Decision Made!

I have decided to stay in AZ. Job security means a lot to me right now in this phase of life! I started apartment hunting and I found a place only 10 min from work!!!! I will live in Chandler. I will have a 1 bedroom apartment. Only 625 square feet--big enough for me! I am so excited to have my own space. I have never lived by myself--I'm sure I'm in for an adventure!!
In November I will start full time at the spa. Full time is 30 hours-- which is only 4 days a week!!! I would love to only work 4 days, but I will work 1 day at Massage Envy. That can be my vacation money.
Feeling blessed, excited, nervous-- it will be weird to go to Church and be by myself.

Sister's kids had Fall break. We went to the Wildlife World Zoo. It was a lot of fun.

Only pic of me

Love those fishies!

Saling Family

Flume ride= FUN

This week I get to to see my Dad in Texas! So excited for that!!!

Decisions

I am not very good at making decisions. And, I have had to make one in the last little bit. I have lived with my sister for over a year now, and it is time for me to move on. But where to move to? I debated between Utah and Arizona. It has been so hard to decide. I love my family in Utah and miss them and my friends so much!!! I also love my family here and have just started to like Arizona.... Ultimately it came down to my ability to work and care for myself.(and a matter of fasting and prayer of course!) In Utah I would have a hard time finding a spa or massage job that would pay enough to allow me to have just one job. So, I am staying in Arizona. I hope to start full-time with the Aji Spa in November. After 6 months I will get benefits etc. We find out in the end of Dec. beginning of January if we have made the select Forbes 5 Star rating. If that is accomplished then I will have no problems finding a job in the future.
static.howstuffworks.com/pdf/spa-criteria.pdf 
click that link if you want to know about 5 Star Spas. 
I am now looking into apartments--just a little one bedroom will do. I want to be close to the spa, which will then allow me to be close to my sister to help her once a week and close to the single adult activities.
I have started going to a mid-singles institute class. It is SO good. And just what I need in the middle of my week. I still think of myself as awkward around the guys, but maybe I can get better at talking to them! In the meantime I am there for myself and am learning little gems of knowledge that help me go another week!
Sister working--kids screaming--guess it is time to run. I will try to be better at updating....

Recovery

What do you do when you are recovering from surgery? You read this book. It is seriously the cutest story I have read in a long time. LOVED it.

Surgery went well. I was a little too optimistic thinking I could take a pain pill and fly to Dallas 48 hours after....it didn't happen. I have learned that I am allergic to morphine and some other pain pill. Recovery has been slow, but I am a lot better. Thankfully my Dad was able to cancel his flight too and he stayed with me. I am back to work. It is ok...just wears me out. I come home pretty tired.

Hopefully I can take that trip to Dallas in the next little while. Love my Daddy!!!

Sedona

Jeep tour in the rain

Getting to see things others don't because they cancel a tour!

Rain Waterfalls

Merry-go-round rock at sunset

Elvis took a picture here in a similar pose

Duck at timeshare--totally posing

Sunrise

The clouds were beautiful each day

Darlene and I got to go to Sedona! It was such a nice break for me--quiet time, cooler weather, lots of good food--we had a wonderful time! We got there Sun. morning and left Wed morning. Kind of a quick trip (we originally planned for a week, but then her sister decided to get married so Darlene had to go back early). Sunday we checked out the shops, ate at a yummy Mexican place (only to later find out the timeshare guy said he never tells people to go there because they are always getting in trouble with health code violations....but we liked it). Monday we took a jeep tour-- and seems to be the only day I took pictures. It rained on us at the beginning and then it was nice. We were dry by the time we were done (a 3 hour tour). Tuesday we got massages and watched The Dark Knight Rises (LOVED IT!!!!) Wednesday we packed and left. I love my annual trips with Darlene (3 years now--next year we are saving for an Alaskan cruise.) Enjoy the pictures!

A little vent

I have finally gotten my surgery scheduled--June 30 at 9:00AM. I was thinking about this, I think I have the "junky" body of the family (because I am the youngest?!) I am the only one who has broken a bone, I have no gall bladder, tonsils, adnoids (my bro too)...and now this. Hmmnnn So,this surgery they will go in through my leg and block the blood flow from my uteran arteries. This then stops the blood flow to the fibroids... and should help me out. (This or a hysterectomy, but who wants that at 34 years old?) I was told I may or may not be able to have kids. Since I am not dating anyone I don't see that as an issue...and the closer I get to 40 and being single I don't see it being an issue... BUT.. a little sad to think about.

Work today--MADE ME CRAZY! I had nothing on the schedule until 2:00 (I leave at 3:00). I had my book so I was ok. Then I got a 9:30 appt....and then NOTHING...at 1:59 the lady calls to cancel the 2:00. I WAS SO MAD! I could have left at 11:00!!! She had an appt. yesterday and rescheduled to today... now she is set for next week and it better not be with me! Sheesh. So glad I had my book... but still.  Frustrating to sit around for so long and then not get paid because they "reschedule." And the other frustration is that when I come in on Tues mornings the laundry is piled high and so is the trash. It takes me 30 min just to deal with all of that! Today I left my manager a note. She didn't respond to it. Grr.

Pictures and health

With all of my sisters family here I got to take pictures of the kids. I have a new camera that will do black and white--while pulling out a color--seriously fun for me! I still need to do some family pics.

Work at the spa is going well. I still have a lot to learn--or remember. I don't think I have had what I would consider a smooth session yet. I forget to place towels out or do the gord... or remember what all to say...I will get there.

I had a MRI last week. I have uteran fibroids. Apparently I have the uterus the size of someone 3 months pregnant. The MRI tech described the fibroids as HUGE...so, I will meet with a surgeon in the near future to discus surgery options. From what I have read I will be down at least a week. I am a little sad because this means I can't go to a wedding next week that I was really wanting to. I can't take off work when I know I will be gone a week later in the month for a vacation and then with this surgery coming up. SAD!!! So, I may try to combine my surgery/ recovery time. If they won't let me swim I will just have to have the surgery later! Why ruin a vacation!

Haboob of June

A dust storm in AZ is called a Haboob. I was on my way to the Adult session of Stake Conference when I started driving in this! I could taste the dust. So gross! No wonder I have allergies! It is a sight to see, and I guess since I don't get any thunderstorms this will have to do.

Stake Conference was PERFECT for me this weekend. The theme was 2 Nephi 5: 27"And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness." I will be the first to admit that I struggle with happiness. My life has not been easy (whose has) but it has been really hard for me to find moments of happiness. I know all the church answers and I get it, but this is my trial now--finding joy in the face of my trials. So-- I am going to try and follow my Stake President's counsel and write down 10 things I am grateful for each day. An attitude of gratitude.

This quote has also helped me this week, "The companionship of the spirit of the Lord is an antidote for weariness, … for fear and all those things that sometimes overtake us in life" (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith Lesson 11) So, I am on a quest to make my life a little better-- or a lot better by really paying attention to the Spirit.

 This was the big news of my week: My Dad turned 65 at the beginning of the month and got to retire this past week! So, he bought my car--that he has been driving for the last year as I left it in TX when I moved to AZ--I have been driving a minivan or a SUV and I have HATED IT (because of gas prices and how much it takes to fill them up). It is a 2010 Ford Focus. It is SO NICE inside!!! I really do love it.

And I started at the Aji Spa. I am learning a lot. A little bit overwhelmed, but totally looking forward to being there. I get some sweet deals at all Sheraton/ Starwood resorts and hotels. I need to save and start TRAVELING!!!!

So, see-- I really do have much to be grateful for!