Barbers in Bountiful

New Niece

2012-01-25T08:27:00.000-07:00

Here's a photo of my newest niece, Daphne. Dan & Dianna had her yesterday early in the morning. She's about 8 weeks early, so she's got to be in the hospital for a while, but she's doing great. Isn't she beautiful! I can't wait to meet her.

Greg & I are keeping super busy. We just got home Monday morning from our honeymoon cruise to the Southern Caribbean. Pictures to come... I'm at work & can't take but a moment here.

HI!

2011-11-07T16:37:00.000-07:00

I've been feeling SO busy... just like this little fur ball... but never seem to get caught up. Welcome to life I guess huh! Well things are going good in the Bountiful Barber residence. We are ever constantly trying to shake things into the corners and re-organize stuff so it fits.

In case I didn't tell you, we are living in the basement of the "Rents" house. We want to get a down payment saved up for a house while rates are so ridiculously low. Anyhow... I'm at work right now and can't "waste" time... So I better get back to it. :)

Now That I'm Married

2011-09-19T23:25:00.000-06:00

Grrr... my computer is being stupid, it won't let me save my wedding pictures so I can't upload them. Blah! Greg & I are having our reception on Saturday the 24th of September. If you want to come you are invited. We got our invitations out a little late, so if you don't have yours yet, it isn't because we don't love you... it's because I'm slow to mail stuff out! D'oh!

Okay well it's way past my bedtime, so I'll leave you now.

Just Checking In

2011-08-23T23:41:00.003-06:00

Fun at Dad's work (xerox machine) Circa 1987

Well my computer wont let me copy my photos from the wedding off of the disk the photographer gave me... No it's not a copyright issue, just that my CD drive is acting up.
Until I can get them over here, I just thought I'd check in and say hi.

Married life is going great for me. :) I am of course still twitterpated and much in love. And it gets better every day. I knew it would. Marriage is good for me. We're staying in Bountiful for now, but as soon as we get a little money saved, we're going to buy a house.

As for the rest of my life, it's been busier than ever. I get up and go to work... don't get home until about 5:30. By the time dinner is done, I have about 3 hours before it's time to go to bed. It sure doesn't seem long enough to get everything done.

I NEED ADDRESSES. I might already have yours, but call me and give it to me again in case I don't. I'm getting my announcements printed this week and I want to send one to everyone!
So get it to me as soon as you can. I know you have my phone number!

Reception Date Set

2011-07-31T20:38:00.002-06:00

Well things are starting to come together with all our moving and such. We've decided to have our reception on the 24th of September here in Bountiful. Invitations to follow.

Here's a photo of my silly family. Thought you'd all like that. :)

One Week Married

2011-07-19T12:58:00.003-06:00

Greg told me my ring wasn't going to be ready in time for our wedding. That sneaky groom of mine had had it for a few days though! He surprised me by tying the real thing to the ring pillow. I didn't notice it until we were in the middle of the ring exchange. Lol. He's so cute.

I love my ring! it is so beautiful and detailed!

Well I better get back to work!

Only 75 more hours!

2011-07-08T16:19:00.002-06:00

Click Here to See how Long Until My Wedding Starts

Oh my goodness! I am getting SO excited!

Any Day Now!

2011-07-06T23:01:00.005-06:00

I can't believe how fast this wedding is approaching! I am so nervous and stressed! Hope it all goes over well. Anyway, here are a few of my bridals. I thought I'd share with you. :) I have that little tinge of cold feet going on... the "am I making the right decision, will we be happy, is this okay?" kind of feelings. I hope that's normal.

What do you think of my dress?

Surprise! Heidi's getting married sooner.

2011-06-26T16:21:00.002-06:00

Hi Everyone!
I only have a few minutes to tell you all this... But I am getting married! Not only that... but it is happening SOON!!!
My sister Andrea and her family are in town from Alabama and will be leaving in a few weeks. After considering the cost to get them back out here and knowing that I would be devastated if they were not here, Greg and I decided to have our civil ceremony performed before they fly out.

SO... I'm getting married on July 11 sometime between 3 and 10 pm. lol. (that's how long I could rent the building for.)
We're not having a reception that night because we haven't had time to plan it. We only decided on this Thursday afternoon so we've been in a whirlwind of planning. Don't you fret though we'll have one a month or two later.

Anyway, I have about a million things I've got to be working on right this minute. I'll get back to you all with details. :)

Where did everyone go?

2011-06-09T00:46:00.003-06:00

Hi friends! I haven't heard from you in a while. I've been thinking about you though. I'm getting all geared up to plan a wedding. So save August 27th for me if you will! Also, please send me tips and things you wish you'd known while planning a wedding or wish you'd done differently. I thought I'd know, after having seen so many friends get married... but I'm afraid I'm clueless.

I have to go to bed. Spending all my time with Greg... you know how it goes! Please respond! I miss you all!

2011-05-27T02:01:00.000-06:00

What is a promise ring?

2011-05-20T13:08:00.003-06:00

I got this from an article on About.com

Question: What are Promise Rings?

Answer: Promise rings are bestowed to symbolize a promise that one person makes to another. In some cases, promise rings are precursors to engagement rings. While the latter symbolize a promise to marry, promise rings can stand for many other kinds of vows.

Promise rings can mean: I will be faithful to you
Promise rings can mean: I will return to you
Promise rings can mean: I will keep a specific promise to you
Promise rings can mean: I will keep your secret
Promise rings can mean: I love you
Promise rings can mean: My intention is to marry you, but I'm not yet ready to become engaged
Promise rings can mean: I will save my virginity for you
Promise rings can mean: We are best friends
Promise rings can mean: I will always be there for you
Promise rings can mean: You are my one and only valentine
Promise rings can mean: I promise to abstain from a vice (gambling, drinking, smoking)
Promise rings can mean: I promise to replace this ring with a (larger) diamond one as soon as I can afford it

Both men and women can give promise rings. Some promise rings do feature small diamonds, but any ring can represent a promise. If the ring is wide enough, the giver can have a names or initials engraved or a few words that summarize the promise. It's best to avoid band rings, though, which can be mistaken for wedding rings.

When giving a promise ring, it's important to communicate the specific meaning you give to it. To avoid confusion and later unhappiness, make sure the recipient understands what it symbolizes for the two of you.

____________________________________________________

:D I am a happy happy woman who is enjoying every minute of this journey.

2011-05-20T00:33:00.000-06:00

Greg gave me a promise ring... *squeeeal!!!*

Quick... Pictures

2011-05-05T11:39:00.005-06:00

I promised forever ago to show you my books I made in BookBinding class. Here's a quick look at a few of them.

And, here are the flowers that Greg brought me on Monday. I sure do love him! You may have noticed, things are getting serious. :) He is really really awesome & I hope you all get to meet him soon! Gatta go!!

My first welding project

2011-04-25T23:26:00.005-06:00

Here's my latest project completed. I am having so much fun with welding! I love community education classes. Look at all the cool stuff I am learning. My goofy quail needs a name. I'm pretty sure it's a boy, so let me know what you think I should call him. Maybe Ernie? I don't know.

About Gregary: he's great, amazing, wonderful, funny and all that good stuff. He's 33, lives & works in Roy. He manufactures window frames and other things for a steel company up there. Ummm... what else do ya want to know? He's tall and handsome and tender & sweet. He loves sports and cars and movies (and me. *giggle*). We met online & went to the Gateway for our first date. He has the greatest laugh. It is contagious.

Anyway, if you want to know more about him, you'll just have to ask me. :) Trust me, I could talk about him all day. Alas, I have to go to bed.

Love you all!

Hot Date Tonight

2011-04-22T17:26:00.001-06:00

That's all I'm saying right now! Got to get ready!

"Constructive Criticism"

2011-04-12T22:40:00.004-06:00

I'm a bit bugged today by one of my over opinionated co-workers. She just got divorced... actually it's not final yet, but she is dating like a fiend... Anyway, she has decided that she needs to give me advice about why I am not dating or married.

She sent me a series of skype messages today at work with a disclaimer that she was giving constructive criticism. She told me how I dress ugly and that I don't do my hair nice and my make up habits are terrible. I did not solicit this advice! I am aware that I don't look my best this past year or two... I'm just trying to survive. My self esteem is, its true, at one of it's lowest points ever, but that doesn't mean you have to reinforce my negative beliefs. Yes, I am the only one who can change it, but you don't need to make that harder for me than it needs to be. Aarg!

She made me feel like I look like this

or like this:

I'm trying to just shake it off my shoulders and know that this is just her personality and the way she expresses herself. There are many people out there who take it upon themselves to tell everyone else what they're doing wrong. I know she means no harm... it's just hurtful and I needed to vent.

Here's what I look like for real. Yes, I removed (photoshoped) 3 stupid zits. My face has been breaking out non stop for the past 5 years. Anyway, there you go. I needed to vent for a sec.

I love springtime

2011-04-03T22:32:00.003-06:00

:) Sorry I've been absent from blogger world for a while. I love the spring time and keep finding myself interested in learning NEW things and so I keep enrolling in classes that take up all my time after work. It's good. :) I've only been to welding once, and I have to say it was intimidating... and enthralling all at the same time! Imagine the possibilities when you can "glue" metal together! My imagination soars... my wallet whimpers! lol. Oh student loans... I will pay you off... but I am going to make some awesome yard art too.

Other than that, life is just moving along. I have been trying SO hard since I got my job to just function. Each week feels like a battle to survive. And I have to tell myself like Stephanie did a while back... "I can do hard things". I keep saying that in my head.

I've made some new books, but alas, I have lost my SD card along with my ipod AGAIN! This time it is not the cat's fault. I have no idea where they are. :-/ It makes me nervous! But hopefully they will come home soon and I can take pictures of my books and welded stuff to post for you here. :)

Well I've got to gather up all my things and take them over to my other home so I'll be ready for work this week. Talk to you all hopefully sooner!

SD card recovered!

2011-03-01T00:11:00.005-07:00

How could anyone resist that little face?!!

Chicken on the keyboard makes for productive work day! ;)

Since St. Patty's day is next and not easter... but I couldn't wait... The chickens are adorning the fake clover plant I put on my desk.

Yay water marbles! Joanns fabric and craft store has got a little bit more of my money... again. sigh.
This tiny little bag held a ton of the tiny, dried out water marbles. It was full about to where my thumb is in the picture.
I thought they would all fit into this lovely little vase... So I dumped them in, poured in the distilled water and went into the other room to watch t.v.
...
I came back and...
Yeah... they filled up this whole huge bowl plus a vase on my desk at work. They are absolutely intriguing... Every time I walk by them I just HAVE to stick my hand in there and play with them. They feel so strange and they're bouncy and blue!
See... look how fun they are!

I need to be stopped. Look at all this stuff I got from the craft stores. I am pretty sure that my coworkers think I'm NUTS! My desk is littered with ... ... . . . cuteness!

Kitty! :-/

2011-02-28T22:02:00.002-07:00

So I was just about to upload a few more pictures when kitty decided she needed to help me by rubbing her face against the SD card... Next thing I know the darn thing has vanished out of sight. I heard it fall on the floor, but I have looked for 20 minutes and cant find it! :-/

Grrr! I sure hope I find it soon.

Anyway, I'm just working and doing my bookbinding class. Loving it LOVING it! This Wednesday I'll be putting together my 4th book. If I can find that stinking SD card I'll show you pictures.

an army of little chickens

2011-02-22T00:32:00.002-07:00

Here's my first hardbound book. I am in love with making books as of RIGHT NOW! :)

And I couldn't wait for Easter to pull out my cute little chicken friends. I think they're going to come to work with me tomorrow. :D

Man I've been busy lately... So busy that I've had these pictures to post for like 5 days and haven't had time to do it! I'll write more soon! <3

C' ya!

p.s. photoshoot in the morning! YAY.

My first handmade book

2011-02-06T22:47:00.003-07:00

This is so much fun. I love bookbinding class so far! Can't wait to do more.

Other than that, things are going okay. I like my job... when I don't have to work too closely with my boss. Don't get me wrong, the guy is amazing at what he does. He's just not very kind about his constructive criticism. He's almost always right about what to do to make things look right, but goodness he can be mean about how he tells you to change it. I'll survive. I have to. Maybe I'll even learn something. We'll see.

Let the Resolution Begin!

2011-02-01T22:23:00.002-07:00

Well everyone, it's finally time. I waited 27 days to get started on my resolution to get into better shape because I wanted to enter the Golds Gym Total Body Transformation challenge thing. I ate more than normal for the first part of the month (winning strategy? probably not) so I would weigh a lot at the beginning of the contest.

I will NOT share my before photos with you until after I reach my goal, but you can know that I started out at 173 pounds. I'm telling all of YOU this because it makes me want to work harder so that I can tell you in May that it's at least 20 pounds lighter than that!

Anyway, work and school and this new resolution are keeping me busy busy busy. I finished my first book of the year and am on to my next one. Still feels like I've bitten off more than I can chew, but I haven't choked on it yet! :)

How are your resolutions coming?

Book Binding & Web Design

2011-01-21T23:48:00.004-07:00

I'm taking a community education class on bookbinding. I am so super excited about it. We're going to make hard bound books and leather bound books and book boxes and all sorts of amazing things.

I got some pictures from the internet to give you an idea of what I'll be doing. :)

Nifty huh!

January Schmanuary

2011-01-21T23:37:00.002-07:00

January blows. I am so over it! I am tired of looking out the window and seeing nothing but gray. I am tired of walking outside and hearing little birds crying because they're so cold... beeks chattering and shivering... poor little things. AND I am very tired of scraping the ice/frost/snow off my car before work.

*grumble* *grumble* *grumble*

Christmas at the Lindsay's

2011-01-02T01:25:00.005-07:00

Here's a few pictures from Christmas at our house. We had a great time. My sister's family came over & Aunt Julie & my Grandma came to celebrate with us as well! It was great!

Buddy's favorite present

Me taking a picture of Elisa taking a picture of me

I think Bryce was disappointed that this present wasn't for him.

The look on Hyrum's face, priceless!

Good morning Seester!

Flying monkeys for the Moulton monkeys.

Lex was ready bright and early for Christmas!

Julie & the Boys

I just love this present I got under the tree from Bryce.
"You are a good guy"

Christmas is FAST upon us!!!

2010-12-19T01:11:00.002-07:00

I was tired of looking at my gross picture so I decided to post again. I don't have a whole lot going on with me right now. Just working and trying to get everything all ready for Christmas. I have not been loving the crowds this year. Seems like every store is so full of people that it takes 3 times as long to get finished with what you went out to do. Tis the season. *shrug*

We're having a little party here at my mom's house for a few of the Rigby family side (38 of us!!! yikes!). It should be fun. I haven't seen some of my cousins in probably 6 or 7 years!!! I'll try to remember to take some pictures.

Okay. Well I miss you all and hope you're having a lovely holiday season!

Nothing says love like...

2010-12-12T19:33:00.004-07:00

A dead mouse in your bag?!? EEEEW! Well at least I know that my cat loves and appreciates me for all I do for him. My purse was hanging up and I went to go to work the other day and found that he had packed me a "lunch".

Ha ha! Good thing I'm not too squeemish! Silly cat.

I totally just fell down the stairs before I wrote this! You know when your heel just catches the edge of the stair and then it keeps thumping down all the others... yeah! Ouch! I'm going to go wimper somewhere.

Happy Holidays!

2010-11-27T22:40:00.003-07:00

Time has been getting away from me again... still. :-S

I've been busy with work and doctors. I get home from those things and have dinner and suddenly the evening news is on and it's time for bed again! Wow.

Well my hands are feeling a bit better than they were. I've been looking at my x-rays the doctor took and a lot of things make more sense to me. For instance, it's tough to sit or stand or walk for any extended period of time and I always thought it was just because I'm lazy. Turns out that the twisting/curving of my spine is causing some of the trouble.
My regular doctor says there's nothing they can do about it and that all I can do is try not to aggravate it with being overweight or lifting too much.
I didn't like that answer too much (other than that I do agree about staying in shape so as not to aggravate). So I've been seeing a chiropractor. He's the one who's been able to help relieve the pain in my hands and fingers.

I really want to feel good enough to sit, stand or exercise so I hope this guy can help me find a way. At least he's trying. I'm doing exercises to strengthen my muscles and promote neurological growth... Hopefully that'll help.

This picture makes me laugh. The doctor had me open my mouth as wide as I could and then he took it. So here's my smiling or laughing xray.

I hope all is well with all of you. I am feeling a little bit of the warm fuzziez of the holidays. :)

Crappy Day

2010-11-17T23:29:00.004-07:00

All I can say is that I am GLAD today is over. I'm going to eat a piece of chocolate and go to bed!

Stop the World... I wanna get off!

2010-10-21T22:24:00.003-06:00

I love my kitteh!

My goodness! How time is flying! I have been wanting to blog for several weeks now. Even tonight's blog will have to be super short. I had to do some checkbook (or rather, debit card) reconciling today as I have been putting it off for far too long.

Anyway, things are going okay here. I'm still house sitting. I've enjoyed it a lot. It's close to work, there's lots of windows to provide sunlight and 2 cats that love me. :) Only one drawback is the cost of providing one's own food. Now don't roll your eyes at me! I know you've all been providing your own food for the better part of the last 10 years if not much longer than that. But if you go a year of eating whatever is available for free and then get thrown back into the mix of it... you too might feel sticker shock! *wink*

I'm excited for my company. Having my office right next to the CEO's, I get to hear them planning and dreaming and strategizing. Our company is doing well right now. We've been growing steadily and that's really saying something in this economy. :) Yet we can not grow fast enough for our enthusiastic customers. They write on our facebook page all the time asking us to bring a new store to their town. I don't know what all goes into being able to open stores but I sure know there are people out there who want them bad.

Very soon I may be learning how to do more of the marketing for Facebook and Linkshare and Twitter and others. Social network marketing is a very important part of the marketing puzzle. I sound like I'm trying to sell something, but I really am excited to be involved in such a modern marketing movement.

Also, I got to have my little niece in the last photo shoot. She'll be in the next catalog and if I'm not mistaken, they liked her so much that they're going to use her for one of the department posters in all the stores.

Darn it! I am out of time. I feel like time is a ball on the end of a string and some kid is swinging it around in circles so fast that you can't even see it! Sigh. Time for bed!

Time Marches On

2010-09-28T01:01:00.003-06:00

As you can see, my paycheck hasn't been all coming home as of late... :S lol. I couldn't resist when I saw my cute little Alexis niece in these little outfits! Isn't she a darling baby!

Don't you just love Fall? I do. Today was so beautiful. You can see in the above photo, Kitty is so helpful whenever I need to work at my desk. (You can also see that I need to clean up my desk. lol)

Well I've been busy with work. I feel like the days, weeks and months are flying by.
Here is a photo from one of our recent photo shoots. Who knew this cute little historic farm/reception center was out in the middle of happy valley. I am VERY happy that the weather is cooling off so that I don't get sunburned at the photo shoots anymore. The past 2 have been at places where I could hide out inside thank goodness. My job at the photo shoot is to stay with the clothes and make sure the right kids are in the right outfits at the right times. Sadly, I don't get to see much of the photography happening. But I love photo shoot days all the same. I love working with the little kids.
Here's a picture of my darling niece in her naartjie outfit. Doesn't she look beautiful! I can't stand how fast she's growing up!!! I miss her so much.

Well there really isn't much going on with me right now. I am just keeping my nose above water and trying to learn my job. The past month or two my primary calling has got me longing for children of my own again. It's true that my primary class is a handful at times, but I sure love those little stinkers. I had all sorts of drama going on this Sunday with them. There was a bloody nose, a finger got pinched in the hinge of a chair, a bite of Sculpey clay was chewed up and swallowed and the children insisted on sitting on the floor during class. *sigh* but we survived.

Anyhow, that's what is going on with me. If you want to see the emails I am designing for work, go to the naartjie website and sign up to receive them. The box to put your email in is at the bottom right of the home page. But I warn you... those clothes are cute and most of you will be very tempted to buy things for little people, your own and otherwise! I know from personal experience!!!

House Sitting

2010-08-21T00:48:00.004-06:00

Hey everyone! I just learned how to make animated gifs in Photoshop. So pardon the old photos here... Just testing one out.

Here's how I've been feeling at work... "er... I can't come up with any creative ideas today!" lol. No. My job is rewarding and challenging at the same time. I do have a hard time trying to shape my designs into what the boss is looking for. I think with time as I get to know what he likes it'll get easier. I stress a lot about it right now though. Sometimes I think I haven't got a creative bone in my body. I get a new assignment and my mind just goes blank. I hope as time goes on all that creative juice inside me gets flowing again.

This week I am house sitting for my aunt in Salt Lake City. You can see behind me that I have a cat to keep me company. That's Chloe. I've known her since she was a kitten. We're pals. She likes to snuggle with me.

Anyway, that's what's been happening with me lately. Really not a lot going on. I'm on a medication that is making me break out like crazy and making it hard to sleep so I feel like a grumpy, whiny, hideous troll this week... ha ha. See you later.

Enough is Enough!

2010-07-29T22:45:00.003-06:00

I have just about had enough with the murderous beast I live with. I can't prove which one did it but one of my cats keeps bringing in birds and mice and squirrels! All mostly dead. Tonight I came down to my room to find a mass of feathers and a lone head of a sparrow.... no body, just the head. Does that mean they ate the rest of it? Or is it hiding somewhere in my room that I couldn't see.

Help! I've already put bells on their collars. Any ideas? Anyone....

Fireworks & Happy Birthday

2010-07-19T22:22:00.003-06:00

Here's a few photos to catch you up on what we've been up to around here. We went to my favorite place for fireworks, Sugarhouse Park, on the 4th.

Bryce enjoying his glow necklace

Then this week was my sister's birthday. We had a nice dinner here and gave her presents. :)

Fake smile

Real Smile

I'm still not feeling great. I really hope this doesn't last much longer. I really miss feeling good... or even okay. But I'm hanging in there.

My boss is leaving for a vacation on Wednesday and wont be back until the following friday!!! YIKES! I am so nervous. I'll be on my own. Hope it all works out! I'm sure it will but my nerves are tense at the thought. :s

Photo Shoot & My Ramblings

2010-06-29T21:32:00.004-06:00

So I've been at my new job for a week and a few days. So far so good. Yesterday was my first photo shoot. We are putting out our fall line soon and so of course we need photos for the catalogs and stores and web site so we organized a photo shoot with local kids. (If you want to get your munchkin in one of our photo shoots, call me and I'll tell you how to apply.)

Anyway, the photo shoot was fun. Lots of cute kids. It was an all day affair. We got to the site around 9 and finished up around 4. I have a lovely sunburn. Yes, I put on sunblock... and YES, I missed some spots. D'oh! Oh well... I'll be a lobster for a while.

Even though I like my new job, I must say I HATE starting new jobs. I am such a nervous wreck not knowing how things work or if I'm doing okay or what I'm doing. For the next few weeks I will be wondering every day if I'll survive. My boss is very cool though. He's super patient and fun to work with.

In other news, I'm still not feeling like myself. I know this has to wear off sometime, but it's scary and I feel like I'm losing myself and everyone I love. The past two days I've kind of gotten paralyzed in front of the tv after work. I sit there and wonder what the point is in my life. Is it just to work? Does anyone else ever wonder what to do with their life? I kinda wish I was a mom. It seems to me that would feel really purposeful. What kind of questions run through your minds, you mom's out there?

I guess the thing I really want the most is meaningful relationships with friends and family. I don't want to feel alone. (I know, just like everyone else). Anyway, that's what's been on my mind today. What's on your mind?

Starting my new job

2010-06-20T20:02:00.002-06:00

So I start my new job tomorrow. YAY! I am super excited about it. And of course I am a little nervous to start something new.

I don't have a lot to say today but I wanted to let y'all know I'm still out here. I'm still working on medications and wow... I don't feel good! So any and all thoughts or prayers to help are appreciated. Mostly I just feel anxious all the time right now. I'm praying a lot.

Thats all for now.

Here's to hoping that I can be myself again soon!!!

Love you all!

This about sums it up

2010-06-10T21:26:00.003-06:00

My medication's not working this month. I'm trying to be positive and fake it a bit longer. Fake fake fake. See me over here smiling and trying to make this real! Lol. Sigh. I want to laugh because something is funny and that heavy thing in my heart or stomach isn't blocking it.

HA HA HA HA. hmm. Not working.

I just needed to vent for a second. Anybody want to go do something with me?

The new job starts on the 21st. Until then I'm working for Media Communications. They've been extra nice about the whole thing. The one person I was worried about is the most excited for me. I guess she has her own designer anyway. I'm excited to get started... There's always that first six weeks or so that is tough while you're getting used to a new job but I think I am going to love this one.

News. I have news!

2010-06-07T21:42:00.002-06:00

I got the job at Naartjie Kids! I can't tell you how surprised I am and how happy! I have to figure out how I am going to tell Media Communications. Man I HATE confrontation! But I'll figure it out. Just thought I'd give y'all an update!

Kayaking

2010-05-31T22:55:00.004-06:00

I finally got to go Kayaking! We went up past Pineview Reservoir in Ogden to a little place called Causey Reservoir.

Keeping a dog balanced in a kayak is quite a trick! Good work dad!

And just for fun, here's a picture of kitty after her bath. Can you see how insulted she is that I got her wet! lol.

2010-05-27T22:41:00.003-06:00

I love this picture. Whoever drew it rocks. I found it online. Though today I wish to use it in response not to confusion... but less-than-impress-ed-ness. I went into the D.I. to find some little things and they were playing country. I tried to have an open mind... but this picture fits real well with how I feel about country music. To all country fans... Don't take offense... To each their own eh.

I had an interview with a place called Naartjie Kids clothes on Wednesday. It went really well. This is the second time I've interviewed with them. They were very complimentary of my portfolio again. Oh I hope for that job. It sounds like a lot of fun and it pays well. Until then, I will stay with Media Communications, which is an okay place to work... just no benefits and having a hard time getting officially hired.

I know, kind of boring... But I felt like posting, so there you go.

And....

2010-05-26T13:37:00.000-06:00

Yeah... they didn't tell me. Who's surprised?

And the Verdict is...

2010-05-21T20:19:00.003-06:00

They say they'll tell me on Tuesday (my birthday) if I get that job. I'm SO stressed about it today.
There's a project that I didn't get finished today that I needed to and so I'm being asked to come in tomorrow (sans pay) and finish it up. Not demanded... but asked. It bothers me a little. I won't stay with them if this happens often.

Anyway, I feel so slow! I feel like a legless hamster in a running wheel: GOING NOWHERE! And super uber stressed about the whole thing.

This hamster has legs, so you'll have to imagine one without and then you'll get the idea of how I feel. lol. So that's what is going on in my neck of the woods.

The latest

2010-05-18T22:19:00.002-06:00

So today they pulled me in their office for a meeting. They said that they're going to keep me to the end of the week to see if I can speed up on things. If not, they'll go with someone else. I have this thick fear that I will not be able to get up to speed that fast, but we'll see...

That's the main thing going on in my life. One interesting thing... I think my cat can teleport. One minute I am walking out of my room and he's laying on the bed asleep; I walk up the stairs around the corner and into the kitchen and he's already there laying out on the floor. How the heck did he do that!!!

Still Don't Know

2010-05-15T13:03:00.003-06:00

I still haven't been officially offered a job yet. I interviewed with Sundance Catalog this week as well. I really like that job prospect too. I hope I hear something soon.

In the meantime.... I've been making practice computer bags so that when I use my expensive fabric I'll do it right.
Bag #1 Quarter sized. It didn't work out so well. I am pretty sure the instructions for this thing were translated from some other language! lol.

Bag 2: Half size... this one seems t have worked much better. The only thing is, I didn't think about it and I went and Ironed the dang velcro rendering it melted and useless. Oops!
Here's the lined inside.

And finally, a cute picture of my silly dog.

Waiting... waiting

2010-05-12T06:20:00.003-06:00

I still don't know if I have the job. They now say they want to have me work until Friday and then let me know. My dad says that's a good thing, meaning they liked me enough to not send me away yet. I also have a second interview with Sundance Catalog on Thursday. If both jobs are offered to me it is going to be a HARD decision to make between the two. Sundance offers 6 work trips to western states per year, but doesn't offer as much growth as a designer.
News Linked offers fabulous opportunities to develop my craft, but few if any benefits (medical, dental, leave, savings, etc.) Hmmmm....

Anyway, I have to go scrub spray paint off of my hands before work. What have I been doing??? I'll never tell! Mwa ha ha ha ha! Go ahead, try to guess.

It's time for bed

2010-05-09T23:04:00.002-06:00

So I haven't said anything yet because I want to wait until I know that it is viable, but I think I MAY have a job by Tuesday! It would be with a little company called News Linked and I would be doing mainly magazine layout! Just what I want to do! I'm really hopeful that I'll get it. But until I do, I'm trying not to get TOO excited! I'll let you all know soon.

P.S. I haven't done any more on the bag yet. Sigh... Me and my crafting A.D.D. Maybe I'll work on it some more tomorrow night. Until then, have a great day!

Sunshine and Chemicals

2010-05-05T09:06:00.002-06:00

Hi All,

I'm feeling so much better than the last time I posted. Wow, I was in the pits. Thank you so much for your loving comments! I really do love you guys so so SO much! I'm on a new medication and have been for about 6 days. It seems to be helping already. I'm still feeling nervous that it'll stop working and I'll crash, but for today I feel really good so I'm not going to worry about it.

I'm working on making a little computer case. Holy cow! Bag making supplies add up to a large price tag! I am not going to make it out of the materials they say you should next time! Sigh... I wanted something to do and apparently none of my projects at home were good enough, lol, so I had to go buy this stuff. (Oh credit card, I have abused you again!) Anyway, I got all the stuff and it was expensive so the bag better turn out good! Stay tuned. I'll leave pictures when I'm done with it.

I Know you dont understand

2010-04-29T02:18:00.002-06:00

I've been having a hard time again. It's hard to write about it. Connections to people mean so much to me, and I know mental illness still carries such a stigma. I don't want to lose you my friends. I miss you so much as it is now. The truth is that I have mental illness though. I sometimes feel very irrational. I want to be all smiles and goodness just like you... somehow I keep ending up here instead.

It hasn't been this bad in a long time and I don't know why it came on so strong and so fast. Whats worse, there's so little anyone can do for me. I'll see another doctor next week. I'm struggling to last that long... Then it will be on to more guessing about which medication to try next. I dread the side effects that inevitably come with those drugs. I just want to be normal. Anyway, if you don't hear from me much right now, that's why. Sometimes I can fake it like everything's fine, just not tonight.

I miss you all.

2010-04-25T12:59:00.000-06:00

Man, I feel crappy. I'm tired of it. It's endless.

ZzzzzOnk!

2010-04-16T21:59:00.004-06:00

Medicine is dumb. But sometimes you have to take it. I've got to take this stuff for a few weeks and it REALLY zonks me out! I feel like I'm on a liquid drip of ambien! *shrug* I suppose I have the luxury of sleeping for 3 months. Hmmm... Not my favorite way to spend my life. Oh well.

I'm thinking of doing a little service project this summer. It's for low income mothers and mothers-to-be. They would have me throw a baby shower and collect as much stuff as I can for a newborn to 18 month old. I then take it to their center where the moms in need are given everything they need for their baby.
One thing I like about it is that they are not just giving out hand outs. I read that the mom does have to do a small number of "chores" or something to earn things for her baby. That way they are sort of rehabilitating the mom so she will be able to feel like she earned the supplies and like she can provide for her family.

Let me know what you think of such a project. I haven't signed up yet because I don't know if my friends would want to participate in something like that. It's just like a regular baby shower, only you don't know the real mom... I'd be the pretender mom.

Well I've done it...

2010-04-07T01:02:00.002-06:00

I've applied to go back to school. The Applied Tech school in Kaysville looks like the place. I wasn't getting where I want to be looking for jobs this past 11 months now... Ssssoooo... Here goes. I'm going to take some more classes to enhance the digital side of my career and I may just take a few courses in secretary stuff too, to get me something I can do in case my career doesn't pan out as fast as we'd like.

I've been feeling down a bit. I'm keeping busy but I think what I need is a job to make some progress on paying off old student loans. Also it would feel so nice to be able to live on my own and not feel so dependent for everything.

Anyway, just a quick post to move those twinkie sushi things down a bit. :)

Twinki Sushi

2010-03-31T00:37:00.008-06:00

So one time a long time ago I was scanning the internet as I do almost every single day and I came across a recipe for Twinki Sushi. (insert credit-giving-link HERE)

My father took it to a family get together this past weekend and everyone was asking for the recipe or a how-to. So here it is:

Twinki Sushi
Serves 4-ish if you have 2 each and fight over the last one.

What you'll need: 3 twinkies, 3 green fruit roll ups, orange slice candies or Swedish Fish candy, a cutting board, a bread knife, and a sharp tipped knife.

bread knife

Sharp tipped knife
______________________________________

STEP 1: Cut the ends off of the twinkies with the bread slicing knife and eat them or feed them to your dog (your choice).

Next: cut the twinki into 3 one-inch thick pieces.

Repeat the process with the other 2 twinkies. You should end up with 9 pieces.

Step 2: Unroll a fruit roll up (leave it on its wrapper for now.) One fruit roll-up per twinki should do.

Place a twinkie piece on the top and cut along both sides of it. (We tried wrapping the whole twinki in the fruit roll up and then slicing it but it didn't work as well... kinda got squished.)

Now peel the strip off the plastic and wrap it around your twinki slice.
Repeat with the other 8 pieces and place them on your serving dish.

From the remaining fruit roll-up pieces, cut a bunch of thin slices as a garnish.
I laid them across the top of the twinki and stuck the ends to the side like so:
Chop up a few pieces of orange candy or you could use dried fruit too.
Use as an additional garnish on the Twinki.
Also, you could use Swedish fish or any other candy you choose.

Serve to your guests with chocolate and caramel ice cream topping (wasabi sauce). Chopsticks optional.
Lots of fun. I had two neighbors fooled into thinking it was real sushi. I had to explain to them that it was candy! lol.

Overwelmed with creativity

2010-03-23T03:57:00.004-06:00

Most of you who read and comment on this blog know exactly what I mean when I say that every now and then I just NEEEEED to create something. Usually it's a craft, sometimes it's artwork, sometimes it's clothing... but whatever it is... It fulfills an undeniable and unstoppable drive in me.

I have been visually feasting on crafts for several hours. I am in love with Kristine McKay's blog. Visit it here: http://www.kmckaydesigns.com. So what I am wondering, my fellow crafters (You know who you are) Do you ever get so magically drawn in by all the amazing ideas out there online that you wind up spending all your time looking and drooling over ideas instead of doing stuff? If so, how do you keep from falling into that trap... because although it is a beautiful feast of visual entertainment... I wish I had something to show for it... i.e. a finished craft/art piece/etc.

Mostly Kittiies

2010-03-22T10:15:00.005-06:00

Kitty: What? You had a problem with being woken up at 5 this morning?

Me: Have you been up all night watching Ray William Johnson?!!

Kitty: Mmmmaaaybe.... What's it to you?

YAY for spring!!! Look how hard my ground is... you garden gurus out there... do I need to soften it up somehow??? Will the flowers grow better?

Look. One escaped into the grass! How do I get it back into the garden without killing its roots?

My little supervisors. Always there to make sure I'm doing the right things.

And finally, this week's primary adventure. We were learning about baptism. Here is my Elder ready to baptize.

Oh yes... that's much better!

2010-03-15T15:46:00.003-06:00

Mmmm hmmmm! I think my whole life just got a whole lot brighter. Thanks Care for the suggestion to look up the original "the riddle" by Nick Kershaw. The hair and the far off look of this guy... Just can't help but smile.

In other news, my crocus' are blooming!!! Yay! So now I have to go back to pulling staples out of my sub-floor. We're getting new carpet soon! HoooraaaaaaYYYYY!!! I think that carpet and all its stains were a hundred years old!

Okay... talk to you soon.

A little Sad

2010-03-13T23:20:00.004-07:00

I'm feeling a little discouraged today. I found out two days ago that I did not get the job that the recruiter I talked to said I was a "shoe-in" for. Sigh... I have little bouts and fits despairing that there must be something wrong with me.

I wish I was where this poster says mature people are. I'm trying. I really have been applying to everything. How is it that no one wants me... not even to mop their floors or clean their toilets. lol. For some reason I think I have to keep telling everyone that I am applying for EVERYTHING or else you all will think I am lazy. Getting a bit insecure I guess. I really am trying so hard.

*deep breaths*
No worries. I'll be fine. It's just frustrating to have to wait and wait and wait !!!

I just found this really cool song that I had to download. See if you like it. Its called "The Riddle" and it's by Gigi D'agnosto

Part of the lyrics say, "Near a tree by a river there's a hole in the ground where an old man of Aran goes around and around, and his love is a beacon in the middle of the night for a strange kind of fashion there's a wrong and a right..."

Lol. I have no idea what it's talking about but I like it.

Sleep? It's for wimps!

2010-03-07T05:40:00.004-07:00

Oh I am tired! It's 8 minutes to six in the morning and I just finished my primary lesson. That's what I get for allowing myself to get sucked into a tear-jerker movie on a Saturday night.

And the Russian's stupid song is stuck in my dang head! Blast you Ray for introducing it to us! *shrug* oh well. I guess I am going to go and have a 2 hour nap and a 1976 Russian-PBS dream. Good times.

I tell ya, I've got to stop drawing so many pictures for my class. I mean really... is it that important that they actually understand this lesson? Kidding! I love those little rug rats and I'd do anything to entertain and teach them at the same time. :)

So the date was fine. Thaifoon was the restaraunt and I have to say it can't hold a candle to Pong Sri of New York City fame. To be honest... it probably can't even hold a candle to "Heidi's Tuesday night experiment" but the building was awesome and the company was entertaining so I don't have much to complain about.

OH YUCK!!! A nasty only semi-little spider just came crawling out from under my printer and was headed right toward my elbow!!!! I flicked him across the room! Eeeeeeew!!!

And on that note, I'm going to go steal as much quality sleep as I can in the next 2 hours. Sigh...

For your Russian Pleasure

2010-03-05T10:34:00.004-07:00

Oh hilarious! Sometimes I feel like this is what's left out there to date.

It makes me want to do something like this...

Thankfully, tonight I have a date with someone cute and funny. I'll let you know if anything musical comes of it.

Well in other news, I have another interview on Monday. Yippee!!! It's a VERY entry level position doing web content. Oh oh oh! I am crossing my fingers! I need someone to give me a chance! Also, today I am headed down to the applied technology center to find out what training they have available for web design.

So, yes... There you have it. :)

2010-03-04T02:43:00.003-07:00

I am kinda wondering why I am awake and why on earth I spent 3 hours making a picture of little flowers that looks like it got Xeroxed.

Well no luck so far from the interviews. But I'm not too horribly worried still. Something has to open up sometime! right????

So I was trying out a new way of thinking this week. It was the "stop trying to impress everyone and just do whatever you want" week. I think that "everyone" was less than impressed, or just didn't care. Sigh. I wish that people would not tell me to be myself. Clearly they don't know what they're asking for.

"Bout done me in!"

2010-02-28T13:01:00.003-07:00

Wow. The children in Primary today were rambunctious. I only had 3 in my class and they were just usual (a little bit rowdy but not horribly disruptive). Pretty much all of the older boys in the other classes though decided that today was a great day to yell their brains out during sharing time. Which naturally made my class think that was a good idea too.

Oh my head hurts!

Southern Fun

2010-02-24T23:51:00.005-07:00

I'm back from Alabama! Had a great time. It's past midnight so I'm not going to bother to re-organize these photos into their right order right now. I need a few Z's. I've got an interview in the morning. Yay!

Anyway, most likely I'll re-caption this post sometime very soon and fill y'all in on the rest of the story! Till then... Love ya! and you can think of your own captions! Share them in the comment section! :D

This fish had to go home and cry himself to sleep on his soggy little fishy pillow after the verbal abuse he received from Josh! (lol. Kiddin')

Look at these super tall trees! I love how they don't have any branches and then suddenly at the top... poof! Tree! Lodge...POLE! (as I used to tease Tink).

Uh oh, one of the monkey's got out!

Inside that tiny head are the secrets to the universe! You can see it in his eye!

Josh: Why is that rock tilted?
Me (or andrea... I can't remember which): That's the one that a dinosaur stepped on and said... Oops! Not stable!!

Fun in Sunday School

2010-02-16T06:59:00.005-07:00

This week in Primary I was teaching about the birth of our Savior. I wanted the little ones to have fun and enjoy the story so I told them that we were going to be the shepherds in the fields watching our sheep, etc... you know the rest of the story.

Well, I decided that I would make a sheep for each of the kiddos to "watch over". Ha ha ha! Look what happened...

Sheep #1's head was so heavy he fell over on it repeatedly.

Sheep #2 couldn't stand up because his legs didn't stick into him far enough. ...and he kind of looks like a messed up buffalo...

And finally.... Thanks to my mother's brilliant ideas...

Here is what I went with in the end. We had a whole herd of them. I let the kids take one home each. :)

I think Ma and I had as much fun making them as the children did playing with them. LOL.

Poor little deformed sheep. :(

Also, I've been out to Farmington bay a few times in the past month. The first time was SO cold! We were going out to look for the bald eagles that hang out here in the spring.

All we saw on our first trip was a crane from far far away.

Our second trip was a little more fruitful. It's warm this year and the birds don't come in very close to the shore, so all my pics are from a million miles away, but it was fun none-the-less.

We took Buddy with us this time. It was fun. I think he enjoyed himself; running and sniffing and marking everything he could. I don't know how dogs save enough pee to do that!!

Anyway, I'm off to ALABAMA for the week! So you all have a fabulous time here! I hope you'll comment on my blog while I'm away. I'm a lonely little hermit girl stuck in the recession and I check my blog and email and facebook WAY too much just hoping someone has commented!

Love ya'll... Sorry for the shameless begging for comments!

Pizza Partae

2010-02-08T21:33:00.008-07:00

So after our fancy Nancy party on Friday Shari invited me to bring my nephews to Chuckee Cheese's for dinner and some loud kid fun. We had a blast! I just LOVE taking my nephews places with rides. Oh their little faces just say it all. It was the best!

Right when we got there... Kids: "can we PLEASE have some tokens!!! Oh please oh please oh please!"

Me: "We have to wait for everyone to get here and for me to order the food. Besides I want a good picture of you boys. Smile for the camera!"

The result..."NOW can we have some tokens?!!?!!!"

One of the first rides.

Here's me with Shari and the other ladies who helped with the party.

I think the last picture pretty much sums it up.

Happy Chocolate covered face! And they actually went to bed pretty well afterward! lol. I told them that they needed to be good when we got home so their mom would let us go again sometime. :)

Fancy Nancy part II

2010-02-08T21:11:00.004-07:00

Here's a few fun pictures from my fun weekend. Those little kids were so much fun to hang out with. The little girls were pretending to be Queen Bees sipping from their flower cups at the table. The girl holding on her crown was saying, "everyone who isn't wearing a crown is a BOY! ha ha ha ha ha!"

Fancy Nancy Party

2010-02-07T04:40:00.002-07:00

I had the best time on Friday! My friend Shari invited me up to her house to help her and a few other ladies give her daughter a "Fancy Nancy" party. In case you are like me and didn't already know, fancy Nancy is a character in a childrens book. She likes to have everything fancy.

Shari had her house decorated SO cute! all full of pink balloons and feather boas. The little girls got to dress up all fancy and get to have their hair, nails and make up done. Shari made each girl a tu-tu and a tiara. Lol. Of course she explained to the children that they could only use make up and finger nail paint for dress up times.

Anyway, the girls got to have ice cream and brownies and then Shari's daughter got to open her presents. After the party Shari invited me to bring my two nephews over to Chuckee Cheese's pizza place and enjoy an after party. I'm pretty sure that Bryce and Hyrum just about burst with excitement for getting to go to such a cool dinner place. I think it was just as much fun for me to take them as it was for them to go. Oh I love spoiling little kids! :)

I'll post some pictures of this event real soon. I just don't have time right now.

At any rate, it has been sealed in my brain now that I MUST have a daughter! Therefore I am not giving up dating just yet. :) lol.

Well my cat is fussing that I'm not paying him enough attention, so I better go.

I thought I'd share this

2010-01-31T00:12:00.002-07:00

I really love this little video. Brother Wirthlin has a special place in my heart.

Have a good Sunday everyone.

Love you all,

Heidi

Seven Red Things ... finally.

2010-01-29T01:02:00.005-07:00

I was tagged by Care.

There are TWO rules to this:

#1. Post photos of 7 red things in your house
#2. Tag 7 people to do the same

It took me a while to get started on this. Care said, "I know you'll come up with something creative." lol. I thought... Crap! I have to think of something that other people will think is creative!!

Ha ha. Now that I finally got over that... here you go;

I am madly in love with these curtains in my room. My sister got them for me when I moved into my new apartment at school and I have incorporated them into my decor since I moved.

Next we have the CTU or "Cat-Training-Unit". A must have for the early days of cat ownership. Don't get me wrong, I am not cruel to my kitties. All the websites and books I read suggest that I should use a tiny discreet spray to discourage kitty when he tries to get into my plants or up on my counter tops.

And here we have a fond reminder of my youth. Ah yes, the chicken on top of the car and the police report of abuse to a plush animal. Good times! Thanks Care for finding this little treasure for me. The munchkins love to play with it when they come over.

Item number four: Mister Squeaky. A favorite toy of my dog. When he isn't begging for your dinner, investigating a cat or snoozing in the hall, Doggy is always bringing you a toy to make sure that you get in your daily recommended dose of play time.

This happy little magnet is on my fridge reminding me daily of my current income level for the year. :( Dang, dang dang! But not to worry... I am freelancing for a friend and may have some leads very soon!!! :D

If not for this one, I am not sure I would survive January. Its my trusty hot cocoa mug! You'll notice that it comes complete with steaming delicious beverage. I am so grateful for the invention of chocolate. I have to medicate myself with it frequently!

And finally... This is how I feel after the chocolate medication... (fat and happy!) LOL. Kidding. This one may have been cheating... but it does have red berries in its "hair".

Okay, I hope that was creative enough that you aren't checking off another thing on your list that wasted some moments of your life. ;)

I tag Andrea, Elisa, Apryle, Stephanie, Amber, Lisa and HeidiB. I am helping you out by saying that you can do BORING stuff... lol. Not that it really was a big deal, but I just am prone to freaking out over the slightest things. Yay me.

No Sleep

2010-01-23T05:56:00.002-07:00

Ha ha. This is how I feel right now. I couldn't sleep last night (thank you Heidi for drinking a MT Dew at 11:30 pm.) So I am all sorts of silly/giddy/ etc.

Give me 1 more hour and I bet I'll turn into a grump-a-soar. lol. Well I'll see ya later.

Is it too much to ask???

2010-01-15T08:45:00.004-07:00

WARNING: I am venting. I am not waging war or declaring intent to change the world. Just venting.

Is it really too much to ask that someone who's meeting you for the first time make the tiniest investment in creativity to ask you to do something besides... come visit at his house?

I have had it with this dating era! FIRST of all... I don't know anywhere else to meet new guys but online. Heaven knows there aren't any single men within ten years of my age range in my ward. I tried the singles ward and it too was void of potential... mostly 22 year olds. I don't work, and my married friends have said they don't really know anyone. So I'm left with the internet dating. FINE.

What is annoying me so much is that recently I can't find a guy online who will actually ask me out on a DATE. Nope. They won't even come over and pick me up to meet them. It's always, "why don't you drive out here to see me Heidi?" "Don't you want to come over and cuddle with me Heidi?" "Come over and 'hang out' with me Heidi." Come on!
Don't get me wrong, I don't mind cuddling, driving to see someone or even hanging out once in a while, but for Pete's sake, does it have to be the ONLY thing you can think of to do on a first date! And why couldn't they get in their car to come and see ME??? Am I the only one with a working vehicle? There's a bus...

I hate to burst anyone's bubble, but sitting around watching an un-showered, un-groomed man playing video games is not my idea of a good time.
I understand that the economy sucks. I understand men don't want to make a huge (one date's worth) financial investment in a woman that they aren't sure they even like yet. I'm even okay with all of that. So what about a cheap or free activity???

I'm asking you, Where is the creativity? I don't mean that we should aim for the marathon dates of days past in high school where you had to plan for weeks to find some cutesy way to ask someone out with some sort of irritating poem attached to a a shred of paper mixed into a big box full of blank shreds of paper. That would annoy me just as much.

What I was hoping is that a single man might have enough brain cells to rub together that he could think of something cheep or even free to do. An activity that doesn't involve his couch!

I have some ideas... How about a snowball fight, or sledding or making a snow man.
What about playing a board game and eating a bag of chips.
There's always the traditional "go for a walk idea."
And truth be told, there are plenty of art exhibits in the city that are cheap if not free to visit.
If he's not sure how much time he wants to spend with me, (for instance, if he meets me and instantly decides I'm not his type) Then there is always inviting me to meet him for a cup of hot chocolate. It's cheap, and if he has me meet him somewhere to get it he doesn't even have to drive me home afterwards. Brilliant.
But no. I am bombarded with suitors who only want to get physical. They're not interested in finding out if I might have so much more to offer than that alone. SIGH....
I'm going to go drink a cup of hot chocolate... by myself.

Got a little carried away with the bright colors...

2010-01-10T02:09:00.003-07:00

So I've been in that deep dark winter blues place for a week or more and this morning I felt the need to escape from all that so I made it Easter-bunny-bright springtime on my blog.

What do you think? A little over the top? ;) Yeah, I think so. I may have to change it back pretty soon. Don't know if my retinas can handle the glare. And if I am struggling with it, I'd imagine you are too!

Well friends, I am ready for some warmer weather. I am ready for some clear blue skies and the smell of fresh wet soil and the sight of all the baby green plants poking up to breathe in the goodness of spring. I think the weather man said that we're just past the halfway point of winter. This is my regular weather man.

So I guess we've got a ways to go. None the less... We can dream. Anyhow... While we're all dreaming, I suppose I should get back to preparing my lesson for the CTR 4 class today. :)

Blogging from my cool new phone

2010-01-08T07:22:00.003-07:00

Check it out!! I can blog from my phone! Thank you Santa for the awesome Christmas gift! I guess it wont let me do photos from here, but it is still pretty nifty.

Another Video

2009-12-30T02:11:00.003-07:00

Tried to upload another video... after 3 hours I gave up.

Oye... I had a tough day or two. First of all I got a little sick on Sunday, and subsequently, I've been cloistered up inside my house since then. I have a serious case of cabin fever, but I was afraid to get in the car and go anywhere because of the snow... I didn't want to get my car stuck in the driveway (I know, silly excuse, but there it is).

Oh man, I am aching to have a good job. I've been looking all over and just can't find much of anything I'm qualified for. I haven't looked in a week... I got all sorts of discouraged. It's time to start again. Not being able to find a job makes my self esteem hurt a lot! Bill collectors have called me and I have to keep telling them that YES, I do intend to pay them, but no it can't be today. It's not fun. I hate being in debt. I hope I can find a job soon so that I can start paying things off.

Does debt weigh you down the way it does me? To me it feels like it sucks the color out of my world some days. Anyway, I am going to try to get some sleep and hopefully have a fresh outlook for the job search tomorrow!

Love you all!

Christmas Day at the Lindsays

2009-12-25T21:33:00.005-07:00

You know Dasher, and Dancer, and Donner and Blitzen, Comet and Cupid and Donner and Vixen.... But do you recall... the most angry reindeer of all.....

Whiskers the angry Cat deer, had a very angry yowl.... and if you ever say you saw him like this,

He will almost surely growl... OH... Whiskers the angry Cat Deer!.... .... ...

Oh look, here's a happier reindeer... Those of you who know Buddy well, understand that this is really just a nervous smile.... "How long do I have to wear this???"

I couldn't help but put the antlers on the pets last night. lol. What can I say. They look fantastic. Penny (the other fuzzy kitty), only escaped because she was hiding at the time. ;)

We had a lovely Christmas here at the Lindsay household. It was kind of smaller than normal this year due to much of the family being out of town and with In-Laws. But it was wonderful all the same.

I am so grateful for our Savior and His birth and life and sacrifices. What a lovely sunshiny day it was today. Bright and beautiful and full of hope. :)

The gifts this year were fantastic. I am overwhelmed with the generosity of everyone for getting them for me.

I will post more pictures of the actual Christmas day events a little later.

Love you all! I'm kinda worn out.

Christmas Party With the Lindsays

2009-12-18T06:46:00.005-07:00

We had a fun Christmas party here on Wednesday. This year my married siblings are all spending Christmas morning with their in-laws so we wanted to have a party where all of us could celebrate together.

The kiddos got to pass around little Christmas gifts as Santa's helpers.

Topher decided that Julie needed to wear his Santa hat.

Isn't this baby SO adorable! I just love her! She's starting to give BIG smiles much more easily... but never for the camera! At least not when I'm trying to get her to smile for me! :p

And finally, look at these strong little boys! Holy cow! It's a little surprising to be in the kitchen talking to Elisa and to turn around and see a 3 year old lifting up the sofa!
It was so cool, I had to get a video of them doing it.

Failed inventions

2009-12-17T03:28:00.004-07:00

The manufacturers of the invisibility gown were so disapointed to learn that no one was interested in invisibility only from the chest down. But it was a great party trick.

Lol. Just kidding. I was online and looking at some tutorials and found one to make invisible clothes. What do you think? Here's the original image.

I went to Carr Printing and talked to the head of the company. He was very pleasant. I would love to work for their company. Unfortunately they do not have any available internships at present. Perhaps later. At any rate, it was very nice to meet with them and to get another contact. Its all about networking right!

Sewing and Woe-ing

2009-12-14T20:56:00.004-07:00

Like what I did with this frog picture? I made the reflection myself. I'm doing a bunch of that to help myself remember how to make these reflection thingys. They're so popular these days.

Anyone have any good tips on how to take a grown up pattern and shrink it down to make a matching outfit for a 3 year old???

I've been in this whirlwind of sewing wonderment. I don't know what it is, how it happened or why, but it bit me good. I've got like 12 projects going at once and I am loving every minute of it!

In other news, I have been called as the CTR 5 teacher. This past Sunday was my first time. It was a lot of fun. I love that age group. I have a VERY smart little boy and a cute chattery sweet girl. I havent met the rest of them yet, it was pretty snowy and I think that they were sick. But anyway... What's the protocol on reining in unruly children. All 5 year olds have a hard sitting still and being quiet for such a long period of time in church. I think that's understood, but how much of a disciplinarian should I be. Should I let them be out of their seats if they're paying attention? What if they are asking a bunch of questions that are off topic?

Suggestions?

And finally, tomorrow I get to go and check out the inner workings of a local print shop. I am SUPER excited about that. I asked for a tour and mentioned the option of me being an unpaid intern there. We'll see if they like that idea. :)

Too Funny! Had to share

2009-12-09T21:06:00.005-07:00

I’m going to presume this is a male. ‘He’ has the look of a long long married man. Tense, lips drawn in tight, eyes bulging, face turning green and ready to croak. Yep, that’s the look you get after 30 years when you marry Miss Right before learning her first name is Always.
His lifestyle might look cool, clean and tranquil but he still eats bugs. I guess that’s expected since he grow up with pond scum.

Help is available if you can’t think of a comment.
Stare into those eyes and relax. Relax. Reach deep inside yourself and find your inner frog.

_________________________________________________________________

HA HA HA!!! I did not write that. I actually found it on someone elses blog and I just HAD to share it! The original was at http://wiseacre-gardens.com/wordpress/dragonfly-vs-frog/ to give credit where credit is due.

Onto another subject... Recently my friend Seeg, (pardon the nickname) was talking about a dilemma in her home about whether or not she wanted her daughter having those fairytale princesses as idols or not. Well this may have nothing to do with that, but it got me thinking.

I never see the women in my immediate neighborhood doing any sort of yard work. Never mowing lawns, shoveling snow, pulling weeds, trimming trees... none of that. Now I'm not sure that this is a rule or just something where I never happened to be out doing my yardwork at the same time as they are. But if it is as I suspect, women here look down on assertiveness regarding yardwork and other things.

When I first moved here many many moons ago I was still in high school. I remember trying to ask someone out on a date and having the girls around me look at me like it was something strange. The only time they asked the boys out was on the girls choice dance. It just wasn't done...

I feel like the same attitude is being transferred into yard work, careers, etc. And I thought to myself, what kind of an example is that to our young women and girls? I think of the women who settled this area back in the 1850s. Heaven knows they didn't wait around for a man to do all the yard work, crops, etc.

Anyway, this has been on my mind and I had to put it out there in a public form because it wouldn't leave me be. Certainly I don't subscribe to the other extreme feminist view that (gruff tone) "women should do everything themselves! Men are useless slobs!" No not at all. I just think that women should be able to do the asking out or the yard work on occasion without being looked upon as less feminine or unclassy.

What do you think about it?

Mister Grumpy Grunts

2009-12-01T05:06:00.003-07:00

I have a grumpy kitty on my hands. He has razors for fingers and can't seem to help himself from clawing my hands arms and legs... This as you can imagine causes me to yelp a bit! So I had my mom help me clip his nails. He growled the whole time.

Now he's in the living room sulking. He's out there with his eyes in this half-closed glare and his ears turned back in annoyance and every now and again, though no one is touching him, near him, or even looking at him, you'll hear a little growl of annoyance.

Poor grumpy kitty. I need to find a good way to give them access to the front yard. He is such a busy kitty... I think he's bored and needs something else to do.

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

2009-11-22T17:02:00.000-07:00

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

You've got to check out this little video about what people are grateful for. It is fun to watch and even more fun to think of things that you're grateful for. When you start thinking about good times and about good things in your life, you can't help but smile!

I'm so grateful for my family. I have loyal, hard-working, generous, funny and loving parents. I have two fabulous sisters that I consider my very best friends, and I have the sweetest, most tender brother anyone could ever ask for. I also have an amazing extended family who give me strength and love and happiness always. I have wonderful friends that warm my heart just by thinking about them. I'm so grateful for the examples that have been set for me and for the patience that surrounds me. I'm so grateful for the knowledge and resources that this place I live in has so readily available to me! I'm so blessed to have a home and food and transportation. And greatest of all, I am so blessed to know that our Heavenly Father loves us and still cares about what goes on in our lives.

I'm sorry if I went on a long time with that, but I hope it put a smile on someone's face and that thinking of the things you're grateful for will put a smile on yours.

Love,
Heidi

Sad

2009-11-20T12:31:00.000-07:00

I hate goodbyes. I miss my sister and her family already! Oh. I am so sad.

Random thoughts and pics

2009-11-18T01:52:00.006-07:00

Contented kitty.

Whiskers helping me with my emails.
A favorite hang out for kitties.

Here's Hyrum playing in part of a really cool playground in Idaho. It's called Storybook playground I think. It was a lot of fun. I got several pics of the kiddos there.

Ha ha. Whiskers has the most Starry eyes! They're awesome, but I can almost NEVER get a picture of him without his pupils going funny colors.

This is an awesome tree in my yard. Pardon the artistic rendition... I think it's a really cool tree. There was a mistake made in the property lines between my house and the neighbor's so next spring he's probably going to take that tree down as it is on his lot actually. I'm so sad! I'll miss the apricots and the awesome artistic tree. :) See below to see what it looks like before I messed with it in Photoshop.

This is what I see every morning. Those dang gym shoes. They always have to remind me that I did promise to go to the gym in the mornings. I've been doing pretty good. We'll see how long I can keep that up.

Thank you kitties for dispatching a spider... Now could you possibly throw it's carcass in the trash can???

Here's a shot I took of the moon with my awesome camera. My dad's camera has MANY more mega pixels and so it is more detailed... but mine turned out not so bad either. :)

Kitty looking over his shoulder. Yes, I photoshopped out the junk on my bedroom floor! It was distracting! ;) lol.

AND finally, I am saving a breast again this year. Or at least helping. If you eat this kind of yogurt and want to give me your pink lids, I will mail them in. The company gives 10 cents per lid to fund breast cancer research.

So... in photos, that's kinda what I've been up to lately.

Just in time

2009-11-11T22:29:00.003-07:00

So I can't find my SD card reader right now so I can't post the pictures I wanted to share. I'll find it in a little while.

Me and the kitties are doing good. Thankfully, bucket-head days are done. Penny is feeling much better. We even got a bit of a fence up between the upstairs and downstairs so the dog can't harass them and they can sit in the window and look outside.

Today I planted a bunch of bulbs in my front garden box. I put out Daffodils, Tulips and crocuses. I can hardly wait for the spring to get here so I can see how they turn out! I love spring flowers.

I wanted to post a little note of gratitude for our troops and our veterans. I appreciate the sacrifice that they make for this country and for the good people in other countries. My heart goes out to them today. Thank you troops.

I have been trying to get the flu shot. Being un-insured and unemployed really sucks when it comes to medical stuff. I can't find a regular flu shot under 50$!!! I haven't gotten one and I am hoping I don't get sick.

I get to go see a new specialist next week about my carpal tunnel. I think they're going to try cortizone shots. Goody.

Anyway, I locked the cats out of this room because they kept jumping on the computer and messing it up and now they are outside the door crying, so I better be off! Thanks everyone for checking in on my blog! I love you guys!

Early Thanksgiving.

2009-11-09T18:52:00.001-07:00

Had lots of fun with my family at our early Thanksgiving dinner yesterday. Pictures to come.

Poor Bucket Head!

2009-11-03T22:39:00.006-07:00

So these are my babies. Pardon them if they look sleepy. I woke them up to take these pictures.
Penny is the calico. She's pretty sure that she is made out of paper. In other words, she's very delicate and dainty... quite the princess.

Whiskers is the black and white cat. He's an incredibly curious cat. He's always checking everything out. He can't stand to be in the same room with me without knowing exactly what I'm doing and usually getting in the way of it.

They went to get fixed last week. It seems to be going worse for poor little penny than for Whiskers. She was licking her incision too much and ended up popping a stitch. So today we had to go back to the vet and get her a bucket to go around her head. Poor baby. She hates it! It is so embarrassing! And itchy.

I have to leave it on her until Sunday.

Whiskers doesn't trust it. lol. She jumped up to sit by him and he totally poofed up and hissed.
Anyway... thats the excitement today from me.

Dressing Up

2009-11-02T15:22:00.003-07:00

So here's my costume this year. I decided to be a pirate. I think I need kids. It's a lot of fun to dress kids up and take them out trick or treating. At least I think so. Haven't done it in a while. :)

What are your thoughts? Did anyone else dress up themselves too???

Pumkins without Excuses

2009-10-31T00:58:00.003-06:00

Just a little Halloween fun.

I have to admit... I'm proud of myself. Lol. Never tried teeth before.

What are you going to be for halloween?

2009-10-26T00:55:00.003-06:00

Hi guys. Here's a picture I made of a chick dressed up as a butterfly. You likey? lol.

My hands are getting a little better. I'm on a lot of ibuprofen (per dr instructions). Seems like if I go without a dose they go right back and of course typing and doing housework irritates them a bit. Oh well.

What is everyone doing for Halloween? I know those of you with little kids will be busy with them, but does anyone wanna watch a movie at my house afterward? We can eat junk food!!! :D

There's my hopeful plug. Let me know.

Oh oh boredom!

2009-10-21T21:39:00.002-06:00

I am stuck at home. I have no money and no means of going anywhere because of it. No new job interviews or leads. Oh... I am So BORED!

Where did everyone go?

2009-10-14T23:08:00.001-06:00

So I have blogged a bit and been bored a bit and stuff and no body has commented on my blogs for a while. Did I get boring? Where did you all go???

Don't be a Hero

2009-10-13T23:58:00.004-06:00

Next time I think about saving a cat from my dog I'm going to remember to cover my face. Here's to another visit to the ER and another handsome ER doctor. .. . One who stitched up the laceration above my eye and said... that was ONE PISSED OFF CAT!!

No really he was just scared to death and trying to get to higher ground. I guess my head looked like a fine place to start.

The whole story is ... I was taking my cats outside to get used to the back yard today. When I was done with that I took them back inside and started cleaning out the litter box. Well Whiskers darted out and so I went to find him. Then the dog came out the back door, saw the cat and chased him all over the yard. Whiskers tried to climb up a really tall tree and got half way up and fell out. I thought he was hurt so I rushed over and picked him up and was rushing him back downstairs and into the house. Well, despite my ordering him to stay put, the dog ran up behind me and jumped on me. He scared the cat to death and the cat scratched me to try to get away and run.

I'm really lucky he didn't get my eye. He came super close! When I rushed inside to see the damage there was blood ALL over my face. It scared me to death. But hey, now I have a built in halloween costume huh.

Yard Sale

2009-10-10T23:25:00.003-06:00

So today we had a yard sale. :) Happiness. I got rid of some stuff that was cool... but really... I'm a pack rat and so I think it was healthy. lol.

Well my friends, I miss you all. I'm kinda bored lately and I wanna hear what you're up to. Still cant type much because of my goofed up wrists/fingers/ whatevers.

Okay. Hope to hear from you soon.

New Niece

2009-10-06T22:35:00.004-06:00

Isn't she so pretty! This is Alexis Kay Moulton. She's my new niece. She was born on 10/6/09 at 6:25 or so and weighed 6 lbs and some ounces that I don't remember and she's like 20 inches long. (you can tell I'm not good at this detail thing) lol.

Time for a second opinion?

2009-10-06T15:19:00.002-06:00

So the pain in my hands is bad again today. My right hand feels pretty useless. I went in to the chiropractor again today and had him do the adjustment. It just doesn't feel much different at all though.

I am thinking it's time for a second opinion. I've been trying to be careful about using my hands too much. :( Its frustrating. I can't do much of anything that doesn't irritate them. I guess it's more ibuprofen and ice packs for now. I probably need an MRI to see whats wrong for sure. But I think those cost thousands of dollars and here I am, not able to work on any consistent basis.

SIGH!!! Thanks for letting me vent! I am WELL aware that there are many many people who have it SO much worse than me. But thanks for letting me whine a little.

Photo Shoot and Flat Light

2009-10-04T01:04:00.002-06:00

Went up the canyon Saturday Morning. It was so gray outside. I've decided that the only thing to do with flat light is to blow the saturation way way WAY up and dink around with contrast. At least for fall color shots. Sunshine would have been much more fun.

I'm taking a photo class and this was our little field trip. Too bad we didn't go last weekend. I think we'd've had much better light.

Hands still numb/tingly. Kind of sad about it. Anyway, I'll talk to you more soon.

Heidi

Lost it. :(

2009-09-30T23:04:00.002-06:00

Well... looks like nothing is going to come easy for me right now in life. Due to my messed up nerve and messed up fingers, I was let go from my job. It was slowing me down enough that they felt really bad, but needed someone else due to their work load.

I'm sad, but okay about it. I will get better and then start looking again. Just typing this little thing is killing my hands and wrists. Talk to you all later.

More about work

2009-09-27T21:35:00.005-06:00

Hi. A few photos for you of this weekend's fun. I made the owl craft with my niece Erika. I saw the idea online. A lady was selling a kit for them, but I'm poor so I had to use stuff I already have to make them. I think they turned out really cute. Mine is the "Hoo's There?" one.

Then this is Whiskers. He's my nephews cat. They're probably moving soon somewhere that they can't have cats, so I volunteered to take the cats. There's another one. Her name is Penny, but she was being too shy to get her photo taken right now.

As far as work goes, I don't know how I like it yet because I was only able to work 2 days last week. This pinched nerve thing is killing me. It is strange... I'll start feeling better, but if I try to do anything (especially with the computer) it aggravates it and it hurts like crazy. Sigh. I am anxious to get done with the training phase of work so I can feel like I actually add to the company, but with this injury, I am just not being productive at all!

I am going to talk to the manager tomorrow and see what he wants to do. I am going to give them the option of finding someone else just in case this doesn't get better soon. I feel really bad about it! Anyway, I'll keep you updated.

Silly Dream

2009-09-27T12:50:00.002-06:00

I had the dumbest dream...
I went to a conference where Barack Obama spoke. When it was over there were a bunch of people walking home and I bumped into him. I told him I was concerned about his Health Care Reform and he told me he would look over it again. Then he walked me home. REally strange.

2009-09-26T00:36:00.002-06:00

Pin pricking

2009-09-22T22:32:00.003-06:00

I have the most irritating pain in my hands. My middle two fingers are still numb. I went to see a doctor about it today. One hundred and twenty four dollars later, it doesn't hurt quite so bad, but they're still completely asleep and feeling the pin prickly feeling. AAAAHHH!!! Hope it will go away soon!

The job is going alright. Had to take today off because of the pain, but I'll be in there tomorrow. There's lots to learn. It is out close to my old town and it was SO strange to be back over there and see all that has changed.

Anyway, that's about it for my nerdy little life right now. Everyone send labor waves to my little sister if you will. I am excited to see my new niece and I know Elisa's excited to have her body back to herself! lol.