The other piece of art TJ got me... Isnt it beautiful??? I love angels!

The Art that TJ got me... cant wait to put this Up!!!

blowing out my candles-- thank goodness there are on 2!!

My Princess Birthday Cake!!

My yummy birthday breakfast and NO calories!!!

with the man who keeps me sane!

With my NIcky! :)

My daughter Summer and Son in law Joey :)

My special friend Lilia!!

My special friends Micheal and Shelby

My special friends Sandee and Gail!

My birthday banner Nicky made me!

LABOR DAY WEEKEND

LABOR DAY WEEKEND
here we go....

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

48 years Young....

yep I am now 48 yrs YOUNG... still trying to grow up.... here are some things I did, accomplished, learned and loved this year...

1. The one and only thing you can really count on in life is death and CHANGE... sooo "go with the flow".

2. I like me... yep its taken about 48 years for me to feel comfortable in my own skin...yep I do laugh alot..I feel that I am a pretty nice person, honest but not in a mean way, and easy to get along with, so if someone doesnt like me I just figure they havent taken the time to know me, or they met me on a bad day, or its just a personality conflict.

3. you cant change someone elses personality, feelings, beliefs, or past experiences that put those together--all you can do is to either love them for who they are or not...and that is totally up to the individual.

4. if someone doesnt like me, my lifestyle, way of dressing, schedule etc-- not to worry there is someone else that will love me anyways.

5. Sometimes you dont know what you have till its gone.

6. I have the very best family for ME...it might not work for you... but I love them alll, learn from them all and only want the very best for them.

7. I am a MAma bear...in other words-- DONT Mess with MY Kids!!!!!!! Is that clear???

8. I know my talents...but that doesnt mean something will change in the future... someday I might actually love cooking for more than one day after a pampered chef party..hehe!!!

9. some talents are not tangible like singing or dancing--although I do a great booty dance--hehe--well--I have the BOOty or is it Bootay!!! But I am pretty good at putting in an IV, or calming a baby, or getting a mom to breastfeed.

10. I have learned that dreams change also... Once I dreamed of being a make up artist-- did it--Loved it--but didnt work out with my family at the time--So I put my heart into nursing and found a wonderful place to work with some really terrific nurses to work with.

11. God Knows... he has a plan for all of us... I cant tell you how many times I have said --"wow, because this didnt workout.. that did and here I am."

12. Life has a way of working out-- somehow.

13. I have learned I love the outdoors--hiking, walking, and trying new things.

14. Love outdoor movies, theatre and music.

15. I love to watch all kinds of dance, theatre(especially musicals).

16. I love Turtles--they facinate me somehow.

17. I will never stop learning new things--love to learn.

18. The best things in life are... EXPENSIVE... I know thats not the right answer but I like to be different once in awhile-- ever seen a sunset in hawaii??? Yep its expensive..LOL! Ok now in my 48th yr I am starting to understand the best things in life are free thinking...I know... the sunset, love, peace of mind... most of those things cost me in some way... sigh... I am still learning this one..

19. I love to shop

20. I am a girly girl

21. I need to be entertained... be it a good book, music, TV, movies--whatever.

22. I also LOVE Quiet and alone time--Love it!!!!!

23. I love to go to church... but I dont feel good or bad about others going to church or not. I feel religion is a personal thing and no one should be forced to go to church after a certain age. I do believe children should be raised in a religion.
I dont think anyone should be judged on if they go or not or what religion if any they are... its all between them and god. I also believe that there is a big difference between spirituality and religion. Religion can be legalistic... a person can spend their lives doing all the right things but not feeling much inside. I rather be spiritual than religious.

24. I know I have problems trusting people--mostly men. This has also hurt me in some spiritual areas...its taken me this long to even listen to a man at church. I do feel no one will hurt me anymore..I am stronger now than when I was a child or teenager.

25. I feel most people who speak in church (with some exceptions) really only have about 10% truth and the rest is their opinion.

26. we can only base our opinions on our experiences, how we are raised, our education level etc... so how can we judge someone with different lives than us and how they feel about things--or their educaton level--or intelligence???

27. Intelligence is not everything... I have met some very very highly intelligent people who did little with their lives and some that had to struggle with life skills. I have met some people including myself that struggled with academics but do pretty good in this thing we call life.

28. I do NOT need YOUR approval of my life!!!! just in case you didnt know!

29. I have not been able to figure out why some people feel the need to give me their thoughts of approval or disapproval of my life.

30. I dont need or want criticism... nope dont need it. I am pretty sure I know by now what I need to improve on... just love me and laugh with me.

31. life is way to short... really it is...

32. we should tell people NOW how much we love them, respect them, care about them, admire them... tell them TODAY!!! Tomorrow might be too late. I am not going to care at my funeral that you thought I was terrific!

33. I love my family and friends!!!!

34. I meet friends everywhere I go... some keep in touch withme and some dont.

35. There is nothing like a nice warm hug!!!!

36. I love to travel... I have been to London, Paris, Italy, Mexico, Caribbean(all over) and my favorite place--hawaii. and Alaska!

37. One of my goals is to see all 50 states--I have been to Hawaii, California, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico(drove through) Idaho, Colorado(drove through and stayed 2 days), Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Maryland, Washington DC, New York City, Nevada, Illinois(Chicago). So I have quite a few more to go!

38. This year TJ and I will celebrate 28 years of marriage. I can say... Its been the best adventure and I have learned so much from being married to him. We always do something new--One yr we even went hot air ballooning--so much Fun!!! I wonder what we will do this year???

39. Life is to be celebrated!!! I try to celebrate all the time!!!!! One of my goals this yr is to have someone to dinner once a month--I better get busy this month!

40. I love to be lazy and read or get on the computer or FACEbook!!!

41. I do procrastinate housework...

42. I find that when I give I get more in return.

43. women do mellow with age--and the medications help also--hehe!!!

44. I love to scrapbook

45. I love to take pictures of our fun times

46. I hate that I have headaches alot

47. I have learned that I can accomplish anything i put my mind to.

48. I love my family and friends and especiallu those that took the time to read this.... I cant wait to see what God has in store for me this year!!!!!!!!!!

Thursday, September 17, 2009

My Birthday!!!!!!

This was probably one of my best birthdays ever!!! I felt sooo loved this year. First with family members sending cards etc and second with all the facebook friends with happy birthday wishes!!! The Best part was what my husband did for me! Ok.... On Sept 11th (not a good day for a birthday but I had no control on the day I was born and what happened on that day so we celebrate MY day!). TJ has agreed to take me to Disneys night of Joy even though he doesnt like contemporary Christian music as much as I do. But first, we went shopping at Florida mall. I am pretty sure I could make a vacation out of shopping--hehe! he bought me some shoes I wanted for work and we walked around and also got some make up--it was sweet of him to wait for me while I tried on this and that. We had lunch at Buca de Pepo--both of us had never been there before--if you havent gone there--GO..its wonderful!!! Especially their Tiramasu--very yummy!!!! First they took us on a tour of the resturant. They sang "Happy Birthday" to me and brought out a candleabra(sp?). So much fun!!! Then we went to Night of Joy at Disneys "Hollywood Studios"--my favorite ride--"The Rockin Rollercoaster" is there--we rode that first!!! One of my favorite artists "Chris Tomlin" was performing and made my night. After all the fun and spirituality we left...I was exhausted and had no idea there was more to come. TJ said our reservations were cancelled because we got out so late and had to go to another place--i really just wanted to go home. We finally went to theis resort called "Vistiana". When we went to our room "2 bedroom villa" The kids had the room pitch black and yelled "SURPRISE" ! I was So surprised I screamed!!! Then it was time for food and gifts!!!! The kids got me the nicest wrap from new York and company(I get cold even in 90 degree weather), gift cards(my faves) some homemade boxes and things I love. TJ got me a new camera(now my sis can have my old one--hehe!), an amazon Kindle(I LOVE it!), AND.... Discovery Cove!! I have always wanted to go there! The Villa had 2 bedrooms and a large jacuzzi tub--I LOVED and well it was just beautiful!

Sept 12th-- Discovery Cove--- We all had to get up early and make it to Discovery Cove by 8am. I am sure none of us slept much the night before--just too much excitement! we made it on time!!! They supply everything except your swimsuit! First we had breakfast, then got suited up--either a vest or wetsuit, snorkle gear etc. We started out with snorkling because our time with the dolphins was at 11am. The snorkling was wonderful once I got past the coldness of the water(this was actually my favorite thing other than the dolphins) You can spend as much time as you want snorkling. Then, we went to hang out with the sting rays and pet them as they swim by. The workers said the stingers are taken out. What a neat experience! THEN.... the dolphin swim... we were taken in groups of 6 and given about 30 min in the water with one dolphin and one trainer.. we got to pet the dolphin front and back and learn about them at the end everyone got to ride on the dolphin-- you just hold on and glide (I was actually a little nervous at first--these are big mammals with tiny sharp teeth--anything with teeth can bite!). This dolphin was very gentle and took me for a very smooth ride I wish I could do it again and again. Then all the dolphins did tricks and we were right there in the water with them... cant get much closer! Next was lunch... Excellent salmon unch and all the yummy desserts yummm. They also had their version of a lazy river that made you feel like you were on an island. I felt like I took mini vacation. We closed the place down and they even provided shampoo and conditioner, soaps, lotions and hair dryers in the shower rooms! We left happy and exhausted!!!

Sept13th--We hung out at the pool on and off as the weather permitted--it was a crazy wet/dry day but we still managed to have fun! By the end of the day we all got poolside chair massages and then back at the "Villa" (I love saying that hehe!) I got to play with my new toys and read from the amazon Kindle.

The best part is that there was not one single arguement or unhappiness the entire weekend!!!!

MOnday was packing up, leaving and back to work... soooo sad...


OH AND... before my b-day weekend I had a wonderful dinner with my 2 special friends Sandee Spencer and Gail Munck!!! AND.... Gail watched our doggies--Speedy Boy and Chloe--THAT is a good friend!!!!


Thats it... now for the next adventure... But always remember Theres No Place Like Home... :)

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Sept My birthday Month!!!!

Yep September Is My Birthday Month!!!! I love to celebrate the entire month!!! I have been off to a terrific start. On the 1st I got 2 things in the mail.... 1. A card from my sister( I love it!) AND... a gift gard for Walmart from my sister also!!! Yeah!!! Really LOve that!!
2. A card from Aunt Anne... With a beautiful pin of the Ruby Slippers...gotta get something to wear with them!!! Also pics of her at 70 yrs old skydiving--can you believe it????? I also got a facial AND massage-- great way to start my b-day month! Today-- The 2nd...I did have a headache all day... sooo I did a Scarlet O Hara and took to my bed, read a teen bit, mostly rested, did a teeny bit of mending and now on the computer. I will try to blog daily to let you know how this birthday month is going!!!!!!

ADVENTURE

Yep Summer time is over... sadly. We had fun this year-- our regular trips to the beach, the malll and just abot anywhere to keep cool. Fun times with the family and memories made. I cant even remember all the fun we had together. Lets see... Mothers day... fun at the Beach... Fathers day... Fun at the beach... 4th of July-- Summer and Joeys place-- very FUN!
Nicky spent her summer in massage school, Summer practiced her creative cooking, Joey looked for a job(and found one!) and me... I gained 10 pounds but had fun doing it!!!!


Now on to the adventure..... BYU Education Week--- Moms Getaway--My 4th Year!!!!
Education Week starts August 17th-21st--its all I can think about in the weeks before.
I JUst LOVE it and NEED it for my spirituality and sanity! While this year I didnt get to see all of my friends that I wanted to see... I saw a few friends and had the lessons God wanted me to have. I flew in on Sunday without any problems... my fight was on time and smooth. I was also able to get on a shuttle immediately with some very nice people. Something about Utah puts me in an instant good mood no matter how tired I am. I got checked into my dorm room, unpacked, and had to take a walk around the beautiful BYU campus. There were about 10-15 hanggliders in the sky, I watched them looking so graceful like giant colorful birds(to me). Back to the dorm room to take a nap--its going to be a busy busy week. Later that night I met my roommate Shelley. I always meet the nicest people when I come to BYU. My only complaint about the dorm this time was that there was ONE bathroom(meaning ONE toilet, ONE bath tub and ONE shower) for 6 women--usually we have a dorm type batroom with about 5 stalls and 5 showers or so. And usually a mini fridge in the room. I guess I got lucky those years?? But overall not too bad...and the location was good--right on campus!

Monday---Got us bright and early for breakfast-- classes start at 8:30am...it was Freezing in the morning for this Florida girl(probably 60 degrees or so...but cold to me) all I brought was a BYU Hawaii sweatshirt for the plane--I wore it every morning and some days all day.
The classes were terrific---Randy Bott--Staying in the light and avoiding panic--The Lords promises of safety for his saints--Very reassuring, Then Linda J and Richard M. Eyre--Empty nest parenting and extended families-- entertaining, next- S. Micheal Wilcox, David A. Chritensen(my new favorite speaker), and K. Douglas Bassett(for 2 sessions..loved him!). The day was over early at 4pm. I walked back to my dorm taking in the scenery--the mountains and cool clear weather and the fragrant flowers etc. My dorm neighbors door was open and they were chatting away... something told me to introduce myself to the 2 ladies--so I did. Then they said they were going to take a ride to Provo canyon and did I want to come--of course I did!
One of the ladies had driven here from Colorado and was a friend of my roommate Shelley--she had her bike...the other was her sister from New York and would like a walking buddy--that would be me!!! Provo Canyon was beautiful(of course) we walked until we came upon Bridal Veil Falls... soooo pretty... water soooo cold! We sat chatted a bit and walked back. By that time it was late... met up with my roommate and we all went out for ice cream(I have to say the ice cream at BYU is by far the BEST)! Such a wonderful beginning to a wonderful week!!

Tuesday
Another bright , early and cold morning! No worries... got up and ready to go... sooo much to learn..
1. Brad Wilcox-- The Atonement
2. Susan Easton Black--The road to Bethlehem
3. Devotional--Boyd K. Packer
4. Lunch--with my friend paula at the Museum of art! Sooo nice to have the 2 of us to chat away!
5. shopping at the bookstore
6. Merrilee Boyack--You are stronger than you think you are
7. dinner with my friend Rosa--Rosa was my roommate my 2nd year at education week and I just think she is terrific!!!
8. I treated Rosa to see "Joseph and the Amazing technicolor Dreamcoat' which was wonderful!
9. ice cream
10 back to dorm.

Wednesday--of course early and cold
1. Paul Warner-- Possibly my favorite speaker... also sat by Sandee Spencer and her beautiful Mother..love them both!!!
2. Barbara Barrington Jones--I really enjoyed her as well
3. Anita canfield--not sure if I was burned out but didnt quite like this one--maybe I needed lunch.
4. Got lunch
5. Diana McGuire--Fighting Fat...this was pretty good...thankful I ate before though--hehe.
6. needed a break... went to bookstore--LOVE the bookstore--hehe!
7. Merrilee Boyack--never miss HER!
8. Stephen D. Ricks--Dead Sea Scrolls-- very good...Something I am interested in.
9. Ted. Gibbons--With God All Things are possible-- Very good!
10.H. Wallace Goddard--Inviting heaven into your marriage-- very good
Now I was exhausted... walked back to my dorm... and stayed up and chatted with my roommate.

Thursday--of course bright and early and chilly today.
1. Paul R. Warner... sat with Sandee and Mom-- such sweet spirits to sit next to. LOved the speaker!!!
2. Barbara barrington Jones--agaIN wonderful!!!
3. Lunch with Tracey at Museum of Art
4. Stan Grippen--Calming the storms within and progressing toward happiness. :)
5. Charles Knutson--The darkside of software--viruses, worms etc. Tracey was taking this class so I decided to go with her and learned ALOT!!! Thanks Tracey!!!
6. Merrilee Boyack!!
7. H. Wallace Goddard-- The Lords Program of Gifts.
8. Ted L. Gibbons-- Believe in his Love.
9. back to dorm to pack...more adventure tomorrow... leaving education week!

Friday... early...
1. Sister picks me up...
2. We go to breakfast
3. Hike Mt. Timpanagos--I knew it was 1.5 miles... BUT I didnt know it was uphill the entire way. The scenery was beautiful and we took a few breaks and not enough water. It was fun anyways and I needed the exercise!!!
4. Got to the Timpanagos caves!!! Beautiful... took the tour... great experience.
5. down Mt Timpanagos-- much easier-- downhill the entire way--sooo much better!!!
6. Now on the road through the canyon--sooo nice and NOT hot!!!... YEt.
7. We went to huntsville utah to the "Shooting Star Saloon" one of the oldest Saloons in Utah... cute. quaint, lots of history, food is ok...not great, but not bad either...oh and they have a stuffed St bernard (dog) on the wall--interesting and fun!
8. In huntsville is an Abbey.. so we went to visit but they were closes-- the grounds were beautiful and we decided on the way back we would stop... sooo onward!!!
9. Got to Brigham City a bit late--BUT my dear friend Kathleen and family were up and awake--even her cutie pie grand daughter was up!!! We ate a wonderful salad and dessert with them. laughed, talked and somehow only got a picture of their dog--not sure how that happened--hehe! I guess I was just so into the conversation I didnt think to take pictures!!! Anyhow she was so nice to put us up--I slept so comfortably in her lazy boy chair--now I want one!! My sister was on the sofa and said she slept fine!

Saturday... Leaving Brigham City...
1. Stopped by the Tabernacle-- Beautiful-- no tour guide --BUT there was a family having a little cousins reunion and one cousin was giving the tour(he seemed to know alot about it also).
We(my sis and I ) decided to join them... when someone asked who we were we sai we were "Bobs kids" ya know every family has a uncle bob--hehe!!! Luckily, they all had a great sense of humor and went along with it.. we met our (fake) 2 brothers and sister--they really were Bobs kids--hehe!!! And they said they wouldnt be surprised if their dad had some other kids somewhere! It was fun and we got a really terrific tour!!! The place even had a hidden door(for hiding) in the floor of one of the closets--it was pretty big too...and had running water etc because a stream runs underneath the tabernacle. Pretty cool stuff!

2. We drove on the Logan and got there a bit early. So we decided to go to a movie--" The Time travelers Wife". Oh soooo good...made my sis cry and me tear up--but oh so good!

3. We checked into our bed and breakfast-- Seasons at Riter Mansion-- Very nice place-- had 2 beds--good size room--large bathroom with jaquzzi tub--very relaxing. After unpacking we went out for dinner and a walk. Saw a beautiful large building and decided after dinner to find out what it was. Ok... sooo we found an Indian place to eat...it was actually pretty good-- a bit spicy though. Anyhow, then we walked back since it was such a nice night--i figured it would be nice... it seemed the more we walked the further the nice building we wanted to see got... then we got to the back of it and we were too tired to go any further--so I got some pics of the back of it at night...what was it??? We found out.... "The Logan Temple". I felt so silly... oh well. Back to the bed and breakfast and to bed... Well my sister relaxed in the tub... I read etc and relaxed.

Sunday--Onward...

1. Woke up to a cloudy day...ut that wasnt gonna ruin our adventure.
2. Started out with a wonderful breakfast--yummmm!
3. On our way...rained when we got to bear lake..oh well.... But I saw it..
4. Ate lunch at Butch cassidy and the Sundance Kid... Saloon and resturant--VERY cool and country.
5. oh on the way we stopped for fresh berries to much on...yummy!!!
6. great scenery despite the rain.
7. into Lava Hot Springs Idaho with time to spare...
8. got a terrific room in the INN we were staying in....had a very large bed... Red velvet curtains, large bathroom with an antique soaker tub AND a shower etc and 2 seperate sinks etc. Very comfy!!! Plus the INN had 2 private natural hot springs tubs etc. We decided to go to the public hot springs area, then have dinner, then soak in the private tubs and get massages together--what could be better than that??? It was all terrific... well except running in the rain to dinner--but with my sister it was fun. I had sooo much fun!!! I love Lava Hot Springs!! I slept sooo good that night!!!

Monday
1. woke up... got ready to go..
2. sat out on the Inns back porch with a cup of warm herbal tea and listened to the river run peacefully. soo nice and relaxing.
3. went out for breakfast-- very good too!!!
4. on the road again
5. Paris Idaho-- Stopped and had lunch at the "Paris cafe" then a tour of the "Paris Tabernacle" all beautiful.
6. Stopped for a rasberry shake along the way and raspberry preserves--yumm yum!
7. Went through beautiful canyons and back to the monestary-- bought some stuff from the monks--even got a picture with one...then went to listen to the chants... nice , peaceful, spiritual.
8. drove on... more beautiful scenery...
9. we were going to stay at my dear friend Cindi s' house BUT her daughter came down with strep, her little one was sick and Cindi felt she might have strep also. I had to go back to work when I got home and my sister has had many illnesses over the past few years so I didnt want to take a chance... nope..it was Ok... got a hotel.
10. First before the hotel--had to get gifts to take back home. Then crash out at the hotel.


The adventure isnt over yet.....

The airport...
1. After saying goodbye at 5am to my sister...I went to the front to get my shuttle for the airport and was able to stop and get a bagle and some juice. Ok..
2. the shuttle takes me to the airport--drops me off... everything is fine. I am happy.
3. My ticket etc all is good--happy happy.
4. go through security--this is where things get interesting--
5. get stopped with security. Patted down and carry on gone through--oh its a "snow globe"!!!
6. Was told the said "snow globe" might have over 2 oz of water they are not sure but take it to the front where you checked in and have them find your luggage and put this in the luggage and come back. Ok... slightly irritated--but still smiling.
7. Do as told and come back... go through.. this time I forgot and held onto my cell phone--was patted down again. Ok THen... I had put my boarding pass through and now it wasnt there--put bags on chair by security and turned to tell the guy behind the xray machine that I lost my boarding pass. He looks and tries to help--then I turn and my stuff is GONE!!! Ok...no more smilling for me--not I am TICKED off!!! and I say loudly "NO WAY" No my STUFF is GONE" Ughhh!!!! Another security guard comes up with my stuff and says in a robotic fake friendly way " You are not to leave your items unattended--arent you glad I took your things?" "Umm Yeah sure" "whatever". Now I think I am going to miss my plane...so I run like an old OJ simpson commercial--before he met Nicole. I get to my ticket counter--they print out a new boarding pass for me--tell me its been delayed--then 5 min later announced its been cancelled. Ok now we are told to all go to baggage claim and get our luggage and stand in a long line, call an 800 number to get ANOTHER flight and then go through all the stuff again. Ok... so I do all the above instructions and get my flight. Go through security and AGAIN they stop me--this time for a necklace in my carryon--I dont even wear jewelry to airports. Yep I was patted down also and my bag was emptied etc by security and then I was free to go--after I was free to repack everything myself--nice. Ok... finally I was free and on my way home--yippe!!! I got my flight to Dallas , Texas...Then promptly went to the restroom and lost my glasses...Then after trying to find them and asking 2 cleaning ladies that dont speak english I got a chocolate frozen yogurt and called my husband and got on my flight and came home--whew...There really is No place like HOme...