Time Flies

What a great week we all had as a family. It was just nice to be together, play games, eat good food, do fun things. We got to go bowling (grandpa won!--I think) ice skating-- can I just say half a lap and I thought I was going to die? Needless to say that lasted a whole 20 min. for me.
It was nice to look at Christmas lights on Christmas Eve. The weather was cool the first part of the week and that always feels more Christmas like to me. Then it got nice and warm so the kids could play outside.
My week of sleeping on the couch was not so bad! I slept pretty good! But I am really looking forward to my bed tonight.
Dad bought me an IPOD!! I do love it! I am listening to it right now. It is hard to keep my thoughts from being too jumbled.
We all missed my Mom. She just loved Christmas so much!
I have found another way in which I am like my mom-- I need to clean as much as possible! It helps me feel organized--or something.So after Drew and fam. left okay--even before they were gone I was cleaning! But my room/bathroom look GREAT!
The house is so quiet! What to do?!
I think I have another week off. Kaijsa will come and help me tear down Christmas. Who knows what I will do for New Year's Eve. Kaijsa wants me to go to a dance...hmmmnn. We'll see!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas-- and have a great New Years!

Hurry already

So-- now that I am back to hourly at work. (GRR!!!) I have time to prep for the family getting here on Sun. I woke up thinking I needed to make peanut butter popcorn. Maybe I should make it for breakfast! I hate that I wake up at 6:30 on my own. Does this mean I am getting old?
The weather has been so wacky. It will be in the 70's today and tomorrow... and then back to the 40's. ugh.
I really don't have anything to say-- just wanted you all to know I was still here!

the last 2 weeks

Thanksgiving came and went. Kaijsa was my big helper and helped me get all the Christmas decorations up. There are a few more things I would like to do-- we'll see if I get to it. It was so nice to have a long weekend! The food was GREAT! And I might add that my chocolate pie turned out really good!

Work has been okay. Not a lot of kids at Sylvan right now. Hopefully that will get better! Maybe not until after the holiday though! Right now it looks like I might get to take 2 weeks off at Christmas!! NICE.

This past weekend I got to go to another meeting down south. I now believe I know all about the towns down there-- and I can get around without getting lost now. Too bad I had to get lost so many times to figure things out! This time I thought I would be able to get in and out of the airport without any troubles. I just had my carry on.. well I didn't know that my rental car place was not at the airport. After waiting 20 min. I got picked up and then I had to wait for a guy to get off the phone. I think he felt bad for me so... .he gave me a Mustang Convertible to drive!!! It was quite fun. I found the hotel okay-- bed was comfy-- bathroom floor had a lot of hair on it! Found the center okay... meeting was good... but I got bad directions to the outlet mall-- so no shopping for me (sadness, I know).

So, now it is time to countdown until everyone gets here for Christmas. Dad and I are getting quite excited. I need to figure out what I will cook...hhmmnnn

Twilight

I have done my part of adding to Stephanie Meyer's wealth. I am sure I will see the movie again-- all in the hopes of seeing the next 3 books put up on the big screen. I liked the movie. I knew it would not do the book justice-- I was right. BUT I felt like the actors did a decent job with their characters. I was a little disappointed in the meadow scene--but it is Hollywood. So-- it is what it is an enjoyable movie. I will still prefer the books more.

Thursday night I got to go and see the 5 Browns in concert. When I bought the tickets I paid no attention to where the concert was-- I just knew it was East of Dallas.... how about 2 1/2 - 3 hours away! SHEESH! We had to stop and eat... and so we were a little late. But when we got there, there were firetrucks all around. Apparently there was smoke coming from somewhere. The building was evacuated for some time. When we arrived people were just taking their seats! NICE... Oh- best of all since we had no idea where we were going we entered in the back--and got to talk to a few of the Browns! We were in jest asked if we wanted to come on stage and help them! The oldest sister could not attend due to a serious eye infection (She is even losing some eye sight!) We hope she gets better. The talent of these people!! AMAZING. Their hands moved so FAST. It was nice music. Relaxing. Enjoyable. I will have to get some of their music. The guy that was the "stand in" arranged almost all that was performed. TALENTED!!! They even did a ask questions about us for a few minutes after intermission thing. That was kind of cool.

That was the last of my concerts. I will get through Christmas... and then see what is next. (A new season of So You Think You Can Dance should be starting up!!!)

S Padre

I had a meeting in Brownsville, TX on Friday. Several things added to it being quite the trip.
Thursday when I flew in to Harlingen it was raining like crazy. I got my car (Ford Fusion-- I liked it.) and tried to follow the directions. Because it was dark and raining I had a hard time following them. I got some dinner (Wendy's) and kept driving knowing I needed to go south-- I went south. I decided I better ask for directions so I stopped and found out I was right, just keep on going. I finally get to Brownsville-- looking for my street exit and I never find it! Now I know I am close to Mexico so I stop at a grocery store. I was in little Mexico for SURE! I got my face soap (that I knew I had left at home..) and ask for directions. The kid had no idea so I asked the pharmacist. She told me how to get where I was going -- and the street I needed was NOT the one on my info sheet! I am driving around (thankfully the rain had stopped.) and still not seeing my hotel. I stop at Kohl's and I am only a block away from my hotel! YEAH.
I am in my room, getting ready for bed-- only to discover I had forgotten my contact solution. Hotels are supposed to have everything you need if you forget right?? Nope-- they can't help. I decide I DO NOT want to go back out so I throw the contacts away (only a week early! ARGH!!)
Didn't sleep real well as I just love my memory foam pillow and mattress.
Attempted to get to my work meeting early only to discover I had the WRONG address. Thankfully sister was able to call them and they called and got me there okay. Meeting was good. Learned a lot...glad I went.
Got to S. Padre Island--beautiful weather, nice beach...had a good stay there. On Sat. I wanted to walk the beach but it was SO windy it was a little sand storm out there. Well I did go out and take some pictures--- and I lost my coin purse. My 2 credit cards, license, and health insurance card were in there!!!! It was 11:00 and I would not get home until 8:30! What would I do? When I discovered this I was almost to an outlet mall (wanting to Christmas shop). I called the hotel-- and they did not have the purse. I drove BACK to the beach and looked around, but in that wind? (Oh- did I mention there was a guy bulldozing the sand?) Found nothing. Went to the airport and on the way there I saw a Wells Fargo open!!!! Because I felt that I should take my passport (in case I went to Mexico) I was able to withdraw money from my account!!!!! YEAH!!! I could get gas for my rental car and best of all!!!!!! I GOT TO EAT!!!!

End of the story-- after canceling my credit cards I got a call today-- Mr. Jason found my wallet today (?) at the BEACH! YES! He is mailing it to me tomorrow.

My lessons--1. Do not attempt to get off anti-depressants when traveling alone in an unknown place.
2. God does hear and answer my prayers! A miracle for me! YEAH!!!!

Annoyed

OKAY! We all know the Twilight movie is coming out soon. Who knows if it is even good. (Emily no comments.) SO-- they are having this meet and great the cast the next 2 weeks. Dallas is "lucky" enough to get to have Robert Pattinson come. Does Hot Topic NOT understand that THOUSANDS of girls want to meet him? Sheesh. They have 250 t-shirts and 500 wrist bands for this. SF had to cancel part of it...Today Dallas opened the mall earlier than the 6:00 AM and gave the bands...so anyone that got there at 5:45 was too late! WHAT IS THE POINT?!!!!!
Needless to say I was SUPPOSED to be able to take a niece and a girl from Moldovia to meet him, but NOPE! Too late. ARGH.. perhaps I am more upset than the girls! The movie tickets are already sold out too. This is LAME!Perhaps I will feel less annoyed after seeing the movie.

On a HIGH note-- I went to my first Single ADULT conference. When they said 31 to 99 they were not kidding! Thursday I went to the Temple-- I think I saw 40 women and 10 men.... of the men MAYBE 2 were within my age bracket. Friday was a little better, byt when I got to the activity they were playing 50's music.. and I was the youngest and not too many my age! I did get to dance with 2 guys my age. One all the way from Canada and the other from Louisianna.
Saturday-- much better-- 3 guys in my age range that I talked to! (I did get to play Rockband with 1 of them and I do best at the singing.) I learned that I cannot 2-step and talk at the same time.
All in all I had a good time, and will still find it strange to be at an activity with men/women in their 70's on up... of course when I get to go with Dad that will be its own experience.

Carrie Underwood

I got to take my niece and a friend of hers to the concert. We had a lot of fun. I was not really looking forward to the main part of the concert-- at times she is a little annoying to listen to on the radio--- but I was pleasantly surprised! She has such a powerful voice it was good to hear her live.
I REALLY enjoyed Little Big Town. I could have kept listening to them all night! It was a fun concert. Got home a little late... I was a little tired and cranky when I was lost while trying to get home, but we all got home safely and I was in bed before midnight.
The next event for me is going to a Singles conference. I will go. I will try to be positive. I just don't love going by myself. sigh.
In 2 weeks I go to south Texas for a conference. I am looking forward to that. I am hoping to fit horseback riding on the beach into my budget.
Work is good. My boss broke her arm so she is there 1/2 days. Work is picking up so that is GOOD news!

BYU

Went to what was supposed to be a good game. Too bad BYU really didn't show up. But I got a few nice pictures. We did have EXCELLENT seats. And I got a BYU t-shirt for the game!
Carrie Underwood concert is on the 30th. It will be fun to take Kaijsa and her friend.

Kaijsa Moment

So it was really rainy today. Needless to say there was no point in doing my hair as I had several errands to run today. When Kaijsa got to work I was telling her about my day and how there was no point to doing my hair. She asked why and I told her I had to go to the dentist and then to the post office. Her response was "It doesn't rain inside." I just looked at her and she gave me that "WHAT?" face... I said, Kaijsa-- I had to go outside to get in my car and then to go into the buildings.... "OH!!!" she said.
Gotta love my Kaijsa moments.

Concert Weekend

Whew-- what a weekend. I loved my nap today-- and I don't think I will have any problems sleeping tonight!
Friday-Darlene flew in (first class lucky girl) and we decided to try and find some shops. Drove forever and found the Container Store-such a great place! Then I decided to drive home because I wanted time to get ready for the show. Last minute Rachel got a sitter so all of us could go and a ticket wasn't wasted! The theater was really nice. Our seats were pretty good. I had thought we would be closer, but no. Still good seats though. So you Think You Can Dance--I LOVED it. I got to see most of my favorite dances. There was one I hoped to see, but I am guessing Katie was injured as she wasn't in any of the group dances, didn't do her solo...etc. So that was sad. Her main partner had been the winner of the show so I felt like he wasn't out there as much, but still got to see him with the others. It really was great entertainment. Could have done with less talk, more dance-- but still good.
Sat. Darlene and I went to the TEXAS STATE FAIR. We got there just about the time that the UT vs OU game was starting so parking was a nightmare. I decided to park at some guys house. I knew I had parked someone in, but I thought I would be the last one in--so I went ahead and parked there. Got to the fair walked all around, ate corn on a stick, corn dog, and Blue Bell Ice Cream. Gotta love fair food. Saw some cute animals. Couldn't find the places with the quilts, photography etc. Since everyone was in the game it was easy getting around. At half time it got a little congested. Decided to leave while the game was still going--got back and guess what? I WAS PARKED IN! The place I parked at was also a towing place so I had them tow a car so that I could get out! CRAZY!
Michale Buble`-- what a GREAT entertainer! I LOVED this show. He has an amazing voice and stage presence. I will have to get his CD. It was just a lot of fun.
I think good times were had by all.

It's TIME

I am so excited! I get to go to So You Think you Can Dance --tour. It is tomorrow. I was reading some comments from others who have gone--sounds like it will be GREAT! I may even have to buy a Twitch t-shirt.
Sat. I get to go to see Michael Buble`. I don't know what to expect for that one. Should be good though.
In Nov. I found out I get to go to the southern part of TX. I will spend an extra night there and go to South Padre Island. Don't know how fun it will be by myself, but it's the BEACH!!!!
I am enjoying the new shows that I love (Bones, NCIS, HOUSE...) I need to spend some time reading, but after I finished the 3 series I was reading-- I just haven't gotten into anything new!
I will take pictures and tell you all about the shows next blog!

Orlando

Well I think it took me 1/2 an hour to figure out how to change my blog background-- but I did it!
I am trying to get ready for the Presidential Election. Dad and I are watching the first debate. I tuned out during the first question!!! I CAN'T TAKE IT! It is the last days. I accept that.ugh.
Last week I got to go to Orlando for work. I hardly got to step outside of the hotel (SO FANCY--Rosen Shingle Creek)--but when I did it was SO NICE outside. I should have taken my swimsuit...o-well. I had lots of meetings and lots of food. I did have the BEST ice cream sundae-- Hagen Daz brownie a-la-mode. A new favorite. The classes were okay. I think they could have done a few more...or made conference shorter. I did get rejuvenated for my job! I got to see friends from KS. I didn't really get to talk to my boss from there, but that is how it goes with her. I did get to see friends from UT and had a great visit with them. They told me I seemed so happy! YEAH! Maybe I am getting better! I was even able to look a boy in the eye! Only talked to him for like 2 minutes, but that is better than in the last 2 years!
The spare room is almost finished. Dad and I finished the painting today. Now we just need to get the couch in and the bookshelves in the right places. I will take pics. soon.
2 weeks until my FUN weekend of "So you think you can dance" and Michael Buble`.
My friend Becky told me that her little girl said, "I am ready to see Jen, can we go to her house?"... awwwww... so wish I was made of money and could spend more time in UT!

labor Day

Last weekend for Labor Day some of my family (Dad,Rachel and her 3 kids) and I went to the St. Louis area to visit my mom's parents. It was overall a good trip. I got to eat at the Cracker Barrel twice. I got to go to the St. Louis zoo with the rest of the town... and I got to see my grandparents! I did learn several things about myself. 1. I really hate long car trips. 12 hours in a car from 1 PM to 1 AM is NOT fun. I drove the last hour and was so tired!!! Dad told me I was swerving and my response was-- Yeah, I am TIRED! We did make it safe and sound (?). 2. I am not nice if I have not had enough sleep. The kids got to sleep and woke up at their normal time. Don't know how my sister does it!!! I had to go and sleep some more. 3. I really do not love zoos. Now the St. Louis Zoo is "world famous"-- I think it is because they had the World's Fair there in the early 1900's and so the buildings and bird house are really cool looking. I did enjoy the Sea Lion show...but the rest of it-- I could do without. I think I should just go to a zoo in the morning or whenever the animals are active. When it is hot out we are all hot and tired--animals and people!
My grandma is looking so good! It was nice to see her. Grandpa is getting older and not as active as he once was. In someways it is hard to see them like that, but I know they like to see us.
I was a good trip.

Labor Day

So now what?!

I finished the series "UGLIES" this week. I really liked the first book (Uglies) and the last book (Extras). The other 2 were good. So now that I have finished those... I don't quite know what to read! I guess I will have to check out the library here and see if I can find some books on the goodreads list some friends have posted.
I am LOVING going in to work at 9. That extra 30 min. to sleep is WONDERFUL! I finally broke down this week and purchased insurance for myself. sigh. I am hopeful that once my center is bought then the new owner will be a little more helpful with it.
I have come to and end of buying concert tickets. (I think). This week I bought tickets to see Michael Buble`. Should be fun. (concert not 'til Oct.)
Dad and I are going to make the trek to see Grandparents this weekend. I will definitly need to take movies and books for the drive.

Summer over

Tomorrow I get to start my fall schedule at work! I go in at 9... and if I am lucky I go home at 5:30-6:00 otherwise I stay until 7:30. We'll see how that goes.
My goal is to exercise in the mornings. Maybe by writing this you can help me do it.
I finished a book this weekend. UGLIES. I actually liked it. There was some political commentary in there, but I laughed and ignored it. I did like the theme of loving the way people look with out needing to be perfect. (I bust be self-conscious since my sister's WII FIT told me I was overweight and made my animated body chubby!)
So, if you are needing a good girl likes boy story after the Twilight series--maybe check this one out!
Also-- Michael Phelps won his 8 gold medals. I can go to bed at a decent time now!

I got it

Well I hope you all enjoy the pictures. Took me long enough to get to it!
I did two slide shows as I felt like I had "2" trips. The first part with friends and the second with family. Sadly I forgot to charge my camera and so there aren't very many pictures of the family part. sigh.

I am currently loving the Olympics. Go Michael Phelps! I do love the summer games.

I finally got to watch the finale of So You Think You Can Dance. I was happy with who won. Now I am really looking forward to the tour!

Back at work... back to the grind of life.

Idiot!

So, I took these fun pictures of Becky and her kids... then I downloaded them to her computer and promtly deleted them from my camera. The problem.. she has dial-up and I cannot send the pictures to myself for fear it would take ALL DAY to do that. So I am trying to get them on my blog before the kids wake up--- and it is still taking forever! My sister was kind enough to tell me how to do a slide show, but again with dial up I have no patience! So I am trying something else. We will see. So far I don't have the option of adding a picture... Frustration. Stay tuned to see if this works.

First half of UT

Well I just have enough time to add a few pictures. I have enjoyed my time with Becky and her family. Enjoy the pictures!

Breaking Dawn

Ah-- the anticipation is OVER! I have finished the book. Friday night I was at a Border's bookstore for the book release party. It wasn't really a party so much as a chance for teenagers to dress like vampires. I was the THIRD person to get a wristband and I thought that meant I would be the 3rd in line....NOPE! Little did I know, there would be a huge line to get the book. It was exciting to see them roll out the boxes of books-- and then the wait began. After 15-30 min. of the line NOT moving my group decided to go to Wal-Mart and get it there-- no line.

I got to start reading Sat. during the never ending garage sale... and fininshed it today.

My reaction-- what an interesting book. Still need to process my thoughts on it, but I do think I liked it a lot. The last just seemed so different than the first 3... but I am happy with the ending. I can totally see where she can pick up and carry on-- now that Bella's story has been told. HOORAY!

This week I get to go to Utah! YEAH! I am so excited. It will be great to see friends and family... and let my niece celebrate her birthday month. The trip to 7 Peaks is the official celebration in her mind, I believe.

I am still trying to get Kinsee to say my name....I was lazy this weekend with the book and having a cold. Sure hope I am 100% by the time I fly!

Thanks for reading!

Ramblings

I got off work early today and LOVED every minute of being home! I finally got to use the pool during the last 1/2 hour of good sun time. It is alwayas joyous for me to be in the water. I would really like to swim more-- takes that motivation that I don't always have.

So, I finished eating my melting chocolate cake. It was DIVINE! If you have souflet dishes I can get you the recipe and you can try it yourselves.

My brother works at a public library-- this week the final book in the Twilight series comes out and he got to read the FINAL chapter. GRRRR. I am confident I know who Bella will end up with so I am not too jealous (okay, let's be honest-- I am.)

I am enjoying the show So You Think You Can Dance. The show will tour and tickets go on sale Friday-- for the presale. Guess who has the presale password-- ME! I am so pumped. I will take my sister, Kaijsa, and a friend of Kaijsa's. It will be fun.

In a week I will be in UT. My goal is to take pictures and then maybe you will have something more exciting to see.

Thanks for reading!

Well, I guess it is time for me to have my own space to ramble. My sister and brother have a page... so I need one too. Anyone else think it is rude that I had to find my brother's site through my sister! yeah, me too.

This week I read a GREAT book. It is called Same Kind of Different as Me. I highly suggest it. Now I am rereading Eclipse as I am super excited for the final book to come out on Sat. This second time around I find Bella highly annoying.

I saw The Dark Knight yesterday and enjoyed it.

Tonight I am going to try out a new recipe-- Dark Chocolate Melting Cake. I am so hoping it will turn out to be like the dessert I had on my cruise!!! I will let you know. And if it is good. I may let you all try it.

Well, that will be it for now. Thanks for reading.