Voting

I got a message from a dear friend today, letting me know that she is in the running for The Mormon Bachelorette. As a dutiful friend, I am helping to spread the word. Go check her out. She is an absolute doll! And even though she didn't say this in the interview, she can burp better than anyone I know. It's incredible. But the ladies that we taught while we were missionaries together just called her the princess. If only they knew :0) She made me laugh so hard. Love this girl. Go check her out on this website. Vote for her and spread the news!!

The Mormon Bachelor: { INTRODUCING... ASHLEY W }
www.themormonbachelorette.com
http://www.themormonbachelorette.com/2011/05/introducing-ashley-w.html

Retirement

Being retired is great.
The only downfall is all the old people. They're everywhere.
This last weekend, after my retirement was official, me and my sister went to St. George. Snowbird City. They were all over the place.
Several years ago, my dad got the Golden Age National Park Pass. So, I got one of those...minus the golden age part. Turns out the National Park System only recognizes age when it comes to getting a deal, and 28 isn't on their radar. But I invested in the Annual National Park Pass. It's totally worth it to hang out with the older group if you get to see stuff like this:

On my last Friday...

I left early.

And cried a bit. It's sad to leave those who have made up your 8-5 world for the last 3 years. Not that I'm going to miss every one of them...but it still is just sad.

We had a brunch, and someone brought the fanciest orange rolls I've ever seen. AND they were delicious.
People have been super nice to me, and I'm grateful to have had them in my life.
I was going to take my name plate...but the back said I couldn't remove it. I suppose I should still be honest.

Now, here we go to the next adventure. I really think I'm going to like retirement a lot.

On my last Thursday...

I got a grilled cheese sandwich with tater tots for lunch. Cleared out my desk. Had my exit interview. Realized I was really on top of things because I didn't have much to catch up on. And then I got booked for an Alaskan cruise.

On my last Wednesday...

I went to lunch with friends, caught up on the work I haven't done because I wanted to pace myself this week, which meant...I hadn't done anything, I came in late...conveniently saw one of my managers as this happened, and cried when I had to say goodbye to someone.

But yesterday, when I locked my keys in my car, I was trying to make myself feel better, I realized I have never forgotten my work badge AND have never spilled any kind of food on my desk.

Why is a 2 week notice even necessary? It's kind of painful. I guess it really makes up your mind that you don't want to be around anymore.

On my last Tuesday...

I realized I'm not going to miss the drama. Good grief.

On my last Monday...

at work, the cafeteria treated me by having sloppy joes. The cafeteria makes probably THE best sloppy joes. So delicious. And I thought I'd try my luck, and sure enough! The pumpkin chocolate chip cookies with orange glaze were in the cookie area. HEAVEN!! It was a good last Monday at work.

http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail109.html

Just because I like this one.

Jockey Box

Turns out, jockey box is not a common phrase heard in Utah.
LUCKILY, the last 2 times I've used it, I've been associated with 2 other people from Idaho who could back me up on the legitimacy of the word.

JOCKEY BOX - what Idahoans call the glove box. I'm sure other people use the phrase, like those in England. A jockey box was “a box in a wagon, underneath the driver's seat, for carrying small articles.” While the wagon has changed, the function remains the same.

Also, it's a way to store alcoholic beverages. Oh, the things you learn on the Internet.

Orange Chicken

At work yesterday, I get this text from a boy (all good stories start this way, right?) and he asked "what's for dinner?"

Panic.

Turns out I'm not a meal maker. I can make food, but I don't eat meals. And when someone else is involved, "food" doesn't cut it. Chips and salsa, not really a meal for everyone, just me. Popcorn, same thing.

So I ask my co-worker. What's something easy to make for a boy.

Pizza. Or nachos.

A sweet friend said "what is your best and easiest thing to make?"

No dice.

By the time I got home, I had decided to make orange chicken. It's an easy recipe and it's a rockin' meal. So, I will provide the recipe, as provided by a lovely sister of mine.

5 breasts of chicken, cut into bitesize pieces.
Put that in a bag that has 1/4 cup flour, and salt and pepper to taste (which, I don't taste, kind of gross) and cover the pieces.

Fry it up - 1/2 cup oil. Brown it.

Sauce - 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup sugar. In saucepan, dissolve sugar. Then add sesame seeds, orange zest and green onions. I don't measure that. Double the recipe makes for tastiness.

Combine that with the chicken.
Serve over rice.
Maybe with broccoli.

And brownies.

Oh, the domestic life. Kind of exhausting.

Because I Can

I just wanted to add another picture from my trip. Because I can.

Also, as a way of informing you of my life, I quit my job. Because I can.
Okay, so there was a little more to it than that. But May 13...that's the day. I feel pretty good about the decision and will have a great time this summer playing my little heart out.
With that...I bought a plane ticket to Florida. Because I can. AND, my brother lives there and I need to visit. AND there's a rocket set to launch at the end of June that I want to see.

So that's that.

Good news though...the co-worker that sounds like a character on Garfield & Friends...I was talking to someone about it, and she knew exactly who I was talking about! Too funny! And I think I've come to the conclusion that it's the pig.