things that sparkle...

so many happy things have happened. and while i did go through a major holiday roughly alone, there are so many wonderful people in my life who make it better. and i love you all for it. in the last couple of days there have been things that have had a little extra shine to them...and here are a few:
*working the busy holiday weekend with great people who make my life easier...or harder..depends on the day..either way i learn..and am grateful for it
*GOING TO MAUI..ok so this is a future sparkly moment..but the fact that the ticket is purchased and this moment WILL happen is super exciting. i am so jazzed. (and p.s. this maybe should have made the colorado list since the trip was booked while there..but didn't want to detract from them and theirs)
*a super cute boy i work with being nice to me. not that he was mean before..but when he is nice..i sure do like it. :)
*christmas lights..in my house..on other peoples houses..on the big trees in front of the orem city buildings..these make me so happy.
*buying presents. i like giving. i second guess myself most of the time..but i do like buying things for others..even more than i like buying myself things at the gap..if you can imagine that. :)
*two of my guy friends coming to visit me at work. made my night. it was cute. :)
*the best day ever: it goes like this..wake up..chat with mom...go to the library with bobbi and pauli (they stare in the whole day with me) where we found two movies we wanted to see...to be mentioned in greater detail later...i also found 2 of the 3 dean koontz frankenstein books (not book 1) so the hunt begins to find the other..but first to the bank for a quick stop to put the finishing touches on the purchase of the maui trip (my savings acct took only a small hit), then to IN-N-OUT..they just built a new one here in orem and i hadn't been yet..and though we had to crowd surf to get a table..jk..it was SOOO worth the wait and the 5 bucks to get that amazing cheeseburger with grilled onions (yes onions), then to barnes and noble..a glorious place. a haven if you will. to find the dean koontz book (they were out) as well as singin in the rain (which bobbi and pauli have NOT seen..a crime in my opinion) but too pricey for my taste; but we did find one of bobbi's birthday presents..a jacob poster/puzzle. she loves puzzles..and jacob..so perfect!!, then we went to f.y.e. to find singing in the rain and thoroughly modern millie. which we found and purchased as well as a few cds out of the 3 dollar bin. and a mario bros shirt for pauli for christmas. still no book. drat. on to the mall..at this point we are looking for a christmas present for another friend..and hunt around till we find..a purple pair of high heels for me, and a hat and some other presents for pauli(she doesn't know about these ones..i bought them when she wasn't paying attention) but alas..even though we checked everywhere; including the new tai pan trading co, which i love by the way, there was no present for the friend, and no book. not to be disappointed we came home and got in our pjs ( i think it is close to 8 at this point) and watched Big Business with bette midler and lily tomlin..so cute. and funny. then we watched Mrs Winterbourne with brendan fraser, ricki lake, and shirley mclaine, even BETTER. they were the movies we rented from the library, and were so fun. and old school. and it was so nice to just have a night in..since tomorrow i am going to be go, go, go..since i have 4 parties to try to get to. whew. quite a day. we tried to watch millie, but everyone but me was tired. maybe another day.

this ones for you...

and i mean those of you that live in colorado. so even though I did NOT make it on your blog..you my lovelies and making it on mine. i just want the world to have a brief glimpse into the pure joy that i experienced on my 6 day journey over the rocky mountains. here are some of the highlights: (and these are in NO order)
* new moon with mary-kate and lindsay..and yes tuey i know that i abandon you..but the movie, while tedious at times, was so fun to enjoy with the girls..the candy, the popcorn..the lady that laughed at inappropriate times (why was she laughing??) and mostly..staying up insanely late with two of my favorite girls!
*watching paper moon..even though it took ALL day..cute movie. and i was happy to partake in the experience
*teaching everyone to play NERTS..it is a grand game..and should be played even when i am not there ( which sadly to say, is most of the time)..and lets not talk about that first night (someone got angry..that is all i am going to say....)
*the Holy Family Football game..my sweatshirt, the ride up, the singing the 80s songs loudly in the car, the pride of seeing the boys on the field..and guys, even though you lost..i loved it. :)
*watching a christmas carol in 3d..ok so yes i got motion-sickness..and yes it was a weird movie..it was fun to go with all of you..and so it makes the list
*star trek..for the LOVE..i so did NOT want to watch this movie..but after days..and days..and days..finally seth and i (sorry seth..i gave in) relented and watched it. still i am not a trekkie..but hey. whatev.
*the day of chinese food and french kiss. glorious glorious day. if i remember correctly this is also the day (and the ONLY day) i got to sleep in. thanks..i needed it. :)
*shopping for the jeans. and while it took 20 stores (ok..so exaggeration) i loved it and i am glad that we went..and that you found jeans. i love them. wear them..and FOR THE LOVE...BURN THE BLACK JEANS!! PLEASE..I AM BEGGING YOU! LOL.
*eating at red robin with the boys. they are fun. i can't speak about them. i love them. yes..you too seth.
*can we say RAZZLE DAZZLE?? or sing it..even though seth wouldn't..i love this game..and love that even though sean almost lost his life..we all had fun..and learned to say thank you..except for donnie..who just wouldn't say anything..huh? why is that....
*a rousing game of werewolf..where there were so many happenings..and fun things..my favorite has to be when MK made seth and donnie lovers..and then donnie (in only the way that donnie can) waved at seth from across the room as if they WERE in fact lovers..i almost died. seriously.
*nathan showing me he could swing. and for playing trucks with me.
*quizzing sean on his science...what is a cloud anyway?
*chatting with grandma about books..and finding that my love of reading and perhaps of escaping is indeed hereditary.
*just being. i am sorry if i left anyones favorite moments out..there were some good ones. but i love you all. and even though i DID NOT get the kings of leon cd i have been waiting MONTHS for..i am so glad i was able to visit. love you my almost brothers and sisters and my other mom. and jon. :)

dark&twisty/bright&shiny

There are days when the things that I witness, or events in the world (think Ft Hood), make me feel a little down. This is what we would call my "dark and twisy" days. I really try to spare all of you the depressing stories from the ER, and so you have been seriously lacking in stories, because frankly I, being the compassionate, emotional person that I am, feel sorry for just about everyone that comes through the doors. (ok, so not someone who, like me, just needs a few stitches to make them whole again) When I see families whose lives have just been shattered, or whose lives will absolutely never ever be the same again, I myself can flashback to a time when I was 12 years old and our lives changed forever, and find myself close to tears. For example, and I will keep this brief, seeing a husband whisper sweet tender words into his wife's ear as we are rapidly wheeling her into surgery to repair her broken body (8 broken bones, both legs in multiple places, both arms) after a horrible car accident, brought me down. I had to fight, really really fight the tears from coming. Or seeing a woman apologize to her husband for being rude to him earlier that day, when he is getting ready to go to surgery because he fell of the roof and broke his neck/back. These things are hard for me. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my job, and love that I can perhaps bring hope or comfort into their lives, but I just need you to know that while I don't regularly post about the experiences in the ER, it is because I need to distance myself from the emotions.

Never fear, there are two sides to this coin, the bright and shiny side, which for me is around the vast majority of the time. There are so many things in my life that make me happy. I would like to list a few here, and this is in no way an inclusive list.
-music that makes me dance
-friends that make me laugh
-playing NERTS (wonderful card game if you didn't know)
-cute guys flirting with me (happens occasionally)
-movies that make me laugh (multiplicity, tommy boy, dodgeball, that thing you do)
-movies that remind me i am a girl (chocolat, the wedding date, chocolat...)
-books. the escape into another world.
-dr pepper (this is a bad habit i know i need to break)
-calls from family that make me cackle (insert "i am too fat for garters")
-text messages
-going to the gap
-knowing i will be in texas as close to christmas as i can get
-planning a party and having new and old friends agree to come (i REALLY do have friends ;0 )
-greys ( i love this show, and it can bring me to tears too)
-watching friends with my roomates (the show)
-good food
-trying to be reverent in sunday school
-the world champions in baseball (i <3 mr. november)
-football
So there it is. There are many many more things in my life that make me happy as well as things that cause me to stop and reflect and perhaps cry a little. Me, I think it makes me more balanced and a better nurse and person.

oh near...

I ventured to the dentist today. WHY? you ask (and I know you were asking, becuase who willfully goes to the dentist?)..well for a couple of reasons actually, I recently paid attention to the fact that I am paying bi-monthly for dental insurance and not using it, and because my teeth could use a good cleaning. So to the phone book I go to find a dentist near my house. Away I go. I am pretty positive I don't have cavities even before I go, thankfully I have really healthy teeth. My only other concern is the whole whitening process. I have been told by a few other professionals that my teeth shouldn't be whitened because of the stain/trauma/scar thing that is on my left front tooth (insert reason for such a thing: flippy thing gone wrong with kate at age 7). So after xrays and a thorough (and quite painful) cleaning, a very kind and cheerful (maybe TOO cheerful...) dentist informs me that the root on said tooth is calcified, and the way to fix it is a root canal and then a crown. I wanted to cry. Still do actually. I don't want to do it. I know I need to because my tooth is going to get more discolored and eventually hurt me in someway (think abscess here) and then the process will be worse. But really, I just like my teeth and don't want to have a root canal. So in the end all I can really say is... oh near.

happy halloween

I dressed up 3 times. I was supposed to be a rockstar-type individual. Don't know how well I pulled it off. But for two parties and 12 hours of work, it was a pretty good costume. I fully expect pictures from all of you that have children and don't. But especially kate and ry. So here is pic of me and my roomates at our ward halloween party.

"i can't be pretty anymore"

A friend from work told me this shortly after she cut off about 12 inches of her hair to donate to locks of love, and she was a little bit distressed about having short hair now. I thought it was funny at the time, until I decided to dye my hair teal. Yes teal. Let's think about that for a second, and now that if I had truly thought about it, I would not have tried it. Yet I did. So to the salon I go, thinking, they are professionals, this should be no problem for them. So we bleach oh about 4 chunks of my hair blonde, and then proceed to put the teal on top of that so it would stay. The ugliest color I have ever seen. Sea foam, mermaid-esque disgusting color. So I tell her just to make the pieces blonde again, thnking that will be fine. And it would have been, had she toned them or made them the same color, or even took the time to make sure they were evenly bleached. She didn't. At first I couldn't really tell how bad it was, but after many days trying to style and wash my hair, there were lots of pieces that were that dirty color blonde..really quite hideous. So new plan, my roomate who wanted to go to hairschool, help me dye the blonde pieces red. So we sectioned them off with foil, and proceeded to dye them, well a bright pinkish orange would be the best way to describe it. So back to the salon I go (of note, a different salon) where I now realize that in fact, I can be pretty again. With blonde and red highlights, I feel so much better about my hair and have possibly learned my lesson. Possibly.

a question??

So the other day in church we were talking about agency and someone made a comment about choices and how sometimes our agency is taken away from us by others actions..and I am having a hard time wrapping my mind around it. Can our agency be taken away from us? Doesn't that go against the whole purpose of the plan and everything? Maybe I am reading too much into this but if I could get y'alls perspective on it that would be GREAT!!

and its another...

COUGAR FIRST DOWN!!....I love those words. I mean I love it. Really love. In case you don't know me AT ALL, I love football. I am sitting in my downstairs living room, alone, on a saturday afternoon, and what have I done all day...watch football. So I sadly did not get the BYU game on TV today, so I relied on espn and watched the play by play as the cougars destroyed tulane!!! (go cougs!!), while also keeping close tabs on the Texas-Wyoming game (started out a little shaky for the Horns, but they pulled it out in the end), while watching the ONLY game I got on the TV: Michigan vs Notre Dame, and of course don't REALLY care who wins, but based on the commentators (who I hate) I a rooting for Michigan. This game has no bearing on me whatsoever (do any of them really?) and yet, I can't be turned away. I love it. At this moment I want to be IN ann arbor as the game comes down to the final minutes, as the wolverines try to keep the lead against the irish. I am crazy, and boring you I am sure, but I just needed to share the fact that I LOVE COLLEGE FOOTBALL!!

"let not your hearts be troubled"

So some of you may know that this past week I took care of a lady at work that was raped, and that this experience sent me in to a tailspin of sorts. I was scared, literally scared. I bought a knife. Then because of some sound advice I bought pepper spray. Guess what? the irrational fear was still there. Ok, so I am not saying that being cautious is irrational, but the level of fear that I felt about the possiblity of it happening to me was pretty irrational. The point. The point is that I happened upon an epiphany that the thing I need to keep me from feeling afraid I already had in my possession. The holy ghost. I feel so much more at peace. Not to say that I won't keep the pepper spray handy (face it, I am a single gal and sould be safe) but I am not scared anymore. I feel a peace and calm that can only come from that great Comforter. John 14:27. Happy sunday!!

my adultness

I have recently moved into a house. Sure with three very awesome roomates (depsite rumblings of discord..things are going well) and I am very excited about it. I absolutely loathed the whole packing and moving business, but once that was done ( and by done I mean that everything is out of my old apartment..not necessarily put away here at the house..but still)I loved putting things up on the walls, organizing our 200 movies (in aphabetically order thanks to a slightly ocd roomate) and most of all..buying a bed and other bedroom furniture to put in my room.... ta da...


I feel very grown-up in this bedroom. Me. The girl who was NEVER going to grow-up..am finally embracing my adultness, and I pretty jazzed about it. Well..at least about my grown-up bedroom that is. I will say that although my bedroom very well could be an add for IKEA, I love it. And am going to try with everything I have to keep any messiness contained to the very large walk-in closet. I did perhaps gain some insight as to why the messiness might linger, and it is this, I am a perfectionist..sure maybe that seems not like me at all..but in school I have to get good grades..not that I want to..I have to. So it goes apparently with my bedroom..I wanted to cry when a friend came in and jumped in the middle of my nicely made bed (apparently channeling my mother here) and messed it up. I painstakingly hung things up so they would be in the middle of the space and had my level so things would be just so. I decided that it is easier to live with mess than to deal with that level of OCD/anxiety/anal/freakiness. That being said, I do like my room, and am going to make a concerted effort to keep it tidy. There..i blogged. With pictures. On with it. :)

"hey..guys..i kinda hurt myself..."

So...I had my first day of work in the ER as a meet and greet day to get to know people in all of the different departments that we work with, one of them being the EMS/Paramedics/Fireman in the area. So with about 4 hours left in my day I walked to the fire station to meet the guys and I would then be with them until the end of the day, if they went on a call, I would ride along. So we didn't get any calls, but they showed me around, and we hung out and watched some tv and had a good time. We then went out on a call, turned out to be a false alarm, so basically we just drove around the block. Back at the station and trying to get out of the truck (aka ambulance), I slipped going down the stairs and hit my knee against this bolt/door latch thing and it kinda hurt..so I looked down and was going to just rub the pain away when I noticed that there was a hole in my pants..not a good sign. So I pull my pant leg up...and this is what I see....


Yeah sorry for the graphic nature of the image, but I figure you all can handle it. I know it is gross, but it truthfully didn't hurt that bad. I then had to get back IN the ambulance and be hauled to the ER (not that it was an emergency, but having walked to the station, couldn't exactly walk back). SO embarassing. Ended up back in the ER as a patient. Not so fun, but I guess in a way it was an interesting way to jump off my career as an ER nurse. So the Dr was great, and everyone was nice, and soon I was all fixed up. 23stitches and a bit of pain to take with me.

here we are...

I guess there are updates on my life, although, I am pretty positive, that anyone that reads this already knows everything I have to say, so basically...what's the point? But I am getting tired of the comments on my last post, so here we are.

I have a new job, although I haven't started it yet, you know being a good employee and giving two weeks notice and all. I will start working in the ER on July 14 (I feel a little like Cameron Poe as I say that..) however, I have to orient to all there is to learn and do for 6 weeks, so I will at some point have exciting things to share, but they may be a bit far off. I am super excited though, just so you know. :)

My mom is here and has been here for what 3 weeks (I love that she's here for anyone wondering) it has been difficult at times to try to maintain my social life, and I tried at first, but have since just taken to spending time with mom when I am not working, which doesn't seem to be enough time. We did however have a 5 movie Harry Potter marathon and a 3 movie Underworld marathon...that was fun. :) Went to Salt Lake yesterday, interesting day. We watched the Joseph Smith movie...comments probably don't need to be made in this forum. But I love salt lake, and mom...so it was good! We did really really love the Nauvoo Cafe!

Michael Jackson died, AS WE ALL KNOW!! Just so we are clear, I did love his music and am sad that his life had to come to what it was, and end in the tragic way it did. I played his music for awhile in the car, and made peace with it, and now, as the memorial service is endlessly on TV, I just want them to let him rest in peace. Let it be...let it be. RIP Michael.

Two weeks until I go to colorado for vacation and reunion, am VERY excited to see everyone! And to go to Taylor Swift..lol...but really I am. :) That is really all I have to say right now, I am at work, which is being endured now that there is an end in sight to this madness. Late.

i don't want to talk about it

So school is going really well..i have taken two tests so far..and gotten A's on both..hooray!! i feel very good about that area of my life right now. Needless to say that is the ONLY area of my life that I feel like I have a handle on. And as the title of this post suggest..I don't really want to delve into all that today. So maybe when I am not in a weird mood, I will once again feel the desire to share more details, but for now, suffice it say that in general things are well, I have a job, a home, a slightly bruised heart/ego, great friends, and new shoes. :) Blog on my friends, and keep me updated about all of your wonderful lives!!

and the school bell rings...

Yes, that is right, I started back to school this past week..to catch anyone up that is slightly confused by this..I am going to BYU this spring/summer and possibly longer to get some basics so I can finish up my bachelors degree in nursing. I decided to be a little bit adventurous ( and a bit crazy perhaps) and take statistics this semester..so we had our first lecture on wednesday up in salt lake. I took the class in salt lake for a few reasons, one because it is only two days a week (which means only having to take two days off of work), and because to be honest..everyone says it is easier up there..and any help i can get i am going to take, because I have not been in a math class since fall 2002 and that one did not turn out so well. I am however going to take it one day at a time, and I have some great friends and family who have been encouraging me and I know I am going to be great at stats..maybe ;)

a side note: the swine flu scare has kept me home from work the past two days..as I have been sick and my work does not want me there with suspcious 'flu-like symptoms'. to be clear, I am fine, just feeling a little under the weather. AND..I do not think the swine flu is quite the crisis it was made out to be.

..will work for food

ok so i don't really need food..i need an extra like 700 dollars so i can fly to hawaii because Ashley, who has been my best friend since i was six years old is getting married in july!! dang it. there is no way i can swing that..not since i am fixin to start back to school. maybe if i got another job, but i won't have time for that now that school is starting in like 3 weeks or so. ugh. why does it have to cost so so much?! oh so frustrating. so if you know of a way to get cheap flights, please let me know!!

lookin up

Things are looking good, I feel. I got back into BYU, with only a few hoops to jump through and am now avidly looking at what particular classes I need to take in order to get into a program to give me my bachelors degree. I am looking at different online programs and right now the front runners are university of utah and texas tech. So now it is just a matter of which place will accept me and how many classes they will require me to have before doing so (obviously the one with fewer required is the winner). I continue to keep my eyes and ears open for different possibilities for a new job. Also, I get to go to conference tomorrow and sunday and am very excited, though a little saddened that no one from the family was able to come. I am missing home right now, though not for any particular reason, just a general longing for the kiddos and the comfort of home. Going to get back to work now..though sleeping would be a lot better at this point in time!! :)

...this ain't a fariy tale

I stood there as the guy I like held me in his arms and told me I wasn't the one for him. After weeks of knowing he liked me..and him knowing I liked him, but trying to keep my emotions in check because I KNEW he had a history with another girl. I tried to hold on to the times when he was with me and how great he made me feel about myself, and ignore the fact that while he said he wanted to move on..he clearly did not. My mind was unable to control my heart. I really really liked him. He actually listened to what I had to say about every aspect of my life, and showed a genuine interest in who I am. It hurts because that has never happened before. It hurts because he didn't mean to hurt me. It hurts because I really do want him to be happy..even if it is not with me. I am stronger because of this hurt. He helped me realize how to be mature and controlled about my feelings, and how to have confidence in my instincts, and in myself. He encouraged me to do things that are scary, and I no longer feel scared. So despite the fact that it hurts, and that it will continue to hurt, I thank him for being who he is. There is no regret or remorse here..and I am moving on with a smile on my face (albeit..a shaky smile..but a smile nonetheless). And even though I agree with miss swift in that ..this ain't a fairy tale..I still believe that there will be a happy ending for me. :)

it's never too late

to become the person you might have been" george elliot. that is one of my new phrases to live by. everyday i come one step closer to becoming the very best version of myself. i have started (about 2 1/2 weeks ago) the nutrisystem diet plan..which i am hoping will help jumpstart some diet changes in me, and help me lose weight and get in shape. so far it is going well. i have been going back to the gym way more frequently and i feel alot better. it has been a little harder to go to the gym the last week or so because i had a slight incident where i was on the back of a friends motorcycle and we kinda wrecked (he layed it down on its side..not too bad because we were in the parking lot going pretty slow) but i got a pretty good road rash on my foot and it really hurts to wear shoes. but i will of course press onward and upward. oh and it was my birthday!! thanks for everything everyone..those who went with me to get ice cream..or took me out for japanese food..or got me my beloved harry potter books!! i love you all alot! i got back into byu so i can start taking some basics to get into a bachelors program (and then hopefully on to nurse practioner or physicians assistant school). nothing too exciting on the guy front..but there is always potential out there and i am keeping my eyes open!! i am super excited that jason and katie will be coming to visit for conference..it will be so good to see some family and hang out with them..plus i love conference and i am so excited to have tickets!! i would implore all of you out there to blog as well!! C'MON PEOPLE!!

my color coded personality

Your result for The Color Code Test...

Color Code: BLUE: The Social Butterfly

14% Red, 51% Blue, 14% White and 20% Yellow!

Here is the basics: For a more in depth analysis, I suggest you look up the Color Code, and take a more intensive test.

BLUE MOTIVE: Intimacy

BLUE NEEDS: To be good (morally), To be understood, To be appreciated, Acceptance.

BLUE WANTS: To reveal insecurities, Quality, Autonomy, Secuirity.

SUMMARY: Blues are motivated by altruism. They love to do nice things for others. they look for opportunites to give up something in order to bring another person happiness. selflessness rather than selfishness is their guiding philosophy. Blues seek intimacy. They want to be loved and to love. A true blue will sacrifice a successful career to improve an important relationship. Blues crave being understood. They are gratified when they are listened to, when they feel understood and appreciated. Blues may have thier hearts broken more than most people, but they also spend much more time in love. Blues are directed by a strong moral conscience. They have a moral code that guides them in their decision making, their value judgements, and their leisure time. A blue would rather lose than cheat. Ethically, blues are people who should be in positions of power, but seldom are.

\http://www.helloquizzy.com/"> style="color:#131313">HelloQuizzy\

patience is a virtue

Ok..so I have been patient with my boss for about 3-4 months now...waiting for him to let me work days..and FINALLY! I get to work days about 2/3 of the time (not complaining..I will take what I can get). The way my schedule works is that I am prescheduled 4 days a month (these will stay nights for now) and then I schedule myself for the rest (these will be days)! I am really excited and last week was the first time in 5 1/2 months that I was able to work a day shift, and while it was hectic and stressful it was SO much better than my worse night shift. The pace is so much faster and it is easier for me to stay focused. I am really happy that my patience paid off, not that I wasn't super frustrated or didn't look for another job or anything. ;) Also, I chatted wtih my boss about going back to school, and the hospital offers tuition reimbursement, so I believe that I am going to stay here and take advantage of the low tuition costs at BYU (for the rest of my basics) and the reimubursement program. Now if the patience I so brillantly displayed in this instance would appear for all the other aspects of my life (more specifically BOYS) than things will be just peachy! :) I enourage those of you out there who do not do so, to please blog..or call me!!

the love of a good book

I am an avid reader for those of you who don't know me AT ALL! (jk) I recently became addicting to reading books by the author Phillipa Gregory, I at first became entranced because of a movie called 'The Other Boleyn Girl' and found at the in fact, it was a book by aforementioned author. I sought it out at the Provo City Library, they in fact did not have, so I was forced, forced I tell you to get another book entitled 'The Virgin's Lover' which much to my delight is about Queen Elizabeth I (I am a bit of a fan of hers), and it was fabulous. I love the way Ms. Gregory combines history with such romance and suspense. Her writing is wonderful and puts you right there, you feel as if you are back in old England and mixed up in the tumult of the battle for reform from the catholic church. So thrilling it is to read such a book. I have since read 'The Boleyn Inheritance' and just this evening (or perhaps more accurately described as the wee hours of the morning) finished reading 'A Respectable Trade.' Both books were fantastic! The Boleyn Inheritance focuses on the lives of Anne of Cleves, Katherine Howard and Jane Boleyn and the downfall and madness of King Henry. A Respectable Trade is a book about the early days of slave trading in England. The reason for my post was not to become a spokesperson for Phillipa Gregory (though it may seem like it) but instead to talk about the bittersweet feeling I felt about an hour before I finished it. I had to get up to take care of my patient (I know most people think I do nothing at work, but truly I do give my SLEEPING patients the care they need) and sat down to pull out my bookmark only to note that I was almost finished. Here I am, enthralled in the story, not wanting to put it down...you know the feeling...when nothing else matters BUT finishing the book..when you will abandon all else in your life (sleep most notably, but food, family, friends, etc.) just to find out what is going to happen..and then it hits me. It's going to be over. Over. I was so disappointed (not in the story) but just knowing that I was not going to be able to be companion of these characters along their journey. Now mind you, I desperately wanted to finish the book, just not yet. I however, could not help myself, and sit here now...reflecting on this bittersweet feeling...thinking maybe I should have saved some of the story for later. Not so, as I will now have to journey back to the library to find another book to take me on an adventure. *sigh* Or I could just blog some more? Nah... Just wanted to share my thoughts. Have to get back to the grind...

give thanks for the farmers

So I recently discovered the Sunflowers Farmers Market..and am in love with it! I don't buy all my groceries there, as I am not really all that into eating strictly organic..but there produce and meat are fabulously priced and I am so excited. I took an online quiz to see what kind of eater I am..to then determine how I needed to change my diet (note: i did NOT say go on a diet..just to change it..make it better as it were), and was told that I do not eat enough fruity things. After a late evening journey to the farmers market with some friends I proceeded to buy blueberries, blackberries (I ate the whole container in one sitting) and oranges along with some local chocolate milk all for the staggering price of five dollars. I went again today and was so pleased with the selection and price once again. I was able to purchase oranges, apples, strawberries, and grapes all for about 8 dollars. Plus, I could get any kind of cheese I wanted and a wonderful selection of veggies (the veggies are the next step, one thing at a time people!!). I am sure this post was just thrilling for you..but I needed to let you all know how grateful I am for the farmers of the world! Take care and if possible..buy local!

driving around with you...

As a disclaimer, I did NOT get in a wreck..but I would like to take you through the scenario I was placed in on my way to work this evening. Here I am, driving (dootie dootie doo) along, and I make a left turn onto a somewhat busy street (state street for those in the area) and am driving past the DI when someone in the lane to my right begins to merge into my lane (apparently blissfully unaware that I am currently occupying that spot), I proceed to SLAM on my brakes (thank heavens no one was behind me)..sending my purse and work bag (and contents) violently spilling onto the car floor. I continue to drive, at this point I realize that the person who so rudely cut me off STILL does not know the trouble they have caused me. This causes rage and other frightening feelings to cause me to want to RAM my car into the back of them. (counter-productive I know, since I just so narrowly avoided an accident). I mean road rage does not even touch the amount of anger I felt. Probably not that big of a deal, but living in the glorious state of Utah has brought me to this point. People here DO NOT pay attention. I guess they are relying on the good Lord to keep them out of harms way!! (Lightning is going to strike I am sure..but just talking about is getting me all riled up again!!) And this incident does not just happen to me, it happened to my RS president just yesterday (probably the same inattentive, unaware driver!) So the next time you are driving (whether you are in Utah or not) please oh please pay attention to what you are doing!! Late.

"another winter day has come and gone away..."

"and even paris and rome, and i want to go HOME." Ok, so I already did, but I love that song by michael buble..so there you go. My journey began on Dec 26th..and what a cold day it was. I had been up all not (ended up not having to work..but after sleeping all day..didn't sleep all night) I was very anxious that my flight would be delayed and I wouldn't get home..but no, it was fine. And other than having to spend an insane amount of time in the airport (free ride up there..so not complaining) the trip was ok. I do hate flying though..it is just not fun..at all. Arrive in OKC to my mom and dad..that was great! I made them stop at Mickey D's on the way home..but the ride home was fun..and it was oh so good to be able to breathe that Texas air!! I saw some old friends over the weekend..and my siblings and nieces and nephews..and it was great!!

On Monday me, Mom, and Katie went to the falls to do some serious grocery shopping in preparation for the Jon Willdens' arrival. It was nice to spend the day with the girls..and eat at Taco Bell (or the parking lot, whatever). We had to buy so much stuff, but it was ok, and I was super excited for them to come to Texas. Mom and I kinda stayed up for their middle of the night arrival (both of us fell asleep at some point). Plus I like getting beds and what-not ready for people and making them feel comfortable. The week went by faster than I would have liked, but it was so much fun. We ate some great food (especially those desserts..thanks Kate), and played outside with peppy (the ATV thing my dad bought..yeah it has a name). We stayed up late every night playing games like musical catch phrase where you are required to sing a song to get everyone to guess the title (well everyone but Ryann has to sing, right Ry?!), and Werewolf..which is just about my favorite thing in the world to play. I was so excited to be around my extended family for a whole week..it was marvelous! Also..on a very lovely side-note, we went to my favorite restaraunt Samurai of Tokyo with cousins Mary-Kate and Lindsay, auntie Joan, Katie and Effie and Ava..and Mom..and it was so nice to share something I absolutely love with all of them..happy to report everyone else loved it as well (duh!). We also played razzle-dazzle..a card game I love! Apart from being sick for the whole week, I had the absolute BEST time..and was sad to see the Jon Willdens' to leave! Good thing I will see them sometime this spring (right??), and then again for the family reunion!

The next week I was able to spend time with each of my siblings (and their children if applicable) seperately and that was so nice. To backtrack a little, mom dad and I went to plainview to hang out with my brother Jordan (aka Chick) and check out his new job..which is really fun for him..and take him his son Ryder whom we were babysitting!! It was nice to just relax, catch up with friends and family and have a vacation! Mom and I went to the falls to go out to a movie (and went out to eat with Jared & Jessica and the Schroeder clan) and saw Bride Wars..which Mom didn't REALLY want to see at first..but we both really enjoyed it..it was funny and clean..and super cute!! Then we went out to eat dinner at Samurai (yes again..7 mos is a long time to go without my favorite food) and then headed home. It was nice. I liked having time to be at home with Mom and watch movies..just like old times. The time once again went by too fast, and soon it was Sunday and I had to talk in church and give the lesson in RS (I know, right? I don't even go there anymore!!;) ) Had to head to the airport on Monday but not before went to eat with Jared and Jessica (they are sooo fun!) and drive the 3 1/2 hours to OKC..and end up in Provo 7-8 hours after that!! (The trip home was interesting, perhaps another blog at another time)

It was so nice to be home..and now nice to be back and see my friends (and if I haven't seen you yet..it is most likely due to the fact that one I was exhausted and two..I have had to work the past three nights!!) Happy New Year Everyone!! I love you all!!