turkey day

So..I only had 3 days off for thanksgiving..more than some people, I know..but not enough time to go anywhere..as I worked Tuesday night, and am currently at work (sat night)..so my very good friend Julie invited me to go with her to Ogden to spend the time with her older sister's family. They were so welcoming, and I had a great time. We played games, watched movies, ate TONS, and generally just had a good time. There was really only one point in all of that where I was sad beyond reason, and that was when they busted out the Christmas decorations. It just bugged me that I wasn't going to be there to help mom decorate and just the general before Christmas splendor, the music..all of it. *sigh* But onward and upward, right.

Well anyway, we had big plans for black friday, and the night before made a list of things we wanted..my list was short..but ended up alot bigger than planned..hmm...maybe there is a problem there. Julie's sister was really funny about it all, she really wanted these pots/pans and knife set, and was determined that we were going to get them...she even joked (well..maybe it was a joke) that we practice running drills the night before so we would be ready. So off to bed with us at oh..11:30..with the plan to get up at 2:45 to be at Kohl's in line before 3:30..(opened at 4)..and we get there..and yes, it's raining..and the line is not so bad..until about 3:40..and the line is wrapped almost all the way around the parking lot..insanity. Finally the doors open..and I run (yes..full on run) to the kid's section to look for some pj's for my nephews..had to scrap the idea because all I could find were girls..so I just went to stand in line..so we could be out of there FAST. We made it out by about 4:10, and then down the road to wal-mart...I know..but they were having a ridiculous sale on KitchenAid stand mixers and pre-lit Christmas trees. So we get there and Ihead straight for the mixers..there are 9. Total. That's it. And how many people are waiting to pounce..at least 11. So I stand there for about 10 min (Julie staked out the trees..no worries there) and then decide that while I REALLY want the mixer, technically I can afford to pay full price, and on principal I can't really see myself taking one from someone who was rightfully there before me. So I give up and go round up lights and other various items to decorate with. On to Old Navy, where I was able to find fleece outfits for my nephews (of which there are 5..and yeah..I didn't remember that when I was there..so I ended up having to go back later that night..whatever). Then to Michael's where the lighted garland/wreath set was a shocking $10. Then..and finally..time to go home and go to bed. It was like 6:30-45. Exhausting..but not in all reality that bad..as Julie's older sister and husband went back to Kohl's and got me a KitchenAid (on sale..just not AS on sale as the wal-mart one) and other various things and spent 2 hours in line. 2 hours I spent blissfully sleeping. To be honest Friday seemed like two different days..the black friday early morning ridiculousness..and then the one later..where I watched the third Harry Potter movie (yeah, I finished the book, and no..didn't really like the movie) and went back out to brave the crowds..to watch Australia (which I highly recommend..very moving..and Hugh Jackman is beautiful). Overall it was a really fun, but exhausting day. Basically I didn't do anything else with my time there, but sleep. I was really grateful for Julie's family welcoming me and making the holiday a very good one. Hope everyone's days were wonderful and full of family, friends, and of course food.

the five..again..

So I kinda already did this..but for Jennie's benefit..I will do it again. Also..I am at work and have nothing else to do.

Places I've lived:
1. Provo, UT
2. Pinion Hills, CA
3. Longmont, CO
4. Fruitland, ID
5. Seymour, TX


Favorite Snacks: (if I can narrow it down)
1. Ice cream (i love, love, love it)
2. Chocolate
3. A combo of something sweet and something salty (like cheez-its and m&ms)
4. truffles (is that the correct spelling..also..i know these are mostly chocolate..so could technically be inculded in that one..but i love them so much..i had to list them seperately)
5. No bake cookies

Job's I've had:
1. Target team member
2. RN-in Provo
3. LVN-in seymour (best job so far)
4. I don't know what my title was but when I was a senior and for the summer after I worked with my dad doing construction work..he installed security systems in prisons..so whatever.
5. Allsups convience store clerk

Thing's I'd do with $1Million
1. Pay off "the company's" debt
2. Pay off my own loans
3. Travel
4. Land/real estate
5. Ensure we as a family had everything we needed for food storage/emergency preparedness

Things I love:
1. Family (and to me this includes my immediate and extended family and my very best friends)
2. Reading (and yes I am reading Harry Potter, am on book 3, but haven't started it yet. I just love books!!)
3. Being near the ocean or other body of water
4. Playing games (card games, sports, basically anything remotely competitive)
5. Church


People I am tagging:
1. Keri
2. Annie
3. Auntie..and the rest of the family
4. Ryann
5. Sheitman

i am

So..I went ahead and took the plunge and started reading Harry Potter..much to the delight of everyone it seems. I am in the first book..so don't tell me anything about what happens..I am trying to get through it..and have found that indeed the books are better than the movies..at least as far as I can tell.

I went on a date with a friend on Friday night to a murder mystery thing..and it was fun..there were a lot of people there..and the murder was solved in a really ridiculous way..and since I am not completely ridiculous my group did not guess it right..so did not win, which is fine really...because the prize was sparkling cider. Then we played games..and then I went home to watch 27 dresses with my new pseudo-roomates. They are really my next door neighbors..Jamie, Bobbi, Vicki, and Tacie..but they have adopted me and I stay at their house most days (and nights sometimes) which seems to be making life easier. I love these girls. We have so much fun together!!

Vicki, Jamie, Bobbi and I went on a girls-ask-guys group date on Saturday. It seriously was so much fun. My date turned out to be a guy I am pretty fond of..but was my original intended date..as the guy I asked first got sick and couldn't go. But my date was so fun..and he is one of the most amazing guys I know! We started by going to pick them up (which just required walking to the other side of the complex), and going on photo scavenger hunt in groups of four..(me and my date, Jamie and hers)..which was SOO fun!! We had to take pictures of all these random things, and search for various items in the area..and just in case you were wondering..they no longer have phone booths in Provo..I know..we looked everywhere! After the photo scavenger...and some general banter with the other group over who really won (when really, in truth, both teams cheated slightly), we had dessert and played a card game called Nerts..which is very fun..and we all seemed to be evenly matched..so it made the competition good. Then we broke out the popcorn and love sacs (which are super large bean bags) and watched Transformers (bad idea I might mention)..I fell asleep during the movie..but it was fun anyway. Then we walked the guys home (proper dates after all), and then us girls ate more food, and watched part of wedding planner..as we were all very very tired and wanted some sleep!!

So that was are awesome date night, and now all I can hope for is the prospect of a second date, but either way it was really fun!! My dad is doing better getting around on his broken ankle, and I am very grateful to my brother Jake for being with him right now! Might I encourage the rest of you to blog..that would be great...thanks! Also..enjoy the christmas music!!

what am i thinking?

I still am looking for a new job, though nothing has come of the search yet. But I go to work and do my job, and go on about my business. Dad broke his ankle the other day, I think yesterday, but my days all kind of run together, and I am going to be really honest, it bothered me once again that I could do NOTHING to help him. I mean I prayed for him, and trust that the Lord will look out for him, but I want to make sure that the doctors treated him right and that we are doing everything we can to prevent complications. I can't be in two places at once, however.

I have a confession, I watched a Harry Potter movie. I am sure this delights both Ryann and my dearest auntie and her children. I am really unhappy that I did watch it, and here is the reason...I now want to know what happens. I mean seriously. That is a dirty trick. I told my friend today, that I was even tempted to READ the books. I mean, I have been anti-Harry for many years, and was happy with that. Completely happy. Not to say that I will read them, because I most likely will NOT..as I have always said that I wasn't going to. So I may just watch the movies..or coerce a friend/family member to tell me what happens. Also..Jason Isaacs..who plays lucius malfoy or something like that..is kind of attractive. That's all..no more harry potter talk.

I am going on a date on saturday. I am kind of excited..ok just plain excited about it. This guy is a super fun nice guy in my ward. I asked him, which is not what I prefer, but a group of girls in my ward are doing this girls choice date night..so I joined in. And who knows, maybe he will then ask me on a date...

I am going to dye my hair soon..and by soon I mean within a weeks time..the grey hairs are once again emerging and I can't have that. So any suggestions on hair color would be much appreciated. And in case you don't know..I kind of like to go drastic. Let me know.

changes

So..I am NOT happy with the outcome of the general presidential election of this country, but I will say that for me, this just reinforces what I know about the state of the world. We are headed down a slippery-slope towards the END..and I am happy to report that my faith in the Lord and the prophet are stronger than ever. I feel for the people who look to Obama as a Savior instead of looking where they should, toward the Lord, but I voted, and it is over now..and we have to pick ourselves us, trust in the Lord, and do the things we know we are supposed to.

Moving on to exciting news, my brother Jordan and his wife Kayla welcomed a baby boy Ryder Edward Willden into the world on Nov 3rd. I am very excited that mom and baby are doing well. Hard to believe that my baby brother has a baby, but I am still very happy for all.

To take note, I am currently looking for another job, and perhaps a move to a different locale. I am not necessarily unhappy in Provo, but I am unhappy with my job and the direction in which my career is headed. I have since found out that I cannot get the degree I want from BYU, which was the whole point, so if I have to get it somewhere else, it just makes sense to move. No I don't know where yet, though moving to Salt Lake is an option I am considering. Also moving back to the great state of Texas is an option, but one I think I only consider because of the proximity to my family. This won't happen very soon, as I have made certain commitments to my job and my apartment complex, but just knowing that I have the support of my Dad in this, makes the prospect of staying for a little while longer a whole lot easier.

I also just need to say how grateful I am for worthy and wonderful Priesthood holders. It is a great feeling knowing that I have guy friends who I can turn to who will help me if I need it. It is a great feeling, and I have a deep respect for my current home teacher and his roomates who have been so amazing in recent weeks.