I'm a follower

I can be a leader, if I want. And I don't really follow the crowd. I just don't like being in the front. I don't really enjoy being in the middle either. I would much rather be in the back. Back of the movie theater. Back of the bus. Back of the class. As I was driving to work, I thought of 3 instances that I am always in the back and very insistent that I am there.

1. When I'm driving. I drive 20 minutes to work and 20 minutes back every day. I see the freeway as kind of a race. Everyone is trying to beat the person next to them but trying not to get caught going too fast. I hate going slow, but I refuse to be the fastest person on the road. So I go the average speed of everyone on the road until someone passes me, then I immediately get behind them and go their speed. I follow them down the road. passing everyone. If the cops turn on their lights, it's for the guy in front of me, not me.

2. Disneyland. When we go to Disneyland, we take it seriously. We try to get as much fun packed into the day as we can. so we start in one "land" and work our way around, not skipping around and wasting time walking. My mom has always had the job of mapping it out. I used to walk up front with her, but then the kids would fall behind in their one slow speed. So then I took it upon myself to take over the back. In the back, i can push them along. I keep an eye on my mom so we don't get lost, but I pull up the rear, making sure no one gets left behind.

3. Skiing. As some of you know, I broke my leg skiing. I still enjoy going, but I don't go as fast as I used to, I am very cautious and I only really like to go once a year. When we do go, I insist on being the last one to go. I know i'm slower than everyone else, but if I go first, then I make them go slow and am afraid they will run me over. I also want to be able to help if anyone falls. This actually happened last year when we went. Adam fell and I was right there to help him and sit with him till ski-bulance came. But, as long as I can remember, I always make everyone else go before me.

yes, i may be weird, but... you love me....

Genetics? What a relief and IT'S A MIRACLE!

First of all, Genetics. What the heck. When I think of genetics, I think of hair and eyes and noses. I even think of tendancies such as anxiety and unmotivated..ness... that sort of stuff. When I think of cooking and following recipes, I think "it really isn't that hard, it's just a recipe. follow it" That's just how it is for me. Well, maybe cooking is genetic. maybe it comes easier to me, because it comes easy to my mom. My mom is a fabulous cook. Best I know. My mom tried her hardest to get me to cook and be interested in cooking when I lived at home. There was no interest. Then I moved out and had to cook for myself and BAM love to cook. I think (in the most humble of ways) that I'm a pretty good cook. I really enjoy showing off even (that might not be so humble, but you know you like it). Growing up, my mom always cooked and baked many lovely things. Cookies, were a whole different story. They always came out tasting great, but they were always flat. Chocolate chip cookies were flat with little bumps where ever there was a chocolate chip. Good tasting, weird looking. Well, last night, i attempted chocolate chip cookies (again), and what do you know, flat with little bumps where there are chocolate chips. You may be thinking "try a different recipe" or "make sure you measure with exactness" well, think again. My mom and I are both cookie challenged. We follow the recipe exactly. We have tried many different recipes. Heck, last nights cookies couldn't have been any easier. It was a bag mix. I heated the oven to exactly 375. i put in exactly 1 stick of butter and exactly 1 egg. I cooked it for exactly how long it told me to. They even looked good in the oven. how can you mess this up?! I don't know how, but I can and I did. It's genetic. My sister, did not get this gene. She can bake cookies and have them turn out perfect. Same recipe, same ingredients, same measuring utinsels, but hers always look better.





New subject. What a relief. So our first married ward was not a ward, but instead, a branch. The branch consisted of the newly weds with their brand new children and the old people who lived in the "senior living" section of our complex. So none of the members were planning on staying long. We went, enthusiastic, and I felt pretty let down. I'm sure the branch was full of wonderful people. I'm sure they were all really nice, but, none of them talked to me (us). The bishop didn't know us, not even the relief society president said a word to me. It was a hard place to be. Now that we have moved, we're in a real ward, with real people. We went to our ward for the first time today and AMAZING. The difference was unbelieveable. I had lots of people come up and introduce themselves and tell me (us) how happy they were that we're in the ward. The bishop wants us to come in so he can get to know us next sunday. Someone sat next to me in relief society today. There were lots of other seats she could have sat in, but she sat next to me. I hate first days. I hate the awkwardness. I hate not knowing how things work and who people are. I still don't know who anyone is, but they made me (us) feel comfortable to be there. I am very much excited to be a part of this ward.


The last of my rant, is bread. Bread is amazing. When I was packing up the food to move it, I came to my bag of brown sugar. it was pretty much just one big rock of sugar. I told my mom, who was helping me pack, to just throw it away. she said "on no, don't do that, just stick a piece of bread in it and it will soften right up." I know you're supposed to put a piece of bread in with the cookies to keep them soft, but i didn't know it worked with brown sugar too. I also didn't have much faith in the system. I thought it would make the little "rocks" a little more soft and the big one easier to work with. I took the brown sugar out to use it just now, and what do you know, it feels just like a brand new bag of brown sugar. you can't even tell. I am amazed. it's a miracle.

Welcome to the Family

As part of our sweet deal on our new home, we got 2 cats. I've never had a problem with cats. I have ALWAYS had at least one. Actually, I think I've always had 2. So I was excited to get them. Adam on the other hand, was a little more hesitant. He's never been much of a cat person, but said ok to the cats because 1. he loves me and I wanted them and 2. He was able to help out a friend by taking them. Adam and I quickly took to both cats, Camper and Minnie. Neither cat is shy, but Camper settled in to her new surroundings (same house, new people and stuff) quickly. She loves when we pet her and hold her. Minnie on the other hand, was a little "stuck up" and cautious. She'd only let us pet her when she wanted, and only for a few seconds, then she'd walk away.

Camper

Camper LOVES to have her belly rubbed. When she wants attention, she will run in front of us and then quickly lay down and roll on her back, so we will pet her belly. When you go up to her to pet her, she ALWAYS rolls onto her back for a good belly rub. It makes her long and skinny. Very cute. She has a kind of whispery almost nasely purr, when she does purr. She is the bigger of the two cats, both are pretty big. not fat, just big.

Minnie
Until recently, Minnie has kind of kept to herself. Only letting us pat her for a few seconds, then it's like she realized she let her guard down and quickly leaves. She is very silly when she thinks no one is looking. I saw her once playing with the milk cap like it was a mouse. As of last night, she feels comfortable with us. she slept in our bed most of the night and part of that time she was laying on us. This morning she sat on my lap while I did my make up. She follows us around the house, usually (as of today) in front of us so that we will pet her. She won't let any one but Adam rub her belly and I think her new favorite thing, is to lay on Adam, where ever he is. It's pretty cute :)

The cats love each other. They like to hide behind corners when they know the other is coming, then jump out and scare the other. They sleep together, eat together and play together. When I am cooking or cleaning in the kitchen, they are both at my feet, either wanting attention, or just wanting to be there. Minnie will head but my legs when she is ready for attention. Camper will put both paws on my leg and start pawing and "clawing" (both cats are declawd, so there is no hurting when they claw), then when I look at her, she's down on her back, waiting for a rub. We love our kitties so much already, and we've only had them a week :)

Things that I love

Recently I have found some things that i LOVE. not just like, but full on love, getting close to obsession.

1. Adam. duh, but i really really do
2. Country music - I really can't get enough of it, even if KBul does play the same songs every 3 hours
3. My new kitties. Post coming soon dedicated to them.
4. Apples.
5. Cuddling
6. almost my new house. it's STILL not unpacked completely and I fear it never will, but, there is SO much space, and I love it.
7. my kitchen!! I have so many cupboards to put things in!! i have HUGE one that has NOTHING in it. wow. i'm in love.
8. blogs. just love them and love finding the good ones.
9. my big bath tub. very nice
10. cuddling all night long. yes, it's different than #5.
11. This picture. LOVE it. I want to make it 30x40. I probably wont, but it would be awesome.

Where the drugs are

So we're currently moving. Well, we're mostly moved, just need to finish cleaning out the old place. but that is a different post. Adam has been being a good man of the house and making sure I don't even have to help with the big stuff (dressors, futons, bed, etc...). He got it all loaded while I was at work. Our neighbor (old apartment neighbor) came out to see what was going on. Now, our neighbor, we're not sure what his name is, but we call him Lamar. Lamar sounds almost EXACTLY like the creepy old guy on family guy, so imagine him talking in the whispery, high pitched voice. Here is the conversation between him and Adam.
Lamar: are you guys moving?
Adam: ya, just getting all the big stuff out now
Lamar: Oh, well that's nice. I was living somewhere nice, but they wouldn't let me keep my cats, so I came here.
Adam: well that's good that you can have them here.
Lamar: Where are you moving to?
Adam: Springville
*Lamar's face changes from a pleasant smile to total shock*
Lamar: That's where the drugs are... my daughter lived out there and that's where all the drugs are. you better be careful
Adam: Oh really, well that's good to know.

So just so everyone knows, we are now living where the drugs are :)

Also, the guy that lives(ed) above us, is Milton from Office Space

New Year Word(s)

I found this idea on a friends blog. When I read it, I didn't plan on doing it. I didn't think I could come up with a good word. Then it stuck with me and 3 words came to mind. They are words that I consciously think about every day, in the effort to better myself and help those around me, enjoy being around me. The meaning is really cool. I like this idea better than New Years Resolutions. Here is the idea:

Can you identify a single word that sums up what you want for yourself in 2009?

Your word can be anything you want it to be - it does not have to be soulful, or clever, or original. It can be practical and tangible. Don't worry if someone else has chosen the same word as you - this is just for you. You don't have to be creative - just be true.

The idea behind the one little word concept is to give yourself something to focus on throughout the year. "A single word can be a powerful thing. It can be the ripple in the pond that changes everything. It can sharp and biting or rich and soft and slow."

It can be something tangible or intangible. It could be a thought or a feeling or an emotion. It can be singular or plural. The key is to find something that has personal meaning for you. This is not your mother's word or your spouse's word or your child's word - this is YOUR word.

One little word can have big meaning in your life if you allow yourself to be open to the possibilities. And here's one thing that is totally interesting: sometimes a word will pop into your brain and it will not make any sense to you right now. Give it some time. Let it percolate a bit. I have often found that our hearts speak to us in very unique ways. Maybe this is a word you need to hear but just aren't ready for it yet. Again, be open to the possibilities.

Isn't it a wonderful idea!

My words for 2009 are:

I want to be more productive. I want to use my time more wisely. There is always so much to be done, and some times it overwhelms me to the point that I just don't do it until my list is longer than it should be. I know it can be done. I know that others can stay on top of things, so why can't I? I know it's because my time isn't as organized as it should.

I drink too much soda. I eat too many cookies and milk. I eat too much candy. I don't eat enough vegetables. I don't eat enough fruit. I need to eat healthier. I want to be healthier. I'm going to try and have more fruits for breakfast and more vegies with dinner. Maybe I'll take the stairs instead of the elevator... I just want to be a more healthy me.

It is so much easier to see the negative. to see what people are doing wrong, what others should do to improve your own situation. I want to be the change. I want to see the positive in everything. When something or someone gets me down, I need to look at it through their eyes, and not just my own.

falling.....

oh how i love him

Filling my cup

The week of Christmas, my spiritual cup was filled fast. It started Tuesday when Adam and I had the opportunity to go through the temple with one of my closest friends and her husband. It was their first time through and our first time back since we got married. It was so peaceful. I forgot all of my Christmas stresses, I felt closer to our Heavenly Father and my husband. I am so grateful I was able to be there for my friend on her special day.

The next day was Christmas Eve. Adams dad gathered all of the grandchildren on his lap and asked them about the true meaning of Christmas. It's amazing how smart they are and how much they know about our savior and how he came to us.

Then Christmas Day. We got to be with both of our families and feel close to everyone. We got to talk to my brother who is in Chile. It was so good to talk to him and hear his voice. He comes home this year. We are all so excited to have him back. With all of us there talking to him, our family felt complete for a minute.

Saturday after Christmas, Adam got to baptize our nephew Landen. It was so neat to see my husband performing the ordinance. Both Landen and Adam had a glow afterwards. I couldn't help but smile and feel so proud.

That night we went to Temple Square with my family to see the lights and watch the movies they have up there, as is the tradition in my family. I love that temple. We hadn't been back to that temple since we got married. I couldn't help but fall further in love with my man. While there, we watched the Joseph Smith Movie. What a wonderful man and movie. Then we watched the Testements. Both such fabulous movies. I'm glad I got to see and feel it all with the ones I love.

I love the Christmas season and am so grateful to have so many wonderful people to share the season with.