Holy Colee!

It's not impossible to blog from Dingle, I just don't think about it much.

I spent the week at home hiding from work and doing a pretty good job of it, if I do say so myself. Tuesday Shahna turned my hair red again, well, parts of it. Wednesday I made rolls for Thanksgiving... if you can call defrost and bake, "making." I don't normally, but I didn't have the time to do it properly. I got to go see one of my favorite men in the world Wednesday night... My chiropractor. He's probably the only person I don't fight with when he puts me in my place.

Thursday was Thanksgiving. I love Thanksgiving. A holiday completely devoted to food, family, and football. I must admit I am not an avid football fan, but even I watched most of the game. Ok, half of it anyway. We had dinner at my aunt and uncle's home with about 30 of my relatives. A pretty small gathering, but a happy one :) We played games the rest of the night and went home to sleep off the day.

Friday, Mom and I pretended to go psycho shopping. How psycho can it get in Montpelier? We sat outside the only store that opened at 6, in our car, along with probably 20 other people - in their cars. It was far too cold to sit outside. When 6 o'clock came, the radioshack lady opened the door and waved us in... it was great. I got everything I came for and we were out of the store by 6:15. Then it was time for hot cocoa until the next stores opened at 7. We didn't really need anything, but we were already in town, so we figured we may as well check it out. We went home and watched kids for a couple of hours and then went back to town to check out the craft fair. I'm a sucker for a good craft fair. Which may explain why we went to one on Saturday, too. My cousin Kyla turned 8 on Saturday so we also went to her baptism. It was great. She is so excited and it is such a good reminder for the rest of us struggling along.

Saturday night I went to my dad's house and chilled with my little sisters. We watched Spongebob and played Sceneit... which I do not let them win, even though I probably should. They kicked my but at Sorry, though. My dad's wife is awesome. She wants to come down and help me put the new kitchen cabinets in once I order them :) I like her for other reasons, too, but I thought it was awesome. That night Cannon and I decorated my mom's tree... she is officially ready for Christmas ;) (whether she thinks so or not)

Sunday we went to church and had dinner with Kelly and Justin's family; then I made the journey back. It was a lovely drive actually - except the driving due west at 4:30 pm...

Anyway... now you know... life is good :)

So, people actually came! We had about 18 people at our housewarming party :) It was just fun! We played a couple of games, spent some time with the DDR and ate some rather tasty treats, if I do say so myself. If Dav is kind and sends me pictures, I'll post them.

Saturday, I spent the afternoon with Dav and the evening with Becca and Monica... we've spent the last 3 days watching Grey's Anatomy season 2... it's a great way of wasting time if you ask me.

Tomorrow I get to go home! YAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!! I am so ready to take a break from this place and just be home. I am so excited for Thanksgiving! Chillin with the fam... good food... good times... good shopping! What a perfect holiday!

So, I have a couple of fun things to report today. First of all, I found out that I have been chosen to facilitate a group in the Future Leaders Program at work next year. This year I am in the program, and I have loved it! Now I get a chance to help other people go thru the same excercises. I am super excited!!!!

The other fun thing is where I went for dinner tonight. There's a little place about a block from my house called Navajo Hogan. From the outside it looks like a total dive, a little cinderblock building with home made signs... Anyway, I decided to take a chance. The only thing they sell is Navajo Tacos. It was great. The guy was super nice and he has it all decorated with random southwest pictures and stuff. It is all well loved, nothing new except the menu boards, but it was cared for and clean. AND it was quite possibly the best fry bread I have ever had. Anyway, next time you come to visit, let's go again :) It's a treat for sure!

I got my first housewarming gift today - and well, probably my only one, but that's ok.... Look how pretty it is :)




Thanks Jenkins kids!

It's official, my new ward is toooooo big. A ward, which is the basic unit of my church's organization is usually meant to be about 200 people for student/singles. In fact the ward I was in a few months ago had it's boundaries changed because it was up to about 280 so we could even out a ward that was around 150. Well, when I moved it put me in the boundaries of another ward. This one has over 350 people in it. The ward is so big that they actually split the Elder's Quorum. We now have 2, which I had never heard of before. I feel like it might be very easy to get lost in the numbers if that is the way I wanted to go. I don't but it also means I am going to need to make an effort not to. On that note, it seems like there are about 50 different things going on during the week, so I don't think it should be an issue staying busy ;)

So... If any of you are in town, I am having a housewarming party this Saturday, drop me a comment and I'll send you the specifics!

Last night I had an experience which was a first for me. I took Monica to a party and we were the only girls who showed up. Granted, there were only 6 people there total, but still. It was almost as if I had planned it, except if I had planned it, there would have been treats involved. Anyway, we ended up watching a movie and playing a couple of games, both of which I lost handily, but it was still a pretty entertaining Saturday evening. I am pretty sure I have managed to get myself another of "those" roommates. You know the ones... the ones where all the boys talk to you, but just to get her number. Oh well. She's fun and I am excited to live with her. It's funny how life brings people back from the past.

These are my bowling friends. I am the one NOT looking at the camera... This was taken a bit ago at a birthday party bowling night. Admit it, they look like a lot of fun don't they?

Apparently I have been tagged.... so... here goes... 8 things about me

1. I just bought my first home. It's been super fun, really... no... really.

2. I have worked at my current company for over a quarter of my life time (almost 1/3).

3. I am the oldest child, my youngest sister is 24 years younger than I am and shares my birthday.

4. I hate mashed potatoes, frog eye salad, and tapioca. The texture makes me gag.

5. My favorite food is popcorn... unless someone else is making dinner, then I love a good steak. (But only if it really is a good one)

6. I love it when people just drop by. I think visiting is a lost art and that we wait too much for a formal invitation. Who cares if your house isn't perfect - filling it with people always makes it better!

7. My favorite treat to make is chocolate chip cookies. I am looking for a better recipe - so if you have one, please leave it here. I'll try it and let you know.

8. I have lived within a 4 hour drive my whole life - except for a few months I was too young to remember.

I am tagging corporateincompetence

Today I paid off my credit card debt. I am far from being debt free, but at least it is no longer at credit card interest rates. Yay!!!!

Today I had to change my normal radio morning show. They started playing Christmas music today. They will play only Christmas music until January 1. I can no longer listen to them until Thanksgiving. Now you know, IG Joe.

Happy Halloween!!!!!

So, I've been with out internet since I left work on Tuesday. It's had its pros and cons.

I started moving things into my new home on Tuesday night. I spent the evening cleaning kitchen appliances - always fun - and trying to get years worth of someone elses grease off my kitchen. We had a ward carnival Tuesday night, so that was a good break from the oven cleaner fumes :)

Wednesday morning it was raining. I am pretty sure my indian name would be "Girl who moves in the rain." In the past 10 moves, probably 9 of them have involved rain. I have terrible timing that way. I spent Wednesday scrubbing the bathroom and starting to wash walls. I had a meltdown Wednesday about noon. I was just not making the progress I wanted to be and was really afraid of the idea of not starting to paint until Friday. Wednesday afternoon there was a miracle and Monica called out of the blue to see if she could help. VeAnn came over after work as well and before I left on Wednesday night we had already started painting in the living room. We were out of light and out of drop cloths so I went to institute. It was snowing like crazy when I went, but completely clear 2 hours later... The weather here is nuts.

Thursday I spent the morning finishing the taping and prep work to paint the rest of the house. I had finished the living room, hall, and most of my bedroom when Monica called again. We went to pick out the paint for her room and she came to paint that while I finished my room and the bathroom. The project I was not expecting to start until Friday was complete by Thursday night. We left there about midnight, but it was ok, because it was done.

Friday morning my mom, Shahna, and Cannon came to help me finish. We were able to get the little bit of cleaning that was left done and actually start putting some things away. We picked up a few more things to fix and the place started looking liveable. I know I couldn't have finished with out their help. Friday night I drug Shahna to a halloween party. It was good times for me, but I am not sure she completely loved it.

Saturday the fantastic boys in my ward came to help me move the remaining furniture. It took a Uhaul and 2 pickup truck loads, but we got it all over there and put in place. The only casualty was my desk. It was on its last leg to start with, and trying to fit it through the bedroom door which was just a little too narrow pushed it over the edge. Saturday night I took my mom and Cannon to see my grandparents. It was a good visit.

Sunday, well, it was Sunday. I went to the 30th ward for the last time. Next week I get to try and find my new building. I live 6 blocks outside the boundaries, but it is not only a new ward, it will also be a new stake. After church I went over to my old home to play games with the girls and some friends. We girls took a beating, really, but I am up for a rematch.

Now you're caught up... Hopefully I can sweet talk someone in to coming over to help me get my internet hooked up soon.... sooooon....

Well, I had my first sad moment with my new home yesterday. Sometime in the last week and a half, the living room carpet has developed 2 large bleach spots. I thought I was going to get away with not having to replace the carpet for a while, but this definitely changes that window of opportunity.

Today I get to start playing over there. I get to scrub and get everything ready to paint and have everything ready before the furniture gets moved on Saturday.

Wish me luck!

Today we woke up and went to Enrichment (aka Cooking with Jessica.) We learned how to make a fantastic stuffed manicotti. I have heartburn now, but it was totally worth it.
After enrichment we decided to go shopping at the RC Willey Warehouse. I need a new bed (since I am pretending to be grown up, it is time not to have a twin anymore) and VeAnn wanted a TV stand. Bethany came with us as moral support. We met a fantastic sales guy named Jared. He hooked me up with a fantastically soft mattress. I may may never get out of bed again. VeAnn found a stellar deal on her TV stand. It is going to look beautiful with Bethany's new kitchen set. Funny how that happens, moral support turns into a room full of furniture. We were able to find the kitchen and TV stand in the clearance center, so not only was the price already amazing, he knocked another 30% off and got it shipped for free. We like Jared. I would be really surprised if we don't go back out when VeAnn decides to buy new couches, and I will eventually be getting a new kitchen table as well.

VeAnn and I then decided to go to another furniture store to look for couches. I knew when we walked in and the first thing we saw was a $4000 couch we were in the wrong store. We avoided most of the sales guys because we still wanted to look around. Then we got cornered by some guy who we will call Dwight(watch The Office; you'll know why). Dwight was intense. He was apparently the main buyer for the store and he was willing to make us a deal on set just to make a customer out of us, but WOW... he took us to the basement, where I was pretty sure he was going to lock us in a room and torture us and leave us for the next tenants to find. Honestly, this dude was scary. I am still thankful the cute sales guy came down to check on us. He may have saved our lives. His arrival prompted Dwight to give up telling us that the reason the other furniture we've looked at was trash compared to his...WOW... he was really just wow. Needless to say, we got out of there quickly.

On Monday we carved pumpkins for family night... I am converted to the pumpkin carving kits you buy at the store. The little knives make it so easy to get the curves and lines and little things that normal kitchen knives don't. This is the pumpkin VeAnn and I did. I think he's cute.

Today... today... today I bought my first home! It is the weirdest thing. I am super excited about the whole thing, but it seems odd to me that I did the whole thing with just me... Don't get me wrong, I know that I had a lot of help, really, people who love me and looked out for me while I was deciding, but really really this one is all me. No one else is on the loan, no one else is responsible for this.. it's really just me. It's crazy awesome and crazy scary all at the same time. I can't stop talking about it really, so if you decide to call, just be prepared. I get to start cleaning and moving in on Tuesday. Anyone looking for a little service project????

Oh- other random comment, the agent at the title company was a kid I went to highschool with... let's see how many ways I can intertwine people from different parts of my life into this process........

The first half of today was awesome. Work was busy, but it was doable. Actually, it was a little busier than a normal Monday, but it still was pleasant some how. I went to lunch with my friend, who is fantastic, and even though he was on painkillers (which most people should take before going to lunch with me) he was even more pleasant than normal, and he looks even more fantastic than usual. It's been raining today so the air is Claritin clear instead of the smog that usually sits over SLC. It was just a very pleasant morning.

Then I got the news I was kind of expecting, but hoping I was wrong. I was hoping to go on a trip for a few weeks in November for work, but it turns out they don't think the benefit outweighs the cost for this travel. What does this mean? It means apparently I have not done a very good job of selling myself as a problem solver... so, I am looking for suggestions... anyone? anyone?

Yay for finally getting out of the house!!! Friday night we went to a Friday the 13th party. What do you do at a Friday the 13th party? you ask. Well, you do the same thing you do at any other excuse to get out of the house. You talk to your friends, play a little pool, eat tasty treats, and flirt with the boys. I did 2 of the four pretty successfully, the other 2, not so much. I'll let you guess which 2 were which.
Today I actually started digging into stuff and packed a few boxes. I am dragging this process out way too long, but oh well. I can hardly wait to get into the new place and start cleaning. Once it is clean I can drag out the moving way too long as well.
Tonight we went up the canyon for a birthday party. I am not sure what makes people think they can drive to higher elevations in Octber and still be warm, but these gals got lucky. It was a lovely night. There is nothing better than hotdogs roasted over a fire... ok, that's a lie there are MANY things better, but as far as hot dogs go, the fire is the only way.

Wow... sorry, I haven't done anything in the last week, but I have stayed up way too late doing it. The highlight reel involves going to do a walk thru on my future home Monday, dinner on Tuesday with people it feels like I haven't seen forever, and the blind date I had last night.

Other than that, I am just getting ready to move - which my roommates would probably deny any progress on. Now that dinner is out of the way, I can pack the kitchen. If all goes as planned I will be closing next week, cleaning the week after and moving over the pre-halloween weekend.... YAY... ok, now you know.

Oh, and I am selling a piano, anyone? anyone?

I am up later than normal tonight but it's hard to sleep. I just got in from bowling and settled into bed when the thunder started. I LOVE thunder storms. The lightning tonight is a brilliant almost neon blue followed quickly by a house shaking roar. It's not keeping me up because it is loud, it is keeping my up because I can't stop watching. The rain is fantastic, and it is still nice and fall so the ground is wet and not covered in ice.

So, if you're bored, which apparently my roommate was, google "the worst music video ever" Watch it on youtube. It's really terrible, but it is great if you need something to mock for a while. We're thinking about doing a remake. Let me know if you want to be an extra.

Everything is moving along swimmingly. The appraisal came back ok, the mortgage broker said all of that is looking good. I actually started packing last night, and "knock on wood" it seems like I should not have a problem finding a roommate. I've actually had 2 friends talk to me about needing a place to live, and let's face it - who WOULDN'T want to live with me ;)

Other than that, life is pretty normal this week. Monday we did Toe Painting - yes - toes- at FHE. My team came in 3rd. Our pirate and ship did ok, but our basketball game was lacking. Personally, I think the judges had the hots for the winning girls ;)

Tonight I get to go to dinner with my team, and their wives... to put up with these men the women must be saints, so at least it should be interesting :D