Happy Birthday To Me Numero 29!!!

Yikes, am I really 29? One more year until I leave my twenties in the dust. It was a great day spent with great people, whether on the phone or in person. This time last year I was excited about a new relationship, in denial about the dead end I was heading down at work and trying to figure out this "life" business. Now looking at things through my older 29 year old eyes ;), I am perfectly happy and content with life right now. My kids one day are going to read my journal and wonder what drug I was on during this time period because almost every entry seems to start out with, "I love life...". I have so many wonderful people in my life whom I love and I know they love me. I am so excited about my new career path and going back to school. I have really missed stressing my brain. Life is definitely not always easy, but it is all so worth it. Allowing time for Heavenly Father's plans for us to unfold can be so challanging. Living in a world of everything now is not conducive to this, but letting go and allowing his will to play out is the greatest feeling ever. Discovering how strong and resilient we can be is so amazing and I am so thankful for a loving Heavenly Father who knows us and loves us enough to push us to our limits so that we can grow and learn. The more I come to understand him, and myself, I am truly in awe of him and his love. What a gift. So Happy Birthday to me and here's to another year of growth, wonderful memories to look forward to, and continuing on this "life" journey.

Bursa What?

So about a month ago I had another check up for my redicoulus wrist which was just a bit frustrating so I won't go into details. I did however discover something fun. Since my mission back in oh, 2002 I have had this pesky pain in my hip. When I say pesky I mean I can't lay on my right side for extended periods of time, running has been a nightmare, you can see the inflamation (although they say you're not supposed to) and there have been times I have barely been able to lift my leg.

When I got home I went to a couple doctors and they couldn't figure out what was going on so I gave up and just dealt with it. I kind of have a push through the pain mentality which apparently wasn't such a hot idea.

Turns out my pesky pain is a little thing called bursitis. My new doc figured it out in minutes and I was elated that I finally knew what was wrong and what I needed to do to make it better. Such a good feeling. Turns out I am now in a club with my grandma and according to some googling many other elderly women, glad to know where I stand. Anyhoooo, I have been given a low impact workout regime and by brain is playing tricks on me because I feel the swelling going down already(at this stage of the game this is pretty unlikely). So if anyone is up for shuffle board or bingo you can join the ladies and I at the Senior Citizen Center.

Amy this picture is for you. Remember the good old days? "They are so stingy with their bones!"

Purse Mania

About a month ago I stole Becky for a Friday night to get her out of the house. I am apparently a little more boring and thought of the usual dinner and movie or run to TCBY, we love going there together. But Becky is much more creative than I am, and came up with the great idea of making purses. I got a new sewing machine for Christmas and had not yet taken it out of the box.

We met up at Jo Ann Fabrics, picked out our material and hit up WinnCo on the way home. What would a crazy night of sewing be with out pizza and popcorn and M&M's (my fave).

Many hours later, I think Becky left my house at 3:30 am, lot's of grumbling on both our parts, and 2 well used seem rippers, Becky and I both had very adorable bags. For some reason we kept messing up on the handle and had to redo it several times. I decided I love the sewing part, but don't like cutting. It takes way too long. Becky has made another purse since and said it was much easier the second time around. It may have helped that she got the right materials this time.

Thanks Becky for the fun night, I loved it. Mom, most of these pics are for you, so you can see our handy work. They are not the most flattering pics ever, but hey it was way too late at night to worry about that.

March Madness

March Madness officially began last week and I love it. This year we had tickets to the 1st and 2nd rounds of the tournament, so my dad and step mom made the trip from Montana. Watching the games in person is so much better than watching on TV. The only thing that would have made it better would have been if Arizona had played here, but I was just happy they made into the tourney at all. Friday night I watched the girls so Becky could go to some games too. But I also just wanted a chance to see Arizona play and that wasn't going to happen on my dad's little TV in the Taco Bell Arena. Its fun having the grandparents in town, Lindsey sure loves her grandma and grandpa. Saturday was even nice enough to take the girls to the park. It's always wonderful when family comes to town. Here's to hoping Arizona can keep it together long enough to keep their winning streak alive.

It's Here!!!!!!!

About a month ago my friend sent me a chain letter. I suppose I have probably racked up about 9 years bad luck in my lifetime of ignoring chain letters. Huh, maybe I should stop breaking them. Anyway this chain letter seemed too fun to pass up, it's an informal book club. You send a form letter to 6 friends and in return you hopefully receive 36 back. You don't have to go out and buy a book you just share one you enjoyed with the person at the bottom of the letter. Yada, yada, yada.

My first book came in the mail today! It was like Christmas I was so excited. I had to prepare for my class tonight and make dinner before hand. It took all I had not to plop down on the couch and immediately start reading.

I sent my 6 letters to my girlfriends I already know love books as much as me. So if you didn't get a letter I apologize, but let me know that you would like to be included and if it comes back around I will be sure to keep you in the loop. To everyone who kept the chain going, happy reading!

No More TODAY

For years and years I have gotten ready in the morning watching/listening to the Today Show. But I have decided to say good bye to the show. Lately it seems that the show focuses so much on the negative and how bad the economy is and how horrible our country's state of affairs are in. I realize that things are tough, but to talk about it every day for hours and hours gets old and I can't take it anymore. I would like to start my day off a little more optimistic and cheerful, less doom and gloom.

So good bye Today Show, thanks for keeping me informed for so many years. I'm sure I'll check in every once in a while to make sure Al's still telling me what the weather is like in "my neck of the woods".

February

I swear it was just January and now we're almost into March. Where did February go? I have mentioned this to a few people, but lately I feel that if my head were not attached I would lose it. It's quite possible that my brain has run off a few times regardless.

Some may be aware that due to the amazing real estate market in Idaho at the end of August I was given the choice to look for new employment or be demoted. After much thought I chose to stay with the company and take the demotion. Boise is not the place you want to be right now if you are looking for a job. In late November I decided to go back to school.

So here I am, this semester I only have one class at night twice a week, and in May I will start back full time. I really didn't think one class would be a big deal, but when I consider that I am at work all day then in school twice a week, plus time for studying and homework time seems to fly by. My stack of books that I want to read is starting to stack up, I have empty canvases that have yet to be painted, but I'm loving it. I really am excited about school and think Heavenly Father was trying to steer me in this direction last spring, but as I stated before I can be pretty dense/stubborn. But he WILL find a way to get you out of your comfort zone when needed to get you headed where you should be.

As a side not, my mom recently sent me a CD with some old pictures she had on her computer. Since you can't have a post without pictures I have attached some for the viewing pleasure of some of my regular blog readers. Hope you enjoy.










I suppose I may have gotten carried away with the pictures, but they were so fun.