day off

This morning, I decided to take the day off of work.  It's been fun just hanging around the house, not doing a dang thing.  And all that sleep I got...probably not healthy, but I really enjoyed it. 

I finally cashed in a coupon I've had for almost 2 years for some cookie dough.  That won't make it here for a while, but yahoo for getting things off my "to do" list :)

At different times of waking up, I thought of several activities I could do today.  I could go tan by the pool, figure out a pinterest project, clean the house (this one won, and being the queen of distractions, I am sitting in the middle of several clean up projects, but my shoes are nicely aligned), read a book, catch up on journalling, find a new job.  Oh well.  I am blogging.  Kind of close to all of those, right? 

Here are some pictures I'd like to share:

 The night before the Rim to Rim Grand Canyon hike with some of my sissies.  Which, they definitely aren't.

 One of the funnest things I've done in a long time - family scavenger hunt.  Here we are outside the Idaho Falls LDS Temple - one of my favorite places on earth.  Such a beautiful building, inside and out, and what better way to be there than with 4 of my favorite people :)

"Kayla, go climb on that tree!"  And then she fell off.  Sorry.  Beautiful hike to Fossil Springs.

Pitch Green

  My friend Eric handed this lovely little book over to me a few weeks ago.  Pitch Green is written by the Brothers Washburn.  His dad is one of those brothers.  Truthfully, I went into it with a super low expectation.  But I was enthralled with the book.  I've debated writing anything about this, mostly because if you recommend something, then expectations go up, and then someone is left judging you.  But, as I've thought about it more and more, I really do like this book.  I legitimately got scared by it.  Which honestly never happens.  And the story line was cute.  There was some predictability, but a fun twist on a hometown mystery.  I approve of it and recommend it to everyone.  Read it.  Plus, there are a few more books coming in this series.  Should be quite intriguing. 

Oh, and here's a quick recap of the book :0)  Small town where small children and small animals disappear.  This has been going on for years, and when the FBI finally gets alerted to the problem, 2 best friends use this exposure of information to satisfy a vendetta for a missing brother.  The mystery gets uncovered at the risk of their lives, several times, and a little Da Vinci code-esque solving.  And it ends with an obvious opening for part II. 

Book Report

I would like to report on a book that I recently read.  "Killing Kennedy." 
The same authors that wrote "Killing Lincoln." 
Both books are a very fun read.  But I will say I liked "Lincoln" better.  Maybe because so much of the information seemed so new and exciting.

"Killing Kennedy" profiles intensely the last few months of President Kennedy's life, and Lee Harvey Oswald.  But also including so many of the people of the administration.  I learned so much more than Mr. Davis ever taught me in American History about the Bay of Pigs and the Cuba Missile Crisis.  There was a lot of crazy stuff.  And Lee Harvey Oswald was an ex-pat who asked to have his citizenship revoked while he was serving as a marine in Russia, becoming a citizen there.  Weird.  He actually admired JFK a lot, but he had something to prove after a missed assassination and a fight with his wife.  Never knew.  Plus, I learned more about Jackie.  I wrote a paper about her in 9th grade...hopefully my research skills have improved since that paper.  Also, I don't know how badly all the papers submitted could have been with as poorly written as mine was...and I still got a solid A.  Regardless...I learned a lot in this book.  Makes me respect what happened more, and also made me cry to read it all.  That family has seen a lot of tragedy.  I definitely recommend it...the book, not tragedy.

And it may have caused me to have a few dreams about the assassination.  I remember one specifically...I was giving JFK a pep talk for how cool it was that he didn't die immediately, but lived a little while longer, and died at the hospital.  "You totally nailed it" I vaguely remember myself telling him.  He was quite gracious and thought it was a good point that I brought up. 

Weddings and Bowling

                                          waiting outside the temple with some handsome guys

                                                             She's so in love with him!!

                                                         The family, minus the missionary

                                                                 We'll call him J. Crew

                                                            Love this reflection pool shot

                                                                  Handsome nephews! 

                                                                 Nephew, self, Mom           

                                                                  Nephew, Dad, Sister

                                                            my Dad has such good form!

                                                                            203!!!!  

                                                                    self, Tim, nephew

I had the awesome experience of going to Idaho again for my nephew's wedding.  It was so fun to go on vacation with the family to Boise for the wedding.  We all stayed at the same hotel - so fun to see the little kids swim.  The wedding was perfect.  Loved it.  My oldest brother and his family drove over from Idaho Falls that morning...made it in time for the 9:30 wedding.  Sacrifices :0)  Hung around in the freezing wind taking pictures.  Ate a lot of chips and salsa, and drank me some diet coke - with orange...way better than lime...maybe not way better, but fun.  Did some bowling before the wedding reception, where I dominated.  I have never done that well before.  I think it was the good luck of the wedding...sure wish that would've manifested itself in some other way :0)  But I guess that would be a good tradition to start, instead of whoever catches the bouquet being the next up for marriage, the person with the highest score gets married next?  Any takers?  I did win both games.....  The reception was fun.  3 of my lovely Aunties were there with their husbands.  It was soo good to see them!  I even got to see my parents dance.  How often has that happened.  It was adorable.  We even had most of the family dancing at the end.  So fun!  Drove back to Idaho Falls after a quick sacrament meeting (where I saw a friend from college, small world, and of course my parents knew the bishop).  Road trip.  Good conversations with my parents and sister.  Fun memories.  Getting lost in the mall and to the reception.  A little bit of everything.  I sure love my family!  

JUST GIVE ME A REASON

Very much loving this song.

Bulgaria

 

Sometimes it's too cold to sit outside, so you have a picnic in the car.

  

This stud is going to Bulgaria.

I got to go to Idaho to say goodbye to Stephen.  He's such a great kid and I am going to miss getting to see him at family functions.  Even though I don't see my family very often, he's been such a standard, that it will be sad to not get to see him.  Even this last weekend, I got to see my family again, and he wasn't there.  I hate that adjustment period of getting used to not seeing the recently departed missionary.  He's going to do a grand job and bring a lot of happiness to a lot of people.  One really cool thing about Bulgaria is you shake your head to say yes and nod your head to say no.  My little nephew definitely got us a few times on this. "Do you want a brownie?"

"No." (and a shake of the head)

"Okay."

"Like in Bulgaria!!"

Classic.

Grown Up Feeling

Let's take it back...a lot of years.  Up to 20 of them, actually.

Me and my brother Bryce are at the local pizza hut with the family.  We're just discussing things, and a neighbor comes up in conversation.  Tom.  When he eats pizza, he puts the red peppers on and doesn't even break a sweat.  We speculate it's because he's Mexican.  Or we think he is.  It's either that or Italian.

But I do remember thinking how cool it would be to one day be a grown up and get to eat pizza with red peppers on it.

A few weeks ago, I was sitting at "Barro's."  A delicious pizza place by my work.  As I struggled to shake the peppers out of that little container that doesn't seem to emit any thing very easily, I was thrown back to that moment in pizza hut thinking in awe about how great it would be to be like Tom.  And there I was.  I had grown up.  I had become Tom.

And then, I was in Idaho Falls at my parents house. I heard the fire alarm going off.  As my heartbeat went out of control, I was no longer a bona fide adult.

The fire alarm in my parents home is electric.  Whenever the power went out, and subsequently came back on, the alarm blared.  Not just a normal beep.  But a blood-curdling sound.  The alarm was positioned right outside my door, and I remember waking up at night to that sound, terrified that our house was on fire.  It never was, but I usually had an emergency kit all packed up just in case I needed to jump out of my window.

When I heard that noise, yes, I was transported back to 20 years ago, or more, and got scared.  I couldn't go back to sleep.  And luckily, the power kept flickering, so I heard it about 10 times.  Then, I remembered that I don't like how windy it is in Idaho.

Every positive move towards adulthood is countered with a step back to...not adulthood.

But hey, at least I can rent a car!

The Girl in the Yellow Shoes

One of my favorite books is "Confessions of a Shopaholic."  It makes me uncomfortable with the mistakes she makes, but I laugh so hard while reading it.  She fantasizes about the oddest things.  One thing being how great the green scarf is going to make her look"  and how when she goes places, people will be in awe.  everyone will identify her by this scarf.  Maybe even speak about her in hushed tones.  Eventually, the person that loans her the money to buy said scarf for her "grandma" becomes her love interest.  But when she becomes a successful writer, her pen-name is "the Girl in the Green Scarf.

Well, for the last 4ish years, I have kind of had this same hope.  People in the elevator at work used to comment..."oh, I love your shoes!  "Oh, you're the girl with the yellow shoes!"  "Those are such cute shoes!"  I was truly identified by my shoes.  Makes it tricky when making stops in the restroom :0)

These shoes have been with me through a lot.  Countless dates, a few continets, many hours at a desk, several moves, many trips, 2 job quits, snowstorms, rainstorms, and so many memories.  But alas, they have become highly smelly.  And although I could remedy this situation, I have decided to throw them away and replace them with some other cute shoes.  It has been hard to come to this conclusion.  I do this with a truly heavy heart.  But sometimes we need to move on.  I don't think I've ever been so attached to a pair of shoes. 

Here's to you, extremely cute pair of shoes.  Thank you for being the perfect color of yellow.  For always adding a little pop of color to my outfits.  For being so comfortable.  For never giving me blisters.  For looking good with every pair of pants I own.  With every skirt I wear.  You have been the standard of my closet for years.  Your memory will live forever.  Thanks for giving me a clothing identity.  Thank you KMart, for selling me these shoes. 

Friend Status

A few weeks ago, I attended a target shooting activity with a friend.  There were probably 40 people there.  Pretty good turnout.  I was clearly a new face, and there were plenty of new friends made, which was then verified by a few facebook friend adds. 

One of these new friends has been inviting me to everything.  I didn't realize I was missing out on so much!  Fun little events - dancing lessons, bbqs, firesides.  Haven't gone to any of them, but it was sure nice of this chap to invite me and let me know what was going on.

Last week, a few of us ended up at a kind of super lame game night.  I was chatting with a few people and this "new" friend comes in and I act friendly to him, as he's gone out of his way to invite me to things.  He didn't seem to appreciate it and then came up to me and asked what my name was. 

Now, I don't want to be ungrateful or act like I am superior to remembering names, but wouldn't it seem right to remember someone's name if you had been inviting them to multiple activities for several weeks? 

Just a thought.  I know I need to do a better job of reaching out to others and also not discrediting others efforts.  In a general conference address, someone commenting about the quality of interaction we have with others via the internet.  Clearly, we're all connecting well right now :0)  But have we replaced a lot of real interactions with others with methods that cheapen our mortal experience of knowing others? 

Ultimately, I am glad he admitted in some way to remembering me.  There's nothing worse than a new friend add, and then when you see them, they act like they don't know you. We are silly people.

Pay it Forward

One time I was at the gym, and this movie, "Pay it Forward" was playing in the cardio cinema (oh, how I miss Gold's Gym).  Big mistake.  As if exercising doesn't challenge my breathing enough, I throw in some bawling.  Difficult.  This was a cool movie, with the concept of doing something nice for someone, and then requesting that they do something kind of generous to someone else.

I know I've been the recipient of far too many of these acts.  And I hope that I'm living in such a way that I really do treat others with kindness.  That I provide a little lighter load for a moment or two.  But it's a good reminder to always be on your guard for the needs of others and being willing to help.

Last night, a group of friends and I had hit up a free museum tour in Scottsdale and decided to grab some Indian food.  It was a fun restaurant and we inhaled the food.  Someone finally asked the server, "we're ready for the check whenever you can."

"Someone in the restaurant already picked up your bill.  Have a nice night." 

What!?!?  This was not a cheap bill.  6 people's worth of food.  I was flabbergasted.  Who does that?  I made 2 of my friends swear that it wasn't them (one of them is renowned for doing stuff like this, I had to fight him at a sonic drive-in so he wouldn't pay for my mozzarella sticks).  But they claimed it wasn't them.  Are there really people out there that are just that nice?  That are really looking for ways to serve anywhere they go, even to the point of a financial sacrifice?  Even this morning, I'm still in shock.  I don't know how to respond.  There's no one I can say thank you to.  It's like saying thank you to Santa on Christmas morning.  Except even then, he heard. 

Just making me think about things...a lot.  My heart is full.  It wasn't even a need.  We all have the money to pay for our own food.  And this is the way our loving Heavenly Father is.  He sends blessings to us always.  He knows our needs, but He knows our wants, and He knows what's good for us, or would be a good experience...for our growth or just to pique our mind to remember Him.  His hands are in every aspect of our lives. 

Pictures, too!

Getting away with a lot of sparkle on New Year's Eve

                                                            Chick-fil-a with the Family

                                                       Christmas view out the front window

One Time

There was this one time I forgot I had a blog. 

My dear friend Mel said:  write

So here I am.  Writing on my blog.  I'm proud of myself.  But I do know that if I am on the computer while I'm catching up on episodes of "Parenthood" on hulu+, I won't cry my eyeballs out like I normally do.  It's a good distraction.

I don't even know where I left off.

But I will tell you about a lovely book I am in the middle of...The Book of Awesome.  I am in love with this book.  It is almost 400 pages of highlights of what makes life so awesome.  Hitting all green lights.  Being the first person to open the peanut butter.  Dangerous playground equipment.  Taking naps when you shouldn't be.  The other side of the pillow.  Giving high tens.  When these things happen, it's just...awesome.  Oh man.  I love this so much!  I can't stop thinking about it.  And the author is so funny.  Such a good writing style and I just find myself giggling. 

Here's my awesome moment the other day.  I just finished reading some of the book, and was so tired.  I had this small moment of horror, man, I have to read my scriptures before I can go to bed.  But wait...I read them before work this morning.  Awesome!  Going to bed with a clear conscience. 
Also, just walking through Target.  All the bright colors.  Envisioning a house decorated with it all.  Having a purpose for every item to justify having it all.  It just is a really happy feeling walking through it.  It's awesome.

Costumes

I was fortunate enough to a really versatile wig for Halloween this year. 
Top picture is me as...a teacher that I had in elementary school.
Second picture...housewife, but others  thought I was Betty Crocker, Julia Child and Mrs. Fields. 

Story #2

Well, we luckily have moved on to the next story of this season of online dating.

This guy was super cute in his first email that he sent to me.  Next email, he cuts right to the point and says "would you like to get to know me better?"  Uh, I guess so, that's why we're on here, right?  So I send him back a big ol' email with lots of information gladly given about myself and asked him several questions.  And how does he respond? 

Here's my number.
Texting is a better way to communicate

First:  I appreciate his boldness
Second:  Validate my information I just shared with you, and answer me.

So I didn't respond.
He manned up and answered my questions and jumped through my hoop.

Yesterday he texts me.  It was a simple, easy conversation about stuff.
This morning, 730, he texts me:               Oh, and spelling has not been modernized.  H = him, M = me

H:  So if you were in an ideal situation how many kids do you think you would wand
H:  By the way i am up late and up early
8:48  M:  Wow...quite the question for so early in the morning.  2 of my friends are pregnant right now, and hearing the stories of pregnancy...no children.  haha.  I would just be honored to be a mom.  I can't say a number.
8:50  H:  More than one ?
8:50  H:  No work today ?
8:51  H:  I forget are you 31
8:54  M:  More than one would be great.  Working today. And I'm only 29.
8:55  H:  Am i too intense for you
8:58  H:  only 29 very young .. Getting a lot of 40 and 50 year old guys sending messages ?
8:59  M: Too intense? Just quicker with questions than most.
9:01  H:  I like questions.  Asking and getting asked questions .. I can tell more about a person by what they ask than how they answer a question .
9:02  H:  And yes i can be rapid fire .. I bring high energy to an environment . Not loud just high energy
9:03  H:  My talent from my father in heaven is being a dad .. I was born a natural at it
9:37  H:  Are you smiling at any me this
9:40  H:  Any of this i ment .. Ok ill be calm its just boring .. I do not own a tv . I rarely watch movies . Any time you would like to stop talking with me just
9:40  H:  say or ill just keep going
9:41  H:  Never mind a wont be calm
9:48  H:  My brother just told me i need to compliment you more. What do you think ?
12:31  H:  Hello i little too much huh
12:32  H:  Do you have lunch the same time every day
12:36  H:  I like to push buttons when i first get to know people see how they react
1:17  M:  Wow.  You sent a lot of texts. Less is sometimes more. And pushing buttons isn't awesome :0) And I take lunch whenever it works out.
1:19  H:  Cool .. Ill leave you alone now . Thanks for your time-honoured
1:20  H:  Ha ha time .. Phone added that . You are now deleted
1:36  M:  Wow.  That was fast.  Ok.  Take care.
1:38  H:  I am fast but we wont work .. I am looking for a wife .. You take care too

Ultimate speed dating relationship. 
It was exhausting.  I'm glad I got to come along with him for the relationship.
And what exactly about this conversation let him know that we won't work out, and also that I'm not wife material?  Not replying to messages quickly enough?  Thoughts?

Online

So, I decided to try online dating again.

My first email arrived, so excited!

And then I read his profile.

He was in his 40s.  Didn't finish college.  Writer.  Has 2 kids at home.  Light brown hair.  Hazel eyes. 
"Plenty of me to love"
And surprisingly no picture.

I hate online dating.
Why am I doing this? 
Maybe I should just find a mail-order husband. 

Motorcycle

For most of my life, I've had the idea that getting asked out on a date by a guy who rides a motorcycle is one of the hottest things. 

I have been proven wrong.

Why?

Although the young man may be attractive, the results of riding a motorbike are not.

1. You take the time to get all cute and ready, and then he shows up on a bike. 
        a. you can't bring a purse
                 i.  no gum for after dinner
                 ii. no chapstick to soothe the windburn (and that is all)
        b. cramming your head in a helmet
                 i.  safety first, but putting your hair in a pony tail right after fixing it is a cardinal sin
                 ii. let's say the helmet you use is the one he uses all the time
                          A. sweet, but lots of sweatiness
                          B. still upset about having to put my hair in a ponytail to avoid the snarls
                 iii. pulling said helmet off your head.  Don't know how to make that look good.
         c. turns out it's not that easy to get on said motorcycle.  No grace involved. 
2. It's easy to lose the keys...in a foam pit...at the indoor trampoline arena
3. And then the bike stops.  From what I've been counseled on,  put your hands on the gas tank so your bodyweight doesn't slam up against the driver.  Getting a forearm workout on a date...not hot.
4. Exhaust.  Also, not hot.

Just keep these tidbits in mind.

And Again!!

                                                                 Here's my sad car.

                                            My friend Rob playing the guitar in the pawn shop.

                                                       Suzanne's Special Sunday School

                                 They will be great parents...they found out London likes Funyuns.

                                                  And then things got a little out of control

         The little kids FLEW.  I missed the air in the pictures I took, but this one shows a little of the action.

                                     Lunch at Bridge's elementary school, such a fun playground!

So here is a quick summary of a few things. 

It's become practice in the Taylor family, to have a special sunday school class when there's a family event.  It started when my nephew Josh left on his mission.  After Sacrament Meeting, the teen-ager grandkids and a few adults skipped Sunday School and headed out to the lawn.  We had chips and sat on the blanket while we shared some thoughts.  It's continued for each mission departure are return home.  The crew grows each time.  I even pulled a few kids out of Primary to make sure they were there.  It is so fun to get to share thoughts, and testimonies about the gospel, especially when we're celebrating missionary work, and the incredible message that we really do have to share as members.  It's one of my favorite things. 

One of my regrets is not taking pictures of the event 2 years ago when the blanket toss happened.  It was Jake's departure, and...it just happened.  So I took pictures this time.  It was a fantastic celebration to end his mission.  Oh, we were laughing so hard.  And the meeting we had was incredible.  We talked about General Conference.  I'm glad we get a little mix of everything when we're together.

It was such a miracle that I even got to go home.  A friend in my ward in AZ had bought a ticket to Idaho Falls for this weekend, but moved, so he couldn't use the ticket, but could transfer the ticketholder.  He asked me.  So kind and generous.  I arrived in Idaho Falls, and just hung around with my family, even having a little sleep-over with the grandkids.  Went to a swim meet - not quite the Olympics, but very cool to watch my nephews.  More playing, then a fun trip to the golf course.  Perfect day.  Delicious BBQ and fun conversation.  Pazooki's.  BYU v Utah game (go Utes!)  Church.  Bill & Genie all to myself for the evening.  Such a treat to be with my family.  I love them, and I love how fulfilled I feel when I'm with them.  

Special Delivery!!

  One of the coolest things happened today....this lovely little book showed up in my mailbox.  hahahahahahahahaha!!   This special delivery totally made my day.  Someone out there...thank you, thank you, thank you.  Such a sweet gesture, and very secretive...and so highly appreciated.  I'm excited to read the last chapter!!!  Thanks for looking out for me.  I've had that feeling for a while in a lot of different circumstances.  And not to get sappy or anything, but just the kindness that has been shown to me has been overwhelming at times.  :0)  So watch out for FULL book review!!

Sights & Sounds

Just needed to share some pictures.  I just love my family.  They are the best.  And with them, I've seen some beautiful places, and been highly entertained.  Last weekend I got to huge, awesome chance to go home for the weekend.  Pictures to come later.  There have been some huge blessings. 

10 Stupid Things Women do to Mess Up Their Lives

It's a book.

Sounds like a good read, eh?

I've had it on my shelf for years.  Dr. Laura (I'm not even going to spell her last name, because I can't) is a radio personality who used to host therapy on her show.  I have 2 general memories about my dad and getting in his pick-up.  Either Rush Limbaugh was on, or Dr. Laura.  So I had a little exposure to her growing up.  She's quite the lady. 

One morning, I was just staring at my bookshelf, and my eyes kept coming back to this book.  So I started reading it.  She goes through 10 things women do in their lives that adds extra baggage and heartache to our lives...which is stupid.  She uses a lot of examples from her talk show, people calling in and being fed up with their relationship and that moment of realization of, "yeah, that was stupid of me, what was I thinking..." 

The chapters go through being stupid in not having self-esteem and relying on a less-than-par guy to give you that.  Not going to happen.  Having babies to make a guy stay, not having any goals but only following his, not being yourself, putting guys before children.  Although a lot of these situations will not happen for me, there is a lot of truth in all of it that we can be smart and avoid.

My problem in reading this is that I will never finish the book.

Why?

It got stolen.
Out of my car.

Yep, I was on the last chapter of the book, and had it in my gym bag, on the front seat of my car.  When I left work, I saw glass everywhere by my passenger door.  Are you kidding me?  It was a mess.  All they took was my favorite black bag, my favorite workout ensemble...including my favorite sports bra, and that book.  Stupid thing I did to mess up my life was leave my workout clothes in my room.  Or was it needing to workout...not sure.  The thing is, I totally thought earlier that day, "don't leave that on the front seat."  Grr.  The whole ordeal was quite devastating.  I was already a mess that week because of stupid things men do to mess up their lives.  Otherwise, I'm sure I wouldn't have just sat in my backyard and sobbed.  Kind of pathetic, but I think we all have our breaking points, and clearly someone breaking into my car is mine.  But all in all, it was a good experience. I have some great people in my life as a support.  Not a stupid thing to do.

I recommend the book...let me know how that last chapter is :0)