Thankful Thursday

I am so thankful for the rain we've gotten recently!
I am thankful for my job.
I am thankful for the opportunity to work with Big Brothers Big Sisters.
I am thankful for my wonderful husband.
I am thankful to be able to work with the youth at my church.
I am thankful for our city rec center.
I am thankful for the cooler weather we've gotten recently.
I am thankful.

Babysitting

I've been on a certain babysitting website for a few years now. Usually a parent will email me requesting my services and then we may talk on the phone and set up an interview, or do a phone interview.


I recently got an email requesting that I come babysit for a family a few days later. Nothing big, just two hours with an 8 y/o and a 5 y/o. I The parent asked me for my pay rate and I told her; she said they would pay me the lowest on my scale. Love when that happens.
Then she asked me if she should make payment to me directly - weird - and asks for two references (I have four on my profile) and for my full name and contact info; I give her my full name (sans middle name) and phone number.
She asks for access to my background check and an phone interview with two of my references, THEN she asks if she can keep a copy of my driver's license "on file". Uh, what?!? No. I told her that I work for a local police dept. and I could show her my credentials, but I don't feel comfortable leaving my information with her.


I've gotten one-night babysitting jobs, extended babysitting jobs, and even part-time nanny jobs through the site and I have never had anyone be so microscopic. My sister thinks she's in the witness protection program.

My Day

Things I've done so far today:
Worked out
Showered and got ready
Made Spanish rice
Did four loads of laundry
Talked to two friends on the phone
Made a doctor's appointment
Got the mail and paid rent

Things still left to do today:
Drop Spanish rice off at friend's house
Babysit for two hours
Go to a dinner party

Utah Trip

I recently went to Utah for a little immediate-family reunion. It was so fun! But of course I didn't get very many pictures (ie. I got two when we first got in the car to start the road trip up there and one in the car driving around town) and blogs aren't as interesting without pictures, so I'll just quickly share some highlights.

*Milking a cow - it was awesome! And nothing like I thought it would be.
*Utah Olympic Park - such a fun day riding the Alpine Slide and zipline.
*Temple session with all of my endowed siblings - first time we've all been together in the temple since my wedding three years ago.
*Camping in the mountains - campfire, s'mores, and lots of fun!
*Cousin David's Homecoming - he's an outstanding guy.
*Seeing old friends
*Game night with Grandma
*Couple's Massage with my sister - haha!
*Of course, all of the yummy food that you can only get in Utah!

It was hard to get back into the real world. I'm already ready for another vacation. ;)

1001 in 101 Monthly Update

1. Make a wreath for my front door

2. Go to the Texas State Fair - 10/4/10

3. Eat a meal from a food truck

4. Go to the symphony

5. Go 1 week without watching TV - 1/9/11

6. Finally buy wedding pictures...

7. Hang wedding pictures

8. Go to the ballet with Jed - 11/27/10

9. Go to The Sixth Floor Museum

10. Finish my T-shirt quilt I started 2 3 years ago - 3/23/11

11. Go to the Ft. Worth Zoo - 10/2/10

12. Lose 20 pounds!! - 11/3/10

13. Lose 20 more pounds!!! - 6/22/11

14. Go snorkeling again

15. Catch up on 30 Rock - 12/6/10

16. Eat vegetarian for a week

17. Go to a Rangers game - 5/13/11

18. Do a ropes course

19. Write in my journal every day for 1 month

20. Go rock climbing again

21. Go back to school - 3/23/11 :)

22. Take a picture each day for 3 months

23. Ride on a train

24. Bear my testimony in church

25. Get my picture taken by a professional (once I get under 200lb)

26. Get our family photo taken by a professional (once I get under 200lb)

27. Swim 10 continuous laps

28. Get a dog

29. Visit NASA

30. Family prayer and Personal scripture study every day for 1 month - 2/3/11

31. Visit San Antonio during a holiday - 7/4/11

32. Join a choir - 10/10/10

33. Make a sourdough starter - 5/9/11

34. Go white water rafting again

35. Pick up the violin again

36. Take Jed to a rodeo - 1/20/11

37. Buy cowboy boots or hats - 11/6/10

38. Get in the car and drive 2 hours in one direction with the windows down and the radio blasting

39. Visit all great-grandparents' grave sites

40. Go to the Dallas Temple - 2/23/11

41. Take Jed to a jazz bar

42. Fly a kite

43. Go to a haunted house with Jed - 10/25/10

44. Complete Couch to 5K Challenge

45. Participate in an organized 5K! - 7/11/11

46. Get my palm read or fortune told

47. Go on another cruise with Jed

48. Help build a Habitat for Humanity house

49. Make Mom's cinnamon rolls - 10/30/10

50. Make Theresa's cinnamon rolls

51. Go to Schlitterbahn with Jed

52. Buy a homeless person lunch - 3/14/11

53. Have a baby

54. Watch the Zombie Walk - 10/16/10

55. Pay off Jed's car!! - 10/19/10

56. Go fishing with Jed - 5/30/11

57. Be 100% credit card debt-free

58. Ride a horse - 7/30/11

59. Go to the Dallas Aquarium

60. Dance to a vinyl record

61. Take a cooking class

62. Get an SLR a video camera

63. Skydive

64. Visit Gettysburg or Williamsburg

65. Make out in the rain

66. Go to Six Flags with Jed

67. File my own taxes without calling Daddy - 2/22/11

68. Make a hole-in-one

69. Take a hot-air balloon or helicopter ride

70. Change my own oil

71. Go to NYC or San Francisco with Jed

72. Take an art class

73. Jump around in a mosh pit again

74. Go to a circus - 10/14/10

75. Deep clean my bathroom - 2/10/11

76. Visit my sister, Laurel, in California - 4/6/11

77. Ride a motorcycle  Buy a house

78. Get a TX driver's license again - 9/29/10

79. Go one week three days without carbs

80. Dance barefoot

81. Get all dressed up and go to a fancy dinner

82. Get on a bike again

83. Buy myself flowers for no reason - 2/12/11

84. Go camping in Texas with Jed - 5/6/11

85. Go camping on a beach

86. Go to the Texas beach Float the river with Jed - 7/3/11

87. Donate blood again

88. Spend a night with the lights off, watching a lightning storm - 11/15/10

89. Go to the Grand Canyon

90. Have a meaningful conversation with a beggar

91. Paint pottery again

92. Join a bowling or softball league

93. Watch a movie at a drive-in

94. Grow and eat my own vegetables

95. Sing karaoke again

96. Take the Riverwalk boat tour - 11/6/10

97. Don't eat out for 1 month 2 weeks

98. Go to the batting cages with Jed - 4/1/11

99. Donate plasma

100. Eat fried green tomatoes - 11/6/10

101. Do 1 correct push-up

101 in 1001 Monthly Update

1. Make a wreath for my front door
2. Go to the Texas State Fair - 10/4/10
3. Eat a meal from a food truck
4. Go to the symphony
5. Go 1 week without watching TV - 1/9/11
6. Finally buy wedding pictures...
7. Hang wedding pictures
8. Go to the ballet with Jed - 11/27/10
9. Go to The Sixth Floor Museum
10. Finish my T-shirt quilt I started 2 3 years ago - 3/23/11
11. Go to the Ft. Worth Zoo - 10/2/10
12. Lose 20 pounds!! - 11/3/10
13. Lose 20 more pounds!!! - 6/22/11
14. Go snorkeling again
15. Catch up on 30 Rock - 12/6/10
16. Eat vegetarian for a week
17. Go to a Rangers game - 5/13/11
18. Do a ropes course
19. Write in my journal every day for 1 month
20. Go rock climbing again
21. Go back to school - 3/23/11 :)
22. Take a picture each day for 3 months
23. Ride on a train
24. Bear my testimony in church
25. Get my picture taken by a professional (once I get under 200lb)
26. Get our family photo taken by a professional (once I get under 200lb)
27. Swim 10 continuous laps
28. Get a dog
29. Visit NASA
30. Family prayer and Personal scripture study every day for 1 month - 2/3/11
31. Visit San Antonio during a holiday - 7/4/11
32. Join a choir - 10/10/10
33. Make a sourdough starter - 5/9/11
34. Go white water rafting again
35. Pick up the violin again
36. Take Jed to a rodeo - 1/20/11
37. Buy cowboy boots or hats - 11/6/10
38. Get in the car and drive 2 hours in one direction with the windows down and the radio blasting
39. Visit all great-grandparents' grave sites
40. Go to the Dallas Temple - 2/23/11
41. Take Jed to a jazz bar
42. Fly a kite
43. Go to a haunted house with Jed - 10/25/10
44. Complete Couch to 5K Challenge
45. Participate in an organized 5K! - 7/11/11
46. Get my palm read or fortune told
47. Go on another cruise with Jed
48. Help build a Habitat for Humanity house
49. Make Mom's cinnamon rolls - 10/30/10
50. Make Theresa's cinnamon rolls
51. Go to Schlitterbahn with Jed
52. Buy a homeless person lunch - 3/14/11
53. Have a baby
54. Watch the Zombie Walk - 10/16/10
55. Pay off Jed's car!! - 10/19/10
56. Go fishing with Jed - 5/30/11
57. Be 100% credit card debt-free
58. Ride horses
59. Go to the Dallas Aquarium
60. Dance to a vinyl record
61. Take a cooking class
62. Get an SLR a video camera
63. Skydive
64. Visit Gettysburg or Williamsburg
65. Make out in the rain
66. Go to Six Flags with Jed
67. File my own taxes without calling Daddy - 2/22/11
68. Make a hole-in-one
69. Take a hot-air balloon or helicopter ride
70. Change my own oil
71. Go to NYC or San Francisco with Jed
72. Take an art class
73. Jump around in a mosh pit again
74. Go to a circus - 10/14/10
75. Deep clean my bathroom - 2/10/11
76. Visit my sister, Laurel, in California - 4/6/11
77. Ride a motorcycle  Buy a house
78. Get a TX driver's license again - 9/29/10
79. Go one week three days without carbs
80. Dance barefoot
81. Get all dressed up and go to a fancy dinner
82. Get on a bike again
83. Buy myself flowers for no reason - 2/12/11
84. Go camping in Texas with Jed - 5/6/11
85. Go camping on a beach
86. Go to the Texas beach Float the river with Jed - 7/3/11
87. Donate blood again
88. Spend a night with the lights off, watching a lightning storm - 11/15/10
89. Go to the Grand Canyon
90. Have a meaningful conversation with a beggar
91. Paint pottery again
92. Join a bowling or softball league
93. Watch a movie at a drive-in
94. Grow and eat my own vegetables
95. Sing karaoke again
96. Take the Riverwalk boat tour - 11/6/10
97. Don't eat out for 1 month 2 weeks
98. Go to the batting cages with Jed - 4/1/11
99. Donate plasma
100. Eat fried green tomatoes - 11/6/10
101. Do 1 correct push-up

Update

I started my job as a jailer two weeks ago. I'll be in training for THREE MONTHS. That's a long time. It's even longer when my trainer isn't proactive and I don't feel like I'm learning anything. : /

This weekend we went down to San Antonio for a visit. We floated the river and had some good BBQ while we were down there. We also went shopping and had a great time just hanging out. San Antonio is in a drought right now, so there were no fireworks. I'm ok with that - fireworks aren't my favorite.

Today I got to watch my friend's little girl. She's so fun and I'm glad I can use her to get my baby fix. ;)

And my car is in the shop.

Update out.

101 in 1001 Monthly Update

1. Make a wreath for my front door
2. Go to the Texas State Fair - 10/4/10
3. Eat a meal from a food truck
4. Go to the symphony
5. Go 1 week without watching TV - 1/9/11
6. Finally buy wedding pictures...
7. Hang wedding pictures
8. Go to the ballet with Jed - 11/27/10
9. Go to The Sixth Floor Museum
10. Finish my T-shirt quilt I started 2 3 years ago - 3/23/11
11. Go to the Ft. Worth Zoo - 10/2/10
12. Lose 20 pounds!! - 11/3/10
13. Lose 20 more pounds!!! - 6/22/11
14. Go snorkeling again
15. Catch up on 30 Rock - 12/6/10
16. Eat vegetarian for a week
17. Go to a Rangers game - 5/13/11
18. Do a ropes course
19. Write in my journal every day for 1 month
20. Go rock climbing again
21. Go back to school - 3/23/11 :)
22. Take a picture each day for 3 months
23. Ride on a train
24. Bear my testimony in church
25. Get my picture taken by a professional (once I get under 200lb)
26. Get our family photo taken by a professional (once I get under 200lb)
27. Swim 10 continuous laps
28. Get a dog
29. Visit NASA
30. Family prayer and Personal scripture study every day for 1 month - 2/3/11
31. Visit San Antonio during a holiday
32. Join a choir - 10/10/10
33. Make a sourdough starter - 5/9/11
34. Go white water rafting again
35. Pick up the violin again
36. Take Jed to a rodeo - 1/20/11
37. Buy cowboy boots or hats - 11/6/10
38. Get in the car and drive 2 hours in one direction with the windows down and the radio blasting
39. Visit all great-grandparents' grave sites
40. Go to the Dallas Temple - 2/23/11
41. Take Jed to a jazz bar
42. Fly a kite
43. Go to a haunted house with Jed - 10/25/10
44. Complete Couch to 5K Challenge
45. Participate in an organized 5K
46. Get my palm read or fortune told
47. Go on another cruise with Jed
48. Help build a Habitat for Humanity house
49. Make Mom's cinnamon rolls - 10/30/10
50. Make Theresa's cinnamon rolls
51. Go to Schlitterbahn with Jed
52. Buy a homeless person lunch - 3/14/11
53. Have a baby
54. Watch the Zombie Walk - 10/16/10
55. Pay off Jed's car!! - 10/19/10
56. Go fishing with Jed - 5/30/11
57. Be 100% credit card debt-free
58. Ride horses
59. Go to the Dallas Aquarium
60. Dance to a vinyl record
61. Take a cooking class
62. Get an SLR a video camera
63. Skydive
64. Visit Gettysburg or Williamsburg
65. Make out in the rain
66. Go to Six Flags with Jed
67. File my own taxes without calling Daddy - 2/22/11
68. Make a hole-in-one
69. Take a hot-air balloon or helicopter ride
70. Change my own oil
71. Go to NYC or San Francisco with Jed
72. Take an art class
73. Jump around in a mosh pit again
74. Go to a circus - 10/14/10
75. Deep clean my bathroom - 2/10/11
76. Visit my sister, Laurel, in California - 4/6/11
77. Ride a motorcycle  Buy a house
78. Get a TX driver's license again - 9/29/10
79. Go one week three days without carbs
80. Dance barefoot
81. Get all dressed up and go to a fancy dinner
82. Get on a bike again
83. Buy myself flowers for no reason - 2/12/11
84. Go camping in Texas with Jed - 5/6/11
85. Go camping on a beach
86. Go to the Texas beach with Jed
87. Donate blood again
88. Spend a night with the lights off, watching a lightning storm - 11/15/10
89. Go to the Grand Canyon
90. Have a meaningful conversation with a beggar
91. Paint pottery again
92. Join a bowling or softball league
93. Watch a movie at a drive-in
94. Grow and eat my own vegetables
95. Sing karaoke again
96. Take the Riverwalk boat tour - 11/6/10
97. Don't eat out for 1 month 2 weeks
98. Go to the batting cages with Jed - 4/1/11
99. Donate plasma
100. Eat fried green tomatoes - 11/6/10
101. Do 1 correct push-up

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful that I got a new job!!!
I am thankful that I've lost another 20 pounds (down 40lb now)!!!!
I am thankful that Jed has taken an interest in mechanics and is enjoying working on our cars.
I am thankful for the nanny job that I've had this year and the wonderful family I was able to meet because of it.
I am thankful for modern medicine.
I am thankful that I live in Texas again.
I am thankful for wonderful parents whom I've come to appreciate more and more the older I get.
I am thankful for my siblings.
I am thankful for air conditioning.
I am thankful.

Somebody's Watching Me

My neighbor is such a creeper. I literally cannot leave the house or return without him staring out the window at me. He sits on his couch and looks out of his big living room window (where he has the blinds completely up/open) all day long. I think he thinks he's sly about it, but I see him out of the corner of my eye every time. It's kind of a joke and definitely pathetic. I can avoid it if I get out of the house before 10 or 11 (I assume he sleeps in until then), but after that, forget about it.
So this morning I left for the gym early enough and then when I returned, the blinds were still closed - success! But then I looked over at his kitchen window, the blinds are turned just enough so that he can see out the slits, and I can see his figure, in his underwear, just staring out at me, motionless, as I got out of my car!!

Part of me thinks that I just shouldn't look over at their house, but the other part of me is wondering if there will ever be a time when he's not waiting, lurking, creeping. I have to check every time. It's a curse.

I < 3 San Antonio

Jed and I went to San Antonio this past weekend. It was such a wonderful trip and we had a great time.
Every time I go down there, I realize that there are a ton of things to do in the area and I also realize that there is almost nothing to do in the DFW area. It's kind of pathetic. I wish we could hop in the car and take day trips to Fredricksburg, Enchanted Rock, the beach, or even Austin. I really miss camping in the hill country and floating the river. San Antonio is full of things to do, places to go, and attractions to see.
Also, it doesn't help that I have lots of friends in San Antonio and weekend trips are just so short!
It is so hard to come back to the DFW area after I've been in San Antonio. It literally makes me cry. I guess I should be glad that we live close enough for road trips down there, but I long to call San Antonio my home again.
:::sigh:::

Maybe some day...

101 in 1001 Monthly Update

1. Make a wreath for my front door
2. Go to the Texas State Fair - 10/4/10
3. Eat a meal from a food truck
4. Go to the symphony
5. Go 1 week without watching TV - 1/9/11
6. Finally buy wedding pictures...
7. Hang wedding pictures
8. Go to the ballet with Jed - 11/27/10
9. Go to The Sixth Floor Museum
10. Finish my T-shirt quilt I started 2 3 years ago - 3/23/11
11. Go to the Ft. Worth Zoo - 10/2/10
12. Lose 20 pounds!! - 11/3/10
13. Lose 20 more pounds
14. Go snorkeling again
15. Catch up on 30 Rock - 12/6/10
16. Eat vegetarian for a week
17. Go to a Rangers game - 5/13/11
18. Do a ropes course
19. Write in my journal every day for 1 month
20. Go rock climbing again
21. Go back to school - 3/23/11 :)
22. Take a picture each day for 3 months
23. Ride on a train
24. Bear my testimony in church
25. Get my picture taken by a professional (once I get under 200lb)
26. Get our family photo taken by a professional (once I get under 200lb)
27. Swim 10 continuous laps
28. Get a dog
29. Visit NASA
30. Family prayer and Personal scripture study every day for 1 month - 2/3/11
31. Visit San Antonio during a holiday
32. Join a choir - 10/10/10
33. Make a sourdough starter - 5/9/11
34. Go white water rafting again
35. Pick up the violin again
36. Take Jed to a rodeo - 1/20/11
37. Buy cowboy boots or hats - 11/6/10
38. Get in the car and drive 2 hours in one direction with the windows down and the radio blasting
39. Visit all great-grandparents' grave sites
40. Go to the Dallas Temple - 2/23/11
41. Take Jed to a jazz bar
42. Fly a kite
43. Go to a haunted house with Jed - 10/25/10
44. Complete Couch to 5K Challenge
45. Participate in an organized 5K
46. Get my palm read or fortune told
47. Go on another cruise with Jed
48. Help build a Habitat for Humanity house
49. Make Mom's cinnamon rolls - 10/30/10
50. Make Theresa's cinnamon rolls
51. Go to Schlitterbahn with Jed
52. Buy a homeless person lunch - 3/14/11
53. Have a baby
54. Watch the Zombie Walk - 10/16/10
55. Pay off Jed's car!! - 10/19/10
56. Go fishing with Jed
57. Be 100% credit card debt-free
58. Ride horses
59. Go to the Dallas Aquarium
60. Dance to a vinyl record
61. Take a cooking class
62. Get an SLR a video camera
63. Skydive
64. Visit Gettysburg or Williamsburg
65. Make out in the rain
66. Go to Six Flags with Jed
67. File my own taxes without calling Daddy - 2/22/11
68. Make a hole-in-one
69. Take a hot-air balloon or helicopter ride
70. Change my own oil
71. Go to NYC or San Francisco with Jed
72. Take an art class
73. Jump around in a mosh pit again
74. Go to a circus - 10/14/10
75. Deep clean my bathroom - 2/10/11
76. Visit my sister, Laurel, in California - 4/6/11
77. Ride a motorcycle  Buy a house
78. Get a TX driver's license again - 9/29/10
79. Go one week three days without carbs
80. Dance barefoot
81. Get all dressed up and go to a fancy dinner
82. Get on a bike again
83. Buy myself flowers for no reason - 2/12/11
84. Go camping in Texas with Jed - 5/6/11
85. Go camping on a beach
86. Go to the Texas beach with Jed
87. Donate blood again
88. Spend a night with the lights off, watching a lightning storm - 11/15/10
89. Go to the Grand Canyon
90. Have a meaningful conversation with a beggar
91. Paint pottery again
92. Join a bowling or softball league
93. Watch a movie at a drive-in
94. Grow and eat my own vegetables
95. Sing karaoke again
96. Take the Riverwalk boat tour - 11/6/10
97. Don't eat out for 1 month 2 weeks
98. Go to the batting cages with Jed - 4/1/11
99. Donate plasma
100. Eat fried green tomatoes - 11/6/10
101. Do 1 correct push-up

Fitness Challenge Invitation

Earlier this year I participated in a fitness/health challenge and I did really well with it. I have decided to head my own fitness challenge starting on Monday and would love for any of you who are interested to join me. Let me know and I'll give you the details.

Baby Halloween Costumes

This really has nothing to do with anything, but I wanted to document this for when I have a baby.
http://www.bestweekever.tv/2008-10-31/25-reasons-to-have-a-baby-this-halloween/

Can I Go on Strike?

I just need to sort through my thoughts. Bare with me.
Jed has asked me to start looking for a[nother] job. I have a part-time job, I do an aerobics class on my day off, and I am currently taking an online class as well. On the one hand, I do have quite a bit of time on my hands, but on the other hand, I am getting things done (losing weight and getting an education). We're trying to save for a house and I know that the extra income would be so helpful, but I am scared that if I get a full-time job it will become my whole life. Not literally, but I know myself and I foresee me being too tired in the evenings to work out and study. Sigh.
So that's the big thing on my mind right now.
I really love my aerobics class and would be really sad to give it up. The summer session starts at the beginning of June and I have to sign up soon, but I don't want to sign up, get a job, and lose my registration fee. Plus, it really motivates me to have a class to go to and the ladies in there are so nice.
I really like the job I have now - I love the mom and girl I work with and the schedule is ridiculously flexible. I don't know if I'm ready for a 9-5 job. That's a long day, every day. Then I also have to be so good about planning my food because I'll be away from home all day. I'm doing so well with my diet (not diet, just food intake) right now and I don't want to slip on that.
I don't even know where to start job hunting. The last two jobs I've had have been nannying and the three before that were through a staffing agency. I would just go to a staffing agency, but there aren't any good ones where I live, or else they rarely have jobs (I looked in to it when we first moved here). Also, because I've mostly worked through agencies, I am so rusty on my interview skills and my wardrobe would need a face lift. Ugh. I'm just dreading it.