Bucket List

Bucket List

(X) Shot a gun

(X) Gone on a blind date
(X) Skipped school
( ) Watched someone die
(X) Been to Canada
( ) Been to Alaska
( ) Been to Cuba
( ) Been to Europe

(XXXXX) Been to Las Vegas
(XX) Been to Mexico
(X) Been to Florida
(X) Been on a plane
(XX) Been on a Cruise Ship
( ) Served on a Jury
(X) Been lost

(X) Been on the opposite side of the country
(X) Gone to Washington, DC
(X) Swam in the Ocean

(X) Cried yourself to sleep
(X) Played Cops and Robbers
(X) Played Cowboys and Indians
(X) Recently colored with crayons
(X) Sang Karaoke
(X) Paid for a meal with coins, only coins
(X) Made a prank phone call as a kid
(X) Laughed until some beverage came out of your nose
(X) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
(X) Danced in the rain
(X) Written a letter to Santa Claus
(X) Been kissed under the mistletoe
(X) Watched the sunrise with someone
(X) Blown bubbles
(X) Gone ice skating

(X) Gone skiing
(X) Camped out under the stars
( ) Seen something so beautiful that it took your breath away -what does this even mean?
(X) Are or have been married

( ) Have children

(X) Have a pet

(X) Been skinny dipping outdoors

(X) Been fishing
(X) Been boating
(X) Been water skiing
(X) Been hiking
( ) Been camping in a trailer/RV -that's not camping
(X) Flown in a small 4-seater airplane
( ) Flown in a glider
( ) Been flying in a helicopter
( ) Been flying in a hot air balloon
( ) Been bungee jumping
(X) Gone to a drive-in movie
(X) Done something that should have killed you
(X) Done something that you will regret for the rest of your life
( ) Been to Africa

( ) Been to China
( ) Been to India

( ) Been to Korea
( )Ever ride an elephant

( ) Ever ride a camel
(X) Ever eaten just cookies for dinner
(X) Ever been on T.V.
(X) Ever steal any traffic signs
(X) Ever been in a car accident
(X) Have a nickname?

Favorite Drink: Dr. Pepper

Is your car a 2 door or a 4 door? 4
Favorite number? 4

Favorite movie? Center Stage

Favorite Christmas Carol? Silent Night

Favorite holiday? Christmas

Favorite dessert? Turtle Cheesecake

Furthest place you will send this message? Who knows?

Tragic Irony

When I was a kid, and living at home, I fought with my siblings all the time. I mean all the time. Peaceful, loving encounters were few and far between (or maybe this is just how I remember it...) and I didn't really want anything to do with my family.

But now...
Now that I'm older, now that I'm wiser, now that I don't live near my siblings, I would give anything to be able to spend every day with them again. I miss them so much and yearn to see them more often.

The grass is always greener... :\

Monday Memoirs

Thursday (My Birthday!!) - Jed pretended to go to school and then woke me up with breakfast in bed! It was a great way to start the day!
I brought him Pita Pit for lunch.
We went bowling and then to PF Changs for dinner. And then to top of the day, we watched Julie & Julia. That movie is SO cute!

Friday - I applied to a bunch of jobs! Hopefully one will pan out.

Saturday - I woke up at 3am with what I thought was food poisoning. I spent most of the day between my bed and the toilet.
I was feeling better by nighttime, so we went ahead and had my birthday dinner at Red Robin. Even though we had to be at two different tables, it was great to see everyone! I had a great birthday dinner!

Sunday - I woke up feeling a little ill again, but not nearly as bad as the day before. Primary was the worse ever. We had a visiting girl who was insanely hyper, a handicapped child who has a "helper" stay in the room with him, and the helper's daughter is one of our students, and she got really clingy with her mom being in the room. Plus, the helper kept telling us how to run our class and how to do everything. It was so frustrating.

Monday - Jed woke up with the "food poisoning" virus that I had had. He tried to go to work, but came home shortly after leaving. He slept it off and is feeling much better.

Friday Foto Fix

This is my Aunt Debbie, my Grams, and me at my birthday lunch on Tuesday. So fun!

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful that today is my birthday!
I am thankful that Jed skipped school (for the first time ever) to surprise me with breakfast in bed.
I am thankful that I was able to spend Christmas with Jed's family.
I am thankful that I was able to visit my family after Christmas.
I am thankful that I made it home easily even though I was on standby.
I am thankful to be home with Jed.
I am thankful for the library and the book I was able to read over the Christmas break.
I am thankful that I was able to hang out with my friend Emily on Monday.
I am thankful that I got to go to lunch with my Grams and my Aunt Debbie on Tuesday.
I am thankful for the warm wishes and "happy birthday" messages I've gotten from friends and family - I am so loved. :)

Five Facts

1. My favorite part of winter is kicking the snow crud out from my tire well. That is all. I hate snow.
2. I always drive with the windows down when I have the chance. Usually Jed hates it.
3. I LOVE cantaloupe - I can seriously eat one by myself. In one day. In one sitting.
4. I don't cry when I cut onions.
5. I never sing in the shower, never have. The car is a whole different story...


...AND my birthday is tomorrow. Here's to another great year! 24!

Monday Memoirs

Thursday - I got home from work and Jed had deep-cleaned the apartment! I was thrilled - what a great surprise! Thanks Jed! You are so awesome!!

Friday - I got so much done! I mailed Christmas stuff off at the post office, I returned some stuff, I exchanged some stuff, I bought the last of Jed's Christmas presents, and I made a yummy dinner in the crock pot.

Saturday - I worked, Jed studied. I am so glad that I'm leaving this job. I cannot stand my coworker. And the worst part is that it's just him and me on Saturdays. I kept a log of all the annoying things he did/said. That made my day a little better. ;)

Sunday - After church, I took a long nap and Jed went to school to study. Later that night, we went to the Pages' for our weekly game night!! They had another couple over and we had such a blast hanging out with them!

I QUIT!

I put in my two weeks this week. My last day is Monday, December 21st - the day we fly out for Christmas. I was already a wreck - hour-long commute each way, being gone from my house for 10.5 hours, 5x a week, having to park a city block away from work and walk in the snow, not seeing Jed very often, not having a social life, working every Saturday, having the same conversation over and over again with different people, etc - before the two and a half hour commute this past Tuesday. That was the straw that broke the camel's back. I came in to work in tears and told my boss that I was done.

I was mentally and emotionally drained and I don't feel like I would have made it through the winter without seeping into a deep, dark depression. I had to do it for my own well-being (and Jed's well-being as well). I have not been a good wife or friend recently. I haven't been a good student because I haven't had the energy to do anything when I got home and I can't do homework at work.

It's just not worth it to me to stay. The odds are stacked against me. Hopefully I will find something soon after the new year. Thoughts and prayers would be much appreciated at this time. Thanks everybody!

Monday Memoirs - Late Style

Thursday (Thanksgiving) - We did a marathon Thanksgiving and went to three different places. First we went to my dad's side's Thanksgiving. They had a Connect Four Championship (kinda random) and... Jed won first place!! We got a one-night's stay at the Radisson! I'm so excited to use that!
Next on the list was Grams' house. She fed us butternut squash soup and brownies until our eyes popped out. It was good to see her and Walter. I'm glad we got to visit them.
Then we went to Jed's aunt's house. We talked for a few hours and it was really fun to see that side of the family - it had been a while.

Friday - Black Friday. I had a booth at a boutique in downtown Provo. I sold cookie mixes for my dad's famous oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. I had a great time - I was sitting next to some great people who I am so glad I met. Sales weren't super high because the traffic was kind of slow - I think people went home to nap from their early morning ventures or else they were at the movies or something. We're doing another show in the spring. I think that one will go really well.
That night, I got this strange second wind and dragged Jed to the gym with me at 10pm. First time in months. It felt good to get on the treadmill again.

Saturday - After work, I met up with Jed and the Pages for dinner at Texas Roadhouse. It was fun to go out with them and their cute kids. We also saw the Burkes while we were there - small world.
We went back to the Pages' house after dinner and had a game night! So fun! I think we left around 2am. :)

Sunday - I was sick, sick, sick. I stayed home from church and Jed had to do nursery all by himself. :\
I got myself a carton of OJ and some pills and went up to campus with Jed to study.
...and then I was too sick to go to work on Monday. The End.

Wish List

This is mostly for family members who don't know what to get us for Christmas. I even linked them so that it would be easy.

Stories with Holes books

A tript to Ohio

Gift card to Gygi

A trip to Texas

Games - Electronic Catch Phrase, Cranium Pop 5, Scene It, Guesstures, Freeze Up, Humm...ble Board Game, Price is Right DVD Game, Life: Family Guy Edition, Phase 10, Electronic Rummikub (for me, for travelling)

-also this one

-and this one

Just kidding on those last two!! Haha!

Gift card to Plato's Closet

A cruise, anywhere

Shoes, or a gift card for a shoe store

The Provo Posh & Chic Boutique

BLACK FRIDAY
The Provo Posh & Chic Boutique
Provo Downtown Marriott
8am-5pm

Come by and say hi!

Thankful Thursday - Thansgiving Style

I am thankful for a roof over my head.
I am thankful for my steady income, a paycheck I can count on.
I am thankful for Jed's job.
I am thankful that I live in a free country.
I am thankful for fast communication - phones, internet, Skype, etc.
I am thankful for our cars.
I am thankful that all four of our parents are alive and well.
I am thankful for all of our siblings, biological or 'adopted'. :)
I am thankful that we live close to some family.
I am thankful for modern conveniences, like microwaves, indoor plumbing, airplanes, pillows, dishwashers, etc. SO many things to be grateful for.
I am thankful for Archie, Sharky, Goldie, and our other fish. [Original names, huh? ;)]
I am thankful that all five of my grandparents are alive and well.
I am thankful for a cozy, warm bed.
I am thankful for my new clothes.
I am thankful for the Gospel and what it brings to my life.
I am thankful for my good sense of direction.
I am thankful for my ability to learn.
I am thankful that I am able to go to school.
I am SO thankful that it hasn't really snowed much yet this year (knock on wood).
I am thankful to be able to be a part of the Provo Posh & Chic Boutique this year.
I am thankful to have enough food that I don't ever go hungry.

I am thankful for my Savoir.

I am thankful that I am never truly wanting - I have everything that I need.
I am thankful for my wonderful, patient, warm-hearted husband. He is my world and I love him.

Monday Memoirs - A Day Late

Friday - I did a surprise date for Jed. It was so fun! I went and waited in the humungous line for InNOut (the guy working the line let me cut, so I only waited half as long as I would have, thank goodness) and brought it to Jed when I picked him up from work. He knew it was at UVU, but I told him it was an improv class. He pretended to be excited, even though I knew he wasn't. When we pulled up and the parking lot was full, he knew it wasn't an improv class. *sigh of relief* When I gave him his ticket, his eyes lit up like it was Christmas morning. He was so excited! By the way, we went to a UFC Fight Night.
We saw a few sleeper holds, some blood, and a couple of knock-outs. I shocked when I realized that we had been there for FIVE HOURS. And we didn't even stay for the main event. It was an enjoyable event, but I don't think that I'd want to go to fights very often...

Saturday - Jed studied all day and I worked. When I got home, we went to Sizzler for the first time - it was ok. Not somewhere I'd want to go all the time, but Jed liked it a lot. And then we went and saw The Box. Meh. I'd at least wait til it came out on video. Not worth the money.

Sunday - We had Jed's brothers over for dinner and played SkipBo. After they left, we went over to the Pages' house for game night - I am loving this tradition we're starting here. It was an early night - we were home by midnight. Usually it's around one in the morning. :)

Monday - Nothing too fancy - grocery shopping, homework, and working on my cookie mixes for the boutique on Friday!!

Ramblings, but Sadly No Pictures

I have not been posting like I used, or would like, to. No surprise there. I'm gone from my house for 10.5 hours 5x a week. I can't blog at work and I crash when I get home.

I am looking for a new job. Not too intensely, since I do have an interview within the company to work at a closer location. That's in the beginning of December. I would love to stay within the company - I know it and I could cut down my commute without messy paperwork and saying goodbye to coworkers. (Does that even make sense?) But if that doesn't work out, I will be on the hunt like mad.

I just got back from walking/jogging around the temple with Jed. That is an intense hill. Especially when you haven't done anything resembling working out in months. Whoo! But hey, I got out there and I did it. One day down, a million to go. I say a million because I've gained so much weight since I started working again (did I mention that I sit on my butt all day, eat fast food and snacks at work, don't have the energy to cook dinner when I get back from my 10.5-hour day, and haven't exercised in months?). I should go on the Biggest Loser. I weigh as much as many of the girls' starting weights. Vomit.

I've been battling depression recently. With the cold/snow coming (I loathe snow and anything associated with it), my long commute, my tedious job, my lack of exercising, my ample weight gain, my husband getting to go out and do fun stuff without me while I'm stuck at work to pay the bills, my family not being around and not even being able to see them over the holidays, what is keeping me from self-destructing?? Not much. But I am trying to look on the bright side of things and be grateful for what I do have. I know that I just need to count my blessings and I will find a plethora.

One WAY EXCITING thing that I'm doing is a boutique on Black Friday. A great friend of mine is putting on this boutique for local business owners. Did you know that I'm a local business owner? Neither did I. I'm going to be selling cookie mixes for my dad's famous (secret) cookies. If you would like to come see me next Friday, I will be at the Provo Posh & Chic Boutique at the downtown Provo Marriott from 8-5. I'd love to see you!

I think that's pretty much it for my ramblings today. I hope everyone's having a great week and thinking about all that they're thankful for. I know I'm trying to do that.

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful that I have a job interview tomorrow with a company in Orem. :)
I am thankful for Jed.
I am thankful that I have a loving family and good relationships with them.
I am thankful that my dad will be coming in to town next week and I get to go to dinner with him.
I am thankful that it hasn't really started snowing yet (knock on wood).
I am thankful for the success that I've been having at my current job.
I am thankful for the Gospel.
I am thankful for the Atonement.
I am thankful that I am able-bodied.
I am thankful that I have the chance to get an education.
I am thankful for my car.
I am thankful for the opportunity I have to be a part of The Provo Posh & Chic Boutique on Black Friday - more on that to come. ;)