Up and down! Up and down! Strong stokes! PAINT!*

Monday I went into Martha Stuart mode.  Kami and I took Bryan shopping at the grocery store (yay for service!) and while there we picked up things to feed the missionaries that night. 

We got home from the store and I got to work on painting the roommate's bathroom.  It's something I have wanted to do for a while and quite frankly, something that needed to be done.  So I got to work.  I had already picked up the paint on Saturday so I wouldn't have to waste time on Monday.  I took the shower curtain in to match the green in it to the paint swatches - I think it's pretty close.

The thing about painting is that I always think it will be fun, and then less than halfway through I'm tired and want to be done already.  I lack the appropriate amount of patience to do the job well.  Boo.  But! I got it done eventually.

And as I said - I'm not really patient...this results in my wearing paint pretty much every time.  I have a pair of jeans that are my painting pants and they have paint from every paint job so far (my bathroom, porches, and now this bathroom).

Now I have a paint shirt.

I finished there and then got to work in the kitchen.  I put the taco meat in the slow cooker and took a shower.  Then, I decided that I hadn't made my strawberry cake in a while ( recipe here) so I made that one for dessert.  I tried to piece back together the bathroom as much as I could before the missionaries arrived, but there were still some things out in the hallway while the walls dried. 

We ate dinner, had a little lesson, and then Ryan and I cleaned up when everyone left.  Then we relaxed the rest of the evening.  I find I like having people over for dinner - I think I'll do it more often, but I don't think I'll do any painting beforehand - too much.

Would you say I have a plethora of piñatas?*

Two Songs

Luckiest by Ben Folds Five

"I don't get many things right the first time, in fact, I am told that a lot.  Now I know all the wrong turns, the stumbles and falls brought me here."

I can still remember the first time that I heard this song.  I was 18 and living in Provo.  The thing I love the most about this song is that it gets truer as I get older.  The more mistakes, the more stumbles, the more I believe that they actually bring me to where I am today.  Sometimes we make the mistakes so we can better recognize the successes.  I make mistakes, I jump in too quickly at times, I trip up over my own feet as I overanalyze my decisions and the choices that lay ahead of me.  I am one giant, walking contradiction...but despite all of that, I am brought through to something worthwhile.  I love this song because it is what I hope will happen with me, to make my mistakes, to have my regrets, but to be constantly led towards something that will make it all worth it.

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
"Jesus sought me when a stranger, wandering from the fold of God; he, to rescue me from danger, interposed his precious blood...Let thy goodness, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to thee.  Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love; here's my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above."

I think I have a penchant for songs about mistakes and redemption.  The first time I heard this hymn I openly cried.  I think it is beautiful and if you've never heard it, do a search for an mp3 or a YouTube video, it's absolutely gorgeous. I love how honest and sincere it is, "prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love" and then that offering, "here's my heart, O take and seal it." How many times I have wished I could literally just give the Lord my heart so he could seal it up to Him and I would no longer wonder away. 

So there you have it, two songs I absolutely love.  I hope you'll enjoy them too.

Long time watcher, first time writing....*

My week in pictures -

Sunday we had dinner at my parent's house for Ryan's birthday.  To mark this fine occasion we made him cook his own food...but we gave him a cake!


Don't hurt yourself kid*



Monday was Ryan's actual birthday and I got him tons of little gifts and a bloody lip.

 That's right, I said a bloody lip.  Don't feel sorry for him - he was tickling me - he deserves it.  I also took him to Olive Garden for dinner.

Tuesday was "my holiday" as Ryan put it.  I wanted a burger so we went to Home Team Grill.  It happened to be half off burgers day too (yum - my favorite)

Then we went and got Cold Stone ice cream for dessert. 

Wednesday night I couldn't decide what to cook for dinner so I decided to do breakfast for dinner.  Always a favorite and always popular.  I made Ryan's "breakfast" a little happier than most.

We also hung out that evening after my visiting teaching appointment.  Kami got a cute stuffed animal from her friend for V-day and Ryan decided it was a good place to rest his glasses.  I think it makes the little pup look stylish.

Thursday Ryan gave me my Valentine's Day gift - a dozen red roses.  Le sigh.  I love them.

Friday night we had a basketball game -(we lost - but had fun). Then we went to the Bishop's house to hang out.  Patty showed us the piano - it's the kind you put the roll of paper in and then you push pedals and it plays.   We started out with Michael Jackson and moved on from there.  Marissa was very excited...

Ryan did pretty well and Marissa got into the music.

Saturday I had a jewelry party and ward activity.

At the jewelry party I found out that Liz reads my blog! It took a little coercion but I was able to talk her into taking a picture with me.  We are actually wearing jewelry from the party!  I offered to sign something for her...but maybe next time.

 

Today we got some snow. It was scary driving home in it, the roads hadn't been plowed, but I made it! Yay!

Anyway - that's my week in photos (with some long captions)!

Maybe they couldn't figure out what to make chicken taste like, which is why chicken tastes like everything.*

Three Films

1. Gattaca

For someone who was never meant for this world, I must confess I'm suddenly having a hard time leaving it. Of course, they say every atom in our bodies was once part of a star. Maybe I'm not leaving...maybe I'm going home.

This is my favorite movie! I love the movie, I love the soundtrack, I love Ethan Hawke in a suit...I just love it.

2. Inception - That movie was seriously genius

3. Megamind - because I love comicbook characters, I always fall for the bad guy, and because of his giant, blue head.

I wouldn't say I've been missing it.*

At work we have a recognition program.  Employees can write an e-mail to our recognition inbox and then I post the nominations.  It's a neat way to recognize when someone does something nice for you or does a good job on something.  I have recognized one person before - that is until last week.  I posted a recognition for our CEO on Friday because Thursday afternoon, when I was outside with my co-worker pulling heavy boxes from my car to a cart to bring inside, the CEO came over to see if we needed help.  He just happened to be outside and no one else was outside, but still, he didn't have to come over and he did.  He immediately started to grab the cases of soda and put them on the cart and then he even insisted on pushing the heavy cart inside (I have a good idea of how heavy that cart was because I was pushing it around Sam's club).  I don't know of many companies where the CEO will help to do the grunge work (heck - I can't even get some of my coworkers help to do grunge work when it's their job!).  So I wrote up a recognition for him.  I will be honest, I was really nervous about posting it.  I didn't want to come off like I was playing some political game or trying to gain something from recognizing him - I just want to say thank you while letting everyone know that he is just a great guy to work for.  So I waited until Friday to post it because I had my coworker read over it a few times for me.

I was out of the office Monday and Tuesday so today is my first day back, and to be honest, I'd forgotten all about it.  I was sitting at my desk and one of the manager's comes up and says, "I've got to tell you, I wish I had come up with it first. Excellent idea." I stared at him for a moment and finally said, "what idea?"  He then started to tease me about the recognition (he teases me about everything so this is nothing new).  We joked back and forth because I honestly have nothing to gain from it, so I gave him a hard time that he hadn't thought of it sooner, since it would profit him far more than me. 

Then I got to find out what the CEO's reaction was to the posting.  His assistant told me a few minutes ago that she didn't notice the posting until Monday and when he walked by her desk she said, "Oh, congratulations on your recognition." he asked what it was for and she told him that I recognized him for helping me and he said...."I'm going to kill her!"

*gulp*

So, my coworker comes down and interrupts a meeting between my boss and another coworker and says, "I just thought I should warn you that one of your employees has had their life threatened by the CEO".  They all laughed about it and then she goes back to him and says, "I hope you don't mind, but I reported you to HR."

I told her that I would be avoiding her area now, a man like that can make a person disappear. 

Seriously though, he wouldn't kill me, he just doesn't like that kind of attention I guess.  It was just an interesting (and scary) knee jerk reaction.  I mean, the guy took out a baby squirrel once (see THAT story here http://sixthdonbro.blogspot.com/2011/03/this-isnt-first-time-that-natures.html).

It's always about YOU, isn't it?*

Friday was one crazy day for me.  At work we had our annual Chili Cook-Off.  This year it was all up to me.  At my review a few months ago boss lady told me that she'd like me to completely take over events (no surprise since she's been saying since she started here that she doesn't like event planning, never has).  So this was my first officially event.  I went to Sam's club to get drinks and desserts and spoons and baby cups for chili samples.  I'm still recovering from lifting those heavy sodas and pushing that next to impossible to move cart.  I got to do all the grunge work, everything in prep for the event and everything after the event except....sending out the announcements.  It was apparently my event but someone else got to send out the announcement, the reminder, and yes, even the winner.  That's a wee tiny bit disheartening.  It's not like I care about sending out the fun e-mails - but if it really is my event, then let it be my event.  Don't let me do all the laborious and not fun work and not have a little reprieve with a stupid e-mail.  Ok - not my point for today - I just had to vent a little.

On to the show!

Oddly enough, Friday night was our first Regional activity of 2012.  I have to say, I was excited.  The event was "Date 'n Dodge" and we were going to have speed dating and then play dodgeball...I don't know, something exciting about that.  But Friday morning I woke up worried about all the things that could go wrong (the person bringing the dodgeballs falling through, there wouldn't be enough people to make the speed dating go on long enough, there wouldn't be enough people to make dodgeball go on long enough, the food would look sparse compared to our last activity, etc.)  I was a worry wart - I hated it.

The event started at 7 and at 7:15 there were only a handful of people.  We had allotted the first half hour for eating and socializing to give people time to get there, but the empty gym just made me nervous.  Then we found out that there was an accident or something backing up 95 so Robby made an announcement that we would wait a little bit longer before starting.

As soon as he did that it was like everyone decided to arrive!  They just kept coming, it was great!  So we started the speed dating and the only complaints we got were about not letting everyone go all the way through the line.  Everyone seemed to have a really good time. So - here are some pics.

Ben and Bryan making sure everyone signed in.  Ben's been waiting his whole life to show off his, "sign in here" skills.

I love this picture.  Ryan had gotten Jesse out of the game like 8 times.  Jesse had gotten Ryan out once and had just gone back in the game.  I was cheering for him to get Ryan out.  This picture was taken milliseconds after Jesse got out again.  It's a little blurry because I was screaming, "Noooo!" Ryan. Is. Ruthless.

In all we ended up having about 70 people there!!  Everyone seemed to have a really good time.

You'll meet someone. Someone very special. Someone who won't press charges. *

This always makes me smile - so I thought I would share it on a day when I need to smile more.

My coworker sends this to me randomly in e-mails.

Despite how crazy the day has been - I've had a lot of laughs.  Maybe I've just learned to laugh at the normal things that happen, or the tiny things that happen.  As Pam says, I'm not allowed to leave because I'm her only source of entertainment. That role's not too shabby, I'd like to live up to it.  So today - I sent her this emoticon instead of the other way around.

Smiles all around.

Cause two is not a winner and three nobody remembers*

It's February!! As Ryan put it, it's the month of loooove and important people's birthdays (like...Abraham Lincoln and George Washington...and Ryan...)

It's kind of strange but February feels more like my new year than January did. Maybe because I spent most of January sick and feeling not so productive. But who said you had to start over on January 1st? February 1st is my new new year! So far I am on top of my budget (as in I am actually recording my expenses), I'm simplifying my life (my weekend plans seem very - simplified and to be honest, I'm very excited about it). And I've done some sort of work-out everyday this month! Man February is awesome! I'm glad it's short so I have less time to screw it up.

So - I wanted to tell you a story that changed my life and helped me to bring in my "new year". Have you ever had one of those moments at a stop light where you see a light turn green and you think it's yours? Say, you are in the left turn lane and you, as well as the traffic going straight, have a red light. Then the traffic going straight gets a green and for some odd reason your brain is like, "That's yours! Take it!"? Ever have that? I never had - normally I see people do it and chuckle about it or ask them what they think they are doing (you now, not directly ask them, just ask the air around myself pretending that the person in the other car can hear me). Well, this happened to me Tuesday. I saw the green and started to go and then realized that the oncoming traffic was COMING! So I hit my brakes and look at the light again and sure enough, I have a red. How embarrassing! I'm one of THOSE people! But it doesn't end there...right behind me, ready to take a left turn too, was a cop.

Oh Nelly.

So when my light DID turn green, I took the turn slowly and waited for the familiar lights (is it sad to you that I just said "familiar lights"? Cause it's sad to me). Sure enough, they came on. There was a gas station there, so I pulled in to make things safer for him. Then I rolled down my window and put my hands on my wheel (this is what they told me to do in driving improvement school....all four times). Then I wait.

"Hello," a voice says, but the voice is not right by my window which throws me off. So I turn slightly to see behind me, he seemed almost nervous to approach. "Hello," I say back. He takes enough steps forward so I can hand him my license, he explains why he is pulling me over (as if I didn't realize my blunder) he asks me if I am from around there (not really to be honest), he gives me a hard time about my license not having the address I just stated but I was ready with my DMV card they send when you move, and then he walks away to check things. I wait patiently, wondering how to work into my budget a speeding ticket and the subsequent rise in my car insurance. Then he comes back, to his original spot of 'off to the side'. He asked me how to pronounce my last name and I tell him and he hands me back my license. Then he says something completely unexpected.

"You have a pretty good driving record, so I don't want to give you a ticket. Just be careful."

Wha??? I'm elated! I mean, no simpler words could possibly describe this feeling. I thanked him and ensured him I would and he went back to his car and left and I went on my way, a new person. You see, in all my years of driving I have never been pulled over and NOT received a ticket. I've had some tell me they understand how I could have made that mistake, but none have ever said that they won't give me a ticket. I was also amazed that he said I have a pretty good driving record. I guess driving improvement school really does remove that stuff from your record!

So I think it fits in well, having that happen on my new new year's eve. The evening before I start to buckle down and work on my resolutions is the same evening the impossible happens. It's going to be a good 11-month year.

You wanna throw up here, or you wanna throw up in the car?*

Ryan and I got the opportunity to go to a VCU Rams game in January (you may know the Rams...they made it to the final four last year...) Anyway - my work has tickets for the season and so I finally took a set of them for me (I'm totally allowed to by the way).


We drove around Richmond looking for a place to park and finally decided on the Kroger near the Seagal Center. The moment we parked I started to worry that my car would get towed. Deigo is young in car years and he shouldn't have to experience that at his age. Before crossing the street I saw a sign about violators being towed and worried even more. We find our seats (right up front to the side a little...right next to the Pep Band) and sit down. I kept thinking about my car, how long would have before they came and towed it away. How will I react when we go to the parking lot and my car is gone. How will I identify my car if I don't know the license plate number? Etc.


Ryan and I were going to go move the car at halftime but as we approached the doors we saw a sign that said, "no reentry" well...then it came down to watch basketball or save my car. I'm ashamed to say I decided to stay and watch basketball, no one tell Diego that it came to that...it's better if he never knows. Even though I made the decision I still worried about it, but tried not to worry as much.

I didn't take a lot of pictures because I was scared to death to do so. There was some legal jargon on the back of the ticket that said I could get kicked out for that kind of stuff. I wish I hadn't read it, cause then I could have just taken some pictures without aniexty and then been kicked out...but what if they took my camera!?

So I took a some pics with my phone - they suck so I apologize in advance.



I watched the game and Ryan watched the Pep Band. They were very peppy too. You can't tell in this photo, but there are at least 3 of them looking right at me, they knew I was taking a photo. They did an excellent job and to be honest, I don't know why the cheerleaders bother coming, the Pep Band is what really kept the energy up.

The game was really good, it was close and first but by the end VCU had taken the lead and kept putting points between them and Holstra. There was one awesome thing (I think it's awesome but I love coming away from a game with injuries) Holstra had the ball and threw it down the court to one of their guards, the guy was running for it but a VCU guy started going for it too. They both jumped in the air at the same time to get the ball and smacked right in to each other. The force spun them a little and they both landed on the ground. It was awesome.

I also ran into my friend, Whitney. She had apparently been one row over and up from us and I was watching the game and got the feeling I should look over and there she was, waving at me! It was really cool. I think next year I'll try to get tickets again.


P.S. Diego was NOT towed. As soon as I got in the car I felt so relieved and turned to Ryan and said, "That was really fun."