A Shout Out to Family

I think my favorite part about Thanksgiving was having all of my family together. We always have so much fun and have so much to talk about and catch up on that its usually pretty chaotic at my parents house when the 5 siblings, 2 brother-in-laws, 2 nephews, a neice and my parents are all there. The boys usually disappear and us girls stay up way too late sitting around the island in the kitchin in our PJs eating whatever delicious snacks mom has set out and just being girls. Its crazy to think we fought like cats and dogs as kids but now I can't imagine life without them. I LOVE YOU GUYS!

Deck the Halls

Yea--I got my house decorated for Christmas! I made sure to cut down a tree that was small enough to fit in my house, but what I didn't plan on was that it was too small to fit in a tree stand! So I had to get a little creative (if you ever find yourself in this predicament, wooden picture frames work great to wedge tree trunks with!), and while I'd never let my dad or any other perfectionist see the set up, the results are perfect!

This doesn't have anything to do with Christmas but I was sure proud of my cute cute sprinkle rack that brightens up my kitchen!

A Huntin' We Go!

This weekend my whole family came up to Cache Valley and we headed north to Preston, Idaho to cut down Christmas trees. It was the first time any of us had ever done it and it was so fun! It wasn't too cold but was snowing a little to add to the festivity of the occasion and we took home 4 perfect trees.

Family Pics

So I've been told its time to put up a new post but I have been so busy...I can't believe it's already THANKSGIVING!

A couple weeks ago we did family pictures which are always an event but turned out pretty fun.

Summer Time

I can't believe Summer is over! I started my job at Wasatch in May so I worked a lot during the first part of the Summer but when August rolled around I pretty much took off and played.

The family went to Flaming Gorge for a week which was tons of fun--the weather was perfect and the water was glass. Grandma and Grandpa Mason came for the first 2 days and I am so sad to have missed seeing Grandpa rockin it out there in the tubes!

The only downfall was I got super sick and spent a good deal of the time dragging my sleeping bag around from shady spot to shady spot. But I still managed to get plenty of good water time in.

After recovering from Flaming Gorge the entire clan headed down to California. We crammed in so many fun things: Disneyland, the beach, the boys went to an Angels-Yankees game, shopping, eating, Mini-Sea World, games, and plenty of watching Olympics at night. It was so fun to all be together and especially watching Katie's kids have so much fun.

Princess Parties

So I have the cutest client named Amy Watts who just started a business doing princess birthday parties for little girls. I love this girl to death and hoped her business would do well, but I have been THRILLED with the response she is getting!

I just thought I'd put a plug in for her for all you moms out there--she can come as Cinderella, Belle or Ariel and she is SO convincing--the last party she did I think the adults were all convinced it was the real princess!

Her blog is http://www.enchantedprincessparties.blogspot.com/ --check it out!

Tagged. Again.

OK Top ten books (in no particular order):

Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns. This is the cutest book about a little boy growing up in a small town, complete with getting run over by a train and living to tell the tale.



To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. I like how this book addresses racism in a fairly upbeat way. I haven't read it for a while and it's probably about time to pull it out again.



Lord of the Flies by William Golding. I didn't necessarily love the story but I love literary masterpiece that this book is--something the Twilights or Harry Potters won't ever be. One time my dad told me that was like enjoying a painting done out of dog poop...still not sure what that means.



These Is My Words by Kathleen Turner. Written in the form of a diary by a girl in a wagon train--it makes me so happy for every little thing that goes right and so sad for all the many hardships they faced.

Christy by Katherine Marshall. This is the true story of a 20 year-old girl who leaves everything she knows behind to be a teacher in a strange new land full of interesting food, bad smells, and people who have never seen an outsider before. Sound familiar to you? The funny thing is I read and fell in love with this book long before I went to China.

The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan, as well any of her other books. She has such a charming way of painting the Chinese lifestyle with its good characteristics as well as the bad, and it makes me feel like I am there again. I wonder if I'll ever stop reading about China, hearing about China, seeing pictures of China, and just plain missing China.

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale. Most of the books on this list range from somber and thought provoking to downright depressing, so this was a fun fairytale to mix it up a bit, and I was so sad when it ended.

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. Talk about thought provoking--this book made me so grateful for where I live and the life I have. I kept thinking it was set way back in time and whenever I realized it is set in the present day it made me sad all over again. It definitely made me realize I need to appreciate what I have.

The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. The first time I read it I just thought this book was odd but have re-read it a few times now and love it. I love the idea that each life is entwined in those around us in ways we are not even aware of and that one day it will all be explained.

Cry, The Beloved Country by Alan Paton. There is so much good advice about love and patience and endurance in this book. It deals with the suffering brought into our lives by other people's decisions and that only through love can it be overcome.

Fanny's Dream by Caralyn and Mark Buehner. I know this is my 11th book but it is a children's book so technically in a whole seperate category...I love this story of a girl growing up and discovering that the fairytale she had always imagined for herself wasn't the best option for her in real life--I wish I could give a copy to every teenage girl!

I'm tagging Kristen and Mindi.

I've Been Tagged...

Kristen tagged me, so here goes.

3 Joys:
***Diet Coke. Hands down. I used to mock people who were so addicted to their beverage, but seriously it brings a smile to my face every time.
***Sleeping in. I wish I could do it more often and I'm lazy enough that I would every day if work would allow it. What can I say--I'm a night owl at heart.
***Sewing. I know its nerdy but I just made a quilt and it was SO fun. I haven't made one in years and I had forgotten how addicting it is! And not only was it fun but now I have a perfect, made-to-order blanket. :)

3 Fears:
***Cats. I know its irrational, but I am terrified of them.
***Pregnancy. Kudos to all you moms out there--the thoughts of having something else controlling my body is almost more than I can handle.
***I don't know, natural disasters? I hate seeing footage on the news after earthquakes and tornadoes and such--it always makes me cry. After this latest earthquake in China I was about to jump on a plane and head over there...who knows what I would have done once I was there...

3 Goals:
***Finding a place to live by myself. I've lived with roommates for almost 5 years and I've decided it's time to be on my own. I have had so much fun over the past few years but lately I've been getting the itch that it would be nice to have a little more space (this tiny bedroom is killing me!) and be a little more independant.
***Growing my hair out. I haven't had long hair since I was 14, and everytime I get close I get frustrated and cut it off. I'm convinced this time it's gonna happen.
***Being more clean and organized. I'm hoping goal #1 will help with this--there just is no room for things so they end up on my bedroom floor or thrown over my desk chair.

3 Current Obsessions:
***Boot Camp. I started it this month at the gym and it is amazing. It kicks my butt and I'm always sick after, but I feel so good! I'm contemplating doing it again next month, but it's at 6:30 a.m., which gets in the way of sleeping in...
***Looking for apartments. Someone refered to me as an apartment lurker--its true! I find 'for rent' signs everywhere and I've talked to what seems like every landlord in the valley, but just you wait--I'll find that perfect place!
***Reading all the books I have stacked on my shelf but haven't had time to. This one is gonna take a while.

3 Random Facts:
***I have a pair of gym shoes that ONLY are worn indoors. I'm pretty anal about it--I don't even walk from my car to the gym--I wear a different pair and change. I found this amazing pair of aerobic shoes and they always seem to wear out so quickly that I was trying to save them some extra wear-and-tear, but then they stayed so white and clean and by then it was habit...
***I HATE packing for vacations. It seriously stresses me out and I end up taking 4 times as much stuff as I really need and don't use most of it. I'm staring right now at the full bag of clothes I didn't wear but have to unpack from my last trip.
***When it comes to renting movies or choosing restaurants, I'd rather go with something I've seen/eaten before that I know is good than risk getting something disappointing. Not very adventurous, I know.

I'm tagging Amie, Melani, and Lindi.

Watch out...I'm on the road

So last night I reached a conclusion after nearly 10 years of being on the road: I am a bad driver.
I've never really thought of it before, but we've all been in the car before with someone who isn't a good driver, and it's one of those things that you'll never know if you're good or bad at (which I also wonder if I'm good at washing people's hair since some girls are NOT, but that's a whole other post). My driving record isn't too horrible--something like 2 speeding tickets and one accident, but in the past 6 months I have been pulled over three times, 2 of which have been for driving drunk. DRUNK? Let me state for the record, here and now, that I have never driven drunk, or done anything drunk for that matter. I apparently just can't drive in a straight line.
Let me also state, for the record, that I have contemplated whether or not this situation is "blog worthy." Why, might you ask, wouldn't it be? Multiple reasons: a) i'm still somewhat embarrassed that I even HAVE a blog and think anyone out there really cares that much about my little anecdotes. b) i would hate to have a future employer google me and find a post about drunk driving. and c) I don't want to fall victim to posting extremely embarrassing/personal stories for all of cyberspace to enjoy.
With that said, I'll continue. Last night I'm driving home at 12:45 am, when just as I pull onto my street I see the rather festive flashing red and blue lights in my rearview mirror. I KNEW I hadn't been speeding, and my registration didn't expire till the end of the month, so needless to say I was at a complete loss. This is what went down:

No greeting, just shines the 4,000 watt flashlight in my eyes
Officer: License please.
Me: Sure, but can I ask why you're stopping me?
Officer: Your tire crossed the yellow line at least half a dozen times, and this is the time of the night when people are leaving the bar.
Officer inhales deeply through his nose
Officer: It doesn't smell like you've had anything to drink...?
Me: Nope, never have.
Officer: sighs audibly, obviously disappointed.
Officer: Why weren't you driving straight?
I ponder for a while, trying to determing what response he is looking for
Me: I was just jammin out.
Officer: sighs again, since I am such a disappointing specimem
Well, head home. And please drive more carefully.

WHAT?!?!? I have decided there is quite possibly some odd pheremone I emit that attracts officers of the law within a 40 mile radius, at which point any excuse to pull me over will do. After which, they inevitably tell me to "Go home," a concept I truly do not understand because I was under the impression I could go wherever I wanted, regardless of what time it is.

So watch out--I may be on the road late at night, and my tire just might touch the yellow line. But don't worry--I'm not drunk, just a bad driver.

Wistful Wednesdays

Tonight Katie's family and Elise came over for dinner and swimming--tons of fun! The kids are so much fun and it gives us a good excuse to actually swim rather than just to lay out sweating in a chaise lounge!






















I was looking back over some pictures and realized I needed to put some of the FUN times I've had on here:





















Jackson's preschool graduation

















Chris, Jess and I attempting to take a Sunday nap...























Jammin















And, as always, trying to find a husband. OK not really but I got a good laugh out of this picture.

New Job

So about a month ago I started a new job in the Accounts Payable department at Wasatch Property Management. My first day at work I got all dressed up in one of my brand new "professional" outfits, got there nice and early, and headed in. The building is incredible--huge tall ceilings and way tall doors, chrome hardware and shiny tile floors. The breakroom was complete with a 40" flat panel TV and a diet coke fountain...I really don't think I'm grownup enough to be in a place like this but the free beverages will be appreciated!
I wanted to take a picture of my very first cubicle, but when I showed up on my first day, they didn't have one for me yet so they stuck me in the conference room. This ended up being WAY nice since the building is FREEZING cold and I had my very own thermostat.
This week I got to work and its official: my cubicle was ready for me! I'll get pictures up here one day...

After being there a few weeks, these are the things I've learned:
* My co-workers spend the majority of their time at the office standing around the filing cabinets gossiping
* When the guys come to clean the windows, all work stops while we watch them dangle from the roof (we are on the 4th floor)
* My supervisor not only is not a college grad, but loves her back corner cubicle because she can watch Lost online all day while she attempts to enter invoices
* If someone has supposedly faxed something to you once and you didn't get it for some reason, it is like getting blood out of a turnip to get them to fax it again
* There is only 1 single guy who works for the company and he's a loser
* The bathrooms are quite possibly the nicest thing I have ever seen
* After getting me so excited about the coke fountain in the break room they suddenly switched it to Pepsi, which is simply NOT ACCEPTABLE (I now have to keep a personal stash of coke in my cupboards)
* My ex-boyfriend's bro-in-law is my boss and is thoughtful enough to keep me updated on all the happenings in his life

Graduation

Graduation was so much fun--I thought it would just be another boring rite of passage, but the entire day was a blast! Ellie told me to soak up all the attention I could get and Jess told me it was like being on America's Next Top Model...I hope I made both of them proud!

Everyone keeps asking what's next: I'm going to keep working part-time at Kutting Edge and have been turning in resumes for every part-time office job in the valley. I have an interview tomorrow at a place I'd love to work at so cross your fingers for me!

FINISHED!!!

At 12:14 a.m. on Wednesday, April 30, I finished my senior project!!!
I had literally spent the last 2 days sitting at my computer typing till my fingers were raw (K not quite, but I hadn't showered or seen the sunlight). I was exhausted and nasty and figured what a perfect photo moment...
I took it to my sister's for her to proofread (thanks Lise!) and then celebrated in style by picking up a berry shake at Arbys--gotta love the night life in Logan!
Graduation is Saturday--I can't believe it's here!

Car woes

So this winter I had the amazing experience of being in my very first car accident! I slid on the ice in my apartment parking lot and hit a truck, and the amount of damage is actually pretty incredible! Of course I put off fixing it forever (who wants to spend money on a new bumper when there are vacations to be going on?) but the body shop ASSURED me it was ok to drive it.
Well...as Mindi and I drove home from the airport at about 10:00 Sunday night...the wind caught my hood just right and smashed it right up into my windshield.
Luckily we were able to get onto the shoulder without further incident, and my parents were right next to us at the time and could help us out. We finally made it back to Logan around 2 a.m. with a VERY bent hood and a shattered windshield.
I started back into working with the insurance and body shop the next day, and to top this whole incident off, as I drove home from the body shop I got pulled over and got a fix-it ticket for my windshield!
So last week little Donatello spent the whole week in the shop, and yesterday I got him back. He looks so beautiful!

Mexico!!!

For my last Spring Break at USU I went with my roommies on a cruise to Cabo, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta. Talk about paradise!!! We had so much fun!