'm not working anymore. The last little while, I spent more than I was making there. Silly, I know. Especially because now I'm trying to downsize my craft supplies. But, I can't help it. Some of that stuff just had to come home with me.

In other news, we are almost through our two weeks (and a couple days) of crazy, stressful, so-busy-you-can't-think days at PDC. I've been building a book every day for the last two weeks. Now, I am down to three more before Thanksgiving. I'm seeing the light. We are going to make it. I'm hoping I don't have to work on Saturday... I would love to sleep in. And start packing.

I'm too tired to find a picture to add to this post. So sorry. I might someday become a better blogger. maybe. someday.

Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence

So, I have a story. It is a bit of a crazy story. Mostly because I am crazy. My mind plays tricks on me. I can't make a decision to save myself. I get easily influenced by the opinions and ideas of those people around me. Even to the detriment of myself and what is best for me. I try not to really do that, but it is hard. I don't always like being an adult and making adult decisions. Especially since I am not married and can't rely on a husband to help make such decisions.
So, with this in mind, here is the current situation. My grandpa lives in Salt Lake. I live in Pleasant Grove. he lives alone, since his second wife, my step-grandma, died in August. Right after she died, I offered the option that I could go live with Grandpa so he wouldn't be alone. My mom suggested it, and he turned it down, at that point. Now, fast forward to 3 weeks ago. He has decided it is time. He is lonely and he wants me to come live with him. So, he springs this on me. I try to wrap my brain around this new development in my life. I mean, I knew it was a possibility, but I wasn't thinking it would happen right now, or ever, really. Grandpa was figuring out what he wanted, and what was best for him. He doesn't want to leave his house, so he thinks this option will buy him more time in that house. He is old, 86 years old, but in relatively good health. He still takes care of himself, drives, etc. He is just lonely.

Anyway, I'm rambling... I've been contemplating this change, this move, trying to make sure it is the right thing to do, for him, and for me. That has been the hardest part of the decision. Is it the right thing for me? Or am I just doing this because I know it will help him, and it is what he wants? That has been the question most on my brain. Making sure this is right for me. Because this is a big change. New ward, new house, not living alone anymore, farther away from work - long commute. I've gone back and forth on this decision. One day I'm feeling positive and good about it. And then, I talk to someone, and they are worried about me doing this, so then I question myself again, and wonder if this is really the right thing to do. so, I've been going back and forth like this for a couple of weeks.
On Sunday, I had KBYU on before church. There was an old devotional talk, about dating, to be honest, but I was finding other meaning in what he was saying. He was quoting the scripture that says, "Cast not away therefore your confidence..." He said that we need to "remember what we know and move forward confidently in the path you know is right." I felt like this was an answer to my constant questioning. I needed to move forward CONFIDENTLY in the path I know is right. I felt like I had gotten an answer to this prayer, and it was the right thing to do, even though it was going to be hard. But, I kept questioning myself, my confidence in my decision. Every time I talked to someone about it, and they were a little negative about it, I started questioning myself again. The lesson I am learning from this: I need to be more confident in my decision making skills, and in the answers I feel I get from the prayers I am offering up. I need to quit questioning myself, when I have already gotten an answer to my prayer, and feel confident in that answer. I can't let that feeling go away. I need to hold onto that feeling, that answer, that confidence.

So, I went to see Grandpa tonight, to talk to him, and to help me feel, one more time, confident in my decision. And, yes, I am confident. This is right. It is going to be good, for both of us. And, I need to remember this, and not let anyone influence me to the point where I am in a tizzy again about this decision.

I need to remember what I know and move forward confidently on that path.

Now the real work begins. I am going to clean out my house, and get rid of all my excess stuff. And I have a lot of that. DI is going to be happy to see me.

I wish...

I don't really have anything to say tonight, just wanting to post, so, I will post some of my current wishes:

I wish I had a new dresser.

I wish that I had bought the cute moose statue in Jackson. Clark needs to come live with me! (I tried to find a picture of him online for my last post, but I couldn't find one. Sorry!)

I wish I could write as well as c jane. I love reading her posts. I am enthralled with the story of her and her awesome family.

I wish my cold would go away for real. I'm sick of this annoying cough.

I wish I had the energy to do some cleaning when I get home from work.

I wish that I was all moved already and I didn't have to do all the work. Moving is too much work! Or, maybe, I have too much stuff!

I wish my little sis Sharon already lived in Sandy, so I could go see her and her cute baby whenever I wanted to!

I wish I saw the sun more often. I've been working late this week, and so have been leaving in the dark. I feel like I haven't seen the sun for 3 days! That's my one problem with the winter. Not enough sunshine!

I wish that I lose at least a pound tomorrow morning at my weigh in.

I wish that I could still go to girls camp next summer with my ward, even though I won't be living here. I'm sad I'm going to miss out on going with them to Heber Valley Camp. But they are going to have a fabulous time!

I wish for a happy and calm holiday season for everyone!

I wish that I could be more brave about selling my books. I need to put them up on etsy and see how that goes. My cute cousin Erin just sold her first thing on etsy. So exciting! It is giving me motivation to actually do it.

I wish that I could have an unlimited budget at Barnes & Noble (or Amazon, Borders, etc) to buy books. Books are one of my weaknesses. I spend way too much money on them. In fact, I need a new bookshelf to hold all the books that are currently scattered around my house.

I wish that I could buy a new car tomorrow - my car of choice: Subaru Outback. My dad is currently looking for one for me on eBay motors. But, that scares me just a little bit, and I don't think I want to fly to Washington to get it. I feel confident I can find one around here, when I really get serious about it.

I wish my mom will make homemade rolls for Thanksgiving. mmmmm... my favorite!

I wish that I can get a good night's sleep tonight. I have to get up early tomorrow to go weigh in.

Good night!

Update on my life

My sister Rachelle got married last Saturday in the Mt. Timpanogos temple. It was a great day. She looked beautiful, the weather was perfect, her reception went well, the grandkids (& brother-in-laws) decorated their car. What more could you ask for?

This is a cute picture of the happy couple with 11 of the 12 grandkids in our family. You try to get all 11 kids to be smiling and looking at the camera... an impossible feat. We took what we could get.

Her colors were pink and brown. All the men were wearing pink ties (which they all loved...) and the girls were wearing a pink & brown outfit of their choosing. It was quite amusing to hear about everyone's "options" of clothing for the wedding. All of us, including my mom, had at least 2 options. Some of us went shopping Friday night, after the Trick-or-treating party, to try one last time to find an outfit. I thought everyone looked great. The kids were pretty cute in their matching pink and brown. Lindsey even had cute brown and pink shoes.

This weekend, I went to Idaho to see my parents, and to go to Jackson. We went up Friday, which wasn't the best weather day. It was cloudy/misty/foggy most of the day. We didn't get to see the beautiful mountains. I just had to imagine that they were there. We shopped around the square, I bought a cute sweater from Eddie Bauer. I went to my favorite trinket store, Jackson Hole Mercantile (ok, I don't exactly know what it's called... something like that). Anyway, they have the cutest moose figurines in there. There is one that I've been dreaming about for a year. His name is "Clark". He is over a foot tall, so cute, dressed like a hiker. So, we went in to see if he was still there. It took some looking, but I found him. I thought he was on sale, because there were signs that said so. But, after asking the clerk how much it was, he informed us that it was just the little ones that were on sale. (I still believe that he didn't know what he was talking about.) But, unfortunately, Clark didn't come home with me, once again. Maybe someday he will come to live with me, but for now, he wanted to stay in Jackson.

And now, I'm back in Pleasant Grove. Thinking about my crazy few weeks ahead of me. I will be happy for Thanksgiving break, because that will mean we are done with our two weeks of crazy madness at work. We have something like 22 books that are going to press in the next two weeks.

Here's a random cute picture of my newest niece, Lily. Isn't she adorable?

Picture Tag

I got tagged a while back. I'm supposed to post the 4th picture from the 4th folder of pics. Let's see what I can find. Most of my pics are on my other computer, so this could be exciting.
Ok, this is a good picture. This is from last summer, at my Grandpa's 85th birthday party. It was at a park up Provo Canyon, and unfortunately, the weather wasn't cooperating and it rained on us most of the time. This is me and 4 of my sisters and my sister-in-law. Little Lucy is the kid in the bottom of the picture. I don't really like me in this picture, but I like it for everyone else. This was after we had all gotten rained on and were looking lovely.

Lazy Sunday

More random thoughts: (started this post Thursday night)
• I'm the new owner of a food chopper. :) I'm becoming domestic again.
• In case you didn't know, I'm doing weight watchers (have been for 2 weeks now). They are doing an "at work" program at PDC, which is extremely convenient for me. We weighed this morning. I was down 1.6 lbs. Yea!
• I LOVE Pleasant Grove! It is so nice and small town-y. I just went on a walk around my neighborhood. It just makes me happy. I like that there isn't curb and sidewalks everywhere. I know, that seems wierd, but it makes me feel more at home. I don't really know why. I like that the grass just comes and stops right at the street, with a little gravel on the side of the road. Probably because that is how the street I grew up on was. No sidewalk, just a very "lived on" yard and street. We lived on a dead end street with 16 houses on it, so it was very quiet. And, we were almost to the end, so even more quiet. We could have bike rallies on the street, baseball games on the street, fireworks on the street (without bothering anyone else). We even laid down on the street sometimes, just because we could. I miss those carefree days, so I guess Pleasant Grove reminds me of that just a little bit.
• Being more in control of my eating habits has made me feel more in control of more areas of my life. I am in the mood to set goals and accomplish something. So, my new goal is to do one creative project every week (at least one). And, I want to post it on the blog. We'll see how that goes.
(It's now Sunday night.)
We had something of a miracle happening in nursery today. We have one little girl who will not let her dad leave. When he does, she just cries and cries, inconsolable. She has been in nursery for almost a year. Today, something magical happened. She was ok! The dad wasn't. He kept checking on her, and actually came in and hung out for a few minutes a couple of times, but the little girl just ignored him. Also, we have a little boy with about the same problem. His dad could leave sometimes, after snack time, when Josh was distracted enough. Not today. His dad had to run home to get our snack bucket, and he left Josh there. And guess what!? He was ok! We were quite amazed. Maybe the nursery room was receiving extra special blessings today. Maybe because I wasn't up for dealing with crying kids today. I was a little emotional this morning. My little sister, Sharon, is having a very tough go of life these days. She had a baby almost 4 weeks ago, who is adorable by the way. But, my little sis had gall bladder surgery a week ago, and just got mastitis last night. When is it going to end? The hardest part is that she is in Arizona, too far away for us to jump in the car and go see her all the time. It is killing me. I want to go help her out. I think she will survive, and hopefully there is some lesson being learned by all involved. She is going to have some good stories to tell little Lily about her entrance into the world.
I have been working on finishing my projects from CE 08. I have lots of them almost done. I am having a bit of a hard time deciding what pictures to use on some of them. I have a super cute acrylic album basically done except for pics, but what pics to use? I'm debating- WFFD 08 or just some random pics of my cute neices & nephews. Neither of those are perfect in my head, so maybe I should wait and see if anything else jumps in my head. It is making me realize that I am much better at making the books than really scrapbooking. I LOVE putting mini books together, and bookbinding and such, but my struggle comes in actually putting photos and words together on the pages. Not my forte. But, I will keep trying. Hopefully this week I will take some pics of the finished projects to post here.
My other goal for the week: get a membership to the PG Rec Center, so I can go exercise there and be more consistent about it. They have an awesome indoor track, and a big exercise equipment area with lots of treadmills, bikes, etc, and a big weight room area. they also have classes, but I think I just want to use the equipment for now. I really wish they had a swimming pool so I could continue to go to water aerobics. Oh, well, can't have everything you want...

Random Thoughts in my Head

• I am a BAD blogger... sorry!
• I am VERY glad that my sister Sharon is seeing the sun again. I've been very worried about her this week. (She has a 3 week old baby and just had gall bladder surgery.)
• I love working at Archivers, but I don't really love sweeping and mopping after we close.
• I have too many ideas in my head, and not enough actual creating of these crazy ideas.
• I need a new car - what kind? I'm thinking about a VW Bug, or a Subaru something. I was wanting a little SUV, like a Ford Escape, but the gas thing scares me a little bit. Don't really need an SUV, just think it would be fun.
• Weight Watchers is going good. Not sure I'm losing anything this week, but so far I have stuck to the plan. I am actually cooking things, using my kitchen. I know, it doesn't seem like a big thing, but it really is, for me. I bought spices the other day. :) I'm also saving money, because I'm not going out to eat as much. And, amazingly, I haven't been too hungry, or been craving anything I'm not supposed to eat.
• Creative Escape in Chandler Arizona was AWESOME! I would recommend it to anyone who loves scrapbooking and loves being pampered and just having a great time. The classes were great, the resort was awesome. It was the little things that made the difference - fun gifts in your room at night, dessert first at the final dinner, fun Random Acts of Kindness (free products) for everyone. And I met a few new friends. I would do it again in a heartbeat.
• It was also very fun to see my old friend Brooke while I was in AZ. She's one of those friends you don't see for two years, but as soon as you get in her car, it's like it was only yesterday. Almost makes me think I should move down to AZ.
• Quick recap of my summer: Ward Trek at the end of June, Girls Camp end of July, AZ end of August.
• Rachelle, my oldest sister, is getting married Nov 1.
• We are having a big cousin party the night before, for Halloween. Does this mean I have to dress up?
Random Picture: Me and my sister Rachelle at the UVU celebration concert on June 30 with Collin Raye and other country guys that I can't think of right now. Very fun concert. One of my most favorite things in the world: sitting outside, with good friends (or sisters), listening to great music, under the stars, with perfect summer night weather. (Some good treats are always good too.)


Ok, I guess I'm all out of random thoughts. I will try to be a better blogger, but no guarantees. :)

return with awesome tour

So, Keera wants to be my friend, so she is tagged from the last post. (She thought she was chopped liver...)

Rachelle and I went to the Ryan Shupe & the RubberBand cd release concert last night. I love Ryan Shupe! and his band. Not only can they play some awesome music, but they are all hotties... (yes, I know most of them are married, but I can still think they are hot, right?) We were afraid we were going to freeze to death last night, but it actually was pretty nice. I did get a little chilly, and i had a hoodie and a blanket. We don't feel like it is summer yet. When you still have to wear a jacket, it is weird. But, we aren't complaining, because I would rather have this weather than 110 degrees. Anyway, the concert was pretty awesome! I've been listening to the new cd ever since I got it. Sadly, I couldn't listen to it in my car this afternoon cause my car adapter for my iPod was being stupid.

Today has been a bit lazy for me. I needed a day to just be a bum. I've been getting up super early to go exercise this week, so I was pretty tired (and the concert didn't get over until almost 11 pm last night). But, now I've been out running errands, spending lots of money. I found a very cute gift for my cute niece Lindsey, who will turn three tomorrow.

Now I'm trying to decide what I'm going to do with the rest of the afternoon. Do I work on girls camp books, make a skirt for trek, or read the new book I bought last night? Such decisions... Really I should clean my house, too. Or maybe I'll just go take a nap. :)

Tagged...again

Ok, I got tagged forever ago by Clarice. And everyone keeps telling me I need to update this thing. So, here goes.

List: 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 goals, 3 current obsessions/collections, 3 random surprising facts about yourself. Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog!)

3 joys
1. My 11 (almost 12) so adorable nieces and nephews. They are the loves of my life. They make me laugh. They make me proud to be their aunt. They are the coolest kids on the planet!

2. Making books. I love the act of creating something beautiful. Finding the stuff to go together, and putting it together, and making paper and book board and glue and thread turn into a beautiful book. and then giving them away to people who appreciate them.

3. walking/running. I'm just getting back into this, but I walked tonight. It was such a beautiful night! I have just recently started walking along the canal in PG, which is pretty fun, you can see the whole valley up there. Pretty cool.

3 fears
1. Spiders. hate spiders. Really hate most kinds of bugs, especially when they are in my house. And I don't have a man around to kill them for me!

2. That my car will die on me and I will get stranded somewhere. It's getting old and a little tired, but it's still a good car.

3. I sometimes fear that I am missing my purpose in life. I just found out one of my old friends from high school is living in Kenya (doing what, I'm not sure). But, when I find out people are doing exotic things like that, I question my boring life. Is there something better out there for me?

3 goals
1. My family has just started a biggest loser contest this summer. My goal is to be the winner! I think the pot is up to about $160. Wouldn't that be fun to spend? :)

2. I want to post and sell stuff (books) on Etsy. If you haven't been on Etsy yet, you should go check it out. It's pretty darn cool. My store name is Daisy Dreamer, but don't go look at it now. There's nothing there yet. Give me a little time. :)

3. I want to get up tomorrow morning and make it to water aerobics at 6.


3 current obsessions/collections
1. Stephenie Meyer's books. The latest on "The Host" was pretty good. Can't wait for New Dawn (is that what it's called? not totally sure...)

2. all things camoflauge. Our theme for girls camp is "Boot Camp" so I've been on the lookout for camo things to decorate camp, etc. I have found camo streamers, and cute camo tins. I have some camo fabric and ribbon, but I'm not sure what I'm going to do with those yet. If anyone has any great ideas, I'm totally open to suggestions.

3. a not super current one... I have a spoon collection. It started when I was pretty little, probably 5 or 6 I would guess. I collect them from places I visit, and my family has gotten me spoons from their travels, too (I have a couple from Italy, thanks to my bro, and some from Japan thanks to my sis) My first one came from either Yellowstone or Jackson Hole. There was a cool one on a ferry we were on on Lake Michigan (or one of the Great Lakes, probably not Lake Michigan... the one that would take you from Canada to New York, by Niagara Falls). I REALLY really wanted this spoon, but my mom tried to tell me we would find a cheaper one when we got off the boat somewhere. Of course we didn't even look for one. I was pretty mad (still a sore spot with me apparently, since that was when I was about 13 years old and I still remember the incident).

3 random surprising facts about yourself
1. I sleep on a bunk bed. Weird, I know. It's a bunk bed on top, futon on the bottom, and I've had it for about 3 or 4 years. I sleep on top, and the bottom bunk is usually full of my clothes. I hate folding clothes, but I don't like them on the floor, so it's a great place for them.

2. I'm going to Creative Escape in Phoenix in September and I'm pretty darn excited about it! I've been dreaming about going for the past two years, and decided this year was the year to go. I get to see my sister & bro-in-law and new niece while I'm there, too.

3. My favorite food is Mexican. (sorry, kind of boring, but it's all i can think of)


Ok, I tag my little sister Sharon. Sorry, I don't have five friends!

random blatherings

Ok, I'm back. For some reason the pictures just seem too hard for me lately. I might catch up someday. March was actually a bad month for the picture taking for me. I missed several days. But, I decided not to beat myself up over it. I'm just moving on. I think I felt like the pictures were all starting to look the same.

So, I got an email this morning from Peter Breinholt. He was recording some songs for his new cd tonight, and they decided to invite some people to come to the studio. The first 35 people to email back would get to go. So, I emailed this morning, pretty sure I was too late, and then went to work. I checked my hotmail during the day, and didn't see a response from them, so I assumed it was a no go. I went to work at Archivers for a few hours tonight after they called and begged me to come. So, I got home about 9:45. Opened my email, and um, hello! I had written them from my msn account, and I was one of the first, so I totally could have gone! But, of course, I missed the opportunity! I'm a little sad tonight. I hate missing good opportunities for fun free things!

I've decided I'm not a "purist" when it comes to bookmaking. I don't have to use expensive book cloth, expensive paper, etc. to make books. I'm not opposed to using scrapbook paper! Is this bad? I think some "purist" people would think so. I was talking to the girls at Archivers tonight about bookmaking, and one of the new girls has taken bookbinding, and we were talking to Anjulee (ok, I don't know how to spell her name!) about what it takes to make books. I said you could use scrapbook paper, and Corinne started talking about how you can't use scrapbook paper, you have to use expensive paper and book cloth. I think its fun to use the expensive stuff, but it also is really ok to use regular paper and regular cloth. ... random blathering ...

I'm taking tomorrow off! Yea! I'm spending it at the dentist. Not yea. And it's going to cost me lots of money. Not yea. But I do get to sleep in! Yea!

The goal for April: to take a picture every day.

The other goal for April: to not freeze to death in my cold cold apartment. Hopefully the weather will decide to warm up sometime.

Happy Easter

I'm back! I don't know if I will have any photos tonight. We'll see how it goes. But, I thought I'd blog, since I haven't blogged for a while. It's been a good week, good weekend. Nothing super exciting. I talked to my manager at Archivers about cutting back my hours there. I am drowning with all the stuff I'm trying to do right now. Luckily, they love me there, so hopefully it will work out that I can work once a week or so, at least for a while.
An interesting thing happened the night I talked to Elaine (my manager). I was working with Desi that night, and we were talking about me quitting. A customer who was standing by the counter overheard us, and told me to pray about it. Then, he proceeded to tell me all about his life, how he had just quit his job, and found a much better job three days later. He was telling me how to put up a website, and promote myself in the world of freelance design. He was a little bit crazy, but it was very interesting coincidence (if you call it that) that he was standing there when we were talking about my dilemma. It made me think about my life and what I really want to be doing. I am still thinking about that. Haven't come up with any answers yet.

I've also been working on girls camp. We are starting to plan and prepare for this year. I'm so excited! My mind is going crazy with fun ideas for the girls. We had our first camp activity this last Wednesday night. It went really well, I thought. We were doing first aid, which can be really boring, but we had a great time with it. And we made mini first aid kits that each girl can have with her and girls camp. I love my camp director I am working with this year. We are on the same page with most things, so working together has been easy so far. Our theme is Boot Camp, so we are coming up with fun ideas along those lines. If you have any ideas for me, I'm open to any and all suggestions.

I am on a new exercise campaign. I love it when it is warm enough outside that I can go walking outside and not freeze to death. I went out yesterday morning. I walked for an hour, went about 3 miles. I was just walking the streets of Pleasant Grove. I ended up going straight up a huge hill, toward the "G" on the mountain. I didn't really know where I was going, I was just walking. So, I'm a little sore today, but it is a good sore. I need new shoes.

I'm in a bit of a rambling mood. So sorry. It's late, but I took a VERY long nap this afternoon, so I'm pretty sure I'm not going to sleep well tonight. So, I decided to just stay up and get stuff done, instead of going to bed and getting frustrated because I'm not going to sleep.

I had a good Easter today, after I finally got out of bed. It was hard this morning. We had Stake Conference today. It was really good. I love Stake Conference. I missed the adult session last night, because I had to work. But, it was good today. Then, I came home and read for awhile and then fell asleep, for a long time. I think I woke up about 6. Then, I made myself a yummy Easter dinner - funeral potatoes and ham. It was delicious. And now I have leftovers for lunch. I never had leftovers anymore...probably because I don't cook in the first place. :) I tried to watch August Rush tonight, but my computer is being dumb. And, then I tried to watch Enchanted, but the dvd I bought is skipping and being dumb, so I couldn't watch that. So, I ended up watching Ella Enchanted. I love Anne Hathaway. So, that was my Easter. Nothing exciting, but that is how i wanted it. I wanted a quiet day today, a good afternoon nap, some yummy food. What else could I want?

I will try to post some photos this week.

Sunday

Today's picture. It's one of the wall hangings in my house. A frame with three pictures of temples in it - three of my favorites: Salt Lake, Idaho Falls, and Logan. I was going to do a better picture today, but my camera was out of batteries and I just barely found some.

I got to do inventory at Archivers this morning. Good times, let me tell you. Counting embellishments. What else would I want to be doing on a Sunday morning? I made it home in time to run over to the church for a meeting with my camp director to talk about getting started planning camp for this summer. Our theme this year is "Boot Camp" so we get to come up with a troop name for ourselves. That's really all we know so far. But, I think it will be fun. Good decorating opportunities. Fun camouflage decorations, or hats, or t-shirts. So, if you have any good boot camp ideas, I'm open to suggestions.

My sister and her kids came over to my house tonight - surprise! Of course, my house is a mess, so I feel silly when they walk in, and there is no where to sit on the couches, and there is only a little path from my living room to my bedroom. So, my goal is to clean my house and keep it clean. At least my living room, keep the couches clean and somewhat presentable. The kids were exploring the house, and they kept saying how messy it was. A little embarrassing! So, that's my goal for today.

Friday & Saturday pictures

3/7 - My pictures are getting kind of boring, I think. It's all I can come up with, though. And, usually I forget to take a picture until I'm home and its late. I want to try to take more pictures not at home. But, for today, this is all I've got. I'm continuing my tour of my house. This is a picture of my hall closet. Exciting, huh?
3/8 Another picture of my house. This is my kitchen. I got up early (8 am) this morning and cleaned for a few hours before I had to go to work. I have to play a game with myself, and only work in each room for 15 minutes. So, this is as clean as the kitchen got in 15 minutes. Still needs work, but I got a load of dishes in the dishwasher and cleaned up a bit. I also worked on my living room, bedroom, and cleaned my shower. It desperately needed the cleaning. So, I feel good about what I got accomplished.

I got to work at both jobs today, even though it is Saturday. No rest for the wicked. :) I had to work 48 hours at PDC this week, and I didn't quite make it last night, so I had to go in for a couple of hours this morning. Then, I worked at Archivers this afternoon. It was busy, but nothing unusual. I ran over to Keera's bridal shower for a minute on my break. I got to see Angie and Melanie there, former Archivers coworkers. Had some yummy goodness!
Now I'm just tired. And guess what? I get to get up and go to work tomorrow! Fun, huh? We all have to go work on inventory at Archivers. I'm not really looking forward to it. I'm sad I'm going to miss nursery tomorrow. But, I guess you do what you have to, right?

Ok, I'm caught up now, so hopefully I'll stay caught up. And everyone can get off my back. :)

Ok, I'm getting crap from various people for not keeping up with my blog. So, I'm going to try to be better. Here is another collage of pics - I'm still trying to get caught up. This starts with 2/25. I got a drink that day, I think it was a Jones Soda, and this was on the lid. It says "You shall soon make a long overdue personal decision." Very interesting, as I've been struggling with a few decisions I know I need to make, but I'm having a hard time making them.
2/26 - The picture of Rice-Eccles Stadium was the only photo I really took this day. But, I don't like it, so I am using the picture of the box I made as the real picture for 2/26. I finally finished the box, after having to rip it apart and start over. But, I love how it turned out.
2/27 Ok, I guess 2/27's picture is really the box picture.
2/28 - I finally got caught up on my projects for class, I did this coptic bound book. It was pretty easy, except for the drilling holes in the wood part. I ruined one piece of wood before I got it right. I had to have my teacher help me with that part.
2/29 - I got a gift card for a free bear at Build-A-Bear for my birthday, so I ran over there this morning before heading off to Idaho for the weekend. It's pretty darn cute. I had to get a girl bear to be friends with George, the bear I got last year from my sister Sharon.
3/1 - This is a mug my mom gave me for my birthday. It says "I'll rise, but I refuse to shine." So cute! I love it. It is the start of my new mug collection. She also gave me a super cute spoon set that I'm in love with also.
3/2 - my birthday! My sister Rachelle got this cake for me. Carson was enthralled by it. He sat next to it and counted the balloons, and told us the colors, and tried to decide which balloon he wanted to eat. It was pretty cute.
3/3 - My third birthday party! The girls at work gave me a gift card to Barnes & Noble and made me a yummy cheesecake.
3/4 - These are the two books I bought with my gift card. I spent about an hour at B&N, just wandering around, trying to decide what to buy. I've been wanting to read "The Kite Runner" so I decided to get that. And "Blink" looks interesting.
3/5 - Um, yea, it's a milkshake from Iceberg. Unfortunately, they have put an iceberg in the mall food court, so it is very tempting to go get milkshakes all the time. All three of us who worked Wednesday night had to have one. I had mint cookie flavor - my favorite! Their mini size is so big, it takes me a few days to eat it. So, I had it for dinner the next night, too.
3/6 This is one of the books I got from Amazon today. It is about using creative journaling as part of the healing process. I've only read a few pages of it, but I am excited to read more, and use the ideas from it.

Ok, more to come later.

Ok, here's the last month or so of pics

I finally got a collage of pics made. I know they are tiny, but it's the best I can do right now. I did write a line about each of them on the other collage I had done, but I don't have time right now to do that. I might try later tonight. There are pics of the days of my sickness in there. The Golden Grahams are all I ate one day, there is a pic of the mess of my living room after laying on my couch for 5 days straight. Thank everything I'm healthy again! My mom sent me a valentine, so there is a picture of that. And of course some pics of the books I made for my class. A few pictures of my cute nieces & nephews. I got to eat at Jason's deli the other day, for the first time. It was yummy!

I'm a slacker

Ok, ok, I know. I've been a slacker on this blog this month. Where has the month gone, anyway?

So, I've been trying to make a photo mosaic thing on Flickr, and for some reason, I'm not smart enough to figure it out. So, when I do figure it out, hopefully I will get through the last month's photos quickly, and then I will try to stay on track after that.

Can I tell a funny story about my nephew? His name is Carson, he is 4, and oh so adorable. I was at their house last night and was getting ready to leave about 7:30. Usually his dad walks me to my car (out the garage) to make sure there are no boogy men in my car. But, his dad is in Texas right now. So, he runs down and wants to walk me out. So cute! Anyway, his mom, Jeanette, was telling me a funny story. The other day, she was in the shower, and he came in, opened the shower door, and had the blow dryer in his hands, which he pointed at her and said, "Mom, I didn't want you to get cold in the shower." How cute is that?

This week is going to be fun. We are on 10 hours mandatory overtime at work. I am leaving early on Friday, so I am only required to work 5 hours overtime, which means I have to work about 41 hours in 4 1/2 days. Sounds fun, huh? That's why I'm awake at 6:15 this morning. I should be getting ready for work, but I get distracted easily. Luckily, I'm not working at Archivers this week. I wouldn't be able to do it otherwise. I will miss it, but i think I'll go visit them sometime this week.

It's my birthday on Sunday. What should I buy myself?

Where did the week go?

Ok, I'm back. And, I'm off to the photos of the day, since I don't really have anything else to say right now.



Jan 27

These are 5 books I made for my sister. I just finished them yesterday, and am giving them to her tomorrow. She is going to use them to write fun, cool things that happen this year in them for each of her kids (& husband) and then probably give them to them for CHristmas next year. Very cool idea, I thought. I just hope she likes them.



Jan 26:

Number 34 is my nephew, Nathan. He is a sports-a-holic. He was the star of his football team in the fall, and now he is on two different basketball teams. He is very intense, and an awesome player.

Jan 25:

This one is a little bit random. It is the hall at PDC. I work at the end of the hall (where I am standing), and I am looking down the hall at the rest of the production department. We are in an old warehouse that they have built offices into, so the layout is pretty random. But, there are two very long halls like this. I must admit we have had office chair races down these halls before. (when I worked the night crew several years ago)

Jan 24:

This is a layout I did at the Employee Crop a few weeks ago. It is currently on display in my living room. I like to do that when I LOVE a layout. I can't just stick it in the album right away. I like to keep it out so I can look at it for awhile before it goes in the book.

Jan 23:

It's me again! My friend Tiffany took this picture of me at Wingers. The two of us went to lunch on Wednesday. I had my favorite Sticky Finger Salad. Yummy! We don't go out to lunch very often, but once in a while it is fun to just leave the building and go eat some yummy food.

Jan 22:

Here's my books again. These are the two I am working on at my class right now. This week we just "lined the spine" by gluing them and lining them with this cool stuff called 'crash' that helps stabilize the spine. It was a short class - I got out at 6 pm. Then I got stuck in traffic getting out of the university. So, it's better to stay later and miss the traffic, I think.

Ok, I'm all caught up again.

I've had a lot on my mind lately. Thinking about my word of the year - balance. Very interesting coincidence this week. I got my new Ensign magazine in the mail, and what is on the cover? A story about keeping your life in balance. I thought that was a little crazy. So, I read that, and will be reading it again, to try to learn what I need to learn from it. I know my life is not in balance right now. I'm just trying to work on getting it in balance. It's a tough thing, though.

I had a meeting this morning for girls camp. We are going on "winter camp" in two weeks. It is at Mutual Dell, a church owned property in American Fork canyon. I was under the assumption that we all slept in the lodge up there. But, I found out this morning that there is the option to sleep outside, in the snow. Now, how fun does that sound? Not so fun to me! I think I will be sleeping in the lodge on my cot. :) I think the girls think it's an adventure to sleep outside. I'm too old I guess.

Where did the week go?

So, I'm back, finally. The week just flew by without me taking a minute to post. So, I thought I better do it tonight, or it will be another week before I get to it. I don't really have anything to say right now, so I'll just get to the photos of the day:

Jan

I've Been Tagged by Keera

I've been Tagged!!!
A: The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.
B: Each player answers the questions about themselves.
C: At the end of the post, the player then tags 3 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

10 years ago:
10 years ago I was 20, almost 21, going to school at Utah State University, studying family I consumer science.

5 things on my to-do list today:
1. Pick up dinners at My Girlfriend's Kitchen
2. Finish reading the book I bought last night
3. Work on books that I'm making for my sister
4. Clean my house (perpetually on the list)
5. Work on lesson for Sunday

5.Snacks I enjoy:
1. Diet Dr Pepper
2. Vanilla Tootsie Rolls
3. Cheesecake
4. Oreo Milkshake
5. Tostitos Flour Tortilla Chips

What I would do if I were suddenly made a billionaire:
I would go on a trip, probably to Europe. I would buy a new car, and a house. I would spread the wealth to my family for whatever they needed. I would quit working, buy a motor home and tour the country, stopping at my sister's (& brothers') houses as they needed me. Then I would just spend my days making books and selling them.

5 places I have lived:
1. Idaho Falls
2. Logan
3. Jackson Hole, WY
4. Orem
5.Pleasant Grove

5 jobs that I have had:
1. PDC (Phone Directories)
2. Archivers
3. Grand Teton Lodge Company (housekeeper)
4. Daisy Dreamer (my own business)
5. Utah State Housing Office

5 Things people don't know about me:
1. I went skydiving a few years ago and loved it. Would do it again in a heartbeat
2. I finished a 10k (walking & running...probably more walking than running)
3. I love to read, and am known to stay up until 2 or 3 in the morning to finish a book
4. I am a huge Ryan Shupe fan (& Peter Breinholt & Jon Schmidt & Eclipse)
5. I volunteered at the Olympics in Salt Lake in 2002.

Ok, I tag...1. Sharon 2. Holly 3. Melanie