New Year's Resolutions

So, I decided to make a few new year's resolutions this year.... and actually write them down. Hopefully I can actually achieve my goals this year! Here they are:

1- Be better at reading scriptures and saying prayers. I thought it was kind of scary to post that on here, but I figured it is something that everyone could probably work on and something that probably nobody is perfect at so I decided I shouldn't be scared to admit I am not perfect.

2- Save money (short term and long term). I read this article on the internet about people who saved EVERYTHING for a whole year; spending only on necessary items like food, gas, hygene/toiletries. Some didn't make it the whole year, but I want to try it for as long as I can. I know that I can save alot more than I have been so I am going to start!! I am going to try the "no spending" thing for at least January, then after that I might give myself a little allowance. We will see!

3- Stop drinking caffiene! This one is going to be really hard for me, but I will have the "no spending" thing on my side to help.

These are all the goals that I have come up with for this new year but I think they will keep me pretty busy! I will keep you all posted on how they go! I would be interested to hear about any resolutions you have made!

I Need A Recipe!!

I need a GOOD recipe for Cheese and Broccoli Soup!! IF any of you could get me a recipe by the 19th, that would be awesome!!! We are having a Christmas pot luck at work and I am in charge of that soup! Let me know!!!

Thanksgiving Weekend! (Be prepared for a long post!!)

I had a pretty good Thanksgiving weekend. I had a 4 day weekend, which was EXCELLENT! Wednesday night Dan and I went to institute and then we went out to Dan's parents house for "Pie Night." His mom decided to start a new tradition of eating pie on the night before Thanksgiving because everyone is always too full for pie on the actual day. So, we ate yummy pie and hung out with all his family. His sisters and mom went to twilight that night and they really wanted me to come.... but "I am a party pooper!"
Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, I SLEPT IN!!! For dinner I went with Dan to his Grandparent's house. Dinner was sooooo yummy, and I even saved room for pie! We hung out there for a while with his family and we even took them over to a park to throw some discs. Mike, Dan's brother-in-law, is a really awesome thrower!!! I wish that he lived closer and could come play with us! Dan's brother, Ty, throws really well too! That night, we went to my parent's house to visit. My aunt Maryanne was there spending the day with my Mom and Dad, and Ashley and Heber were there with their cute kids, Majestic and Scholar. We had alot of fun. My mom had the christmas tree up and it was sooo pretty. It was decorated with music notes and tiny musical instruments. It was beautiful! We had alot of fun at the house. Majestic discovered what pom-poms are and she became a cheerleader. She was making up cheers and songs about farms. Scholar was so cute and cuddly. He let me hold him almost the whole night! So, Thanksgiving was a pretty good day!
On Friday I went to SLC to play disc golf with Dan and some of our friends. I had never been to that course before. It was pretty cool, and by cool I mean awesome AND COLD!!! We were there from 11:30 AM until about 4:30 PM. It was alot of fun though. Before we got to SLC we stopped at Betos. It was my FRIST TIME EVER eating there. I split a breakfast burrito with Dan (those things are huge!). It was pretty good and filled me up for most of the day. Friday night we played Mario Kart WII and just were lazy. You wouldn't think it, but playing disc golf all day really makes you tired and takes alot out of you!
Saturday I played frisbee golf once again!! (Suprise Suprise!!) This time we went to the Brigham City course and Dan invited our institute teacher to come and play. He brought his daughter and one of her friends. Right when we got there, we were practicing our putting. Our teacher threw the disc and hit me in the arm! I had a lump on it all day and now there is a big purple bruise, the size of an egg, on my arm. Those discs really hurt! We had alot of fun though, and Brother Sims is pretty good. That night, Dan took me to Texas Roadhouse. It was sooo yummy! There was soooo much food, which means leftovers for the next day!
Sunday was pretty relaxing. I went to church and was lazy the rest of the day! All in all, it was an awesome weekend! All I can say is that it is pretty hard to come back to work on a monday morning after a 4 day weekend! Happy Thanksgiving! Thanks for all of you who make this a great weekend!

8 Things Tag

8 TV SHOWS I WATCH... (The 8 shows I would watch if I had TV) (In no particular order)
1-The Office
2-Heroes
3-One Tree Hill
4-
5-
6-
7-
8-Um.... I don't know what other shows are on TV....... Maybe the news???

8 THINGS I DID YESTERDAY...
1-Got ready for church
2-Went to church
3-Ate some yummy leftover food from Texas Roadhouse!!
4-Read a book
5-Played WAAAY too much Mario Kart on the WII (I beat the expert time on Sherbet Land by 2 seconds)
6-Hung out with Dan ALL day!
7-Read my scriptures for 20 minutes!
8-Finished my book

8 THINGS I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO...
1-The Institute Christmas show this weekend!
2-Going home from work (every day)
3-Getting things done that I SHOULD have done over my long weekend.
4-Christmas
5-Getting done with Pharmacy Tech school
6-Being done with spin class after going every week since August!
7-Having my own home one day
8-Getting married (ONE DAY) (AND NO, this is not an announcement)

8 THINGS ON MY WISH LIST-
1-To make more money and have EVERYTHING else get cheaper!
2-To take a shower... (I woke up really late this morning...)
3-To sing well in the christmas show this weekend
4-Less bad habits
5-More good habits
6-To pay off my car loan
7-Gym Membership
8-Getting Married one day

8 PEOPLE I TAG...
ANYONE who wants to.....

President Packer

Last night the Ogden LDS Institute had a once in a lifetime experience. President Boyd K Packer, President of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles, came to the Ogden Institute as the speaker of the YSA fireside! The choir I am in, the Choralaires, got to sing for him. We sang one of His favorite hymns, Come Unto Him, and we sang Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing. It was really amazing, and like I said before, it was a once in a lifetime experience! His talk was amazing! And the best part was that he gave us an apostolic blessing! It really was amazing!

I Did it! I'm Done!!!

Monday night I took my last Pharmacy Math test and got a 98%!!!!! I am done with school until January! YAY!

Just Some Random Info

So, there is just a few things that I thought I should write about. This post is going to be really random.

FIRST: I got 95% on my math test yesterday!!! I was really scared for this one because it was metric conversions and there was just a lot to remember. I have to know how many Mg are in a Gr, how many Ml are in a tsp, how many Lbs are in a Kg, how many Oz are in Ml, how to convert temperature from F to C and from C to F, and how to convert the medicine the pharmacy has "on hand" to the amount in the prescription given by the doctor! I only missed 1 problem!!!! Now I am on to the FINAL section in pharmacy math but it will be a piece of cake!! I should be done with this by November and I will start my actual pharmacy class in January!

Second: I got my FIRST EVER flu shot yesterday. I absolutely HATE needles. I was shaking so bad. And worst of all, I GOT SICK FROM IT!!! I am achy, I have a stomach ache AND a headache. I hope it's worth it!


Third: I love that KOZY 106.5 is already playing Christmas music!! I love Christmas music!! I love SINGING Christmas music in my car and I LOVE making my own variations and singing DUETS with the actual singer, in my car. One of my favorite duets is with Donny Osmond, singing Baby What Ya Gonna Be (I think alot of the songs in his Christmas CD are awful!). We sing excellent together! Some of my favorite Christmas CDs are Eclipse Christmas and Shedaisy Christmas. I LOVE IT!!

Fourth: I love reading. I have been going to the library alot lately. For instance, I went on Saturday and checked out 11 books. The people there (the workers and the customers) look at me like I am crazy, but I WILL actually read all those books in the 3 weeks they give me to read them. I have already finished 4 of the books I got on Saturday. I literally finish a book a day. I think I wouldn't be such a fast reader, except I check out books that are WAY under my actual reading level. But those are the books that I like. Those are the books that I would write, if I ever finished my English degree. I ALSO love the website that my cousin Nichole got me into. It is www.goodreads.com. I have over 200 books on there in my "to read" list and I add more every day.

Happy Halloween!

It all started with Boss' Day. We gave my boss some balloons and tied them to the back of her chair. We were all laughing at how funny it looked and then I realized that she looked like a character from Mario Kart with the balloons following her where ever she went. Thus, our holloween idea was created! So, it started with cardboard computer boxes. We all got one and started on our karts. This is what I came up with at first. The funny part was that I built this kart while I was sitting inside of it!

Then I decided that my kart needed to be more vicious, so I added the spikes on the bottom. We all had alot of fun making our karts and we got pretty creative with them! Olivia, my co-worker made a fish kart, with big fish eyes and fins. Brian made the COOLEST bowser costume and a really awesome kart! He is going to be an engineer so his is really really awesome. I'm sure if it were made of more sturdy material it would actually fly! Rex... wasn't as enthused about Halloween and making his kart spectacular. So, we call his "The Invisable Kart." boss is the game controller aka "The Wii Mote!"

I took my kart home and spray painted it green, to match my Luigi costume. Then I found an AWESOME mustache at The Halloween Store. It is so funny looking! Dan let me borrow some overalls (which I don't know how he fits in them because they are really tight on my bottom!) and then I went and bought a green shirt and a hat. You can see in the background of this picture how we cut and colored all of the turtle shells and banana peels and put them all around the office. I even made a stop light and some flags!


We really had alot of fun with Halloween and this is THE MOST I have ever gotten into Halloween. (It probably wont happen again!!) I am kind of excited for tonight though because I am just going to stay at home and pass out candy to trick or treaters. I know that probably sounds boring to some of you, but, growing up in Plain City we didn't get alot of trick or treaters. I am excited to see all the cute little kids! Anyway, Happy Halloween everyone!!!!

Happy Halloween!!!

My First Pharmacy Math Test

So last night I took my first test for pharmacy math. I must admit, I feel the test was a little unfair. It was supposed to be really easy.... The test was on chapters 1 and 2 from my Dosage Calculations text book. I got the test from the teacher and sat down to take it, and the FIRST 4 questions were NOT IN THE BOOK. None of the homework had anything to do with those first 4 questions. I flipped my test over and told the teacher that I thought I skipped a section in my book. So I started looking for the section and it was nowhere. Not only was it NOT in chapter 1 and 2, it was nowhere in the WHOLE BOOK. So, needless to say, getting caught off gaurd totally messed my brain up for the rest of the test. I was almost in tears, thinking "I can't fail math again.. especially this EASY math." I guessed on the first 4 questions and then went on to finish the test. I got stuck at the very end of the test because I got confused on a little detail. I brought my test up to the teacher to grade, and explained to her that the first 4 questions were not in the book so I didn't know I needed to learn them. She skipped those and graded the rest of my test. I am proud to say that besides those first 4, I ONLY MISSED ONE PROBLEM, and that was the very last one. So I WOULD HAVE HAD 98 percent...... BUT..... the teachers decided that they would VERY QUICKLY teach me the concepts of the other problems and have me redo them....right there.... at her desk.... with her staring at me.... and with people waiting in the line for her help.... again, needless to say, I missed 3 out of the 4 questions. SO....... I got an 87%. I passed... which is all that matters, I guess.... So, now I am on to metric conversions. AND... this time I didn't almost kill anyone on my way home from school! Go me!

I Almost Sealed The Deal

So last night was the worst experience in my life this far. I was driving home from school. I turned off 1900 W onto Riverdale Road. It was really dark and there weren't many cars out. There were 2 construction trucks on the side of the rode with their hazard lights on but I didn't see any people around. ALL OF THE SUDDEN there was a guy lying in the middle of the road, in the fetal position on his side. I swerved to miss him but I wasn't sure if I did it in time. Then I heard and felt something scraping under my car so I pulled over. By now I was freaking out, thinking that I had just killed this guy that was in the road. I looked under my car and there was a road cone stuck under it. I looked back at the body in the road and just started sobbing. I wasn't sure if I hit him and the cone, or just the cone, or what. I didn't know if that guy was dead or what was happening. I started to hyperventalate. I called my sister in law because I didn't know what to do. Honestly, I can't remember what she told me to do because I was freaking out too much. After I got off the phone, I walked over to the scene and by then an ambulence and a million cop cars were there. Another lady who had stopped saw me and tried to calm me down. She brought me to an officer and he had me sit in his car while I tried to stop crying. I told him what happened and that I didn't know if I hit him and that I just needed to know if he was dead or if he was okay. I finally stopped crying and I walked over to the scene. The guy was on his back. I could see that he was breathing but he was not conscious. His clothes had been cut off and he had a broken leg. They were just moving him onto the stretcher. 40 minutes had gone by, by now and I was freezing from being outside. I just wanted to go home. I asked a few times if I could go and they just kept telling me to stay for a little longer. Finally, they let me leave. I went to my car and just started crying again. I was so scared to start driving again so I just sat there for a while. Finally I turned my hazards off and pulled away. I was so disoriented and I couldn't even remember how to drive properly. I finally made it to Dan's house because it was closer to where I was than my own house. He helped to calm me down alot. When it came time for me to go home though, I got scared again. While driving, I kept seeing things jumping out from the side of the road. The whole night made me really put things into a new perspective. If I had been distracted at all, or going too fast, that guy would probably be dead. I would have run over him full on, his head under my left tire and his body under my right tire. I swerved just in time, but still was probably only 5 inches away from hitting him. If I hadn't been there, who knows if the person behind me would have seen him in time. Last night, I saw the worst thing I have ever seen in my life.

What actually happened was there was a construction worker pulled over to the side of the road with his hazard lights on (one of the truck I saw). He had gotten out of his truck to lay road cones down (the road cone I hit). While he was laying out the cone, a guy drove up the street in his truck. He didn't see the construction worker and accidentally hit him (that's why there was a guy in the road). The kid who hit him had pulled over to the side of the road (the other truck I saw) and was probably calling 911. That's about the time when I came into the picture. I was the first person to drive past after the accident. I hope the guy is okay.

Happy Birthday To Me!!!!!!

So, today at work I was just sittin there being bored with all of the sudden I had a bunch of people in front of my desk with these flowers saying that they were for me! I thought they were crazy because I have never been given flowers before. But, sure enough, they had my name on them! Turns out they were from Dan (surprise, surprise!!!). He got a little mad when he found out that I got them today (my birthday isn't until tomorrow) but I was soooo happy to get them! Now I can enjoy them ALL day on my birthday! Happy birthday to me, and thanks Dan! You're the best!

Back To School!

So.... I decided to go to school to be a Pharmacy Technician. I start on October 2 and I am really excited! I will keep you all posted on my progess. I should be done in about a year if I do well at it.
Speaking of medicine, I have a cold/strep throat/something un-fun (I haven't been to the doctor yet so I don't know what I have)..... Usually my body waits until it's a little colder to get sick but I guess it wanted to jump the gun this year. I hope the statement "the early bird get's the worm" applies here and that I wont get sick again this fall/winter season! Good luck to all of you and your health!

10 Addictions **** Tagged by Melanie****

1. Books/Reading
Give me a book and I will have it done in no time! BUT, it is only certain books. My favorite books are young adult fiction. I love the high school romance stuff... and all the drama associated with it. Don't get me wrong, I am glad to be out of that stage myself, but I just like reading books like that. I also like the LDS fiction books. Anita Stansfield is my favorite author in that category. Last week I went to the library and didn't know what books to read, so I went to the "A" shelf and picked one book off of every shelf. I got 7 books total. I am about ready to go back for the next shelf!

2. Caffiene/Carbination
This is one addiction that I know is bad.... that's why I have stopped. Well, during the week anyway. You could say that I am a "binge drinker" on the weekends (BUT NOTHING BAD... JUST SODA!!!!!). There is nothing like a nice, cold Vanilla Coke on the weekends!

3. Chips!
I will admit it, I am a chip junkie. I don't like sweets very much. I love SALTY foods!

4. Chick Flicks
I LOVE chick flicks! I have a very nice collection at my house, that just keeps growing. Some of them are really good... and others I am a little ashamed of (Hillary Duff movies that I can't resist....). I think I am in love with love stories! I think my very favorite (right now) is 27 Dresses. If any of you haven't seen it, I would HIGHLY recommend it!

5. Rag Quilting
I haven't done one in a while, but I really love making them. I am working on a really hard one right now. It is an unusual pattern (it isn't just squares of the same size). Anyway, along with that one, I am looking for material for a rag quilt for my nephew who will be born in November!

6. Singing
I have been singing since I was really little. I didn't start traning until I was in the 9th grade though. I sang in all the high school choirs, I sang for a year with Weber State's choir, and now I am singing for the Ogden LDS Institute Choralaires. I really love singing and I really love being a high soprano. There is nothing like singing those really high notes and ACTUALLY being able to make them sound good! I am really excited for the Christmas show this December. Christmas time is one of my favorite times of the year because of all the fun Christmas songs we get to sing!

7. Chapstick
I am ADDICTED to chapstick! I can't go a day without it or my lips would shrivel up and die. I keep chapstick on my keyboard at work, in my gym bag, in my scripture case, by my bedside, and more than one in my purse. I used to keep one in my pocket as well, but they kept getting put through the wash. I am ADDICTED.

8. Blankets
I always have to have a blanket, even if it is 100 degrees. I can't watch a movie without a blanket and I can't fall asleep without a blanket. I feel kind of like Linus from Charlie Brown, I always have to have that "security" blanket with me.

9. My Purse
I don't think I am addicted to it, but Dan always tells me it is my security blanket. I think it is completely normal to always have my purse with me. I mean, it has everything I need in it. Medicine, CHAPSTICK, debit card, checks, keys, girly stuff, pens, gum, mints, my glasses. It has a lot of stuff that I COULD need at ANY point during the day. So, #9 makes the list in tribute to Dan, even though he will never read this :-)

10. For number 10, I am not sure what to put... I could get all mushy and talk about how I am addicted to spending time with Dan... but let's face it, who wants to hear about that? I could write about my previous addiction to Facebook, but I don't feel that should have a spot because I am an ex-addict. I don't have access to Facebook anymore so that is the end of that story. So.... I guess I don't have a #10. If any of you can think of one for me, let me know!

AND NOW IT'S YOUR TURN!! I AM TAGGING ALL WHO READ THIS!! LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE GOING TO DO IT SO I CAN READ YOURS!!

I Fell Off The Saddle..... (So to speak)

So, I didn't LITERALLY fall off a saddle, but on Friday night Dan and I joined his parents and brother up at Middlefork for a little Posse campout. We ate dinner and then Dan and I went for a horse ride. I rode Diamond and Dan rode Gunner, their new horse. Diamond became my new favorite horse after the Civil War Reinactment a couple months ago. I was excited to go on a long ride... until we started going. The horse was just acting weird. He wouldn't go. He would back me into trees. He wouldn't go across the river (turns out he likes playing in water). He was being so stubborn! So, let's just say it wasn't the best experience. I was crying almost the whole time.... (I know, I am a baby). When we got back to the group I was fully convinced that I would never get on a horse again. I was so scared and so frustrated! Dan told me that I need to ride again. He told me his horror stories of getting bucked off when he was little and that made me feel a little bit better. He also said "When you fall off the horse, you need to get back into the saddle." So, I guess I will ride again, especially after I found out that Dan's mom was having trouble with Diamond too. It turns out that there was something wrong with the strap that goes across the horses face. It broke off a couple weeks ago to the strap kept falling over Diamond's eyes. He couldn't see!! I wouldn't want to walk anywhere if I couldn't see either, so I guess I don't blame him. But it was still scary!

"Wendy's: WAAAAAY Better Than Fast Food?"

YAH RIGHT! NONE of their food looks like their ads. The only thing I have ever eaten from Wendy's was their chicken nuggets, thinking they were safe. Then one day, Dan told me what they were made of so I have been having a hard time eating them ever since. The other day, my work gave me a Wendy's gift card for $5.00. I held on to it for about 2 weeks before I decided that I needed to get it out of my purse. So I though, what do I want from Wendy's? I have seen people eat their hamburgers before, and those people seemed to be enjoying it.... so I thought I would take my chances. I ordered a Jr Bacon Cheeseburger, fries, and a drink. Can I just say.... it was THE SICKEST thing I have ever seen in my life. I don't even know what convinced me to take a bite our of that burger, let alone, a SECOND BITE. It was SIIIICK! The burger was all dry and the edges were turned up. The ONLY thing fresh about that burger was the lettuce. I WILL NEVER eat at Wendy's again! I only wish I would have taken a picture of it for you all to see.

I went to the Wendy's website and I posted a link that I thought was humorous... Not the "haha" humorous... but the "I can't believe they say this stuff about their food" humorous. I hope you all take my blog into consideration, and really think about this before you make the decision to eat there again.
http://www.wendys.com/quality/

What's Up

So, I survived another week of my spin class. Sometimes it gets easier and sometimes it is so hard that I don't think I can pedal for another minute. I think I am getting stronger (and healthier) so that makes me really happy.
Choir is going well! Since it is still early in the semester we are still doing alot of administrative stuff so we don't sing a ton, but we are getting started on a few songs. I am getting really excited for the Christmas show though. I know it is really early to be thinking of Christmas, but I am one of those girls who listens to Christmas music starting on Halloween. I am excited to jump into the music!
My other institute classes are going well. I have Book Of Mormon on Monday and Wednesday at 7AM. I really like that class, but unfortunately I was a bad girl this morning and slept in. I feel bad, but I was SO SO tired! I will be better in the future. I also have a New Testament class on Wednesday nights that I am taking with Dan. I really like that class even though I feel like I don't understand what I am reading. Dan got me a manual for the class so I think that's going to help me understand it better. I am really looking forward to both of those classes!
So that's what I have been up to during the week. It keeps me pretty busy and pretty tired! As for the weekend, they couldn't be long enough! I love just getting to do what I want and (best of all!!!) being able to sleep in a little bit! Dan and I had an interesting weekend. We went to his parent's house on Friday night (the rest of Dan's family was gone so we were kind of there to "baby sit") to hang out with his little brother, Ty. We watched Million Dollar Baby. It was one of the saddest movies I have ever seen! It was really really awful. The next day, I went back over to the house and we went to watch Ty in his Posse group. It was Mosquito Days so there was alot of people there watching their kids ride sheep and calfs. It was mildly entertaining. I really like to watch the older kids ride because they are so good! I wish I could ride like them. After posse we just watched the animal planet until Dan's parents came home. It was PRETTY exciting. I know a lot about bears now. LOL! No, it was kind of a weird weekend but I really like being around Dan. I don't want to get all sappy and junk, but, he really is a good guy!
So, another week begins. I hope I make it through! And I hope you all make it through your week as well!!
P.S. I recently found out I have an opening at my house. If anyone is looking for a place to live, let me know!

I don't know why I worry so much!

So, I called the Institute this morning and found out that I made Choralaires as a first soprano. I really don't know why I worry so much. I really do think that I could have done better in my audition, but I also know that Brother Simon is fair and he knows what my voice is like and what I can do. I am just so excited to start singing again! The first class is today!!
Also, I had another spin class last night. It was with a different instructor. This time it was a guy. He pushed us a little harder than the girl on Tuesday. That class kicks my butt!! I think it will be good for me though. I feel better already!

So BAD!!!!

I just had the WORST audition ever! I tried out for Choralaires at the Ogden LDS Institute and nothing was going right. My voice kept cracking and shaking and my sight reading was awful (no suprise on that one). Brother Simon had already called me and told me I am invited back, but that was before the audition today. I feel like I don't deserve to be in the group now. I hope that Brother Simon remembers that I don't usually sing that bad and takes that into consideration when making decisions on who is in the group. I will let you all know.
To add to my nerves, I have another spin class tonight. I am scared that my lungs are going to hurt bad again. We will see I guess.

I died last night

Last night I participated in a Spin Class (stationary bikes). It was the death of me!! I decided that I needed to do something with all my spare time and that let me to exercise. I went into it not really knowing what to expect. I knew that it would hurt alot but I wasn't expecting where the hurt would be. I thought my legs would be so sore, but they are acutally fine. The thing that hurt the most was the burning in my lungs. I thought they were on fire!! And I kept coughing and feeling like I had blood in my lungs. It was very unpleasant. I talked to Dan later and he explained that when you exercise it dries out the mucus in your lungs and makes you cough and get that burning feeling(in some people). He said that is is completely normal, even with the best runners. So that made me feel a little better. My butt also hurts a little this morning. Those bike seats are really really hard! This class was an hour long! By then end of that hour I just wanted to get off the bike and pass out on the floor. I have never loved water so much in all my life. I also have never sweat so much in my whole life. It was literally dripping off my face! Eventually, the burning stopped and I acutally started to feel better. In a way, I felt more healthy that I have in a long time. This class MUST be a good thing then, right? So I am going back Thursday for another hour of pain and suffering! I am looking forward to the day when I can do the spin class without dying! I WILL GET THERE!

On a MUCH happier note, the new semester started this week and that means institute classes start! I had my first class on Monday (the class is Monday and Wednesday) morning at 7AM! It was so hard to get up that early to a class that I don't NEED to be at, but I know it will be a blessing for me if I continue to go. I am taking a Book Of Mormon class with Brother Vallace. I am really looking forward to it. I think it will be a really good class. I am also taking Choralaires, which is the audition choir at the Ogden Institute. That class is Monday through Friday, but it doesn't start until next week. I go there during my lunch break at work. Dan and I are also taking a night institute class together. Our first class is tonight. It is The Four Gospels. I am really excited for it!

I am really excited for this semester. I have a lot of positive things going for me, I just
hope that I keep up with them and don't quit!

ABC's tagged by Stephanie

A=ADVOCATE FOR: The good kids
B=BEST FEATURE: Eyes
C=COULDN'T DO WITHOUT: Sanity (does that count?)
D=DREAMS AND DESIRES: Toget married and have a family strong in the Gospel.
E=ESSENTIAL ITEM: Chapstick, gum, and my cell phone.
F=FAVORITE PAST TIME: Reading
G=GOOD AT: Singing
H=HAVE NEVER TRIED: Most foods....
I=IF I HAD A MILLION DOLLARS: I would go to school, cut back my hours at work so I could do WELL at school, invest a bunch of it, and maybe buy a house.
J=JUNKIE FOR: Salty foods (like chips), Pepsi, or Coke
K=KINDRED SPIRIT:
L=LITTLE KNOWN FACT: I have a birthmark on the inside of my right arm in the shape of a flower and I think I am allergic to MSG.
M=MEMORABLE MOMENT: Don't have one
N=NEVER AGAIN WILL I: Sing "I Hope You Dance."
O=OCCASIONAL INDULGENCE: Books
P=PAST TIME DOING: Reading, making rag quilts
Q=QUOTE: Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift. That's why they call it the present.
R=REASON TO SMILE: My life isn't THAT bad
S=SINGS ALONG WHEN: I sing the most when I am in my car
T=TAG SOME FRIENDS: Everyone who reads this!
U=UNINTERESTED IN: Trying new foods just because someone tells me to and comic strips.
V=VERY SCARED OF: Dogs and Food
W=WORST HABIT: Biting my lips or fingernails
X=X MARKS MY IDEAL VACATION SPOT: Far Far Away.... maybe on a cruise somewhere or somewhere quiet, like camping.
Y=YESTERYEAR DECADE OF CHOICE: Maybe the 50's
Z=ZODIAC SIGN: Libra

The Jewkes/Draper Home at This Is the Place Monument

This is the house I was talking about in my "Civil War" blog. I stayed in a tent in the yard just to the left of this house. When we went through for the tour, we found out it was the Jewkes House. I was so excited to find out that it was there!! It had a picture of the family in there too! It was really awesome!


JEWKES / DRAPER HOME
Fountain Green, Sanpete County 1868Relocated in 1981
Born in England and trained in the heavy iron industries of Britain, Samuel Jewkes immigrated to Fountain Green in 1861 where he operated a sawmill and gristmill. This wood frame house, representative of a middle class home, was built using heavy pine timbers connected with mortise-and-tenon joints and wooden pegs. The interior walls were insulated by laying adobe bricks between the timbers. Lime plaster and whitewash was applied directly on the exposed adobe surfaces. The exterior is of clapboard, a significant type of construction in the 1860s, and very rare today as most have been demolished. In 1879, Jewkes sold his home to Henry Draper because he had been called on a mission by Brigham Young to settle a pioneer community further south in Castle Valley.

No More Facebook!

Hey Everyone!
I just wanted to let you all know that I no longer have access to Facebook. I will probably sign on once in a while, but if you need to get a hold of me use my cell phone or leave me a note on my blog! Thanks!

Monday, Monday, Monday

So.... Monday's are USUALLY bad because I don't want the weekend to be over... but this one was REALLY bad. It was the first time I have cried in about 3 months (I'm not going to get into the details). Anyway... It was such a bad day and by the time work was over I was so glad to be going home.
Dan and I went to Murray to pick up some wooden-thingies for the desk he got for his dad, and while we were out there we decided to go to the Living Planet Aquarium. I have to admit, It wasn't as cool as I was expecting it to be... but it was cool to see once. We got to touch sting rays and starfish. That part was cool, except I was really scared to stick my hand in the water because I thought I would get attacked!
After the aquarium Dan took me to the Cheesecake Factory! I had never been before. It was so AWESOME!! There was so much food though. I think I will have leftovers for a week. The cheesecake was amazing! I got a chocolate mousse cheesecake. Soooo good!
Anyway, I was really glad that Dan took me out. He really helped to cheer me up. I almost forgot everything that I was upset over. I am lucky to have him!

The Civil War

This weekend I did something that was a little different. I went with Dan and his family to This Is The Place State Park to do a Civil War Reenactment. Dan's family has been doing it for a long time. It sounds strange, but it is really really cool! This time they let me come along.
Friday night we left for the park all dressed up in our costumes. We stopped at Sizzler for dinner (Dan's sister Tenille is the manager there). It was so wierd to walk into a public place dressed like that and have EVERYONE stare at you. It took a little getting used to! After dinner we were on our way to the park. There was a Civil War ball that night. Everyone got dressed up in clothing from that time period and we learned the dances from that era. It was really fun and Dan is a suprisingly good dancer.
That night we slept in the yard of one of the historic homes in the park. What was really awesome and amazing was that the lawn we stayed in endend up being my great great great grandfather's house. We walked in for the tour and they said "This is the Jewkes Home." We were all really suprised. I had no idea it was there! So, for all the Jewkes' out there reading this, Alma Gardner's house has been relocated to This Is The Place State Park! There is a picture of him and his family there and everything!
Anyway, so we set up camp in the yard and went to bed. It was a noisy night! The wind was blowing so hard!! I was so comfortable though, I went right to sleep and slept through the night.
The next morning we got up and got dressed up again (not as fancy this time). Dan and I walked around the park a little bit and went into some of the historic houses and shops. It was really neat to see it all! Then the men got on their horses and the women (Dan's mom and I) hung out in the shade. We walked around a bit and took a ride on the tourist train, but mainly is was a pretty relxing day for us girls. For the guys, on the other hand, they were riding around all day showing all the visitors what they do as men in the Cavalry. They were really fun to watch! The best part was, I got to ride a little bit during the day! One time, Dan's dad (Alan) was talking to someone so they were all stopped. Alan had gotten off his horse so I walked over and jumped up on the horse. He turned around and said "You stole my horse!" It was really fun!
At about 5 PM we packed up and left for home. We were all so tired and dirty! But, all in all, it was one of the COOLEST things I have EVER done! I hope to go with them again!

44 Random Things

44 ODD Things about you! If you opened this, FILL IT OUT! Learn 44 things about your friends, and let them learn 44 things about you!
1. Do you like blue cheese? I have never tried it....
2. Have you ever smoked? Nope
3. Do you own a gun? Nope
4. What flavor Kool Aid was your favorite? Grape
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Depends on the type of doctor, and if there is going to be needles involved.
6. What do you think of hot dogs? It's a disgusting concept for me
7. Favorite Christmas movie? The Holiday
8. Favorite thing to drink in the morning? Juice
9. Can you do push ups? No way. You don't want to see me try either!
10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? My CTR ring
11. Favorite hobby? Reading or Singing
12. Do you have A.D.D.? No
13. What's one trait you hate about yourself? How I don't like trying new foods.
14. Middle name? Don't have one
15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment.1) Why wont my work phone ever work in the mornings? 2)Why am I so hungry right now? 3) How am I ever going to pull it off in time?
16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Coke, Koolaid, and whatever is at Dan's house
17. Current worry? How am I going to make myself look like a girl from the Civil War era in time for the ball?
18. Current hate right now? Mornings
19. Favorite place to be? In my bed
20. How did you bring in the new year? With Ashley and Heber, playing games. Maryanne was there too. And of course Scholar and Majestic.
21. Where would you like to go? On a vacation
22. Name three people who will complete this:
1. Stephanie already did
2. ?
3. ?
23. Do you own slippers? Yes.
24 What shirt are you wearing? A white zip up shirt with eyelets and puckered sleaves.
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? It could be nice
26. Can you whistle? Not, not really
27. Favorite color? Green
28. Would you be a pirate? No
29. What songs do you sing in the shower? I don't sing in the shower, suprisingly.
30. Favorite Girl's Name? Maurtie or Taylor
31. Favorite boy's name? Jackson
32. What's in your pocket right now? Nothing
33. Last thing that made you laugh? GBR (the abbr. or Great Brittain)
34. What vehicle do you drive? Toyota Corolla
35. Worst injury you've ever had? Maybe breaking my finger..... or in 6th grade I accidentally got tackled and smashed my face in the ground.
36. Do you love where you live ? No
37. How many TVs do you have in your house? Just 1
38. Who is your loudest friend? Terrance (when he laughs)
39. Do you have any pets? No
40. Does someone have a crush on you? Dan does
41. Your favorite book(s): Jane Eyre, The Great Gatsby, Twilight, Meet Your Match
42. Do you collect anything? Bobby Pins, I'm not very good at it though
43. Favorite Sports Team? Utah Jazz
44. What song do you want played at your funeral? And So It Goes, Billy Joel

Memories of old....

Here is a fun little game... leave a comment on my blog of a memory that you and I have had together. It doesn't matter if you've known me for a short time or a long time, anything that you remember! Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It is pretty funny to read the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you are playing and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. On your mark... get set... blog those memories!

My Weekend (sorry, no pictures!)

So, this past weekend I went camping with Dan and some of our friends. We went over to Causey Dam (which I had never been to before) and canoed our way in. It was just me and Dan in the canoe and the others hiked their way in. It was really fun to be in the canoe considering I haven't been in one since the 4th grade. I wasn't very good at rowing but Dan didn't make fun of me too bad. I could actually move the canoe by myself by the end of the trip! So we got to the campsite and set up all the tents and everything. We lit a fire and then just talked for a while. I thought we were going to stay up really late, but we all went to sleep pretty early that night. It was nice, except for the fact that I was EXTREMELY cold all night. Everyone else seemed to be fine, but I was freezing. The next morning everyone wanted to go home. They all started their hike out but Dan and I wanted to play in the water for a bit longer so we stayed behind. We had fun in the water but I got a little sunburned!

After a few hours we left to go back to Ogden. We had to take the canoe back to Dan's parent's house. They recently got a pool and his brother and sisters were playing in it. I walked over to feel the water and the next thing I know, I am drowning in it! (Yes, everyone... Dan threw me in!) Luckily I had my swimming suit underneath my clothes still so it wasn't too bad. I just wasn't expecting it so inhaled alot of water. So.... we played in the pool for a while and then we left. I was so excited to go home and take a hot shower, although there was some unpleasant coloring showing up in the shampoo foam...... (Causey water isn't the cleanest!)

That night I went with Dan to his brother's Posse competition (barrel racing, etc....). It was soooo HOT there but it was alot of fun to watch all the events. Dan's brother did really well and his group took 2nd place overall! I really like being around the horses even though they scare me a little bit.

Sunday, after church, there was the annual fireworks show at Weber State. I went with Dan to that and I met some of his friends from high school. We played games until the fireworks started. It was fun getting to know new people. Then the fireworks began. I thought it was a pretty good presentation. Their grand finale was pretty impressive.

So that was my weekend. Sorry I don't have any pictures! Maybe next time.

Two's*** Tagged By Ashley

Two Names I Go By: Rocketdog or Bonkie
Two Things You Are Wearing Right Now: Shirt and Pants (work clothes)
Two Of Your Favorite Things To Do: Watching Movies and Being with friends
Two Things You Want Very Badly At This Moment: A pepsi and a soft bed
Two Favorite Pets: None
Two People Who Will Fill This Out: Stephanie?
Two Things You Did Last Night: Did Laundry and Watched a Movie
Two Things You Ate Today: Nothing yet....
Two Last People You Talked To: Dan and My Mom
Two Longest Car Rides: From Massachusetts to Canada and from Utah to California
Two Favorite Vacations: Disneyland and My Cruise (I haven't gone yet, but I will one day!)
Two Favorite Drinks: Vanilla Coke or Cherry Pepsi

So, I am going to get my hair done on Saturday. I saw this picture a few years ago and fell in love with the color. I just want to know what you all think of this color for me. Let me know!!

It's been a while!

So, it has been a while since I have posted anything. It has been a crazy month! I don't have the internet at my house anymore so it's hard for me to do anything online.This post is to catch you all up on my life.
I started a new job at Bank of Utah in the call center. I really like it! It is nice to work somewhere where the people calling actually want to talk to you instead of working in the Collections Dept, where people avoided your phone calls. I have been her for about 2 weeks and I am really starting to get the hang of things. Also, it's nice working here because I already knew some of my co-workers from high school. It is a really fun environment.
Most of you know that I recently moved to a different house in Ogden. With that I also moved into a new student ward. I think I am really going to like this ward. I have already made so many friends. AND, they have already given me a calling in the ward. The second week I was in the ward they decided to put me into the Welcoming Commitee. I thought that was funny because I was knew myself, and here they were asking me to welcome new members to the ward. I also have the job of handing out programs before sacrament meeting. But, I like this calling. The other people in the group are really nice.
I got in a car accident at the end of April. I guess it wasn't THAT bad, but to me it was horrible. It was my very first accident! I was at Weber State, trying to make a right turn on to Harrison and I got rear-ended by this HUGE full-size suburban. I had over$2,000.00 worth of damage to my car and barley got my car back last week from the shop. It was a mess!! I learned a good lesson though, ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS get insurance info and call the cops when you get into an accident. I didn't, because I panicked, and I would have been in a lot of trouble if the guy who hit me wanted to be a jerk!
Anyway, Life is good. I really can't complain right now. I guess that's all that matters.

Feet!

!!!!! Alright ladies, it's that time of year once again!!! And based on this email that someone passed along to me I think we need to be reminded of a few things. So my sisters, PLEASE, raise your big toes and repeat after me below....

The Open Toed Shoe PledgeAs a member of the Cute Girl Sisterhood, I pledge to follow the Ruleswhen wear sandals and other open-toe shoes:

I promise to always wear sandals that fit. My toes will not hang overand touch the ground, nor will my heels spill over the backs. And the sidesand tops of my feet will not pudge out between the straps.

I will go polish-free or vow to keep the polish fresh, intact and chip-free. I will not cheat and just touch up my big toe. I will sand down any mounds of skin before they turn hard and yellow.

I will shave the hairs off my big toe.

I won't wear pantyhose even if my misinformed girlfriend, coworker,mother or sister tells me the toe seam really will stay under my toes if I tuck it there.

If a strap breaks, I won't duct-tape, pin, glue or tuck it back intoplace hoping it will stay p ut. I will get my shoe fixed or toss it.

I will not live in corn denial; rather I will lean on my good friend Dr. Scholl's if my feet need him.

I will resist the urge to buy jelly shoes at Payless for the low, low price of $4.99 even if my feet are small enough to fit into the kids' sizes. Thisis out of concern for my safety, and the safety of others. No one can walk properly when standing in a pool of sweat and I would hate to take someone downwith me as I fall and break my ankle.

I will take my toe ring off toward the end of the day if my toes swelland begin to look like Vienna sausages.

I will be brutally honest with my girlfriend/sister/coworker when sheasks me i f her feet are too ugly to wear sandals. Someone has to tell her thather toes are as long as my fingers and no sandal makes creepy feet lookgood.

I will promise if I wear flip flops that I will ensure that they actually flipand flop, making the correct noise while walking and I will swear NOTto slide or drag my feet while wearing them.

I will promise to go my local nail salon at least once per season and have a real pedicure (they are about $20 and worth EVERY penny).

I will promise to throw away any white/off-white sandals that show signsof wear... nothing is tackier than dirty white sandals.

Don't keep this to yourself - pass it on to other sisters.

Troubles in Tipping Land

So, yesterday my sister in law, Stephanie, and I went to dinner together as Sizzlers. It wasn't long before I realized that I didn't have any cash on my for a tip, and neither did Stephanie. I got that sick feeling in my stomach, which really didn't help the fact that I was about to eat my weight in yummy chicken wings. Anyway, I remembered that I had been given a gift certificate for Dominoes Pizza earlier that day. Having no other choice, we left the gift certificate as a tip with a note that said "Sorry, we had no cash on hand!" It was pretty embarrassing, but if you think about it, who doesn't like pizza?? Needless to say, I am going to make sure that I always carry some cash on hand for moments like those!

Nothing I hate more!!!!

Let me just make it known, that there is nothing I hate more than waking up on a cold morning... or even on a warm summer morning for that matter... and having to take a cold shower because all the hot water magically disappeared. This morning's shower was 8 minutes of pure torture! Enough Said.

Moving... In So Many Forms

This blog is going to be about lots of things that are MOVING in my life, or another good way to put it would be to say that this blog is about lots of ways that I am MOVING.

1: One day, about a week ago, I get a phone call from my landlords (of 2 years) telling me that they are MOVING to SLC and selling the house. That left me with 5 weeks to find a place. I decided, after freaking out for a bit, that I just needed to sit down and be realistic about things. I needed to make a list of my wants and needs for a new place of living. My roommate Emmy and I looked at some pretty interesting houses; some scarier beyond all reason. Finally, after we were really starting to worry, my sister Ashley called and told me that their renter was going to be MOVING out and we could MOVE in to their house if we wanted. That news couldn't have come at a better time! So this Saturday I will be MOVING into a new home! Hopefully it will be as good to me as the one I am in now.

2: I have decided that I need to start MOVING in another way. I need to start exercising on a regular basis! I bought an elliptical trainer about a year ago and it is covered in dust. It is time to clear the dust away and get into shape! One thing that I am also MOVING away from is my love for Dr. Pepper and Diet Coke. As of tomorrow I am giving up my two loves so that I can feel healthier and MOVE faster! I know what you are thinking.... that I have given it up before and it didn't last long. But this time, I have competition and motivation!

3: The next thing I am MOVING away from is a harder one for me; probably the hardest one yet. I am MOVING away from the old me; the one that get's walked all over by everyone, and doesn't do anything about it. I have always been told that I let people walk on me and I never believed it, until recently. There is a girl at work who pretty much runs my life for me and I don't stop her because I can't stand up to her. There are people around me all the time who I do things for, until they expect it. Now it's just my job to do those things. This isn't necessarily a bad quality to have, but in moderation. I need to learn those boundaries so that I can live healthy and be happy. But the thing is, I would rather hurt myself than let someone else down. Not any more!!! From here on out I am MOVING away from getting walked on, and I am going to start sticking up for myself!

There are alot of changes taking place in my life in the next month. They are exciting and scary. But I can do it!

How Do You Do It? (Written March 3, 2008)

A question has been on my mind this past week: How do you do it? I don't see how it is physically or mentally possible for a boy and a girl to meet, fall in love, get engaged, and get married. It truly is a miracle.
I used to be one of those girls who believed in love; who lived for love, but my view of it has changed in the past few months. I have seen close friends get hurt; not just my girl friends, but my guy friends as well. I have also been hurt a time or two... or three. I have found that each relationship has left me more and more bitter and cynical than the last and I am starting to think that is it not worth the pain. I am starting to think that I cannot believe in love anymore, not for myself anyway.
I am not placing blame on guys or girls. Each sex has their own faults and excuses. Each person has their own reason for breaking someone's heart. The point I am trying to make is that relationships are hard and unfair. They hurt more than they should. It is so hard to meet someone and let your guard down long enough to let them see your heart; long enough to fall in love. It is easier to give up early on, than it is to take the chance of getting hurt.
So, for all of you who have made it, I want to say Congratulations, you did it! I don't know how, but you did it. And I commend you for making it look so easy. But as far as love goes for me, I give up; I surrender. I am done letting relationships run my life and I am done letting the pressure to get married from society and family rule my mind and heart.
I don't want all who read this to think that I am against love, because I will always and forever be a hopeless romantic (which I think makes things worse for me). The side of me that writes this is sad and hurt from past experiences, but there is a part of me that still has hope that things will work out in the end. I know that you only win once(hopefully) and that is the one that counts the most. I can't wait for that day. But for now, the state of my heart, and the truth of logic do not coincide. For now, I remain.