Merry Christmas

Tis the season to be jolly, holly and merry.
I just want to wish everyone out there a Very Merry Christmas and a wonderful, fun-filled New Year. I hope that everyone finds the spirit this holiday season. May we all remember our Saviour through this holiday and the coming new year. I am thankful to have Him in my life to guide me and support me through this hectic and sometimes unforgiving world. I am blessed to be a child of God and forever grateful to have Him walk beside me.
Merry Christmas.

December

This is the BEST month ever!! First, its birthday month for my family, we will be eating cake for the next two weeks, second, Christmas (Christmas should be listed first, but I am listing in chronological order), third its the ending of the year. I love endings and new beginnings. This year has had a lot of ups and downs for me. I feel that I have grown a lot as a person this year, and look forward to what next year brings.
This year my nephew turned 13. He is such a flirt!! I went to a chior program of his, and he flirted with THREE different girls!! Oy! haha!! I have already told him, and I think I will remind him, always always respect women. Though, I think he does a fine job of it already :) He really is a good kid.
My oldest brother Scott, turned 37!! My goodness. I am not ready to deal with siblings going into their 40's! How crazy is that??
I am really hoping it snows on my birthday, and on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and the day after as well. There is nothing better than a white Christmas. Well if we want to dig deep, then of course there are better, things, peace on earth, medical care for the poor, more jobs, less bailouts, etc. But I want to keep this post light-hearted. I will save the heavy stuff for later.
God Bless.

Middle of the Month Already??

My how time does fly when the leaves start to fall. I love this time of year. I already went over that in my last blog entry, haha!!
The other day a friend of mine, Marie, (one of the ladies I am going to annoy with my blog) and I went to Squatters for lunch. It was a lot of fun. She is brilliant, and I wish I had a 1/4 of her knowledge. I had never been to Squatters before, it is downtown, in a fun location. I ordered Sweet Potato Fries. Oh my goodness, they were the best things ever!! I urge everyone to try them. Afterwards we went shopping at Gateway mall. I haven't been there for awhile. Its a fun mall to hang out at.
I also wanted to give a little shout out to Tonya, tomorrow (Nov 19th) is her birthday. Her and I have been friends since we were knee high to a grasshopper. In other words for so long, we stopped counting, haha!! I also want to point out that Tonya is OLDER than me. She is turning 32 tomorrow. She is almost THREE weeks older than me. She is really really old. haha!! Happy Birthday! :)

November has arrived!!

Today is November 1st. I am excited for the holidays this year. I already want to play Christmas music and put up my Christmas decorations. I do this every year. I hold off as long as I can. If I put it up too early I will be sickk of it before Christmas actually gets here. I do have to say, a few friends and I went out to dinner last night (Halloween) and we got to singing some Christmas Carols. haha!! I might have instigated it. :) I do despise the stores that start pushing Christmas on us WAY too early. I think they should at least wait until November. If I have to wait, so should they.
The things I love about November and December:

holiday shopping
warm dinners
stews
Christmas lights
Nativity scenes
Christmas Carols
Santa Clause
family time
birthdays (we have a few this time of year)
leaves changing colors and falling to the ground
crisp cool air
the first snow fall
snow covered ground, untouched by footprints
snowmen
bundled up in winter clothes
extra blankets on the bed
my fluffy zipper robe
hot cocoa
dark nights
dark mornings
holiday spirit
Toys for Tots program
Christmas trees
scarfs and mittens
downtown decorated for the holidays
Christmas parties
the end of the year and the anticipation of a new year approaching

May all of you be filled with joy and happiness through out this holiday season. God Bless.

Tagged by Buffie-

1. Link back to the person who tagged you.
2. List the rules on your blog.
3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of your own.
4. Tag 6 more bloggers.Here are six quirky things about me:

1. I am superstitious but I try really hard to be rational and not get caught up in silly things.

2. I have routines to my daily life and I don't do well with interruptions. I like things planned out and organized. I have a chaotic mind, and its helpful when things around me are in order. I even plan my outfits for the week on Sunday to prevent any kind of disruption that could lead to total chaos (this includes what shoes and sometimes even what socks I will wear).

3. I enjoy people watching and I always think everybody is rushing off to something very important not the mundane things of every day life.

4. I will never in a million years leave the house without taking a shower or washing my hair.

5. I want to fly first class really bad just to say I did, but I am WAY to cheap to pay for it.

6. I am a hypochondriac, I have self-diagnose myself with every disease, but usually rationalize myself back to health, haha!!

Now you know that I am a little bit, if not a LOT of crazy! :) But you still love me right?? I tag everyone who reads this, except for Buffie, as she has already done this. Her 6 were GREAT! I encourage all to check out her blog. Plus, you can see the cutest little Baylee!!

Finally some photos!

I was finally able to put up some new pictures. I know they aren't very exciting, but I love nature and those are the pictures I like to share :)

I just wanted to let everyone know my cousin Sonia has her THIRD book out. Its called Epicenter. I believe you can buy it at Seagull Book and possibly Deseret Book. Her first two are Raging Sea and Perfect Shot. Her name is Sonia O'Brien, and she is brilliant. One day I am going to have to take lessons from her on how to be disciplined enough to complete a book. I am still on page 1 of mine, haha!!

Well summer is nearing an end, and this year we have a BIG election to deal with. This will be one very interesting fall/winter. I look forward to the changes being made, I pray they are going to be positive, but part of me thinks, regardless who is voted in, its going to get worse before it gets better. But with faith, determination, America will prevail, we always do!

Kids, they crack me up!

Last night my oldest neice Amber and my favorite (only) nephew Austin came over to my house to cut my dad's hair and to have dinner. After dinner, Keyara asked Amber if she could cut her hair. While Amber was cutting Keyara's hair, Keyara asked if she could get stripes in her hair. Stripes, is what Keyara calls highlights. haha!! Cute huh? While Amber was doing this, Austin was sitting on our trampoline with a neighbor girl Hannah, who is 8. I walked out there and asked what they were talking about, this is the conversation:

Jen: What are you guys talking about?
Austin: The toothfairy
Hannah: I lost a tooth and the toothfairy gave me money
Austin: How much?
Hannah: $5
Austin: Cool! Man I only got a $1 for a tooth
Jen: I only got like 50 cents.
Hannah: My dad says the toothfairy makes castles out of the teeth.
Austin: Yah she does.
Jen: I heard that before. (not really)
Hannah: My question is, how does she get the teeth to stick together.
Austin: toothPASTE.
ha ha ha ha!! Toothpaste! haha!! That kid cracks me up.

Its fun to listen to kids talk to each other. They have such interesting minds and they say the funniest things.

Earlier Austin was telling me about a summer job he had working for our cousin. My cousin breeds and trains labrador retrievers. My nephew went out and helped place the decoy ducks and then put the ducks away. I won't go into detail like Austin did, but the job sounds miserable. It consists of icky smells, bugs etc. But Austin said "Its not the funnest job, but hey, the money was nice so I will ask to do it again." I realized this kid will do anything for a dollar. He used to have long shaggy hair, but has since cut it off. Now he wants a mohawk, I suggested a backwards mohawk. Shave down the center, leave the sides long. I told him I would give him $10 to leave it like that for a month. He didn't even hesitate, he'll do it. This won't ever happen, his mother wouldn't allow it. But it just proves my point this kid likes money, haha!!

Poor Amber on the other hand worked for free last night. She came over to cut my dad's hair and ended up cutting and striping Keyara's hair, cutting my dad's, cutting my mom's and then cutting and striping my hair. She did all this for a free dinner. If I can ever figure out what is going on with my picture program on my computer I will post pictures of the striped hair. Which I love! Amber did an awesome job!

COMPUTERS! UGH!

I like to think of myself as pretty savvy with a computer, but for the life of me, I can NOT get my pictures posted onto my blog page. I have new photos, but every time I try to pull one up, my computer locks up. Patience is not my strong point. haha!!

I went up Millcreek canyon on Sunday and took some photos of the scenic drive. What I ended up getting was about 80 pictures of butterflies. They were all over the place! Monarchs, and little yellow butterflies, and some huge gray and black butterflies (I couldn't get any pictures of them, they were too fast.) Now going back to me having patience, as stated in the first paragraph, I have none. But give me a camera, and I suddenly have enough patience to solve all of the problems in the world. And you need patience to get a picture of a butterfly. Too much movement and or noise, and they fly off. You have to pick a spot and stand there, ready to take the picture, and they will come back and pose. I think they are vain.

There is nothing better than going to the mountains during a Sunday morning (about 10-ish). The tempature is cooler than the city and its very serene. Every time I go up to the mountains to take pictures, I wish I could capture the sound and smells of the forest. Its the greatest place on earth. I know some might say its Disneyland, but in the mountains, you don't have to wait in lines, its much more quiet, no crowds to fight through and best of all its FREE!

Now I guess I will go and try to figure the computer out so I can post pictures for my next entry. If there isn't a NEXT entry, its because the computer won.

my ramblings

I am back! Vegas was a blast. Katie and I had TONS of fun. We had our palms read by a nice lady who . . . . has absolutely no insight. She predicted about the same future for Katie and I. It was still fun. And it was super cheap. We went shopping and hung out in the hotel. We walked around both the strip and the old downtown Vegas (which is also where we stayed). But here we are, the last week of July. Can you believe it?? Where did the summer go? We had a late start. Here it is the end of July and at my work, in our pond, we are still getting baby ducks. Which by the way are the CUTEST!! I thoroughly enjoy watching them swim around the pond in their little groups. Also, we have had flowers in bloom for a good chunk of our summer, due to the late spring. My neice Keyara started school today, 5th grade already!! Last year she tried out to be a news reporter for the school news broadcast. She received a letter a few days ago saying they chose her! I haven't had a chance to ask her how it went, but this morning, as she was getting ready in her new school outfit, I told her good luck. She grinned from ear to ear and said thanks. I love that she tries out for different things. One year she won a medal for her art work. I hope she never stops being brave and outgoing. She can be shy, but with a little encouragement, she can be a real go-getter. I love being an aunt. I think my neices and nephew are awesome. Today I heard that my nephew Austin did a pretty cool thing. My cousin Darrell, trains and breeds labradors. A few years ago he gave Austin two hunting guns, and told him "One day I will call on you to pay me back for those." Well the time came. He took Austin for a week of two to help him run the dogs. When the time came to an end Darrell gave Austin some money (a nice chunk of change for an adult, but even better for a young kid!) and Austin turned around and gave it back and said "I am working for the guns you gave me." It moved me. He could have just kept it, and thought, heck I earned this and the guns. Thats my nephew!! He is a good kid with a huge heart! Darrell told him to hold onto the money to see how it feels to have that much. I didn't hear whether or not he got to keep it at the end of the day. Its fun having watched each kid grow and develop their own personalities. When they are little you try to decide what they will be like as they get older, its impossible. Each kid makes their own path and decision on how they will form their future. Another great aspect of being an aunt, is the kids have come to me to tell me things that they may not have told their parents. I am the friend, the cool aunt. I always keep a level-head and try to give good advice, being cool doesn't mean I have to tell them what they want to hear. I like having that relationship with them. They are wonderful and brilliant kids. And I am grateful that I have them. Soon all of them but my oldest will be back in school. Austin goes into Jr High, Curlynn goes into high-school and Aubrey is in her second year of high-school. Amber is a dental assistant, thinking about going to dental school, planning to get married next summer and saving for a place of her own. Last but not least, one of the nice things about being an aunt, when they are brats I can send them home to their parents. haha!! However, they have never been brats, they are perfect just like their Aunt Jen. :) P.S. I have to get permission to put photos of them on the net. If you want pics, for now I will send them to your personal emails.

Going to Vegas!

Next week I and my cousin Katie are heading to Vegas!! We have been planning this little trip for a while now and we ARE SO EXCITED!! I need a vacation, I have been working way too much- nights & weekends!! Pity me PLEASE!! haha!! :)

I haven't been to Viva Las Vegas for quite a few years. The last time I was there, I was on my way to San Diego with my friend Liz. We basically drove through the city, only made one stop. It was around 3:AM, and we were back on the road by 4:AM.

I have never been to the M&M factory nor the Coke-a-Cola factory. Katie and I will definitely be going to those two places.

I like Vegas, I like the craziness of it, I also like knowing I don't live there and I have a nice clean safe place to call home. I am looking forward to hanging out in the hotel and NOT thinking about work. I love the feeling of being on vacation. The stress of everyday life just rolls right off of my back. Its amazing how stressful life is, these are a few of mine, I am sure you an relate:

My job
bills
gasoline (price)
money (never enough)
weight
hair
maintenance of the car
making enough time for family and friends and myself
try to pleasing too many people
living situation
being single
currently stressed that I will never know what its like to have a sweet baby call me mom
chores
finding God and maintaining a relationship with Him
staying positive for myself and the people around me
upholding standards and values
being a good role model
showing compassion
community service (when will I fit that in, and where to start?)
saving up for retirement
my health
my friends health
my familys health
my friends happiness
my family's happiness
accomplishing my dreams
writing a book

I am getting a headache from thinking about it all. Its amazing what we have to accomplish on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. We are resilient people and things always work out, it may not be how we pictured it, but it does or will, give it time.
This is how I cope, by telling myself things work out. I have tried unsuccessfully at dating, weight loss, pleasing everyone, community service, and maintaining a relationship with God. Each of these I will re-try again and again until I get it right. Or at least feel that I have done all that I can.
Sometimes not succeeding doesn't mean failure, it means find a different path. I have signed off on the internet dating sites, I will find a new way to find a man. I believe God helps those who help themselves. I didn't fail, I am just not trying the right way.

I love the quote, life isn't the party we had hoped for, but we might as well dance while we're here. I try to take a moment every day and be thankful for something. When things are getting me down, I find a reason to be happy not miserable. Misery likes company, but company doesn't like misery.

Things that I am grateful for:
God loves me even if I am not a good bible student
I have a place to call home
my kitten greets me when I walk in the door, she in her own way calls me mom (no I am not crazy cat lady)
I have a fun filled loving family
my friends are awesome
I have my health
my family has their health (excluding sanity)
my friends have their health
I am an educated woman living in a country that allows me all the same rights as a man
my car is running and cute!
I can walk to any faucet around me and clean water will come out
tomorrow is a new day and a new start
the sun is shining, the birds are singing its a beautiful day

Well I hope you are all inspired to find the wonderful things in your life. Take a moment to appreciate them before the stress of life comes back and smacks you in the face. :)

Well my lunch hour is over and I must get back to work.

Happy 4th of July!

I love the 4th of July!! I love America! And I love my freedom. What a great country we live in. I can write about whatever I want, and I don't fear political persecution. In this great country of ours, we can worship how we please, dress how we want, say what we want and live how we please (within reason, do no harm).
I love the history of our country, and thrive to learn more. I bought a book about four months ago about the building of the railroads. Its not a pretty part of our history, but its our history and I should know about it. I also bought a book about pioneer women about a year ago that I need to read.
We live in a beautiful country, with beautiful people. I love the diversity of the people, from the hoity toity to the rednecks. The intellectuals to the fluff heads from sea to shining sea.
God Bless America!!
Do any of you have traditions for the holiday? My family gets together and has a bbq then we sit around talking about silly things, laughing, having a good time until its time to light fireworks, then we go to the front yard, grab a chair and watch the show.
This doesn't have much to do with the holiday, but its fun news, so I thought I would share. I got a tattoo!! I have wanted one since I was about 4 or 5 years old.
My Uncle Terry passed away about 25 years ago or so, and when I was little we would go and visit him. He was a skinny guy with tattoo's, he looked intimidating, but he was the sweetest guy. I loved to sit on his lap, he always treated me like I was the most important person in the room. I remember telling myself, when I get older I want a tattoo. Well I am older, and after all of these years I finally forked out the money and got my tattoo. I got three flowers, one is my dad's birth month flower, the second is my mom's birth month flower, and the third is my Uncle Terry's birth month flower. I had decided to get flowers, and thought I may as well get flowers that mean something. I planned on getting my parents birth month flowers, but I liked the idea of 3 flowers in lieu of 2. So to pay homage to my uncle, I used his birth flower, which happens to be the same as my mom's. I am VERY happy with my decision. It hurt, but it was totally worth it. :) On my 30th birthday I made a list of things that I wanted to accomplish, NYC was one (have I mentioned I have been to NYC? haha!) and a tattoo was another. I need to find the list and start working on it again. I know write a book was on there, so maybe I should stop playing on the computer and go write one. :)

Another Entry, so soon??

I guess its been a while since I wrote anything here. I know you have all missed me terribly!! You are probably wondering what I will write about next? Well, that has been the same question on my mind too! haha!! Work is killing me, slowly and painfully, haha!! We are going paperless, trying to save the earth by using less paper. I love the idea, however, learning how to do your job all over again isn't exactly my idea of fun. Needless to say, by the end of the day I am mentally exhausted.
Nothing exciting is going on at the current moment. I went out with a guy a few times, but he wasn't 'The One'. I knew pretty much from the first date, but like a good girl, I gave him a 2nd chance. But, there wasn't anything there. I am taking a break from dating for awhile. Now if some hot guy asks me out, I am certainly going to say yes, but I am not out looking.
I am hoping to go to Vegas next month, yay!! Its my mini-vacation for this year. I need a break (see paragraph 1).
I heard a certain somebody on tv (I won't say who, because I won't admit to watching this person's tv show, and I only happened across the channel as this person said this comment) the person said "this is the year I bring common sense back." haha!! I love it!! So I wrote in my quote journal (in case your wondering I keep a journal of great quotes that I hear): This is the year Common Sense makes a come back.
I love common sense, it makes me feel warm and fuzzy. If your ever unsure about something, common sense will give you the answer. And if common sense isn't coming to the rescue, then you really up the creek without a paddle. :)
As I wrote down that quote, I thought of my favorite that I like to say to my neices now that they are in their teens: Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.
I am actually writing this at work on my lunch break. Which is over in three . . two . . one . .

Memorial Day Weekend!

Believe it or not, Memorial Day Weekend wasn't started so mattress companies and shopping centers could have CRAZY CRAZY sales. I don't know why retailers think they should commercialize a holiday that was started to honor our fallen soldiers.

I looked up the facts of the holiday, why not learn something while your here:

Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day. It was called this because it was a time set aside to honor the Civil War soldiers by decorating their graves. It was first observed on May 30th, 1868. After Word War I, observances also began to honor those who had died in all of America's wars. In 1971, congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday, and made it the last Monday in May.

I admire those that have gone off to war to protect our freedom, or help others to gain freedom. I may not always agree with the President, but I will always support the men and women that serve our country. I admire their courage and strength and pray that those that have been sent away in the current war, return safely and soon.

Let's have a moment of silence for all those that never returned home.

I've been tagged, TWICE!

First tag:
7 Random Things About Me -
Here are the rules:
1. Post these rules (I like this rule, haha!)
2. Post 7 weird or random things about yourself on your blog
3. Then tag 7 people

1. If I could be a recluse I probably would be. I love being at home, tucked away, or in the mountains. Pretty much anywhere solitary. (Don't worry I very much enjoy hanging out with friends and family more than solitude).
2. I want to see every 50 state
3. I am neurotic about my bathroom. Everything has a place and I insist that it stays that way.
4. I don't like celery. It tastes funny to me, and it has NO nutritional value, that I know of.
5. Ticking noises bother me. I am OVERLY observant to things going on around me sometimes.
6. I love buying purses. I don't have to stress about my butt looking to big, haha!!
7. I wish that everyone in the world was happy, and healthy. I hate to pray for just my family and friends, I feel guilty and stress that I should pray for everyone, because we are ALL God's children and my love should extend beyond the people I know.

Second tag:
5 x 5
five five five five five
1. 5 places I go over and over
1. Shopko
2. Walmart
3. Petsmart
4. Albertsons
5. Work, haha!!

2. 5 people who email me
1. Chelsea
2. Linda
3. Heather
4. Sharon
5. Buffie

3. 5 favorite places to eat
1. Morelia's
2. Jasmines
3. Wendy's
4. Wingers
5. Barbacoa

4. 5 places I would rather be
1. Florida
2. Arkansas
3. NYC
4. In the mountains
5. I would say home, but I am here now, but if I wasn't at home I would say home. So that is my answer, home.

5. 5 favorite tv shows
1. Stephen Colbert Report
2. How I Met Your Mother
3. American Gladiators
4. Any sort of Social Study Documentaries
5. Ghost Whisperer

There, if you haven't already filled either out, consider yourself tagged.

On a side note, I would like to let all that read my blog know, that I truly love Stephen Colbert, and I hope that you all take the time to get to know him, and learn to love him like I do.
Thanks!

The Dating Scene

Well as you may know, I have been on the search for "The One" since I was, about 6 years old. I used to dream of getting married and having babies. I wanted five kids. I know! I am shocked too! :)
Dating has changed some since I was in high-school. Back in the day, you knew the person from school, the mall, church etc. The older I got, you met someone through a friend. Married people love to set up single people. I am not opposed to this either. My parents met on a blind date, and they have been together since the early 1970's. I have been set up on a few blind dates, and though they didn't work out, they are kind of fun. Now you pretty much have to log onto the computer to find your mate.
There was a movie I saw as a kid called 'Weird Science', where two high-school geeks used their computer, a picture of a pin-up and I believe a barbie doll to create the perfect woman. It worked, she was beautiful. The other boys wanted her, the girls all hated her. The moral of the story, was, you can't create your mate. The boys each found a geeky girl, and the hot chick wandered off at the end of the movie.
Internet dating reminds me of this movie. There are a MILLION websites out there, where you can 'create' your soul-mate.
First, finding the right website. There are websites that are lifestyle specific, geek dating, mormon, catholic, witch, marriage minded people, cowboy and cowgirl, 40's and older dating, big and beatiful, black dating, asian dating, and the list just goes on.
Then there are the more general dating sites, after taking a personality questionnairre your 29 dimensions will match you with your soul-mate, or Dr. Phil can help you on another website, there is true dating (which is a free-for all ((intimitate encounters, he, she and I dating))**. Some websites charge, some are free.
Once you pick your website, you fill out your profile. It usually gives you a paragraph to describe you and your likes and dislikes, what your looking for etc. You fill out your stats, hair color, eye color, body dimensions, smoking or non-smoking, where you live (general location, not exact). Now comes the part where you get to say who your looking for. You can get really detailed. You can pick his race; religion; smoking and drinking habits (how much, if at all); height; weight; income; job description; location; personality type; likes and dislikes; astrological sign; who he lives with; how many children or none; if he is single (should be); divorced; widowed; or my favorite, separated. Wait, does it really ask if separated is ok?? Yes it does. Because I would love to date a guy that is legally bound to another woman.
Now if you get too specific your search will be limited. So if you go out there looking, don't get too happy checking the boxes trying to find single male, 34 years old, blonde hair, blue eyes, fit, leo, doctor, $250,000 income, non-smoking, non-drinking, christian, 2 children, living alone, drives mercedes and likes to clean house, and cook dinner. He isn't out there. He just isn't.
Now once you do find someone who is compatible with your "requirements" and you meet his, you will set up to meet. There are a million ways to go about the first meeting. Usually, lunch or dinner at a restaurant. I get concerned when a guy suggests we meet for coffee. Which says to me, committment is a struggle. He is unwilling to sit through a meal if you end up not meeting his expectations. Or he is cheap. Either way, I am old-fashioned and like to be taken out on a real date.
This is my logic behind dating. I believe a guy should pay for the first date, as well as plan it. After the first date, both parties need to make the effort. I just put the first date on the guy because, marriage tends to fall on the woman. Now some of you married people may think, Oh Jen, what do you know? Well I know married people, and 99% of the married couples, the woman takes care of the house, kids, yard, laundry, grocery shopping, dr. appt's, paying bills, cooking dinner, buying clothes for the family etc. I am not saying husbands don't do anything, they have their roles. To make us happy. Alright, this is sounding a little one sided. Marriage is a partnership yada yada yada. The point is, I feel men should take the lead when dating. I am not asking for anything to difficult here.
I am old-fashioned, and I have had to learn to adjust to the "modern" times. Dating rules aren't anything like they used to be. Now its all over the place. Who pays? Coffee, lunch, dinner, hang gliding? A lot of guys write they are looking for friends. Really? Your on a DATING website looking for friends? Apparently these guys only want female friends. Interesting. There is actually websites if your looking for strictly friends, try those websites. I realize the idea of a guy bringing me flowers and taking me out for a night on the town are slim. More and more, its lets meet for drinks and see what happens.
I have met quite a few guys from the internet over the years. All of which were nice guys, but some just weren't quite compatible with me, or I with them. I am still searching, even though about every other month I declare "I'm done looking, I am just going to settle for spinsterhood." I used to joke that I would get married in a nursing home. I would be sitting in my wheelchair and some old guy would wheel next to me, and it would be instant love. This may be how it happens for me. I do believe that my little girl dream will come true, and I will get married. I hope that it is sooner than later. But I can't control destiny. I just try to enjoy the adventure that is life.
My parents created a fun and loving home for my brothers and I, and continue to do so. I hope to find a love that is as strong as theirs. Through good and bad they have made it, and they love each other, faults and all. They have shown me, that love exists, it isn't always going to be easy, but with communication, compassion and respect, a marriage will stay strong and last forever.

NYC

If you don't already I know I have been very fortunate to travel to NYC. This was two years ago in May and I remember it like it was yesterday. It was the BEST trip ever!! Now I don't want people to think that any of my other vacations didn't mean anything, but NYC has always been a dream for me, and it managed to meet and beat all of my expectations.
I went with Sharon (she is going to be annoyed by my blog). Her parents live in New Jersey, and they were kind enough to let us stay there with them.
When we arrived in NYC, it was later in the evening, I can't remember for sure, but it was around ten o'clock at night or so. Her parents drove from New Jersey to Kennedy airport to pick us up. As we drove through the city, I was amazed at NY, and how fast paced the drivers were, in such a small cramped area. It was quite fun, her dad drove like a pro. Now, I LOVE to drive, and I don't get intimidated on roads easily. One year Liz and I went to California, and I was driving the freeway heading towards San Diego and the locals enter the freeway as fast as humanly possible and ALL of them merge to their far left. It was rathering shocking, but I held my own. I still have no idea why they insist upon driving like that on their freeways. But in NYC, I thought to myself, 'could I handle myself driving these roads?' Its a challenge I hope to meet some day.
Sharon had been telling me about this little shop that sells the worlds best hotdogs. So her dad stopped there and we jumped out of the car and got a hotdog to eat on the way to NJ. My first step on the sidewalks of NY, and I was completely enthralled by the sights, the smells, and the energy. By the way the hotdogs were GREAT!!
On the way to NJ her dad had said "this is the weekend where the navy men and women get a break, so they will be all over the city."
I thought YES!! Navy MEN around every corner!!
He continued to say "so be careful out there."
Yeah, two single women and a town full of navy men. I can see how he would be worried, but Sharon and I weren't haha!!
The next morning we traveled via train from NJ to NYC. It was very exciting. Yah, its a train, but as you may know, I love TRAINS and I was going into NYC!!
The train stopped at the WTC. We took an escalator up to street level. I didn't know the WTC was still a working train station. But here we were right in the middle of it.
We saw the Trinity Church, built in 1697; we took a ferry that took us past Lady Liberty; Brooklynn, Manhattan and Williamsburg Bridge; China Town; Little Italy; Central Park; Tiffany & Co; Empire State Building; Sy. Patricks Cathedral; Rockefeller Center; Time Square at night; Madison Square Garden; Grand Central Station; The Met; The Trump Towers; her parents were SO kind, they took Sharon and I out to dinner to a Belgium Cafe and then to the New York City Ballet. It was so amazing. Eveerything we saw and did, was just surreal.
One of the nights there, Sharon and I stayed in the city. We stayed in The New Yorker, Ramada. We were in the 29th floor. Oh and all the while seeing the sites, Sharon and I each carried backpacks that weighed about 130lbs (that might be a slight exageration).
We walked from one end of the city to the next. We took the subway quite a bit as well. Sharon knew the city very well. She had a great sense of direction. I didn't know which way was east, or west.
We went to a bunch of stores such as Sephora; The Virgin Mega store; the booths in China town; and Urban Outfitters.
Well it wouldn't be right of me, if I didn't have some sort of mishap. I am clumsy, always have been. Growing up my dad called me 'Grace'. He had hoped that by calling me Grace I would somehow gain some gracefullness. It never worked, haha!!
Sharon's parents, Sharon and I went to a restaurant in NJ. It was a nice place, fancier than Chili's but not as prestigious as La Caille. Lunch goes well, her mom excuses herself to go and wash her hands before we leave, her dad goes out to the car and Sharon and I wait for her mom. When we see her mom start to come back, we get up from the booth. Let me set this up, you had to take a step up to get into the booth, and the flooring is hardwood through out the restaurant. Now as I 'gracefully' step out of the booth, my foot 'gracefully' slides along the floor. I have fallen many many MANY times in my life, and its like an art for me at this point. Things slow down, and I will have an actual conversation with myself as I am in the midst of falling. The conversation usually goes like this:
I'm falling
Crap!
How can I catch myself?
Its not going to happen. Just go down.
Fall GRACEFULLY!
So as I am falling and having this conversation with myself, I can see Sharon's mom coming towards me with her arms out stretched to help. But it was too late, I was down, oh, and by down, I mean completely Flat on my back! I sat up quickly, and got to my feet as fast as possible. I immediatly busted up laughing, especially when I looked around the restaurant, and noticed I was the center of attention. I always wanted to be the girl that could walk into a room and turn heads, THIS ISN'T WHAT I MEANT! However the fall was graceful, it was one fluid motion, of me sliding right down onto the floor. Sharon had been sitting next to me in the booth, next to the wall. She said later that she looked over as I was getting out, turned away, and the next thing she knew I was there on the floor. She couldn't help but laugh. I would have too, if the roles were reversed.
Sharon is a super fun person to travel with. We both enjoyed the same sites, walking along the NYC streets, shopping, resting, and then more sight seeing. We saw it all, and we loved every second of the trip.
I love how the city amongst all of the changes, still manages to stay the same. It was really neat to be in a city that was SO old, and held so much history. The people that have walked those streets, the diversity that exists there. My ancestors passed through those streets. It is the greatest place on earth. I LOVE NYC!
I certainly can't end this blog without mention of NJ. Its a great place. Very pretty and very green. It has quaint little shops. The town Sharon and her parents live in, is very beautiful. Tons of open space, walking paths near babbling brooks within five minutes of their home. There are even invisible deer there. Only the locals see them. Sharon had told me about the deer, and how they laze about on her front lawn. I couldn't wait to see them. But I didn't have the ability to see them. I kept asking her if she could "see them now?"*
It was quite the contrast to leave the quiet suburbs of NJ and enter the bustling streets of NYC.
It was a dream come true. I am SO grateful to be able to mark that off my 'life to do list'.
Thanks Sharon for taking the trip with me!!
*Per sharon, her mom said the "deer" showed up on their lawn after we left. Sure. :)

I stole this idea from my cousin Heather

My cousin Heather has a blog page, and she wrote a list of 50 Things She Knows. It was really kind of a fun list to read through, and I liked it so much that I decided to write a list of 50 Things that I know. I encourage all of you to do the same.

1. I know God exists, and I pray every night to Him.
2. I know I am a control freak
3. Fear of failure holds me back
4. My mom is the BEST mom
5. Pets make good company
6. I am an eternal optimist. (yes as cynical as I am, I truely believe things will turn out ok).
7. I know I can't sing, can't carry a tune, not one single note, haha!
8. I know you can't lick your elbow
9. I know I want to be a wife
10. I know how to change a tire
11. I hold onto my friends, some long after they aren't my friends anymore
12. I know diversity is beautiful
13. I am not a conformist, I only pretend to be one.
14. I LOVE to laugh
15. Scary movies are fun to watch with friends
16. I have a fairly good sense of direction in the mountains
17. I know I will always live in Utah
18. I know how to change a doorknob
19. I know how to grout a shower
20. I know I am not always right
21. I know humility is a lesson that usually hurts, but everyone should be humbled by someone or something.
22. I remember useless information
23. I love post it notes (my list was originally written on several haha!)
24. I know the only time I have patience is when I have a camera in my hand.
25. I know I am not ugly, I just have a misunderstood beauty.
26. I want to grow old
27. I love to hear babies giggle
28. I use humor to help myself deal with awkward moments in life.
29. I love my neices and nephews to the moon and back and always will
30. I know the tabloids aren't true, but I love to read them at the checkstands.
31. I hate being invisible
32. I don't believe in regrets
33. I love trains
34. I know happiness is a state of mind you need to place yourself in rather than search out
35. I hate nail biting, its awful.
36. I love the mountains
37. I hate to shop if I can't buy something
38. I hate spiders
39. I know I have an addictive/obsessive personality and I have to keep it in check.
40. I know I will write a novel and/or a screenplay
41. I love falling asleep with the tv on, only on the weekends
42. I know if you get stranded in the mountains, the first thing you should do is build a shelter before night falls.
43. I know that dating in my 30's is miserable, haha!!
44. I know moss grows on the north side
45. I love to learn new things
46. I know I need to find more confidence in myself
47. I know that I have a love for the movies that will never die
48. I know that my family is awesome
49. Traveling once a year or more keeps me sane
50. I know that things aren't always as they appear and its best to try to understand rather than judge.

Stephen Colbert for President!!

I LOVE STEPHEN COLBERT!! I can't say it enough. He is handsome, smart and wickedly funny. I read his book 'I am America, and so can you.' Its the best book. It could be considered insulting, but if your insulted, then you just don't get truthiness. :) He is a comedic genius and everyone should love him as much as I do.
He has segments on some of his shows, called Threat Down. He lists things that are of threat. Kind of self-explanatory. One of his major threat downs, are bears. He is terrified of them. I can see how he would be scared.
A while ago I had the pleasure of visiting Bear World with Sharon and Marie (two awesome friends, that will be annoyed by my blog page). We were a little hesitant to drive into the bear enclosure but we read the rules to ensure our safety. No honking, was one of the rules, UNLESS you are being attacked. Hmmm.... and how often does that happen?? It didn't say on the rules. Well we ventured into the bear enclosure, and sure enough, saw some bears. Big massive bears, but they weren't interested in us, in the little blue honda, no they were inthralled by the curator truck full of tourists. Bears love tourists, especially when they are served by the meals on wheels program. We made our way through the winding path, watching the bears lumber around, in their man made habitat. If your wondering it was nice place to live. Guarunteed meals, water to play in, and tourists around every corner.
They have a petting zoo, which consisted of a pig, a fawn, some billy goats, and some chickens. They have cubs also, not in the petting zoo, but nearby. They are cute. Very animated. They also have kiddie rides where you can ride a creepy clown coaster, or a ride similar to the magic carpet ride at lagoon, but smaller and it was painted like a tree with alien grapes. I don't get it, but I don't think kids care so much, as long as the ride is fun. After we were filled with glee of having survived the bear enclosure in the honda, and having eaten bear fries, while watching baby cubs frolick in the pen, we decided to ride the curator truck and feed the bears. This of course once we realized they aren't serving tourists to the bears.
So we climbed into the back of the curator truck and headed on down to the bear enclosure. Oh, first, the food they serve the bears was mini powdered donuts, bagels of different kinds, bread and the coveted twinkie. What a diet! haha!! So the driver took us to a particular spot in the bear enclosure, and we got to throw the food to the bears, who clapped for more. It was cute. But the reality is, these are man eating creatures, and they are massive. Their paws are HUGE!! But even still, seeing a bear clap for a donut gave me a slight sense of false security. They really are precious. The food was gone, the tour was done. So my friends and I decided to take the little honda through the bear enclosure ONE more time before we headed home. Here we go girls, their bellies are full of sugary goodness, and there is another curator truck serving another batch of sugary goodness in a few minutes. As we are driving through, one of the smaller bears (a teen) started to walk across the street, so we stopped to let him pass. But he was attracted to the beautiful blue honda, or perhaps the meal on wheels. The bear licked the car bumper, nope that wasn't the delicious smell, so he jumped onto the hood of the car, and took a peak inside, I think. I sort of panicked and closed my eyes. I had my camera, and I wish VERY much so that I took a picture, but there was a bear on the car, with a windshield protecting me. It suddenly hit me, HE HAS FOUND HIS NEXT MEAL! He turned around and sat down on the window, contemplating no doubt who to eat first, Sharon, Marie, or I. Toying with us, he turned around and climbed onto the roof of the car. I kept praying that the roof was strong enough to hold a bear. We finally remembered the rules, honk your horn if you need a ranger. However, when in this moment, the thought of honking the horn and angering the bear, makes for a tough dilemma. I believe Sharon honked the horn. Up the road a ranger comes along in his little suburu jeep mobile. Wait, he stopped about 20 yards away. WHY?? Oh goodness something bad is happening outside the car. More bears approaching? I don't know. I am too afraid to take my eyses from the jeep. The jeep finally came by, and the kid behind the wheel says, 'get off the car, c'mon.' The bear slowly climbs off the back of the car, game over I suppose. We drive on. As we exit the bear enclosure, a girl hands us a ticket to go to the photo booth. They took a picture of us with a bear on our car. That silly bear was just looking for a photo opt. Well it worked.

I have nothing to write about, but thought I would start my blog page back up. Great fun. First, I want to thank all that stop by and read my thoughts, and think "She is a nice lady." Thats really nice of you to think that of me. :) All joking aside, I am a nice lady. WHAT?? Sheesh I can't just get on here and talk about how wonderful I am? What is the point of a blog then?? :)
I am looking for the next great book. There have been several books that I have bought, and just couldn't get into. If you have a favorite book, please let me know. If the author is Donna Tart, I am not interested. Right Sharon? :) Just kidding, for the record Donna Tart is an excellent author. She can bring her characters to life. She is an amazing story teller. One of her books is The Little Friend. Everyone should read this book. If you do, please let me know your thoughts on this book.