Easter Bunny Time

Last week we got an Easter package from my mom. Here's a few pics to show what R thought of her bunny. Thanks grandma!

Caspian

Caspian: Our little Prince Caspian was suddenly called to return to his heavenly throne  Thursday, December 13th 2012....

Words cannot express how much this hurts my heart. The Behrends are such a beautiful young family. I was blessed to meet them a few years ago when we were both members of the same church congregation. When I started at my current job I found out that they bring their children to see one of the pediatrician's I work and have had the opportunity to serve them from time to time. I was never very close friends with the parents but I know them enough to say that each of the children are very sweet and little Caspian will be missed terribly. Our entire office mourns his passing.

Locked Out

So Nathan called me twenty minutes after his yoga class ended, about when I was expecting him home, and told me he'd run into some trouble. One thing led to another and he'd locked his keys in the trunk of the car. His solution was to walk home (3 miles in below 40 degrees), pick up my keys, then bike back to the University, drive home, and the next day I could drive him over so he could ride his bike home. It sounded complicated and time consuming to me. Or maybe we could ask a friend or neighbor to drop my car keys off to Nathan. I asked him to give me five minutes and I'd get back to him.

I Googled "locked out of car" for inspiration and saw several ads for companies to call for this kind of situation. Which led me to think of AAA roadside service which reminded me that we have Emergency Roadside Service (ERS) as part of our auto insurance through Geico. So I called Geico to ask if such a thing would be covered. When I called the ERS (wondering how I'd get the number to do so if I was in fact the individual locked out of my car with the auto insurance card in my glove compartment), the first question they asked was if I was safe and in a safe place. I was touched. And then explained that I was calling for my husband. After giving the Geico man more information, he got Nathan on the line before I hung up. This part was a little funny. Nathan answered his cell phone, Geico Guy asked if it was Nathan A**** and N said yes but this was a bad time. At which point I interrupted and explained why Geico Guy was calling. Then N came in the front door half an hour later. Overall, much faster than N's "Plan A" and didn't have to bother any friends.

I solved the problem and felt really clever about doing so. I tell you, it's the little things in life.

A Pair of Sneakers

Yesterday, I pointed to my feet and said to a coworker "look, I'm wearing sneakers on both feet today!" And because I see her four days a week and probably spend more hours with her than my husband, she new this was exciting and didn't think I was especially daft. Because that's my good news of the week. I'm back in regular shoes now - a matching pair for the first time in over three months. Was it worth it? I hope so. I think my feet still look ugly but I have a thing about feet. As in, I generally think they're ugly. My feet, especially the right one, are still tender and I flinch away from things about to touch it. However, I have good range of motion and can walk and minimal scarring. And the walking is more than I could do this time last year. So yay.

The backstory: The first Friday of September, I had a bunionectomy (surgery to fix a bunion) done on my left foot. Was in a cast for two weeks and then a post-operative "boot" for another month or so. Then, the first Thursday of November, I used a different doctor and had a bunionectomy done on my right foot. Recovery time from the second surgery was immensely better than the first time around. However, I think the left foot looks straighter than the right foot. Oh well. And I had these things done because my insurance would foot (hah-hah) the entire bill this calendar year and surgery was already recommended two years ago when my feet starting limiting how far I could walk. As in, I would be limping by the time I walked the half-mile home from work at a leisurely pace.

9 Months

10/19/2012: 9 Month Well Check

Weight: 18 lb, 13 oz
Length/Height: 29 in
Head Circumference: Who actually cares?
Disposition: Cranky. Diagnosed with an ear infection two days after the 9 month check up.

Things That Should NOT Be Allowed...

A Vent Prompted by Todd & Erin

My list of things that should not be allowed:
- socks and sandals
- dark blue dress socks and black pants
- poor exhausted toddlers at WalMart after midnight
- leaky/non-absorbent diapers
- babies in bikinis. what's the bra for?
- plus size mini skirts. why are companies even making them?
- wire shelving in closets and pantries. it's just annoying.
- radiant heating in small apartments with minimal storage space. gee, I can store items under my bed or couch but my home's a few degrees colder.
- suing a person or company for something that happened because of your own stupidity

My Fave Baby Pics from August

Fun in the grass.

Playing on the balcony is a good distraction.

So sleepy.

See my two front teeth!

I really like her pink sunhat.

She has lots of fun with bathtime and her rubber ducks.

Slice And Diced

Last Friday I had a bunionectomy performed -- surgery to correct the bunion on my left foot. It involved cutting up some bones of my big toe and putting them back together (in better alignment) with screws and pins. I try not to think about foreign objects permanently in my body.

The procedure went fine and I'm doing good, except for having to wear a cast for a month (erm, 4-6 weeks). Already had enough of that. I'm thinking I'll have a water "accident" in a few weeks because this cast is really inconvenient. Heavy, hard, hot... annoying. Then again, that may just be wishful thinking and I'll more likely be a good little patient and let the doctor take it off. Maybe.

That's Awkward

This was the name of a segment on the Dr Oz show today. It featured women asking questions that they were too embarrassed to ask their own doctor (such as is it safe to dye grey pubic hairs and is it okay to "shave the crack"). Which made me wonder, why in the world are they comfortable saying these things on public television? And maybe they need to find a doctor that they feel more at ease with.

Baby Chat Session

It's Getting Hot

ok, so blaming wet elbow on drooling baby was less gross than realizing elbow-pit was dripping sweat

Discoveries Of Bad Smells & Meatloaf Cupcakes

1. Today we found out what was causing mystery smell in the car when Nathan reached under the passenger seat to retrieve his cell phone and his fingers came back sticky. Turns out the JC Penney bag I'd shoved under the seat because I didn't want to tell Nathan yet about the baby clothes I'd bought and the bag of plastic shopping bags that were waiting to be dropped off at a recycling bin and the Macey's bag with a wet diaper were all helping to hide that a container of frozen OJ had rolled under the seat, melted, and leaked onto the floor. We'd been smelling sour orange juice concentrate. Gross.

2. Cooking meatloaf in a cupcake tin instead of a bread pan not only makes for cute little mini-meatloafs, but is easy to serve and takes less time to cook. I think I'll continue to use this method in the future.

Defining Moments

"I've lived too long with pain. I won't know who I am without it." Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

Everyone experiences pain. It's a part of life. At times it may feel as if it is life. There are many possible responses to pain. Some find comfort in belief that "everything happens for a reason", some work to avoid people or situations that may cause similar hurt, while some become cold and bitter, some nurse their grievances and foster feelings of self-pity, and some internalize the hurt to blame themselves. 

Whether in fact or in exaggeration, the bad can easily overshadow the good. Spirituality seems to be tied to making sense of grief caused by painful events. Many religions teach answers to "why me?" Personally, I hate the trite sentiments of "everything happens for a reason", "silver linings", "when one door closes a window opens", "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade". Painful things happen and those feelings need to be honored and processed instead of shoved away. 

As for me, when life gives me crap, I am not going to make crap-ade. I'm going to feel sad, upset, frustrated, and often angry because there really is no upside or purpose to most of the sucky things that have happened to me. 

Have You Been Vaccinated?

No, not really a poll or even a soapbox. But I did get my influenza ("flu") vaccine this afternoon. Now my left arm is sore and it's not because of my coworker's ability. It's because I didn't follow the advice that I give patients. I didn't use my arm or massage the muscle. I sat in front of the computer and used my right hand to click the mouse as I browsed online.

Really though, I'm more bothered by the anticipation of feeling sick for two days. At least that's what I expect is going to happen sometime tomorrow or the next day based on experience from the past two years of getting the flu shot. That's part of the reason why I put off the immunization. The other part of my delay (and it's a toss up as to which was a bigger factor) is due to an announcement a couple weeks ago by administration at work that all employees had to get the flu vaccine by October 1st. No options or explanations given. And I objected on principle. I was planning on getting the vaccine anyway (because let's face it, with my immune system I'd be stupid not to) but what gives them the right to tell me what to do with my body?

And if any coworkers read this - don't rat on me.

P.S. Coincidentally, a local newspaper ran an article about this topic just last week. Read it on Utah County's Daily Herald.

Bad Computah Dae

Bad n-ght fo- me computah hestahdae.One, bent USB connectah on flash d--ve. Can't use at all. Next, spclled watah on keeboa-d. Thwee lettahs don't wo-k. Oh, and no numbahs except '2'.

Good luck makeng sense of thes. We'll talk agaen aftev shoppcng at Best Bun/Offcce Depot /Offcce Max  ugh ... STAPLES

I Hate Hot Weather (or Swamp Coolers Are Stupid)

Our current apartment/condo unit, while far less ghetto than our last apartment, is really irritating right now because it has a swamp "cooler" instead of an air conditioner. (And that reminds me that the radiant heating used here is dumb too - but that's a topic for a colder day.) More than once I have told Nathan that the person who thought up swamp coolers was stupid (and should be shot/erased from history/or otherwise severely punished). Even worse, people in Utah continue to install them instead of using central air!

So I sit in my home with a fan blowing on me, the swamp cooler off because it does squat in high-for-Utah humidity, wishing that I at least had windows that open up and down (traditional sash windows) instead of sideways (horizontal sliding) because then I could use my very effective window air conditioner. I envy my neighbors who own their place and took out the big living room window and installed two Normal (up-and-down) windows and . . . have an air conditioner!

Yes, I feel strongly about this. I believe in being comfortable in my home. Come on people, use our modern inventions!

The upside? I look forward to going to work because, well, the building has AC.

DITTO

Laura is one of my coworkers and I completely agree with her post today. I really wish there was a way I could tactfully have the kid's parent clean up that mess. Of course, the medical field is also a type of customer service so I imagine that a person who would stand/sit by and watch another clean up your kid's puke is the same person who would complain to my boss if I didn't do it.

At work I recently had a cleaning-up-ick experience where I wasn't overly annoyed that the mom was the one doing it... because she was busy holding her little girl over the trash as she was sick some more. AND the child wasn't vomiting before she was brought to the office. I repeat, the doctor does not have a magic fix for throwing up. Sip soda, don't try to eat just after you've ralphed, and wait it out AT HOME.

And everything else Laura wrote - it's true.

At Work Today...

Three young siblings were being rather teary and dramatic after my coworker had just given them some immunizations. I overheard the father saying things to try to get the children to quiet down and leave the office. The one that really did the trick (and made me chuckle) was "hurry up before she comes back and gives you more shots". This was said in a kind and teasing tone but must have seemed like the ultimate threat to those who didn't know better.

Guess How I Spent Sunday (TMI?)

Let just say lots of quality bathroom time. And I blame K. Who can refuse the affections of a two and a half year old full of hugs and kisses, even if she is harboring gastroenteritis (stomach bug) germs? Of course, I really should have known better, what with answering tons of questions at work the day before about kids having vomiting and diarrhea. Thank goodness for the first word of "24-hour stomach bug". Downside - better enough to go to work today. :(

I now have tender feelings toward my downstairs neighbor. They recently moved in, we hadn't met the couple yet, and the wife brought by some croissant rolls last night when she dropped off some of our mail that had been mixed up with theirs. It was the only solid food that appealed to me all day. Hooray for kind deeds.

Is That A Rhetorical Question?

I think it's rather silly that the pharmacy cashier asked how I was doing as she rang up my purchase of NyQuil, DayQuil, Benedryl, and Immodium. Yes, it's just something people say to be polite but honestly. I prefer 'did you find everything you were looking for?' That's a good customer service greeting.

Aiko

I just took one of those Facebook quizzes and it said my Japanese name is Aiko, which means 'love child'. How appropriate. This made me laugh.

On A Diet?

I'm not on a diet, never am. However some things make me feel fat and want to be one of 'those people' who can go on diets. Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, South Beach, Atkins, etc. But this isn't about dieting. This is about fat situations. You've heard of fat clothes? Well, there are certain activities that make nearly everyone look chubby. Got my hair cut today and I don't think anyone can look slim with that vinyl black sheet tied around their neck. (if you think you don't look horrible like that please don't tell me, I like to think I'm not the only one) I forget the other examples of fat situation I thought of earlier. The unpleasant mirror reflection didn't wreck my day - had some M&M's anyway.

Taking A Break

After another week of exhaustion, I told Nathan that I'm staying home from church today for 'a day of rest'. If Monday through Friday are for working and Saturday has to be used for errands and social activities, then I think I should occasionally get one day where I don't have any demands on my time. (I don't have kids so I can choose to do that)

Awkwardness (possible TMI)

Today I was putting on a sticker name tag when I again was reminded that I don't like wearing them. No problems with people knowing my name. It's more that the most logical placement - and where most men wear these - is in the chest area over a breast. Not very discreet. This is also why I started to dislike the Pledge Of Allegiance when puberty came along. I realize this is a little...dumb? but it's one of my hangups. Sounds like I either need to get over it or go in for one of those reduction surgeries.

Live For Today

Is there something in your life that you wish you had never done; that you had done? There are a lot of things I wish hadn’t happened, or had happened differently. Looking back, I see that - given my knowledge, skills, and emotional state of mind at that time – many of those choices I had control over couldn’t have happened with a better outcome. I also did many things because I felt like I didn’t have other options. And some days I dwell on those regrets.

Recently, I started paying attention to the lyrics of Tim McGraw’s Live Like You Were Dying. (Note: I'm not a country music fan) What if you knew how long you had left? Adults know they have a limited amount of time, but I imagine we generally have an expectation that time will be at least sixty years, and hopefully end in a peaceful, natural death. But what if it was less than that – much less? Would you live true to your ideals? Would you define your success by your career, or something else? Would you draw away from people, or closer? Would you become stronger in your religion, or hate God?

Why not now - today? Be the person you want to be. Be kinder. Make that phone call today. Redefine the relationships that cause you pain. Be spontaneous (or not). Don’t fret about the little things. Put less of the discretionary money into savings and take that trip. Quit the job you dread going to. Sign up for the class you’ve been thinking about. No, don’t forget about your future needs (get life insurance, write a will, have long term savings), but do live life now. Why put it off until tomorrow?

Happy Pioneer Day

Enjoy your parades and fireworks Utah. 

PS

And what kind of patriotic state has parades televised when celebrating the anniversary of the state's, er, statehood and nothing on TV when commemorating the founding of our nation? As for me, I put my country before my state. But hey, to each their own. Just don't come crying to me when people question your loyalty. Of course, it doesn't hurt to have a paid day off work for the state holiday.

This Is My Life

I go on vacation and have two days of extremely miserable allergy symptoms which largely resolve only to be followed by two days of increasingly worse sinus pressure and ear pain. The plus side is working at a doctor's office with someone who is kind enough to call in an antibiotic so that I don't have to be sick for the rest of my stay (cross your fingers).  Have you ever tried flying with (probable) sinus and ear infection? Been there, done that. I'd rather suffer a twelve hour layover in Phoenix - where the weather is like standing in a furnace and I don't know anyone to visit and it's not a hub so there's slim chance of getting out sooner. (Notice I didn't say that I'd rather have mono, or be hit by a car, or have broken ribs, or have a broken tailbone, or have pneumonia, or be recovering from surgery. People, I now have perspective. These things are worse than sinus misery.) 

It Really Bugs Me When...

parents give their sons middle names and not their daughters. What's with that?? Yes, yes, when they get married they can take their maiden name as a middle name. O-kay, so we're hinging a young woman's identity (well, just name) on her future as a wife? Lame. Very lame. And if she never marries? Or is a revolutionary and decides to keep her own last name? Oh, and until then, all those forms that ask for a middle initial will be filled in with NMI. That's the abbreviation for No Middle Initial. Does that just make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside? Thought so.

I've decided that I don't travel well. Kind of like a neurotic dog or a bottle of soda. I always get anxious that I'm going to forget something, often over pack, and usually drive Nathan nuts in the process. Speaking of Nathan, I thought about it and this will be the first trip I've taken without him since we've been married. I guess I'll find out that he really can get by without me telling him how to do things. But mostly I was thinking about how I'll miss the buffer space on the plane ride. We have this arrangement where I get the window seat and he gets the middle seat (because his skinny butt is less likely to touch the butt of the aisle seat person). Did you ever notice that it feels like you have more space when you're sitting on a plane next to someone you know? A bit less invasive of your personal space.

What's worse than moving?

Only thing I hate more than moving is cleaning the old apartment. Nathan sent me home for a break, sweet man. He said that since I was cleaning without him for three and a half hours then he could do the same. Of course, that'll bring us to 8 PM and I'm hoping maybe he'll have it finished by then because I can't handle any more. I just really hate the idea of the less than stellar landlady having a good excuse to keep our money. She is such a ditz.

I'll have to post pics of the new place once there's more to see than boxes. I'm learning that any apartment has some small quirks but I already like it a lot better than the ghetto 4-plex that we moved from.

Of course, I'm especially tired of the whole moving deal because I'm starting to get stressed about my upcoming trip back east. Now I'm thinking that I don't have any flattering clothes to wear and I need a haircut and who's going to take care of the pets... stuff like that. And I don't think I have the time or energy between now and Friday to find cute summer clothes. Is there even such a thing when you're bigger than a size 8?

(can't figure out how to get this un-bolded)

Anyone know how to pick a lock? My filing cabinet got locked when I was moving it and we don't have a key for the thing. Grr.

Half A Glass

I really am a glass half empty sort a gal. I'm already annoyed with certain aspects of the new apartment (yes we moved, more about that adventure in another post when I have the internet again). For instance, the swamp cooler squeaks; the hardware in the bathroom is gold colored not the usual silver; the bathroom sink has odd dimensions so that when I wash my hands they have to touch the sink itself; the bathroom has zero storage (including no "medicine cabinet"); the shelf system in the bedroom closets is poorly organized; the balcony isn't covered by a roof.

I repeat to myself, "no ice cream truck playing continuously for up to an hour at a time," "no mariachi music that vibrates the walls," "no scruffy looking children peering into my kitchen window," and more.

Who says I can't spend my afternoon off listening to Pandora and eating chocolate chips?

How Was Your Weekend?

Whether you're at school, at work, or on Facebook, on Mondays you're likely to be asked (or asking) "How was your weekend?" This morning, when a coworker asked me that question, I said 'okay.' But then I started telling her about what I did and I realized that I had a pretty darn good time.

On Friday I babysat for my friend. Actually, I got to play with my favorite toddler (does that still apply when the child is less than 24 months but not wobbly at all?) while Nathan got baby duty. Don't get me wrong, O is perfectly cute but at 3 months he's not exactly mobile.

Saturday we did yard sale-ing (Nathan's choice), went to a farmer's market, saw Confessions of a Shopaholic at the dollar-fifty theater, and stopped by a bunch of stores looking for a new wall clock since Nathan keeps taking the batteries out of the one in our living room because he thinks it's too loud. Funny thing is, after shopping at Bed, Bath & Beyond, Ross, Shopko, and Kohls, we finally found a clock that we both liked at WalMart. Go figure.

Sunday was Mother's Day. This meant that in addition to sitting through 3 hours of church meetings, I had to go see Nathan's mother and grandmother. I'll be kind and just say that both visits were Boring. But I was just telling my coworker about the nice part of the day...how Nathan served me breakfast in bed...when the office door opened and hubby walked in with a vase full of red roses.

Yes Ruth, I had a good weekend. I spent time with N doing activities other than TV watching, got a nice new clock and a cute new table lamp for my bedside, and got flowers just because instead of as an apology.

The most exciting thing? As I was clearing space for the lamp, I lifted up a stuffed animal and saw my wedding ring. Which is really neat because I hadn't seen it since November-ish and was starting to think that it was gone-for-good instead of missing-somewhere-in-the-house.

So, How was your weekend?

On The Road To Recovery

I've been stiffer and sorer today than I was yesterday. My chest feels tight because of the gas they put in me (so that organs could be visualized easier). My throat is sore from the intubation (apparently standard procedure). And my abdomen hurts because that's where the doc was mucking about. I have two small incision marks - one at my belly button and the other about an inch over the pubic bone. They both have round bruises around them and the lower one seeps a little. The information sheet I was sent home with says a little bleeding can be normal for the first 48-72 hours.

I didn't get to talk to the doctor yesterday after the operation. Because of the anesthesia and pain meds I was on, he just spoke with Nathan. So the second hand news I got about my insides is that the doc didn't find endometriosis. When Nathan told me this in post-op I almost cried from frustration. Sure, endometriosis isn't a fun thing to have and there's not cure, but at least the surgery would have helped the pain. Since the doctor didn't see any endo tissues to excise then I imagine that after I recuperate I'll have the same pelvic discomfort as before. Yes, that really bites.

I'm Home Again

Okay. I had a longer note written and then I erased it by accident. So now I'm just going to say that I got home around 3:30 and am doing well. Probably going back to sleep after typing this. Pretty drowsy from the anesthesia and pain meds.

In Twelve Hours I'll be done :-)

I'm supposed to arrive at the surgery center at 7:30 AM and the operation is scheduled for 8:45 AM. Of course, it is a hospital and these things can change if the docs say so. I hope to be home by 2 PM.

In the meantime, I'm not supposed to have anything to eat or drink and I'm thirsty. So I can look forward to having a good glass of water after the surgery.

Attention To Details

Seems like I forgot to tell Nathan what hospital I'm getting the slice and dice done at. As I said to him on Saturday, Orem Community is a great place for having babies but if there's any chance of complications (like with a surgery...) then I'm going to Utah Valley.

And I also arranged for a friend to give me a ride to the hospital when Nathan was fully expecting to take me there. Not sure what I was thinking on that one. Maybe next time I should ask him first?

If I were to analyze it, I'd say that maybe if I don't treat the surgery like a big deal then I won't feel like it's a big deal? So then I don't have to be so anxious? Well, don't have to worry about that idea because I'm good and anxious. Can't wait for Tuesday afternoon so I can focus on recuperating.

For those who don't know but may want to know...

I'm tired and it's late, but I just realized that, apart from my coworkers, I've only told about five people this... Sometime Tuesday morning I'm having laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis. Apparently it's routine for the patient to not know until the night before what time the surgery is going to be. Lame. The surgical center is supposed to call me after 3 PM on Monday (tomorrow) to tell me when to show up.

In this case, the laparoscopy is a minor outpatient procedure that will both confirm the diagnosis of endometriosis and treat it if the doc finds that it's there. Endometriosis is where endometrium tissues that are usually in the uterus are found elsewhere in the abdomen. This causes pain. For me, the point of this surgery is to hopefully reduce the pain. How I understand it is that there'll be an incision near/in? my belly button and another about 4 inches down from that. One hole is used for the viewing instruments and the second is used for the cutting instruments. If the doctor sees endometriosis areas then he will cut or laser them off.

A coworker asked me last week if I was nervous. I told her then that I was trying not to think about it and it would be good to get it over with so that I could have less pain. Really though, I'm nervous. First off, I just plain don't like the idea of some stranger mucking around in my insides. Also, it's my first time going under general anesthesia, being intubated, and getting catheterized. Yuck, yuck, yuck. The surgical center called Friday to get a health history. I was asked if I have any caps or crowns on my teeth. Yeah, that's because if you have dental work on front teeth then sometimes they can get knocked off with the intubation process. Fun.

Here's the full story:
1. Last July I saw my general practice doctor because of some persistent abdominal pain. She sent me for an ultrasound and CT scan. When both tests came back normal, she referred me out to a gynecologist.

2. Due to not liking to try out new doctors, I procastinated and didn't get in to see an OB-GYN until November. The new doctor (well, nurse practicitioner really) listened to my history and immediately said it sounded like endometriosis. She gave a brief explanation of what it is and stated that the best treatment is surgery. Keep in mind that it took me 3 months to go to a specialist in the first place. My distaste at the idea must have shown on my face because when I asked if there were any alternatives she told me about a procedure called HSG that we could try first.

3. I went home and researched endometriosis and the HSG procedure (short for hysterosalpingogram). Turns out the only way to diagnose endometriosis is surgery and HSG just shows that it's not other things but it can't show that it IS endo. Which is probably what I would have heard from the nurse practitioner gyno if I had known what questions to ask and she had known how to say it so I understood.

4. I sucked it up and scheduled a pre-op appointment. That was March 18. I met with the doctor gyno who is doing the operation. I learned something - one doesn't have to be a surgeon to perform surgery. How reassuring. At least the doc seemed self-confident. Good. When he goes out to tell hubby that I'm a vegetable he'll be able to do so with poise.

False Alarm

Just kidding friends. Looks like I'm not moving into that place I excitedly posted about yesterday.

Turns out the previous tenants were a little misleading about the deposit and pet policy. Instead of a $250 deposit, it's really that much plus first and last month's rent except you have to pay last month's rent when the time comes, so it's really just $850 deposit. And $100 is non refundable for carpet cleaning, which the new tenant arranges for themselves. 1) that's an expensive carpet cleaning, and 2) why isn't this taken care of before the new person moves in?

Instead of a no cats or dogs policy, the landlord went on to say no snakes, birds, guinea pigs, or fish. More animals may have been mentioned. I'd rather not live there in fear that my pet rats will get me evicted. Holy cow, no fish?! Sounds a little uptight to me.

Oh yeah... Apparently the landlord (an elderly man) and his wife spend several months of every year in St George. What the heck? What if something needs to be taken care of?

I guess it's back to searching Craigslist ads. I'll let you know if things change.

Am I Really Doing This To Myself?

Well, Nathan and I have an appointment tomorrow to sign papers for a new apartment. Man I hate moving, but my now apartment is really bugging me and has been for a while. The new place is $600 a month and very close to my work. No more waiting for Nathan to pick me up! And I'm still being responsible with my money and not splurging for a much more expensive place that would leave us financially strapped each month. Which I've been tempted to do.


Cons about my curent place that I hope the new place will fix:
- have to drive over a curb every time I enter or leave the driveway because only about 3 feet of the entrance was smoothed down
- neighbors in the next house over who sit outside in their cars and blast mariachi music so loud that I feel the base while lying in my bed
- radiant heating located in the ceiling. And the heating system downstairs broke so there's a small space heater type thing stuck in the wall instead.
- nosy and noisy school  age children that constantly run by my window in good weather. And I live in the back of the building and these children are from several houses down.
- shower has separate knobs for hot and cold water. I spend half of my shower time adjusting the water temperature.

Possible cons about the new place:
- less storage space
- possibly not as much sunlight. Windows are only south and north facing. South facing windows have awning over them.
- only one story. Might feel like less space even though square footage is the same.

Pros about the new place:
- a block away from my work
- kitchen is L shaped and not galley style
- it's an end unit so there is only one shared wall. No neighbors above or below either.
- built in dishwasher

My New Pets

Several people have asked to see pictures of my new pets. The trick has been getting the picture taken fast enough. Turns out that rodents move quickly and my camera isn't as quick as I would like it to be.
Also, I can't figure out how to get the pics to post how I want them to. But here they are: Pearl (white and light gray) and Missy (dark gray with white belly). I'll post more later when I have time to struggle with my lame photo software.

It's A Small World

So. I was blog stalking this evening (my own personal phrase which today means that I was visiting friends' blogs and browsing their links to see if they had links to anybody that I knew too) when on a friend of a friend's site I found a blog that belongs to my cousin. Technically they're my second cousin and we've never met and they wouldn't know who I was unless I introduced myself and said, "Your mom's grandmother is my great-grandmother." But still. Pretty neat connectivity.That is definitely less than six degrees.

Hi Kris, I'm your cousin.

Forward #3

1. What is your occupation right now? Medical Assistant at a pediatrician's office
2. What color are your socks right now? Blue, Silver and White Stripes
3. What are you listening to right now? Pandora Radio
4. What was the last thing that you ate? Chocolate chip cookie dough (thanks Jessica)
5. Can you drive a stick shift? No. Have you seen me drive? Do you really want to divide my attention like that?
6. Last person you spoke to on the phone? My neighbor Jessica. She opened her cell phone to a screaming toddler and me asking "Has your daughter had Tylenol lately?"
7. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV? Not a big fan of being a spectator.
8. What is your favorite drink? Hot Chocolate
9. Have you ever dyed your hair? Nope
10. Favorite food? Italian! And no, this doesn’t work well with my doctor’s advice of following a low carb diet.
11. What is the last movie you watched? Robinson Family...that 17 month old little girl has a really good attention span when she chooses to.
12. How do you vent anger? To my husband mostly.
13. What was your favorite toy as a child? Books
14. What is your favorite season? Autumn and Spring. I love different things about each of them. The biggest one being that I'm not sweltering or freezing my patootie off. I hate being hot but I also hate having it be dark when I wake up and dark when I get home from work.
15. Cherries or Blueberries? That's an easy one because I don't like cherries.
16. Living arrangements? Okay, if you’re reading this then you should know the answer to that.
17. When was the last time you cried? Quite often since December 10. (you know, the whole dad thing)
18. What is on the floor of your closet? There’s a floor under all those cloths?
19. What did you do last night? Compared reviews for TV converter boxes. Told Nathan where to go to buy the one I decided on.
20. What are you most afraid of? Losing a loved one.
21. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers? Cheeseburgers every time! Hold the onions.
22. Favorite dog breed? German Shepherds Are Awesome
23. How many states have you lived in? Only two. Again, if you're reading this then you probably know which two.
24. Diamonds or pearls? Pearls. Nathan’s a lucky man.
25. What is your favorite flower? Really not sure. I often agree with Meg Ryan when she said, "daisies are such happy flowers." Name that movie for a thousand...

Thoughts

Sayings such as "it takes a village to raise a child" and "no man is an island"... the continued popularity of Little House on the Prairie and Anne of Green Gables... reunion sites like MySpace and Facebook... seem to reinforce a theory of mine.

I believe there is a common need within humans to have a close knit network of loved ones. The traditional community where neighbors stopped by to visit and family went to grandmother's for holidays and you knew whose name to cuss out when  you found dog poo on your lawn. That community is becoming history and is being replaced by a society of superficiallness.

Text relationships where a scathing remark is ok because it was followed by LOL. Homes where fathers sit downstairs alone while adolescent children play internet games with people in other countries whom they've never met. Bored youth who rob the local electronics store for entertainment and never have to worry about facing the owner in the street the next day.

Hmmm, that sounds like I'm saying technology is the big bad wolf. It's not. It's the way that our culture is adapting to these inovations that I disaprove of. Not only are we being denied a moral compass, but we're missing a familiar face that recognizes without words that today was not a good day. We're missing the innate sense of knowing that someone out there does care. Artificial replacements have grown up. Activities like playgroup, book club, and 'neighborhood watch'.

Have you had a day lately where you never heard your name spoken out loud? A day where you didn't get hugged, or even feel the touch of another human being? A day where nobody smiled at you? Our souls know that we are loved, even when the words aren't said.

I've Been Doppelganger-ed

Wiki that.

Doppelganger: (noun) 1: a ghostly counterpart of a living person2 a: double 2a b: alter ego b c: a person who has the same name as another

Just when I though you wouldn't hear from me for a long time... I linked to a friend's blog through facebook and found the link to an eerily familiar sounding website - beth.bethandnathan.com Yes, hubby and I seem to have a doppelganger. Now that must be twice as special as an individual doppelganger, wouldn't you think?

I'll Be Back

Postings for the near future will be sparser than usual. See, my next door neighbor moved on November 1st. She was letting me mooch off her wireless internet service and I haven't signed up for my own plan yet. I'm trying to hold off until a local provider has a good promotion. In the meantime, it's www withdrawals for me.

A Little Compassion Please

Okay, so I've started Facebooking. (like how almost anything can be turned into a verb?) and I just want to point out how sad it is when you select someone and the screen reads:

Loozah MacSmith HAS NO FRIENDS.

And now they (you know, the sadistic ones who run Facebook) feel the need to broadcast your pathetic aloneness to all of internetdom. I'm sorry my non-friend. I'm sorry.

Ten NEW Excuses For Not Showing Up To Church

(taken from a greeting card)

1. We have a blessing surplus.
2. We still haven't applied what we learned last month.
3. I've been classified as an overactive member.
4. The bishop said to never come to church without your scriptures, and I lost mine.
5. I'm waiting for all the stubborn people to die off.
6. I decided to endure to the middle.
7. If my home is the most sacred next to the temple, why should I ever leave?
8. I know I'm supposed to go to the Celestial Kingdom, but I have a fear of heights.
9. I'm creating reactivation opportunities.
10. The missionaries told me I only had to go three times.
    

Can anyone explain the last one to me?

Stinky Stuff

Wisdom from my coworker Margie (not for the faint of heart)

The Three Worst Smells Of Children:

1. Bloody Stool
2. E Coli
3. Styrofoam that's been a kid's nose for a while

What did he do to deserve that?

Nathan surprised me with flowers after his class yesterday (for the first time in a long time) and what do I do? I dreamed last night that he was sleeping with my sister. Not nice.

Holy Canolli, It's Good To Be Home

After a week visiting family, it's nice to be home.

Home... where I can eat my Frosted Mini Wheats for breakfast...where I don't have to climb stairs to use the bathroom if I wake up in the middle of the night...where I don't have to be self-conscious when I walk around in a bathrobe...where my grocery store is open around the clock ...where I know how to get from point A to point B without asking for directions or looking at a map...where I can drive to WalMart or Target or KMart or Lowe's or Home Depot or JoAnn Craft or Hallmark or Kohls or Old Navy or nearly anywhere I'm interested in going in 20 minutes or less...

Yes, it's good to be back.

How I Spent My Saturday

So, yeah. We took the "scenic" route home. Between Manchester, New Hampshire and Salt Lake City we landed in no less than 4 cities. Why this madness? you might wonder.

Well, it began with a car accident. (Not mine. Not this time anyway) What should have been a leasurely hour-long drive to the airport took nearly twice as long because of a bottleneck at the site of a pileup that involved 4+ cars. That's right. The three of us (my grandpa chauffeured) spend at least half an hour in stop and go traffic on a two-lane highway. Which definitely involved more stopping than going. And which ended with me and Nathan standing in line waiting to go through security as I saw the listing for our plane change from boarding to departed.

Crap.

Well, nowhere to go but forward. After security decided my canned fruit cocktail was contraband and made Nathan mail his metal-credit-card-sized-pocket-tool back to himself, we went to Southwest's terminal and explained our plight. While they didn't bring the plane back for us, we also didn't have to buy new tickets or get evil looks cast our way for being annoying. What did happen is that we flew standby from 11 o'clock Saturday morning (eastern time) to 8 am the next day (central time). We finally flew out from Manchester at 3:30 and got all the way to Chicago. In New Hampshire they had told us that we'd have to camp out in Chicago until 9:30 Sunday morning. Being stuck in an airport for 15 hour without any friends or family nearby did not sound like my idea of fun, so I made friendly with the employee at the Chicago gate and asked if they could do any better for me (us).

And guess what? We got to hang out in Dallas for a few hours with Nathan's favouritest aunt and her boys. In my book that was definitely a positive twist on what had started out as a bad day.

So, we started out in New Hampshire, had a layover in Chicago, took a flight to Dallas (with a 'stop' in St Louis where some passengers got off and some more got on and the two of us stayed put), hung out in Texas for ten hours, and finally got to go on a plane to Utah - but not before another 'stop', this time in Alburquerque. I rather felt like a yo-yo. Up and down, up and down. And I experienced most of the seasons in a 24 hour period. Pleasant autumn weather in New England, a humid summer night in Texas (where it's always summer), topped off by Utah's first snow of the winter. I had good times on my trip back home, but I would have to say that the biggest adventure was coming home.

Oh, and our luggage made it home before we did :)

A Moment of Panic

My trip got off to a good start. Nathan and I got to the airport early, didn't have any problems with security, and were able to sit next to each other on the plane. After a short layover in Baltimore, we landed safely in Providence, RI (Southwest doesn't have flights to Boston). And just FYI, that airport smelled funky. I hope the odor was temporary or else I'm never going there again.

Then I got to spend the night with my favoritest aunt! She and her husband picked us up from the airport and let us crash at their place. Of course, Nathan didn't get any sleep until he got his dose of the sci-fi channel. And I got to play with the puppies. Aunt Debbie treated us to some cheesecake and canollis for dessert. OMG! In Massachusetts you can buy canollis at the grocery store! To top off the good-food experience, Sunday morning we ate out at a local diner and I had my first ever eggs benedict. And I suprised myself by liking it :)

Oh, and the moment of panic mentioned above? At 11:30 Saturday night, we had just barely got in from the airport when I got a call on my cell phone (which I seldom have on and only had turned it on for the trip). It was my grandfather calling from an 801 area code. Yes, the grandfather who I planned on staying with for the rest of our time out here.

Our phone call went a little like this:
Me: Hello?

Him: Hi

Me: Who's this?

Him: It's Grandpa.

Me: Where are you?

Him: Just up the street.

Me: (pause) Are you in Utah?

Him: Yep, I came out to help Uncle Geeb on the house.

Me: Umm, did you remember I was coming out to visit?

Him: Sure, isn't that on the fourth? Deb (his wife) has it in an email.

Me: Uh, yeah...Today is the fourth...we're in Massachusetts now. (by now I'm thinking if there's other family I can stay with or if I should start calling hotels)

Him: Oh. Ok. Well, Deb's expecting you.

It doesn't seem nearly as stressful in writing. But I spent at least another minute making sure I had somewhere to stay for the rest of the week.

Forward #2

1. Any nickname? never really had one. a cousin used to call me Bethie...
2. Mother's name? Lisa
3. Tattoo? right, as if I'd volunteer for pain.
4. Body Piercing? one in each ear lobe
5. How much do you love your job? I'm pretty statisfied.
6. Birthplace? Massachusetts
7. Favorite vacation Spot? not sure, haven't been too many places
8. Ever been to Africa? nope, not planning on it either! me and heat don't mix.
9. Have you ever been on a cruise? not yet, but I'd sure love to.
10. Ever eaten cookies for dinner? if I'm hungry and they're around and Nathan's not... then that's what's for dinner.
11. Ever been on TV? no, and I don't regret it.
12. Ever steal any traffic sign? no, don't feel the need to be a felon.
13. Ever been in a car accident? yes...3 times!! twice as a passenger and once as a pedestrian. moving cars often scare me.
14. Drive a 2-door or 4-door vehicle? 4-door. had a 2-door once and promised myself I'd never do it again.
15. Favorite salad dressing? italian. funny story - i didn't like any salad dressing until college. still won't touch the creamy types.
16. Favorite pie? apple pie, hands down.
17. Favorite number? 27. don't ask me why, i don't know.
18. Favorite movie? hmmm... don't have one
19. Favorite holiday? maybe Independence Day. i love the fireworks.
20. Favorite dessert? anything chocolate. can't narrow it down more than that.
21. Favorite food? mmm, Italian. especially calzones, lasagna, and fresh ravioli. oh! and top it off with a great canolli!
22. Favorite day of the week? a Saturday without appointments
23. Favorite brand of body wash? Dove
24. Favorite toothpaste? Crest
25. Favorite smell? not sure
26. How do you see yourself in 10 years? older, and hopefully not heavier, with a kid or two and a husband who is finally done with school. probably starting to grey, but i'll fight that with a good hairdresser.

Forward #1

I'm tired of not posting anything but I'm also not feeling creative. So, courtesy of coworker Ruth, here are my answers to a questionaire I received in my email today.

"Hit forward and place an X by all the things you've done and remove the X from the ones you have not. Send it to your friends (including me). This is for your entire life!"

( ) Gone on a blind date
(x) Skipped school - do college classes count? I was a goody two shoes in grade school and never skipped classes without Mom's permission.
( ) Watched someone die
(x) Been to Canada - I went to Quebec city several times with my high school french class. It was good times.
( ) Been to Mexico - nope.
( ) Been to Florida - no again, and it's not on my to do list.
(x) Been on a plane - yep. And I tend to be an anxious flyer. Never get air sick, but I do grip the armrest really hard during turbulence and often worry about getting to the ground safely.
(x) Been lost - yes again. I'm rather good at not knowing where I am. Most notably, I got lost in Arlington National Cemetary.
(x) Been on the opposite side of the country - well, I grew up in Massachusetts, live in Utah now, and have played on a beach in California. I think you could say I've been from coast to coast.
(x) Gone to Washington, DC - lots. First as part of an 8th grade class trip, once with my grandparents, and other times with my church youth group.
(x) Swam in the ocean - played in the Atlantic every summer growing up. Didn't exactly swim over my head, but yes, techinically I have swum in the ocean.
(x) Cried yourself to sleep - whether from a sappy romance novel, teenage angst, or mourning the loss of a loved one, yes I have done this.
( ) Played cops and robbers
( ) Recently colored with crayons - sadly, no. I need to play more. Children have the best fun.
(x) Sang Karaoke - once or twice. And I wasn't even drunk! :)
( ) Paid for a meal with coins only - only if the meal was an ice cream cone.
(x) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't - haven't we all? the first one I'll admit to is digging into chocolate in the same hour that I told myself I was going to cut back.
( ) Made prank phone calls
( ) Laughed until some kind of 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 - I don't remember specifically doing this, but I'm sure I did sometime when I was little.
( ) Been kissed under the mistletoe - actually, I don't know if I've ever come across mistletoe in a doorway. Gives me a good idea for the upcoming winter season.
( ) Watched the sunrise with someone you care about - the only time this will happen is if I stay up all night. I don't see myself getting up that early just to watch the sunrise. Give me a beautiful sunset any day.
(x) Gone ice skating - not enough to be good at it.
( ) Been skinny dipping outdoors - yikes, I'm not even comfortable swimming in a bathing suit.
(x) Gone to the movies - off course!

When Life Hands You Lemons

Tonight we went to the Provo Library's grand prize drawing for their summer reading program. After a rousing game of Jeopardy, staffed by three volunteer contestants from the crowd and a glued-on-mustached 'Alex Trebek', it was time for the door prizes. The announcer was a petite, four and a half foot woman with a voice as slight as her stature who didn't ennunciate clearly into the microphone and there was a long pause after the first name was read before I realized she had said my name. As exciting as it was win something, I spent the remainder of the drawing wondering how I was going to unload my prize - Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium. I was bummed as I listened to the other DVDs being handed out. Mr Mablah blah blah was definitely the lamest win of the night.

As the activity came to an end, I decided that I didn't feel up to the hassle of regifting or Craigslisting the undesired movie. So I approached one of the non-midget library workers and said thanks but no thanks and I'd rather the library just kept the movie for their own collection. The woman I talked with said she felt bad about it and suggested I take extra candy on my way out. I was okay with that but one of her coworkers spoke up and suggested we take the unwanted movie to WalMart and swap it out.

That's how I came home with a copy of Stargate Continuum (something both Nathan and I were wanting to see). I've never been so grateful for WalMart and it's easy return policy. Makes me want to never shop at Target again.

Good for a chuckle

I was at a department store and had to use 'the facilities'. While sitting down, I noticed the door handle. It said Hiney Hiders. Not much is funny in a public restroom, but that was. Maybe you had to be there.

A Peeve

Got my ads today with the Sunday paper. Browsing through the store sales like I usually do and . . . Shopko is having an 'end of the season' sale. For summer things. In June. Which is funny, because when I went there last week I saw a clearance rack full of coats - winter coats. I guess I better shop ahead so I'll have short sleeve shirts in August and can't find any in the stores because sweaters are on sale.

that can't be good

had a dream last night that I was fired because I was sick and had to miss 3 days of work. thankfully that didn't happen. but today at work the office manager - my boss - asked my if I'm always sick or if it's just working there that was making me sick. yikes! i emphatically said that it was just coincidence and I rarely got so sick for so long.

Are We Better Yet?

Yeah, no. Saw the doc for a 2 week check up on the pneumonia. Good news is the lungs sound clear. Bad news is I have a double ear infection topped off by a sinus infection. He sent me home with more drugs and I'm staying home from work tomorrow. Send healthy vibes my way.

Blog Stalking

This is what happens when you make a habit of reading an old friend's blog without telling them. One day they decide to go private and then you have to explain that, even though you haven't visited or called or emailed in months and months and months, you want to be 'invited' to read their blog. Because, yes, you're a blog stalker and like to keep tabs on your friends in a rather one-sided, silent, distant sort of way.

Customer Service

I recently bought a box of hanging folders - you know, for filing papers. Well, the package said that there were 20 folders inside but when I counted (and recounted) there were only 19. I wrote a short email to let the company know about this descrepancy. They replied with an apology and said that a replacement product would be sent. While not the response I was expecting, I wasn't going to argue with getting something for free.

Yesterday I came home to find a package waiting on my doorstep. Yep, it was the "replacement product." The same file folders I had complained about, with one difference. This box had 18 of them. So much for quality control.

Happy Anniversary To Us!

What did we do for our 7th wedding anniversary last weekend?

Saturday:

• Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point
• romantic dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory

Sunday:

• made breakfast together and had muffins, fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, and sausage
• skipped church
• stayed overnight at a cute Bed & Breakfast
• ate curry at an Indian restaurant

Monday:

• stayed home from work and enjoyed a 3 day weekend together
• exchanged gifts

What we postponed because I was Sick:

• Thanksgiving Point's Museum of Ancient Life (for him)
• The Hogle Zoo (for me)
• Pampering at a local school of massage therapy (for both of us)

Wow, Seven Years

I haven't written about our anniversary because I've been SICK and haven't done much of anything since last Thursday, which is when I got Really Sick. So, I've been sick with some degree of cold nastiness for this entire month and all of last month too. I tried to do something about it at the beginning of March, but (after 2 doctor's visits and 2 courses of antibiotics) I thought I'd just have to wait out the sniffles and coughing. I felt like a commercial for Nyquil. Except Nyquil wears off after about 4 hours and I would wake up around that same time - coughing.

What changed? Last Thursday, April 24, I had a strange tightness in my chest all day. Thinking that perhaps I was simply tired, I laid down for a bit after work. Later that evening the pressure was still there so I decided it was time for a visit to the Urgent Care Center. This doctor listened to my history and lungs, then diagnosed me with a combination of reactive airway and post nasal drip from allergic rhinitis. Basically, asthma-like symptoms prompted by seasonal allergies. I had an albuterol treatment at the office that made it so I could take a deep breath without coughing. Since that worked for me, I was content to take home the asthma medicine and give that a chance to help me.

Um, no. On Friday, my cough got worse, the aches set in, my nose dripped, and my head felt like it was struck by a hammer any time I blew my nose or coughed. That was my weekend. To make an already long story not as long, I went to the doctor on Tuesday, April 29, and was told I have pneumonia. Yippy Skippy.

Seriously?!

While I was making phone calls at work today, reminding parents of their kids appointments tomorrow, I came across a name that made me pause. Stiletto Heaven Smith*. Honestly, what was she thinking? That little girl better love high heels. Or change her name at age 18. I've seen some unusual names while working at a pediatrician's office - names I would never use for a child of mine - but this takes the cake.

(Last name has been changed to protect the innocent, but believe me when I say it only added to the humor.)

Movie Review

* disclaimer - my reviews are highly biased and does not mean that you will not like the show* I just finished watching Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End and I am not happy. I don't find it the least bit satisfying that Will and Elizabeth get to have a long term relationship in which they only get to see each other once every 10 years. For me, this is a sad ending. Honestly, how lonely would that be. She's now a single mother who isn't free to pursue other romances because the love of her life is still 'alive.' Yeah, I cried - a lot.

Buyer's Remorse

Toilet paper is supposed to be a simple purchase. Not much thinking needed, right? Well, we were running low last weekend so I went to the store and bought the cheapest one that wasn't generic. (I've had bad luck with generic TP in the past) I used the first roll today only to discover that I'd gotten 1-ply. It feels like tissue paper, but not as thick. Ick. Why do they make this stuff?

So I remembered that I am picky about toilet paper. There is a good reason why I was buying Charmin and Cottonelle. They're thick and absorbent - isn't that what you need to do the job?

A Crockpot Recipe

Crock-pot Roast
Ingredients:
1 beef roast
1 envelope Italian dressing mix
1 envelope brown gravy dressing
1 envelope ranch dressing
1 envelope Lipton's onion soup mix
1/2 cup water
Veggies as desired (carrots, celery, and potatoes)

Directions:
Place roast in crock-pot, sprinkle seasonings on top of roast. Place the water around the roast. Add carrots and celery. Cook on low for 8-10 hours, adding potatoes for the last two hours of cooking.

My Results:
I didn't have an Italian dressing mix, so I used some actual Italian salad dressing. I'll use this recipe in the future without my substitution. Also, the celery was too limp and soggy after cooking for so long. Overall, it tasted good and was very tender. I got compliments from my father-in-law.

photobucket meme

Rules of the Game (courtesy of The Sassy Lime):
1. Go to http://www.photobucket.com/
2. Type in your answer to the question in the “search” box
3. Select a picture using only the first page
4. Copy the html (from the lower left side of the page) and paste for the answer.

• What is your first name?

• Relationship status?

• Favourite candy?

• Favourite color?

• Celebrity crush? (don't really have one, but if I had to pick) * This is Agent Vaughn from Alias. James Bondish but younger and doesn't sleep around as much.
  
• Favourite band? (not much into music...)

• Favourite movie?

• Favourite TV show?

That's Bones people.

• What is your job?

• What is your hobby?

• 1 word to describe yourself.

Excuses People Have For Not Going To Church

I found the following list in "The Laconia Daily Sun" that my mom used as padding for a package she sent me. It made me laugh, maybe you'll like it too.

The No-Excuse Sunday

1. Cots will be placed in the vestibule for those who say, "Sunday is my only day for sleeping in."
2. Eye drops will be available for those whose eyesare tired from watching TV too late on Saturday night.
3. We will have steel helmets for those who believe the roof will cave in if they show up for church services.
4. Blankets will be furnished for those who complain that the church is too cold. Fans will be on hand for those who say it is too hot.
5. We will have hearing aids for those who say, "The pastor talks too softly." There will be cotton for those who say he is too loud.
6. Scorecards will be available for those who wish to count the hypocrites present.
7. Relatives will be in attendance for those who like to go visiting on Sunday.
8. TV dinners will be available for those who claim they can't go to church and cook dinner too.
9. One section of the church will have some trees and grass for those who see God in nature, especially on the golf course.
10. The sanctuary will be decorated with both Christmas poinsettias and Easter lilies for those who have never seen the church without them.

* My biggest problems are with numbers 1, 2, 4, and 7. But mostly the first one*

A Wish List

What I Want To Do With My Tax Rebate:

1. buy a newer, faster computer - so it's easier to play with my digital camera
2. buy a washing machine - so I don't have to hang out with the creepy people at the laundromat
3. buy a mattress that doesn't scratch me
4. visit relatives in Texas

What I Will Actually Do:

1. refund my savings account for the amount I owed the IRS
2. use the rest to pay Maaco to make my car look beautiful again after yesterday morning's incident

Happy St Patrick's Day

I was a little scared to try something with leeks in it, but I thought this soup turned out really yummy:

Cock-a-Leekie Soup
Ingredients
2.5 to 3 lb chicken, cut up
4 C water
1/2 C chopped carrot
1/2 C chopped celery
2 tsp salt
1 bay leaf
2 medium leeks, thinly sliced
1 small potato, peeled and diced
1/3 C quick-cooking barley
2 C milk

* We used more carrots, celery, and potatoes and only 1 leek.

I Was Distracted

I didn't write any updates this week because I was distracted by looking at blogger backgrounds. I thought that I would change my template but - after spending too much time looking around online - decided that it was too much work and that my current blogspot design is good enough. But hey! I loaded a picture of myself :)

Time Flies

Working days has given me less time and energy to write. Earlier this week I thought up a plan that I would write on my day off (I only work 4 days a week at my new job). I still think that's a good idea, but it didn't happen this time around because of a Plumbing Problem. And because it's already 11 o'clock at night and I always read in bed a bit before actually sleeping, that is a story that will have to wait until tomorrow. Just wanted to drop a note to say that I'm planning on blogging on a weekly basis. Maybe twice a week, but let's not set our expectations too high.

Thanks for your concern...

I went in to work Monday morning. I didn't feel healthy, but I went. I stayed until noon and then threw in the towel for the day. It was slow for a Monday so I didn't feel that badly about it. Today I called in sick and spent quality time with Mr Couch and Mrs Kleenex. Stupid germs.

Consequences

I figured out why I'm sick. You know how when you were a kid and home sick then your mom said you had to stay in bed all day. Kind of as a way to make sure that you didn't stay home from school just to play? Well, maybe this is God's way of saying "if you aren't going to church this weekend then you sure aren't going to have fun about it." Just a thought. I'm going back to bed now.

Mmmm, Nyquil

Yep, I'm sick again. Sniffles, cough, sinus pressure, aches... Nyquil is my new best friend. And Kleenex. And sleep. And my brand new thermometer is broken, what's up with that? I so do not have a temperature of 96.2 degrees.

I don't know what I'm going to do if Monday rolls around and I'm still this sick. No way do I want to call in sick to work after I've only been there for 2 weeks. And Mondays are the busiest day of the week at a doctor's office so they need the help. But I feel horrible. And I'm sure it won't build confidence in the parents to hear me hacking up a lung.

Also, stake conference is this weekend. I'm definitely not going to those meetings. No dilemma there. Sorry Nathan, you'll have to sit alone this week.

What's New?

On February 1st I gave 2 weeks notice at work because...I got a job offer!

The story goes like this - January 4 I interview with a local pediatrician's office. I'm told that they'll make their choice in the next 2 weeks. Time passes and no contact. I'm thinking, I should have written a cover letter, I should have sent a thank you letter, I should have presented myself better in the interview, etcetera, etcetera.

January 18, I gather my courage and call. The phones rings and rings and goes to the answering service. I leave a voice mail message saying "Um, are you going to hire me or not?" (but a little more tactfully) The next day is Saturday and I find a letter in the mail from the place I interviewed at. I recognize the letterhead and get excited. But the excitement fades as I realize that there is no good reason a company would send a letter to ask someone to work for them. Yes, it was a rejection letter. Not only did I NOT get the job, but I feel like a goober for leaving a message. I think it would be fair to say that I was not good company that weekend.

That Monday I was doing my usual sleeping-in-too-late routine and the phone rang. It was Utah Valley Pediatrics (the place I interviewed with). "Great," I thought, "she's returning my call from Friday to tell me that I didn't get the position so now I get to hear it out loud. Thanks, but the letter was enough."

Well, she surprised me by saying that the person she wanted to hire "flaked out" and I'm her second choice and would I still be interested in the job?

So that's how last week was my first week at my new job that is during the daytime, less than two miles from home, working with children, with full-time benefits.

BRRR, COLD

If I could, those letters would be trailing icicles - wunderground.com says that the temperature outside is 8.5 degrees Farenheit and weather.com says it's 14 degrees! Hmmm, I'll believe that the second option is more correct. I love winter but I don't like being a human popsicle.

Don't Quit Your Day Job

This month when I blow out my candles, I am going to wish for a day job. I love the people I work with but I really need to work during the daylight hours. There are several reasons for this, the most important to me is that I want to see more of my husband.

Last Friday I had a job interview at a local pediatrician's office. (I won't hear back for another week.) I hate the question "how did it go?" Because really, I won't know how it went until I find out if I landed the job or not.

Welcome 2008

As I've been thinking about the past year and the changes it brought, 2 things stand out:

1) Nathan changed jobs. Last August, his temp job with Nature's Sunshine ended abruptly. We were very fortunate because he found a new position in less than two weeks. He now works at a company called MBi Neutraceuticals. It's closer to home, has nice coworkers, offers paid time off and health insurance, and the boss appreciates Nathan's contributions. We appreciate the Christmas bonus.

2) We got a new car. On Hall0ween Day we bought a 'pre-owned' '05 Camry from Larry H Miller of Lindon. It was a scary decision, but I think it was the right one. I'm not happy to have car payments, but I'm very glad to have a car that I can trust. We can drive from our home to Salt Lake City and not worry about the engine overheating. I also like the automatic rearview mirrors that can be adjusted from inside, the trunk that can be opened without using your key, the power windows and locks, and the rear seat belts that have shoulder straps.

What Did You Say?

I've suspected for a while now that I should get my hearing checked. But maybe Nathan just mumbles a lot. Neither one explains why I am so good at misunderstanding song lyrics.

For months I sang along to the song that plays at the end of a TV show Nathan and I watch every week. I said, "I want to lie shipwrecked and comatose, sipping red mango juice." After a while, Nathan pointed out that mango juice is not red. The line was Fresh mango juice. Sound similar? No.

And there was the time when my sister was visiting and I was accompanying Colin Raye. It turns out that the word road in "I think I'm on a road here in Little Rock" is actually roll. I guess that makes sense.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

What are your favorite Christmas movies? Mine are Miracle on 34th Street and A Charlie Brown Christmas.

I just found out that my mom really likes A Christmas story. Which is funny because I really don't like it. But now it makes sense that when I was growing up I saw it on TV every year.

Recipe For Gingerbread Men

1. Go to Macey's (or your local grocery store) at 7 PM on the Saturday before Christmas.
2. Explain to the friendly bakery worker that you saw a sign earlier in the week that they were selling already made gingerbread dough and are they still doing that? Feel rather dumb as she says that yes, they were selling some, but she doesn't know if there is any left. (Of course lots of people will want to buy gingerbread dough the weekend before Christmas - why didn't you think of that?) Smile gratefully when she comes back to say that yes, there is some of the gingerbread dough left.
3. Feel very pleased when the cashier shows surprise at your purchase and says "I thought we were all out."
4. Call all of your cooking-inclined friends when you get home and remember that you don't own any cookie cutters. Ask if you can borrow their gingerbread man cookie cutter.
5. Put them on your friends forever list when they say that you can come over anytime to pick it up.
6. Remember to wash cookie cutter and return to friend with plate of warm gingerbread men cookies.
P.S. Cook at 325 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Enjoy.

Hogswatch

This week a movie called Hogfather has been showing on TV. It's based off of a book written by Terry Pratchett. A short summary would be that an assassin is hired to kill Santa Clause. In a world where Santa Clause's face resembles a hog and boars pull the sleigh instead of reindeer.

I am going to share a quote. Because I think it's neat:
"All right," said Susan, "I'm not stupid. You're saying humans need ... fantasies to make life bearable.
(Death, her grandfather) "No. Humans need fantasy to be human. To be the place where the falling angel meet the rising ape."
(Susan) "Tooth fairies? Hogfathers?"
(Death) "Yes. As practice. You have to start out learning to believe the little lies."
(Susan) "So we can believe the big ones?"
(D) "Yes. Justice. Duty. Mercy. That sort of thing."
(S) "They're not the same at all!"
(D) "Really? Then take the universe and grind it down to the finest powder and sieve it through the finest sieve and then show me one atom of justice, one molecule of mercy. And yet you act, like there was some sort of rightness in the universe by which it may be judged."
(S) "Yes. But people have got to believe that or what's the point?"
(D) "My point exactly."

A Peeve

It really, truly annoys me that Utah does not plow their roads. Saturday was a very snowy day and we had to rearrange our plans because Orem roads are not safe to drive on when it snows. It stopped snowing Saturday evening and the roads were still bad when we went to church Sunday. Not the slightest indication that the roads had been iced or sanded or anything to help with traction. No wonder people have trucks.

A Christmas Party

Yesterday I had a day on the town in preparation for my first party of the season. First I had to drop Nathan off at work so that I could use the car. Then I was on my own - with a debit card. After spending way too much time in the mall, I bought a cute red dress at JC Penney and some comfortable dress shoes at Sears. (Did you know Sears has cute clothes?). A haircut at Fantastic Sam's made me feel pampered and late picking up Nathan. Oops.

The activity was planned by a bunch of guys who exaggerated and called it the Ward Christmas "Ball". (Turns out they just wanted to give people a chance to dress up and we were reassured in our Sunday meetings that Sunday dress would be okay.) Most people came in stuff a little to fancy to wear to church, but not formalwear. One couple came in a limo and wore a tux and a gown.

I was a bit leery of what was essentially a church dance, but I had a good time. It was a fun (and free) date night with dinner, a gift exchange, and dancing. Nathan and I went home the proud owners of a box of Cheerios (from the swap) and sore toes as proof that our social dance lessons from BYU are fading.

345 PLZ

We got the plates for our car today! Nathan likes to make words out the letters on license plates. Our last car was called Nelly after he saw NLY on the license plates. Our new car doesn't have a name yet, but I was the first to notice that she's a polite auto - doesn't PLZ look like please?

I'm Old At Heart

You Belong in 1951

You're fun loving, romantic, and more than a little innocent. See you at the drive in!

What Year Do You Belong In?

I enjoy silly personality quizzes. I found this one through a link on The Sassy Lime. Although, I do wonder how they peg the year so exactly - why not just say the 1950's?

Thank You Nathan

Nathan did me a great service this week. He programmed our VCR clock to adjust for Daylight Savings. Thanks to him, I didn't miss this week's episode of House.

Boy, have I had some bad luck taping House this season. I caught the first episode but the next week I forgot to rewind the tape. Apparently the VCR needs something to record on. The next time I was disappointed because instead of House I found 2 hours of a baseball game. Sure, this was what was supposed to be on, but I forgot that there wouldn't be a new episode for two weeks and was disappointed anyway when I got home and saw sports instead of My Show. And another time, the TV antenna was adjusted for the best viewing of ABC instead of Fox so that episode wasn't watchable.

A Peeve

It really bugs me that my favourite radio station is playing Christmas music around the clock. I really love holiday songs, but only after Thanksgiving. Cozy 106.5 started the day after Halloween. For me, the music begins to lose some of the specialness if it's around for 2 months instead of one. What happened to our month of thanks?

There Must Be A Better Way

Newspapers: Nathan goes to BYU campus 3 times a week for yoga and always brings home 2 copies of the "Daily Universe"s (so that there is a crossword puzzle for each of us to do). That's 6 papers a week. Then there's the UVSC paper that he picks up when he goes to his weekly class there. (he only brings home one because it doesn't have a crossword puzzle) And sometimes he'll stop by a building on campus that has free New York Times available. Those are big newspapers.

All of this adds up to a lot of newsprint in our home. When we lived on BYU campus recycling bins were very convenient and I used those once a week. Now recycling is not convenient and it usually piles up next to the trash can until I remember to bag it so Nathan can take it to BYU and dump it there.

I also don't throw away papers that aren't newspapers because BYU recycles that too. So I have a pile of papers next to my trash that needs to be sorted into newsprint and not newsprint so Nathan can take it with him next time he goes to BYU. Except that most of the time he's in a hurry and forgets to take it and it piles up more. Or he doesn't have time or forgets to dump it in the bin and then it's in our car until he remembers.

Maybe it is time to start throwing the paper away.

Am I Old, Responsible, or Cheap?

Yesterday, I was excited when I opened my monthly letter from the electric company. September's bill was less than $30! This is the lowest it's been since we moved in last December. Am I totally boring that this made me happy?

PS. Everything in our apartment is electric - heating, cooling, stove, etc.

Observations

1. Jello that is 2 weeks old is gross. If you try to throw it away by turning the bowl upside down over the trash can, it will not budge. If you shake the bowl, it will make slurping noises but it will not fall out. A spoon will not remove the parts in direct contact with the bowl.
2. Chopped hard boiled eggs on top of a pile of red and green Jello looks icky.
3. Taking out the trash does not always make the smell go away.
4. My husband WILL eat his Jamba Juice smoothie that has been sitting in the fridge for 5 days that he didn't like much in the first place and then be surprised that he has a stomach ache from a fruit smoothie that is nearly a week old.
5. I will promise myself to eat healthier and cut down on snacks, buy some 100-calorie Oreo packs to help with the resolution, and then have some of the ice cream cake served at work that night.

Girlfriends

The other night I told Nathan that he is my best friend - even more than my girlfriends. For me this was very meaningful, kind of saying you're still important to me even though we're disagreeing on a lot of stuff lately and I love you most. It was significant because I'm closer to several of my old college roomates than any of my family members. What does the man say? "That's good." Grrr.

I feel jipped

We almost had moderate weather. Almost. One week of 70's after 2 months of 90's. Then there was Saturday. High of 50-something and slush on the windshield. Now we are up to the 60's. (sorry for the weather report)

In the 8 years that I have lived in Utah (ugh), September and October have been mild months. Last year my flowers bloomed until mid-October. Which brings me to the reason I feel cheated. My impatiens were late bloomers (due to my un-green thumb) and I was hoping to get a few more weeks of flowers. Just long enough to see what color blossoms would come from the last plant. That's all I ask.