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?