Friday, November 28, 2008

Yes I know I'm a slacker...

Ok, so here are #22-#28. I was in another state for a few of these days, that's my excuse and I am sticking to it!

#22 - $6 Turkey - With a purchase of $25 worth of groceries Smith's was giving you a turkey for only $6!

#23 - A Lead Footed Hubby - Our plane to Seattle was scheduled to leave at 8:25 Sunday morning. We were going to wake up at 4, be out the door by 5 to be to my parent's house by 6, to be to the airport by 7. So Saturday night we packed and set the alarm. Now 4am is only a half an hour earlier than what Nathan's alarm is set for each day so I wasn't worried about it being too early. Well, Sunday morning we are woken up by the phone ringing. It's my mom. It is 6:18am. We are two hours from the airport and our flight leaves in two hours. I freak out. We hurry and fill the kitty's water & food dishes, throw the stuff in the car, put Besta in the back seat and take off. Nathan drives 95 mph through the canyon to make it to my parent's house in less than 30 minutes! We transfer the goods to my parent's rig, leave Besta at their house and take off to Salt Lake. We BARELY made our flight. As crazy (and COMPLETELY insane) as it was, I was glad Nathan didn't have any problems pushing the pedal to the metal.

#24 - Level Headed Hubby - After Nathan's audition on Monday I was bummed...I wanted to just go back to the hotel and cry myself to sleep, while eating every chocolate thing in sight. But he was very logical and said it was all out of our hands and we shouldn't let the bum deal ruin the remainder of our trip.

#25 - Window Seats - I got to sit by the window on both the flight out and back. I love watching the buildings and cars get smaller and smaller...and I love when it is overcast and then the plane rises above the clouds and you see the sun again. Beautiful. Nathan likes the isle - for the foot room. Both flights were on littler planes so we got our preferred seats on both flights.

#26 - A Mini Vay-cay - Our trip to Seattle was only 55 hours but it was so nice to get away and not have to be at work and deal with everyday stuff.   

#27 - A New Turkey Roaster - I cooked Thanksgiving at our place this year and I used a new roaster. It was awesome because it helped free up space in the oven for a ham, stuffing, pies, etc, etc. It was a tip from my mom for me cooking dinner. :) I'll have to post pics from the Martha Stewart Feast later...you'll be impressed...you will, trust me.

#28 - A Job - I am kind of ticked off that I have to work today. The phone has rang only three times since 8, and I don't envision it getting any busier. But I am thankful that at least I have a job to go to.

Friday, November 21, 2008

#21 - Lucina

#21 - Lucina. She is a friend I made in Rhode Island and she is one of my dearest friends. She is always doing sweet little things for us. Her kittens have sent our kittens packages before. And just last night I got a package from her: See's Chocolate. I can't believe she even remembered that I liked it! I haven't seen her in almost three years, and I miss her terribly. Hopefully someday soon we'll make it back to RI for a visit. Love ya Old Woman!

#20

#20 - Great In-laws - I am grateful for my inlaws.  They are always willing to help us in any way they can.  If that means trekking 2800 miles cross country or cooking dinner for us or offering us a bed to sleep in or car to drive or even helping us put up apple pie filling - they'll do it.  They have helped us many times through our marriage and quite a bit over the last 2.5 years. 

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Sharp Dressed Man

I was perusing the internet to gather usless knowledge and I saw this. I find this kind of disturbing...ok, a LOT of disturbing. In case you don't want to click, here's the Reader's Digest version: The Big Three auto company CEO's flew to Washington to ask for bailout money - and they flew in PRIVATE planes. The article estimates that the flights cost $20K EACH. I was proud of Rep. Gary Ackerman, D-New York for scolding them in the hearing.

If a bailout will help our economy, I am all for it. BUT I don't want my tax money given to these bozos so they can fund their private jet flights.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

#17-19

#17 - Hubby and Me time - When Nathan got home from work tonight, I made a quick dinner and we popped some popcorn and watched Seinfeld episodes. It has been nice to spend our evenings together since I left the restaurant a couple months back. Most of the time we spend our time doing nothing at all, and that is probably what makes it so great.

#18 - Support. Remember #12 the friends I didn't know I had? We had dinner last night. It was really great. We talked about a lot and some perspectives were shared that will help me as I deal with things going on right now. Here we are, too bad you can't see the size of that chocolate cake...I'm surprised we all didn't end up in the hospital with diabetic comas.

#19 - My Blackberry - Over the last week or so I have begun using more of the features of my phone and I have to say that I am LOVING it.

Let's Say Thanks

A family friend turned me on to this and I think it is awesome. As many of you know, I didn't (and don't) support the war in Iraq, but I support and admire those who would voluntarily leave the comfort of home and family to serve the country we love. I can't image how hard it must be, especially at this time of year.

So Xerox is doing this cool thing where you can go to this website and pick a card, and they will print it off and send it to a serviceman/woman. The best part? It is FREE. I did one and it took me all of 30 seconds. I think everyone who reads this today should go HERE and do one too.

Come on, you know you want to...

Monday, November 17, 2008

Odd

For about 3 years November 17th has been seared into my mind. I can't even really explain how it came to be, but here's my best shot. In 2006, after we lost our first baby I would think about the future and what it could hold for us and one time the date November 17th came into my mind. Since then I have not been able to shake it. I have always had a hopeful feeling about the day, so as the months would align I had thought for sure it would be a due date, then as that didn't happen I would anxiously wait the months until I thought possibly I could find out I was pregnant on the 17th.
This is the third 'November 17th' I have come up on since then, and nothing has happened as of yet. It is hard to have the date pass and have no closure as to why it means so much to me in the first place. I'm hoping that this may be my year - I know I am already 9 hours in...but that leaves 15 left for my miracle.

#15 & #16

15 - My Brothers & Their Other - We spent Saturday evening at my parent's house. We had a great dinner (well, until politics was brought up...it got rough for a bit), played games and just hung out. I will miss being able to just hang out with my fam. We are all so close in age and we get along really well.
16 - Sleeping in. The festivities of the night before kept us up late...lets just say that when we pulled in the garage Nathan's 4:30alarm had been going off for a while and judging by the dialation of the kitten's pupils - it had woken them up.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

#14

#14 - Friends. I know this is kindof a repeat...but I am trying to pick something based upon the happenings of my day.
I was talking online to one friend today...lamenting that no university in Hawaii had a photo major program...and seconds later he sends me a link to the program at U of H at Manoa. Now my choice is a little easier...a little
A group of us want to go see the new 007 movie and a friend is going to get all the tickets as we speak so we will all have spots. Plus he saved me a seat at the Veteran's Day concert on Tuesday.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

#13

#13 - Mr. Appliance. Our dryer broke about a month ago and I called a serviceman to come fix it...he has been great to work with. He found out that our washer and dryer were only just over our 2 year warrantee period and so he PERSONALLY called the company and asked them to cover the repairs unter warantee. which they DID. (The company is Fischer Paykel if you were wondering...which he insisted was THE BEST company to work with...if we ever buy any new appliances, you can be sure that they will be Fischer Paykel)

#12

#12 - Friends I didn't know I had.  Your e-mail meant a lot to me, knowing that you are concerned  meant a lot to me.  You know who you are.  Thank you.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Veteran's Day

Today is the day we recognize veterans of wars previously fought, lives lost in defense of this great nation as well as those who currently wear the uniform of freedom. As I was thinking about Veteran's Day I thought of many things I could put here to honor them. Then I got to work and learned that a co-worker of mine, Shane Armstrong, died last night. He never served in the armed services, he never defended our freedom, but I feel I need to honor him today.
When we were having troubles with the ward and with infertility, one day I just couldn't hold it in. I was sitting at my desk, a little teary and Shane happened to come by. He talked to me for about 45 minutes. Never in our conversation did he get preachy, never did he tell me to just get over it. He just listened and offered some sound advice and put his arm around my shoulder. The last month or so of his life was painful and horrible for him. I am relieved to hear of his passing, so that his suffering is over. Yet, I cannot help but feel that the world is a little emptier today, without him.

With that, my #11 thing to be grateful for is my health. I know I am not the healthiest and my body cannot keep pregnancies and my blood sugar runs amok...but I don't have cancer, and I have all four limbs, and I can see and I can hear and I can walk. And for all of that, I am grateful.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Sky Miles

Since we are going to probably be doing the Navy again...I say probably because Nathan still has to audition and the Navy has to say its ok for him to get back in...we want to get a credit card that will give us sky miles.  
My questions to you, o blogging buddies are these:

1 - Have you ever had a sky miles card?
2 - Which one? (Visa, mastercard, etc.  as well as the airline)
3 - Did you like it?
4 - Was it easy to get tickets?  (as far as blackout dates, etc.)
5 - Do you still have it, and if not would you get one again?
6 - Do you fly a lot...and do you LIKE to fly?

Thanks oh friends of blog world. :)

Thankful Month

I know it is not the first...but I saw this on Lori's blog and wanted to do it too. On Saturday after my party I was sitting around with my mom, Bryce and Shanna and we were playing this game and one of the questions was "What five words would you use to describe yourself?"  I used creative, obsessive, pessimistic, opinionated and outgoing.  I thought a lot about the pessimism and so when I saw Lori had mentioned the Thankful Month, I decided to do it too.  I figure it is always a good thing to remind yourself what you're thankful for - and it should help me with my pessimism too.  I am keeping a quick list on my sidebar to keep track of my 30 Days of Thankful...and I'll be posting mini posts from here on out explaining my picks. If you want to do it too (hey, better late than never!) go here to pick up the button, and to add your name to the list. 

So here are the snippets of my first 10 days of grateful:
  1. Great parents - the 1st is my parent's anniversary.  They are great parents who always want the best for their kids.
  2. Internet - I know I can be a bit addicted to it, but it does help me keep in touch with friends who live far away
  3. My Kittens - They love me no matter what and are there when I have a bad day, willing to snuggle.
  4. The privilege of voting - I appreciate living in a country that gives its citizens the right to vote.  I proudly did my patriotic duty on the 4th.  I wish more people would take pride in it too. 
  5. A mother in law who loves to feed us.  We go over to Nathan's parent's place once a week for Nathan to teach lessons...and his mom is always willing to feed us.  This week: turkey, mashed potatoes, carrots and bread.    mmmmmm
  6. A handy hubby - The headlight in our car is burnt out and Nathan was able to fix it for us, saving us a chunk of change. 
  7. Friends to laugh with - Nathan and I were judges in the Mr & Mrs USU Band pageant Friday night.  We laughed a LOT.  Good friends...Good times.  
  8. A mother who likes to spoil me - She bought me shoes today...three pair....and let us invade her house for a party...and let me use her washer and dryer to do my laundry (our dryer is broken)...and then let me crash on her spare bed when it was too late to drive home. 
  9. A comfy mattress - I slept on my parents Sat night...not bad, but I LOOOOUUURVE our mattress. 
  10. Chelsea - a close friend.  We unfortunately share many of the same heartaches with infertility and pregnancy loss.  Her friendship is a blessing.

Thursday, November 06, 2008

Party like it's, well...Saturday

Hey everyone.

My mommie and I are having a party on Satuday. If you want to come you are more than welcome to...bring sisters, mommies, neighbors, friends, whomever. If you need directions to my mommie's house, e-mail me and I'll get them to ya.

If you cannot come, check out the site anyway. You can order anything ahead of time and we'll ship it to you...just let me know!

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Sad

It is sad that in a great country like ours that things like this happen. It is sad that after how far we've come there are those who pull back on the reigns of progress. It is sad that someone would be in fear of losing their job because of the column in which they cast their vote.


That someone is me. I have noticed over the last months that some people in the office stopped socially talking to me...sure if they needed a report or needed something they would ask...but the chit-chat was gone. I am not stupid. I know that the reasons are politically motivated. One person said they couldn't believe I was stupid enough to vote the way I did. And I admit I have made my fair share of barbs at the other side...but to go as far as ignoring the person...THAT is something I would never do. Abby & Ryann and I disagree on politics, in fact we got into a heated discussion over 9-11...but we still read each others blogs and post comments and we are still friends. We can respectfully acknowledge someone's differing opinion.


This morning I was told, by a friend, about something that happened yesterday...and I am now afraid I could actually lose my job over this vote. I am scared to talk to anyone, scared to walk down the hall...I have noticed a VERY perceptible shift in the way I am treated...


I hope this is just a case of "we-lost-the-election" blues and they will get over it.

History was made


When I was standing at the voting booth yesterday, as I pressed my finger to the screen I felt a pulse of electricity slip down my spine. I was a part of history. Everyone that voted, regardless of their decision, was a part of history. We had record-breaking turnouts...which excites me. I hope this is just a sign of the way things will be the next election, and the next. People who take an interst in their government are a blessing to everyone who lives in that country.
I was moved to tears several times last night watching all the results roll in. When an elderly african-american woman was interviewed and she could not even speak because of her emotions, I welled with tears. When John McCain gave his concession speech, especially the following part, I welled with tears.

These are difficult times for our country. And I pledge to him tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face.
I urge all Americans ... I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next president our good will and earnest effort to find ways to come together to find the necessary compromises to bridge our differences and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better country than we inherited.
Whatever our differences, we are fellow Americans. And please believe me when I say no association has ever meant more to me than that.

During Obama's speech, I couldn't hold back my excitement. That a man from humble beginnings could rise to the most powerful office in the nation, and arguably the world, gives hope to all americans, regardless of race, or gender or social status. When he mentioned his daughters were going to get to bring a new puppy with them to the White House I laughed and smiled. The first statement in his speech was powerful:

If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.

I am proud of our country, I am excited for the next four years and I can't wait for January 20th!

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

VOTE


Ok, now in all seriousness...you NEED to vote today.

I am always surprised by people who say their vote doesn't count. I could see how you could think that...take me for example. I live in the will-always-be-red state of Utah - I am also a card carrying Democrat. My vote isn't going to swing Utah's 5 electoral votes and make them awardable to Obama...not even close. So I could say my vote doesn't count. But I don't.
One vote probably will not change the result of a presidential election - but if thousands of people don't vote - their 'one vote' will. It is also important to remember you are voting for city, county and state officials. And your one vote COULD change the results of those elections.


Also - one thing that always gives me the red ass (sorry...had to quote My Fellow Americans...it's election day!! And if you have never seen that movie - go rent it, it is HILLARIOUS) is when people don't vote and yet they will complain over the next four years when things go wrong for them and they feel elected leadership is to blame. If you don't vote - keep your mouth shut.

So get out there all of you - hope your wait in line is better than mine...it's supposed to snow today. Whoohoo!!

Saturday, November 01, 2008

How'd we do?

more later once I get some sleep...and mop the kitchen floor.