Bees

One of Kristen's favorite books is "The Secret Life of Bees" by Susan Monk Kidd. She has wanted me to read this book for some time. I was resistant for a couple of reasons. First and foremost is that I am petrified of bees. I mean seriously has anyone ever seen "My Girl"? Bees could swarm at any moment when you are searching for a mood ring and you could die!!!

I for love of Kristen gathered my courage in my hands and embarked upon reading said book. I have to tell you that I finished it last night. If you have not read this book I would suggest that you give it a whirl. It was a beautiful story about women and finding mother's in our lives and within ourselves. By the time I turned the last page last night I felt like my heart was being squeezed so tightly by joy. The title character's name is Lily and she just makes you want to be friends with her. I give this book two enthusiastic thumbs up! If someone who is scared of bees can give this book a chance and learn to love it, believe me you can too.

Weekend in Review

This weekend I had the unfortunate experience of having to work on Saturday. When others were surely sleeping in and reveling in the start of the Easter weekend, I was at work from around 8:30 to 3:30. I was there to oversee some movers that I had hired who were rearranging our office to accomodate some new people we just hired.

The end result for me in the move puts me in what was formerly the supply closet. Happy day indeed when your office is a closet (at least I got to keep my stapler!)

Sunday was a wonderful day. I went to church with the fam at 9:00 a.m. Quote of the day goes to HB. He wasn't in the cheeriest of Easter moods. When I leaned in and said, "What's wrong? Didn't the Easter Bunny find you this morning?" His reply was, "Yes.....and he dumped all over me!" Easter pearls for the annals of time.

Easter dinner was lovely, Candy and her family joined us, along with my Grandma Dorothy and my Mom's brothers Gene and Jeff. Candy delighted my heart by bringing us some cupcakes in the shape of easter eggs decorated by her, and made with her AMAZING frosting. MMMMMM, let's just say I had two, and I don't even feel bad about it.

Followed up dinner and a good hang out with the fam by heading out to the Kristen and Jon's where Kristen, Jon, Erin and I read some Easter scriptures and had a wonderfully uplifting conversation.

All in all it was a beautiful weekend like most Easter's always are and I eagerly await next years extravaganza's, when we will have Miley and Aaron's new baby to play with. Perhaps we will even fit the puzzle that Penee gave to the baby this year, even though she is still in Utero. Good times!

Mmmm Toast

So I went to Walmart on my lunch break. Indeed I can often be found at Walmart at lunch. I debated within myself as to whether I should go out to eat, but I powered through and decided to go buy some nutritious fare at the Walmart. Cheaper and better for me I dare say.

I finished shopping and still had almost a half hour left of my lunch. As I was driving to the park prepared to park my car and commence reading "The Secret Life of Bees". I was suddenly hit with the craving to eat a bagel that I had just bought. I really wanted one, but I also really wanted to go to the park. It was at this moment that I thought of how amazing a Toaster that had a car adapter would be.

I mean seriously, how many times have I been on a road trip or in some other situation where I just think some toast or a pop tart would hit the spot. Doesn't it always seem like those sorts of cravings hit right when you are driving and can do nothing about it? This kind of drama could be avoided with a toaster adapter.

Does anyone know if this actually exists? Even an adapter that would plug into the car and then you could plug anything with a standard plug into it. How delightful whilst driving to be able to straighten your hair, Plug in the bread maker for some fresh bread, and then toast it?!? Am I right or am I right?

Take the Lead? If You Insist

It's not a secret that I love movies with dancing in it. Really any kind will do. "Beat Street", a little known gem, full of break dancing, but I couldn't help myself and it even made me cry. "Center Stage", couldn't be helped had to see it. "Strictly Ballroom".. nothing further needs to be said on the cult gem, clearly it's a classic.

So naturally when I hear of a delight that has both dancing on one hand AND Antonio Banderas on the other, what can I do but put my hands together and run off immediately to see such a flick.

If you need me look for me tonight at "Take the Lead".

Your Government Dollars Hard At Work

Today has been a complete nightmare at work. We were recently audited by UDOT and we are under the gun to be in compliance by Monday. I have been working with a woman from the UDOT office who has actually been really nice and somewhat helpful. This afternoon about 11:30 while I was on a conference call with both she and my COO she suddenly cut us off mid-sentence and said, "You know what.....let me call you back after lunch. I just bought a new puppy and I need to run check on him."

I want the job where I can feel free to check on my random puppies as often as I would like at the expense of helping the people who I am currently on the phone with. Is it just me or is this actually complete insanity?!?!

The Sauce People.......the Sauce!

This will come as no surprise to any of you when I say that I don't cook. In my defense I'm single, so cooking for me is a bit more of a hassle than it's worth. I would just as soon eat a protein bar and some string cheese and call that dinner.

But I want to turn over a new leaf. I know if I try I can be amazing at this, but in order to reach my full potential I need a shout out from all the cooks in the family. What's the secret to making sauces? This seems like the key to be unlocked. I'm all about the fresh veggies and some sort of meat, but I'd really like to shake it up with sauce.

Sidenote: Walmart packages this garlic chicken dish that is amazing. I just know if I could make my own sauces I could duplicate with both cheaper and more delicious results.

I sit here ready and waiting for the 101 brillance on this topic to pour in.

Counting the Calories

I'm currently taking Aunt Candy's challenge to heart. I want to win the wedding weight loss competion at Devry's wedding. To ramp up I'm back at the gym and counting calories.

I'm currently shaking my head at my current will power to not over indulge in the girl scout cookies and in counting all blessed 16 calories in a cadbury mini egg when I put one in my mouth. Where this power comes from nobody knows.

What gym delights have I sampled this week? Well, I went to Spin on Tuesday where a very pregnant spin instructor kicked my booty, whilst not even seeming to break a sweat her own self (unnatural). I was proud of myself for enduring the entire hour.

Sidenote: What I love about spin is that it burns about 1000 calories an hour which is a delight. Thanks goes out to Mom and Dad for the best Christmas present ever, my heart rate monitor, which allows me to know how many calories I have burned based on my own personal heart rate.

Thursday was a "make it yourself" workout. Which includes 10 minutes on 3 different cardio machines. 10 minutes rowing, 10 minutes on the stair stepper, that's the one where you climb actual stairs (kill me), 10 minutes running. Calories burned= 600.

Revealed: My sinister plan to out hottie the bride on May 6th is in full effect.

Now let's here from my competition.......anyone, anyone?

Update, Update, Update

What's happened since my last post? Plenty. Highlights since I last posted:


1. Penee's insistance that since she can't drive she will be purchasing a pony and cart. When told she couldn't possibly drive said pony or cart on Geneva Road she insisted that she would cross Geneva and take the "back roads" Can't wait to see how she parks with the Pony and Cart on her next trip to Joann's Fabric.

2. Going to my Aunt Barbara Hendrix's for a T-shirt party. Got to see her Grandson Benjamin. Who although 4 months old looks 10 seconds from both walking and talking. He is adorable, and the biggest baby I have ever seen.

3. Watching She's The Man. The movie I liked, and even laughed pretty hardily in a few spots. The real highlight however were the previews, they were amazing!! American Dreamz anyone? Look for me there.

4. Called to be the Relief Society pianist. Thanks to Aunt Candy. Finally all her years of teaching me the piano can be put to use in furthering the kingdom.

5. Miley informing me that she was going to get Dags (her dog) certified as a therapy dog so that he could be in the delivery room when the baby is born.

6. Finally.......Girl Scout cookies.

Dance, Dance No Need For Revolution

I'm a closet dance music fan. I can't tell you the delight my heart feels when I hear a little refrain of the dance music genre float through my speakers. Suddenly I feel like I missed my calling as a Solid Gold Dancer or Britney Spear's Choreographer. Trust me you haven't seen anything until you've seen the moves the like of which I throw down, I especially pride myself on my Shimmy. For good measure I also like to mix it up with such classics as the "sprinkler" and the "random squat".

Current fav's to dance to include:

Madonna either Hung up or more especially Sorry off her new album- Confessions On A Dance Floor.

Other delights I'm currently sampling is I Like The Way - Bodyrockers. You might recognize this song from a Diet Coke commercial, but let me assure you that the full length version is so much more delightful. It just makes you want to shake your booty, and believe me, when this song comes on I sure do!

Rounding out my top 5 would be Everytime We Touch - Cascada and I Like To Move It (Jens O. Mix) - Zoo Gang.

FYI: These can double as part of a kick butt running mix- if you are into that sort of thing :)

The Delights of Transformers and Playing "Horsie"

Happy birthday goes out to Quinn upon the occasion of his birthday which was yesterday. The Brijs family came down for the event and Joseph was appalled at the lack of kids movies at Devry's house. Uncle Quinn came through in the clutch however with his Transformers series. The theme was carried through with an amazing transformers cake that Devry had made for the occasion as well. Check out devryandquinn.blogspot.com for more details. I dare say they will post about such a delightful event.

I had the pleasure of playing "horsie" with Joseph. If it's possible that kid just keeps getting cuter and cuter. We had so much fun racing and going on adventures in Devry's living room. Being with him and getting to interact in that fun way made me truly grateful for all the adults in my life who took the time to play with me when I was a kid. Special shout outs to Aunt Candy and Uncle Jeff. Who even from the time I was three made me feel like we were actual friends. You'll never know how appreciative I am of that.

In fact shout outs to all my Aunts and Uncles. I'm truly blessed to have actual friendships with all of them and am very aware of how unique and special that is.

I love you guys!

A Shout Out To A Sick Sis

Yesterday Syd had her wisdom teeth out and as one would expect it was highly traumatic. I hied myself over to Penee and H's last night after work to console the poor child. She was most miserable and considering that I just got an IM from her reading, " come here i'm bored and in pain" I'm making the assumption that things aren't any better.

Though I do fail to see how one could help but be cheered by watching HB as he suggested a date idea, Booty Charades, and the proceded to perform for Danny Arnett the delights that only Booty Charades can bring. Maybe Syd could suggest a rousing round now to dispel her boredom. In any case this shout out goes out to my Sis Sydnee. Here's hoping that you feel better very soon.

Animals In Theory

So here is what I have discovered about myself. I have always thought of myself as one who likes animals. I mean really, I have always thought I would love a dog. Big, medium small it wouldn't matter to me. Additionally I always thought perhaps I would like a horse or at least a pony and cart.

But it turns out the truth is I only like animals in theory. Meaning, I only like the thought of animals until I have up close intereaction with them. The upclose intereaction freaks me right out.

For example over the Christmas break Lex and I went to visit Lacy and Dave in S.V. We went out to Dave's parents house where they have a golden lab and horses. I thought I would go play with the dog, and I must admit I thought myself pretty brave. I threw his toy around while Lacy and Lex cowered behind me trying to fend off the dog with lexie's bowling bag of a purse. It was all fun and games until the dog knocked me down and slobbered all over my behind.

Not my favorite moment. Additionally when feeding the horse an orange it's lips touched my hand and I found I didn't enjoy the sensation at all. Take home message? I guess I only really have love in my heart for dogs not much bigger then Queenie.

Side note: Right at this moment I find myslef adoring the baby calves in the field just down from my office. It makes me want one, but the cold hard facts are (and this proves my point about me only liking animals in theory) that once said calves grow up to be cows, the only time I'll be adoring them is when they show up as a big slab of meat on my plate at Outback. Mmmmm!!

Tai Pan Trading Company

If you have not discovered the joys of this store you must do so immediately. It is located on 90th south in Sandy, Utah and it is incredible. It's the most delicious home store and everything there (well most everything) is incredibly reasonably priced and adorable. This Saturday Penee, Sydnee and I took a jaunt up there. Penee made out like a bandit and Sydnee and I let her lean on our incredible interior decorating sense.

We then hit up the fashion place mall where I stood in line at See's candy for almost 40 minutes!! I mean is See's really that good? After a 40 minute wait I'm just not sure. The only thing that made the Fashion Place trip worth it is that Syd got seven jeans for only 6 bucks. Well that and some sort of delight called California brittle, that stuff was delicious.

We rounded off the day on the drive back to Orem with HB calling us to find out if we knew who had made some "suspicious" charges on his debit card. I was worried he'd call Dana to see if she was the culprit and ask her where the black vest was while he was at it. But luckily we discovered that it was just Penee feeding her Joann's fabric habit.

I have no doubts that HB has Dana on speed dial for all his unsolved mysteries. I'm glad in this case crisis was once again averted!

A Baby Story

Stop thinking that I am pregnant immediately! Sicko's!!! This is not about my baby story but to confess my mild obsession with the TLC program by this name. This show is to me a bit like a train wreck. I have to admit that it at once freaks me right out and makes me scared to have children but I'm fascinated and I continue to Tivo every showing. It's unexplainable really.

Plus let's give credit where credit is due. TLC invented reality TV, they do it so well and I for one can't get enough.

Dear Mr. Cadbury,

This post is to address a topic most vexing. As you know Easter is right around the corner. You can tell this by the fact that Walmart has put out all their Easter candy.
Now I know I am not alone here in the understanding that Easter candy is by far the superior candy of all the holidays.

I present for your consideration the following facts about Easter candy's greatness;

At Easter time they produce Starburst jellybeans, a most delicious concoction.
Chocolate bunnies also make an appearance, the sort that can cause a family incident (ask Dana and Lacy if you do not know to what I am referring).

But the true love of my heart, the candy I wait and long for all year round, are of course Cadbury mini eggs. One has only to try them once to find yourself uttering the words famously spoken by Frank the Tank, "Once it hits your lips, it's so good".

There is just one problem I have been scouring the Valley to find this little delight. Now you'd think this would not be a problem. I mean everyone has their Easter candy out after all. But since my search began I've become puzzled. How is it that I can find peeps, the nastiest Easter candy in abundance but not a mini egg to be found? Not at Walmart, Target or Albertson's. I mean what are they thinking? You'll stock a Peep but not a mini egg? It just seem ridiculous! I have to admit I feel much as a gamer must have felt with all that Xbox 360 madness. It seems almost as if it's some conspiracy to drive up cadbury's stock.

But praise and accolades go out to my Auntie Kathleen for coming through in the clutch. She located a bag of these delicious treats at her local Macey's. She generously agreed to share them with me for which I will be eternally grateful.

Moral of this story-If you chance upon a bag of Cadbury mini eggs snatch them up with haste. Might I also suggest that you start your search at Macey's to save your self much heart ache and frustration.

So Here's the Thing.......

The massage I was telling you all about on Friday certainly didn't dissapoint. In fact it exceeded my expectations. Upon arriving I was ushered in to a "relaxation room" where I enjoyed some sort of chilled herbal water which I have no doubts was rather good for me.

Following a brief sit down there I was ushered into a private room with a delcious deep soaking tub. Candles were lit and relaxing music was playing while my spa assistant sprinkled something she termed "pixie dust" into the water which I then proceeded to soak in before my massage even began. It was a dream!

So obviously that experience alone would have satisfied all my weekend desires but it turns out St. G had even more to offer me. Here's a rundown of the weekend:

Friday night- arrived in St. G around 8:30 P.M. checked into the hotel and was promptly asleep by 9:30. Devry might remember this kind of amazing vacation time schedule from our cruise.

Saturday morning (pay attention here people, this is where it starts to get really good!)-
7:50 A.M.-Forced Kristen to get out of bed and out the door so we could beat the rush at this delightful breakfast place on Main Street called the Bear Paw. This place is truly to die for. They have this Pina Colada breakfast drink that is a dream. Also the most delicious waffles, pancakes and pretty much a unique twist on anything your heart could possibly desire for breakfast. If you have never been here you must put it on your to do list the next time you are in the George!


9:00 A.M.-After a most delicious breakfast we stopped by a little bookstore next to the Paw and picked up some reading material, then back to the hotel to relax until it was time to head out to our massages.

2:15 P.M.-The massages ended and since it was truly a gorgeous day we didn't want to waste it in our hotel room! We made our way over to the St. George Temple. It was truly as beautiful and peaceful as always.
sidenote: I've always loved this temple. The old school architecture and just the history of it I definitely feel drawn to it.

We took a seat on some benches out in front, soaked up the sun and had a wonderful conversation. I couldn't have asked for anything better.

6:00 P.M. - We head out to dinner. You should be getting the sense by now that we did indeed eat ourselves into a little bit of oblivion. What could we do? We only had one day to sample all of the delights St. George had to offer. For this adventure we picked a local restaurant called The Painted Pony.

We started with some appetizers. Kristen had the French onion soup which they served in a bowl made out of an actual onion! I had some sort of delight called an Iceburg wedge. For more details check out. http://www.painted-pony.com/menu_dinner.asp

7:00 P.M.- Kristen and I are tucked up into our beds enjoying an ashpalt pie which we picked up from Winger's and watching Apolo Anton Ohno race for Gold in the short track.

9:30 P.M.- I don't actually get to see Apolo Anton Ohno win the Gold in the 500 meters because I'm in a food coma and I just can not keep my eyes open. I decided I can catch the highlights on Tivo when I return home and enjoy a very peaceful nights sleep.

Sunday Morning

noon- Kristen and I are driving home after a wonderful albeit quick weekend.

So there you go folks. The recap of my St. George get away. Now back to reality and my new diet which consists of mostly fruits and vegetables which I will be enjoying for nine days. You know what they say.....it's either feast (see above) or fruit and vegetable induced famine.

On a lighter note

So yesterday I'm reading an article on MSN.com titled "The Best Time to Do Everything". The article suggests that to fight off the winter blues you should schedule a vacation somewhere warm the last week of February or first week in March.

As if we needed any more proof of my genius, turns out I have a getatway already planned for this weekend! Am I intune with my internal body clock or what!

This weekend I will be tossing my cares away at a delightful spa in St. G called Green Valley Report & Spa. Think of me tomorrow at 1:00 pm MST as I experience a massage called

Steaming Stones
Description below taken from their website at http://www.greenvalleyspa.com/spa.html

As smooth warm stones glide over the skin to dissolve tense, tight tissues within, sweet smelling grasses activate the olfactory system to combat emotional distress and the muffled cadence of native drumming lulls the busy mind into a blissful state of sweet surrender and rest.

Could this be a little slice of heaven right here on earth, you ask yourself? Never fear dear reader I won't fail to report back on this delight which I'll be honest I think has every chance of not disappointing in the slightest.

The Sims and Me: A lethal combination

Reading the words "expansion pack" posted recently in a blog entry on eloisedeloise.blogspot.com I can't help but think of the Sims. I'm reminded of my obsession with the game and how after spending days building just the right house with just the right furniture and spending all the energy it takes to get my female and male Sim to fall in love I was asked the fateful question, "Do you want to have a baby?"

A simple enough question to be sure, and since I have always been quite fond of children I remember answering yes to said question. Then after the baby "poofed" into my Sims life and I shut down the game. I took myself to bed where lying there, unable to sleep I wrestled with thoughts such as.....
"Am I ready to have a baby? I can't have a baby! I don't know if I'm ready for this kind of responsibility. Who will stay home to take care of the infant? How can I keep my comfort, energy and fun levels high with an infant in tow? I can't live on only one income!" (this was obviously before I discoverd the joys of rosebud which would provide me with an endless supply of cash.)

Needless to say that after one severely sleepless night I decided I wasn't ready to be a Mom and proceeded to bulldoze my house immediately. While this might seem a cruel way to get rid of your Sims child you shouldn't feel to badly.........believe me, my later Sims children didn't meet nearly such a kind fate. A few of the children, I'm ashamed to say, either drowned in the pool or were carted of to military school.

Lest you have the thought here that the Sims child protection services was not doing their job, let me assure you that I had at least 3 children that I can think of taken away by said agency. The system didn't fail my kids, that burden lies squarely on my shoulders.

As I sit here and reminisce I can't help but worry that even though I refuse to play the Sims these days, as it really is a diabolic time sucker and clearly brings out the worst in me, that potentially my performance in this virtual world doesn't bode well for my future skills as a real life Mom.