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.