tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16224132204437269962024-03-13T00:59:13.736-07:00Terra Cotta Heffalump ArmyUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1622413220443726996.post-75160070630238190462011-03-22T14:01:00.001-07:002012-05-06T14:25:23.169-07:0030 Day Blog Challenge30 Day Blog Challenge<br />
<br />
Day 1 – A photo of yourself and a description of how your day was.<br />
Day 2 – A photo of something you ate today.<br />
Day 3 – Your idea of the perfect first date.<br />
Day 4 – Your favorite photograph of your best friend.<br />
Day 5 – A photo of yourself two years ago.<br />
Day 6 – A photo of an animal you’d love to keep as a pet.<br />
Day 7 – Your dream wedding.<br />
Day 8 – A song to match your mood.<br />
Day 9 – A photo of the item you last purchased.<br />
Day 10 – A photo of your favorite place to eat.<br />
Day 11 – What’s in your makeup bag?<br />
Day 12 – A photograph of the town you live in.<br />
Day 13 – Your favorite musician and why?<br />
Day 14 – A TV show you’re currently addicted to.<br />
Day 15 – Something you don’t leave the house without.<br />
Day 16 – Your celebrity crush.<br />
Day 17 – A photo of you and your family.<br />
Day 18 – Something you crave a lot.<br />
Day 19 – Another picture of yourself.<br />
Day 20 – The meaning behind your blog name.<br />
Day 21 – A photo of something that makes you happy.<br />
Day 22 – A letter to someone who has hurt you recently.<br />
Day 23 – 15 facts about you.<br />
Day 24 – A photo of something that means a lot to you.<br />
Day 25 – What’s in your purse?<br />
Day 26 – A photo of somewhere you’ve been to.<br />
Day 27 – A picture of you last year and now and how have you changed since then?<br />
Day 28 – Your favorite movie.<br />
Day 29 – Something you could never get tired of doing.<br />
Day 30 – A photograph of yourself today + three good things that have happened in the past.<br />
<br />
To be continued....Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1622413220443726996.post-14396019403841882602011-02-06T21:37:00.000-08:002011-02-06T22:04:35.148-08:00Time is Running OutI got in...<br /><br />I actually got into graduate school.<br /><br />And my life for the next three years is planned.<br /><br />Getting into school is not something to take lightly. I face, it is pretty huge. Even though I am the youngest, I am the first of my siblings to attend grad school. The only one on my mom's side of the family to accomplish this, and two cousins on my dad's side are lawyers, but no one has gone for a Master's degree. I am pretty proud of this. But it will be tough. I basically have at least some school to accomplish for the next three years, a good chunk of it requiring me to do observations, externships and clinical practices. So a good deal of my time is accounted for, between work and school.<br /><br />I tsill have a good chunk of my writing to work on, and I would like the chance to actually finish the book. I'm still at the very beginning, and really need to buckle down and get this off the ground. I have until the beginning of May; then, time will run out and I will have to put it on the back burner, and who knows when it will be completed. I also have a second book that I want to submit for NaNoWriMo, the competition I did last year that got the first chunk of my book out. So who knows?<br /><br />All I know is that I only have so much time. So I better go get some inspiration.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1622413220443726996.post-65845113262155750262011-01-05T20:33:00.000-08:002011-01-05T21:19:49.845-08:00The Writing's on the... Well, the Hershey Widget<span style="font-size:100%;">Hi to everyone out there in Blogger World!<br /><br />It's been a while since I've had the chance to update this. Needless to say, it's been crazy on my end. I want to try to be better at writing, if nothing else, so that I can say I have a "journal" of sorts.<br /><br />As I am transitioning into post New Year mode, I am finding that I am wanting to make some resolutions and goals. Yes, there's the losing weight goal, the working out goal, the making more money goal... all of the normal things. But I want to go back to something I actually enjoy (Because, seriously, who enjoys sweating and self-deprivation of tasty snacks?)<br /><br />The first goal I have to to finally finish my book. I took on the NaNoWriMo challenge and succeeded in starting a novel. However, towards the end, I began to not write chronologically. So I have a good 90-something pages written out (at least; I've forgotten really) and then about another 20 pages of different parts of the book. I would love the chance to finish it off, but don't know how likely it'll be. My first goal is by the end of the month to try and complete it. I realize it's a pipe dream, but I want to TRY to see if I can submit it to Amazon.com for a contest. If not, I would like to ultimately finish it off by the time NaNoWriMo 2011 starts!!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiP8gnyfpIfUnEJQR5rTROm3AWQAM8EZN6RaUN1wPnRruDJ8dfwn9FDpmpwz6MOibKOJWT6r95HHZ7pyEmRKp6i6PvfmiyDRt6PXzZ3P9CB5mlXJ8tPB39CatblwxfMLxulSytmB9SNLy1/s1600/hershey-usb.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiP8gnyfpIfUnEJQR5rTROm3AWQAM8EZN6RaUN1wPnRruDJ8dfwn9FDpmpwz6MOibKOJWT6r95HHZ7pyEmRKp6i6PvfmiyDRt6PXzZ3P9CB5mlXJ8tPB39CatblwxfMLxulSytmB9SNLy1/s320/hershey-usb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558930142131267362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The small driver that's currently holding my Great Contribution to Literature.</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:130%;">My other goal is one I have attempted before, but never QUITE completed. The two years prior to my attempts at getting a second Bachelor's degree, I set the goal of reading a book a week on average, or 52 books in the year. I think I managed to come very close each year; I think it was 49 the first year, and 51 the second. This year, even though I will be in grad school (hopefully), I would like to try this out again. On the plus side, I have at least 5-6 books around the house that I started reading, and I would count this towards my overall goal. Also, I have the benefit of having books for each situation. I have a book I am reading at home (Ally Condie's Matched), a book to read at work (Four to Score by Janet Evanovich - and I want to finish the entire series this year as well!), and a book to read on the bus (The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud, which is actually on my handy dandy Nook).<br /><br />As I finish reading each book, I hope to add it on here, with my review. I usually post what I have and have not read on GoodReads.com, but I think it is easy enough to post on here as well, both the writing progress and the books I've conquered.<br /><br />Until next time (hopefully I can keep up with this blog as well!)</span><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1622413220443726996.post-4910620399212369952010-11-02T20:26:00.000-07:002010-11-02T20:30:17.151-07:00NaNoWriMoNope, I did not start making my own language. NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month. For the month of November, I am attempting to write a little bit to each story over the course of 30 days. The goal is to write at least 50,000 words by the end. Right now I'm hitting a block at Day 2 with only about 700 words done. My problem is getting the beginning of it going. I know the plot; I know the characters; I know what will happen. I just don't kow how to write how it started. Once I get this going i think I'll be much better towards the end, but here's hoping I can get the ball rolling.<br /><br />I will keep you up to date (I hope!) on this adventure, but in the meantime, if you're interested in finding out more, please go to:<br /><br />http://www.nanowrimo.orgUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1622413220443726996.post-71154844520536700652010-08-14T23:49:00.000-07:002010-08-14T23:49:19.852-07:00Give and Get is Here!<a href="http://gap.p.delivery.net/m/p/gap/giveandget/emp/sharethis.asp?id=13152689976">Give and Get is Here!</a>: "Enjoy 30% off from August 26-29 at Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy and we'll donate 5% of what you spend to a non-profit."Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1622413220443726996.post-44523044465146434842010-07-16T11:51:00.001-07:002010-07-16T13:19:44.700-07:00Another Post...So it's been a while since I've posted. Needless to say, life has just gotten more busy. In the last six months:<br /><br />- I have completed another semester of school<br />- I found out I would have to take an additional semester (so Fall 2010 will be my last semester)<br />- We moved to a house<br />- I am still considered a temp employee, but as of September 1, I will go back to being a permanent employee (although only 75% time)<br />- I got another job as a respite provider<br />- We changed wards<br />- We had our first holiday in our home<br /><br />So it doesn't sound like a lot, but trust me, it is!<br /><br />Our new place is wonderful. It's a smaller, 3-bedroom home, and I love it! I keep thinking about the house we almost got, which was 3 times the size with 2 more bedrooms, and I can't imagine keeping up with that! But, with a new home comes some troubles. We moved in March, and since that time, we've replaced part of the fence, we were tented for termites, had wiring problems (phone and power), changed the roof... it's been a lot of work, and even though we've been there for almost 4 months, there are still plenty of boxes throughout. But, aside from a fish tank, our pets have all managed to make it to our home.<br /><br />Another reason for my lack of posts is that I haven't really had my own space... until now. Before, I worked in a lunchroom. When we moved locations, I got to take whoever's desk was empty (the beauty of laptops and wireless networks!) Then I was squished into a corner desk thing with our other temp, only to find out that she would be given a cubicle. Wasn't fair, since I had seniority, and actually did research work that would need storage (she's an admin associate) but after some manoevering, it looks like I now have a cube! Eventually I will get a picture posted. Right now it's very Bohemian... because I don't have enough stuff to fill it yet.<br /><br />Well, that is all for now. Hopefully it won't be 6 months until I post again.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1622413220443726996.post-40064883148026681872010-01-02T09:37:00.001-08:002010-01-02T09:37:58.359-08:00A Test… But A Minor Test<p>I am attempting to write this blog via a new toy of mine. Last night I purchased a Dell netbook at Best Buy. At first I honestly tried to convince myself not to, but I knew it was coming.</p> <p> </p> <p>I am still in school, and thanks to the dreaded migraines of the fall, I now have an additional term of school. My original graduation was going to put this as my last semester through USU and then I could go onto my Masters. However, the fates dealt me quite a blow with the migraine debacle, and so now I have almost a full load this summer too. This then may push back my acceptance to a program, but that might be all right; I haven’t taken the GRE yet and I haven’t looked into too many schools.</p> <p> </p> <p>But to the topic at hand: The New Year</p> <p> </p> <p>It is only Day 2, but I am thinking maybe this might be a successful year. Maybe it’s because the last two ended on such odd notes. Last year was me losing my permanent position for this temporary one and the migraines. The year before, the Hubs lost HIS job. Maybe this year we will actually get somewhere, like a house or something. </p> <p> </p> <p>I hope no one thinks I am ungrateful for what we do have. Honestly in terms of work, I think we are both very lucky. Although a lot of friends may have things we don’t (home, family etc) both Hubs and I have jobs that do well. I am not just talking financially (although we do make a bit more than most our age). But we really do enjoy our work and what we do.</p> <p> </p> <p>Well, I am off to spend some of that hard-earned money. Work starts up again for me (tentatively) on Tuesday and I want to start taking lunch to work. Maybe I’ll lose some weight this year (or at least save a few bucks and not buy so much lunch!)</p> <p> </p> <p>Happy New Year to all, and to all a good year.</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1622413220443726996.post-26951130727732785102009-12-16T12:51:00.000-08:002009-12-16T13:02:05.900-08:00A Quiet FallMy apologies upfront; there have not been many updates to this particular blog. But the fall was somewhat uneventful.<br /><br />At the end of September, Iwas officially given a layoff notice in my department. Due to budget cuts (our grant was cut by nearly half) my position was terminated. After two months of submitting multiple resumes and having several interviews, nothing panned out. My last day was November 30th in Peds Endocrinology.<br /><br />I was given a severance package, which came out to about a month's worth of work and vacation. "Great," I thought, "I would take two weeks to get my stuff together, enjoy a quiet holiday and start up again the beginning of the year!" I had many ideas for my leisure time; catching up on reading (my department pooled money together and got me $150 for Barnes and Noble), plan for Christmas, get gifts, etc. I was looking forward to this break.<br /><br />But, like always, life decided to throw a curve ball.<br /><br />I was let go on Monday. Three days later on Thursday I got an email from the University's temp agency, saying they were desperate to find someone to be a Coordinator (which is the position ex-Colleague left held, slighty higher than my previous position) and asked if I was interested. I agreed and said I could come in for an interview on Monday. Friday morning, I got a call from this same temp person.<br /><br />The bad news: They did not want to interview me on Monday.<br /><br />The good news: They wanted to START me on Monday.<br /><br />Apparently, I was given great reviews from my former direct supervisor and my boss (the doctor-guy) and they did not see any reason for me to go through the rest of the process.<br /><br />As this is considered a "temp" job, I did not have to give back my severance. The downside is I do not get benefits, but they may consider keeping me on long-term.<br /><br />So far, this new job is interesting. Instead of Diabetes Kids, I work with Cancer Kids. That has been an adjustment, since it's unfamiliar territory for yours truly. But so far I have enjoyed it. I am recruiting for a study (just like I did with the Diabetes Kids) and so far, all has been pretty smooth.<br /><br />Well, sort of.<br /><br />One of the downers of being a temp: I don't have a desk. Or an office. Or a computer. I am sitting in our conference room, using a temporary laptop, because this department is going to be moving offices after the winter closure (my job closes for two weeks during the holidays; yup, just like when you were in school). When they need the conference room they throw me on top of whomever's not here at the time's desk.<br /><br />Then there's my "trainer". Very nice, but extremely scattered. On one hand I will be told that I need to do X, Y, and Z, and then, those assignments are passed off onto someone else. Go figure.<br /><br />Well, enough yammering. Back to the grindstone. Will likely get more detailed later.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1622413220443726996.post-46274370885611980662009-10-20T20:31:00.000-07:002009-10-20T20:45:53.774-07:00The Good, The Bad, and the ShakyIt feels like forever since I've updated my blog, so I thought tonight, with some downtime, I would go ahead and throw something out there.<br /><br />First the good: It appears that I will be nomadic no more. Finally, after hearing nonsense from banks, we may have a home. It's quite a bit larger than we either need or expected, but we are happy. Also, we have put in offers on several others that may be promising, so we will hopefully soo have to make a choice.<br /><br />Then the bad, and there's quite a bit: Because of budget cuts, I am losing my job. I have put in several applications, and there are a few promising leads. I actually almost see this as a good: Coworkers Left and Right are beginning to drive me nuts with double-talk and two-faced-ness. Is that a word? It is now! It has gotten to the point that I cannot take time for myself unless I am experiencing a disaster (more on that in a minute), but that everyone else is free to come and go as they please. As soon as something comes along, I will likely up and quit; no notice, no "party", nothing.<br /><br />The other part of the bad is school. I have dropped 2 of the courses I was taking due to too much work and home issues. Between the moving, the future moving, and the job hunting, I only kept what I had to to continue this semester, and will have to take the rest of the classes either next spring (to graduate in a year) or split them and finish in the summer (which will cost more). Decisions to make, but haven't decided yet.<br /><br />Now the shaky: I have been having migraines for the past week. For those who know me, I am not normally a huge migraine sufferer (Maybe 2-4 a year). When I do get them, they are mild enough that I can take some Tylenol with a can of Coke and take a nap and I should be good. But this last week they have been perpetual. The cause is many factors: eye strain, blinding office lights, and overall work stress seem to be the key players.<br /><br />On Friday I opted to go to the doctor's office and she gave me two pills; one to take daily to prevent, and one to take when they hit. I took the preventive one last night, the smallest dosage of the weakest pill imaginable (It was 10 mg; few things are that small).<br /><br />Most who know me know I am a lightweight when it comes to medication, and this was no exception. I fell asleep after taking the pill and about an hour later, I woke myself and Hubs up with tremors. It was like I was shivering all over, but I wasn't cold. I thought it was a panic attack, but I wasn't panicky until AFTER the tremors started and I couldn't stop them. It was a long batch of tremors, at least 15-20 minutes, and I eventually settled down enough to sleep, but in the morning I was completely sore from the chin down and had some difficulty breathing. I went to my doctor who promptly flushed my pills (and my $10 copay) down the toilet and said to not worry about taking any preventive migraine medicine.<br /><br />On the plus side, I woke up without a headache for a change, but the tremors were just too much to continue with the meds.<br /><br />So that's a brief update with me. I should be putting up more later, but I wanted to put up something briefly just to prove that, yes, I am alive.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1622413220443726996.post-59716891547683007872009-09-03T15:24:00.001-07:002009-09-03T16:09:16.867-07:00Saving Madeline<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7TVeg7nhT19x86zP8q6r5SOpPAywq2QN_GOGktKhgke6L7MDFuXljpVJZ0n7cGD-Tk_3fKhNaHgMcTJap4tTlLAZUDniACpi5mWKWnN06pXDHDw7X4PM4mzcgZ7qGh8ThPCo2d2Ne4B9/s1600-h/SavingMadeline.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7TVeg7nhT19x86zP8q6r5SOpPAywq2QN_GOGktKhgke6L7MDFuXljpVJZ0n7cGD-Tk_3fKhNaHgMcTJap4tTlLAZUDniACpi5mWKWnN06pXDHDw7X4PM4mzcgZ7qGh8ThPCo2d2Ne4B9/s320/SavingMadeline.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377381847269196402" /></a><br /><br /><br />I am a huge reader. Take one look in my apartment and you can tell there's a definite book worm lurking. I read whatever I can get my hands on, and read 5+ books at a time. I also go through periods, where I favor one genre over another. <br /><br />Currently, I am back in my LDS book phase, and I was hitting a bit of a wall. I didn't want to read anything doctrinal; I was looking for something to read that was nonfiction to entertain my brain as I commute to work. A major problem/flaw with LDS fiction, however, is that a lot of the stories all follow the same pattern. Cute people meet up, date, and fall in love and get married. If we're lucky, there is a twist in the plot; the man in the story is a commitment-phobe. The girl is too scattered to realize her feelings. All nice and light and, to some degree, entertaining, but I was really craving something out of the norm.<br /><br />I was very fortunate to get a chance at a sneak peek of one writer's latest work. Rachel Ann Nunes is one of the most prolific LDS fiction writers of our time (Well, my time, anyway, as a member of just under 7 years anyway!) and I jumped at the chance to read her manuscript. I admit it; initially, when I got more active in the church and found that she often wrote what can be considered "LDS chick lit" I expected the same formula and was hesitant to read her books, having been very anti-anything-girly at the time. However, I was given several of her books as gifts, notably The Independence Club and the four books in the Huntington Family series, and actually found myself enjoying them, enough so that I saw the opportunity to read Saving Madeline as something I would love to do.<br /><br />And I am glad I did.<br /><br />Although a work of fiction, the premise of the book could have come out of any newspaper across the country (and, having read about the author's inspiration, it appears it has done just that). A divorced man is arrested for kidnapping his own daughter, the four-year old title character, Madeline. After he is caught, he explains to the police, the district attorney, and his lawyer, that he had to take his daughter as his ex-wife was heavily into the drug scene, to the point where the father had reported seeing drugs in plain sight during his visits. Throughout the book, you read about this father's love for his child and his attempts to save her from falling victim to her mother's devices. <br /><br />One of the great things about this book is that it can be read by so many people from different walks of life. A lot of LDS fiction does tend to rely on knowing Mormon culture, but this book is not like that. It is the kind of book I can give to anyone and they would enjoy it.<br /><br />Also, Mrs. Nunes is a wonderful author, and her storytelling skills are excellent. Throughout the story, I felt the perspectives of the main characters; Parker, the father rescuing his daughter; as well as Caitlin, his public defender, who is struggling with her feelings about defending a guilty man and wanting to believe that Parker's motives were genuinely sincere. <br /><br />There were many subplots as well, such as Caitlin's actions that cost her client his freedom, and the interactions between Caitlin, two of her colleagues, and those with Parker. At the end of the novel, it feels as though there were no strings left dangling, and, despite the genre of the novel, the bittersweet ending tied all the loose ends together. Oftentimes we can feel cheated that we didn't know what happened to this character or that person, but such is not the case for this story.<br /><br />In a way, I have my own sad ending with this book. I enjoyed it thoroughly to the point where a part of me wished it didn't end and kept going, but like all good books should do, it entertained me and left me in anticipation for more.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1622413220443726996.post-46547459942076387292009-08-17T15:35:00.000-07:002009-08-17T15:58:47.946-07:00The long summerHello to all!<br /><br />I apologize for the lack of posting. As does so often, life gets to me.<br /><br />It's been a busy summer to say the least. There is so much travel required with The Job, and it's either too long at a place I don't want to be in (IE Fresno in 115+ degree heat) or a place I like for two short of a time (Sequoia National for an afternoon). But camps have wound down, I am actually getting two days of work off in a row instead of scattered, and life is somewhat returning to normalcy.<br /><br />So, in the news for us: A house, potentially. After much looking, praying, looking some more, yelling, and a whole lot of paperwork, we have discovered a place that met our newest set of requirements. We've had to change things around a bit. Originally, our wants were:<br /><br />1) At least three bedrooms<br />2) A yard big enough for The Dog (and, likely, a second The Dog to entertain The Dog original)<br />3) A nicer, quiet neighborhood<br /><br />Now we were just asking for<br /><br />1) Walls that aren't termite infested<br />2) Bathtubs that are actually attached to the wall like they should be instead of under the sink (MAN I wish I had a photo of that one!)<br />3) A house that does not have carpeting/paint/wallpaper/decor that is older than I am (I'll be 29 this winter, folks!)<br />4) A house that does not look like the set of a 1970's pornographic movie (LONG story, but yeah, it was bad)<br />5) A yard that does not have grass that I have to jump to see the tops of<br /><br />There are some others that were interesting, but I will have to save those for another day.<br /><br />I hate mentioning getting a house because, everytime I start to talk about it, we lose it. BUT it looks like, so far, this one sticks. We just have to wait for the bank to finalize their ends of it and we can start closing.<br /><br />It's not a bad house at all. It's five bedrooms, three baths, just under 2900 square feet and a 6500 sq. ft. lot. The kitchen is decent sized, the living room and family room are the biggest, and the bedrooms are on the smaller side, which I don't mind at all. The master bathroom is quite large, and there are his and hers walk-in closets that are just the right size (If they're too big, I start to use them as storage units!).<br /><br />There are a few downers. The family did have children/teenagers that wrote or punched a few holes in the walls, so that will obviously need to be repaired. The carpets are also in need of repair, and the whole house could use some caulking and paint. The yard will also need some lawn, especially the back, but there is plenty of shade, 6 different fruit trees, and someone already built a kennel for three dogs and a little outdoor Jacuzzi house. We might keep the tub room; the kennel has to go because there is no way The Dog will be confined there. We've also got to replace the AC unit for the chinchilla herd, since they have to be in temperature-controlled rooms. <br /><br />The biggest difficulty will be Dog and his run. The side of the house is fairly large, so we can easily put in the dog run, giving him access to the garage whenever he chooses. The only problem is that our previous owners, in addition to having three dogs (likely pits, mind you) have a litter of kittens in the garage, and three emaciated strays in the front yard. The outside cats were so skinny, you could see the skin hanging off of the mother cat and see the indentations of her hip and leg bones. I had just purchased a chicken strip lunch but didn't get around to eating it the last time we visited the home, and so I tore up the pieces (5 rather large ones) and left them for the outdoor kitties to eat. The outdoor kittens were approx. 4-6 months old, and I would say the ones inside were about a month. They were smaller than most of my chinchillas, with the exception of the Pooper, who can still be held in one hand.<br /><br />Sadly, we cannot keep these adorable cats for fear that they would eat the Birds, the Fish, the Chinchilla Herd or be loved to death by The Dog (Think Lenny from Of Mice and Men and you'll get the picture). <br /><br />I am genuinely hoping that the occupants just haven't returned to pick up the kitties. Otherwise, we may have some temporary squatters in our home. This would be okay for now, since we would need time to touch up the yard and put in the run for The Dog. But I do not want to leave Dog forever, or cause too much of a delay in acquiring Dog 2.<br /><br />This should be an exciting move. I still find leaving very hard. I cried everytime I've moved, except for the last move from out of my Parental Unit's home to our apartment. I blame the upset on having grown up and lived in the same house until I moved to college. For those who are curious, I made my first move January 2004 to Colorado, then in November of 2004 I got married and moved into married housing. December 2005/January 2006 (It was New Year's Weekend) we moved back to my Parental's home, and in July 2007 we moved to our current apartment, our first "home" in our entire 4 year marriage. Hopefully I can get a lot of pictures of the place before we pack up for good.<br /><br />Well, that is enough rambling for now. Eye strain from the computer is very much getting to me. Until next time, peoples.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1622413220443726996.post-43568236922473078582009-06-28T22:44:00.000-07:002009-06-28T22:57:41.163-07:00An Ideal ChildBeing a part of such a child-centered universe can be hard. Sometimes, I admit, any desire to have a child comes from the fact that "everyone's doing it". It's the most painful peer pressure (quite literally, when you consider labor) but it is so rampant it's not even funny.<br /><br />Anyway, we had a good "talk" the other day and I came to a realization. Seeing all the nonsense my friends have gone through and are going through, I am really hesitant to join in on the Baby Bump Club. The nausea, infections, disease, pains, etc just don't make the BBC that great. Would I love a child, though? Probably, because I have always wanted kids. I just don't think that A) We are close to ready for them, and B) I don't necessarily have to give birth to them all. <br /><br />When we first got married, we thought we would have 4-5 children. Now that I think about it, that still seems to be an okay number, but some would be adopted. I'd want to actually try pregnancy once, maybe twice if it isn't as horrible as I suspect :-).<br /><br />Then this weekend kind of changed my mind about the whole thing.<br /><br />It seems that, everywhere I go, there are children that are truly not trained to be behaved in the least. Throwing tantrums, hitting parents, constant whining... really, parents? If you want to have a child, do everyone a service and, if they don't behave, don't take them out. What kills me the most are the parents that take their toddlers out at 10:30-11 at night. That's just asking for trouble. Don't get me wrong; I understand he emergency sometimes requires taking them out, but you should at least accommodate for the fact that they will likely be fussy, crabby, etc. <br /><br />But enough on that.<br /><br />This last month there have been 6 celebrity deaths. Hands down, the strangest being Michael Jackson, David Carradine and Billy Mays. Although Carradine's is the most bizarre (so far), MJs seems to cause the most controversy. I personally know a lot of people deeply affected by this. In fact, Coworker Right was going to be in London during his tour and wanted to try to get into a show, and was devastated upon discovering his death. However there are those that think of his death as simply good riddance to bad rubbish. This is horrible, especially when you consider that it often comes from "Christians". Perhaps he made mistakes, and put himself in ridiculous situations. Yes he was tried on charges of harming children, but he was acquitted. But there were some good things about this man. He donated to more causes than any other celebrity (he currently holds the world record). He is, by far, one of the most talented and unique music artists, and an inspiration to millions. Most importantly, he is a child of God who loves him as he loves all of us, and only He can judge us. We are just supposed to love each other.<br /><br />On that note, I think I vented enough for tonight, especially considering I have to go to bed soon so that I can go to work in the morning. It should be a shortened week; we have Thursday and Friday off for the holiday.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1622413220443726996.post-34792576354629018132009-05-07T09:06:00.000-07:002009-05-07T09:33:50.149-07:00News of the WorldWell, sort of... the news of MY world, anyway.<br /><br />So it's another interesting day in my office. As I speak, maintenance is drilling a filing cabinet into our wall (hard to describe it any other way). I am by myself and have been for about an hour now. <br /><br />Lots going on in my little world. My chinchilla is pregnant again. A lot of people ask me why I keep letting them get pregnant, but I assure you, it was an accident. She was with a boy cagemate because we were sure she was sterile, and then, when I came home from my birthday party, we had a baby! Since Solo Baby was already dry, she was at least 6 or 7 hours old, enough time for Daddy to try again (and, it looks like, succeeding). The one downer is that these babies, if they do not come out in the next week, will be born while we are in Las Vegas. <br /><br />We actually have a long list of plans for this month. This weekend is Mother's Day, which will be with my mom on Saturday, and hub's family on Sunday. Then I have a few days of work, followed by Vegas. The tentative plan is to see Angels and Demons either at midnight on Thursday or really early Friday morning, then leaving for Vegas Friday mid-day-ish. Saturday is the event I have to attend (A Diabetes day camp) and then we will be driving home sometime Sunday. I will have work that week, and then Friday is a mandatory day off due to budget cuts, so we chose that as the start of my vacation. From Friday, May 22nd until June 1st I will be AWOL from the office. We haven't figured out what we'll be doing because hubby STILL hasn't been approved for the vacation (gotta love that boss, really). We originally planned on DC for the first week, and UT for the weekend, but it doesn't look feasible with Hub not getting his request approved yet. So we'll have to see.<br /><br />On top of all this, I have classes starting on Monday. Wish me luck; it's been over a year since I've had to do "school work". I've done the full-time-school-plus-full-time-work thing, but it wasn't easy. On the plus side, the courses are all online (the previous attempt involved the in-person classes) so I should, in theory, be able to accomplish this.<br /><br />Well, I am off to go back to work. Coworker Left showed up, and with the makeup and perfume, smells like a crayon. GAGUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1622413220443726996.post-61241794064222211202009-04-22T11:51:00.000-07:002009-04-22T12:12:36.759-07:00People and procreationDon't worry; this isn't as vulgar as it sounds. Just something that popped into my head and I decided to rant on it.<br /><br />Recently I read that Octomom AKA Nadya Suleman was in talks for a reality show. For those of you who don't know, she had given birth to octuplets earlier this year, which would normally be newsworthy in a good way. However, it soon came out that Nadya already had 6 other children, lives on welfare and disability, and does not even have a job to provide for herself, much less the 14 children she has had. <br /><br />I read the comments that were posted with said article from readers, and people commented on this woman's life, saying she was just a glory hog. They then began to compare her to other reality show large families, such as the Duggars of 18 kids and counting, the Gosselins from Jon and Kate plus 8, and more recently the Hayes family from Table for 12. Essentially, these people were commenting that these four families (and others like them with multiples) should not be given the chance to have other children, and definitely shouldn't be given television shows to parade their kids like a freak show at a circus.<br /><br />I couldn't just sit back, so I posted. A summary of my thoughts is as follows:<br /><em><br />I do not see why there is any comparison between the families shown on TLC (the aforementioned Gosselins, Hayes, and Duggars) to the actions of this woman if but for one reason: These families actually WORK for a living and attempt to provide for their children themselves. Prior to their pregnancies, the men had stable jobs (and, in the Gosselin's case, so did the wife) and were able to foot the bill, or at least attempt it in their pregnancies. And in all three families, they are still bringing in money aside from endorsements and their television shows.</em><br /><br />This then made me think of my own environment. Being LDS, there is a big push for family, and many cannot understand why I do not have children yet. There are a variety of reasons, differing at each point in our marriage, but there was one big constant throughout the last four years: it wasn't possible. I don't mean necessarily that we couldn't because of a medical condition. I mean that we did not have the necessary stability to have a child. In my mind I had a few requirements before I would ever consider bringing a child into this world. We needed stability, in terms of having a stable job and in a situation where we wouldn't have the need to constantly move. I would like to have insurance to cover the necessary medical costs, not only because it would help with the bills, but that would "prove" that we had job stability. <br /><br />A lot of people don't understand why I would do this. Go forth and procreate; God will find a way. And I have to ask why those without these things WOULD still have baby after baby. I am not one to say "Oh, you shouldn't have kids unless you have all of these things like I do". But I do wonder why some people do it; they have children and move in with their parents who will pay their bills and rent and everything else while they go off and have fun. I don't understand why a couple would try for a baby without having a job or a place to live. I don't understand how another couple with a lot of financial and emotional stress already on their plate would keep trying for more children. <br /><br />Again, I'm not saying people in this spot SHOULDN'T have children, but if you're in a bad place, why would you consciously try to bring a child into the world in this condition? I love children just as much as anyone else, but really, people, I think that if you cannot afford to keep yourself ok and safe, then why bring in these innocent souls to be squatters and bums?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1622413220443726996.post-37566277330417667452009-03-20T08:24:00.000-07:002009-03-20T08:40:40.547-07:00Making the rounds of updatesI've lost track: HOW LONG has it been since I've updated things?<br /><br />I'd check, but I'm too lazy.<br /><br />Right now I'm at work. It's just me this morning (Coworker right has a dentist appointment and won't be in until noon-ish; coworker left is just lazy and won't show until sometime after 10:30 most likely). Currently, I'm waiting on a visit for what is now considered MY study, who should be here any minute.<br /><br />After my team went to Vegas... again... without me... it was decided that I would be in charge of the Natural History portion of our department. That entails screening of family members, processing samples (yes, of blood) and reading off results and notifying any families if they are indeed positive. Positive results mean that the person has the antibodies associated with developing Type 1 Diabetes, putting them at an increased risk of developing it. There are a few options at this point: depending on what antibodies they are positive for, they can either go for one of our two prevention studies (the newest isn't completely up yet) or stay in Natural History, where we do blood tests twice a year to follow up and see if they did indeed develop Type 1.<br /><br />It is a lot of work, since there are more NH patients than we have of our other 5 studies combined. Plus there's the screening, which is several thousand a year from us and our affiliates... so yah, you get the idea. It's a lot of work.<br /><br />I've been getting a bit of grief from Coworker Left in regards to this. Since I have been here, Coworker Right (my actual supervisor) has been wanting me to take over NH, making things more streamline, but Coworker Left (who THINKS she's my boss) keeps insisting on doing things her way, which was how things were done before. From what it seems like, it wasn't very successful. For example, by my count, our numbers for clinic last year were approximately 150 screenings the entire year, and I have almost caught up to that... in less than three months. I have also been given a hard time about how I delegate my time (IE You shouldn't go here that day, or you should stay in the office, or you have to do a half-day here and there). I approached Coworker Right about this yesterday, as well as other concerns, and I think it's finally dawning on her that Coworker Left isn't forthright with her own doings. <br /><br />But enough complaining.<br /><br />It looks like I will be at one of the Vegas events in May. Originally, Coworker Left took it upon herself to schedule all of our events. Anything that required staying in a nice hotel or a plane ride, she got. Anything that was a day trip was mine. I asked Right to go over this, and she helped stand up for me and let me go to one of the Vegas trips (as Left has gone twice this year, and plans on going again next month... there were three other Vegas events and she planned on attending them all). <br /><br />So May will likely be another good travel month. After our Vegas trip, hubby and I would like to go to the east coast. I was not given the go-ahead to go to Washington DC with the rest of my team, so I want to go out before it gets too warm. Plus, hubby has a reunion in UT at the end of May, so the way I envision it, we will go to Vegas the weekend of the 16th, leave for DC the 20th, stay a week, fly to Salt Lake maybe on the 28th or 29th, and return home the 31st. At least, that's what I'd like to do.<br /><br />Well, time to actually put forth effort at work.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1622413220443726996.post-18269095842538602482009-02-02T15:14:00.000-08:002009-02-02T15:39:52.329-08:00Another one bites the dustSo, it's official... I'm slowly creeping towards the big 3-0! I've never noticed as much gray in my hair, never counted how many opportunities I should've jumped on. <br /><br />Overall it was a party and a half, and I wouldn't have changed a moment of it.<br /><br />Thursday was lunch with the hubby. I got off work early and went to a cafe by the office. Really nice and quick, with time for me to just come home afterwards and take a much-needed nap. I swear I've been running around a lot, but I'm not sure doing what sometimes.<br /><br />Friday was a pre-party dinner. Again, in Palo Alto. Again in a place that required cloth as opposed to paper (or, in our case, WalMart bargain bin) table cloths. The napkins were cloth as well, and not dispensed from some clown's mouth. It was nice to be civilized (at least, pretend to be) and split a fancy-pants dessert with my husband. Honestly, how many desserts have rock sea salt and chocolate bacon brittle???<br /><br />And, yes, I thought it was gross too, but Hubby enjoyed it immensely.<br /><br />It was during this time that Hubby asked me what I wanted for my birthday, and I said another chinchilla. I have 11 that range in age from 4 weeks to 6 years, not all by choice, but all loved nonetheless. He said I was nuts to want an even dozen and would have no hand in giving me #12.<br /><br />Saturday was the big day and (thankfully) more casual. The morning consisted of going to the gun range with Hubby, Only Brother and a cousin (My mom's actual cousin, so a cousin once removed I guess? I've never figured how that works). Yours truly was an excellent shot, although I kept shooting low on the target, so depending on your perspective, I either had a head shot to Verne Troyer (MiniMe) or I caused a potential target to bleed out internally. Either way, pretty cool.<br /><br />This little expedition only took about an hour and a half, and by noon I was on the couch at Mom's watching Family Guy with Hubby and Only Brother. After I woke up, the whole family went to dinner: Mom, Dad, Oldest Sister, Older Sister with her Hub and Three, Only Brother with Only Boy, and Hubby. And this other place was classy; very redneck and, despite FDA warnings, peanuts on every table and shells covering every inch of the floor!<br /><br />We went for cupcake cake for dinner at my Parent's house afterwards, and so by 7:30 we were done. Not one to just bum around, I took my birthday money and hit The Bookstore. Before I did, though, I had to take Oldest Niece over to meet the baby chinchillas. While there, I happened to glance into another cage and noticed a small speck of blood. Hubby said not to worry; they fought the other day and it was probably nothing. So I shrugged it off.<br /><br />After books and dropping off Niece, I came home to feed my animals, only to hear the baby chinchilla cheep... except it wasn't coming from the baby chinchilla cage. It came from the cage with the blood. Sure enough, Chinchilla 12 had made her debut sometime during the day. She currently resides with mom in the Maternity Ward (a cage set up special for newborns) with Dad next to them.<br /><br />Yesterday was the SuperBowl and, rather than go party, we had our own party. Mom, Oldest Sister, Oldest Niece, Hubby and I cheered and yelled the whole time and likely scared some of our neighbors in the process, but oh well. It was good; the game, the snacks (I made my own version of buffalo chicken wings using from-scratch BBQ and drumsticks).<br /><br />And now, I sit at my desk. Coworker Left is gone today at one of the clinics from the previous blog. Coworker Right was here today, but both coworkers will be departing to Sin City tomorrow and won't return until Thursday. So I am alone in my office, blogging and playing on the computer. I have enough to do so that, if I finish it all, it LOOKS like I did a lot, but in all honesty, won't take me more than a half day to do.<br /><br />Well, back to "work".Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1622413220443726996.post-66381634469252913072009-01-30T15:43:00.000-08:002009-01-30T15:46:07.534-08:0025 Random ThingsYes, I know, this is something on Facebook that I received also, but I thought I would post this out here for the Cyber World as well!<br /><br />1.) As much as I dream of travel, the farthest east I have gotten is Dallas, TX, and I've only been out of the country once, and that was to Tijuana (aka South San Diego).<br />2.) I am only one of two family members to have completed a 4-year college degree (and the only one ever to have gone to grad school)<br />3.) I have one of the weirdest pet peeves: warm seats. Doesn't matter what kind of seat, but it always grosses me out like no other!<br />4.) I often wonder if my birth certificate is a mistake and I am really younger than I am. I sure feel like it.<br />5.) I've only had three relationships. I was engaged twice. Married once (so far. HA!)<br />6.) Up until high school, for a variety of reasons, I would usually miss out on 30 days of school. Yet I had a 4.0.<br />7.) I have started to (or declared) the following majors in college: History, Sociology, Pre-law, Criminal Justice, Child and Adolescent Development, Psychology, Early Childhood Education, Speech Pathology and Human Development and Family Studies (what I eventually got my degree in). In all I've attended 4 universities and 2 junior colleges, not counting the correspondence course I took from BYU and the stint in the Air Force ROTC at UC Berkeley.<br />8.) Most of my favorite things fluctuate with whatever I happen to have on my mind at the time, but the few that stay the same are "Pizza", "Winter", "Gun Powder", "Tombstone", and "Chaplin".<br />9.) I do have a love for science and biology, however have never done well in a course in college.<br />10.) I always joke that I am the love child of my mom and the mailman because I stand out from my family so much: I'm the only one without glasses, the only one without a need for braces, and the only one obsessed with history and literature. This is on both sides of the family, including nieces and nephews.<br />11.) I learned to play the piano at age 3, and can play both the piano and clarinet by ear. In fact when we were in Colorado, I memorized 10 hymns in an hour on the clarinet. But I can't read sheet music to save my life.<br />12.) The menagerie I currently own is not the first time I've had so many animals. In junior high, my backyard became the haven for unwed single mother cats. We had 7 kittens in our yard, plus the mothers.<br />13.) When I leave for work, I do what I call the "changing of the guard". I cover my chinchillas and uncover everyone else. As I do so, I'll sing "Good Morning" to them. I'll even say goodbye to each one of them by name, but that's usually when I'm stalling.<br />14.) When I applied to Stanford for work, I was told that it would take 25-30 applications to get an interview, and at least 40 before I would be offered a job. I applied to one position, my current one, and got it.<br />15.) My best subjects in school were math and music. My favorites, however, are psychology and history.<br />16.) I've never experienced the death of a close friend or family member.<br />17.) My mom used to tell me that God gave me the weather I wanted for my birthday, because it was always sunny. When I decided to move to Colorado, I prayed for snow. My first snowfall was on my birthday.<br />18.) Before moving to Colorado, I have never lived in another house aside from the one I grew up in. That's almost 23 years of the same roof.<br />19.) I think that, if finances and life permits, I would love a large family. I don't necessarily want to give birth to them all, though.<br />20.) I recently entered my books on a reading list website. So far, it totals about 850 books. That's not counting church books, cooking books, text books, or all the stuff still at my parent's place.<br />21.) If I could go anywhere internationally, it would be Paris to see the Louvre. In the states, either DC or the OK Corral.<br />22.) The number 17 has always been lucky to me. I moved to Colorado on the 17th. I graduated on the 17th. Got married on the 17th. Didn't have a sweet 16, but a 17th birthday party. I'm sure there's other stuff, but you get the picture.<br />23.) Every one of my animals that I currently have were named after a character either from a movie or a book. Chris is the exeption, and he was almost Grissom.<br />24.) A lot of my email addresses are JMBPerry. Everyone assumes the B is for my maiden name. It's actually for what my parents almost named me.<br />25.) I had several other possible careers when I was younger. At one point I wanted to be a criminal profiler. I was offered an internship for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms in their bomb squad, and because I scored a 97 on the ASVAB for the military, it was suggested that I go into Military Intelligence.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1622413220443726996.post-31965371844200511922009-01-26T13:43:00.001-08:002009-01-26T14:20:27.622-08:00She works hard for the money.... Eeh-ehh, eeh-eeh.So, here I am, once again gracing the clinic with my presence, offering up to leech anyone of 10 mls of blood to see if they have a chance of developing the same disease their family member has (Type 1 Diabetes). <br /><br />There are two clinics in the area, clinic A and clinic B. Clinic A was visited once a month by my Coworker Left, and I covered Clinic B. However, because of the low numbers, it was decided by the doctors that we visit BOTH clinics EVERY week, and rather than have us come down here a lot, we only come Mondays and need to watch both of the clinics, easy a 15-minute drive from each other (albeit both on the same major street). <br /><br />Most of the problem is with Clinic A. The physicians and staff there don't really care about recruiting so much, and in the past year (all of 2008) they have only had 3 people screened (to put in perspective: This month at our university's clinic I had 9 screened two weeks ago, and 5 last week. And these are just Wednesday afternoons, not all-day things). It makes me sad that these people want the prestige associated with this university but do not want to put forth the effort to help make it better through research. <br /><br />Today I've had a few screenings already and should have some more this afternoon (two that I know of for sure anyway). As weird as this sounds, I have a fascination with blood. There's a lot of reasons for this. Holding that tube is like holding life. After all, blood is in living things, and is essential to them. There is also the idea that, when it comes down to it, we are all made up of this same stuff, so in a sense we are all the same, but that something so small makes us unique. And our uniqueness is in this warm liquid that flows through us.<br /><br />OK... enough of the romanticism about blood. I feel enough like a vampire as it is. On to other stuff.<br /><br />Today during lunch I went through the two bookstores; BN and the church bookstore. My one positive to covering both clinics is that, smack in between is a BN and an LDS bookstore. I hadn't set foot in a BN since before Christmas, and the last time I was at the LDS bookstore would have to be the same, but I haven't bought anything there since last October's conference. I made up for it though. I bought 6 books there, plus magazines and a framed art piece at BN that was regularly $35 but with discounts and sales it was only $7.50. It's really beautiful; a comet shooting across the sky over Stonehenge. Very cool indeed.<br /><br />I had to be really selective about what books I read now. Since I'm trying to work out more, I'm bringing stuff "to do" during the workouts. I usually do the bikes and the treadmill, and have to keep my mind occupied so I don't feel so much like I'm "working out" but just enjoying myself. I've found myself bringing four things with me: my Tazmanian Devil key with the chip to unlock the gym; a book, my iPod ear buds because they have TVs attached to each piece of equipment (except for weights, of course) and a bottle of water. I do look odd in there, with ear bugs on attached to a television that I listen to, but don't really watch because I am too busy reading what's going on to Stephanie Plum, and yet I can tell you who she's hunting as well as what Paula Deen prepared on her show. <br /><br />I've only been working out for a few weeks now, and although I don't have a scale to track my progress per se, I am noticing a difference. I do tend to eat less, and I feel lighter in general. I've also learned a few things, the most important being not to watch Food Network while you're working out, and to learn to stretch more to increase flexibility. <br /><br />Well, enough yammering on my part. Time to start working and writing!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1622413220443726996.post-63935546256059224372009-01-16T13:21:00.000-08:002009-01-16T13:28:15.783-08:00Yes, Virginia, Chivarly ISN'T Dead!I had an interesting encounter on the bus yesterday. Being my lazy self (that's what happens when I only get one day off in a week) I jumped on the absolutely last bus I could without having to drive to work. Needless to say, there were 20 people ahead of me in line already, and the bus looked already to capacity with other folks who couldn't shake off the humpday sleep and opted to come to work late. Wearily I ascended the stairs of the bus only to, surely enough, get stuck standing smack-dab in the middle of the bus. <br /><br />As I sighed and began to load my purse and backpack into the overhead cargo, a man (probably 45-ish) stood up from his chair and insisted I take his seat! I wasn't sure if I should be shocked by this generosity, or appalled that he likely thought I was pregnant and need to seriously lose some weight! Either way, I was moved.<br /><br />It reminded me of my dating days. Growing up ultra-lib, I never expected men to hold doors for me (to buildings or to cars) or any of the other subtleties of chivalry. You can ask my husband about racing him to the car so he couldn't open the door. And it wasn't just me that had this problem: I lost count of how many girls have raced my husband or any male to the car door so they don't open it.<br /><br />It gave me inspiration, and an idea of sorts: What about a dating book, not on how to get a date, but how to ACT on the date? What are the do's and don'ts that I can pass on from my own insane dating experiences?<br /><br />So that is the new project of mine: To write like no other. At least this time it's not fiction (which, btw, is still in the works).Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1622413220443726996.post-37774163633942638542008-12-29T22:01:00.000-08:002008-12-29T22:03:02.481-08:00The Books of 2008<p class="MsoNormal">Last year I almost got close to the goal of reading one book per week (I think I got 51, but then found something else I had read, but didn’t add it, so I might have actually made my goal). This year, with all the insanity, I aspired for the same goal, but I don’t feel like I’ve made it. But here is what I have managed to read this past year. There is no order to the list; it’s as I grab them and type them in!</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">1)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->No Longer Stranger – Rachel Ann Nunes</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">2)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Surprise Packages – Nancy Anderson, Lael Littke, and Carroll Hofeling Morris</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">3)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Stolen Innocence – Elissa Wall</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">4)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Lemon Meringue Pie Muder – Joanne Fluke</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">5)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Chicken Soup for the Latter-Day Saint Soul – Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Sherm and Peg Fugal</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">6)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Priceless Moments – Carol Lynn Pearson</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">7)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->As Always, Dave – Jack Weyland</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">8)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The Runaway Mother – Carol Lynn Pearson</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">9)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Reunion – Allyson Braithwaite Condie</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">10)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The 6<sup>th</sup> Target – James Patterson</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">11)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->On A Whim – Lisa McKendrick</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">12)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Blueberry Muffin Murder – Joanne Fluke</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">13)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Strawberry Shortcake Murder – Joanne Fluke</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">14)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->B Is For Burglar – Sue Grafton</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">15)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Summer of Truth – Carol Lynn Pearson</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">16)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->I Just Got a Letter From Allyson Pringle – Anya Bateman</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">17)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Forrest Gump – Winston Groom</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">18)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Goodbye, I Love You – Carol Lynn Pearson</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">19)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Jenny McCarthy – Life Laughs </p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">20)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Marley and Me – John Grogan</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">21)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Twilight – Stephenie Meyer</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">22)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder – Joanne Fluke</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">23)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->By Morning Light – Rachel Ann Nunes</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">24)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Toss the Guilt and Catch the Joy – Merrilee Boyack</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">25)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->4<sup>th</sup> of July – James Patterson</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">26)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The 5<sup>th</sup> Horseman – James Patterson</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">27)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Murder By Numbers – Kaye Morgan</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">28)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Fudge Cupcake Murder – Joanne Fluke</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">29)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Sugar Cookie Murder – Joanne Fluke</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">30)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Transformers – Alan Dean Foster</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">31)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Along Came A Spider – James Patterson</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">32)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Sheep’s Clothing – Josi Kilpack</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">33)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Delicious Conversation – Jennifer Stewart Griffith</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">34)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Cherry Cheesecake Murder – Joanne Fluke</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">35)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Peach Cobbler Murder – Joanne Fluke</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">36)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->A Is For Alibi – Sue Grafton</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">37)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->3<sup>rd</sup> Degree – James Patterson</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">38)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Her Good Name – Josi Kilpack</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">39)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Step On A Crack – James Patterson</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">40)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Key Lime Pie Murder – Joanne Fluke</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">41)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->A Tisket A Tasket a Fancy Stolen Casket – Fran Rizer</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">42)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The Quickie – James Patterson</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">43)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The Mistress’s Daughter – AM Homes</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">44)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->One Lost Boy – David Beagley</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">45)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Sinister Sudoku – Kaye Morgan</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">46)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Foul Play – Janet Evanovich</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">47)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Taking Chances – Shannon Guymon</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">48)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Here’s the Story – Maureen McCormick</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">49)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Multiple Blessings – Jon and Kate Gosselin and Beth Carson</p> <p class="MsoNormal">So, not too shabby. I still have two days left, and I’ve got three books that I’ve been working on, so who knows if I’ll pull it off this year. If I get 50, though, I think I’ll be ecstatic!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1622413220443726996.post-79723699696967530712008-11-12T11:17:00.002-08:002008-11-13T22:35:20.997-08:00Ch-ch-ch-changes!<div>There's a lot going on in my small world, and surprisingly, I'm doing well with it all.</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>I'm not one who actually ENJOYS change for the most part. I lived in the same house until I was (almost) 23, and then moved around 4 times in almost 5 years. I moved to student housing in Colorado January 2004, then to married student housing November 2004. We moved back to California New Years January 2006 and into our apartment July 2007. Now, here it is before Thanksgiving of 2008, and we find ourselves moving again.</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>This time, it's to our first home.</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>I wanted to pick up Chris on Sunday to go to the lake in Newark. I thought he would enjoy it; it's infested with some of the UGLIEST ducks you will ever see (They look like dalmatian-geese but with iridescent spots) and oodles of dogs to be friendly with, even if the other dogs don't want to be friendly. On the way down to my folks' house to pick him up, I noticed the usual OPEN HOUSE signs that litter the main streets of Newark. I had to follow one of them, and although it took us a while, we found the house on the corner, a little three-bedroom house with the walk-in closet, the huge bathtub, and large yard that I wanted in a house, and more. The original owners took awesome care of the house, and there are NO repairs needed at all! The only downside of the house is that, to put Chris in the garage, I would have to pull him into the glass door by the kitchen and put him in the garage through the house (all of 5 feet). And there's no AC for the chin-children, but as we are approaching Christmas, I can put it in later on if needed.</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>The price is high and we haven't heard from the broker, so that was a bit discouraging, but then the realtor let us know that, because the family hadn't received the offer they wanted, they were willing to rent the home to someone who would stay with it for at least a year for the same rent that we pay at our apartment.</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Needless to say, we've been salivating over that house since. The paperwork is already filled out to rent and the realtor and family both know that we would love to work out a rent-to-own deal as well. It's just a matter of time now.</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>On top of which, Jeff is still jobless. Not by choice; the offers are coming through after the fourth or fifth interview. The only downer is that the interviews are so far between, that he's getting discouraged. At least the house looks clean though.</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Logically speaking we will be out of the apartment by Christmas, so no more poolside views or walking distance to the gym we never used. Although I still have copies of the pool keys, so I can go swim if I want to, but the yard in the back is large enough to have our own pool.</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>I'm surprised by how easily I am accepting this new phase in my life. Between the new job, the new house, and everything else, I'm actually fine with it all.</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>More thoughts to come...</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1622413220443726996.post-1041901863257925442008-10-31T10:06:00.000-07:002008-10-31T11:12:32.473-07:00Bits, Pieces and the likeI swear I tend to do most of my blogging when my coworkers are away, instead of at home. That's what happens when your ish-ness is all together before Friday rolls around!<br /><br />So I am by myself here in the office. Coworker A is on a trip (work-related, but I don't see how a 3-hour car drive can take an entire weekend, and have her miss three days of work for it!) and Coworker B doesn't work Fridays, but will be in with me tomorrow for a study visit.<br /><br />Today I'm wearing my Harry Potter shirt, in honor of Halloween. On the front it says "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." (For those who aren't insane Potter fanatics, it's what you say to get the Marauder's Map, a map that tells where EVERYONE is, to work). On the back it says "Mischief Managed" (How you close the map). Everyone so far has gotten a chuckle, so I may go with holiday-and-event-themed T-shirts. And why not? I had a T-shirt for the JDRF walks, for when I had to participate in them, and now this. I swear, Tuesday, I'm coming in with my "Vote For Pedro" shirt!<br /><br />Speaking of politics, I cannot WAIT until this is all over. Between having to hear about the presidential candidates at nausea for the past, what, two and a half YEARS and then the Prop. 8 nonsense, I am so done!<br /><br />Proposition 8, for those not in the know, is to create an amendment in the California Constitution to keep marriages between a man and a woman. Now, don't get me wrong; I am totally all-pro-gay. Some of my best friends were/are gay. I have nothing against the lifestyle and find this particular cohort to be some of the most accepting people on the planet. However, I have a lot going against me.<br /><br />Being a Latter-Day Saint, we are taught that marriage is between a man and a woman and that one of our divine callings is to marry and have children so that His spirits can be on this earth. Sex out of marriage, regardless of who is engaging, is a sin and that homosexuality is a bigger sin since it involves same-gender attraction.<br /><br />Although the church leaders and the prophet have said that we as Saints should do all that we can to support this constitutional amendment, basically saying we ought to vote for the amendment to happen. But I have found a lot of struggles with it.<br /><br />For one, I know many LDS people (especially in my ward) who have just gone off of the deep end. They've gone door to door soliciting people for votes. They've donated lots of money to the cause. They've sent forwards saying that by not voting for this legislation, kindergarteners will be exposed to homosexual teachings and that 5-year olds will be taught about homosexuality (this despite the superintendent of schools saying that is simply not true). The worst was when, during fast and testimony meeting, the majority of my ward bore their testimony of Prop. 8. Fast and Testimony meetings are meant to show your thankfulness to Heavenly Father and his Son for all that They have done for you, not to talk about the latest efforts in a political agenda.<br /><br />At first I thought I was alone with this. On message boards and at church I am/was considered an outcast because I refused to ignore and cast aside those living this lifestyle. In a stake conference (when a bunch of wards, or congregations, meet in one super-meeting of sorts) a regular church member went to the pulpit and said that we should cast aside our friends and family who do not live a lifestyle like our own. WHAT???? That's horrible!!! I mean, my family consists of wonderful, helpful, productive members of society but, according to this man, I have to shun my oldest sister because she doesn't want to get married, or my brother and older sister because they drink. Although he's quitting, my dad's a smoker of 50+years and both he and my mom drink coffee. So I need to shun them? I think he's GREATLY mistaken!<br /><br />But I digress... back to Prop. 8<br /><br />So I feel like a leper. I understand what the church is TRYING to say, and I feel like I ought to vote for 8, but something's missing. I feel for these people and their agency.<br /><br />But appparently I'm not alone.<br /><br />I was at the church bookstore one day during lunch and the clerk and I got into a lengthy discussion. I was purchasing books by Carol Lynn Peterson, a great LDS author who has a first-person perspective of the "gay lifestyle". She met her husband after his mission at BYU, and they had four children together. I believe she was carrying baby #4 when her husband came out of the closet for good (he had struggled with homosexual tendencies) and they stayed close friends until his death in the late 80s from AIDS. I had bought her memoirs of this time period (<u>Goodbye, I Love You</u>) as well as the Setting The Record Straight book on Homosexuality, and so naturally Prop 8 came up. She told me about a dear family friend who was like an older brother to her and how much she loved having him and his partner in her life as well as her (now ex) husband's. She had the same feelings that I did: That she would vote Yes because the Prophet and the brethren said to, but that she did not feel like going door-to-door to condemn homosexuality was something she could personally do. I was surprised. There's someone ELSE with the same struggle! In a way, I felt validated in my feelings (after all, if someone else is having them...) and it helped clarify some things for me.<br /><br />In all honesty, I still am not sure I'll vote at all for this. I've been trying to come to terms as to WHY to vote for it, and when I tell myself to just say yes, that still small voice keeps telling me "You need to look into it more before you say yes. Keep looking." So there's still a small piece of the puzzle missing.<br /><br />Well, I've spent more time on this than I care to admit. I am going back to "work" now. I hope you all have a wonderful Halloween and be sure to save me the peanut butter cupsUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1622413220443726996.post-20662568714115548162008-10-20T11:11:00.000-07:002008-10-20T11:20:43.462-07:00Slightly Fed Up...... With insensitive, stupid people.<br /><br />So, I admit, I'm not the easiest person to get along with at times, but this past weekend was too much for my little system.<br /><br />For the most part, in a friendship (or any relationship, really) I don't always call/email/text at random because I am afraid to be a bother to people. I don't like calling at an inappropriate time, and try to avoid this. However, this last weekend was too much.<br /><br />I realize, friends, that sometimes I get to be difficult to catch. It's the result of having to work 50+ hours a week in addition to take care of critters, husband, and house, but if it is something that you truly need me for, I try to be the first one to help out. However, this last weekend, I have been blown off by so many, I'm ready to go back to the middle of Colorado and camp out by NORAD.<br /><br />It wouldn't be such a blow to my ego, except this happened ALL WEEKEND from MANY different people, people I considered family or friends. Oddly enough, my own family members have been the more "there" for me this weekend, which isn't something they often do for a wide variety of reasons.<br /><br />So, this is a notice to all: I'm done. It's fine if you still want to be friends, but I'm going completely hands off now. I hate this one-sided friendship thing, where I'll drop a line, make a comment, etc and get ignored. I feel like a stalker, and I know I'm not.<br /><br />So now I am accepting applications for new friends. Doesn't take much in terms of time or commitment. I just need someone to throw ideas at on occassion, and I am willing to reciprocate however I can. Just let me know if you have an interest.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1622413220443726996.post-67940897008592924952008-10-14T20:52:00.000-07:002008-10-14T21:27:06.158-07:00Viva Las VegasSo we made it home from Las Vegas in one piece (although we did come home REALLY late) and life is crazy to say the least.<br /><br />I didn't get to sleep until late (like, 3 AM!) and woke up around 7-ish because I had to return the car. I stuck around long enough to finish some paperwork, listen to The Pseudo-boss of me complain and bicker, and get my time card squared away. I get a day off this week though, and I'm hoping for Friday!<br /><br />Also, we came home to work-related nonsense, and not just my own. Jeff's supervisors are suspending him temporarily for something that has NOTHING TO DO with him. Others stole from the store and because he is an AGM (Assistant General Manager) he was written up and suspended. They'll let him know their "decision" on Thursday. Mine is to jump ship. I mean, he's had to deal with the nonsense of work for about a year now, and it's insane that they're blaming him for something he didn't have anything to do with.<br /><br />But enough of that... on to the happiness.<br /><br />We're actually considering moving to Vegas after this weekend. The houses out there were GORGEOUS and much for affordable than anything we can find in California. It's totally something we want to consider, if not now, in the future.<br /><br />The work stuff went well too. We only worked about half of the day on Saturday (The walk was cut short due to the cold weather), and on Sunday I got to do home visits with a local phlebotomist. We had about 30 people screened, which is a lot, and made the trip well worth it, work-wise.<br /><br />In terms of fun, we had TONS! Jeff seemed to really love the Coca Cola and the M&M store. We came home with loads of toys and candies and souvenirs.<br /><br />We didn't just shop like crazy, though. We also went to go see Cirque du Soleil: Love. That's the one with the Beatles music. It was so awesome! It was kind of hard to pay attention to the "plot" but the music and acrobatics were wonderful.<br /><br />I've got oodles of photos to post (once I figure this thing out) and I'll have to share them with the cyber-verse.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1622413220443726996.post-44252355387164434792008-10-07T11:30:00.000-07:002008-10-07T11:45:04.007-07:00The Good, The Bad, and The UglyThe Good: I depart from Vegas in less than 48 hours! I'm way excited, and super happy that I'm starting to feel much better. No fever anymore, still some coughing and hacking (enough to disturb my coworkers; thank goodness for Purell!) and a little fatigue, but I'm generally lazy anyway. I can't wait! I want to go to the M&M store, the Coke store, the Vegas temple... the works!<br /><br />The Bad: My trip to Bakersfield was cancelled. I keep telling everyone I was "about halfway down". The truth of the matter was that I had overslept and instead of leaving at 8 like we intended, I WOKE UP at 8! We didn't end up leaving until after 9, and by 9:15 I got the call saying it was cancelled because the worker whom I was meeting down there forgot the consent forms (can't draw blood without permission, huh?). So I basically got to rent an '08 Jetta on Saturday for free. It worked out because I got to "watch" conference, go to the church bookstore, and drive the car around on The University's dime. It worked out, too, because I was still pretty hacky and cough-y (Are those even words?)<br /><br />The Ugly: I didn't really get to watch Conference too much. Unfortunately, we slept through most of it, although we did catch the majority of the first session. Thank goodness for DVRs! Now we'll just have to set aside some time to WATCH them!<br /><br />Well back to work...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0