When I first started working at my current job last year, Bob, my boss, and I spent a lot of time together. Cherie, at the time, wasn't working there, the other worker was on vacation, and there were no other employees. Thus, I was mainly trained by Bob, all day, everyday. I heard a lot of his life stories, which I found both fascinating and entertaining. After those first few weeks, the other worker came back from vacation, Cherie came back to the store, and Bob spent very little time in the store overall.
Bob took me out to lunch on Monday, just the two of us, to resolve the major problems that had occurred over the weekend. We achieved our directive and I was once again privileged with stories from his life.
Last year, one of the stories he told me was of Quest. Quest is a phone/Internet provider and, according to him, entirely inept. They could never do ANYTHING correctly, and he had countless horror stories to back this up. During our lunch, he mentioned that to save money, our store would be switching to Quest. I was stunned.
"Quest? The same entirely inept Quest that you spoke so highly of? But, why?"
He answered that they needed to ave money, and the monthly bill would be almost $100 dollars cheaper.
"But what of the horror stories? We can't run our store if they screw up our phone lines!"
"$100 a month!" And that ended that conversation.
Yeah, you can guess what happened. Wednesday afternoon our phones went dead, the store next door started receiving our calls, and worst of all, or Internet was down. No Internet means no main system. No main system means we cannot receive anything, order anything, or sell anything. So, boxes that needed receiving were stacked in the corner, things to be ordered were made into a list, and we photocopied drivers licences with credit cards when people "purchased" something so we could put it into the system when it was fixed.
Quest assured that it would be fixed by Thursday morning. They lied. All day Thursday, I added to the stack of boxes, the list of things to order, and the stack of paperwork of photocopies highly sensitive information. All day I let people walk out of the store with things they hadn't actually paid or yet.
Quest assured us that it would be fixed by Friday morning. They lied.
Today, the Quest guy showed up 7 hours late. He fixed our phone line, but in doing so, crashed the store next door's system, leaving them without credit card machines.
2 hours after that, Josh fixed the Internet by himself, and I began the task of entering in all the purchases. Things went well, until the end. Problem 1) There was one order missing, I remember the sale, but the paperwork was gone. Problem 2) On one of the photocopies, three of the credit card numbers were unreadable.
So, Josh and I tried hacking the credit card, coming up with different combinations, writing down which ones we had tried, turning he paper upside down and sideways to see if we could distinguish the numbers...all to no avail. I spent a long time digging through papers on the cashwrap, digging through papers in my box, digging through papers in Bob's stack, and digging through the garbage. Finally, I found the missing purchase. And yeah, ALL the credit card numbers were unreadable.
I think I now have horror stories of my own to back up the Quest theory.
Friday, August 01, 2008
Thursday, July 31, 2008
July BAMC: Ender's Game
My dad is a huge Orson Scott Card fan. Huge. Ender is also a big name in my house. It's a long story, but it's safe to say that if I had a brother, his name, or middle name, or nickname, would have been Ender.
When I was 11 or 12, I read Ender's Game. Besides being shocked that and LDS author would use swear words in his book, I remember not liking the book because of how mean they were to Ender. I have read one or two Card books since then, but have never been excited about his writing.
My mother picked me up from the airport when I arrived home from Texas, and in the back seat of the car was First Meeting in the Enderverse. I read it. I loved it. It made me want to read Ender's Game again. So I did.
July's word was Independence. Yet again, a predictable and unoriginal topic for the month. BAMC, you are disappointing me. Never-the-less, Ender's game fits perfectly with this topic. The book is about Mankind's war against "evil" aliens. They are not so much fighting for Independence as survival, but the methods the human government goes through to win, strip mankind of their independence; The government imposes a rule that only two children are allowed per family, as well as other laws.
Ender is found to be an exceptional child and taken to Battle school, where, similar to all military situations, he has no independence. Later we learn in the book that the aliens communicate with one mind, one thought, one being, and thus, have no individual independence.
This time through, I loved the book. I loved it so much I am now intrigued to keep reading. I think I'll read the rest of the Ender Chronicles. After that, I may just read all of the Card books my dad has in his closet. I'll add them to my book list, right under Phantom and the new Stephanie Meyers book that comes out TOMORROW. Kris and I are going to a midnight party for the book. Hooray!!! Go reading.
When I was 11 or 12, I read Ender's Game. Besides being shocked that and LDS author would use swear words in his book, I remember not liking the book because of how mean they were to Ender. I have read one or two Card books since then, but have never been excited about his writing.
My mother picked me up from the airport when I arrived home from Texas, and in the back seat of the car was First Meeting in the Enderverse. I read it. I loved it. It made me want to read Ender's Game again. So I did.
July's word was Independence. Yet again, a predictable and unoriginal topic for the month. BAMC, you are disappointing me. Never-the-less, Ender's game fits perfectly with this topic. The book is about Mankind's war against "evil" aliens. They are not so much fighting for Independence as survival, but the methods the human government goes through to win, strip mankind of their independence; The government imposes a rule that only two children are allowed per family, as well as other laws.
Ender is found to be an exceptional child and taken to Battle school, where, similar to all military situations, he has no independence. Later we learn in the book that the aliens communicate with one mind, one thought, one being, and thus, have no individual independence.
This time through, I loved the book. I loved it so much I am now intrigued to keep reading. I think I'll read the rest of the Ender Chronicles. After that, I may just read all of the Card books my dad has in his closet. I'll add them to my book list, right under Phantom and the new Stephanie Meyers book that comes out TOMORROW. Kris and I are going to a midnight party for the book. Hooray!!! Go reading.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Pictures of You, Pictures of Me
Drek went Canyoneering over the weekend. He came home alive, which made me very happy. He also bought me a little unexpected present: a little skunk finger puppet and a little raccoon finger puppet. He is the raccoon and I am the skunk, now we can always be together. Awwwwwwww.
Today, Kris, Toby, Acouchi, Drek and I were all watching the mole. I decided to take a picture:
Life is going great! Drek's Graduation pary is all aken care of, and the Saboteur game is coming along. A few hitches have been hit, but things are still going great.
Today, Kris, Toby, Acouchi, Drek and I were all watching the mole. I decided to take a picture:
Life is going great! Drek's Graduation pary is all aken care of, and the Saboteur game is coming along. A few hitches have been hit, but things are still going great.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Work the Whole Day Through, Work is What I Like to Do.
Work got very scary over the weekend, but everything worked out. Thank goodness for Cherie.
Today I have been trying to arrange my business trip. My boss is flying me out to California to attend two different classes that are supposed to make me a better salesperson. I have spent most of the trying to talk to cooperate, who is in charge of the seminars, and the only people who know what is going. Alas, there was an earthquake in Southern California today and cooperate is in chaos. Every time I call I am answered: Oh. I'm not sure. There was an earthquake here today, you know. I survived an earthquake. An EARTHQUAKE, you know.
Yeah. I know. A 5.3. I shake my head in sadness.
I got the information I needed anyway. I finally got as hold of the women in charge of the seminars. She is not in California, and was getting the same responces I was but she was better at saying "suck it up, people" than I was.
I arrive in California at 9:30am on August 10th; a Sunday. I'm staying at crazy expensive Hotel. Class starts that same day at noon and doesn't get out until 9pm. The next day, class ends at 1pm. I change cities and go to even more crazy expensive Hotel.
On Aug 12, class starts at 8:00am and ends at 5pm, same for Aug 13. On Aug 13 My plane leaves at 7:15pm.
I am looking forward to this a lot. Not only is it an adventure, but Bonnie says she'll bring the kids up to visit so I get to see my babies!! Hooray!!! Even if it is only for an hour or so, I can't wait to see them!!!
Today I have been trying to arrange my business trip. My boss is flying me out to California to attend two different classes that are supposed to make me a better salesperson. I have spent most of the trying to talk to cooperate, who is in charge of the seminars, and the only people who know what is going. Alas, there was an earthquake in Southern California today and cooperate is in chaos. Every time I call I am answered: Oh. I'm not sure. There was an earthquake here today, you know. I survived an earthquake. An EARTHQUAKE, you know.
Yeah. I know. A 5.3. I shake my head in sadness.
I got the information I needed anyway. I finally got as hold of the women in charge of the seminars. She is not in California, and was getting the same responces I was but she was better at saying "suck it up, people" than I was.
I arrive in California at 9:30am on August 10th; a Sunday. I'm staying at crazy expensive Hotel. Class starts that same day at noon and doesn't get out until 9pm. The next day, class ends at 1pm. I change cities and go to even more crazy expensive Hotel.
On Aug 12, class starts at 8:00am and ends at 5pm, same for Aug 13. On Aug 13 My plane leaves at 7:15pm.
I am looking forward to this a lot. Not only is it an adventure, but Bonnie says she'll bring the kids up to visit so I get to see my babies!! Hooray!!! Even if it is only for an hour or so, I can't wait to see them!!!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
More The Mole
Clay is not the mole. On the one hand, I was wrong, on the other, it makes me feel better. I was slightly upset that I had "missed my chance". I wrote in to ABC telling them to bring the Mole back and to put me on, and they brought it back, but I was not on it. I felt if I had just been a little bit more diligent, I would have gotten on the show and won the money. Alas, now I know I would have lost, and not won the money, so it makes me feel better.
My the Mole game is coming along great!! I got cooperate sponsorship, so now we get to do challenges in really cool places, where we can get in for FREE!! Also, I am trying to get the dinner for free. We will see how this goes.
While doing research, I came across a "race through the night" game, which was a small scale version of the amazing race here in this city. It happened in May, and they had cooperate sponsorship and lots of free food. Also, their prize was a vacation to Cancun. I am thinking my game needs a cooler prize. Anyway, Kris and I signed up for next year!! Our team is the Thoroughbreds of Sin, and we need two ore teammates, maybe our husbands? And we will win. Bwhahaha.
My the Mole game is coming along great!! I got cooperate sponsorship, so now we get to do challenges in really cool places, where we can get in for FREE!! Also, I am trying to get the dinner for free. We will see how this goes.
While doing research, I came across a "race through the night" game, which was a small scale version of the amazing race here in this city. It happened in May, and they had cooperate sponsorship and lots of free food. Also, their prize was a vacation to Cancun. I am thinking my game needs a cooler prize. Anyway, Kris and I signed up for next year!! Our team is the Thoroughbreds of Sin, and we need two ore teammates, maybe our husbands? And we will win. Bwhahaha.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Who is the Mole?
A small-scale version of The Mole is in the works. This will be a huge event and enormous fun!! You should play with us. Think of this as a large-scale Werewolf game, but a million times more fun. We need people to be players, but we also need people to take pictures, point and laugh and just have fun while not really being in the game. The facts of these:
-The Mole we are playing is based on the reality show The Mole on ABC. You can go to ABC.com to watch it, or to read about it.
-You do not need to have seen The Mole to play, or even to win. However, watching the show will give you an idea about the types of challenges the players will face and might even give you some ideas for strategies.
-Players complete challenges to earn candy. They must work together as a team to complete these challenges.
-One randomly selected player is the mole; a saboteur trying to stop the players from earning candy.
-In order to win the game and the candy, a player must determine who is the mole, and watch their actions carefully, to answer the quizzes correctly.
-Players are wanted. You should be a player. We need 5-20 players for this to work, one of which will be the mole.
-Everyone is invited to play or to watch. The more the merrier!
GAME RULES:
The game starts at 5:00pm on Friday, Aug 8th 2008. After introductions the first challenge will begin. All players (and one mole) will participate in a challenge. The challenge will either be physical, mental, or a combination of both. Players will not know beforehand what the challenge will be. The mole knows what all upcoming challenges will be. Before the challenge, the host will explain the rules, and the reward. Whatever reward the players win goes into the Final Pot. Whatever reward the players do not win will be put into the Mole's Pot. Players generally try to add the reward to the final pot, while the mole generally tries to sabotage the game and keep the reward all to him or herself.
After each challenge, players will be given a one question quiz. The question will ask something about the mole (what color shirt is the mole wearing? What did the mole do during the last challenge?). Players will not be able to discuss the questions at any time during the game. Players will not know other players' answers. At the end of each quiz, the answers will be collected. They will not be looked at until the end of the game. The last quiz will ask: Who is the mole?
During some of the challenges, exemptions may be offered. The host will give instructions on if an exemption is being offered and how to obtain it. An exemption means you get the next quiz answer correct automatically.
Finally, the quizzes are scored. The mole is revealed! The player with the most correct answers wins the game and the final pot! The mole gets his pot. On the last quiz, if 90% of the players answer "who is the mole?" correctly, the mole has not been sneaky enough and his pot is divided among the players who answered the last question correctly.
FOR THOSE WHO HAVE WATCHED THE SHOW: THE MOLE
In this version, players are not executed. All players will stay in the game up through the end.
Quizzes are on paper, not the computer, and they are only one question long.
If the mole is too obvious, he can lose the game.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
PLAYER FORM
Name:
Phone number:
Email Address:
Who are you and why do you want to play?
By submitting this form I promise the following:
1) I will devote Friday, Aug 8th 2008 from 5:00pm-9:00pm to playing the above game. I will be there, play the games, and will not flake out at the last minute. I acknowledge a lot of planning is going into this, and a set number of players is crucial to that planning.
2) I will donate a bag of individually wrapped candy or a few candy bars to the game so they can be used as the rewards.
3) I acknowledge that any of the players could be the mole, including me. I am fine with being a player, or the mole.
4) I will not sue if I die playing this game.
______________________________________________________________________________
-The Mole we are playing is based on the reality show The Mole on ABC. You can go to ABC.com to watch it, or to read about it.
-You do not need to have seen The Mole to play, or even to win. However, watching the show will give you an idea about the types of challenges the players will face and might even give you some ideas for strategies.
-Players complete challenges to earn candy. They must work together as a team to complete these challenges.
-One randomly selected player is the mole; a saboteur trying to stop the players from earning candy.
-In order to win the game and the candy, a player must determine who is the mole, and watch their actions carefully, to answer the quizzes correctly.
-Players are wanted. You should be a player. We need 5-20 players for this to work, one of which will be the mole.
-Everyone is invited to play or to watch. The more the merrier!
GAME RULES:
The game starts at 5:00pm on Friday, Aug 8th 2008. After introductions the first challenge will begin. All players (and one mole) will participate in a challenge. The challenge will either be physical, mental, or a combination of both. Players will not know beforehand what the challenge will be. The mole knows what all upcoming challenges will be. Before the challenge, the host will explain the rules, and the reward. Whatever reward the players win goes into the Final Pot. Whatever reward the players do not win will be put into the Mole's Pot. Players generally try to add the reward to the final pot, while the mole generally tries to sabotage the game and keep the reward all to him or herself.
After each challenge, players will be given a one question quiz. The question will ask something about the mole (what color shirt is the mole wearing? What did the mole do during the last challenge?). Players will not be able to discuss the questions at any time during the game. Players will not know other players' answers. At the end of each quiz, the answers will be collected. They will not be looked at until the end of the game. The last quiz will ask: Who is the mole?
During some of the challenges, exemptions may be offered. The host will give instructions on if an exemption is being offered and how to obtain it. An exemption means you get the next quiz answer correct automatically.
Finally, the quizzes are scored. The mole is revealed! The player with the most correct answers wins the game and the final pot! The mole gets his pot. On the last quiz, if 90% of the players answer "who is the mole?" correctly, the mole has not been sneaky enough and his pot is divided among the players who answered the last question correctly.
FOR THOSE WHO HAVE WATCHED THE SHOW: THE MOLE
In this version, players are not executed. All players will stay in the game up through the end.
Quizzes are on paper, not the computer, and they are only one question long.
If the mole is too obvious, he can lose the game.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
PLAYER FORM
Name:
Phone number:
Email Address:
Who are you and why do you want to play?
By submitting this form I promise the following:
1) I will devote Friday, Aug 8th 2008 from 5:00pm-9:00pm to playing the above game. I will be there, play the games, and will not flake out at the last minute. I acknowledge a lot of planning is going into this, and a set number of players is crucial to that planning.
2) I will donate a bag of individually wrapped candy or a few candy bars to the game so they can be used as the rewards.
3) I acknowledge that any of the players could be the mole, including me. I am fine with being a player, or the mole.
4) I will not sue if I die playing this game.
______________________________________________________________________________
The World is A Mess and I Just Need To...Rule It.
Working 11 hour days without a break=not so fun.
But I do love my job. A lot. So it's not so bad.
Yesterday was Tetris of the human kind part 2. It was not the spectacular event I was expecting, but we still had fun. Afterward I was introduced to Dr. Horrible and SQUEE!!!!!!!! It is so freakin funny. Watch it fast; Tomorrow it will be gone.
But I do love my job. A lot. So it's not so bad.
Yesterday was Tetris of the human kind part 2. It was not the spectacular event I was expecting, but we still had fun. Afterward I was introduced to Dr. Horrible and SQUEE!!!!!!!! It is so freakin funny. Watch it fast; Tomorrow it will be gone.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Texas Aught 8
This post will continue to grow as I get more pictures and more time to blog about them.
The trip started at 4:00am. That is freakishly early. Much too early. Drek and I met the family, loaded into the van and were off on a 22 hour drive. For most of it I immersed myself in Stephanie Meyer's The Host, which I LOVED!! I finished it on day 2. Drek entertained the group by playing a game called Even or Odd, which is quite simple: get a bag of individually wrapped candies (in this case, we used Starbursts) and divvy them out evenly. Next, players grab a handful of candy in their fist, hold it up to another player and ask "Even or odd?" the player answers if the number of candies in the fist is even or odd. If he is correct, he gets the candy. If he is wrong, he owes the player that many candies. I was no good at this game.
We stopped at Las Cruces to spend the night. New Mexico is gorgeous and I am in love with it. While there, I convinced Drek to take me to a restaurant to get real New Mexican food. NOM!!!! It was so good! At that made that part of the trip worth it.
We finally made it to our destination and the reunion began!! Right away was dinner; Texas brisket and green salad and fruit salad. Apparently, the brisket was phenomenal, as people could not stop talking about it, and snacked on it for the rest of the reunion. After dinner I stood on the front porch and talked to Drek's cousin, whom I came to adore. She is the most remarkable women and I learned so so so much from her. She has five beautiful children, all of whom I also adore.
We got out t-shirts (mine ended up as a small. hmm....) and finally called it a night.
Day three was spent mostly lazying about and playing in the pool. The older kids finally got in and the younger kids swarmed around them. One thing led to another, and the next thing I knew there were some pretty fancy formations going on. This is one of my favorites:
Just look at the girl on top. Isn't she gorgeous? And that pose! A natural performer.
The trip started at 4:00am. That is freakishly early. Much too early. Drek and I met the family, loaded into the van and were off on a 22 hour drive. For most of it I immersed myself in Stephanie Meyer's The Host, which I LOVED!! I finished it on day 2. Drek entertained the group by playing a game called Even or Odd, which is quite simple: get a bag of individually wrapped candies (in this case, we used Starbursts) and divvy them out evenly. Next, players grab a handful of candy in their fist, hold it up to another player and ask "Even or odd?" the player answers if the number of candies in the fist is even or odd. If he is correct, he gets the candy. If he is wrong, he owes the player that many candies. I was no good at this game.
We stopped at Las Cruces to spend the night. New Mexico is gorgeous and I am in love with it. While there, I convinced Drek to take me to a restaurant to get real New Mexican food. NOM!!!! It was so good! At that made that part of the trip worth it.We finally made it to our destination and the reunion began!! Right away was dinner; Texas brisket and green salad and fruit salad. Apparently, the brisket was phenomenal, as people could not stop talking about it, and snacked on it for the rest of the reunion. After dinner I stood on the front porch and talked to Drek's cousin, whom I came to adore. She is the most remarkable women and I learned so so so much from her. She has five beautiful children, all of whom I also adore.
We got out t-shirts (mine ended up as a small. hmm....) and finally called it a night.
Day three was spent mostly lazying about and playing in the pool. The older kids finally got in and the younger kids swarmed around them. One thing led to another, and the next thing I knew there were some pretty fancy formations going on. This is one of my favorites:
Just look at the girl on top. Isn't she gorgeous? And that pose! A natural performer.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Back in Cell Phone Range
Texas is wonderful. This vacation has been wonderful. Drek is wonderful. The car ride down here: Not so wonderful. Alas, it was worth it. Drek and I have had such an amazing time and now we have new life goals/plans.
Our plan includes Money amd children. The big question is: How do we have both? It's a conundrum.
I'll post about the vacation when it is over (i.e. Thursday). This has been my only exposure to the interwebs since we left and I thought I would take advantage of it (oh glorious highway of information, I have missed yooooou).
Our plan includes Money amd children. The big question is: How do we have both? It's a conundrum.
I'll post about the vacation when it is over (i.e. Thursday). This has been my only exposure to the interwebs since we left and I thought I would take advantage of it (oh glorious highway of information, I have missed yooooou).
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
I Had Hoped It Was You
In May, The #1 Massage Chair company in he United States started a campaign: Test Drive a 7450 (a zero gravity massage chair, retail value $3,999) and enter a drawing to win one! One massage chair will be given away every week, from May till August. Also, the sales associate who showed the chair, will win the one (this means the more people I show the chair, the more I increase my chances of winning a chair) Only 150 stores will be participating, and the average entries each week have been 400-500. Not bad odds.
Of course, I get all of my family to enter, all of Drek's family to enter, and all my friends who I can convince to come into the store. Week after week: No luck. This was my last week. I showed the chair to a bunch of customers, faxed in the entries and hoped. I leave tomorrow and won't be back until the campaign is almost over, so this was it!!
I finish up work, say good-bye to everyone and Drek and I head off to run errands. A few minutes later my boss calls:
"K la?"
"Yeah?"
"Michael Hamm is on the phone, he has something to tell you." (Micheal Hamm is he president of the massage chair company) I grab Drek's arm.
"K la? This is Michael Hamm. I have a present for you!"
Of course I screamed!! I JUST WON THE MASSAGE CHAIR!!!!! THIS IS THE MOST AMAZING NEWS!!!!!
So amazing. The only thing more amazing would be if someone I knew won the chair with me. Alas, it went to some guy I can't even remember showing the chair to. I hope he liked it.
I for one, love that chair. I'm so excited!!! It will be waiting for me when we get back from Texas. Hooray!!
Of course, I get all of my family to enter, all of Drek's family to enter, and all my friends who I can convince to come into the store. Week after week: No luck. This was my last week. I showed the chair to a bunch of customers, faxed in the entries and hoped. I leave tomorrow and won't be back until the campaign is almost over, so this was it!!
I finish up work, say good-bye to everyone and Drek and I head off to run errands. A few minutes later my boss calls:
"K la?"
"Yeah?"
"Michael Hamm is on the phone, he has something to tell you." (Micheal Hamm is he president of the massage chair company) I grab Drek's arm.
"K la? This is Michael Hamm. I have a present for you!"
Of course I screamed!! I JUST WON THE MASSAGE CHAIR!!!!! THIS IS THE MOST AMAZING NEWS!!!!!
So amazing. The only thing more amazing would be if someone I knew won the chair with me. Alas, it went to some guy I can't even remember showing the chair to. I hope he liked it.
I for one, love that chair. I'm so excited!!! It will be waiting for me when we get back from Texas. Hooray!!
If I Were to Tell You I Adore, Would You Have Me Do So...Stintingly?
07/07/08: Our one year anniversary. I can now officially say that I have been married for over a year. Weird, huh? On the one hand, it seems like the wedding was just a few days ago, on the other hand, now I can't imagine my life without Drek.
So, being married is the best thing ever. I am quite aware that Drek and I are still in our honeymoon phase, and most of this post will have you rolling your eyes, but this is actually how we are and I love it!
Saturday Kris picked me up from work. When we got to my house, Drek was not there. Just then, I received a text message from that said: If you get home before I do, there is a present for you on the table.
I went into the kitchen and found a beautiful bouquet of a dozen red roses on the table.
The day of our anniversary started out with Drek making me the most wonderful breakfast. He put it all into our Scarlet Pimpernel picnic basket and we went on a breakfast picnic. Afterword, he went off to work and I spent the day cleaning the house (like a fiend, getting ready for our trip to Texas) and setting up for his return.
Dinner was Lasagna, garlic bread and steamed broccoli. It was the most romantic thing I could think of that we had ingredients for.
After dinner Drek took me to play Frisbee golf. He, of course, is stellar at the game, but I do think I am improving.
We got home, had a dessert with a fudge brownie base, with cherries and homemade whip cream on top. YUM! This was accompanied by Sparkling Cider in wine glasses. I then presented him with the decorations:
I has set scented tea candles all over the bathroom and the bedroom and decorated the bed with the roses (very romantic). I then gave Drek a massage, and he gave me a small, blue box. Inside, was a small white box, and inside that was this:
Isn't it beautiful??!! It's two hearts, both made out of diamonds. The picture doesn't catch the sparkle, so I'll just tell you: It is amazing!!
To end our day, we ventured into the freezer to retrieve our wedding cake. On our wedding day, the cake was DELICIOUS!! It was made by Drek's mom, and never was a more delicious cake ever made. It was so good, that on our one month anniversary, Drek and I took it out of the freezer and ate some slices. Afterward, we wrapped up the remaining slices in tinfoil, and decorated it. She has been the steward of our freezer ever since.
It was disgusting. Year-old cake is not yummy. It tastes like spongy freezer.
Happy anniversary, Drek. You are the love of my life. I love you with all my heart and I always will.
So, being married is the best thing ever. I am quite aware that Drek and I are still in our honeymoon phase, and most of this post will have you rolling your eyes, but this is actually how we are and I love it!
Saturday Kris picked me up from work. When we got to my house, Drek was not there. Just then, I received a text message from that said: If you get home before I do, there is a present for you on the table.
I went into the kitchen and found a beautiful bouquet of a dozen red roses on the table.
The day of our anniversary started out with Drek making me the most wonderful breakfast. He put it all into our Scarlet Pimpernel picnic basket and we went on a breakfast picnic. Afterword, he went off to work and I spent the day cleaning the house (like a fiend, getting ready for our trip to Texas) and setting up for his return.
Dinner was Lasagna, garlic bread and steamed broccoli. It was the most romantic thing I could think of that we had ingredients for.
After dinner Drek took me to play Frisbee golf. He, of course, is stellar at the game, but I do think I am improving.
We got home, had a dessert with a fudge brownie base, with cherries and homemade whip cream on top. YUM! This was accompanied by Sparkling Cider in wine glasses. I then presented him with the decorations:
I has set scented tea candles all over the bathroom and the bedroom and decorated the bed with the roses (very romantic). I then gave Drek a massage, and he gave me a small, blue box. Inside, was a small white box, and inside that was this:
Isn't it beautiful??!! It's two hearts, both made out of diamonds. The picture doesn't catch the sparkle, so I'll just tell you: It is amazing!!To end our day, we ventured into the freezer to retrieve our wedding cake. On our wedding day, the cake was DELICIOUS!! It was made by Drek's mom, and never was a more delicious cake ever made. It was so good, that on our one month anniversary, Drek and I took it out of the freezer and ate some slices. Afterward, we wrapped up the remaining slices in tinfoil, and decorated it. She has been the steward of our freezer ever since.
It was disgusting. Year-old cake is not yummy. It tastes like spongy freezer. Happy anniversary, Drek. You are the love of my life. I love you with all my heart and I always will.
Saturday, July 05, 2008
Congratulations! Your Team Has Successfully Completed the WOMAN Challenge!
Today marks the end of the WOMAN Challenge. My mom, my sister and I were all on a team. We worked hard, and together we completed the route! I'm so proud of us!
I really got into the habit of working out! I've done Tao Bo, Palates, Jogging, Swimming, Biking, and I feel that I now have a more active lifestyle.
I'm definitely more in shape (evident by the fact that I can play whole games of Ultimate Frisbee with out walking for most of the game, and that I biked all over my city yesterday for the 4th of July) but my goal when I started was to lose weight. I have not. Well, I've lost around three pounds, which puts me right under the "overweight" category. I am now officially, a good weight for my body size, but it's still no where near what I want to weigh. I do feel like the goal is attainable though, and I know if I stay active I'll be able to reach it.
Overall, I'm so glad my sister got me into this, and I'm so glad I participated on such a great team!!
I really got into the habit of working out! I've done Tao Bo, Palates, Jogging, Swimming, Biking, and I feel that I now have a more active lifestyle.
I'm definitely more in shape (evident by the fact that I can play whole games of Ultimate Frisbee with out walking for most of the game, and that I biked all over my city yesterday for the 4th of July) but my goal when I started was to lose weight. I have not. Well, I've lost around three pounds, which puts me right under the "overweight" category. I am now officially, a good weight for my body size, but it's still no where near what I want to weigh. I do feel like the goal is attainable though, and I know if I stay active I'll be able to reach it.
Overall, I'm so glad my sister got me into this, and I'm so glad I participated on such a great team!!
YAY! It's Fireworks Day!
Yesterday I made a patriotic breakfast for us. My original idea was to make the entire pancake in the shape of a star using cookie cutters, but I discovered the night before that the Cookie cutters were plastic. That would be a bad idea. The only metal star was very small. So, I made circle pancakes and cut a star out of the middle of them. That shape was then filled with whipped cream, and topped with Strawberries and Blueberries. It was the most 4th of July-y breakfast I've ever had!
I even used blue plates and silverware, and red cups.
Drek and I ate breakfast and then glanced around...Now what? We didn't wasn't to go to the parade, or the Freedom Festival, we wanted to play games, but no one was available to play with us. Drek wanted to have a waterfight, but it's no fun with only two people. So we did...nothing!! We lounged around the whole day. Mostly, we just stayed in bed and played on our laptops. It was great!!
At five we went up to Drek's parent's house for a 4th of July dinner and a Birthday party for Drek's youngest brother. It was here that Rissy called, and we drover over to her house, played a game of Elixer, drove to our house, watched The Mole and then biked to stadium to sit with Drek's family to watch the fireworks. Yes, we biked. It was so cool!! It was dark, and there were hundreds of people everywhere, over two miles!!
Our spot was perfect. It was across the street from the stadium, so you could hear the Blue Man Group and Miley Cyrus perform, but you could also see it on the huge screens inside the stadium. It was amazing!
We bike a few blocks to say hi to Kris and her very cute Toby, and then booked it back so we wouldn't miss the firework show.The firework show was spectacular and we had such a great view. We were so close we could see what was happening inside the stadium and hear the movie music they were playing to go along with it. When the huge fireworks exploded inside the sky it seemed they would rain down on us. In fact, I do think a few ashes came down on us.
And then it was over, the mass exodus of thousands of people began, and Rissy, Drek and I biked home. It was a very exhilarating ride. On the way to and from the event, We discussed the rules of our own versonion of the Mole, and came up with some brilliant ideas. Ideas still forming, game will be announced later.
We ate Nachos, watched LOST and the Rissy slept over. It was so much fun!! Happy July 4th!!
I even used blue plates and silverware, and red cups.
Drek and I ate breakfast and then glanced around...Now what? We didn't wasn't to go to the parade, or the Freedom Festival, we wanted to play games, but no one was available to play with us. Drek wanted to have a waterfight, but it's no fun with only two people. So we did...nothing!! We lounged around the whole day. Mostly, we just stayed in bed and played on our laptops. It was great!!
At five we went up to Drek's parent's house for a 4th of July dinner and a Birthday party for Drek's youngest brother. It was here that Rissy called, and we drover over to her house, played a game of Elixer, drove to our house, watched The Mole and then biked to stadium to sit with Drek's family to watch the fireworks. Yes, we biked. It was so cool!! It was dark, and there were hundreds of people everywhere, over two miles!!
Our spot was perfect. It was across the street from the stadium, so you could hear the Blue Man Group and Miley Cyrus perform, but you could also see it on the huge screens inside the stadium. It was amazing!
We bike a few blocks to say hi to Kris and her very cute Toby, and then booked it back so we wouldn't miss the firework show.The firework show was spectacular and we had such a great view. We were so close we could see what was happening inside the stadium and hear the movie music they were playing to go along with it. When the huge fireworks exploded inside the sky it seemed they would rain down on us. In fact, I do think a few ashes came down on us.
And then it was over, the mass exodus of thousands of people began, and Rissy, Drek and I biked home. It was a very exhilarating ride. On the way to and from the event, We discussed the rules of our own versonion of the Mole, and came up with some brilliant ideas. Ideas still forming, game will be announced later.
We ate Nachos, watched LOST and the Rissy slept over. It was so much fun!! Happy July 4th!!
Thursday, July 03, 2008
If I Had Actually Used Alchohol, Would My Trifle Have Caught On Fire?
I love Independence day. It has always been one of my favorite holidays. I have many found memories throughout the years. Independence day has always revolved around a huge community breakfast, an American dinner, fireworks when it got dark and, of course, camping out to watch the spectacular firework display that is such a famous occurrence here. Independence Day has always been spent with my family. On extra special years, the 4th was spent with my family and my cousins from Texas. That was always a blast. This year, sadly, will be different.
My parents left for California today, they will be there over the 4th of July. My older sister and her little family headed out for Washington DC today. They too, will be gone over the 4th of July.
So, we celebrated early. Yesterday my mom threw an early Independence Day celebration. She made fruit salad, my dad made potato salad, my Aunt brought watermelon, we had hot dogs, and I brought dessert.
I wanted to do a red, whit and blue dessert, and after looking through Internet recipes, I found the one I likes: Trifle. I have never attempted trifle before. In fact, I have never even tasted trifle before. Thus, I wanted it it to be both delicious and look AMAZING. I think it worked:
Instead of soaking the fruit in Sherry, I soaked in in orange juice. It worked really well. Drek and I took my masterpiece over to my parent's house and had dinner! When it came time for dessert I added the finishing touch: Sparklers!!!
Very Patriotic, no? It was also delicious. And there you have it, my very first Trifle was a success. I think I shall attempt to make this again.
The celebration was perfect. There were no fireworks (besides the one on the dessert) but it still felt like Independence Day.
Tomorrow Drek and I are supposed to celebrate most of the 4th with his family. I've planned a big breakfast with just the two of us (supposing, of course, I can't convince Rissy to invite drek and I to a her old ward's breakfast) and I suppose we'll take it from there. I have it off of work, so that's good.
My parents left for California today, they will be there over the 4th of July. My older sister and her little family headed out for Washington DC today. They too, will be gone over the 4th of July.
So, we celebrated early. Yesterday my mom threw an early Independence Day celebration. She made fruit salad, my dad made potato salad, my Aunt brought watermelon, we had hot dogs, and I brought dessert.
I wanted to do a red, whit and blue dessert, and after looking through Internet recipes, I found the one I likes: Trifle. I have never attempted trifle before. In fact, I have never even tasted trifle before. Thus, I wanted it it to be both delicious and look AMAZING. I think it worked:
Instead of soaking the fruit in Sherry, I soaked in in orange juice. It worked really well. Drek and I took my masterpiece over to my parent's house and had dinner! When it came time for dessert I added the finishing touch: Sparklers!!!
Very Patriotic, no? It was also delicious. And there you have it, my very first Trifle was a success. I think I shall attempt to make this again.The celebration was perfect. There were no fireworks (besides the one on the dessert) but it still felt like Independence Day.
Tomorrow Drek and I are supposed to celebrate most of the 4th with his family. I've planned a big breakfast with just the two of us (supposing, of course, I can't convince Rissy to invite drek and I to a her old ward's breakfast) and I suppose we'll take it from there. I have it off of work, so that's good.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
For Who Could Hate or Bare a Grudge Against a Luscious Bit of Fudge?
Next week Drek and I will drive down to Texas to attend his family reunion (hopefully. If we go, this will be the first vacation this year that was planned, but not canceled.) Yesterday, over IM, Drek informed me that we will be earing matching t-shirts at the reunion, and he needed to know my T-shirt size. I answered that in women's sizes I am small or medium, in normal t-shirt size I am extra small. After a while he sent me this:
Drek: Dad is asking if you're sure an XS is right for you. Are you sure you're not a S?
I take a deep breathe. Before I go on, let me explain: I love Drek's dad. I adore Drek's dad. But at this moment it is apparent where Drek inherited his tact.
me: get me a large
Drek: Are you sure?
me: get me an extra large if you want. Tell your dad I'm planning on gaining a lot of weight.
I need room to grow from all the donuts I plan on gorging myself on. Now that you have a salary, I plan on spending the entirety of it on French pastries and a Segway, so I never have to move.
I'm not sure what part of th conversation Drek passed onto his dad, but a little while later he emailed Drek saying that Drek's mom had sizd up the family as soon as she heard we needed Tshirts, and informed him that I was, indeed, an XS.
Alas, now I'm thinking that large might be a better idea. I do like French pastries...
Drek: Dad is asking if you're sure an XS is right for you. Are you sure you're not a S?
I take a deep breathe. Before I go on, let me explain: I love Drek's dad. I adore Drek's dad. But at this moment it is apparent where Drek inherited his tact.
me: get me a large
Drek: Are you sure?
me: get me an extra large if you want. Tell your dad I'm planning on gaining a lot of weight.
I need room to grow from all the donuts I plan on gorging myself on. Now that you have a salary, I plan on spending the entirety of it on French pastries and a Segway, so I never have to move.
I'm not sure what part of th conversation Drek passed onto his dad, but a little while later he emailed Drek saying that Drek's mom had sizd up the family as soon as she heard we needed Tshirts, and informed him that I was, indeed, an XS.
Alas, now I'm thinking that large might be a better idea. I do like French pastries...
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
New Hobbies
Did you know there is a movie of the Kon-Tiki? The film is actual footage they shot on the raft with Thor talking about what you're seeing. Since he speaks Norwegian, you hear a British guy doing the voice over. It won an Academy Award for Best Documentary in 1954. That was before Hawaii was declared a state. Weird.
Anyway, Drek and I discovered the movie last night and went to the library to check it out. While there, I noticed that the summer reading program is full of awesome prizes: Gift certificates to The Quarry, Eisenstein Bagels, CLAS ropes course...and a million other places I would like to frequent. This also being a great way to recover the non-reading-ness of June, Drek and I signed up. Thus, Hobby #1: Reading and doing book reports
On Sunday (our last Sunday in the dreaded married student ward, Thank. Goodness.) our ward was challenged to start doing indexing. I looked over the web site at work (http://www.familysearch.org) and for Family Home Evening I presented it to Drek. I am now strangely addicted. I started doing Illinois Birth certificates from 1909, Drek started Louisiana Death certificates in the 1930's. The only part we got confused on was color/race. Some put down American (what color is that?) and a few of Drek's put down colored (can we put that in the report? it that politically correct? What do we do???).
You can volunteer too, btw, it's really easy and highly intriguing. Thus, Hobby #2: Indexing.
I'm doing much better at biking to work everyday. Somedays I still make Drek drive me, but overall I think I'm doing pretty good. Megan gave me a gym pass to 24 hour fitness (I love that place) and I really need to go. I've had the pass for two weeks and I've gone once. I need to start going everyday after work. Hobby #3: Working out
So this summer should be very busy. My hobbies should keep me busy enough. Maybe a little too busy. :)
Anyway, Drek and I discovered the movie last night and went to the library to check it out. While there, I noticed that the summer reading program is full of awesome prizes: Gift certificates to The Quarry, Eisenstein Bagels, CLAS ropes course...and a million other places I would like to frequent. This also being a great way to recover the non-reading-ness of June, Drek and I signed up. Thus, Hobby #1: Reading and doing book reports
On Sunday (our last Sunday in the dreaded married student ward, Thank. Goodness.) our ward was challenged to start doing indexing. I looked over the web site at work (http://www.familysearch.org) and for Family Home Evening I presented it to Drek. I am now strangely addicted. I started doing Illinois Birth certificates from 1909, Drek started Louisiana Death certificates in the 1930's. The only part we got confused on was color/race. Some put down American (what color is that?) and a few of Drek's put down colored (can we put that in the report? it that politically correct? What do we do???).
You can volunteer too, btw, it's really easy and highly intriguing. Thus, Hobby #2: Indexing.
I'm doing much better at biking to work everyday. Somedays I still make Drek drive me, but overall I think I'm doing pretty good. Megan gave me a gym pass to 24 hour fitness (I love that place) and I really need to go. I've had the pass for two weeks and I've gone once. I need to start going everyday after work. Hobby #3: Working out
So this summer should be very busy. My hobbies should keep me busy enough. Maybe a little too busy. :)
Monday, June 30, 2008
June BAMC: The Kon Tiki
I'm not going to lie: I didn't read very much in June. For most of June, I was waiting for books to read (The Host, Fountainhead) and I did start those books once I FINALLY got them, but I was not a good reader in June.
One of the best things about being married to my husband is that he reads to me. Although we enjoy the same books, we tend to read very different books. When we were first married Drek started reading me his favorite books. This month we read The Kon-Tiki: Across the Pacific in a Raft by Thor Heyerdahl.
This is an amazing adventure. The author of this novel wanted to prove that Polynesia was populated by migrants from Peru. In order to prove this, he built a raft exactly like what he theorized the ancient Peruvians built, and sailed across the Pacific Ocean. The novel is the tale of his incredible journey.
June's BAMC was Knowledge. This book is the perfect book to fit that word, because this man was truly in search of knowledge. Not only did he prove his theory, but the journey also benefited the study of ocean currents, marine life, and ancient civilizations.
I highly encourage everyone to read this book. It is both captivating and educational. Thank you, Drek, for reading me this amazing story.
One of the best things about being married to my husband is that he reads to me. Although we enjoy the same books, we tend to read very different books. When we were first married Drek started reading me his favorite books. This month we read The Kon-Tiki: Across the Pacific in a Raft by Thor Heyerdahl.
This is an amazing adventure. The author of this novel wanted to prove that Polynesia was populated by migrants from Peru. In order to prove this, he built a raft exactly like what he theorized the ancient Peruvians built, and sailed across the Pacific Ocean. The novel is the tale of his incredible journey.
June's BAMC was Knowledge. This book is the perfect book to fit that word, because this man was truly in search of knowledge. Not only did he prove his theory, but the journey also benefited the study of ocean currents, marine life, and ancient civilizations.
I highly encourage everyone to read this book. It is both captivating and educational. Thank you, Drek, for reading me this amazing story.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Grown-Ups
My Husband now has a Grown-Up job. It has a salary, it has benefits. It is for Grown-ups only.
He is amazing!! He can work from home except on Mondays, when he has to drive 40 minutes to work. Using Grown-Up words, he telecommutes through out the week, and the has a 40 minute commute to the city on Mondays. He's doing PHP programming for a company that is planning on selling out in two or three years. When this happens, Drek and I will take our portion on the money (he gets equity in the company) and use it as a down payment on a house. Yes, a HOUSE. As in: what Grown-Ups live in.
He is 26. I am 22. So are we officially Grown-Ups now? Or does that not come until you have a baby and a mortgage and do not have marshmallow wars at 10:00 at night in a park with random friends and three strangers whom wanted to join in?
Sigh. For now, We will still live in our tiny, one-room apartment with crazy neighbors. I will work full-time, so will Drek. We will still play Human Tetris, try and figure out how to simulate a The Mole game, and try to shirk all non essential responsibilities. Today, for instance, I quit my church calling (because being a visiting teaching supervisor SUCKS!!!!!!!!). We will have fun, and love each other. We will try to save all our monies to buy a house.
My secret plan is in two years, the housing market will crash, and we will be able to buy our dream house for $10. I think I can save that much in that time...
He is amazing!! He can work from home except on Mondays, when he has to drive 40 minutes to work. Using Grown-Up words, he telecommutes through out the week, and the has a 40 minute commute to the city on Mondays. He's doing PHP programming for a company that is planning on selling out in two or three years. When this happens, Drek and I will take our portion on the money (he gets equity in the company) and use it as a down payment on a house. Yes, a HOUSE. As in: what Grown-Ups live in.
He is 26. I am 22. So are we officially Grown-Ups now? Or does that not come until you have a baby and a mortgage and do not have marshmallow wars at 10:00 at night in a park with random friends and three strangers whom wanted to join in?
Sigh. For now, We will still live in our tiny, one-room apartment with crazy neighbors. I will work full-time, so will Drek. We will still play Human Tetris, try and figure out how to simulate a The Mole game, and try to shirk all non essential responsibilities. Today, for instance, I quit my church calling (because being a visiting teaching supervisor SUCKS!!!!!!!!). We will have fun, and love each other. We will try to save all our monies to buy a house.
My secret plan is in two years, the housing market will crash, and we will be able to buy our dream house for $10. I think I can save that much in that time...
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Human Tetris
Rissy came across this, then decided we needed to try it for ourselves.
I requisitioned the delivery guys from my work to save huge pieces of cardboard, but didn't get it in time. Cherie donated cardboard from her recent move, and Rissy and Lizzy spent the day creating masterpieces:
Let the games begin!!
I requisitioned the delivery guys from my work to save huge pieces of cardboard, but didn't get it in time. Cherie donated cardboard from her recent move, and Rissy and Lizzy spent the day creating masterpieces:
Let the games begin!!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Social Day
Yesterday I had a long talk with my mom, visited my sister and my niece, ate lunch with Stephi and Megan and hung out with Kris for most of the evening. I had a great time at all. H
Hanging out with Kris was a blast. We watched The Mole (I scared poor Toby into tears when I shouted for joy at one point during the show. PS: Clay is the mole). the she made me a delicious vegetarian dinner, followed by a trip to IKEA, which was AMAZING!!!!!! While there, I thought of Val (who is fluent in Swedish), and texted her. Kris and I then talked about Val, and I realized they would probably get along. I think a trip to the Castle Of Chaos Murder Mystery is needed to test this theory.
Anyway, Kris is amazing. She is a great mom, and is doing so well. She is not only someone I have a blast hanging out with, but someone I can also look up to.
Hanging out with Kris was a blast. We watched The Mole (I scared poor Toby into tears when I shouted for joy at one point during the show. PS: Clay is the mole). the she made me a delicious vegetarian dinner, followed by a trip to IKEA, which was AMAZING!!!!!! While there, I thought of Val (who is fluent in Swedish), and texted her. Kris and I then talked about Val, and I realized they would probably get along. I think a trip to the Castle Of Chaos Murder Mystery is needed to test this theory.
Anyway, Kris is amazing. She is a great mom, and is doing so well. She is not only someone I have a blast hanging out with, but someone I can also look up to.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Four Young Wedded Couples and a Funeral
The trip to Wyoming:
Interspersed with humor to keep the funeral part from being too sad.
We drove in "The Green Car". Three and a half people in back (Anona is eight months pregnant), a driver, a passenger, and me in the middle squished with no leg room up front. We are caravaning with "The Last Car" (occupied by two adults and thee children under four) and The Van (occupied by one adult, one teenager, and Grandma. Yes, that's right, a dead body. The coffin was surrounded by dry ice, covered in sleeping bags, and the van had to be kept under 40 degrees. oh, and van was hauling a trailer behind it.) We went at least 5 miles below the speed limit. We stopped at what seemed like every possible place to stop.
In Heber, the van driver calls The Green Car passenger, and informs her he left the "Coffin Saddle" at home. Apparently, this is a device that allows flowers to be placed on top of the coffin; It is a necessity. We pull over (Van leading, followed by The Green Car, followed by The Last Car) and the two run into the nearest building to ask for directions to a floral shop. The nearest building happens to be an H&R Block. The passenger of the Last Car comes up to my car and asks "did they have a pressing need to do their taxes? quite confused as to why we had stopped.
At this point, I am DYING!! And am about to text Krisface about his Hell that is a road trip. I open my phone and find I have a text message from my mom, which reads: I am in the Sacred Grove!!
I giggle ferociously as the opportunity seems so perfect: I am in Hell!!
The journey continues, and is not that bad. The trip takes about ten hours. The two mot notable stops were at Little America (which was very nice!) and in a town in Wyoming where the tomatoes had been pulled from McDonald's (because if the Great Tomato Salmonella Scare of '08), resulting in no ketchup packets. In the same town, the so-called "Sandwich Artist" at Subway did not know what bell peppers were, or what "the works" meant. Sad.
The view from the car all along the drive was nothing great, however, this part was more exciting than the rest:
We make it to our destination! Drek shows me the farm. I love it immediately. It is so awesome!! The young married couples are staying at a very gracious ward member's house. Thank Goodness!
I go to the church to arrange flowers with Drek's mom and sisters. We have a wonderful time.
The next morning we attend the funeral. It was so so so well done. All he children got to share a memory, and a lot of the grandchildren showcased their musical talent. This is also where I learned that Grandma had two great-grandchildren on the way. (Two? I only know of one. "Who is pregnant?" a cousin asks me. I have no idea an am looking around. The question is passed on a few times before Drek casually says: "What? Oh. It's Vi."
I die. For reasons I shall not go in to, this is not good news. And why am I finding out now? My dear husband has obviously known this for a few days.
Next was the burial. I was cold. Drek took a picture:
And then the luncheon (which had no less than five dishes containing Jello). It was then time to take family pictures. This can only be described with an LOL:
After pictures Drek and I went home. The ride back contained two and a half adults in the back seat, and Drek and I up front, with no caravan. The trip took eight hours.
Trip: Successful!!
Interspersed with humor to keep the funeral part from being too sad.
We drove in "The Green Car". Three and a half people in back (Anona is eight months pregnant), a driver, a passenger, and me in the middle squished with no leg room up front. We are caravaning with "The Last Car" (occupied by two adults and thee children under four) and The Van (occupied by one adult, one teenager, and Grandma. Yes, that's right, a dead body. The coffin was surrounded by dry ice, covered in sleeping bags, and the van had to be kept under 40 degrees. oh, and van was hauling a trailer behind it.) We went at least 5 miles below the speed limit. We stopped at what seemed like every possible place to stop.
In Heber, the van driver calls The Green Car passenger, and informs her he left the "Coffin Saddle" at home. Apparently, this is a device that allows flowers to be placed on top of the coffin; It is a necessity. We pull over (Van leading, followed by The Green Car, followed by The Last Car) and the two run into the nearest building to ask for directions to a floral shop. The nearest building happens to be an H&R Block. The passenger of the Last Car comes up to my car and asks "did they have a pressing need to do their taxes? quite confused as to why we had stopped.
At this point, I am DYING!! And am about to text Krisface about his Hell that is a road trip. I open my phone and find I have a text message from my mom, which reads: I am in the Sacred Grove!!
I giggle ferociously as the opportunity seems so perfect: I am in Hell!!
The journey continues, and is not that bad. The trip takes about ten hours. The two mot notable stops were at Little America (which was very nice!) and in a town in Wyoming where the tomatoes had been pulled from McDonald's (because if the Great Tomato Salmonella Scare of '08), resulting in no ketchup packets. In the same town, the so-called "Sandwich Artist" at Subway did not know what bell peppers were, or what "the works" meant. Sad.
The view from the car all along the drive was nothing great, however, this part was more exciting than the rest:
We make it to our destination! Drek shows me the farm. I love it immediately. It is so awesome!! The young married couples are staying at a very gracious ward member's house. Thank Goodness!
I go to the church to arrange flowers with Drek's mom and sisters. We have a wonderful time.
The next morning we attend the funeral. It was so so so well done. All he children got to share a memory, and a lot of the grandchildren showcased their musical talent. This is also where I learned that Grandma had two great-grandchildren on the way. (Two? I only know of one. "Who is pregnant?" a cousin asks me. I have no idea an am looking around. The question is passed on a few times before Drek casually says: "What? Oh. It's Vi."
I die. For reasons I shall not go in to, this is not good news. And why am I finding out now? My dear husband has obviously known this for a few days.
Next was the burial. I was cold. Drek took a picture:
And then the luncheon (which had no less than five dishes containing Jello). It was then time to take family pictures. This can only be described with an LOL:
After pictures Drek and I went home. The ride back contained two and a half adults in the back seat, and Drek and I up front, with no caravan. The trip took eight hours.Trip: Successful!!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Meltdown Complete
Gosh, where to start?
WEDNESDAY: Co-worker skipped town. He stole a car, $5,000 of stuff from Rent-a-Center, lots of stuff from the store, and left no one to take care of the store. The boss is on Vacation, the Manager is moving and isn't supposed to work, and I'm supposed to be in Colorado. Good thing I'm not. Jerk.
THUSDAY: At 10:30pm Drek gets a call from his cousin saying that Grandma took a turn for the worst and she is going up to visit Grandma in the hospital, and do we want to come? Drek says later. At 11:00pm he tells me and I am confused. Grandma is in the hospital for tests, she is just fine. How did she take a turn for the worst? What does that even mean? We are visiting the hospital at 11:00 at night? Don't visiting hours end at, like, 7:00?
I call the cousin back to ask the room number and to see if the hospital let her in. She says she is the waiting room of the ICU and "we" are just waiting. I ask who "we" is. Apparently, "we" is everyone. All aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, and such. In the waiting room of the ICU. At 11:00 at night. I hang up and tell Drek I think something very serious is going on. We talk about it, and decide that if it were serious, his parents would have called and told us to come to the hospital, not a cousin calling and inviting us.
We get to the hospital. We walk in. It becomes very apparent we were wrong. People are crying, people are calling Grandma's siblings and telling them she won't make it through the night. People are going two by two in to visit Grandma to say good-bye.
Drek and I go in and say good-bye. Grandma passed away on Saturday. It worked out nicely, everyone was here for the family reunion, so everyone got to see her before she died, and everyone already took time off work, so everyone can go to the funeral on Thursday. I worked it out so I work Monday and Tuesday, and Cherie works Wednesday and Thursday so I can go to Wyoming with the family for the funeral.
SATURDAY: On KSL I found a story about a little girl raising money to give her cat a surgery. The cat, Patches, had an accident as a kitten that resulted in her dragging her back leg around. Somewhere the girl was told that Patches would have a more normal life if that leg was amputated, but the surgery would cost $700, for all the best medications, the best antibiotics and so forth (please note that this is not a life saving surgery, but a life improving surgery). I talked to Drek about this, and he organized a way for people to donate money to ucpets.com, and the money would go to Patches. In two days, lots of people donated anywhere from $5-$75, and we had all $700!!! We then took the money over to a bank where a fund was supposed to have been set up. Two days later, it was and we deposited the money. In that time, KSL reported that 3 individuals volunteered to pay all of it themselves, and countless people had sent checks via snail mail, not to mention dozens of people stopping by to give the girl money, and donating to the fund once it was FINALLY open. So Patches had about six times what he needed. Great right? No. KSL reported that Patches underwent the surgery, and died. Yes, died. I can't tell you how upset this made me, so I can't even imagine how upset that poor girl is.
The whole time all this was going on, I was miserable. I was dieting, and I didn't realize how witchy that made me, until Drek and I got into our seventh fight in two days, and we never fight. I went off of my low-calorie diet on Sunday, as it wasn't doing ANYTHING and I was so cranky. Drek was about to kick me out of the house. I am no longer allowed to diet to the point where I snap at everything that moves.
Everything is looking a little brighter now. Thank goodness the meltdown is over.
WEDNESDAY: Co-worker skipped town. He stole a car, $5,000 of stuff from Rent-a-Center, lots of stuff from the store, and left no one to take care of the store. The boss is on Vacation, the Manager is moving and isn't supposed to work, and I'm supposed to be in Colorado. Good thing I'm not. Jerk.
THUSDAY: At 10:30pm Drek gets a call from his cousin saying that Grandma took a turn for the worst and she is going up to visit Grandma in the hospital, and do we want to come? Drek says later. At 11:00pm he tells me and I am confused. Grandma is in the hospital for tests, she is just fine. How did she take a turn for the worst? What does that even mean? We are visiting the hospital at 11:00 at night? Don't visiting hours end at, like, 7:00?
I call the cousin back to ask the room number and to see if the hospital let her in. She says she is the waiting room of the ICU and "we" are just waiting. I ask who "we" is. Apparently, "we" is everyone. All aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, and such. In the waiting room of the ICU. At 11:00 at night. I hang up and tell Drek I think something very serious is going on. We talk about it, and decide that if it were serious, his parents would have called and told us to come to the hospital, not a cousin calling and inviting us.
We get to the hospital. We walk in. It becomes very apparent we were wrong. People are crying, people are calling Grandma's siblings and telling them she won't make it through the night. People are going two by two in to visit Grandma to say good-bye.
Drek and I go in and say good-bye. Grandma passed away on Saturday. It worked out nicely, everyone was here for the family reunion, so everyone got to see her before she died, and everyone already took time off work, so everyone can go to the funeral on Thursday. I worked it out so I work Monday and Tuesday, and Cherie works Wednesday and Thursday so I can go to Wyoming with the family for the funeral.
SATURDAY: On KSL I found a story about a little girl raising money to give her cat a surgery. The cat, Patches, had an accident as a kitten that resulted in her dragging her back leg around. Somewhere the girl was told that Patches would have a more normal life if that leg was amputated, but the surgery would cost $700, for all the best medications, the best antibiotics and so forth (please note that this is not a life saving surgery, but a life improving surgery). I talked to Drek about this, and he organized a way for people to donate money to ucpets.com, and the money would go to Patches. In two days, lots of people donated anywhere from $5-$75, and we had all $700!!! We then took the money over to a bank where a fund was supposed to have been set up. Two days later, it was and we deposited the money. In that time, KSL reported that 3 individuals volunteered to pay all of it themselves, and countless people had sent checks via snail mail, not to mention dozens of people stopping by to give the girl money, and donating to the fund once it was FINALLY open. So Patches had about six times what he needed. Great right? No. KSL reported that Patches underwent the surgery, and died. Yes, died. I can't tell you how upset this made me, so I can't even imagine how upset that poor girl is.
The whole time all this was going on, I was miserable. I was dieting, and I didn't realize how witchy that made me, until Drek and I got into our seventh fight in two days, and we never fight. I went off of my low-calorie diet on Sunday, as it wasn't doing ANYTHING and I was so cranky. Drek was about to kick me out of the house. I am no longer allowed to diet to the point where I snap at everything that moves.
Everything is looking a little brighter now. Thank goodness the meltdown is over.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
4 Days to Meltdown
This morning Mei Mei got a call saying her trip to Palestine (scheduled to leave Sunday) has been cancelled due to crap going on with the Prime Minister and the raised threat level.
This morning I got a call saying my trip to Colorado (scheduled to leave Saturday) has been cancelled due to Grandma being hospitalized.
Today has not been a good day. I am not foreseeing this week getting better, only worse. Doom is coming. Impending doom. The bright side: Megan will home tonight!!! Thank goodness. I'm taking her out for ice cream tomorrow, after her husband takes her to get a massage. Also, Kris is supposedly in Utah. I am not sure when I will be allowed to see her. But, she is here.
Also, for those keeping track: My vacations scheduled this summer: 3
My vacations cancelled within the week of leaving on them: 2
Vacations still left to be cancelled: 1
This morning I got a call saying my trip to Colorado (scheduled to leave Saturday) has been cancelled due to Grandma being hospitalized.
Today has not been a good day. I am not foreseeing this week getting better, only worse. Doom is coming. Impending doom. The bright side: Megan will home tonight!!! Thank goodness. I'm taking her out for ice cream tomorrow, after her husband takes her to get a massage. Also, Kris is supposedly in Utah. I am not sure when I will be allowed to see her. But, she is here.
Also, for those keeping track: My vacations scheduled this summer: 3
My vacations cancelled within the week of leaving on them: 2
Vacations still left to be cancelled: 1
Monday, June 02, 2008
Intruder Alert
Saturday night I stayed up as late I could, not wanting to go to sleep alone. I finally went to sleep around 2am. I'm not sure what time it was, but a little while later I heard someone come in to the bedroom. What is that, a murder? Aw, I've got to get some sleep.
It took a few seconds to register that is was my wonderful husband, home a day early. Hooray!!
He had come in, taken a shower, and only when he came into the bedroom did I wake up enough to hear him.
Sunday, while I was cooking dinner, I talked to Kris a little bit. While I was doing this, Drek was cleaning out his canyoneering gear, which included putting some of his gear out on the front porch. Kris was just leaving Tulsa, making her exodus out of Arkansas and back home where I have missed her so much. She was telling me that her cats were none to happy about the move. She wanted me to listen to them, so she but the phone up to one so I could hear them. At the same time I heard her cat meow, I heard a dog bark and a cat hiss, all in very close proximity to me. I look over into my living room, and there is Acouchi, up on the shelves, hissing like crazy, at the dog that is in my living room. Yes. A dog in my living room. Drek left the door open, the dog saw my cat and invited herself in my house. I chase the dog out, flinging my fork I was cooking with around in the air, resulting in the carpets being splattered with refried beans. At this point, Kris comes back on the phone, and is highly confused.
Kris isn't even back in Utah yet and already we're having crazy adventures again. I take that as a good omen.
It took a few seconds to register that is was my wonderful husband, home a day early. Hooray!!
He had come in, taken a shower, and only when he came into the bedroom did I wake up enough to hear him.
Sunday, while I was cooking dinner, I talked to Kris a little bit. While I was doing this, Drek was cleaning out his canyoneering gear, which included putting some of his gear out on the front porch. Kris was just leaving Tulsa, making her exodus out of Arkansas and back home where I have missed her so much. She was telling me that her cats were none to happy about the move. She wanted me to listen to them, so she but the phone up to one so I could hear them. At the same time I heard her cat meow, I heard a dog bark and a cat hiss, all in very close proximity to me. I look over into my living room, and there is Acouchi, up on the shelves, hissing like crazy, at the dog that is in my living room. Yes. A dog in my living room. Drek left the door open, the dog saw my cat and invited herself in my house. I chase the dog out, flinging my fork I was cooking with around in the air, resulting in the carpets being splattered with refried beans. At this point, Kris comes back on the phone, and is highly confused.
Kris isn't even back in Utah yet and already we're having crazy adventures again. I take that as a good omen.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
I Volunteered to Work for the Octogon Free of Pay
Drek left on an adventure yesterday and will not be back until Sunday. I thought sleeping alone would be hard last night, but I was so tired from only getting 4 hours of sleep the night before I didn't notice. Still, an empty house is quite dreaded now. I avoided it by spending time with my parents and then watching the 2 hour season finale of LOST (again) over at Josh and Cherie's house. They have an enormous big screen and Perfect Chairs. Josh served vegetarian pizza and Cherie got me a blanket. They discussed the show during the show (there was even a few screams) and Josh even caught a vital piece of information I totally missed last time. Can LOST watching get any better? I submit that it cannot!
My refrigerator is now full of deliciousness. My wonderful mother donated green salsa, red salsa, an enormous bowl of fruit, a gallon of whole milk (no more evil 2%! Hah! well, at least until this runs out) and a dozen Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits to my refrigerator. All this is leftovers from the Senior All Night Party.
This makes me so happy. I have recently gone on a dreaded "low calorie" diet. I am mostly dying. Before this, everything I heard said how evil low fat and low calorie diets were, and how they screwed up your body, so I never even bothered to learn what a calorie was.
It is a huge learning process. I researched like crazy on the Internet, did crazy math equations, and am now counting calories. I'm even keeping a food journal, because I read that that is the essential part of any diet. I'm still learning that how to balance it all out and how to still eat what I want (a new idea was just introduced: you can still have crazy calorie foods from restaurants, you just only eat a few bites. But then, you just wasted precious calories and are still hungry, not to mention the wasted money, food, and poor starving children in Africa). The fact that my fridge is now stuffed with food I can eat is amazing. So happy.
Is it working? I have no idea. The batteries on my scale went out a few weeks ago and I have yet to get it replaced.
My refrigerator is now full of deliciousness. My wonderful mother donated green salsa, red salsa, an enormous bowl of fruit, a gallon of whole milk (no more evil 2%! Hah! well, at least until this runs out) and a dozen Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits to my refrigerator. All this is leftovers from the Senior All Night Party.
This makes me so happy. I have recently gone on a dreaded "low calorie" diet. I am mostly dying. Before this, everything I heard said how evil low fat and low calorie diets were, and how they screwed up your body, so I never even bothered to learn what a calorie was.
It is a huge learning process. I researched like crazy on the Internet, did crazy math equations, and am now counting calories. I'm even keeping a food journal, because I read that that is the essential part of any diet. I'm still learning that how to balance it all out and how to still eat what I want (a new idea was just introduced: you can still have crazy calorie foods from restaurants, you just only eat a few bites. But then, you just wasted precious calories and are still hungry, not to mention the wasted money, food, and poor starving children in Africa). The fact that my fridge is now stuffed with food I can eat is amazing. So happy.
Is it working? I have no idea. The batteries on my scale went out a few weeks ago and I have yet to get it replaced.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Congratulations Mei Mei!!
Thursday Plan:
9:00am Wake up
10:00am Do laundry
11:00am Go to Seven Peaks & play for four hours, on way home, grab cake.
4:00 pm Go to Mei Mei's Graduation Dinner
7:00pm Go to Mei Mei's Graduation (miss 2 hour season finale of LOST)
11:00pm Volunteer at Senior All-Night-Party
2:00am Go home and SLEEP!
Thursday in reality:
8:00am Wake Up
9:00am Do laundry
9:10am Cut fruit for Senior All-Night-Party
11:00am Pick up cake for Mei Mei's Graduation Dinner
12:00pm Come to the sad realization that is is windy, overcast, and might rain. No Seven Peaks.
12:10pm Take a nap
2:00pm Wake up, realize the sun is shining. Seven Peaks time!
3:00pm Arrive at Seven Peaks, lose all faith in staff's abilities. Wait for them to "find account in computer" for 30 minutes.
3:40pm Go on one ride. wahoo.
3:45pm Rush home, change.
4:00pm Go to Mei Mei's Graduation Dinner
7:00pm Decide I am all socialized out.
8:00pm LOST!!!!! WE WATCH IT!!!!!!!!
10:00pm Die over LOST
11:00pm Volunteer at Senior All-Night-Party
11:30pm Run home to get Mei Mei's forgotten power cord for camera.
11:45pm Run home to get the correct forgotten power cord for camera.
12:00am Kid sits in Drek's food. Die Laughing.
2:00am Karaoke ends, still have energy. MUST WATCH HYPNOTIST!
3:00am Die laughing at the hilarity of the Hypnotist. SO FUNNY!!
4:00am Go home
4:10am Dead asleep
9:00am Wake up
10:00am Do laundry
11:00am Go to Seven Peaks & play for four hours, on way home, grab cake.
4:00 pm Go to Mei Mei's Graduation Dinner
7:00pm Go to Mei Mei's Graduation (miss 2 hour season finale of LOST)
11:00pm Volunteer at Senior All-Night-Party
2:00am Go home and SLEEP!
Thursday in reality:
8:00am Wake Up
9:00am Do laundry
9:10am Cut fruit for Senior All-Night-Party
11:00am Pick up cake for Mei Mei's Graduation Dinner
12:00pm Come to the sad realization that is is windy, overcast, and might rain. No Seven Peaks.
12:10pm Take a nap
2:00pm Wake up, realize the sun is shining. Seven Peaks time!
3:00pm Arrive at Seven Peaks, lose all faith in staff's abilities. Wait for them to "find account in computer" for 30 minutes.
3:40pm Go on one ride. wahoo.
3:45pm Rush home, change.
4:00pm Go to Mei Mei's Graduation Dinner
7:00pm Decide I am all socialized out.
8:00pm LOST!!!!! WE WATCH IT!!!!!!!!
10:00pm Die over LOST
11:00pm Volunteer at Senior All-Night-Party
11:30pm Run home to get Mei Mei's forgotten power cord for camera.
11:45pm Run home to get the correct forgotten power cord for camera.
12:00am Kid sits in Drek's food. Die Laughing.
2:00am Karaoke ends, still have energy. MUST WATCH HYPNOTIST!
3:00am Die laughing at the hilarity of the Hypnotist. SO FUNNY!!
4:00am Go home
4:10am Dead asleep
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
The Economy is Making Me Sad
All day, two people came into the store. One of them was the owner. Slow is an understatement.
And then the phone rings.
Me: Gives intro
Woman: Uh, hi. I've been doing some research online and...oh. Is K La there? I think I need to talk to her.
Me: This is K La
Woman: Oh. Good. Um, I was in your store in January, and I got your card. And I've been doing some research online and would like to purchase one of your chairs. Probably the most expensive chair in the store, with my luck. Chuckles softly
(We sell massage chairs, recliner chairs, and office chairs. At this point I am thinking she wants an office chair, and roll my eyes at the fact that she thinks $700 is our most expensive chair.)
Me: All right. Which chair would you like?
Woman: The Sanyo Zero Gravity Massage chair (Price = $5,000)
Me: Sucks in air so fast my gum goes down my throat. I start choking. I quickly recover.
Oh! That is a good massage chair. That is actually my favorite chair (because right now it has a $75 spiff on it) That is a very good chair!
Woman: Yeah, I was in there in January and liked it, but as it turns out my brother-in-law has that chair and for the last week we've been staying at his house. My husband sat in the chair a lot so I that's going to be his Father's Day present. Luckily, he goes on trips a lot so I'll get to sit in it too. Chuckles softly.
Booya. Thank you brother-in-law.
And then the phone rings.
Me: Gives intro
Woman: Uh, hi. I've been doing some research online and...oh. Is K La there? I think I need to talk to her.
Me: This is K La
Woman: Oh. Good. Um, I was in your store in January, and I got your card. And I've been doing some research online and would like to purchase one of your chairs. Probably the most expensive chair in the store, with my luck. Chuckles softly
(We sell massage chairs, recliner chairs, and office chairs. At this point I am thinking she wants an office chair, and roll my eyes at the fact that she thinks $700 is our most expensive chair.)
Me: All right. Which chair would you like?
Woman: The Sanyo Zero Gravity Massage chair (Price = $5,000)
Me: Sucks in air so fast my gum goes down my throat. I start choking. I quickly recover.
Oh! That is a good massage chair. That is actually my favorite chair (because right now it has a $75 spiff on it) That is a very good chair!
Woman: Yeah, I was in there in January and liked it, but as it turns out my brother-in-law has that chair and for the last week we've been staying at his house. My husband sat in the chair a lot so I that's going to be his Father's Day present. Luckily, he goes on trips a lot so I'll get to sit in it too. Chuckles softly.
Booya. Thank you brother-in-law.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Introducing...Annette
I was woken up this morning by someone at the door. It was Fed Ex, delivering my new computer. Oh! She is so beautiful!! Thank you, Drek! Thank you!
MacLappy is no more. He is never coming back. All his files were backed up to a hard drive. This is Annette. MacLappy's files are now hers. She is just as smart as MacLappy, looks just like him, but is so much more!! So much happier, with so much more gumption. Even as I type I am admiring her face plate, her smooth, unblemished mouse pad and her smiling camera. She is gorgeous, smart, and will not get sick. She is clean and white with no scratches She makes a small clicking noise when you use the mouse, her keys press down with uniform ease, and if you press the F4 button, she will instantly show you your dashboard.
I love her already.
Monday, May 26, 2008
May BAMC
May's word was Mother. For this challenge, I read three books: Mrs. Frisbee and the Rats of Nimh (recommended by Drek) by Robert O'Brian, How Life Begins: The Science of Life in the Womb by Christopher Vaughan and I am a Mother (recommended by Kris) by Jane Clayson.
All three of these books had something very powerful to say about motherhood that can be summed up in one word: Miraculous.
Mrs. Frisbee and the Rats of Nimh is about the quest of a mother to save her little boy. Through faith and the love of a mother, Mrs. Frisbee accomplishes the impossible. She has adventures she could never had dreamed of and ends up better of than she could have wished for.
How Life Begins: The Science of Life in the Womb discusses that although scientists know quite a bit about how a sperm and an egg turn into a live baby, there is is much more that they don't know. It is not fully understood why a fertilized egg will turn into life with ease when done naturally, but in-vetro or artificial insemination has such a high failure rate. Nor is it fully understood why the mother's body doesn't reject the developing fetus , how the cells know what to become, or how the baby knows when to signal labor. Understanding these things would lead to miraculous scientific break thoroughs in organ transplants, infertility, stem cell research, cloning, and health care. Pregnancy in an of itself is a miracle.
I am a Mother is an LDS book about the divine roles mothers have. It's bases is that mothers need to stop saying "I'm just a mom" apologetically, and announce with pride "I am a Mother." The job of a mother is to rear children, sustain communities, shape countries and change nations. As a mother you have more power to change than world than any other job.
Reading these books changed my perspective on motherhood. I would highly recommend all three of these books. The first and third book are very easy reads, but the second one is quite technical, and may only be enjoyed by anatomy and physiology geeks.
All three of these books had something very powerful to say about motherhood that can be summed up in one word: Miraculous.
Mrs. Frisbee and the Rats of Nimh is about the quest of a mother to save her little boy. Through faith and the love of a mother, Mrs. Frisbee accomplishes the impossible. She has adventures she could never had dreamed of and ends up better of than she could have wished for.
How Life Begins: The Science of Life in the Womb discusses that although scientists know quite a bit about how a sperm and an egg turn into a live baby, there is is much more that they don't know. It is not fully understood why a fertilized egg will turn into life with ease when done naturally, but in-vetro or artificial insemination has such a high failure rate. Nor is it fully understood why the mother's body doesn't reject the developing fetus , how the cells know what to become, or how the baby knows when to signal labor. Understanding these things would lead to miraculous scientific break thoroughs in organ transplants, infertility, stem cell research, cloning, and health care. Pregnancy in an of itself is a miracle.
I am a Mother is an LDS book about the divine roles mothers have. It's bases is that mothers need to stop saying "I'm just a mom" apologetically, and announce with pride "I am a Mother." The job of a mother is to rear children, sustain communities, shape countries and change nations. As a mother you have more power to change than world than any other job.
Reading these books changed my perspective on motherhood. I would highly recommend all three of these books. The first and third book are very easy reads, but the second one is quite technical, and may only be enjoyed by anatomy and physiology geeks.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
The Number Four, Do We Really Need It?
Bells is fine. We let her go Saturday morning. She seems to be doing well. So do her babies.
Kris stopped by with baby Toby Friday night. It was nice. I am very much looking forward to her moving here. We shall play Nurtz.
Saturday morning Drek and I drove up to Park City. We had a wonderful time up at the condo. I spent a lot of time with my most adorable niece. It was so much fun to walk around with her, carry her around and entertain her in the car. She is so smart and so so cute.
Drek and I and my sister and her husband went shopping for food to eat for the short time we were there. Not only was it fun to hang out with them, but it was very exciting because this is the first year we have done the shopping.
We played a few games and went out to dinner at Macaroni Grill. There was a host there that would sing to you if it was your birthday. He sang to you in Italian, and his voice was AMAZING!! We conversation ensued on his duties, and if he was just hired because he could sing. While we were there the chef came out to give a toast, and gave every table a free desert (quite the brilliant marketing strategy if you think about it). Our table got the 3 berry Tiramisu, which was good. Not brilliant, like I thought it would be, but good.
That night we had root-beer floats (a condo tradition) and watched Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium; Which I loved.
We slept on a pull-out-couch (Oh I missed my Tempur-Pedic bed). In the morning we had a brunch with some cousins. We left early in the brunch, I was tired of socializing.
On the way to and from Park City I made Drek listen to the musical The Scarlet Pimpernel and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. He really likes The Scarlet Pimpernel. I am thrilled.
Kris stopped by with baby Toby Friday night. It was nice. I am very much looking forward to her moving here. We shall play Nurtz.
Saturday morning Drek and I drove up to Park City. We had a wonderful time up at the condo. I spent a lot of time with my most adorable niece. It was so much fun to walk around with her, carry her around and entertain her in the car. She is so smart and so so cute.
Drek and I and my sister and her husband went shopping for food to eat for the short time we were there. Not only was it fun to hang out with them, but it was very exciting because this is the first year we have done the shopping.
We played a few games and went out to dinner at Macaroni Grill. There was a host there that would sing to you if it was your birthday. He sang to you in Italian, and his voice was AMAZING!! We conversation ensued on his duties, and if he was just hired because he could sing. While we were there the chef came out to give a toast, and gave every table a free desert (quite the brilliant marketing strategy if you think about it). Our table got the 3 berry Tiramisu, which was good. Not brilliant, like I thought it would be, but good.
That night we had root-beer floats (a condo tradition) and watched Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium; Which I loved.
We slept on a pull-out-couch (Oh I missed my Tempur-Pedic bed). In the morning we had a brunch with some cousins. We left early in the brunch, I was tired of socializing.
On the way to and from Park City I made Drek listen to the musical The Scarlet Pimpernel and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. He really likes The Scarlet Pimpernel. I am thrilled.
Friday, May 23, 2008
I Just Want a Vacation
Bells threw up all last night. Six or seven times, I think. I've been worried sick about her all day, but she seems fine now. Poor baby.
Today was not a good day. Not a good day at all.
Tomorrow Drek and I are going up to the Condo for the official start of summer semi-family-reunion. I am so excited. I need a vacation so very badly. Thank goodness I don't have to go to work tomorrow. Thank goodness.
Today was not a good day. Not a good day at all.
Tomorrow Drek and I are going up to the Condo for the official start of summer semi-family-reunion. I am so excited. I need a vacation so very badly. Thank goodness I don't have to go to work tomorrow. Thank goodness.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
You Head Asplode
Tuesday morning started out by going into our neighbor's garage and looking for four little kittens. We finally found them (they were so small it took a long time) and loaded them, along with Mommy Bells, into a crate. We drove them over to the Spay and Neuter Clinic and dropped them off with lots of reassurance. We picked them up at 2:30 and were informed that Bells was to be given pain medication every morning and night until her medicine ran out. She also had to stay indoors and could not get wet.
These instructions stemmed problems. Bells is an outdoor cat, and what's worse: pretty much a stray. The family she hangs around the most cannot keep her indoors because Ben just came home from his mission and is allergic to cats. Drek and I have Acouchi. Acouchi will simply not allow Bells and four mini-bells back into her domain. Thus: problems.
We decided to keep the kitties in our bathroom, with the door closed. While setting up the bathroom, Bells walked out and into the hallway. She did this the same time Acouchi was walking out of the bedroom, into the hallway. Acouchi froze; no doubt recognizing her intruder and wondering where she had come from. Bells waked on nonchalantly; Just as she had when she was a baby.
I herded Bells back inside the bathroom and Acouchi went to sulk under the bed. After making our new guests feel at home, I went to try and apologize to Acouchi. She would have nothing of it. I brushed her, gave her a massage and told her it was only for a few days, but she did not care. She is officially mad at me (Me, not Drek) and there is no changing her mind.
Bells, on the other hand, loves my attention. She'll crawl on my lap and purr (kind of, she makes the same trill as a pigeon. It's odd. What's even more odd is two of the kittens have picked up on it, and try to imitate her) and beg to be petted. She is so cute. So are her babies. So cute, your head will asplode.
Bells is a very good mother. She's very watchful of her little ones and is very attentive of their cries. He licks them constantly and seems content to be with them. This is a picture of Bells and mini-bells
Hopefully, Acouchi will forgive me once our house guests are gone. For now, she seems very sullen.
These instructions stemmed problems. Bells is an outdoor cat, and what's worse: pretty much a stray. The family she hangs around the most cannot keep her indoors because Ben just came home from his mission and is allergic to cats. Drek and I have Acouchi. Acouchi will simply not allow Bells and four mini-bells back into her domain. Thus: problems.
We decided to keep the kitties in our bathroom, with the door closed. While setting up the bathroom, Bells walked out and into the hallway. She did this the same time Acouchi was walking out of the bedroom, into the hallway. Acouchi froze; no doubt recognizing her intruder and wondering where she had come from. Bells waked on nonchalantly; Just as she had when she was a baby.
I herded Bells back inside the bathroom and Acouchi went to sulk under the bed. After making our new guests feel at home, I went to try and apologize to Acouchi. She would have nothing of it. I brushed her, gave her a massage and told her it was only for a few days, but she did not care. She is officially mad at me (Me, not Drek) and there is no changing her mind.
Bells, on the other hand, loves my attention. She'll crawl on my lap and purr (kind of, she makes the same trill as a pigeon. It's odd. What's even more odd is two of the kittens have picked up on it, and try to imitate her) and beg to be petted. She is so cute. So are her babies. So cute, your head will asplode.
Bells is a very good mother. She's very watchful of her little ones and is very attentive of their cries. He licks them constantly and seems content to be with them. This is a picture of Bells and mini-bells
Hopefully, Acouchi will forgive me once our house guests are gone. For now, she seems very sullen.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Allow Me To Elaborate on How Great He Is
On paper, my husband looks great. He is an exemplary student, a few weeks away from getting his Masters Degree in Robotics from a prestigious university. He served a two-year LDS mission. He won Volunteer of the Year in this state for his continuous volunteer work at the animal shelter. He writes stories everyone loves to read, and one story is so great it just made him a finalist in the Writers of the Future contest (making him in the top eight in the world). He makes amazing pasta salad and is a skilled Canyoneerer.
In real life, my husband is even better. Paper just doesn't do him justice.
Last night, I was miserable. I couldn't sleep, I had a headache, my tummy hurt, and oh, I couldn't sleep. I tossed and turned, keeping my husband up. Finally I fell asleep at two thirty. My husband got up at five because his allergies were not allowing him to breathe. He didn't get me up, he just went into the living room and worked on his projects. When my alarm went off, he kissed me and let me sleep in. He even went to the grocery store (we have no food in the house. None. Not a crumb) and got me milk and fresh pineapple to bring me breakfast in bed. He then cuddled with me some more, and I finally got out of bed at ten. By this point, he had already called to check the status of his brand new laptop he ordered, and set up an appointment for Bells to be spayed (tomorrow seven thirty in the very early morning).
I called my mom to discover that she was just leaving a job interview. That's right, my brave mom is venturing forth in the workforce once again. She is so brave. I am not sure I will have that kind of courage when I'm her age. I admire her so much, not only for this, but for being such a great mom to us three girls all these years without working. Talking to her makes me realize that the student loan she took out to pay for half my tuition for Massage Therapy school is still draining her assets month by month. I go to my husband and ask if I can have $3,000 to pay off the rest of this loan. Does he refuse? Does he try to bargain? Does he cringe at the fact that our hard earned savings will suffer? He does not. He simply asks the exact amount, and where to transfer it too.
He drives me to work and kisses me good-bye. Later that day he picks my up and takes me to lunch. Even later he picks me up from work with some amazing news. I guess he thought if he was getting a fantastic new laptop, I should too. So he called Apple and complained that we had taken McLappy into the Apple store four times, and the screen still flickers (which is actually giving me headache right now). Apple apologized and decided to replace my laptop. But wait! They don't make this laptop anymore, so they will have to upgrade it to a new and super-cool MacBook, for free. Yeah. My husband is amazing.
He then takes my shopping for desperately needed groceries. He even remembered to bring the shopping list. As w are leaving the store, I see a friend from high school that I have been missing for a very very long time. There were hugs, catching up was done, phone numbers were exchanged, watermelons were killed, and my husband stands calmly by through all of this and the subsequent me showing him off.
That is how great my husband is. Best. Husband. Ever.
In real life, my husband is even better. Paper just doesn't do him justice.
Last night, I was miserable. I couldn't sleep, I had a headache, my tummy hurt, and oh, I couldn't sleep. I tossed and turned, keeping my husband up. Finally I fell asleep at two thirty. My husband got up at five because his allergies were not allowing him to breathe. He didn't get me up, he just went into the living room and worked on his projects. When my alarm went off, he kissed me and let me sleep in. He even went to the grocery store (we have no food in the house. None. Not a crumb) and got me milk and fresh pineapple to bring me breakfast in bed. He then cuddled with me some more, and I finally got out of bed at ten. By this point, he had already called to check the status of his brand new laptop he ordered, and set up an appointment for Bells to be spayed (tomorrow seven thirty in the very early morning).
I called my mom to discover that she was just leaving a job interview. That's right, my brave mom is venturing forth in the workforce once again. She is so brave. I am not sure I will have that kind of courage when I'm her age. I admire her so much, not only for this, but for being such a great mom to us three girls all these years without working. Talking to her makes me realize that the student loan she took out to pay for half my tuition for Massage Therapy school is still draining her assets month by month. I go to my husband and ask if I can have $3,000 to pay off the rest of this loan. Does he refuse? Does he try to bargain? Does he cringe at the fact that our hard earned savings will suffer? He does not. He simply asks the exact amount, and where to transfer it too.
He drives me to work and kisses me good-bye. Later that day he picks my up and takes me to lunch. Even later he picks me up from work with some amazing news. I guess he thought if he was getting a fantastic new laptop, I should too. So he called Apple and complained that we had taken McLappy into the Apple store four times, and the screen still flickers (which is actually giving me headache right now). Apple apologized and decided to replace my laptop. But wait! They don't make this laptop anymore, so they will have to upgrade it to a new and super-cool MacBook, for free. Yeah. My husband is amazing.
He then takes my shopping for desperately needed groceries. He even remembered to bring the shopping list. As w are leaving the store, I see a friend from high school that I have been missing for a very very long time. There were hugs, catching up was done, phone numbers were exchanged, watermelons were killed, and my husband stands calmly by through all of this and the subsequent me showing him off.
That is how great my husband is. Best. Husband. Ever.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
I'm Drying Out
I need to go swimming. I took a shower to soak up water, but it's not enough. Maybe I need to get into a giant bathtub will all my clothes on. I think that will help.
I HATE VISITING TEACHING!!!! In a happy world, I would have spent the day swimming instead of going visiting teaching, preparing to go visiting teaching, writing emails to encourage visiting teaching and going to meetings about visiting teaching. I HATE IT!!!!!!!
I HATE VISITING TEACHING!!!! In a happy world, I would have spent the day swimming instead of going visiting teaching, preparing to go visiting teaching, writing emails to encourage visiting teaching and going to meetings about visiting teaching. I HATE IT!!!!!!!
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Today Should be a Swimming Day
Thu sun is shining today. It is supposed to reach 90 degrees. Why am I not outside today? Oh, right. I have to work. Money is evil.
After work Drek and I are going directly to Sunstarr's wedding. She is getting married outside, up the canyon, so that will be nice.
Her "Bridal Bash" as we called it, was last Saturday. It went great! I finally found daiquiri glasses (branded with Royal Caribbean and sold for $0.75 each at D.I.). That was the best part. I used frozen Strawberry Daiquiri mix, fresh strawberries and rum flavoring. Each glass was topped off with a mini umbrella. They were perfect.
I found crazy discounts for Papa John's Pizza and got three of Sunstarr's favorite pizzas for cheap. I ordered online that morning. Not only were they delivered exactly when I asked them to be, but they were two minutes early. I was highly impressed.
My mom did the decorations, which were fabulous. She also got candy for the event (I used most of them as prizes, a bag of green M&Ms, a bag of ring pops, and two bags of Hot Tamales) the best candy being a bag of red M&Ms that were cherry flavored. They were so good!!
The guests arrived exactly the same time Sunstarr did. No waiting at all. A few of the games were huge hits, one of them was dumb, and we stopped playing it immediately. The video we did of the fiancee answering questions worked great, and overall the party was great.
I loved throwing her the party. Not only was she easy to work with and everything went smoothly, but it reminded me that this time last year I was going to my own bridal showers. That made me appreciate my husband all the more. He is so wonderful and I am so glad we are married.
After work Drek and I are going directly to Sunstarr's wedding. She is getting married outside, up the canyon, so that will be nice.
Her "Bridal Bash" as we called it, was last Saturday. It went great! I finally found daiquiri glasses (branded with Royal Caribbean and sold for $0.75 each at D.I.). That was the best part. I used frozen Strawberry Daiquiri mix, fresh strawberries and rum flavoring. Each glass was topped off with a mini umbrella. They were perfect.
I found crazy discounts for Papa John's Pizza and got three of Sunstarr's favorite pizzas for cheap. I ordered online that morning. Not only were they delivered exactly when I asked them to be, but they were two minutes early. I was highly impressed.
My mom did the decorations, which were fabulous. She also got candy for the event (I used most of them as prizes, a bag of green M&Ms, a bag of ring pops, and two bags of Hot Tamales) the best candy being a bag of red M&Ms that were cherry flavored. They were so good!!
The guests arrived exactly the same time Sunstarr did. No waiting at all. A few of the games were huge hits, one of them was dumb, and we stopped playing it immediately. The video we did of the fiancee answering questions worked great, and overall the party was great.
I loved throwing her the party. Not only was she easy to work with and everything went smoothly, but it reminded me that this time last year I was going to my own bridal showers. That made me appreciate my husband all the more. He is so wonderful and I am so glad we are married.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Basically: Kind of a Big Deal
I am told, by my manager, that once a year, corporate comes out and inspects the store. They take pictures of EVERYTHING, they check your inventory, they inspect the salespeople, they quiz the owners. I am told, by my manager, that last year when corporate came, they fined the store for not having certain core products, fined the store for selling non-approved products, fined the store for having non-approved signs, and gave the store warnings for having dust on the foot machines, and having the boxes on the shelves not-perfectly spaced. They come in, terrorize you for an hour, and leave you crying and worrying about fines and warnings.
Yeah.
So this year, corporate came back. The entire week before I cleaned like crazy. The whole store, top to bottom, was scrubbed, vacuumed, dusted, sprayed, polished and perfectly arranged. The entire week before, I had no free time. The entire week before I had to listen to my boss tell me about corporate inspection, my manager tell me about corporate inspection, and my co-worker tell me about corporate inspection. OVER AND OVER AGAIN. I have the horror story memorized verbatim.
The day before, we loaded up non-approved products and signs in the truck to hide them. We made fake POs to pretend we had core products on order. We cleaned like fiends. Oh, by the way, by "we" I mean "me and co-worker". Like the boss or manager would do anything but complain.
The day of, I arrive at work to find "corporate" is already there. "Corporate" is one person, a very nice looking, small woman with a very loud laugh that sounds like she's crying. She is SO NICE.
My manager called in sick that day (coward), co-worker has no idea what is going on, and my boss got an urgent phone call and had to leave. Corporate comes out and talks to me. We talk about her plane trip, the store she used to work in, my training as a massage therapist, and good places to eat around here. She leaves to get lunch and comes back to work on her laptop.
Now I am in a pickle; I think I'm supposed to look busy, but there are no customers coming in, and everything is already crazy clean. I have nothing to do. NOTHING.
My amazing and genius husband comes up with the answer: He programs a phone to somehow play the latest LOST podcast. I call up a number, and toll free, listen to Darlton. I am entertained, but I look like I am on hold with a company (which I frequently am) the solution, was brilliant. This basically saves me, because she stays ALL DAY.
Finally, my boss comes back. He and corporate talk and laugh and joke. At 15 to closing, she sighs and says she better get out her checklist. She does not take pictures. She does not give warnings, she does not fine us. She smiles, asks a few questions about missing core products ("it's on order, do you want to see the PO?" "No, that's ok, I don't want to cause trouble") and then the boss takes her out to dinner.
???
The next day, I come in to work, asking how dinner went. My boss is all smiles and says we did great, we passed inspection, no problem. My manager is confused and keeps saying how different last year's inspection was. I am angry that I stressed out for no reason and that my manager would abandon us like that. However, I can now listen to the latest LOST podcasts from the work phone, so it makes everything all right.
Yeah.
So this year, corporate came back. The entire week before I cleaned like crazy. The whole store, top to bottom, was scrubbed, vacuumed, dusted, sprayed, polished and perfectly arranged. The entire week before, I had no free time. The entire week before I had to listen to my boss tell me about corporate inspection, my manager tell me about corporate inspection, and my co-worker tell me about corporate inspection. OVER AND OVER AGAIN. I have the horror story memorized verbatim.
The day before, we loaded up non-approved products and signs in the truck to hide them. We made fake POs to pretend we had core products on order. We cleaned like fiends. Oh, by the way, by "we" I mean "me and co-worker". Like the boss or manager would do anything but complain.
The day of, I arrive at work to find "corporate" is already there. "Corporate" is one person, a very nice looking, small woman with a very loud laugh that sounds like she's crying. She is SO NICE.
My manager called in sick that day (coward), co-worker has no idea what is going on, and my boss got an urgent phone call and had to leave. Corporate comes out and talks to me. We talk about her plane trip, the store she used to work in, my training as a massage therapist, and good places to eat around here. She leaves to get lunch and comes back to work on her laptop.
Now I am in a pickle; I think I'm supposed to look busy, but there are no customers coming in, and everything is already crazy clean. I have nothing to do. NOTHING.
My amazing and genius husband comes up with the answer: He programs a phone to somehow play the latest LOST podcast. I call up a number, and toll free, listen to Darlton. I am entertained, but I look like I am on hold with a company (which I frequently am) the solution, was brilliant. This basically saves me, because she stays ALL DAY.
Finally, my boss comes back. He and corporate talk and laugh and joke. At 15 to closing, she sighs and says she better get out her checklist. She does not take pictures. She does not give warnings, she does not fine us. She smiles, asks a few questions about missing core products ("it's on order, do you want to see the PO?" "No, that's ok, I don't want to cause trouble") and then the boss takes her out to dinner.
???
The next day, I come in to work, asking how dinner went. My boss is all smiles and says we did great, we passed inspection, no problem. My manager is confused and keeps saying how different last year's inspection was. I am angry that I stressed out for no reason and that my manager would abandon us like that. However, I can now listen to the latest LOST podcasts from the work phone, so it makes everything all right.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
It's Not the Years, Honey, It's the Mileage.
For my Birthday, Rissy got me the box set of Indiana Jones DVDs. She had never seen them, so we decided to watch them together. Unfortunately, she left for Disney Land before we could get together. She went on the Indiana Jones ride, loved it, came back, and thus movie parties were a must. We watched the third Indiana Jones movie on Monday. Yesterday night we watched the first Indiana Jones movie. It's her first time watching all of these, my second or third, and Drek's millionth. Mostly we just shake our heads when Indi destroys things (for an archaeologist, he has a lack of care for ancient artifacts) laugh when a metal object hits ANYTHING and explodes, and genuinely enjoy the movies. Both parties were accompanied by lots of snacks, last night it even merited a run for Sundaes. The forth movie comes out soon; it might warrant a midnight showing. We'll see.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Maybe Next Year...
Happy Mother's Day!! This year it was more of a big deal than previous years. I have a mother-in-law now, family came into town and now friends my age are moms too.
Saturday Night Drek and I took his parents out to dinner to celebrate Mother's Day. It was a lot of fun, rarely do we get them to ourselves. Our waiter turned out to be a boy I had dated once. It was...awkward, but other than that it went great.
Sunday morning Drek and I went over to my mom's house for a breakfast. My Grandma and my Aunt were there. Afterward we went to my parent's ward (which is so so so so so much better than our married student ward). After church we had a dinner where my Grandparents from Texas came, and my Aunt and Uncle from up in Salt Lake. My older sister was also there. Dinner was yummy, dinner was fantastic, and the conversation was wonderful. By that time, I was exhausted and wanted to go home and sleep, but we had to go to dinner over at Drek's parent's house. We had a good time, but I was just so tired!!
I'm so grateful for the mothers in my life. My mom has been such a wonderful example to me and is everything a mother should be. My Mother-in-Law is an extraordinary mother and couldn't have raised my amazing husband any better. Both of them set the standard for what I the kind of mother I want to be...someday.
Saturday Night Drek and I took his parents out to dinner to celebrate Mother's Day. It was a lot of fun, rarely do we get them to ourselves. Our waiter turned out to be a boy I had dated once. It was...awkward, but other than that it went great.
Sunday morning Drek and I went over to my mom's house for a breakfast. My Grandma and my Aunt were there. Afterward we went to my parent's ward (which is so so so so so much better than our married student ward). After church we had a dinner where my Grandparents from Texas came, and my Aunt and Uncle from up in Salt Lake. My older sister was also there. Dinner was yummy, dinner was fantastic, and the conversation was wonderful. By that time, I was exhausted and wanted to go home and sleep, but we had to go to dinner over at Drek's parent's house. We had a good time, but I was just so tired!!
I'm so grateful for the mothers in my life. My mom has been such a wonderful example to me and is everything a mother should be. My Mother-in-Law is an extraordinary mother and couldn't have raised my amazing husband any better. Both of them set the standard for what I the kind of mother I want to be...someday.
Friday, May 09, 2008
When I Feel I'm About To Faint I Eat a Cube of Cheese
Happy Birthday Kara!! For some reason, I thought yesterday was friday. Sorry I sent you the card a day early.
Me thinking yesterday was Friday also caused all sorts of problems at work. I had to fix them all today, the real Friday. Not fun. Luckily, I caught on that it was LOSTrsday. LOST was amazing.
I also went jogging with my new pedometer! I had to start jogging in preparation for the WOMEN challenge, which starts Sunday. The pedometer was great in one regards, but not so great in the fact that it told me my jogging route was, in fact, 1/2 a mile. This whole time I thought is was a whole mile. Whoops.
I am still not losing weight. I think the solution might be 30 minutes of Tao-Bo in the morning, ride my bike to and from work, go jogging a whole mile at night, followed by 30 minutes of Yoga. Oh, wait, can't do that, because I have a life. Crap. Maybe if I can somehow do this and combine it with the Devil Wears Prada diet, I will finally lose some weight.
Me thinking yesterday was Friday also caused all sorts of problems at work. I had to fix them all today, the real Friday. Not fun. Luckily, I caught on that it was LOSTrsday. LOST was amazing.
I also went jogging with my new pedometer! I had to start jogging in preparation for the WOMEN challenge, which starts Sunday. The pedometer was great in one regards, but not so great in the fact that it told me my jogging route was, in fact, 1/2 a mile. This whole time I thought is was a whole mile. Whoops.
I am still not losing weight. I think the solution might be 30 minutes of Tao-Bo in the morning, ride my bike to and from work, go jogging a whole mile at night, followed by 30 minutes of Yoga. Oh, wait, can't do that, because I have a life. Crap. Maybe if I can somehow do this and combine it with the Devil Wears Prada diet, I will finally lose some weight.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
The Mole
Yesterday Drek and I took a trip to the library. When we walked in, my phone rang. I quickly backed out of the library and answered the phone. It was Krisface. She had some very exciting news to tell me:
THE MOLE IS BACK!! PREMIERING JUNE 2!! I AM SO EXCITED!! THE MOLE! THE MOLE!!!
The Mole was my favorite reality show (indeed, that and 1 season of The Biggest Loser were the only reality shows I followed). My mother and I watched the episodes religiously. We bet smoothies on who the mole was. I guessed it every time, except the last, when the mole was super-super sneaky.
Last year I was thinking about this show and wrote an email to ABC saying they should bring that show back, and they should put me on it. I guess they read my email!! Alas, I am not on the show, but that is OK, I am married now and don't want to leave my husband for long periods of time anyway. I shall live the experience vicariously through my TV (or, Internet since we don't get any channels) because that is what TV is all about.
THE MOLE IS BACK!! PREMIERING JUNE 2!! I AM SO EXCITED!! THE MOLE! THE MOLE!!!
The Mole was my favorite reality show (indeed, that and 1 season of The Biggest Loser were the only reality shows I followed). My mother and I watched the episodes religiously. We bet smoothies on who the mole was. I guessed it every time, except the last, when the mole was super-super sneaky.
Last year I was thinking about this show and wrote an email to ABC saying they should bring that show back, and they should put me on it. I guess they read my email!! Alas, I am not on the show, but that is OK, I am married now and don't want to leave my husband for long periods of time anyway. I shall live the experience vicariously through my TV (or, Internet since we don't get any channels) because that is what TV is all about.
Monday, May 05, 2008
Happy Cinco De Mayo!!
Drek and I celebrated by getting free stuff at Bajio (including two piñatas!). Tonight we are going to drink Margaritas in my new Margarita glasses and whack said piñatas. Come one, come all.
You should celebrate by updating your blog. Yes, YOU. My igoogle is very sad. No one has updated in a while. NO ONE. Icluding you, husband. How am I supposed to know what's going on in your life if you don't update? Yeash, do you think I'm married to you or something?
(later)
Pictures!!
I made some yummy home made Margaritas (no alchohol, no mix). They turned out great!!
We had our small but colorful decorations
and of course the piñatas.
It was a very small party, but we had fun. Xirax and Aaron and I drove to Macey's to buy candy to stuff inside our little furry friends. Later, we rigged our own whacking systerm. Yes, that is a USB cable instead of a rope, yes that stick is a broom, yes that bat is a mop, and yes, those blindfold are ties.
Xirax vs Bird
Aaron in the hanging of the Bull
Drek vs Decapitated Bull
You should celebrate by updating your blog. Yes, YOU. My igoogle is very sad. No one has updated in a while. NO ONE. Icluding you, husband. How am I supposed to know what's going on in your life if you don't update? Yeash, do you think I'm married to you or something?
(later)
Pictures!!
I made some yummy home made Margaritas (no alchohol, no mix). They turned out great!!
We had our small but colorful decorations
and of course the piñatas.It was a very small party, but we had fun. Xirax and Aaron and I drove to Macey's to buy candy to stuff inside our little furry friends. Later, we rigged our own whacking systerm. Yes, that is a USB cable instead of a rope, yes that stick is a broom, yes that bat is a mop, and yes, those blindfold are ties.
Xirax vs Bird
Aaron in the hanging of the Bull
Drek vs Decapitated Bull
Sunday, May 04, 2008
He Does "Cook" For Me
Yesterday I came home to find that my amazing husband had cleaned the whole house and gone shopping for a special dinner. He had bought all different sorts of fruit and in an effort to support my RAWism, had made me the most delicious fruit salad.
Isn't he great?
Not only that, but he is working so hard at finishing up his thesis (will be done this month!!) and has started applying for jobs, as well building up his own clients so he can work for himself. He is so wonderful. I'm positive he is the best husband in the whole world.
Isn't he great?
Not only that, but he is working so hard at finishing up his thesis (will be done this month!!) and has started applying for jobs, as well building up his own clients so he can work for himself. He is so wonderful. I'm positive he is the best husband in the whole world.
Friday, May 02, 2008
"I Wanted To Be A Jedi"
Yesterday was a very busy day at work. Highly successful, and very busy.
Kudos to Drek's cousin for mentioning SurfTheChannel.com. I have discovered that this site has all episodes of Pushing Daises. (as well as a million other shows) Glee!! Drek and I watched the pilot (Pie-lette!!) and then next episode. Ah, so much explained when you actually see the episodes you couldn't see on ABC.com. I have decided I am even more in love with this show. We watched an episode and walked away feeling happy and uplifted. We watched the new LOST and I was sad for the rest of the night. I just don't think she's coming back. I think she wondered into the forest and is gone forever. So depressing.
"I was first named Ultimate Sword Master at the Southern Area Regional Volunteer Infantry Reenactment Regiment."
"I wanted to be a Jedi."
Kudos to Drek's cousin for mentioning SurfTheChannel.com. I have discovered that this site has all episodes of Pushing Daises. (as well as a million other shows) Glee!! Drek and I watched the pilot (Pie-lette!!) and then next episode. Ah, so much explained when you actually see the episodes you couldn't see on ABC.com. I have decided I am even more in love with this show. We watched an episode and walked away feeling happy and uplifted. We watched the new LOST and I was sad for the rest of the night. I just don't think she's coming back. I think she wondered into the forest and is gone forever. So depressing.
"I was first named Ultimate Sword Master at the Southern Area Regional Volunteer Infantry Reenactment Regiment."
"I wanted to be a Jedi."
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Happy May Day!
I am going to run across the country; From San Francisco to Washington DC. How am I doing this? As part of the WOMAN Challenge: Women and girls Out Moving Across the Nation. Basically, the eight week WOMAN challenge encourages women and girls to set and achieve personal physical activity goals, appropriate for their lifestyles. When you meet your goals, your marker advances across the country. My sister got me into it, and now we're on a team!! We start May 11 (Mother's Day) and end July 5. I'm so excited!
I was supposed to lose 20 pounds by my birthday. I did not. I've been really good at excising (tao bo for 30 minutes every morning) but I haven't lost anything!! I blame this on my horrible eating habits. Everything Drek and I eat is processed junk. I also tend to eat desserts everyday. Thus, I've been doing research on a RAW diet. I am also excited about this. Yesterday I went shopping for food and for the next few weeks most of our meals will be RAW. With the new diet, the continued Tao Bo, and an extra WOMAN challenge, I'm highly confident I'll get closer to my goal weight.
Wish me luck!!
I was supposed to lose 20 pounds by my birthday. I did not. I've been really good at excising (tao bo for 30 minutes every morning) but I haven't lost anything!! I blame this on my horrible eating habits. Everything Drek and I eat is processed junk. I also tend to eat desserts everyday. Thus, I've been doing research on a RAW diet. I am also excited about this. Yesterday I went shopping for food and for the next few weeks most of our meals will be RAW. With the new diet, the continued Tao Bo, and an extra WOMAN challenge, I'm highly confident I'll get closer to my goal weight.
Wish me luck!!
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