General Conference and Family October 4, 2009

This weekend has been a delight.  On Friday my family (minus Ben and Megan’s families) came into town.  They are here to visit us (Anna and I) and to attend General Conference for our church.  General Conference is a massive meeting where we get to hear from our prophet, apostles and other leaders. I look forward to Conference every 6 months.  It builds me up and inspires. Sometimes I just watch it on TV but with my family in town we made the effort to get tickets.  My family went to Sunday morning, and I went with them to Sunday afternoon.  All of the talks were excellent and encouraged me to be a better person.  One of my favorites was Elder Holland this afternoon.  It was a stirring testimony of the Book of Mormon.  I wish I could show it to all of my investigators/converts on my  mission.  I will post some videos once they are available.  Here is the audio of the talk:

A big theme from the conference I noticed was preaching about the love of God.  With all of the challenges in the economy and around the world it was comforting to hear the prophet and apostles teach about God’s plan for us and His love for us. The music was also wonderful- with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing some of my favorite songs.  Everyone should hear them sing at least once in person.  It is great.

Meanwhile, I have been enjoying the time with my family.  We have all been up at our home, the Anna.  It has been fun to go hot tubing, play games like psychiatrist (we can play that for hours), talking and eating together and just having a nice time.  My only regret is that Megan and Ben aren’t here.  That would make it perfect.  At least I get to see Megan next week.  I haven’t been able to work much this week but its ok.  I am doing alright.  We had a fun surprise work-wise on Saturday.  A woman who has stayed at our homes 3 times called and said she needed a place that same hour. Luckily, the Alpine house was available and we got her checked in.  That was $477 we wouldn’t have earned otherwise.  Not too shabby!  I felt like it was a little blessing allowing me to have fun and put work on the back burner just a little bit.  Believe me- it is impossible for me to completely turn off work but I did pretty good this weekend.  It was great!

Here is President Monson’s main address.  I loved the part about his birthday and all the service which had been done.  I wish I had known about it and we could have done something for enrichment.  Oh well!  Next time.

The Best Weekend Ever February 8, 2009

Isn’t it funny how the simplest of things can make  for a great couple of days? This weekend has been wonderful.

To begin with I had the best week of work I have ever had- with 15 reservations including people who reserved more than one house! In addition, I have also gained a new real estate client, put in a bid for an event, and worked a Grabber event on Saturday.   It was busy but so profitable!  The cool part is while I was gone they got 1 reservation.  This week I get 15- that certainly makes a girl feel needed!

Another great thing about this week is that I got to spend time with tons of friends starting with one of my best friends  Melissa Noyes (we went to dinner on Wednesday).  Then I also had phone conversations with Raelene Bradley (who I just stayed with) and Julia Graves (who I saw in December).  I also made a new friend named Sunnie  in my ward this week and we got together with another girl named Bonnie for games on Tuesday, which was fun.

So I was already riding on a great week when the weekend came.  To begin with on Friday I had a wonderful conversation with my sisters Anna and Megan, which is always a highlight of my week.  This was particularly special because Friday was Megan’s birthday.  We are exactly 2 years and 2 weeks apart (you can bet we had combined birthday parties growing up much to my youthful chagrin!).  I wish I could have been there for her birthday but it was nice to chat-as it always is.  There is definitely no one I would rather talk to in the world than my mother and my sisters.

After the phone calls I went and met my friend Miriam for an afternoon movie.  We saw Slumdog Millionaire, which I loved.  I know it is rated R, but I felt that it was one of the most beautiful and hopeful movies I have seen in a long time.  In a way it does paint a brutal depiction of poverty (which earns the R) but in another way it maintains the feeling that hope, peace and love are within reach to any one- no matter their situation.  The lead character remains remarkably innocent despite all that he has to deal with in his life.  The feel and look of the movie was like nothing I have ever seen.  Just beautiful.   When I compare it to the Dark Knight, which left me feeling dark and gloomy despite its PG-13 there is no comparison. At least that is my rationalization right there.  I really enjoyed seeing the movie.

After the movie Miriam and I went to lunch and talked for a good hour about work, family, life and of course the movie.  She is such a terrific friend who I have known for over 7 years. We just have a connection of friendship and understanding that is great.  We think the same way about most everything.  Next to sitting with my sisters, there is nothing better than talking with good friends like Miriam.

Once I got home I had a few hours to work (where I got a reservation- thank you).  Then a group of my friends came over for a belated Birthday party- Sarah Creer, Megan Steinberg, Emily Hancock, Adrienne Jensen and Melanie Bush.  We had a great time eating yummy cupcakes that Melanie brought (thank you Melanie’s mom.  They were really good!).  This was  group of friends from all over my life but we jelled well together and had a great time talking and eating cupcakes.  Plus, Sarah and Megan got me a flirty apron which I really wanted.   Check out the website http://www.flirtyaprons.com/cart/.  I know it is lame to say but they really are so cute! The only thing missing from our little group was Camille who is currently stuck down in Mexican Hat.  Next year hopefully we will all be a group again.

It was just a simple gathering of friends but it made me feel very loved.  The whole day made me feel loved and special.  Indeed, I am special to have such amazing people in my life. I have often thought I must have done something great in the heavens to be deserving of such wonderful people that surround me.  I think of people who are lonely, who don’t have friends or close family, and I count my blessings.

So, clearly I was having a great weekend. Then Saturday happened.  We had a Grabber event in the morning.  It was at the Romp to Stomp charity snowshoeing race near Park City.  For the event we gave out free warmers and encouraged the racers. (It is kind of like a 5k run but with snowshoes).  I am counting this as my day of service for the month even though technically I was paid for manning the booth.  Still, it felt like serving the community and it was a lot of fun (even though it was early in the morning.  You have to admire those snowshoers for starting a race at 9:00 am!). While working I got to spend time with my Uncle Jim, who is my lifesaver, and my good friend Jodi Evans, who was my best friend while getting my MBA.

For the rest of the day I worked on reservations and got 2 people checked into the houses (or I should say Jim got 2 people checked into the houses).  When 6:30 rolled around I actually..hold your breath..had a date.  I must admit that I asked a certain guy out and we had a great time.  The cruise encouraged me to be bold and to find guys that I have things in common with and then go for it.  You will have to call me to learn more but it was a lot of fun, and I hope he asks me out again.  Regardless, it was nice to have a date.  We went to see the show at Hale Theater Orem, which was hilarious.  You’all know that entertainment-wise live theater is my favorite activity in the whole world.  The play was called Room Service and I guess it was turned into a Marx Brother’s comedy.  The physical comedy of the actors was superb.  Very funny! I didn’t realize that the guy I asked wasn’t a huge theater person but he still enjoyed it.  He had never been to Hale Theater before (I know it is hard to believe!) but hopefully last night’s show was a good introduction.  After the show  we went to dinner and had wonderful discussions. We ended the night with a hug (just a hug for all you that are wondering!) and a promise to do it again soon. We will see.  It is always so hard to tell.  Like I said, it was nice to have a good date.

So, now it is Sunday and I will be off to church soon.  I don’t know how this weekend could get any better.  Aren’t I the most blessed person ever? I certainly feel so today.  My life is amazing, awesome, good, great, wonderful (you get the idea).  Oh, and I am smiling for real! (see below)

Candy Anyone? January 10, 2009

I, along with most Americans, am making a New Years Resolution to get in shape.  Even the phrase sounds like such a cliche, but I really am trying.  As I mentioned in a previous blog, I have been setting health and fitness goals with my sister Megan and things went pretty well until in October I got a prolonged virus that through me off track.  Now I am trying to get back on track and all that surrounds me is tons of candy!  I have candy from friends, candy from Christmas, candy left over from Halloween…. Let me ask all of you- is it wrong to throw away such candy? It is seriously tempting me and now I have it stashed in the storage room where I won’t see it.  I don’t want to have it in there for long; however, because I don’t want mice to come. I would give it to friends but then I feel guilty for giving them something I am avoiding.  Plus, most if not all of my friends are also trying to eat healthy.  I feel like that old Humphrey the Bear cartoon where the pile of papers starts out small and by the end of the day it is the size of a volcano.  (If you don’t know what I mean watch this clip, which btw I just learned how to do)-

Anyway, I am thinking of just throwing it away because I figure it is wasted calories one way or another. If anyone wants it give me a call.  Some of it is good candy…Still, once I make a commitment I keep it.

Those of you who know about my upcoming singles cruise might think that it will be impossible for me to keep a healthy diet going.  It is going to be difficult but I am trying to look at the cruise as an opportunity to cleanse my system- kind of like a spa week.  They have a healthy menu at all of the meals, so I will eat off of that and with all the swimming and exercising I can do it should be good.  As much as I love my job it will be rejuvenating to be in a place where it will be difficult for others to reach me.  Ahhhh!  I can’t wait.  Especially with it being so cold here in Utah.  Stupid snow.

I have gone off topic.  So, does anyone want some candy? Call me!

Merry Christmas December 26, 2008

I promise I will write more tomorrow, but I just wanted to say quick- Merry Christmas! I hope you all have a great holiday season and that you are safe and blessed. Thank you for your friendship and support. More to come…

One sad note, one happy October 24, 2008

You can see in this photo all of the ink stains.

My sad face at losing my skirt!

So, I wanted to make a quick post to let you all know that I am feeling quite a bit better. Rest over the last few days really helped.  Thanks for all the encouragement.  I hope my sister Megan improves as well. Now for the bad news…I was tired and threw a load into the wash and today realized there was a pen in my pocket.  Now there is ink dried onto the dryer and splotched onto an entire load of clothes including most of my underclothes. I also destroyed a skirt I had just bought from Lands End.

Any of you domestic divas have any suggestions? My mom said something strong like paint thinner can get the stain off the dryer but I am scared of an explosion or passing out from the fumes (remember I live alone so passing out would be a bad thing). She also said dry cleaner formula called Thoro might help with the stains.  I would appreciate any suggestions.  Thanks in advance.