Is there air?! You Don't Know!*

Just wanted to post quickly that I am alive - but I am without power at home.

I am taking advantage of the power at work to send a quick little update out there to the world at large.

Irene was windy and rainy and she took out tons of power and trees with her. She was angry about something. But I spent a fun weekend with friends. I will post later (with pics Tami) of events and damage and etc.

Hope everyone is doing well!

Badges? We don't need no stinkin' badges!*

I am not proud of everything I have done in my past. I have made decisions that have caused me a lot of pain, regret, and sorrow.

The worst thing about your past is you think that you have moved on, you think you are safe from it, but then one day it rears it's ugly head and comes crashing down on you. Last Sunday my past caught up with me:

Once upon a time I thought these were pretty stylish. I tried to take a picture of the side so you could see the confetti - that's right, it was like wearing a party on my face all the time!

One Eyed Willie!*

I tried to recreate what I might have looked like eons ago when I owned this particular pair of glasses:

I've mostly got the look down. No smile but my hair would have NEVER been that straight. I didn't discover the straight iron until college (hallelujah). Plus - I think it would be safe to say that I was at least 30 pounds heavier back then. So add a little to the face, curl and frizz the hair and wallah! You have a picture taken right from my past.

Wow, that was just like "Carrie"! I thought she was gonna kill us all. *

Dear Friends (mostly Mur who just wrote on my Facebook wall and while I got an e-mail notification,

I am alive. And now famous because I survived an earthquake. Just kidding. But seriously. That was crazy! So here are some news articles:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44245009/ns/us_news-life/t/congress-pentagon-other-dc-areas-evacuate-after-quake/?GT1=43001

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44245125

And here is my story:

I came into work thinking nothing exciting would happen. Not long after sitting down at my desk one manager came over to inform me that his pregger employee was having her baby today. That was exciting - then I went back to work.

I was working on payroll today, so I was sitting at my desk when my workstation started to shake. At first I thought someone was barreling down the hallway and wondered who would be and why they would be running down the hallway like that. Then I realized it wasn't someone running so I thought maybe a delivery guy was storming through the hallway with his delivery. When it got louder and my workstation was really shaking I thought for a second that there was construction going on on the floor above but I quickly (and finally thought), "Oh my goodness, I think this is an earthquake!"

I am proud to say I kept my nerve. Which is why I am also pretty certain that I will die in a natural disaster because even though I knew an earthquake wasn't normal my first thought was, "Don't overreact." Looks like denial is a pretty big part of my life. Anyway. We evacuated and hung out in the parking lot for a while and then we came back into the building.

My legs felt funny and it felt like the building was still moving but I knew that it wasn't. So - that's my day - lived through an earthquake (a 5.8 - 6.0 - I've heard the whole range).

Just a pic of the epicenter, it was in Mineral, VA which isn't too far away from here (about 30 minutes which is almost the same distance from my house to my parent's).

So - how was your day?

So it begins* (epic)

Training for the half marathon has begun.

No more laughing no more fun.

If you slow or break your run

You will pay the consequences

(adapted from "Chinese School")

I have been able to pretend that it wasn't really coming. Just something I was still talking about doing. Then Monday hit. Monday was the official start date on training. If I am going to be able to train in time, that was the last possible time to start.

So, I started off "lite" with 3 miles. ...it only gets bigger from here. *GULP*.

Actually, today is two miles - but I have found the second day is always a little harder - even if it is less. But - we have started. I am excited and nervous at the same time. As I was running yesterday I kept thinking, "No one is going to run this one with me" because everyone who said they would hadn't signed up yet. But last night Marissa informed me that she signed up! So I am excited that I will at least have someone who can get me to the right place at the right time to start the race (let's be honest, I have NEVER paid attention to where I need to be on race day - someone always does that for me).

Anyway - wish me luck.

Somebody's got a case of the Mondays!*

There is something that has been on my mind a lot lately.

When is the right time to say "hello" when you are walking down a hallway towards someone? I have a workstation that is smack dab in the middle of a hallway. It's a long walk from one end to the other and there are not many "exit points". So when I turn the corner at one end and see someone else down at the other end of the long, lonely stretch I am faced with a dilemma. I could smile and wave immediately, but then I am left with the "what now?" issue. I have smiled and waved and there's still too much distance between us to say anything. Do we continued to walk towards each other in silence? Nothing to say and not even an initiatory wave to fall back on? -OR- do I avoid eye contact (like I haven't just seen them) and wait until we are closer and I can smile and wave.

Then there's the issue of when you do get closer - if you have waved right at the beginning and then ignored their existence until you are right up on them, then it's strange to suddenly turn friendly again and ask how they are doing.

Even if you take that route, you haven't slowed down your walk at this point so when you are close enough an exchange like this occurs.

A - How's it going.
pass by each other
B - Good.
keep walking away from each other.

It's as though "B" said in a rush, "I'm good. No time to slow down and ask you in return!"

Sometimes it's less stressful just to walk down the hall pretending you don't see each other and then hoping you'll reach your exit point before your paths cross. I think a lot of people would agree - I mean, judging by the number of people who join me in not waving and saying 'hello', I'd say I am far from alone in this viewpoint.

It's kind of the same reason I wait to get water in the morning and miss the 8:30 herd meeting at the watering hole. It's just awkward to figure out these social things.

You're not affiliated with me!*

I have to share something that made me laugh. I got an e-mail from a man a work asking that I remove any and all evidence of his birthday from "public record" (basically, I make it so that it won't show up on the intranet). Anyway, he said he just hates birthdays and that he has never really celebrated or acknowledged one in about 27 years. Then he said, "Maybe I'm a closeted Mormon..."

This made me laugh - I don't know if you've guessed it, but I'm a Mormon and we do celebrate birthdays! Okay, I may not really do much for my own, but there is some short of celebration, especially involving cake. Then I chuckled a little more, what are the odds that he would make a Mormon joke to the only Mormon at work?

I feel like letting him know I've done the best I can with removing the proof, but that he should still expect a discrete birthday card from the CEO...and oh, by the way, Mormons celebrate birthday and holidays, you must be thinking of Jehovah Witnesses.

Let me debunk some myths that have come up over my short life span:

1. Mormons celebrate birthdays




2. We believe in Jesus and we LOVE Christmas (someone thought we didn't celebrate Christmas - I would not be a Mormon if we didn't - jk...kinda).



3. We celebrate ALL holidays - even that heathen one Halloween (which happens to be my favorite - less than 80 days!)




4. Mormons eat chocolate! It's just me and a few others who don't.




5. I have only one mom, biologically this is all that is possible; but in case you meant how many wives does my dad have? Still only one.




6. We use electricity (you're thinking of the Amish - mmm....Amish Friendship Bread - does anyone have that recipe?)




7. As you can tell by my wardrobe, we wear more than just all black all the time (thank you fourth grade teacher for that new one).



8. We are not affiliated with Dorothy from Wizard of Oz (http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700166085/DC-Temple-graffiti-prank-wont-die.html)



9. We are allowed to dance...can we dance is another story. Mostly, no, but I think for a bunch of sober people we do alright for ourselves.

That's all I have, I really wanted to make it a nice clean '10' but I just can't. Have you heard any crazy ones (this is applicable to Mormons and Non-Mormons)? It can't be that Mormons are the only ones whose religion gets mixed up with others, so if you aren't Mormon have you ever heard any crazy ones about your own religion? I curious to read the feedback.

And for some more fun...

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Yahweh or No Way? - Mormons & God's Poll Numbers
http://www.colbertnation.com/
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog Video Archive

Monday, Monday. Can't trust that day.*

Here's how my Monday started (in great detail - the times may have been slightly altered because who really remembers the exact times?):

7:06 a.m. - Wake Up

7:09 a.m. - Play words with friends

7:15 a.m. - Shower, breakfast, pack lunch etc.

8:15 a.m. - Hit the road Jack

8:17 a.m. - Feel a strange shaking sensation all throughout the car - detour to closest gas station

8:26 a.m. - Talk to Indian cashier at the Shell gas station as he gives me change for a $10 so I can use the air machine and fill up my tire. He's having a so-so day and hopes to see me around some time.

8:29 a.m. - Call Wanda to tell her I'll be late.

8:30 a.m. - Tire is full of air, quick scan shows no signs of long lasting damage.

8:41 a.m. - enter highway

8:55 a.m. - Two exits away from work I hear the sound of rushing wind...my windows are rolled up. The car shakes a little and I pull over.

8:55.5 a.m. - I call dad, he is on the way, stay in the car.

8:56 a.m. - Call Wanda to give her a status update.

8:57 a.m. - Text the roommate to tell her what a great Monday I am having

8:58 a.m. - Pull out iPod and play Vortex

9:03 a.m. - Dad calls back to say he is on his way.

9:10 a.m. - Motorists Assistance pulls up to offer Assistance. Tell her that my dad is on the way, apologize. She says it happens. Sticks around a moment and heads off to be the hero to someone else.

9:19 a.m. - Dad calls to let me know he is entering highway

9:23 a.m. - Dad calls to tell me he doesn't see me.

9:27 a.m. - Dad calls to tell me that he saw me when he was headed int he opposite direction...he'll be there soon.

9:35 a.m. - Dad changes tire. I explain to my nephews that it popped (Tommy: Like a balloon!?). Told them the spare was called a donut. They thought that was funny.

9:43 a.m. - Tire all done. Head over to Pep Boys

9:48 a.m. - Get to Pep Boys - talk to cute mechanic (he looked like Milo Ventimiglia - but scruffier with a buzz cut).

9:53 a.m. - Arrange to pick the car back up after work. Dad gives me a ride to work.

9:57 a.m. - Give a cheery "good morning" to the security guards and take the stairs.

10:12 a.m. - After getting settled in - write this post - to be posted later because I have pictures!

Happy Monday Folks!

I'm not two-timing. I never one-timed!*

Saturday a group of us went hiking. We chose Old Rag. I remember hiking Old Rag when I was an awkward, overweight teenager - so I figured it wouldn't be so bad now that I've at least lost a few pounds (yup - still awkward). I was still nervous though - I am fairly certain that the last time I went hiking was Mt Temp in Utah...a decade ago. My fears were not satiated when my friend said she was advised not to join in on this hike since it was going to be really hard. Even worse was when we went to pay for parking and there was something that said it was a very difficult hike. But - I was already there.

Our friend, Zach, has a gnome he likes to take adventuring with him. I feel it's like the Travelocity gnome that goes all over but I have never asked to confirm. When we first got there Kami decided to use the lovely commode and I decided that she should see a gnome when she came out.

She was pretty surprised.

We took a before picture in case any one of us didn't make it back - we would know what they were wearing.

Whenever I look at this picture I start singing, "We're off to see the wizard!" I don't know why.

Zach also has a thing for tall ladies. He can't help himself. When Kami shoots him down he comes for me. He was a little downhearted because I am seeing someone now, so he asked if he could at least hold my hand and get a picture of it. Then he told me that he never loses...meaning, he'd "win me back".

Random pit stop:

Making a fire.

Would have been nice if this were the extent of "difficult". We asked someone who was heading down if we were almost to the top and he gave us a sad little shake of the head.

And this is where the fun begins! It's about a 16 foot drop into this little crevice. You can climb down of course, I wouldn't recommend just dropping - that would be stupid.

Not long after the drop - Christan decided to have some alone time and eat his lunch. I think he was looking for some solitude - but this hike ranks "0" on the solitude scale (no seriously, it's on the website)

I was supposed to look stuck - but you can't tell from this angle how close the rocks are.

This may show it better.

Zach and me - my favorite part is the three people from our group in the background - what are they pointing at?

It was so cloudy - of course a thunderstorm was also moving in.

We did it!! Our group got divided up several times (First with Christian hanging back to eat lunch, then Zach and Ben went ahead. Kami and her Ryan separated. I stayed back and helped Maddy through the rock tumble (which I am in love with and I seriously want to go do it again and SOON!) and then we slowly got back together. Christian caught up to Maddy and me and then we caught up to the other four. We got caught in a rain storm on the way down...at least I could say I was soaking wet because of rain rather than sweat...but it was no bueno for my poor little toes. I skipped taking a picture because I didn't want to pull away from the beauty of the hike.

I do want to point out that not only did I make it - but I didn't struggle (sorry this is an issue of pride because Zach was concerned that I wouldn't make it...) It's these long legs, they helped so much during the rock tumble - plus, my experience with rock climbing walls helped as well.

I can't wait for the next hike!

I don't have time for a grudge match with every poser in a parka.*

It just occurred to me that I hadn't posted the pictures from kickball. If you are friends with me on Facebook then you have probably already seen this (if you haven't, it's okay, I don't Facebook stalk either :)

I finally took my camera with me the last game of the session. Mostly I tried to get some action shots in between playing on the field and waiting my turn to kick. It was harder to take pictures than I thought. Everyone was so spread out, so I focused on the kicks and decided we'd just get a team picture later.

The last game was pretty fun. I got someone out while playing second base, we had some good kicks and some good runs. My favorite was Katie's. She kicked the ball and went running and then her feet decided she should run anymore. So she stumbled a bit and then she was down. I don't know if the person on first was shocked by this or what, but the main point was that the ball was missed and went rolling away while Katie crawl to first base.

This is a picture of the damage:
We really liked our ref too. Something I learned is that there are fun refs (usually the good ones, the laid back ones, etc.) and then there are the bad refs (who couldn't make a decent call to save their lives). Our last ref was a good one, we could joke around with him but he also called a fair game and he didn't make up rules as he went (not that any of them did that...but one of them may have). We got our ref to take our team photo and he decided to take some candid ones too, so here are all the photos he took.




I really liked these people, they were so much fun to play with and very friendly. I only knew Katie when I started to play and I'm a pretty shy person, but they made me feel comfortable right away. All in all - a good impulse decision...I would do this again.

Vampire wouldn't tell, Cyborg wouldn't know. *

Years ago my friend taught a lesson in Relief Society (for those of you who are not Mormon, Relief Society is held during the third hour of our church meetings and it is a class of only women. (I will not get into the history just now - but hey, if you want to know, I will). The lessons are a bit different from Sunday School, which sticks strictly to the scriptures. And there are different teachers for each week, It's pretty cool, you should come sometime...unless you are a boy - then we won't let you).

Before I forget why I started this post...

So years ago, my friend gave a lesson. I can't quite remember the exact topic, but I remember a concept that she brought up during the lesson. She stated that she had a "feel good box". It was a small box she had and inside was filled with letters and notes from people where they said something nice about her. She would put all of these things into the box as she received them. Then when she was feeling down she would go to her box and look through some of the nice things that people had said to/about her and they would help to bring her out of her funk.

I remember really liking this idea. There are so many times in our lives where we tend to forget just how amazing we are. There are some of us who constantly forget this. From that moment, I began to collect the little things people would write.

In Relief Society (again - it's pretty cool - come) we have a board with little baby clothespins and then during class a box with strips of paper is sent around, we call these love notes. You can write whatever you want to whomever you want. The nice things is, we're all adults so you won't have anyone writing anything mean and petty. Instead, you take a moment to tell someone they looked nice, or they did a good job teaching or speaking, or just to say you think they are amazing. The whole idea is that everyone will just be sharing the love.

This works well for me, because it provides a way to get new things to put into my "feel good box". The other day I was having a bad day at work. Just cranky, nothing happened. I was e-mailing back and forth with my contact for some educational stuff and not once, but twice she threw in a compliment. Apparently I am "a doll". It reminded me of the "feel good box". It wasn't just the two little compliments that helped change my mood at work, but it certainly helped and they can be found in my "feel good box".

I think everyone should have their own little "feel good box", so when you are feeling lonely or sad or just find yourself in some kind of rut or funk, you have a place you can go where you can remind yourself that this moment won't last. You can be reminded that people love you and why they love you.

I don't often issue challenges or assign homework - but here it goes. I want you to designate a box, a container, a cork board, anything that can hold innumerable "love notes" to be your "feel good box". If you want, you can take a picture of it, do a blog post, and paste the link in the comments so I can come and check it out.

...do it. You won't regret it.

My feet are sweating.*

Jimothy and I decided a few weeks ago that we would attempt to make the best biscuitos ever. We both have a love of buttermilk biscuits, which is why when we catch up with each other it's usually over breakfast. I like that Cracker Barrel gives us endless buttermilk biscuits...but let's be honest, those aren't the best biscuits I've ever had. I like Hardee's (if they are made right) and the ones from Boychik's (that's in Innsbrook for Richmonders).

We had been talking about doing this for a while, we were even going to do it last weekend but we both forgot. So this past Saturday we buckled down and got to business.

I went to the store to get buttermilk and stood in front of the vast display of all types of half & half, milk, and whipping cream but I couldn't seem to find the buttermilk. Then I heard a voice say, "there it is, buttermilk." Followed by a finger which pointed me in the right direction. How...? But then I realized that the man and woman standing next to me were also in pursuit of buttermilk, so as soon as she grabbed some I went in after and told them I was glad they were there, I was standing there unable to find it. As I left I said, "Thank you".

Jimothy and I decided to try two recipes and compare. He made one, I made the other. We cut them into shapes...

They were okay. They weren't the best, but they weren't the worst either. We have some ideas for improvements.

You can't be perfect with biscuitos if you want to use all the dough. So this little guy turned out funky looking and less perfect than his brothers...but I'm sure he still tasted the same.

I took the leftovers to Ben and Jo's house and my nephews went crazy, "Biscuits! Biscuits! Biscuits!" I thought they would be impressed with the dinosaur shaped ones, but they went straight for the round ones. I had no idea that we shared the love of biscuits - no wonder I think they (the kids) are so awesome.