Tuesday, April 28, 2009

It 1:00 pm...

and it is 88 degrees outside! Someone please check for me, what month is it? Did we skip spring??? In all seriousness, it is quite a welcome change from the snow and bitter cold of winter and I'm glad the heat isn't sticking around for much longer - back to the 60's tomorrow. I really want to enjoy spring just a bit before taking the hot plunge.
I may not like the heat, but it is absolutely creating a beautiful day. Oh, and I get to leave work in 2 1/2 hours, so I get to go and enjoy it. Thank goodness for the orthodontist (I never thought I'd think that)
Carpe diem!

Friday, April 24, 2009

Pondering

I've been doing some thinking - which, if you know me, is a very dangerous thing. In my pondering over the past several weeks and months, I have made plans and changed plans so many times and so quickly that it is quite difficult for me to keep up - I don't expect anyone else to either. First I was leaving, then I was staying, then I was leaving later, then not going at all. Today I'm back to feeling like I should go, I want to go. Logic keeps intruding into my thoughts and makes me think that it may be a foolish decision to drop everything good that I have going here. I have been making lists of all kinds; pros and cons of every aspect of staying or going, or waiting, or whatever else may have slipped into my mind at the time.
During General Conference I really began thinking about life and the decisions that I was/am facing. It was Elder Steven E. Snow's talk that really got me going and got me incredibly excited, even confident in my decision that indeed, it is time for me to get on with my life. I haven't remained at home out of pure convenience, although it has helped enormously (thanks mom and dad!), or out of fear of doing something else (well, maybe a little), the timing has just been right. I needed to be at home to figure some things out, to figure out who I am and what I want out of my life. I have had some incredible experiences here, I love my job and have received a great education in the work force. The time has come though, to get on with my life, to do something. I still don't know what the right decision for me is. I have applications in and I'm making plans as if I were doing both and I hope that whatever is holding me back from making the decision that I want/need will either disappear, or I'll know how to conquer it. This may be one of those times that I take a step in the dark, that leap of faith, and proceed with my life.
Until I get my thoughts sorted, I feel I must escape from my thoughts, at least for a bit, and resume the current life and responsibilities that I have. Besides, I have a conference call in an hour, lunch to eat, and work to do. Duty calls - thank goodness!
Happy Friday! I hope you have some great weekend plans.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

I'm learning...

The list is long of the things I currently don't know how to do, although I am trying. Monday was Patriot's Day in New England (yay!!! for random days off) so my wonderful mother helped me learn to....SEW! I made an apron! For some of you, you may be thinking "hello?!?!, doesn't everyone", or, "you're just now learning", or "sewing - why do you need to learn that?". At any rate - the mission was successful. It didn't take me very long at all. I learned (or maybe just realized again) how much of a perfectionist I am when it comes to craft projects, or any project really. I like to follow patterns (if I can figure them out), recipes, rules, whatever you've got - and I DON'T like to stray from said instructions. I finally realized while making my apron that - this was MY project, it was MY apron, on I would be wearing it - so who cares? Once I realized that it was smooth sailing - I actually got into it A LOT!!
After I finished my apron we pulled out the quilt we started a couple of months ago and finished sewing the top layer together. At this moment there is a quilting frame in our living room just waiting to be sewn up - our lives for the next few days, uh - weeks?, I mean months?? Sure hope not! Pictures of both projects coming soon.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Jon Schmidt Music Video - Love Story meets Viva la Vida

Jon Schmidt Music Video - Love Story meets Viva la Vida

Check this out - inspiring!

Spring - a new start

This has been the best week or so, ever. I was going through a really rough spell, lots of questions and concerns, but I've gotten through most of everything (or at least said it out loud - that helps a lot), and now life is just FANTASTIC! I feel like I am finally back to my normal, happy-go-lucky self. I have been coming home extremely giddy and happy. I have been on a couple of shopping sprees (okay, so that doesn't really help my savings account, but I claim 'I needed it', and I think I did). When I was in Utah, Lori and I went dress shopping and I had in mind the type of dress I was looking for. I wanted something with both pink and white, I wanted it to look spring-like, and something just cute and fun. We looked all over the store and I never found 'the dress'. On Friday, I actually left the office at lunch time and went to the little shopping center about 2 miles from work. I went in and was looking spefically for a new shirt to wear with a skirt that I have had for a while when it happened. I got drawn into the dress area when I saw one with polka dots on it and then I saw it - MY SPRING DRESS!! It was like they knew I was coming. They had my size on the end of the rack even. I went and tried it on and fell completely in love. Of course, I had to go buy a new pair of shoes to match my dress, but it was all completely worth it. I am already planning on wearing it on Thursday and I plan on having pics taken of it. Happy Spring to me! (Wow - how self-centered; note to self - work on self-centeredness)
Anyway, the world is once again good and I am looking forward to everything that is coming my way.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

April 11th recap

I wanted to recap my 'celebration' of April 11th - just because I can! I got to sleep in (okay, it was 7:30, but still, 45 minutes is better than nothing). Then we (in no particular order)...had the missionaries over for breakfast, cleaned up, made cupcakes, painted my nails, got french braid pigtails, walked 2 miles, went to the store, listened to a movie while baking, ordered pizza for dinner, took some pictures and played the piano. I loved yesterday. I think that it is important to have days just to celebrate for no good reason. It gives life...a little something extra. So, my challenge to you - pick a day (or days) and celebrate. It doesn't have to be huge - just make it your own special day, make it special to you.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

The BEST day ever!

So I commonly use the phrase 'best day ever', but today truly is the best day ever, every time it comes around. Today is April 11th, and for no good reason I celebrate it every year. I wanted to have a special 'holiday' that meant nothing and had no other significant meaning. I try to do something special, even if it is just painting my nails, to celebrate.



Today I made cupcakes - lots of cupcakes.


I made a batch of cherry chip and a batch of yellow cakes. Then I decided to top them with flowers that I piped out of colored white chocolate. I had a blast baking and piping and piping and baking. They turned out to be the perfect springtime cupcakes, Easter cakes, and April 11th cakes!!


Enjoy the day!

Friday, April 3, 2009

8 years and counting...

Well, today is an interesting 'anniversary', of sorts. It has been exactly 8 years since I had my back surgery. The general reaction I get when someone finds out that I have a rod in my back is one of two things, the first being either "were you born with it" or "was it an accident" (no joke, I've been asked both. Repeatedly.) The second is usually sympathy, which I appreciate, but feel no need for. I may have a rod in my back, and it may stay there forever (seriously, I don't ever want them to try to take it out - OUCH!), but it hasn't limited my life. Having the rod sometimes limits what I can/can't, choose/choose not to do, but I am living life exactly the way I want it. I have no regrets that I had this trial in my life, in fact I'm grateful for it. It has brought some incredible blessings and experiences that I can only assume I would not have had if it weren't for being 'surgically altered'. Besides, it makes for a great story.
So, Happy April 3rd. I'm looking forward to April 11th (the best day ever, in case you haven't heard) and will explain that one another time.