currently

digging: being home. i took friday off work, and it was so nice!

not digging: my hands and fingers hurting from doing too much.

drinking: ice water - always!

eating: all kinds of unhealthy things. i've been on such a candy kick lately. i need to stop it!

watching: emily owens. md. i watched it and loved it when it was on, and was bummed went it went off the air. i downloaded all the episodes from itunes, and now i'm watching it again on netflix. but it always makes me mad when i come to the end, because i want more. i've also been watching veronica mars and i love lucy.

reading: finished always will by melanie jacobson last week, and then i dove into spotlight by traci hunter abramson. i have loved everything i've read from both those authors. oh and i just realized i read lord fenton's folly by josi kilpack in between the other two. i liked that, too.

listening: to many songs the past couple days while organizing my crafty things. also to harry potter and the order of the phoenix while at work.

feeling: annoyed at a particular person and at how she is treating others.

weather: slightly cold and supposed to be rainy, but i haven't seen any since last night. i love the rain, but i've been loving the warm days. i guess fall has to come sometime.

wanting: to get more done each day, both fun and not-so-fun things.

needing: to go to the doctor because i'm so bad at keeping up with that. i get really nervous about going, even if i don't think anything is wrong.

wishing: i could turn back time to april or may. except i wouldn't want my mom to have to go through her hip surgery again. time passes way too fast.

thinking: about christmas, even though i'm really not excited or ready for it to be time to think about it.

enjoying: good books, good shows, planning a couple fun things with a good friend.

loving: my four cute 4-year-olds that i get to spend time with each sunday. they wear me out and drive me crazy sometimes, but i love them and i'm grateful to be a part of their lives for a little bit each week.

a list

1. I was listening to a podcast (Elise Gets Crafty) on Friday, and the guest was saying how it drives her crazy when bloggers write every few months, and each post says how they are going to better. And I realized that's me quite often. Oops.
2. I've been watching city.ballet. Have you heard of it? I find the world of professional ballet very interesting, and I like a lot of behind the scenes type of things so this show is right up my alley.
3. I had dinner with a friend a few weeks ago, and we got to talking about marriages, and getting married young vs. a little bit older. She got married for the first time when she was 21, and completely regrets it. Of course, the @#$@% guy cheating on her has a lot to do with it. She remarried a couple years ago, and we both have realized that there are quite a few things we have done that we couldn't have if that first marriage had worked out, and if I had gotten married right out of high school like I kind of thought I would.
4. After reading this, I want to quit my job and move to Vermont to work for Ben & Jerry's. A slide? Taking home three pints of ice cream every day? Count me in!!
5. Ok, my work does spoil us at times, too. Staff Appreciation Week was last week, and we got a catered breakfast and lunch, gift card, a mini glass globe, and a fiesta. It's always such a fun week!
6. I wrote about dangerous brownies last year. The last time I baked them was a day or two before my dad passed away, and I haven't wanted them since. It's funny how you associate food with memories, good or bad.
7. If you happen to read my other blog, you may remember this post about a little schedule I set for myself. It worked great for a while, and I actually accomplished quite a bit, (several things from this list have been crossed off!) but then life happened and I haven't really followed my plan for a while. I'm thinking I need to revamp it a bit. 
8. I think someone needs to invent something that will transfer my thoughts directly to a computer. :) I think of things I want to write about while I'm getting ready for work, or while I'm at work, working on things that don't require my full attention - not exactly times when I can stop what I'm doing and write. And then when I do have a chance to write, I don't remember what I wanted to write about. I'm old! 
9. I can totally relate to this. 
10. "Everything you want is on the other side of fear." - Jack Canfield I need to work on this. 

struggling

I've always had such a hard time dealing with change. I just want some things to stay the same. Even when the changes don't necessarily affect me directly very much, I start panicking. Like if a friend or family member gets married or has a baby or gets a new job or is moving, it makes me panic a bit. I think part of it is jealousy when it is something I wish I could have or do, which is something else I struggle with a lot, and part of it is that I fear the unknown and how things will be different, and how that particular person may not have time for me, or that our relationship won't be the same. Logically, I know that a lot of these things are good, and I should be happy for that person, but I really struggle with it at times. I don't know why. I don't want to feel panicky and jealous, and honestly, I do want people to be happy, but I still struggle with letting that feeling overcome the fear and panicky and jealous feelings, and then I feel awful and guilty for not acting as happy for other people as I should. Maybe I'm just a selfish person. 

I don't know why I'm writing about this, other than it is something that has been on my mind lately. 

my goal

I don't know about you, but I tend to never keep New Years resolutions. I try, and then fail. I actually seem to do better when I set a goal other times in the year. Weird, I know. However, just these past couple days, I've decided to set a goal, and I hope I can achieve it. I've decided that I won't start any new projects this year until I finish the ones I have started. Or at the very least, I'm not to start anything new until I have finished a project. This may be very hard for me to do, as I always have ideas of things I want to do/create, and I want to start them right that second. (Patience is not one of my strengths.) And then the other projects I had been working on fall to the wayside for a while. Right now, I have quite a lot that I am in the middle of. Just look at this list:

• Halloween quilt
• minky quilt
• rag quilt
• mini album about my Florida trip in 2012
• 3 mini albums about my Disneyland trip with my sisters (1 for each of us)
• Project Life type album with older photos
• The History Project
• favorite photos album
• a surprise album for someone (I don't think she reads this, but you never know)
• December Daily albums from 2012 & 2013

Not to mention all the cleaning and organizing that I really need to do. And the cards I make for card drives and whenever I need them. Oh and Project Life, which I am in my 6th year of doing. (And I still love it!) And I may have missed some things. See why I sometimes say I don't have time to work? And it's exactly why I'm never bored at home! So if you hear me talking about starting a new project, remind me of this goal. I may or may not listen. :)

I actually started a new blog. I don't know why, since I don't update this one very often. But since I now have a decent internet connection, I decided that I wanted a place to share my crafty creations, and then I would keep this blog as more of a personal one. So I'll see how it goes. And if either of the two of you who I know read this want to see my creative endeavors, then I hope you will join me over at my creative mess!

Well, I'm off to work on a project. Don't worry, it will be one from the list! Maybe. :) Thanks for reading!

sightseeing

As I was leaving work today, a man stopped me to ask me for directions. He had an accent, so I knew he wasn't from around here. I told him I would try to help, but I am not the best at giving directions. He wanted to know where the Great Salt Lake was on the map posted on the street. It was just a map of the city, so I told him it wasn't on it. He asked where it was, and I told him north of here. He asked how long it took to get there and was there a train, or could he walk, or would he have to drive. I know it's too far to walk, but I honestly had no idea. He then asked isn't going to the lake special? I really didn't know how to answer that. I've lived here in Utah my whole life, and I vaguely remember going there once. So that got me thinking and wondering about other touristy things we have around here that I've never seen, or haven't seen in a long time. Maybe I need to take a day and play tourist around here. It could be a lot of fun. 

P.S. My birthday was good, despite my poor attitude. And then the day after, Gaston and I went to the Tulip Festival, and I got some great photos. If I ever blog from a computer again, I'll have to post a few. 

Thanks for reading!

this and that

So how is everyone?

This has been a long day for me today. My train was 20 minutes late this morning, so I got to work about 20 minutes late. I don't really care though. I'd much rather have the train be late on my way to work instead of late getting home! And I had to work a slightly different schedule today - I went in an hour later and stayed an hour later than usual. I will be doing the same thing tomorrow and possibly Wednesday. We hired a new receptionist and she needs to be trained before we can leave her alone to close the front desk. She seems to pick up on things quickly though, so that's good. And I will be at reception less than I have been, which is a very good thing!

I've crossed 3 things off my to do list for the week, and I will probably cross another one off here shortly, unless I spend more time blogging than I had planned on!

Remember that surprise I bought for someone in a previous post? Well, I will be giving it to that someone soon. I love surprising people! It's such fun!

I'm bad. I'm bribing my 5-year-old niece. I told her I would take her to Build-A-Bear if she let her mom and me pick out her Halloween costume. My sister didn't like the one her daughter picked out. So Niece agreed with my bribe. See - I'm bad! :)

I'm just about done making a rag quilt for my 11-year-old niece. She loves zebra print and I thought it would be fun to make her a quilt out of it. I'll post pictures of it soon. I would've done it tonight, but that takes more effort than I am willing to give right now. I'm also working on an ABC book for a niece using photos of the fam. And I've been working on a mini scrapbook for myself. I'll post pictures of those books sometime as well.

I signed up for another online card class that takes place next month. Should be fun! It's only 2 weeks long though and each day I will learn a different technique in stamping, inking, etc. and I will be creating a canvas with little bits of each technique on it. Go here: http://onlinecardclasses.com in case you feel like seeing what I'm talking about.

Usually I'm already getting a little excited for Christmas by now. Yes, even in August. But this year I really don't want summer to end. We didn't get warm weather until late May, early June this year. I swear there were even a couple days I wore a jacket in June.

Well, I guess that's enough randomness for tonight.

random

Just a few random things on my mind today. Of course, this whole blog is pretty random, so I guess I don't even need to say that.

First of all, I know what you are thinking - "Wow, two posts in less than a week! Is the world coming to an end?" I'm going to try and be a little better about blogging, and then maybe more people will read it. But then, maybe not.

I am so jealous of my nephew right now. He is on a trip to New England with his school. Today he is here: http://tammystimeflies.blogspot.com/2011/05/is-it-wrong-to-be-jealous-of-your-son.html and tomorrow he will be in New York City. I bet he is having a blast.

I am loving baker's twine lately. (Sorry the photo is blurry. I took it with my phone, and sometimes it won't focus.)



It's so fun to use on cards and scrapbook pages. I have eight colors and I just ordered three more.

I am so glad my talk is over.

My brothers and their families came over for a barbecue yesterday, and poor Gaston was stuck outside in the rain cooking. I don't think he minded too much though.

There was snow on the lawn this morning. Yuck! Enough already!

My three oldest nephews are now all taller than me. How did that happen? And my oldest niece is going on a weekend trip in a couple weeks with just her friends. They make me feel old. Why can't they stay little?

This is great: http://tammystimeflies.blogspot.com/2011/05/its-more-than-just-day-to-bbq.html And I'm not just saying that because my sister posted it.

I'm seriously considering (again) getting high speed internet. I know I would love it and use it, but at the same time, I'm afraid I would then spend too much time on the computer. Plus, I don't know if I really want to spend the money on it.

Well, I'm off to watch a chick flick and work on a zebra print rag quilt for my 11-year-old niece. Bye for now!

procrastination

Yeah, I know it's been 2 years since I last wrote something on here. What are you going to do about it? :)

Right now I really should be preparing a talk on personal sacrifice for the benefit of others for Sunday, but I'm procrastinating. I don't know why I think that if I don't want to do something, it will go away if I ignore it. I was the same way when I was in school. I would always leave my homework until the night before it was due, and then I would be up late trying to finish it. Apparently, I never learned my lesson. But I guess it could be worse - it could be Saturday night right now, so I guess I have gotten somewhat better, even though I am still procrastinating slightly right now. I just always struggle with preparing talks. And then I shake when I am up in front speaking. This is coming from someone who once wanted to be President of the United States. Yeah, I wouldn't have made it very far in politics without having to speak in public. Good thing I changed my mind when I got to high school.

Well, I guess I really shouldn't put off finding info for my talk any longer. I want to be able to read it while I'm stuck at the boring reception desk at work tomorrow.

Or perhaps I'll work on something crafty for a bit instead.... ;)

why is it?

Why is it that whenever I bake something for a specific reason, as opposed to baking something just because I feel like it, it turns out wrong? It drives me crazy! I baked turtle squares for YW tomorrow and I think I added too much caramel even though I added less than the recipe called for. Sigh. Now I'll have to figure out something else to take for the treats tomorrow night.


Oh...and by the way, Gaston read my blog and pointed out the sheet and comforter set we bought is blue and brown, not green and brown. I know we looked at some in both color schemes so I got a little forgetful in my old age. Oh, well. :)

Isn't my blog cute?

And no, I'm not just bragging about me getting it all cute. My sis did that for me. Isn't she great? I love it, Tam! Thanks! (Check out Tammy's blog at http://tammystimeflies.blogspot.com) I love green and brown! Gaston (that's for you, Anna!) and I bought green and brown bed linens that are really cute. And I have all kinds of green kitchen utensils. But my kitchen will be green and black and white. I love green!! But it has to be the right shade of green. The background paper is the perfect shade. I love it!!!

Wow! A 2nd post!

Amazing I know! It's only been about 2 months and I'm finally writing again!


1. If you were to attend a costume party tonight, what or whom would you go as?

It would probably be a witch. I have a great costume for one. I have orange and black striped tights, and a wig that parts of it glow in the dark, and a fake nose. Or I have glammed it up before with long sparkly orange eyelashes and LOTS of old gaudy jewelry and tons of makeup.

2. What are your choice of toppings on a hamburger? And do you prefer gas or charcoal grilling?

Lettuce, tomato, cheese, bbq sauce, and sometimes bacon. I don't care about the grilling either!

3. You are chosen to have lunch with the President. The condition is you only get to ask one question. What do you ask?

I would ask something out of the ordinary, like what's your favorite ice cream flavor, or something like that.

4. It's your first day of vacation, what are you doing?

Depends on where I am! I would probably sleep in a little, and then go shopping.

5. What is your concession stand must-have at the movies?

Popcorn and usually a box of Buncha Crunches.

6. Which do you dislike most: pop-up ads or spam email?

Pop-ups.

7. What do you think Captain Hook's name was before he had a hook for a hand?

James A Hook. :) I think it would ironic if his last name was always Hook. And I think that is his name in the movie Hook.

8. Rock, paper, or scissors?

Scissors

9. How long was it from 'the first date' until the proposal of marriage? How long until the wedding?

First date to marriage proposal...which proposal would that be? I'm too embarrassed to say! The wedding hasn't happened yet, but it's looking like it will be close to a year.

10. Which is worse, being in a place that is too loud, or too quiet?

Too loud! Especially at restaurants!

11. What is one quality that you really appreciate in a person?

Just being there when you need them to be.

12. At the good old general store, what particular kind of candy would you expect to be in the big jar at the counter?

Candy sticks.

13. What is the most distinguishing landmark in your city?

The Salt Lake Temple.

14. Everyone hears discussions that they consider boring. What topic can put you to sleep quicker than any other?

Anything that I don't understand.

15. How many times did it take you to pass your drivers test?

Once!

16. If you had to have the same topping on your vanilla ice cream for the rest of your life, what topping would you choose?

Mini chocolate chips. Chocolate chip ice cream is my favorite!

17. What food item would need to be removed from the market altogether in order for you to live a healthier, longer life?

Chocolate.

18. You are offered an envelope that you know contains $50. You are then told that you may either keep it or exchange it for another envelope that may contain $500 or may be empty. Do you keep the first envelope, or do you take your chances with the second?

Take my chances!

19. If you had to choose, which would you give up: cable TV, or DSL/cable internet?

I've never had either in my house, so I already know I can live without both and be perfectly happy.

20. What is your highest level of education?

I have taken a couple years of college, but no degree.

21. How much is a gallon of gas in your city? What was the highest it's been?

$2.60-ish. The highest was probably $3.20. I don't really know, but since that what Trish said, I'll go with it!

22. What kind of lunch box did you have as a kid?

The only one I remember is a plain purple one. I'm sure I had others, but I don't remember.

23. What would you rather have, a nanny, a housekeeper, a cook, or a chauffeur?

A housekeeper.

24. Would you rather be trapped in an elevator, or stuck in traffic?

Definitely traffic. At least there you have some control, whereas in an elevator you're stuck until someone rescues you.

25. Lets say a brick fell on your foot, and your kid is standing right next to you, what is your 'cleaned up' swear word?

I would probably just say Ow! And then cry. :)

welcome to my blog

I've never done this before, but I've been reading my sister's and my niece's blogs so I thought I would give it a try. I don't know that anyone will want to read what I have to say, but I guess I'll find out.