Blue Skies

Why I love Mindy Kaling

2011-11-14T16:53:00.000-08:00

So I read back through my last real blog and it highlighted some things I really wanted to blog about. Mindy Kaling was one of them. She is the best of lighthearted funny and fun authors. She is a director, writer, and producer of the Office. And she sounds like a 10 year old. So that will be my topic today (especially since I can't continue my photo challenge until Thanksgiving).

Mostly, I am just going to quote a huge chunk of her book about men. This will be paraphrased a bit. This is her advice to men regarding women. I largely agree with her. It has a lot to do with how very small the list is for a guy to really be great.

1. Buy a well-fitting peacoat from J. Crew. (Get it cleaned once a year)

2. Have a signature drink like James Bond. (We are mormon, so you should have a favorite non-alcoholic drink)

3. Own several pairs of dark-wash straight-leg jeans. (not skinny, not boot-cut)

4. Wait until all the women have gotten on or off an elevator before you get on or off.

5. When you think a girl looks pretty, say it. "But don't reference the thing that might reveal you are aware of the backstage process: e.g., say 'You look gorgeious tonight,' not 'I like how you did your makeup tonight.' Also, a acompliment means less if you compliment the thing and not the way the girl is carrying it off. So say, 'You look so sexy in those boots,' rather than 'those boots are really cool.' I didn't make the boots! I don't care if you like the boots' design! We are magic to you: you have no idea how we got to look as good as we do."

6. Avoid asking if someone needs help in a kitchen or at a party, just start helping. (unless you actually don't want to help, then ask.)

7. Have one great cologne that's not from the drugstore.

8. Your girlfriend's sibling or parents might be totally nuts, but always defend them.

9. Keihl's for your skin, Bumble and Bumble for your hair.

10. I really think guys only need two pairs of shoes. (a nice pair of black shoes and a pair of chuck Taylors that you replace every year)

11. Bring wine or chocolate to everything.

12. Get a little jealous now and again, even if you're not strictly a jealous guy.

I know that this part isn't particularly funny (She has a lot more notes on each thing), but I thought that every guy should read it. And sadly, few will because I am sure that I can count on one hand the number of men that I know that will read this book. Sad.

Good Book to read: I am reading the Hush Hush Series by Becca Fitzgerald right now. Not bad. Entertaining, light reads. It's nice. There are three books, and I am on the most recent. Evidently there is one more on the way.

Good Song that I really Like: Home by Girls Love Shoes

Treat yo self - Parks and Recreation

2011-11-11T13:20:00.000-08:00

Jameson and I now use this phrase. More often than we ought. Treat yo Self!!

I know this song is crazy popular, but I still love it

2011-11-09T17:19:00.000-08:00

30 Day Photo Challenge

2011-11-05T15:40:00.000-07:00

So here we are. I would rather not discuss the MASSIVE amount of time that has passed since I last blogged. And since I am the only one really interested in my ramblings (other than when I say, "Hey Jameson, look at what I wrote -- isn't that witty and charming?) I am just going to celebrate the fact that I am doing this. I am doing it whilst I avoid obvious and dreadful chores that desperately need doing (alliteration), but that is beside the point. I decided that lists are really the way to go for me. So first of all, I am going to do the 30 day photo challenge (it will take me longer, but I intend to make it all the way through the list). Here is a photo of myself:

I am completely aware I look like a slightly wal-eyed, half crazed squirrel. But I kinda like it. Also, I was really done trying to take a picture of myself that made me look both smart and sexy. So I went with crazy and ditzy instead.

Here are ten fun facts about me:

1. At the time this picture was taken (about ten minutes ago) I had broken the button on one pair of pants because they were painfully too small, and the crotch in my other pair of jeans has been worn thin by my sausage thighs rubbing together. It finally ripped this morning. I have my one surviving pair of jeans in the dryer. With like a million towels. It will take forever to dry.

2. I am reading Mindy Kaling's new book 'Is everyone hanging out without me?' and it is way better than Tina Fey's book. I will probably devote another blog to this. If I don't forget by next week. Maybe I will write it down . . .

3. I own a lot of shoes I never wear. And they are mostly fancy sandal/heels type shoes.

4. I won first place in a relay sprint triathlon with my brother and father. I did the swim portion. Also, I am not skinny. For proof of this, please refer to point number one.

5. I own a sweater from my rival highschool that says 'Riverton Track and Field' that my dad found at the Track Field after a Track Meet. He brought it home washed it and gave it to me. And it is the most comfortable thing I have ever worn.

6. I own a Kindle. It makes me feel fancy.

7. I am desperate to decorate our apartment crazy cute. I am also lazy. These two things battle constantly in my head.

8. I am going to IKEA later to get lost, and get some boxes to organize our back room. I want to blog about IKEA as well later. Please take note.

9. I really like to cook. And eat. I am probably going to make pumpkin pie or some such nonsense today or tomorrow. Probably tomorrow. I had these really cute little pumpkins all over my house, and now that Halloween has come and gone, so too do the pumpkins. I need to get my Thanksgiving decorations up before Thanksgiving. This may or may not happen.

10. I am big on disinfectant, I hate brushing my teeth at night, I really like shopping and style even though I really am lacking in the latter, and I have a weird love of office supplies.

I think that should cover it for me. If anyone feels so inclined they are welcome to add.

Favorite song of the moment: Someone Like You by Adele (who has a cockney accent -- who knew? Jameson hates her for it)

Favorite Book of the moment: Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling

Honey Bee

2011-09-13T17:10:00.000-07:00

Jameson and I watched this for part of our thought in Family Home Evening. It's a pretty cute showing of the different roles of men and women in relationships. Also highlighting that maybe we each need each other. Jamie is for sure my strong and steady. :)

Family Tree

2011-08-23T18:33:00.001-07:00

So I have been thinking quite a bit about my Grandmother lately. So . . . I decided that maybe I could mormon up and do some geneology. Who's with me?

My next question is how to get started? I think that there is some kind of computer program, magic book, or some such nonsense that you would need to begin such things. Also, this needs to be done in between my obsession with books, cleaning and overworking in general. So the magic book might be the best option.

Here are my memories of Grandma Jean:

1. Playing with her jewelry and then getting some if it (covered in her old lipstick).

2. Going to dinner with her and watching her chuckle every time Grandpa told the Pie joke* to a cute and ever so patient waitress.

3. Mayonnaise.

4. Turquoise jewelry.

5. Her shock when she would hear stories of the torture that my father endured as a child from his older siblings.

6. She liked my mom a lot.

7. She also liked cats a lot. The last one I ever met was named Magic and it was all black (familiar?) and it would drool when I would pet it on the back porch.

8. They had cable and I would watch Kidz Inc. whenever we would visit in the back room on their big white leather Lazy Boy.

9. The way she and my Grandpa were so sweet to each other in their later years. But only my Grandma was sweet to other people. My Grandpa, not so much.

10. I think that instead of turning into my mother, I think I am turning into my Grandmother.

*The Pie Joke:

Grandpa: Do you have any pie?

Waitress: We have blah blah blah blah blah and pumpkin pie (i love pumpkin, so I would always listen for it)

Grandpa: Well, I only like four kinds of pie.

Waitress: Oh? (permasmile in place)

Grandpa: Hot, Cold, Cut, and Uncut!!

Lake Powell

2011-07-31T16:15:00.001-07:00

I am sure that everyone on this is aware that we were at Lake Powell for about 5 days. Most of those days were spent in a swim suit. Consequently, pictures will be absent. That's right, in case you missed it, I am a vain vain girl.

So I will just list my top ten from the vacation:

1. Reading Halo by Alexandra Adornetto. I won't lie, I was prepared to think this was the dumbest book of all time. I only read it because I told Beth Jackson, my sister in law, that I would. I really enjoyed it. It had romance like Twilight (meaning kinda dumb and over done), but that wasn't what I enjoyed. I most enjoyed the references to God and his reality and how we can bring others to him. It was unabashedly FOR our Father in Heaven. It was fantastic.

2. Cicily and Derek hooked up (I didn't know what was going on until the drive home).

3. I got to hook up with my hubby. :)

4. We took some glorious naps.

5. I started War of the Worlds by HG Wells. Yes, it is boring, but it is the original alien invasion book, so I suppose that it is worth it.

6. Did I mention glorious naps in the shade?

7. 'Noodling' around in the water. It's funny, because we were on noodles, and I said noodling.

8. Listening to Shaun and company in their witty repartee.

9. I hiked through Jay's Crack (Jameson's family's name for a specific hike). I was the biggest scaredy cat, but I made it through with flying colors.

10. I did not go cliff jumping. No one did. The boat broke down.

Overall, it was loads of fun. I am sure I can direct you to Debbie Jackson's facebook page for some real photos.

Ranchin' the Suburbs

2011-07-18T20:49:00.000-07:00

We just got back from a wild and crazy trip to my grandfather's ranch in southern Utah. It was loads of fun.

Here is an aerial view (from the top of a log) of everyone playing in the river. I think I got some kind of disease from the river. So did Mo and Ellie.

Here is Jamie climbing an awesome wall.

Here is Jameson and I on the log. It is kinda sad, but it became quite the feat to walk across the log for the little kids. It entitled people for bragging rights.

We had a fun fun talent show (thanks to my sister). Really, it is more of a 'how do we make everyone laugh?' show. Notice the location of Lisa's hand.

Here is Chris and Lisa and Kaleb

Mom and Dad

Jameson and I

See if you can find Becky.

This is my name. Now we have rules about carving names, but this was before we made those rules.

Here are my cutie brothers :)

This is a great picture of Kevin/Caleb. Could his little fro be cuter?

I think this gives you an idea of how crazy busy that we were down there. We are TOTALLY bushed now. So I am going to go watch my hubby play soccer. And read a book.

Great show to watch: Psych. I can't even begin to tell you how great this show is.

How Do You Determine Truth

2011-07-12T08:23:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking on this subject a lot lately, so expect some posts along this line. There was a book I read a long time ago (I can't remember the author or title), and it was about Merlin on his quest to, you know, become Merlin. It needs to be noted here that I have an indecent love of arthurian legend. Anyway, the big conclusion to one of the books is that truth has many faces. At the time I thought this was a great epiphany. However, I disagree now. Now I think that truth is supreme, but our perception and understanding of it change. This makes it seem like the truth itself changes, but instead, we are changing and see the truth differently. I really want to reference the earth and the sun here, orbits and how our view and knowledge have changed so that we no longer think we are the center of the universe. So I think that truth does not evolve. We do.

Harry Truman once said, "Intense feeling too often obscures the truth". This is also something I disagree with. Some of the few things I know for 100% sure, no doubt involve my emotions. I know that I love my husband. I am not going to touch on religious notes here regarding truth, but I do have some pretty strong inclinations that way that are almost entirely emotional. I think that it is naive and incredibly pretentious to assume that because something is based in intense feeling and emotion, it is not true. Now, on the flip side, I sometimes work myself into a tizzy (me? never . . .) and I have to let myself calm down to analyze a particular situation. But that doesn't mean that once I have calmed down, I don't still have strong feelings regarding a subject.

I think often of how important the truth really is. Did you know that Copernicus was the first to suggest that the earth and planets revolve around the sun, however, he delayed publishing his findings because he didn't want to incur the wrath of the catholic church? So Galileo beat him to the punch, and, as we know, he ultimately died for that. (Galileo's Religion by Olaf Peterson) I sometimes wonder what the truths are that I would be willing to die for . . . hmmmmm . . .

If you have anything you would like to add, please do!

Great tv series to watch: Buffy The Vampire Slayer -- oh how I love thee, let me count the ways . . .

I Love To Blow Things Up

2011-07-07T20:27:00.001-07:00

As everyone knows -- we are a family that likes to blow things up. It's a good thing that I am from Wyoming (this may be a cyclical thing). Therefore, this is mostly going to pictures of our trip to Lander where we celebrated the birth of our country by lighting many fireworks. Here comes the parade.

This is my Mom and Dad at a wicked awesome bbq (we went to 3 over the weekend) with my Mom's best friend Carrie and her family. Carrie now lives in Utah, but they were super good friends all during my growing up period. I was sure that I was going to marry her son Kyle when I was five. It was straight up tragedy that struck my life when they moved away when I was six.

This is a super cute photo of me and the hubby at the Bills fireworks. They were really good. I have come to the conclusion that the Bills fireworks beat the fireworks at Taylorsville Days. But the music is way better at Taylorsville Days and we don't have to listen to political filibustering. Talk about a captive audience.

Here is Robby and his girlfriend, Nikki at the parade on the fourth. They are really nice and have really cute dogs named Rhino and Roxy.

This is a really good representation of the Lander Parade. I say no more.

This is our gloating picture of all the fireworks that we put off that night. Jameson sent it to all of his friends. Nanny Nanny Boo Boo, we have WAY more fireworks than you.

Boil, Boil Toil and Trouble . . . homemade root beer is really good.

Me and Jameson on the fourth doing fireworks.

Jameson and Morgan -- one of the Downs clan that was discovering the joy of fireworks in Wyoming.

Rob and Jameson trying to figure out how they can make bottle rockets more dangerous. Good times.

Okay, well, I am pretty well vacationed out. A few more notes:

1. I did not get the job that I applied and interviewed for. They evidently don't appreciate my charming personality . . .

2. Buffy the Vampire slayer is the BEST way to forget about reality if you are having a pity party. Also, I am really glad that we aren't living on the Hellmouth.

Good Book: Persuasion by Jane Austin. I like this book because it is a little bit sad, but very content.

Fishing For Fun

2011-07-02T18:40:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, Jameson and I decided that we needed to get out of the house, and do something, so we headed down to the Murray community fishing pond. It was so much fun!

Here is Jameson tying the spinner to his line. He showed me how to do a basic fishing knot. I might even still remember how to do it.

Here is the handsome man actually fishing I think it is a cool picture with the sun setting in the background. It was such a cool nice night.

These were some beautiful Canadian Geese (I was later informed of what they were by my father -- I was calling them 'duckies').

I have gotten into chalk-art recently. This is because of Soul Pancake. It challenges us to: 'sum up your personal philosophy on life . . . and scrawl your message for the world to see'. This was my philosophy . . . for the day.

It was so much fun to be outside and with my hubby. It was very quiet and fun and enlightening. I have been reading Soul Pancake by Rainn Wilson. And I have actually been thinking about what it is that fuels my creativity. I have a very short list (and it includes making lists). Here it is:

1. Long, Hot Baths

2. Blogs

3. Photography

4. Making Lists

That's what I've got so far. If anyone has any other things that they think are particularly fueling to creativity -- let me know.

Great Old Movie to see: Pygmalion -- based on the book and the precursor to My Fair Lady. :)

One Crazy Summer

2011-06-26T11:26:00.001-07:00

So I realized today that we are going to have a crazy summer. Not quite as crazy as the movie One Crazy Summer (starring John Cusack and Demi Moore in their younger years). However, it is going to be pretty packed, and I couldn't be happier.

We visited Alycia and Steven which was a blast, and this week was mostly lots of work. I am applying to be a Roving CSM for Zions Bank, Jameson applied for a job with Fidelity, and I am really really nervous. Everyone please keep us in your prayers, so that we can get the positions. It would be really good for us financially.

We got to go to Jameson cousin Devon's wedding reception. I loved the lemonade bar that they had (blackberry, raspberry and strawberry mix ins), but we were really hungry. So Jameson's family went to Chuck-A-Rama. It was good to be there with Debbie, ReNae and Beth because we are all trying to lose weight (some of us more successfully than others). It kept us all pretty honest.

Saturday was so much fun. We went to the Taylorsville Parade (think Lander Fourth of July minus the massive amounts of horse manure). It was fun to be there with Cloie and McKelle because they would run in the street and get us candy. It was at this point we realized some benefits of having children. Then we cleaned the house (much needed), and went to Katie Simmons pool party. I haven't played in the water in a long long time. Cicily and Jameson made it lots of fun. Hands Up Stands Up. Then the Taylorsville Day fireworks! It was so much fun to cuddle with a handsome man and watch fireworks. It was amazing. Good precursor to Dr. Bills . . .

Good Book To Read: Summer at Tiffany by Marjorie Hart :especially if you are part of the Grande Old Dame Book Club

Cracking Up

2011-06-20T22:21:00.000-07:00

Jameson and I went down to Cedar City to visit Alycia and Steven, my sister in law and her husband. And may I just say . . . it was lovely. We got there pretty late on Friday night. Then the plan was to get up early and go for a brisk 3 mile run. Instead we just slept in. I know. It is all that I have ever hoped for. Alycia did have to get up early to get her bountiful basket (I will have to blog about this later, but here is the site for the fruit/veggie co-op).

We eventually got ourselves together and went to Kolob (part of Zions National Park), and went for a 1 mile hike. Then we did some touristy shopping and I ended up with a crock-pot cookbook, an old copy of Sarah, Plain and Tall, and some stuff from Bath and Body Works. We met up with our friends Eric and Chelsea who made quite the ballsy (sorry, I couldn't think of an adequate substitute for that word) move and left for St. George on a whim. They have this great apartment and I was impressed with thier moxy.

We all journeyed to the red rock to do some hiking around. We checked out the crack and I *almost made it all the way through. I was excessively impressed with myself since I suffer from claustrophobia in a mild (kinda crazy big) way. I held the panic at bay and made it all the way. Finally, we hiked up Dixie rock and watched a first time repeller go over the rock. We applauded her when she made it all the way down.

Sunday it rained and I read a book. Might be my favorite thing we did.

That's right. I am AWESOME!

This is Alycia and myself as seen from above in the crack (please, we are all adults here).

In case you haven't seen enough of him, here is my handsome husband himself. We made an attempt to visit a discovery park in the rain. It turns out Jameson looks great in the rain too.

Great Book to Read: I wouldn't necessarily recommend this to everyone. But it talks a lot about food, something I happen to love. The writing isn't exactly riveting, but I really enjoyed reading the book. Sweet Love by Sarah Strohmeyer.

*My boobs were too big to let me through the smallest part. Yet another reason to lose weight.

Triathlon Training

2011-06-14T09:16:00.000-07:00

This is really just an update on our lives. There are no pictures or really interesting links to share on this fine day.

First of all, my run this morning was really hard. You know how some days you cruise, like you have a motor in your legs and nothing is going to stop you? Yeah, that wasn't today for me. It could be because I upped the run to 2.5 miles. Just a thought. If anyone has any thoughts or comments on the best ways to train for a sprint tri, now would be the time to post those thoughts.

Second, Jameson has been fishing nearly everyday, and hasn't caught anything. If anyone has any thoughts on that (besides the obvious comments regarding the fisherman) those would also be appreciated. Particularly in regards to how to get the line to NOT break.

Third, I have been making a LOT of bread lately and would appreciate any recipes. So if you have any, please share. Here is my favorite white bread recipe. I am also reading a book about desserts, and, as I am dieting, I love to make other people eat dessert (it's a twisted need). So any great desserts would be appreciated as well.

The Living Room

2011-06-08T21:58:00.000-07:00

So a few weeks ago (and I mean like a month ago), Jameson and I decided to brave a hike that has eluded us twice before. Determined that it would not defeat us thrice, I was armed this time. All it really came down to was having an additional set of directions. Normally I can hang my hat by Falcon Guides, especially just for day hikes. Anyway, the name of the hike is the Living Room. It is so named because there are sandstone rocks that have been placed by well-meaning and creative people to look and feel like chairs. Here are some pictures of us sitting in them:

This here is me. I am sitting on a recliner. I think I am in love with this picture because it shows none of my sweat (which was profuse), or my rolls of fat. Thank you Jameson for making me look good -- as usual.

Speaking of looking good, here is Jameson in the same recliner (they also had a love seat, but all the pictures on the other pieces of furniture were less than desirable. Anyway, as I recall, this was more of a throne than a recliner anyway. That makes it cooler).

I just wanted to include this photo because it makes Salt Lake look like Japan. A feat to be admired. And yes, I did it on purpose. I just thought the trees looked cool in the smog.

As a side note, the hike was nearly impossible to climb. Also, it nearly killed me. Mostly because I was out of shape. I am embarrassed to admit, but I could hardly walk for a week. It was two miles straight uphill. Jameson was fine. It might have been this hike that made me take a long look at the best way for me to train for the triathlon in August. So far, the training is going really really well. I ran 2 miles today! Also, Jameson is giving up soda (2 days so far) and I am giving up treats (unless it is sugar free, then I can have one per day). We are so awesome!

Great Book to read: Matched by Ally Condie -- she was an English teacher in Salt Lake so you gotta respect those English teachers. I just want to say, I would choose Xander. Every time. I am more like the character's Mom. I keep the rules because I love my family. I liked this in some ways more than Hunger Games, and not because it was more lovey-dovey. I think that Katniss's society was obviously evil, and begged for revolution. Cassia's society is not quite so obviously evil. I think that raises more difficult comparisons in our own lives. Do we go gently, or not?

Rockin' The Suburbs

2011-05-08T15:32:00.000-07:00

Hey all. I know that you have been waiting with baited breath for this post. I just wanted to say that I have been crazy busy. Also sick. It seems like whenever life gets really crazy or even really good, my immune system just seems to give right out. What was the flu has become a sinus infection.

Anyway, Jameson had a full week last week. He graduated and had a great concert where he totally rocked Pleasant Grove. Here are some pictures.

Here are three of the band mates. Tonio is a guitarist, Jameson the drummer and the one who is looking out the distance (that was intentional -- he wanted to look mysterious and creative) does vocals/guitar.

Jameson is going to hate this picture, but he really doesn't read my blog, so I don't feel so very bad. I like it because he looks so happy drumming. He has been working really hard and has improved a lot lately. I am very proud of my hubby.

I know this is short, and there has been quite a bit that has happened in the last few weeks, but I think we covered the biggies. I know you are all thinking, 'why no pictures of graduation'? The answer is because I left the xd card in the computer at home, and the student bookstore didn't have the right kind of card for our camera. So it is documented, just not with me. If you want pictures, ask Debbie.

Good Series to Watch: Dead Like Me. It is fairly heavy on the F-bomb, but really covers some subtle aspects of grief and the grieving process. Don't watch the movie though. It is really disappointing.

Le Easter Bunny Goes For A Hike

2011-04-26T20:39:00.000-07:00

So a long standing tradition in the Packer household was to put out our shoes for the easter bunny to fill. The 'Easter bunny' would then hide said shoes, and we would go and find the shoes (the oven was always a good place to look). So now the Jacksons (meaning Jameson and I) now do this. Turns out, I am a terrible hider. I mean terrible. Jameson always finds his shoes in a matter of minutes.

We went down to Bicknell (rhymes with Hicknell) to spend some time in a family cabin with some family for Easter. Most of Debbie's (Jameson's mum) side of the family showed, and it was really fun to have everyone there. Especially the new addition from Parker and Beth, see previous posts. We did all sorts of things, but here are a few photos.

Here you can see Parker shooting a water balloon from the water balloon launcher that I got Jameson for his birthday last year. Good see that it is money well spent. I would like to point out that it was snowing, and we could get the balloons past the road (a really really really far distance -- it totally rocked).

Here is Jameson standing over a crack (let's all be adults here). We stopped at this . . . area in capital reef. I guess there is a hike, but it was too cold for us to venture out too far. There were still some pretty cool rock formations.

Here are some petrogylphs that we viewed from a safe distance. I think they look like aliens and prove that aliens existed amongst Native Americans before we got here and took them to a different dimension. That, and they like sheep.

We then went to visit a waterfall. Now, you can't see it in it's glory here, but my favorite part was laying down and letting the water run through my fingers. It was cold, but satisfying.

The next day, we did some adventuring and visited Hickman's Bridge. The difference between a Bridge and an arch is that one (bridge) is made by water erosion and the other (arch) is made by wind. I think that arches are prettier, but bridges are sturdier. This is obviously not the bridge. Instead it is just after we found the bridge and I decided to kiss Jameson and make Alycia take a picture of it.

That about covers our adventuring over Easter. Of course, stay tuned for more as we have some pretty exciting business coming up.

Good Book to Read: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (yet another Charlotte that I love -- Please Jameson, can we have a girl, name her Charlotte and call her Lotty? Please?)

Dandelions and Triathlons

2011-04-17T17:28:00.001-07:00

Today I have officially been training for a sprint triathlon for a week. Jameson has been super supportive and it makes me really really happy because this is also my weight loss plan. And it is much needed!

I was also discussing weight loss with a friend today and she gave me this great recipe for oatmeal pancakes. I guess that she also eats a lot of Greek yogurt which is better than mayo. I don't know, I'm a little skeptical. Right now I think I will just stick to the regular workout and focus on eating healthy. I've been thinking a lot about the Word of Wisdom lately and the Lord's Law of Health. I think that there is some weight to the idea (no pun intended) that we need to be healthy and exercise. We are to be held responsible for how we treat our bodies. I have definitely been abusing mine the last year or so. I have been exercising sporadically and it definitely shows.

Of course, I would like to take the opportunity to state here that we all live the Word of Wisdom on differing levels, just like any other commandment. Exercise and eating healthy can be very hard for me. However, I really don't have a hard time with not drinking alcohol or not doing drugs. However, there are others who find my challenges easy, and alcohol and drugs tough. Anyway, this is my little way of declaring my resolution to be better.

I haven't been reading books lately having been horribly distracted by the beautiful spring that has sprung. I think that next week might necessitate some pictures of the beauty I see all around me.

Good Series to Watch: Arrested Development -- I have been a fan for years, but the movie is coming out recently and I have renewed my love affair in order to 'freshen up' for the coming comedy storm.

McKell is Born and We Play D&D

2011-04-11T19:18:00.000-07:00

As may have been posted all over the internet in facebook, twitter, email, and other means of electronic messaging, McKell Joan Jackson was born today. Thus making her the first grandchild and first niece on Jameson's side. So we dropped by the hospital on Thursday morning and took a few photos for memories sake. She is pretty darn cute. So here you go:

Here is Jameson and Debbie fawning over the baby. I would like the say that Jameson was a natural at the baby holding thing and he loved it. The truth is that this picture gives him way more credit than he deserves.

Beth might kill me for this picture, but I am fairly sure that she doesn't read my blog. So I feel much less guilty. Here is Beth and Parker both looking very tired as the baby was born super early and everyone was trotting in throughout the day and night to check out McKell.

For the first little bit, Cloie wouldn't have anything to do with her little sister. Here is a photo of the first time we got her to hold her little sister. It's pretty sweet. I understand that she doesn't have the not touching her sister problem anymore.

And here I am. Just so we are all aware, holding nieces and nephews is all the baby photos or talk that anyone is seeing from us in a long time. Am I clear? (This means we are happy when other people are pregnant, but don't plan on seeing a suspicious bulge in my tummy for the next while)

So I am sure that many of my faithful readers are hoping that I also have pictures of this next bit. I want to point out right now that I don't and for good reason. We came to be involved in a game of Dungeons and Dragons through a twisted chance of fate involving Reverend Robbi Richardson and my insatiable love of fantasy novels. Inevitably, we were coerced into this ultimate of all nerdy endeavors. And it was a BLAST!! It was a little long, but loads of fun. I can see why it is so addicting. Not that I want to play every day, but it was fun. My character is a super awesome Gnome names Gillian Wolfsbane. She has a Wolf named Nightrider. He was pretty tough. Anyway, it was a fun little way to cross a life experience off the list. Next? Sky Diving!!

Good Movie to Watch: Tangled -- I love it. Especially . . . all of it.

The Sweetest Thing

2011-03-20T20:18:00.000-07:00

So much has happened. I can't even begin to document our lives. I am going to skip over the urban iditarod, among other worthy topics of conversation.

Instead, I will just give you a brief update on us and our friends. This last Monday I was able to visit with some old friends from the singles ward where Jameson and I met. Melissa Williams showed up with her sweet little boy. It was so fun to see everyone and to catch up with old friends. Sometimes we forget how wonderful people are until we see them again.

We had a lesson on service today, and the biggest thing I think that I took from it was how much our love grows as we do service. Judgements fall away, leaving room for us to simply see others as children of God in need of his help. Service is a sure way to the Lord. It forces us to leave the natural man behind us.

We took a moment to think of all those that had served us in the past. It was the sweetest thing to think of all those that have helped us and myself along the way. So thank you. To anyone who helped me overcome my demons, face my sorrows, and ultimatley and hopefully be a better person.

Great Movie to Watch: Rango starring Johnny Depp. Seriously, fantastic and funny. Love the little mouse girl. Really the whole thing was great.

Curling . . . the mystery, the legend

2011-02-27T20:02:00.000-08:00

Hey all -- I know, long time coming. We had a vacation in Arizona. Aside from that (it was lovely), we got back and jumped right back into life as we know it. Which for us consists of working and playing. One of my favorite things. On Wednesday, we went to watch our friends Curl over at the Olympic Oval in Salt Lake City. For those of you who don't know, Curling is a sport played on ice, in which opposing teams try to slide large rounds of granite into a circle. For a more complete list of rules, click here :

Curling

At the last winter Olympics, some of Jameson's friends (Shaun, Robbi, Nathan, and Taylor) thought that it would be neat to go to the Olympics. At this late point in their lives the only sport they could pick up and possibly make it to Olympic caliber competition is Curling (this was a general consensus among friends, not a fact). Therefore, a group signed up as a curling team and started to compete. (Un) Fortunately, Jameson had to work at the time that they have the curling competitions, so he isn't in the league. However, all his friends are. So we went and watched. Since I am so great at watching sports, I mostly studied some materials for my new job. However, I did watch just enough to notice the following even littler known facts regarding curling:

1. It seems to attract those who wear both horizontal stripes and wife beaters. (I know, is curling really a sport for hicks? -- more to follow)

2. Just as in any other sport, the men flex for the women in the audience at regular intervals even though they receive no reaction from female counterparts.

3. It just has to be more difficult than it looks.

4. There were a variety of women playing. Some of them qualified for the "Are they pregnant or not? I can't decide and certainly can't ask" category.

5. The rounds of granite are larger than you might think and I heard that they are only mined in Scotland, but that is unconfirmed.

6. It is possibly to play high, and do remarkably well.

7. Signature cards are hard to understand, and I am not prepared for this job at all.

That about wraps that up. In other news, this was my last week as a teller. Scary stuff, right? It's bittersweet. Kind of. I caught us up on laundry mostly and we also went to a bonfire and ate at a delicious restaurant known as Goodwood. Great barbecue, but a bit on the pricy side and we still think that Pat's is better.

Good Book to Read: M is for Magic by Neal Gaiman. I do so love this author (he also wrote Coraline, a book which somehow captures much of my fears as a child). This book is some of his short stories. It has become my tubby time book.

Yazz Game

2011-01-30T15:23:00.000-08:00

Now I am just as disappointed as the next girl that my first ever NBA game was between the Utah Jazz and the Spurs, but it was really nice because I got to eat a pretzel with cheese sauce. And I wasn't really involved in the game, but my long history of watching brothers play basketball let me make some well timed jibs at the players and ref. It was actually really fun!

Here is a picture of me and Jameson (not pictured is the pretzel with cheese sauce)

Here is an up close and personal picture of the players in the e-center (also where I saw Disney on Ice).

Anyway, I hope that everyone out there has a great day. The Jazz did lose, however, the Spurs do have the best record in the league and it wasn't a blow-out. So the Jazz must not be all bad.

Good Book to read: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahme-Smith and Jane Austin

A Return From The Netherlands of Space and Time

2011-01-23T14:28:00.000-08:00

Just so that we are all aware -- I haven't posted in about a month. This is because we moved into our own home. I know, it was a good move. However, we didn't get around to having internet installed until yesterday. So here we are today. I just thought that I would make a list of different things that have happened. Keep in mind that I do not feel particularly well (minor flu).

1. I became the princess of a small island off the coast of Mongolia. It's a little complicated. Mostly a ceremonial role, but still, I feel the weight of my crown.

2. Jameson came into large amounts of money from an unknown and long lost uncle in the cracker business. We are deciding on investment options, and are drawn toward some beach front property in Ohio.

3. We became proficient ninjas battling the ever increasing onslaught of the undead in Salt Lake.

4. We founded an organization dedicated to the education of the public about the history of Arizona and it's contribution to our great nation.

5. Mostly just some cleaning and up keep on the apartment. A few minor break downs. You know, the usual.

That should just about get you up to date. Any questions?

Great books to read: These is my Words, The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine, 1881-1901 by Nancy E Turner. My mother and I differ on our opinions of this book. My mom wanted less of a love story. I personally thought the love story was fine. To me it feels a bit like Mrs. Mike.

Anniversaire

2010-12-19T19:04:00.000-08:00

Today, December 19,2010, Jameson Jackson and I celebrate 1 year of marriage. In a tragic accident, our anniversary photos met a dismal end in Jameson's broken phone. Consequently, there will be no photos in this post. In a nutshell, we got a room (the same one we had for our first night as a married couple) at Little America. We took tracks downtown to wander around Temple Square to see the lights. We also meandered around the Galavan Center and looked for a book store that might be open til all hours that was within walking distance. There wasn't one, so we walked back to the hotel. We then went to breakfast at Village Inn in the morning, where I enjoyed my favorite breakfast: crepes (also known as really really thin pancakes).

All that said, I think that today would be the best day to list the top ten things that I love about my husband:

1. This is slightly selfish, but I love Jameson because he cares so much about my happiness. If I am not happy, neither is he. And he will do what he can to make me happy.

2. I love that he still talks about the time he made me dinner. This happened when we were still dating.

3. He takes me to haunted houses.

4. He listens to my mindless chatter.

5. He is a righteous person who has the same goals as I do.

6. He likes long naps.

7. He plays an awesome instrument (meaning the drums). It makes me feel like I am married to a rock star.

8. He has the same guilty conscience that I do.

9. He likes silly adventures.

10. We have so much fun together. Yay for fun! I love you Jameson!!

Festival of Trees

2010-12-06T21:21:00.001-08:00

This last Saturday, Jameson and I got some tickets to go and see the Festival of Trees at the Southtowne Expo Center. For those of you who are unaware, the festival of trees is a fund raising event in which hundreds of trees are decorated in different ways, then put up for auction to benefit the American Cancer Society. It was so fun to see all the different decorations and it definitely put me in the spirit of the season. Here are a few of my favorites:

Cinderella -- even the glass slippers -- pretty cool! Also this reminds me of the house in Lander that always has blue lights up at Christmas

They had some that were Night Before Christmas, but this was my favorite Halloween-themed Christmas Tree

This is Jameson next to a tree heralding his alma matter: Utah Valley University

Anne of Green Gables -- you will forever remind me of Cami

Winter Wonderland -- so Pretty!

This is so incredibly cute -- especially the title. It makes me think of the children's book Owl Moon. And my Dad.

This reminds me of my brother Rob. I'm not sure why.

Turns out, money really does grow on trees . . .

Needless to say, Jamie and I had a blast looking at these. Of course, we also didn't make it through all the trees. They kind of began to run together. Oh another princess tree, oh another classic christmas tree . . . . you get the idea. We went down every aisle, but we didn't really see every tree. Anyway, it was amazing to see how much everyone was willing to give for Christmas! It was inspiring and oh so very much fun!

Good Books to Read: Owl Moon by Jane Yolen (also a great fantasy writer)

Giving Thanks

2010-11-28T20:22:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving was loads of fun this year. Jameson and I went for walk early in morning around Murray Park. It was good to go out and think about all the things that we are grateful for. We make wild plans for the future, and pretty much solved the world's problems. I think the thing that we are most grateful for right now is our health. I know that sounds silly, but most of the top things on our minds that we were grateful for boiled down to that. So we definitely have to give thanks for that.

Jameson walking in front of me (we had some snow the night before)

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood . . .

Then we went to Thanksgiving dinner at Jameson's Aunt ReNae's house. It was great to see ALL of Jameson's family. We also had our friends Jeff and Kelly come up from Provo, since they were far away from their families in California. Kelly is pretty sick right now having just had her gall bladder out. Everyone was great, and it is always nice to spend time with family.

Jameson playing 'My Debbie' with Cloie

Kelly and Jeff Hume -- I promise that Jeff doesn't have any disabilities that I know of

This is Debbie and all her siblings, Len, Deirdre, Ian, Mum, Dad, and Debbie

Then in Jackson family tradition, we went bowling, and it was oh so fun. I even bowled a few strikes (more luck than any kind of skill). I haven't been bowling in almost a year . . . so I didn't have the best showing. I didn't even break 100. My best score was 90-ish. Yeah . . .

Jameson -- always so happy and good at bowling . . . let's face it, there is little that Jameson DOESN'T excel at.

Game face. I am out to win.

Anyway, now I can give all of myself to Christmas. Yay!! If anyone has any Christmas movies that they absolutely love, please let me know as I would love to watch some christmas movies this year to get me in the mood. For Christmas.

Still reading Alligator Bayou by donna jo napoli, but I also read Zombie Haiku by Roger Mecum and it was one of the funniest zombie things that I have read. Jameson and I are also hip deep in The Walking Dead (both the graphic novel series and the TV series). In case any of you don't know, I have developed an irrational fear of zombies. If something bad DOES happen in 2012, it will have to do with a zombie virus outbreak.

10 Things I Hate About Sledding

2010-11-24T09:07:00.000-08:00

1. Caused a concussion when I was roughly 16.

2. Sitting on a slippery object to cruise down a hill just seems like poor planning.

3. Cold

4. While I love Hot Chocolate, the reward that it represents for the work simply isn't enough.

5. I look fat in snow pants

6. We can't find our tube we bought last year.

7. Climbing up the hill

8. Snow gets on your skin and makes it wet AND cold

9. Jumps = Injuries

10. Hayrides are more rewarding.

More Grizzlies, More Wedding, and More Flu

2010-11-21T17:03:00.000-08:00

So today I realized that I have had the flu this last week. I was wondering why I was having trouble running and why I was so achy and so tired. I blamed my thyroid (as I haven't taken my meds for like 3 months), but today, when I was nauseous, I realized that I probably have the flu. If anyone at Parker and Beth's Wedding, you may be infected.

Friday, after a trying night at work, we went to the Grizzly game (they occasionally have tickets for five a piece, and our friend Shaun has some hookups to get seats right on the ice. Unfortunately, I didn't get there until the last period (there are three). At which point, the Grizzlies lost their 2 point lead and lost in over-time. Then we went to RedRock to eat and they had fried green tomatoes. I was so excited, I ordered them. They were great, unfortunately, while we were at the wedding, Jameson's anxious dog jumped on the table while we were at the wedding and ate them. Including the Styrofoam. So far she seems to be okay.

Now on to the main event: Parker and Beth's wedding this weekend. The wedding began at 4, and we were setting up since noon. Then at about 3:50, we found out that you can't play the wedding march in the church for a wedding. It was then that I was asked to play the piano. So not fun. I am simply not talented enough to comfortably play hymns for everyone at a wedding. After that, things went well. Parker and Beth both seemed happy and excited, and are starting to make some great choices together in their lives!

Here is a picture of the food table (sans food)

Parker and Beth exchanging nuptials (they didn't write their own . . . knowing Parker, I can only say thank goodness!

All the bridesmaids (minus me -- who was at the piano)

Jay and Debbie -- Cloie was away from Debbie for all of five seconds so they could take the picture.

That's right, I got ReNae out from behind the camera. Len wasn't too thrilled.

Nanny and Preston enjoying the festivities

Next week, I will probably have some photos of Thanksgiving and hopefully I will finally be healthy!!

Good Book to Read: Alligator Bayou by Donna Jo Napoli

Disney,Hospitals, Karaoke and oh so much more

2010-11-14T16:26:00.000-08:00

So -- as of yet, the big news is that my mother's surgery went very well. She was in town all this last week with my father. Sadly, I think that my father was in a much worse state than my mother --even the day of the surgery. My mother was pretty upbeat and happy while my father was an anxious wreck the whole week.

In order to bring my parents some fun, I brought them some chocolates from Hatch's Family Chocolates (featured on TLC the little chocolatiers), as well as some delicious donuts from Beyond Glaze. These are two of my favorite treat spots in Salt Lake City. The funnest thing that I did to cheer up my folks was to take my Dad and my Husband to see Disney on Ice: Mickey and Minnie's Adventure. It featured Ariel (my absolute favorite-- seriously, I almost cried when she skated on stage), Lilo and Stitch, Peter Pan, and the Lion King. I can't believe how much I love Disney stuff. I even bought an overpriced snowcone.

My Daddy and I at the beginning of the Disney on Ice extravaganza

Jameson Drinking some of my over priced light up snow cone

Jameson and I watching the show . . . along with all the other children

Here is the stage during an intermission (I couldn't get any of the dancers because it was dark during the actual performance . . . I know, disappointing)

In other news, I hosted Beth's Bridal shower -- which was loads of fun. Bread and soup and gifts . . . nothing better! I also went and sung some Karaoke at the Karaoke cafe (a coffee shop) til late in the evening last night. I sung True Blue by Madonna, If I Had a Million Dollars by Barenaked Ladies, Livin on a Prayer by Bon Jovi, and last, but definitely not least, One More Time by Britney Spears. I think that my performance that really made the greatest impression was Britney Spears as we were the only group left by the time I sang that. And I sang it with my friend Nikki. We were awesome. Epic, one might say.

Great Books to Read: The Reformed Vampire Support Group by Catherine Jinks

If Wishes and Buts were Candy and Nuts . . .

2010-11-07T14:04:00.000-08:00

I have never understood that phrase, but I have heard it floating around quite a bit lately, "If wishes and buts were candy and nuts, we'd all have a merry christmas". Yeah -- I know. Who wants nuts? Especially if they were peanuts.

Anyway -- This week hasn't been too thrilling. Both Jamie and I have colds. Rather untimely since my mother is coming for her knee replacement surgery. We have been waiting for this for almost a year, so I don't want her catch our cold, and make her delay the surgery. Again.

Our big news is that we are moving into our own apartment! I know . . . it's about time. We are really excited. It's in Murray and is 500 per month for the cutest little two bedroom EVER!! Sorry for all the exclamation points, but we are super excited. We will be moving in hopefully on December 1. We heard about it from my friend Sydney, whom I work with.

Good Book to read: The Great Wide Sea by M.H. Herlong

Halloween Fun

2010-10-31T14:04:00.001-07:00

We have done many a Halloween thing this year, and I am just about Halloween-ed out. Here is a list of all the awesome fun things that we have done:

1. Carved Pumpkins (more to follow on that)

2. Watched innumerable scary movies

3. Saw the Odyssey Dance Company's Production of Thriller

4. Went to the Haunted House Nightmare on 13th

5. Visited the Haunted Village at This is the Place Monument

6. Ran in the Highway to Hale 5k -- many runners were in costume, but not I.

7. Dressed up as Little Red Riding Hood.

Thriller was so much fun to go to, and also had the best zombie costumes that I have seen in some time. They wandered about before and after the show. We tried to snag a picture, but just didn't have the chops for it. Nightmare on 13th was okay -- it was a very classic haunted house. However, my favorite was the Haunted Village. It was amazing and so much fun!! It was at This is the Place Monument and they had statues of headless horsemen and whatnot instead of pioneer women playing with children. You had to walk through the village of pioneer homes and they were all very haunted. Our friend Taylor was kind enough to inform a few of the ghouls of my name, so they called it out quite a bit as we wandered through. We were the last to go through and it was very dark and lonely.

For me, though, it just isn't Halloween unless you get to carve a pumpkin. I happily blame my father for this. So for FHE on Monday night we invited over some friends (Taylor, Hannah and Nikki) and we all carved pumpkins and watched a scary movie. I also roasted some pumpkin seeds, which took me right back to some very fond memories of my childhood.

Here is Nikki and Hannah discussing their works of art

Here is Taylor, quite proud of his werewolf pumpkin -- he was sure that his limited art skills would simply not allow him to succeed at pumpkin carving. I daresay that he was pleasantly surprised.

Last but not least, here is Jameson, with his awesome bat that looks great! He is my pumpkin carving man!

Anyway, I hope that everyone has had a wonderful holiday! Happy Halloween and know that we wish you all the best and as much love as we can give!

Workin Hard for the Money

2010-10-24T16:47:00.000-07:00

There are four things that dominate my life right now.

1. Work

2. Veronica Mars

3. The Library

4. Exercising

I don't really feel the need to discuss anything but the library. I was looking up book lists online and the best ones that are findable are generated by YALSA (an offshoot of the ALA). I was working at one time on the book list Outstanding Books for the College Bound book list made by them. Instead, I chose the top ten books for Young Adults for 2010. And so far it has proved pretty good. I really enjoy young adult fiction as the format allows for a wider range of creativity. For me the genre generally feels like a cross between a short story and a novel. Anyway, I have already devoured one of the books and am definitely excited to work my way through the rest. However, there are some sweet potatoes about the make their debut on the dinner table, and I want to be there for the event.

Good Book to Read: Demon Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan

How We Spend Sunday Night

2010-10-18T09:05:00.000-07:00

Fat Kid Secrets

2010-10-16T10:37:00.000-07:00

Yes, this would be a great title for a YA book. However, it comes from my activities this morning. I don't really spend a lot of time just wasting time. Between the two jobs and my everpresent fitness goals, financial goals, relationship goals . . . . let's just say that I rarely actually waste time. However, the other night Jameson went to play some video games with his friends, and I stayed home and was planning on folding laundry while I watched glee. Instead I sat on the couch with the laundry in front of me and instead began what I can already see is going to be a long long long and sordid love affair.

That's right. Veronica Mars. I love the plot, the fun, the serious, and Veronica's style. It is just the right mix of rocker chick mixed with ivy league. I want a pair of plaid jean pants that she has in one of the first episodes. So far no luck finding a similar pair. Anyway, this morning was spent in watching a few episodes. While I did so, I butter some white bread and poured caramel sauce on it. DELICIOUS!!

I call these little tricks fat kid tricks. Mainly because I learned them when I was a fat kid. Seriously, there is nothing better in the world. I mean, in which you can be lazy and all that rot. I might even watch another episode of Veronica Mars . . . and grab me another piece of bread . . . Anyway, I just wanted to know if anyone else had some fat kid tricks out there that I could try.

Great Series to watch . . . Veronica Mars

Thwarted by the Camera

2010-10-12T10:33:00.000-07:00

So I have been thwarted by the camera. I keep taking the thing to differing events in our lives, hoping to get some good pictures to share with friends and family. Unfortunately, I am always thwarted in one way or another. I either have too low a battery or I forget it in the car or I forget the SD card or some such nonsense.

So I have decided that I will grab my camera when possible and just let you know how our lives are going for the rest.

We are in full horror month swing. We have watched more scary movies that I care to admit. And my dreams are suffering for it. My imagination has gone wild. I am now afraid of the dark. Again. I am actually afraid of any abnormal circumstance which could herald a creepy thing happening. Today no one was awake when I got up for my staff meeting, and I was sure that there was a zombie apocalypse that had taken place during the night (there was not).

My family is probably saying that I am just adding wood to the fire, as I have always had a bit of an active imagination and intense fear of scary things (Hocus Pocus still spooks me a bit). However, they should be glad to know that Jameson and I went to a Haunted House with some friends, and I think I handled myself admirably. I only really screamed when the chainsaw guy came out. And that only because I think that would be the perfect crime. If you wanted to kill someone, why not go where everyone is already screaming, it is poorly lit, and blood and guts are the norm?

Anyway -- fear is a good thing. We do need to have it, I just think that I am not even half way through the month and I don't want to have nightmares til Christmas. My Little Pony Movies . . . here we come.

Movie I watched and surprised me by the plot because I read the short story and it isn't quite the same: The Box

Whelmed

2010-09-30T19:48:00.000-07:00

I had a roommate named Becky once upon a time, and she used to commonly say, "I'm not over-whelmed so much as I'm just whelmed." That is how I feel today. I am whelmed. Today I had training and a shift and Dave Ramsey. Did I mention that the training was practically a personal finance class that had clips of Dave Ramsey? It was just too much for one day. And for one girl.

Jameson is gearing up for duck season, which starts Saturday. Yes, I know that it is the same day that General Conference is. Let's just not discuss it. Also, because I am in Nursery, no one told me when the Relief Society meeting was.

Okay, I think I am done complaining. Seriously. I am. I think. Wait . . . Yes. Done.

Great Book: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. I am working through it now that we are into THE MONTH OF HORROR!!!!! (October)

Modify

2010-09-29T09:09:00.001-07:00

So I have a rule on Sunday for Jameson and I. It is that we can watch a movie if it is a documentary or a children's/family movie. It is a fairly loose rule with a lot of loopholes and is rarely enforced. Regardless, this Sunday, we watched the documentary Modify.

For my siblings -- I do not recommend this show. It was scarier than snot. It was about how people modify their bodies from tattoos to teeth to body building to gauges to plastic surgery to you name it. It showed people splitting their tongues and all kinds of nastiness. It really honestly traumatized me. It showed people doing suspension with hooks in their backs.

It brought up some interesting questions, like what is the difference between modification and mutilation. I think the general consensus was that if you do it to yourself, it's modification and if it is done to you, without your consent, then it is mutilation. It brought up questions of religion, and of course, most of the extremists had no faith, and therefore it wasn't a concern.

Ultimately, everyone kept saying, it's my body, I can do what I want with it. This made me think back to the lesson that we taught in nursery the very same day. Our bodies are not our own, they are on loan from the Lord. Paraphrasing from Elder Holland, the body and the spirit are the soul of man. When we abuse our bodies, whether voluntary or not, we are abusing our soul. This can come through anything from fornication to tattoos. We are meant to keep our bodies clean and pure, just like our spirits.

It was a good reminder.

Good Movie: Outsourced -- super cute little thing about a guy who goes to india to train employees in a call center.

Relationship Advice Via Dave Ramsey

2010-09-25T10:06:00.000-07:00

So on Thursday, Jameson and I went to our second FPU (Financial Peace University) class. It was pretty cool. This class was about relationships in relation to money. It was kinda like a mini lecture on marriage. There were a lot of good principles, many of which we had read about before (believe it or not, Jameson and I have actually read books on marriage, like we are responsible adults or something . . . weird). Whether we actually put them in practice is another idea entirely. He had some really good insight on how to do a budget that could really help us. Essentially, it entails one person actually putting the budget together, and this should be whomever wants to do it. And that would be me. And then once that budget is made, slide it over to the other person, and let them make the changes they feel need to be made. Seems like a good plan. I am excited to follow that.

Later, when I was reading his book, there was a chapter on money and relationships, outside of marraige. Primarily regarding when to help someone and when not to. This was good for us since we want to help everyone and make everyone do this Dave Ramsey business. His advice was essentially to shut our mouths unless someone asks for help. It was good stuff. I think, in fact, good stuff on giving advice in general.

Anyway, this is just my weekly plug for financial responsibility and my plug to get people to either sign up for an FPU course, read the book, or at least take an interest in personal finance.

Devil

2010-09-24T09:08:00.000-07:00

Yes, that is right, we watched Devil by M. Night Shyamalan. It was awesome. I evidently embarrassed Jameson by telling him that I was scared at the movie theater. I guess that I embarrass him a lot there . . .

Anyway, I love M. Night Shyamalan. His style is very similar to Alfred Hitchcock, another one of my favs, and this was no disappointment. For me. I realize that many people don't like his style, and that's totally fine. However, I love how he wraps up principles about faith and forgiveness in a scary story, and it comes out feeling hopeful.

That's how this flick was. Very scary (and a great way to kick of the month of October -- also known as horror month), but the last line in the movie was something along the lines of 'do not worry, for if the devil is real, then God must be real also'. I also loved Signs for the same reason. It's not an alien story, it's a story about a man's faith. I just love the way he tells his stories. So I would recommend this movie.

Another Movie Recommendation: Carolina starring Julia Styles. Reminded me a bit of the book Charms for the Easy Life

Weird Dreams

2010-09-23T09:43:00.001-07:00

So I had the WEIRDEST dreams last night. Seriously. I was married to JD from Scrubs (and I swear, I haven't even been watching lately) and we were hanging out with Elliot in her apartment. I was like, hey, this is a nice place -- let's see if they have any availability in the complex. We talked for a while, then headed out to see. Flash forward, we are standing outside an available apartment, but the landlord said there was a squatter. If we could get him to go, the apartment was ours. Turns out the squatter was my dad. So we decided to move in with him. He had the upstairs and we had the downstairs. JD seemed nervous about it, and my Dad wasn't too happy, but we moved in anyway. We had a lot of nice stuff.

Then I had a dream skip and I was married to Jameson and we were at a family party, but he hadn't shown up yet. I think it was a graduation party. Anyway, Jameson's ex-girlfriend Brittany showed up looking all skinny and tan and super buff. In my dream I didn't know how to talk to her, so we just pretended we were friends. Also, I had super long wavy blonde hair. Like down to my waist.

Anyway, Jameson and I are in the middle of this documentary about dreams. Did you know that at least three Nobel Peace prizes were awarded to projects inspired by dreams? I know that a lot of people think that they are repressed emotions finding their way to be expressed (I think that often dreams are that very thing, see above mentioned examples). However, I think that there is a different class of dream that comes from a different source that is meant to inspire and move us.

Great Documentary: Nova's Dream series

Roll With The Punches

2010-09-22T08:36:00.001-07:00

So, it turns out that being sick over three days sucks. But, as that great country singer, Jo Dee Messina once sang,"Well, oh, that's the way it is, you gotta roll with the punches, that's the way it goes, you gotta bend when the wind blows."

That is what my life has been the last few days. I just had to put my life on hold for just a few days, throw a few goals back a few weeks. I have a strong belief that a goal isn't useful unless it can survive some minor and often, major setbacks. In fact, most of our lives are about overcoming challenges to accomplish our goals, whatever they may be.

Anyway, I need to go sit in the shower for a while and hopefully my sinuses with start to agree with the 'roll with the punches' theory.

Good Book: Last in the Dark is Rising Series; The Silver on the Tree by Susan Cooper

Roll With The Punches

2010-09-22T08:36:00.000-07:00

Anyway, I need to go sit in the shower for a while and hopefully my sinuses with start to agree with the 'roll with the punches' theory.

Good Book: Last in the Dark is Rising Series; The Silver on the Tree by Susan Cooper

Sick with a Cold --- Again

2010-09-20T18:31:00.000-07:00

I swear I can't stay healthy for longer than a month! I have another cold and so does Debbie and most of the people that I work with.

I mostly blame Nickelmania. Not only do I work with a ton of dirty dirty coin, but it is extra dirty because little kids play with it all day. I fixed a machine the other day and had something in my eye. I touched my eye before putting on disinfectant, and an hour later, I had a sore throat. Now I am not saying that it was that . . . but it was that. To be honest, I am shocked that I didn't go blind.

As it is, I am a whiney cry baby. Fortunately, my husband loves me anyway.

Good Music to Listen to: Unknown Anthem (Jameson has a concert this Saturday -- just trying to raise awareness)

Sunday Drive

2010-09-19T18:58:00.001-07:00

Today, Jameson's Dad was kind enough to let us take the Harley for a Sunday Drive. We decided to go up and around the Alpine Loop to see if the trees were changing color.

We ended up forgetting the gas key (isn't that just like us?), so we stopped at a picnic area and ate some snacks and played in the creek. There were some great skipping rocks.

It was so much fun playing in the creek! We haven't done that in a long time. However, the water was FREEZING! I swear it was fresh of the glacier.

Overall, we had a great time and really enjoyed ourselves. It was a great way to be reminded of the beauty around us and that God made for us.

Good Movie to Watch: Motorcycle Diaries -- see previous post.

Beth and Parker and Chloe and . . .

2010-09-18T08:54:00.000-07:00

Jameson's brother Parker is getting married in November to Beth Hoven (I know, it looks like Beethoven all together, huh?). Beth has a little girl named Chloe from a previous marraige. They are going to do her bridals this morning.

Last night Chloe was staying with Beth's Dad and Stepmom. She was bit by their dog and got seven stiches. So now she is being babied even more. The poor thing can't really say anything or eat much.

So she is hurting pretty badly. But somehow I think that she will make it. She has both her mom and Debbie to mind her -- they are pretty responsible.

Good Music: Glee Soundtrack -- the new season starts this Tuesday.

Super Savers

2010-09-16T20:56:00.000-07:00

Through Zions Bank, Jameson and I get to take Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University classes. This is very exciting. We took the first class tonight. We get to do it for free because we are the liaisons between Zions Bank and the course coordinator, Gary (of whom I got the distinct impression that he didn't like me).

Here are some impressions of what I got from the first lesson, entitled 'super saving'.

1. Saving money is about emotion and contentment.

2. Three basic reasons to save include:

- Emergency Fund

- Purchases

- Wealth Building

3. We have to face our money woes and deal with them. The first step is to cut back and start to save.

It was a really good class, and I am really excited for the rest of the course. Money has always kind of scared me. Not having it so much, but feeling confident that I know how to handle it responsibly. Working at a bank has helped a lot, but even better has been learning this stuff.

Great Book to read: Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey, also Financial Peace University by the same author.

The Diary of Anne Frank

2010-09-15T16:18:00.000-07:00

The whole reason that I began posting every day was because I thought, probably mistakenly, that it may improve my writing. I read a short children's book on writing and there was a section about journals. It highlighted Anne Frank, among others, as a great author who told their story through journal. Now, I am certainly not Anne Frank. Nor do I have nearly the story to tell that she did. But I do wonder if she ever felt that her days weren't really worth chronicling. I am sure that life in hiding, while a little exciting, was mostly horribly boring.

I remember when I went on my mission, it was my last day in the MTC. Our usual teacher couldn't be there for some reason, and we had a substitute. I remember his lesson almost more than the others I had in the 3 weeks I was there. He asked us what we planned to do everyday. We all gave various answers that mostly involved teaching fabulous lessons to those that were just trembling to be baptized. He looked at us and said, okay, so you teach a lesson for an hour (looking back, that is extremely generous for the time it takes to teach a lesson), what else do you do? We looked at each other and said call media referrals. He said okay, that takes 15 minutes, what else do you do? It was at this point that I realized that there is a ton of time in a day that I had to somehow make productive. He then went on to teach us about tracting, which did in fact make up a large majority of what I did on my mission.

The point of all this rambling is that our lives are punctuated by exciting moments when we get to do exciting and wonderful and fun things. The rest of it is made up of everything else that we do. The less glamorous, but very necessary part of life. We have to do the dishes and plan the meals and do the laundry and go to work and go the gym. These things are what make up most of our lives. So if it occasionally seems that I only talk about these things, it is because that is the majority of what I do.

I will say though, that some of my best and most personally defining moments came when I was tracting on my mission. I think that the same thing happens during the regular course of life.

"The final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands" ~ Anne Frank

Sleepy Tired

2010-09-14T09:34:00.000-07:00

I am really really tired. I will probably just sit on my bum for a few minutes and read a book. Oh the luxury of time. Even if it is only for a few minutes. :) Anyway, I thought I would come up with 10 words to describe the word tired.

1. Exhausted

2. Sleep-deprived

3. Burned-Out

4. Beat

5. Bushed

6. Dead

7. Spent

8. Wiped Out

9. Weary

10. Sleepy Tired

I am all of these things. So I will go and sleep/read my book.

Great Music: Air in G by Bach

Save the Cheerleader, Save the world

2010-09-13T09:08:00.000-07:00

Heroes has taken over our lives. I know that we are behind by a few years on the craze, but we just got Netflix, and reason has gone out the window. I really love this show (remember that we are only on season one) because everyone wants to be a hero. They discover they have these abilities, and they all want to do something good with them, for the most part.

It made me think about myself, and the abilities that I do or don't have. I have been feeling like rather a failure lately. I think that it is mostly because I am overwhelmed. Which is sad because I don't really do all that much . . .

Anyway, back to the point. I was thinking about how Heavenly Father put us all here on this earth, and we all have different abilities. We don't think of them as particularly remarkable, but they really are. And we have the choice to do the right thing. To be heroes in a sense. Between reading The Dark Is Rising series and watching Heroes, I have been reminded that it is so very hard to do the right thing. It often requires that we make sacrifices and difficult changes in our lives. It requires us to look past the present situation at the larger picture. It requires us to look past our own needs, which are most pressing, and look at others needs. It is so easy to simply NOT do it. It would be so easy to simply give in and let go, and let it be somebody else's problem. But the right way is rarely the easy way. And Heroes never give in!

Good Series to watch: Heroes, Season One

Day 1 . . . no water . . . little food . . .

2010-09-11T08:43:00.000-07:00

Debbie is gone visiting Alycia for her birthday. You would think that everyone was going to die. I came home from work at midnight, and Jameson whined saying there was no food in the house. Cricket, of course, might die at any moment from lack of Debbie.

I however, am excited for the day. I was going to go to the Greek Festival, but I think that might be a bust since it doesn't start until 11. However, I will be running in just a few moments through the cool autumn air listening to some great tunes. Also, I am in charge of our WIG (Wildly Important Goals) session at our next staff meeting and I am thinking I will read a little kids book. So I will go to Borders and get one . . . any excuse to go to Borders :)

Anyway, time for me to get ready!!

Great music: She and Him with Zooey Deschanel. If I only had her coloring . . .

Busy Bees

2010-09-10T18:56:00.000-07:00

I am a very busy bee. So is Jameson. It seems sometimes like school starts, and then life picks up. I went to work today at one and should be on my way to my second job. I'm not too worried about it, though to be honest. I don't have to be there until 9:00. I have been thinking a lot about motivation today and how we gain and lose it. I don't know how it works that every Monday I think the week will go a certain way, and I am determined to make that way work. I occasionally even have the motivation to get out of bed early -- don't fall over dead. Then by the end of the week, it is simply gone, and I run into survival/I don't care mode.

I understand that there are various ways that people are motivated, including habits, punishments,and rewards. I think that the greatest motivation is love. In it's many forms. That is why I run, I love it. That is why I work on my marriage, I love it. That is why I read books, I love to. I think that when we are motivated by loving something, it becomes a joy to do it, and not work, thereby enabling us to be continuously motivated. It's why I go to church. I love the gospel.

This may seem silly, but I need to find a way to love both my jobs. It is just kinda hard sometimes, and it sometimes just doesn't seem like enough of a reward with the getting paid thing (not that I am going to quit anytime soon). Just emotionally I can sometimes come up kinda short.

Also, I still have California Gurls in my head. I love Katy Perry. Sigh.

Love Running!

2010-09-09T19:16:00.000-07:00

This is very true. I went running late in the evening last night, and was reminded of how much I love to run in the evenings. It was about 9:00 and I was listening to my music. It was a little bit scary, but that made me run a bit faster. I was running on the canal road, which for those of you who don't live in Taylorsville, is a small road with trees and a canal on one side that looks just like Houston. It was so exhilarating and at the same time relaxing. Nothing but exercise can do that for me!

Jameson sent me an interesting article about training for ultramarathons. It highlighted focusing on cross training and avoiding injury. I really enjoyed it. Probably because it made me feel self satisfied that that is what I am doing. I don't plan on running any ultramarathons any time soon, but I will be training for a marathon VERY soon. So it was good to note that the cross training I do is good for me to prevent injuries.

Good Music: California Gurls by Katy Perry featuring Snoop Dogg -- seriously gets me running! I know, I know, it's all hip hoppy. I love it.

I ran into a tree with my head today

2010-09-08T17:36:00.000-07:00

I did, and it ruined my hair. I also helped staff the Zions Bank mini bank at the Willow Creek Country Club for the PGA tour. I am sure I met some very famous people, but I didn't really know it because I don't know anything about golf. Sad. It was so slow that I read two books (Dark is Rising Series -- still so in love with it) by 3:00.

So it is back to life, back to reality. And I have laundry to do, so this is what you get.

P.S. I still need a good vest for work -- and ideas would be appreciated.

Paul Warren Kistemann is Blessed!

2010-09-07T19:35:00.000-07:00

Jameson and I drove down to Arizona with my mother for my sister Cami's youngest baby's blessing. We left on Friday night and went to the Golden Hills motel. I loved it! Mainly because the owner was so excited that he could offer wireless internet and long distance to his clients. He was doing his best to provide the best customer service skills he could in his corner of the world. It made it my #1 place for Mt. Carmel junction for sure!

When we woke up in the morning, we drove into Kanab to visit with my grandparents for a few minutes and eat breakfast. It is always such a pleasure to see them. And so hard to say goodbye.

We also got to see my Aunt Rosemary and Uncle Ali and their daughter Terra because they stopped by as well. It was a very exciting to see them . . . passing as ships in the night. :)

Then we went all the way to Cami's. Her second oldest son Timmy, had his birthday on Monday, but we decided to celebrate on Saturday while all his family was there. There was lots of family (both Cristian's and Cami's) there to celebrate. We also celebrated his cousin Isaiah's birthday.

Then the next day we went to church to see Paul Warren Kistemann be blessed by his father. It was a very special and a little bit of an emotional experience for all of us.
.
As a little side note -- Jameson is Mary's new favorite person. For some reason unknown to the rest of society, Mary (my sister's second youngest) attached herself to Jameson. Calling him 'her boy' and stopped just short of gluing herself to him. Probably because no one would help her with the glue. When we left, she asked if she could come with us. Her parents said that they wouldn't come with, and she said that she would come back later for them. Turns out Jameson does have a way with the ladies . . . who knew? :) Just kidding :) I knew :)

Overall, it was a great trip, with a ton of great moments and stories that have already become a regular part of our vocabulary and joke scheme. It was quite the worthwhile road trip.

The Dark Is Rising

2010-09-02T10:08:00.000-07:00

I am reading a series by Susan Cooper called the Dark Is Rising Series. I absolutely love it. Mainly because it is about the eternal struggle between light and dark. In the end of one of the books it states that one side can never win because we each have a little of both in us. For those of us who are members of the church, we are constantly fighting this battle in ourselves and in the world.

Yesterday, Jameson and I planned to go to the temple. I thought that it was PERFECT timing because I ended up leaving work early. We went to get some pre-temple ice cream at Leatherby's, and then drove to the temple. We pulled up in the parking lot and guess who forgot her temple recommend. By the time that we drove back to get it, it was too late to go back.

I felt so bad that my silly small mistake robbed us of the pleasure of attending the temple (this isn't the first time this has happened). It just reminded me that there are good forces in the world, and not so good ones. The dark forces are powerful and easy to succumb to, but the lighter ones are always there and represent every good part of the human character, including forgiveness and trust.

So there may be times when I forget my temple recommend, or don't get everything done in the day that I deem necessary, but it is a small battle in the war that I think we are winning (you'll just have to guess which side I'm on :))

Good Book: Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper, book 2 in the Dark Is Rising Sequence

My Life . . . In a Nutshell

2010-09-01T09:48:00.000-07:00

So life has pretty much gone how you think it might lately. I work, clean, eat, run . . . and that is about it. My mother is coming down to Salt Lake today, but I won't see her. She has a class she has to attend before her knee surgery in October and then she is off to visit Kerry -- her good friend who could use a little support. We will be going to visit Cami and Cristian . . . and Micah and Timmy and Sammy and Ellie and Mary and Paul . . . as we go down to visit them for Paul's baby blessing.

I have grown less than fond of my wardrobe lately, partly because I can't seem to lose the weight to fit into half of my clothes and also because I have to wear professional clothes everyday and seem to wear the same things over and over. I will be buying a skirt, cardigan and vest soon . . . but am not sure where to go. Any suggestions?

Good Music: Hey Soul Sister by Train

Owl City - Vanilla Twilight

2010-08-30T09:19:00.000-07:00

Stake Conference

2010-08-29T13:00:00.000-07:00

Here are some things that I learned at stake conference:

1. I miss the days when I could just go in a room with the other kids and watch the Living Scriptures.

2. I like distractions.

3. When distractions don't work, I like to listen to talks.

4. Sometimes the talks don't go so well.

5. Sometimes they do.

6. I am crazy tired and taking a nap. And there is no better rest in the world than a Sunday nap.

So Tired

2010-08-28T10:32:00.001-07:00

So I discovered last night that I can seriously act just like a tired 5 year old when I have worked for 13 hours straight. Really, I was so cranky, hungry and tired when I got home I may as well have just told Jameson I was going to pee on his foot. For those of you not in my family, one of our favorite stories revolves around my brother Rob when he was about 5 or 6 years old. He used to get really tired and hungry, becoming totally irrational, rude and cranky. My mom would put him in his room with a peice of bread. He would cry, eat his bread and fall asleep. Well, my father was unaware of this process, and was left alone with a tired, hungry and cranky Rob. Finally he was fed up with him and told him to go to his room. My brother then looked up at my father, glared at him and said, "I'm going to pee on your foot".

Anyway, I am still pretty 5 year old tired-ish, but I think I can overcome it to get some things done today, like that 3 mile run . . . bah, humbug.

Good Music to listen to: Air in G by Bach, good for cranky, sleepy girls

10 K Training

2010-08-27T08:32:00.000-07:00

So this is my first week training for the 10k. I won't lie, it's not gone as well as I hoped. I walked half of my 2.5 mile run and skipped my cross training on both Wednesday and Friday. However, I did do my strength training and all of my 2 mile run . . . so I'm not a complete failure. Yet. If I get the 3 mile run in on Saturday, I won't worry.

Anyway, it will get better. I just tell myself that I am easing my way into the program, and that next week will be better. I am planning on doing a 10k in American Fork on the 16th of October. I am actually pretty scared. A 5k is pretty straight forward, but a 10k . . . that's 6 miles. I'm sure I can do it, I'm just not sure how fast it will happen.

Jameson had his first day of school yesterday for the semester. He goes to school on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Today is his scary class. I am going in to work early for a co-worker today. Making my work day today extra long. I will work from 11 am to 12 am between the branch and Nickelmania. So not excited. If Jameson wasn't cutting his work hours down to two days a week, I would quit Nickelmania. Oh well . . .

Great Music: 1234 by Fiest

Red Butte Gardens Amphitheater

2010-08-26T08:53:00.000-07:00

Jameson and I went to a free outdoor showing of The Motorcycle Diaries at Red Butte Gardens Amphitheater. It was fun and there were free churros. But it was also very cold.

I actually didn't know that much about Che Guevara, other than a quick look at Wikipedia before the film. I still don't know that much about him, other than he had a pretty amazing adventure in his early twenties across South America.

Jameson was pretty jealous -- and it gave both of us a bit of a travel bug. Of course, we will be going down to Arizona in about a week to see my sister, Cami and to see her new little baby boy, Paul be blessed. We are pretty excited :) But I think we were thinking of someting a little more adventurous . . . but probably not on a little motorcycle over the course of a year . . .

Great Books To Read: Dark is Rising Series by Susan Cooper -- my mom gave this to me for my birthday and I just started rereading it -- sooooo excited! It nearly killed me to put it down yesterday to go and clean our room (yes, I voluntarily clean my room these days, mom).

Arcade Fire - Neon Bible live in an elevator!

2010-08-25T09:00:00.000-07:00

Not exactly my A game

2010-08-24T21:25:00.000-07:00

So in case any of you are wondering, I am not always on my A game. Seriously, I sometimes just don't bring the thunder. Today was one of those days. There are days that everything you touch turns to gold and days when everything you touch rusts, withers, and dies in a ruin. So there you have it. My day was a withering day. Minus all the books I got for super cheap. My day at worked just kinda stunk. I couldn't seem to do anything right. I hate having to redo work because I didn't do it right the first time and that happened to me quite a bit today. I am just ready for some nice, easy normal days. Just a regular schedule kind of thing. I think there has been a lot of change in our lives, and my psyche could use some stability.

Jameson had his meeting this morning with the air traffic controller. We learned a lot about that possibility. He needs to take a test to be selected for training in Oklahoma. So it looks like we might be in Oklahoma this time next year. We will see. But it is all very exciting. But forget that stability . . .

Pink's Glitter in the Air Performance at the Grammys this year

2010-08-23T20:32:00.000-07:00

Goat Boy

2010-08-22T21:10:00.000-07:00

I thought that I would document this moment in history. Jameson generally doesn't grow facial hair. This is mainly because he doesn't have the patience to grow it until it looks good (which takes two to three days). However, in the absense of razors down at Lake Powell, he grew a doosy and will be keeping it until Tuesday when he has an important meeting with an air traffic controller.

Isn't he so cute? He is pretty fanstastic. However, I can't decide if I am happy with the goatee. I personally won't get the time to decide, as it will be gone shortly.

We went to church and had a hard day in the nursery. Jameson is another one of the kids and great with them, but we have a few girls that are in foster care and have some trouble with hitting. We finally put one of the girls in time out and you would think that we were ripping her hair out. Then we went to dinner with my brother, Robby since he was in town for some crossfit training. We went to Cafe Rio (eat your heart out, Chris) and then went to see Dinner for Schmucks. It was one of the most painful movies I have ever sat through. It was very very very funny, but it was also so painfully awkward as horrible things continously happen to the main character. There was one point where I was told that I couldn't touch Jameson because it was just too awkward. However, super super funny. I laughed hard and had some good conversation with my brother. It was fun and nice. Even though it was on a Sunday, it was good to have some time with Rob.

Good book to read: The Walking Dead: Book One a graphic novel by Robert Kirkman Remember when reading this, that I have a morbid fascination with and irrational fear of zombies. This is a subject that will probably be treated in depth in October as we approach Halloween.

Lake Powell 2010

2010-08-21T10:15:00.000-07:00

We had such an amazing time at Lake Powell. There were gorgeous waterfalls during storms, sleepless nights during storms, did I mention the storms?

Jameson and I spent all of 5 days at Lake Powell where his Mom and Dad have a time share on a house boat. It was way way fun. I nearly got up wake boarding and am very grateful that one of Jameson's friends Robbi brought some gloves that made gripping a load easier.

I went there with every intention of having some wonderful adventures, and was very satisfied. I got to frolick about in a swimsuit without too many judgy-judge eyes about. Jameson nearly killed his sister and I on a tube -- literally made us do a simultaneous front flip off the tube. I ripped skin off my hands from it. We swam a lot and I got to read nearly all of the Kaye Gibbons books that my mom sent me for my birthday. So far my favorite one is A Virtuous Woman. I fell even more in love with my super awesome husband.

One of my favorite parts of the trip was that I got to wake up early every morning, just naturally on my own (this reminded me that in my natural state, I am a morning person). Everyone else was still asleep and I would go down by the lake, which is at it's calmest early in the morning. I would read my scriptures, ponder the gospel, and think of how incredibly blessed I am to have such amazing opportunities in my life.

Thank you to Jameson's family and friends for making this one wonderful trip.

This feels like love gone right, in the beginning

2010-08-12T08:35:00.000-07:00

J is for Journal

2010-08-10T18:55:00.000-07:00

My mother gave me a wonderful book for my birthday, which at first glance looks like a children's book. The title is S is for Story authored by Esther Hershenborn and illustrated by Zachary Pullen. It is an alphabet for writers. It has some great tips and inspirational quotes on writing from famous and some not-so-famous but still wonderful authors. I feel it is important to mention that this book is signed by the illustrator.

One of the pages that stuck out to me the most was on Journals. I think it is widely regarded as true (mostly because it is true) that a large part of writing is just that. Writing. I remember in my Advanced Composition class in highschool, taught by the illustrious, if often high as a kite, Mr. Mork, we wrote 2 pages a day in a writing journal. It didn't matter so much what we wrote as long as we wrote something. This, almost more than anything else we learned in class, improved our writing. I believe that every good writer is also something of a journalist. Collecting the things that they love and then reflecting on them.

I therefore am trying to blog more. And perhaps one day this will even lead to a proper journal. Or perhaps it will dissipate and I will go back to once a week. Who knows?

"When I open my journal, it feels like I'm a child going into my room and closing the door." ~ Jacqueline Woodson

Jar of Hearts -- I was kinda sad today, and this fit

2010-08-09T21:31:00.000-07:00

My Birthday Was Today

2010-08-08T22:38:00.000-07:00

This is not a reminder. Just a note on my life. For my birthday, I did the following:

1. I ran a 5k (accomplishing the first step in my four step process of running a marathon).

2. I opened my presents, which included many books and a tile with one of my favorite scriptures printed on it. Also, one of the books reminded me of how much I need to begin writing again.

3. I went to dinner at Olive Garden with Jameson. Oh, how wonderful it is to gain 5 pounds in a single meal. So delicious.

4. I went to go and see The Other Guys at my favorite cheap mom and pop theater. It was good, but more rent good than see in the theater good.

5. I gave a talk in church. Not so much to do with my birthday, but it is something that I did.

6. Talked to each member of my family. I miss them all a lot. And love them very much.

7. Watched The Princess and The Frog and part of Star Trek with my new friend Katie Simmons, who just got back from her mission a few weeks ago.

I hope that everyone out there is doing well, and knows how much I appreciate the birthday wishes!

10K training plan: www.halhigdon.com/10ktraining/10knovice.htm

My Birthday is Next Week

2010-08-01T15:22:00.000-07:00

The title is just a reminder. I actually wanted to discuss something else: Winston Churchill. For those of you who need a refresher, click here:

http://www.winstonchurchill.org/

On my facebook, I recently published a quote from his famous speech.

"Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never -- in anything, great or small, large or petty -- never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy."

I love this quote, especially when I feel like giving in. Of course generally speaking, he said it in response to letting the Nazi's into England. I generally say in response to eating a second swiss roll. Regardless, here are some facts about this amazing man that I think are really great.

1. He came from an aristocratic family -- and his mother was American :)

2. He had a speech impediment that he worked on his entire life.

3. In 1899, Churchill went to South Africa as a war correspondent, and was captured and a POW during the Boer War. He escaped rather bravely and then continued to fight. Impressive.

4. His daughter starred in a movie with Fred Astaire (whom I love) in 'Royal Wedding'.

5. He painted more than 570 paintings and has been sold at major auctions.

6. Churchill once proposed to actress Ethyl Barrymore.

I chose to discuss Churchill because he overcame some pretty poor odds and I think that is something I can look up to and use. Of course, I like to think I have pretty good odds. This week hasn't been very special. And that may be something to celebrate. It means that my life continues to be hopeful and happy. There are always things to rock the boat, but never anything we can't overcome with friends, family, and God.

Great Series that we bought for funsies: Firefly by Joss Whedon

Animals, all over the place

2010-07-27T21:14:00.000-07:00

It may not be public knowledge, but there are two things that have largely impacted our lives lately. One is the red panda at the Hogle Zoo. The other is Unknown Anthem, featuring Jameson Jackson on the drums.

First the zoo. We went to the zoo. For me, it was a first time experience. I have a feeling members of my family will disagree. For the record, squirrels squished flat on the road in Yellowstone don't count, Mother. I got to see tigers and snakes (safely behind glass that I wasn't even thinking of trying to make disappear a la Harry Potter). I even got to pet a large lizard. It pretty much rocked my world. The giraffes mostly slept standing up. The monkeys were sleepy as well. The large cats stalked small children behind their glass enclosures. I also got a snow cone AND icecream. My life took one small step for a spider monkey, but one giant leap toward life experiences.

Second, I missed Jameson's concert because I was working. But I did watch most of the Atari's concert. Anyway, to tell you more about that, here is Jameson:

The concert went great! We went on stage around 6:45 p.m and had a half hour set. We had a good turn out of 50 people or so and a lot of compliments after. It was good to play a show again since our last show was just over a year ago. Pictures of the show will be available shortly, I had one of my good friends Alex take photos.

So there you go. Animals on stage and in cages . . . get it?

Great author that I love: Kaye Gibbons

Lucky Lander Land Fourth of July

2010-07-15T09:27:00.000-07:00

So this year Jameson got the FULL Lander fourth of July experience, from the Bills fireworks to the war zone that becomes Lander. Anyway, it was a blast (literally) and once the festivities were over, we hiked up to the falls. It was a little too crazy to go off the falls right now, especially with the wild run-off that Lander had this year. But there were some pretty amazing views that reminded me just how much I love this place.

Anyway, it was great to see family. Even if my Mama wasn't there. We have some great pictures and great memories. We got to shoot off some fireworks with the whole block of kids. We had bottlerockets, and none of them did. Their mothers had to drag them back to their houses. The boy next door, Riley, hung out with us all day, and thought he was a pyrotechnic professional by the end of the night.

Good Music: Unknown Anthem (Jameson's band that is opening for the Ataris in Salt Lake at Kilby Court on the 29th of July!)

New Horizons

2010-06-27T14:32:00.000-07:00

This week I got a new job, well sort of. I will be working for venerable Zions Bank still, but I will be in a more permanent location doing the same thing. I was hired as a teller at the Taylorsville branch. I am excited and nervous. Lots of new things have happened and changed my life recently, and I am just barely starting to adjust to those changes. This should be a good thing because I can take classes in the morning and get my nursing degree.

Among other great things, Jameson has finally decided that he will go to get his MBA right after graduation. Hopefully in the fall following his graduation in December. Of course, this direction is always subject to change. It seems that important decisions constantly need us to to make them. That time of life and all that rot. Anyway, nothing particularly exciting to report. And for that, I am grateful.

Great new recipe:

www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Red--White-and-Blue-Dessert

I made it the other night -- exciting :)

The Stye -- No, Not Our Room

2010-06-21T21:17:00.000-07:00

That is beside the point. The important thing here is what thrilling thing happened this week: not much. I worked all weekend. Good for fundage, not fun for me to work 13 hours one day and teach nursery the next day at church. Especially when we have biters. Darn cute little biters.

Work was pretty cool just because I got to be part of a proposal. Not at Zions Bank, but at Nickelmania. I saw Billy Winter (who is recently engaged) at Nickelmania the other day when I was working (not my finest hour, I might add). Anyway, she called me at work and asked if I could help her friend with a proposal. I guess that they had their first date at Nickelmania, and wanted my help so that they could 'trade in their tickets for the ring'. He had this really cute teddybear (that would be worth like 1300 tickets) and he tied the ring to the bear, then asked what we had up on the wall for 83 tickets. I gave him the teddy bear and he proposed. I got all giddy and excited. I am such a girl. It wasn't the best of proposals, but who am I to complain?

I almost forgot: The stye. The stye in the eye. Jameson woke up looking like I had done some serious beating in my sleep. We waited for it to calm down, thinking it was a spider bite (I found an angry looking red spider the night before and in my fear perhaps threw it across the room instead of smashing it dead) or perhaps allergies. Turns out it was a stye. A stye is when a tear duct gets clogged (not unlike a nasty zit -- only you can't pop it) this clogged duct gets immediately infected and becomes swollen. After LOTS of antibiotics, he just looks like he's been smoking lots o the mary jane. But he hasn't been, Dad.

Fun book that I bought Jameson: Utah Curiosities -- I figure we don't have much money to go anywhere, so expect lots of photos from Utah's largest ball of cheese.

Down the Rabbit Hole, To the Right

2010-06-13T17:35:00.000-07:00

Okay, so much has happened in the last few weeks, and I am learning that I simply can't blog about all of it. So instead, I will just write a few words about the Family Reunion that we went to, since it is mostly only family that reads this blog. In fact, I think that it may be only my mom. So she will most want to hear about the family reunion.

Jameson pretty much dominated in every sport that was played, earning him a man-crush from almost every one of my cousins. It helps that he loves to shoot, hike, play drums, and soccer. For me, it was mostly fun to see everyone that I don't get to see every day. It was so good to see all of my cousins and their kids. They are all growing up so fast. It turns out that my cousin Troy is in the same program that Jameson is in at the same school. I am sure that they will see each other much more often in the halls now. They might even say hello to one another. My other cousins all seem to be in a good place, or at least on their way there. It is such a treat to see family. There is something about returning to one's roots that is strengthening and uplifting. I know that there are many wise words describing this very thing, but I was listening to a country music song (yes, a country music song) that discussed this, and the 'house that built me'. "I thought if I could touch this place or feel it, This emptiness inside me might start healin', Out here it's like I'm someone else, I thought that maybe I could find myself, If I could just come in, I swear I'll leave, Won't take nothin but a memory from the house that built me . . . "

Just something that has been on my mind lately.

Good Books to read: The Percy Jackson Series -- I finally broke down and bought the last book. It was worth it.

Mother's Day and Nathan and Keiko's Wedding

2010-05-19T10:05:00.001-07:00

My life is filled with adventures. First we are going to discuss my wonderful husband and the adventure that was visited my mama for mother's day. Second we will discuss by cousin Nathan's wedding.

First, my sweet husband. I really wanted to visit with my mother for mother's day. However, as time approached, it became evident that this was simply not to be the case. I worked all weekend (except Sunday) and it just didn't seem quite feasable. Then my delightful boy toy suggested that we drive down and back in the same day! Done and done. The look on my mother's face as we surprised her by walking into church was priceless.

Second, I accompanied my mother to my cousin Nathan's wedding. It was in the morning at the God-awful hour of 8:15, of course, we had to be there at 7:45. So I ended up staying the night with my mother in the hotel room after gorging myself at Village Inn (really? I couldn't pick a better place?) Anyway, I said my name after my prayer, so my mom would know I was done praying. She as she and her sister Rhonda used to do as children. It made my Mom laugh in the middle of her prayer. But I think that God got the joke and was laughing too. Then we went to a lovely sealing ceremony and the couple looks like they are off to a great start.

Books I have read recently: The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon Very good, but very dark and a little disturbing.

Great website for cajun cooking recipes: cajunbytes.com

Hair Cuts and Back Pain and New Phones

2010-05-02T13:56:00.000-07:00

So this week has been largely uneventful. However, I did get my hair cut. However, I don't have any recent pictures, and it was just a trim, so not so very different. However, I recently read an article regarding how pretty people make more money than ugly people. I think I was just trying to increase our income by getting my hair cut. About my face, I don't think I am ready for drastic surgery yet, but I might be willing to get a facial.

Also, I hurt my back. This has provided me with the prime opportunity to use the heating pads that I bought a year or two ago,and have languished in storage. It turns out the Israeli guy I got them from (don't judge, he told me I was pretty, see comments above) was in fact right; they smell good (unlike Jameson's Grandmother's bean one, which smells shockingly of burned beans), and seem to make it so that I can move my head in both directions.

Last but not least, Jameson's TV phone finally died. He has been eyeing the new droid for the last year. I just didn't have the moral fortitude to tell him no. Since then, I have to go to drastic measures to get my husband's attention from his phone and all the new apps he has aquired in just two short days.

Books I have read recently: The Sweetness At the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley (highly recommend) and Asta in the Wings by an author whose name I am at a loss for.

Grizzly Game

2010-04-25T16:32:00.000-07:00

I know, it has been ages since I posted. Let's just say a lot happened. I'm married, changed jobs and living situations.

That said, my husband Jameson and I recently went to the last Grizzly game of the season. For those of you who don't know, the Grizzlies are the minor league hockey team in Salt Lake. The E-center is rarely, if ever full or even half full for their games. They are an underappreciated team to say the least. Nevertheless, our good friend Shaun procured discounted ringside seats. This being the last game, drastic measures where needed to help the team understand our devotion.

That drastic measure involved four close friends painting their bodies green and white. Then going to the game and yelling at the refs. Lucky me, I was along for the ride. That is probably the highlight of the week to be honest.

I will add some photos for your viewing pleasure :)

Music I currently love: OwlCity

Books I've recently read: Pirate Latitudes

Recipe I love:

Wisconsin Cauliflower SoupYields: 9 cups or 8 first-course servings (or 4-5 hungry adults :)

2 tablespoons margarine or butter (1/4 stick)1 medium onion, chopped1/4 cup all-purpose flour1/2 teaspoon salt2 cups milk1 can (13 3/4 to 14 1/2 ounces) chicken broth1 head (2 1/2 pounds) cauliflower, cut into 1-inch pieces1 teaspoon Dijon mustard1 cup shredded cheddar cheese1 cup pepper jack cheese

In 4-quart saucepan, melt margarine or butter over medium heat. Add onion and cook until golden, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in flour and salt; cook 2minutes, stirring frequently. Gradually stir in milk, chicken broth, and 1 1/2 cups water; add cauliflower and heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer until cauliflower is tender, about 10 minutes. In blender (with center part of blender cover removed to allow steam to escape), blend cauliflower mixture at low speed in small batches until very smooth. Return cauliflower mixture to saucepan; heat over medium heat until hot, stirring occasionally. Remove saucepan from heat; stir in mustard and 1 1/2 cups cheese until melted and smooth. Garnish soup with remaining cheese to serve.

The Holi or The Color Festival

2009-03-31T15:36:00.001-07:00

There are many ways that I have become a hippie. Not so much in my sister's former way of not shaving and hiking in the mountains. I just fancy myself a free spirit. A bit bohemian, if you will. That would be how I ended up at a Hindu Holi Festival in Spanish Fork Utah this last weekend with my friend, Megan.

The Hindu Holi Festival (I didn't know it was called a Holi Festival until after I googled the experience later) otherwise known as the Color Festival involves buying bags of colored chalk, a bonfire with the effigy of a woman on it, and at the appropriate time throwing the colored chalk into the air in a cloud of color. Then the Hari Krishna chants start and everyone (in my case 50,000 people in a very condensed area) begins a massive color war.

I ended up at this because Megan (definitely a hippie) came down to Salt Lake and invited me to, "some kind of festival with my friend Sofi down in Spanish Fork". I said "Yes!" Then we got a Jamba Juice and headed down. We saw Sofi for about five minutes at the beginning and end of the experience. Mostly, I walked through the temple, where they sold arabic and hindi jewelery. Yeah, you better believe I was all over that action. Then we bought large bags of powdered chalk. Then we went in search of Sofi. I ended up nowhere near her, but in a very tight crowd around a bonfire with my face pressed firmly into the arm pit of a rather hairy man. That being said, I was in the thick of it (literally) when the festivities began. Megan dumped an entire bag of pink chalk on my head and rubbed it in. Then I tried to open a bag of chalk with my mouth. Purple chalk is not tasty. Then I also had the pleasure of someone throwing a handful of green chalk in my face. It was so. much. FUN! Then we almost starved on our way home, so we stopped in Provo for some Subway while small children stared at our multi-colored hair and skin. Megan made the comment about being embarassed to be with a colored woman. Overall, it was a Saturday well spent.

And yes, I am still a free spirit.

Book I've read recently and liked: The Watchmen -- it's a little wierd, but an interesting look at heroes.

Music I recently discovered: Portugal, the Man -- kinda 70s rock-ish.