Decorating

I'm kinda shocked...

For the last many moons we have not decorated at all at our house as it is only the two of us. Prior when we lived in the apartment I'd decorate every year, and I think the first couple of years in the house. But after that it just didn't seem worth it.

Why decorate for two people if you can go to either parents house and have the decoration all done? Or so was my reasoning. Well I decided I no longer want to be the Scrooge at my house so last Friday I put out all the decorations I have...okay so I don't have many but they're out!!

Then Saturday I dragged hubby to Tai Pan as he's never been there! Oh my gosh, its a dream place to get any type of decorations, placemats, ribbon, etc. Sadly I tend to get overwhelmed with too many options so we left with just ourselves. Maybe I can enlist help from the creative stock in our family.

The next best part is we bought a tree!! A recently cut Christmas tree!! I can't say its live because its really dying since it was previously cut. But I've debated with myself about getting a potted plant and maybe sticking it in our yard, but the planting hasn't quite convinced me of it yet. Maybe I'll get a wee one for our downstairs that's potted. Then we'll have two trees!?!

Who knows, tonight we might actually decorate the tree!

Christmas List

Here's what I'd like everyone to do - just copy this blog and paste it into yours (changing the answers of course), we may learn something new about each other - try not to be a SCROOGE!!!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Paper, much more fun, but bags for wrapping…tends to be easier!
2. Real tree or Artificial? Real if we get one, gotta have the smell
3. When do you put up the tree? If we do a tree at most a week before, if at all
4. When do you take the tree down? Couple days after no later than the 31st of December
5. Do you like eggnog? Not really
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Stuffed animals I loved, but I honestly don’t recall
7. Hardest person to buy for? Everyone
8. Easiest person to buy for? Mom..loves bubble bath or books
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Not sure
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Christmas cards, what are those?!?
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Don’t have a worst yet
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Ummm…don’t remember movies too well, not sure.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Usually a week before, or beginning of December
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas Present? Nope
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? All the yummy cookies & 7up salad
16. Lights on the tree? Plan and simple white ones
17. Favorite Christmas song? Don’t have a favorite
18. Do you travel or stay home at Christmas? Do the rounds to both families, then stay home
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? I think so
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Neither…haven’t had a tree up for many years now.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Can open 1 and only 1 on Christmas eve, all others on Christmas.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Christmas music starting in November
23. What theme or color are you using? Maybe white, never did a theme color before
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner. Augratin potatoes!
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Families to be happy and time spent together, otherwise no idea!

Shout Out

I know I don't really talk much my family life as I'm a paranoid git thats worried somebody might know who or what I hint at and will do something horrible & mean.

But I really wanted to mention how proud and amazed I am with my sis. She is such a strong person, both emotionally & spiritually. Not to mention she can kick my butt as she works out much more than I do. Sis of mine, I love you with all my heart and you truly do inspirational things. You are very much loved by your family and those who have passed on already as they still watch over us. HF loves you and does listen and answers all prayers.

Just think, in a few days we'll all be (hopefully) in a toasty warm place with lots of water & beaches!!

I Have a New Car!!

Oh the excitement continues!! I still feel shell shocked that we bought a car, I have a new car!! I just love it. I still have my trusty escort as well, but am attempting to sell it, so if you know anyone looking let me know.

I have a new car!!! We ended up with a Dodge Avenger. The picture is not my car, but one I found online, the color is the same though.

It has butt warmers, sunroof, my ipod will play with it too! Oh, and I went fancy and have leather seats too. Oh, the drive is so smooth, its truly a Gigantic step up from the escort.

Stupid Emotions

Emotions are a terrible thing. Especially for females. One moment you're fine and the next you can be crying.

This happened to me last night. No idea why I started crying, I just did. I came home from a shoe party, which was lovely & fun, made dinner. Soup, YUM!! Dropped hubby's off downstairs and ate mine upstairs. Then I went to bed. Didn't really feel like starting stitching or cutting pants, or watching video game. Next thing I know hubby is looking for me upstairs. Finding me in bed he somehow realizes I'm upset and leaves me alone. After this I just break into tears.

I still can't find a reason. I just started crying, yet when I think about it I want to cry all over again. Oh well

Costco or Sams...

In the past we have shopped at both Costo & Sams. When we lived in SLC I LOVED shopping at Costco. At that time hubby worked nights and I spent my evenings wandering stores to take as much time as possible...so I wouldn't be home by myself.

When we moved up North there wasn't a Costco close by so we joined Sams. Which is also nice. In my own opinion...which you're getting anyway since you are reading this...Costco tends to have higher quality of items. But I've enjoyed so many thinks at Sams. Now that hubby has a membership (via work) to Costco we can't decide if we should keep the Sams membership.

Last night we went shopping at Costco, both of us too!! I was curious what they had since it has been years since I was last shopping there. Plus I couldn't get in without hubby as its his membership.

I still enjoy it, but there are a few things that I miss at Sams. Like being able to buy 1 quart of milk, plus having the really nummy orange juice...I'm a slight juice snob and have to have 100% juice or its too sweet for me.

So the debate starts. Do we keep Sams or keep that option open?

Vehicles

So, I’ve been avoiding talking about cars lately as it’s a sad and painful subject to me.

A couple of weeks ago my car was sounding like it had died. The clutch was not catching like normal and it constantly smelled like burning brakes. Being brave I ask the car-expert neighbor who lives down the road from me what it might be, either my clutch or brakes? He proceeds to explain a couple of tests I can do to figure out what it is, which I promptly give him my keys as I can't do tests on my baby car!! Granted its 12 years old, but its still my baby.

Mind you, the same time I was asking car-expert about car he was with my other neighbor directly across the street from me. Who kindly informs "Never Ever Ever buy a car for sticker price, if you do you're Stupid"!! He continues to explain what he does (my mind being brilliant, only remembers its the auto auction)and that he can "hook me up with all the perks for cheaper"

This is the same neighbor who schooled me in cons about buying a hybrid at this time. Basically they're great for city driving and not so great for highway driving. This changed my mind about buying a hybrid, sadly up to this point I knew, I knew with a conviction what car I was going to buy and that is was going to be a hybrid. Then I get schooled and I have no idea anymore!

But I'm jumping ahead…The car expert does his tests on my car and informs me its the clutch, and as long as I don't do any steep hills I'll be okay for a bit. But he can't guarantee how long the bit will last. So I debate for a week with myself & hubby as what do we do...let my car die and find a new one within a week or just fix the dumb thing….boy has my attitude towards car change drastically.

Cars life has been pretty good, I've only had one major repair done many years ago. Then it hit a turn for the worse & hearing about clutch was kinda the icing on the cake for me. Just the month prior my driver seatbelt quit working for me and I only had the lapbelt holding me in...I felt very safe, really! So I had that fixed for abo $700, now the clutch!! My fear is coming true…car is turning into a sinkhole. NO matter how much I fix, something will need fixing the next month & I won't be able to get ahead of the repairs.

Long story short, we fixed the clutch. Decided by January (if car lasts that long without breaking again) I get a new car. At least new to me! The new debate I have with everything is before auto auction neighbor I was looking at dealerships & new my price range & what style of car. Now with auto auction hook-up its opened up a whole new world for me and I’m back to having no idea. I could stick with the normal and try for a cheaper car, or since its at a lower price try for a higher end car.

I’ve come up with a couple of dream cars for me, but it’s me, and I don’t know cars too well so who knows. Dream cars because they’re so expensive but a slight possibility to gain because of the auto auction people we know. Plus I drive cars till they die and go to car heaven…or so I think.

Any suggestion on cars would be most appreciated. The current list of cars are: Mazda’s 3 or 6 grand touring (not sure which yet); Dodge Avenger, Acura’s, Lexus ES 350, and Audi A4. Sadly the last 3 are probably dream cars, but I haven’t looked too closely at the Acura’s.

I’m terribly afraid to test drive cars for fear that I’ll fall in love with the car and want it but not be able to afford it.

Coincidences Made My Weekend

This weekend I had a run-in with coincidences. Very odd for me but I was so happy for it.

So I went to Ikea with my friends, I rarely if ever go there. While we were walking to the check-out area I'm not sure who saw who first, but I ran into...wait for it...My sweet cousins wife and lovely daughter! Not to forget the lovely wife's mother. It was so awesome for me as I always mean to visit one of these Fridays, since I work at home on Fridays. But I always fail in that endeavor and stay home.

Then the very next day I run into the cousin who's precious other half I ran into on Friday. At the grocery store of all places!! Mind you I don't shop too often at Albertsons, but to see his whole family within 24 hours of each other was such a blast for me!

The oddest part is they're from up North so it was a very pleasant coincidence to run into them in my own hometown! It helps that lovely wife's mother lives in my hometown too!!

Sewing

I'm quite proud of myself, I was able to hem a pair of pants all by myself. Even on the sewing machine I inherited from a loving Grams. Sadly I did break 2 needles in the process and it only took me about two and a half weeks.

BUT I am learning how to use the machine. Swapping out needles, thread, bobbings. Not to mention threading the machine.

Yay for me!!

Fish Naming

So, I am a horrible namer of things. I'm desperately in need of help with naming our fish. We have 4 koi that would love to have names and numerous goldfish. Out of the koi, we have 1 larger one that is white with orange spots, but not really round spots over it. Then we have 3 smaller fish, one is kinda silver, another white, and the last is a light yellow.

My thought of a name for the light yellow is banana, because banana's are yellow too!! See why I desperately need the help??

Seriously any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Oh, on a sad note, I think Old Harold (one of our goldfish) died. I don't think he died, he did die, its just his name I think is Old Harold...it was one our friends named and I'm just as horrible as remembering names as coming up with them. But I think I now know what it is the fish have been dying of. Its a disease called Dropsy, or so I think.

Anywho, before I start a novel I'll end since I really truly need help with the naming of our koi as I think they will be the ones that are going to live through the winter. At least I hope they all live, but I think I'll have a better luck and chance with our koi.

Pictures of Fishies!!

Attempt at another slideshow with comments trying to explain our fish. To view the comments there is a small littel notepad looking picture in the bottom left corner that you click on. I haven't figured out how to have that show all the time...sorry!

Fish Updates

So sadly since my last fish update we have had a lot of goldfish die. Just today Gimpy died...I kinda figured he would as he lost his tail and some of his side fins. How they were lost I'm not sure if it was fin rot or if some of the other fish became hungry for fish. Earlier in the week we lost the other fish we quarantined as he didn't swim to healthy.

How would a fish swim healthy you ask, easy answer. He actually swims!! Not stay on the bottom of the pond or stay hidden under the rocks, but swim. Oh and have an appetite for food would help too.

But back to the influx of death in the pond...the day prior we lost two fish that were just floating in the pond, and the day prior to that (last week sometime now) I had also found another dead one.

Seriously, death loved my house this last 5 to 8 days. Hopefully he has had enough fun and will let the remainder fish live.

On the brighter note...we have koi in our pond!!! Last Saturday we bought 2 medium sized koi, one I've named Angel, the other has been named Old Yeller, but I'm not positive if that name is a keeper as we've also called him Goldie. Which he's a mixture of Gold, black, yellow. Angel is a pure white...also nicknamed Whitey. Since then I have bought additional Koi, another medium sized one, that is what Angel & Old Yeller is, and 3 smaller ones that are about the same size of our goldfish.

Oh, and I bought another water lilly! We're hoping that with the large sized fish that they might actually last through the winter as our plan is to keep them in the pond all winter. Did you know fish hibernate? Apparently they do! Who would have guessed.

I've attempted taking pictures of them, the 4 I bought on Tuesday I took pictures of them still in their bag before I put them in the pond, the others I've attempted to catch them while in the pond. But once I find my cord that connects my camera with the computer I'll upload the pictures. Its kinda cool!! The koi seem to give more life to the goldfish, or at least move them about more.

On a side note, I don't know if I've mentioned this before or not so forgive if I have. Hubby informed me how funny I am, if I'm having a rotten day all he has to do to cheer me up some is buy me a fish...even the cheapo 26 cent ones work. They seriously just make me smile and giddy. Kinda odd but quirky.

Another quirky thing is we will spend hours, okay maybe not hours but a good 30 minutes or more just watching the fish/pond and sitting in our swing. Somedays I think we're supposed to be old farts because its kinda how we behave. Really we're so happy just to sit in the front yard and watch our quirky fish.

So its kinda late and this is turning into a novel so I'll stop for now and hopefully later this week I'll get the pictures added. If not I'll keep ranting about the quirks we're developing since becoming fish owners.

Attempting to be crafty

I'm so proud of myself, I'm attempting to sew! Sadly I've already broken a needle in the machine so I've learned to replace the needle...how to understand parts of the machine, and I can hem my pants now!! I do have to thank Grams for the machine!! Without it I'd never be doing this on my own...always went to my Mams.

Mind you this is after I changed our drain in the pond...the drain sits higher up so our lil fishies can swim on our shelves as the water is higher than 2 inches now!!

Look at me...being a little homemaker...too bad I'm supposed to be working while I'm doing this. Oh well, one day I'll be able to juggle everything. To bad I haven't figured how to plan dinner while I'm home.

The Piano by Aiddon Gibbons

I love this!! Not just for the music either...its just so sweet and I just don't get tired of listening to it. Going on my second day too and I still love it!

Fishies

Today is yet again a sad day for fishies...I've been expecting this to happen for the last couple of days but I couldn't help but hope little whitey would pull through. It turned out that Whitey had something called "ick" and we just didn't get him treated fast enough. When I checked on him this afternoon he was stuck to the pump and looked a little bloated. Sadly he is not the only one who has this horrible "ick". I'm hoping that we will be able to have the pond treated in time to save the others. With luck things will work out and we won't have too many more fish kick the watery grave.

On a brighter note...we have plants in our pond!! We bought two water lily pads, one in the large pond and one in the wee pond. We also have another type of lily that produces flowers in the summer but otherwise looks like really long grass...one plant will have a black purplish flower while the other does red, and we have a small tree type plant that also sits in the large pond.

blarg

For some reason I have been having a hard time with my neighbors. I don't know why but lately it feels like I just don't fit in and there is nothing I can do to resolve it. I even try to be social which is totally against my grain!!

But alas, why I care now what my neighbors think of me I do not know. One day I'll be back to my old self with the "who cares" attitude.

Until then I'll have my crying spurts.

Sad day for fishies

So last weekend we bought 8 goldfish Friday,no the picture is not our goldfish...just one I found online. Then Saturday we decided we didn't have enough...you couldn't find them...so we bought another 20. Bringing our grand total of fishies to 28.

Today I thought I'd feed them in the morning and see how they are doing, but sadly we lost one of our fish...he was just lying there on the bottom of the pond right in the middle, where none of our fish really stay. They'll dart through the middle but they don't just float there. I even netted him to see if he'd move or squirm...you know try to get away. But to no avail. So his new home resides in the bottom of our garbage can.

We'll see what this week brings to the fish...Let the trials continue!

Front Yard Project Pictures

So some may know that I like projects. This year we have started a larger pond in our front yard and a fence. Below is an attempt of a slideshow of some of the pictures I've taken...I'm a slacker and forgot to actually take some of when the pond was being dug, so you see it almost finished.

But the slideshow will show also shows our wee fence and our lovely new swing!! One of our favorite places to sit now in the yard!

My Work Update

Since I do have family asking about my work...mainly my folks & sis, I thought it'd be something to write as I haven't done anything forever...okay for a couple of weeks.

I am now in the long commuting land. But, for now its only 2 days a week that I commute to Draper and even then, its later in the morning so I don't deal with rush hour. Same thing with the drive home. So basically my work hours are from 9 to 3:30 for now on Monday and Wednesday.

The rest of the week I work at home, which is awesome!! I can be totaly lazy and be in scrubs & tshirt all day or I can get decent clothes on if I venture out of the house. Currently it is enabling me to do some projects I've wanted done. But I'm still setting up the office downstairs, so in the meantime, we still have remnants of our old office upstairs...

(Anyone want a desk? or an Entertainment center? If so holler!)

Its all good, when the guys, I work with 3 guys in the office, when they are out of town I get to stay home the whole time. And they are trying to make sure that I'm happy, which is really neat because I haven't really had a boss that wanted verbally noted to keep me happy so I stay, and these guys have!

Anywho, thats all I have about work for now....they've just been really good to me since I've changed divisions within the Layne.

Bon Bons

I have a horrible addiction to the cutest little dessert called Bliss Bites...or I lovingly call them my bon bons. I found them in Sams Club one day and thought I'd try it. Who could say no to pomegranate ice cream covered in dark chocolate? Definitely not me! I've been hooked ever since. I even brought a package to work today and I've eaten almost the whole thing! Its horrible because the package actually is 2 boxes that have 6 servings each, but a serving is only 2 bon bons...and you can't really be satisfied after just 2. Sadly I'm up to 10 servings today...but they're so good and evil!!

Just look at them...how can you deny that?

What is one of your downfalls, I have many but currently its the bon bons...my freezer is full of them! Horrible I know!

Fishing for Memories

My cousin did this & I thought it was very cool...so I'm a BIG copycat!

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

EVERYBODY PLAY! I want to see what memories are out there!

Lost Creek!!

Last weekend we went to Lost Creek with the Boes Folks, it was so much fun! We ran into one of our cousins and her family. They let us fish with them and shoot their guns. Jayden was so fun and patient with all my questions regarding shooting.

Kol and I have come up with a definite we'll always go to Lost Creek on the 3rd Saturday of each month. The invite for any who want to join us will be open...if by chance we can go more often then we will. But definitely every 3rd Saturday as long as our vehicle can make it into the site and cross the creek.

Until we meet again...enjoy some of the pictures from our journey there...Kol even caught fish in the creek! He said that’s the first time he's ever caught fish at Lost Creek.

Pretty Flowers:

If you look closely you can see the car left in the creek to help support the walls by one of the Granda's on Mom's side.

The bosses talking and some fishing too

The fish Kol caught then let free (he caught it a couple of times too)

Pretty Butterfly!

And of course the boys shooting

Paid Days Off...

So today is a paid day off for me because of they July 4th holiday. Don't get me wrong, its lovely, but when its just me at home I tend to get very bored and start making desserts. The downfall is they go to waste as Kol and I have a hard time finishing them. The nice part is I've been able to get the house cleaned & laundry done. So I only have a batch of cookies made. Still debating about making a cake with raspberries...and I know it will be eaten eventually as we'll at least have our folks up tomorrow helping with one of my notorious projects!!

But back to my original thought, paid days off are lovely...you don't have to use sick or vacation pay to make up the hours; but it is so much better to be able to spend the day with people you care about. Mind you I'm sure some people would much rather have time alone, but I tend to get ancy and eventually come up with more projects to do that require Kol's help with...sorry Kol!

I did it!

So I finally went through the process of informing my old boss that I couldn't leave Layne & work for him. I know it probably would have paid better and possibly have been busier, but I just wasn't feeling good about it.

I was a chicken though and ended up emailing him. So I still feel bad, but better that the horrible icky decision has been made and definately no turning back. I still feel bad for letting old-bossman down and hope that he understands.

Oh well, no looking back now! Onward to new adventures that await in Sandy/Draper area!!

Projects

I am one that needs projects to do. Thanks Da as I've gotten that from you!!

Unfortunately I can't decide which project to do out of my listing. As it is summer I think it should be an outdoor project, but yet it is hot & maybe if I replace some curtains inside it might help keep things cooler, let alone put curtains up!

So my conundrum is which to do...I think I make a decision then the next day I change it!! Frustrating for Kol because I keep changing. But I've come up with a basic deck design for the backyard, a rough measurement for a wee fence in the front, ideas for curtains in the front room, a call into a plumber for help with our basement bathroom, and calls into the city for rules & regs in regards to our larger pond in the front.

Depending on if we do the pond, then the wee fence will be done first. But the city if may say we need a high gated fence based on the depth & gallons in the pond...sadly when I called the main boss who knows the rules was at lunch. So, I get to call in a couple of hours again.

So...anyone know a good plumber??

Urgh

I've become very agitated as of late. In regards to work I've finally made a decision and am sticking to it, as it is better for Kol & I. Sadly my old boss is finally calling to offer me a position with his company. If he would have called 2 weeks ago I would have jumped, but now I have to decide how and when I'll tell him I can't come anymore.

The part I hate is disappointing people. I know that this will be a great disappointment to the guy and I feel bad, but its kinda like he waited too long. Currently I'm avoiding his phone calls until I get the courage to tell him the sad news. If you can't tell I'm not good with confrontations...especially disappointing/sad ones.

Requiem to Hair

We shall not forget you!
Nights blissfully spent warmly wrapped within thy locks.
Wispily flying with each breadth of wind
Tormenting those who have angered us
with direct hits to their heads.

But do not fret, we will meet again
in a few months or years…
Until then, bless you and your new home.
Love Locks of Love as we loved you,
Warm the new heads that you will befriend.
Oh ode to thee hair; whom we will miss!!

Yes I did chop my hair...it used to be near my bum, now it barely hits my shoulders...if it does at all.

But hey! Change is good right? And hopefully somebody can benefit from the chunk of hair I no longer use.

Iffy Times

Lately it seems like I keep changing my mind. At first I was totally bored with work and so frustrated. Which don't get me wrong, it hasn't changed, I still don't do much with work, but I've come to terms with it and am ok.

At first I was set and determined that if I was offered a new job with my former boss that I'd jump at the opportunity but as of late I really start to wonder...will I really jump or hang out here? Where I'm at with current job I can get away with Murder and still be employed. I can miss work, take days off, come in late, leave early and its not a problem. The guys are very laid back. I can probably even miss a whole week of work and be ok. If I moved to a new job I'd start all over, and more than likely be stuck at work until 5 where now I leave at 4 or earlier if I'm really bored. And its been kinda nice leaving at 4...anywho back to my "iffy" mind. I just can't decide lately as I can see pro's and con's for both jobs.

More than likely I'll still just sit it out and see what happens.

Friendship Ramblings

Friendships are a wonderful thing. They can be traumatizing, glorious, and tiring not to mention many other aspects that my mind is not thinking of.

Looking back on the many different friends I’ve had has made me realize that I am horrible at keeping in touch with people, let alone my family. I can count on one hand friends that I’ve been close to, that have helped me through the hardest times of my life. Some are gone; others I've lost touch with, yet others are still near. The saddest part is those that still live relatively close...in Utah... I don't reach out and keep in touch with them. Somehow as I was going through life my mind interpreted talking to people and asking questions as being intrusive, and is should not be done. I am trying to break this habit, but it’s not going very well.

I have two friends who recently had a child, and still I have not gone to visit them. I keep saying…well I don’t have their address besides they wouldn’t want a visitor with a new baby…which a part of my mind believes yet the other part is screaming as loud as it possibly could (mind you it is barely heard) that its malarkey!! People love having visitors, and they don’t consider them a nuisance. Yet again the louder portion of my mind says that.
I would like to say thank you to all my friends, and my family. You mean so much to me and I am so thankful that they stick with me. Both during the easy times of life and they trying ones which I tend to hide I would love to say I’ll be better and call at least each month, or write, but I’d hate to disappoint anyone. But I will try, I won’t promise anything but I’ll try.

Poll of Four

Four Jobs I've had in my life:
1. Bountiful Rec Center, I did everything there, then it was closed to be built anew as the South Davis Rec Center, and I work there as well
2. 3-D Video, I stocked, ran the cash register and made popcorn. Which was ever so fun because then you had a snack through out the night...popcorn is always yummy!
3. LDS Hospital, Food Server, handler whatever you want to call it. I helped in the kitchen preparing & delivering dinners to the patients. I even helped with making the shakes & individual snacks for the diabetic patients or the patient that needed an extra little snack. It was so much fun!
4. Layne Christensen Co., I've been here 10 years running the office, handling all the paperwork. Sadly now I'm bored to tears and debating about jumping ship as it is no longer a place of happiness or even a little joy. Just loneliness & sadness

Four movies I would (or have) watched over and over: Mind you they're in no specific order, just how I remember them...
1. Transformers
2. Count of Monte Cristo
3. The Illusionist, I absolutely LOVE this show!!
4. V for Vendetta
5. I have to add another...Stardust, its a sweet sweet show and I normally don't care for many chickflicks. Could be because I don't watch a lot of them.

Four places I have lived:
1. Bountiful, Utah (twice, we moved once the year I was going into Kindergarten)
2. Salt Lake City, Utah
3. Kaysville, Utah
4. Honestly don't plan on moving again

Four of my favorite foods:
1. POTATO'S!!!! The meal most prepared at my house is sliced potato's with cheese and sometimes meat. Always prepared in butter & garlic though...very tasty!!
2. Homemade Taco's
3. Enchilada's
4. Currently anything with Chocolate & raspberries

Four places I'd rather be right now:
1. In Hawaii on a beach
2. Ireland is my dream location, maybe one day we'll get there
3. At home
4. In the sun

I'm supposed to pass this onto 4 other people, but I really have a hard time asking people to do things, so if anyone wants to feel free. Its always fun to see what people write.

Not so Young - Hubby

We have had our bikes now for three days and feeling young is an incorrect statement. The plan of biking to get in shape has some definite drawbacks and I would call them feeling sore, old and out of shape. When I was a child it was very easy to ride “One gear” it was that easy. How in the heck do you manage 24, my car only has 6 and works just fine. We have learned about upgrades for our bikes and made the first required upgrade out of complete necessity. The seats had to go, this was an easy decision since we decided sitting on some kind of padding was essential. I wouldn’t even place the seats they came with in any type of category except painful. Calling them seats would be a generous and very false statement. I would take a good lashing from my folks over sitting on those “things” again.


Our rides are starting out small and hopefully one day we will be able to circle our entire block once maybe even twice but I am not holding my breath. Joking aside currently our rides are about a half hour in length and will most likely grow from there.


Since buying our bikes we have been back to the bike shop every day. I could say financing a small village or country would be cheaper and produce a larger reward in the long run. My only hope for this week is we do not have to go back to the shop for anything else. The Wife however enjoys wandering the shop and finding more items to buy. I shall draw the line on spandex shorts, man was not meant to wear them, I don’t care if it will enable me to do mach 10 down a hill. The person who came up with it probably did it as a joke and laughs all the way to the bank.


Thank you and good night, I’ll be here all week and don’t forget to try the veal.

Feeling young again

Just a quick note, I'm so excited!! We bought 2 bikes yesterday evening!!! This has been a topic of discussion for many months, yes even years that we might get bikes, and now it has happened!!

I haven't been on a bike since junior high, which is a really long time ago, its been even longer for hubby!! But we're going to start a daily ritual of riding at least for 30 minutes, or until our bums fall off from never being used...who knows, this may help us get back into shape!!

Weekend Fun!!

So Hubby was lovely this weekend and surprised me with a trip to Lost Creek!! Little did we know it'd be so much fun!

The drive up was lovely and surprisingly I did not get a headache on the drive!! Normally I do.


Driving up the canyon we saw a quaint cabin that was just beautiful...nestled within a side shoot of the canyon, it truly made me want to live in the backwoods. How fun that would be...mind you this was not the fun part.

Further into the canyon you'll reach the reservoir. Just before the reservoir is an old campground site that we cross a creek to reach the property...this mind you is where the adventure began!

Driving into the camp ground we got stuck!! The snow was much deeper then it appeared. If you look closely you can see in the snow the tracks the bottom of our car left. But this adventurous site entertained us thoroughly for an hour and a half! I don't think I've had so much fun playing in the snow before!





Just a few friendly natives that helped free us from the treacherous snow!!





This is a glimpse of the path we made leaving the adventurous site, in reverse mind you! Oh and with me jumping on the back of the car to "add" weight so it might move forward...seriously tons of fun, I suggest all of you get stuck in the snow at least once in your lifetime!

Today was an incredibly hard day at the office for me. I received a phone call around lunch time from an employee working in Washington. He was asking about start cards for the drilling and needed help sorting it out. I explained to him I didn't know how much help I'd be as all my files were sent to Fontana, CA in February. Sadly for me he kept asking and insisting that I'd be able to help.

This situation has been happening more & more often for me. That employee's I could help have been calling me needing help. Yet they don't realize that I am know a Mushroom and don't know anything when it comes to the projects they are on. Either the files are no longer in my office or I can't get the individual offices to return my calls or emails. It just makes the day incredibly hard for me. Especially having the feeling that I am basically useless to the field guys who I used to be able to help no problem.

I know I know everyone has bad days at work it just seems like mine is lasting months not just days. And I'm losing hope for being happy with the company, even with changing divisions.

I don't know why this phone call was any different than the others but I just lost it. Had to go outside and just let it out. I think I lasted another 30 minutes before I left for the day. I've just had it with work. Which makes me really want to jump ship whether it be within the same drilling business or get out of it entirely.

Honestly right now I just want to run away from everything and hide in my sweet cousin's grotto picture. At least there I'd have a beautiful view that would help brighten my day.

Work Conundrums

So I was thinking of the word conundrum and needed to double check that it is the correct word I'm thinking it is...the official definition:

conundrum Main Entry: co·nun·drum
Pronunciation: \kə-ˈnən-drəm\
Function: noun
Etymology: origin unknown
Date: 1645
1: a riddle whose answer is or involves a pun2 a: a question or problem having only a conjectural answer b: an intricate and difficult problem

I am so happy my thinking is correct...YAY! I'm using definition b:an intricate & difficult problem.

Yes, in regards to work, still I know...its such a big thing in life that it is overpowering all other thoughts I have...

So my new boss; who I could sit all day listening to, he comes from South Africa so has this cute accent and I die for accents. So my new boss informed me today that more than likely this SLC location will not be renewed. The lease is up in October & they are going to try to get an early release from it. That it doesn't make sense to have a huge facility for a repair shop and possibly 4 to 5 administrative people in the office. They will be looking for a location further south as 3 people live in Sandy & 1 in Draper, leaving myself the furthest North in Kaysville.

The dilemma I'm running into is my old boss has basically offered my a job with his company. My understanding is I'd be doing the same stuff I did before, be a whole lot busier, and its in NSL and he'd pay me more & basically give me what I want to work with him again!! Whereas if I stay within Minerals with new boss, I'd either have to commute to 106000 South area or move to Sandy...

It should be an easy decision but I have a hard time justifying selling my house & moving south for a job. Granted it'd be with the same company I've worked with for 10+ years, I'd be doing a little bit different type...more of an executive secretary I'm guessing. Still no idea what they pay increase would be or how busy I'd be. But I like my house, I like the neighborhood.

Oh the decision I have to make, at least they gave me 2 weeks to decide if I'd want to "relocate" as they're calling it. Any suggestions or thoughts that might help me decide would be more than welcome?

So Susan tagged me with a book tag. But before I get there I just wanted to say how cute hubby was on Sunday. We teach Nursery each Sunday ages 2+ and we have one little guy that hears his own tune no matter what we do to interact with him. This last Sunday he was hubby's friend for a good portion of it. It was just precious to see how he would sit on hubby's lap & hang onto his leg....Precious!! I truly wanted a camera then!!

Anywho, the tag rules are grab the nearest book to you, turn to page 123 and post the fifth sentence...so here goes, my first tag.

"A series of treasure hunters over two centuries dug at and around the depression, unearthing layers of wood, rock and coconut husks at regular levels."
The book is called Guide to the Worlds Greatest Treasures. We found one book out of a huge stack that had the title on the binder in a foreign language, I'd guess russian or somewhere near there just by how it looks, but its an interesting read.

I'm saying I'm tagging Michelle, Gramma Jean, Kimmie, and Angie...not sure how this works if I inform them or not so we'll see who does it.

Still waiting and more...

I wish I could have something new or profound to say, but sadly my friend boredom is still with me. I have incorporated a slow cleaning process of the office to rid it of items not used since we moved into it 2 years ago.

The wee news I have is I have been transferred to a different division. I still work in Salt Lake just have new bosses. Oh, my helper quit! Sadly I didnt hear it from her, but from her Da the day before her last day. I know really stupid, but oh well.

My new bosses are pretty cool, sadly I rarely see them and the work is still being figured out as to who does what and which division is in charge of things. So I'm still considering myself a mushroom and chairweight, as I sit in a chair for the majority of the day.

I'm trying to keep my patience with work as I don't know what will be happening with it or how long I should give this restructuring. Trying to understand the reorganizing has befuddled my mind so I try to last the week and sing praises for when the weekend arrives...a blessed break in the monotony of my daily work.

I keep trying to get hubby to share the writing duties of this blog but he tells me its "my thing" and why should he take that joy away from me. Somehow I keep hoping that he'll take it over and share the mysteries that are trapped in his mind.

This last weekend we did get to see my family which was so much fun!! I truly had a glorious sunday being able to visit with family! I had such joy seeing my Uncle from the sunny world of California make it to town. It is a rarity that we see the Cali-clan yet they are so much fun. Parts of me are so sad that we don't get together with the whole clan as often, or that I don't take the time to visit my cousins as often as I should. We used to be so close when we were little kids, but I know as time goes by we each go our own way. I just have a hope that we are able to keep the togetherness with each other. But enough of my ramblings as I did not intend to write this much. Sometimes ramblings are good, other times its a mystery if anyone can make sense of what my mind does.

Boredom

Boredom is becoming my new best friend. We like to hang out Monday - Friday between 8 and 4:30. Sometimes Boredom will stay with me all day yet others it leaves me for oh, I don't know a couple of hours.

Sadly I'd love to see Boredome disappear from its frequent visits to me as of late, but I am afraid it will visit all the time for the next couple of weeks, months, who really knows.

Boredom and I have come to an agreement, if Boredom gets to tired of me I'll attempt to recall how to make dish cloths...mainly the beginning and ending is what I have problems recalling. Who knows, maybe boredom let Imagination visit for a couple of hours each day!

Somewhat good news today

This last couple of weeks have been very stressful and painful for me at work. The reorganization of my Division has left the office void of salesmen/managers. Leaving myself and another admin in the office. Just this week we learned that most if not all of our current duties will be moving to the Arizona office. Leaving us with not much to do. Which is leaving my days very empty of work, and is driving me crazy. I am trying my best to hold onto my hope that everything will be better and all I need is to have patience. But a part of my brain is getting louder and louder asking how much patience it will take, and how long can I stand not being busy at work....

Yet fate steps in right as I'm losing hope. A visiting salesman from Arizona has brightened my day and reassured my outlook with the office. My wish is that I can hold onto what he said and continue to have a happier attitude while at work. It has to mean something when he comments that during the meetings my name is mentioned quite often as a valuable employee. Yet if I'm so valuable why can't they inform me as to what is happening or what will happen with the office or changes.

Also, a prior post of mine...Meanie am I...has no meaning now as the helper has been moved back to full time status. I'm still not sure why, but it seems that it no longer matters that I can't keep her busy, let alone myself. Long story short, the multiple offices of my work, 3 in California, Denver, Chandler and SLC are now being combined into one office. We will still have the different locations but we all affect each other's profit. Kinda seems like a good thing, but I worry that a lot of admins might be downsized if the admin work is being moved to centralized locations.

Anywho, I'd best try and find something to keep me entertained so I can at least feel like I worked today.

Black Day at the Office

The last 2 days at work have been horribly sad!! To explain, my division had a recent bout of "restructuring"...again! (but thats another story for a different time) The results of this most recent restructuring is not at all what the office expected.

My boss and salesman are no more. They were both fired yesterday. Bossman was gone for good yesterday and salesman is finishing a few things up today then he's gone for good. On top of that, one of my favorite drilling supervisor gave his 2 weeks notice today, and one of our best drillers gave his 2 weeks notice, but he notified us last Monday.

My job is currently safe...as far as I can tell that is. So I get to wait out the restructuring and see how things turn out.

Oh, did I mention my new "temporary for now" bossman in charge is also the Da of my helper? Kinda an odd situation to deal with, not to mention what do I tell her on Monday.

Lots of Snow

We had a slight issue with our driveway earlier this week. Somehow the snowplows decided it'd be such fun to plow our street. The sad part, is we had about 6" of snow that became I'd guess 2-3' piled right in front of our driveway. Unfortunately I have a wee car that doesn't go through that much snow and we were stuck out of our driveway until it was cleaned out. 1 1/2 hour later we could actually drive onto our driveway!!

Yay for the snow!

Meanie am I

I feel like such a mean person. At work, I have a helper! She came to me from the Layne AZ office and has been good so far, but I haven't been able to keep her busy for 40 hours a week. Sadly I was given a deadline to decide what to do with her. I had the hardest time choosing.

How can someone decide what to do about another persons lifestyle....I asked other people for their opinion, I checked what benefits she'd still be eligible for between 20 and 30 hours, if they differed much.

Eventually I decided...her hours have been cut in half. I couldn't justify to myself having the company cover 2 full time office gals. Let alone keep the new gal busy when she lacks the initiative to ask if there is anything else she can do when she's done with what work I've given her.

Luckily, she still gets holidays, vacation, sick days and best of all she keeps her insurance! Which I worried most about as she is engaged and is the only one with insurance.

What's worse, I couldn't feel right about pawning off delivering the bad news onto my boss. Just didn't seem right, having my boss tell the person under me that her hours are being cut. Oh well, I'd better get used to it though if the office is expected to continue to grow as we all are hoping it is.

Still I feel like such a monster.

Our Stream Dream

During the winter we usually decide what projects we will be working on when the weather gets warmer. Lately it has been harder and harder to decide. We've been working on finalizing a streambed in our front yard. Some saw our wee pond, otherwise known as our gutter drain overflow. The full extent of the plan is to have a riverbed go through our front yard and cycle back up somwhere to create a constant moving flow.

This year it has been hard to decide...do we continue with our dream stream or move onto a more lumber aspect and add onto our deck. I still have not decided which to convince Kol we need done more quickly. Yet the same aspect applies for indoor projects which sadly I keep adding to our list. Garage workdesk for Kol, bathroom finished downstairs, or even tearing up the carpet upstairs and laying wood floors or tile?!?! Too many decisions and not enough time.