Christmas Party 70's Style

Friday was my annual work Christmas party. This year we had a theme. "Christmas Disco Bash." With that in mind I have included pictures for your viewing pleasure......feel free to laugh. I did!

#2 son, Me, Hubby (#1 son had something "better" to do)

There were competitions...

(I missed it by THAT much!)

Hubby & I doing "The Bump" & we won this competition. Best 70's couple!

#2 son (far left) strutting his stuff, came in 2nd like his momma!

We had skits......

Aquatics staff and their hilarious skit!

My coworkers as the Jackson 5


We had fun!

More coworkers that crack me up!

My boss & her hubby (left), Operations Mgr & his wife (right)

We all went home well fed and laughed out! Can't wait to see what next year brings!

What Did You Do?

This is what we did for Halloween...







What did you do?

Happy Anniversary!

I can't believe it! We were married in Mesa, AZ 23 years ago. In the years since that day on Oct 10th I have marveled at how in all this time, he still loves me. He is quite the catch (as some were quick to point out early on).

So, why would he choose me? Well why not? We make each other laugh. We understand each other's humor. We have similar interests. We compliment each other. He is strong where I am weak and I am strong where he is weak. We love each other. He is HOT! He has an AWESOME smile. Ok, I tease about the smile! But that's what we do, we tease! We joke, we try not to take things too seriously, because frankly our life has been far too serious at times. We have made sacrifices for our boys. And with these trials and sacrifices our love for each other has grown stronger and deeper.

I married my best friend. It doesn't get any better than that!

Dear Me

Dear Me,

(Ummmm, why are you still reading? This is for me...ahem... )

Ok, I think they are gone, so, I have some questions to ask if you don't mind. You don't have to answer if you don't want to, but these questions have been on my mind for a while.

1. Why is it that I have a headache every single Sunday? (Ok, I have a headache every day of the week, but on Sunday they are just out of control.)

2. Why are teeth the first thing I look at when I meet someone?

3. Why is there an otter pop stain on my keyboard when there is no food allowed at the computer?

4. Why do I find it so hard to be motivated to do something on the weekend when I can work my butt off all week long?

5. Who shot the sheriff?

6. How did I end up with such a nice guy as a husband?

7. Why are you still reading this? (Not me, you!)

Love Me.

PS, If you (yes you) figure out some of the answers, please let me in on them! Thanks!

Did I ever mention......

Did I ever mention that I work at the coolest place?

Did I ever mention that they sometimes have these crazy specials?

Did I ever mention that their specials are C.R.A.Z.Y?

Yep, this one is nuts! And I am sharing it with you!

This starts September 1st.

So the deal is........

$333 IS BACK!!!

Bring your family & friends and sign up together and you can receive an Annual Family Pass (up to 6 family members) for $333!!! You must have 3 families signing up at the same time to receive this AWESOME deal!

One Annual Family Pass = $399
Two Annual Family Passes=$749
Three Annual Family Passes= $999*
Don’t delay! This offer ends Oct 31st!

(And of course the disclaimer.......)
*Purchase 3 yrs for $333 or bring in 2 other families with you. Must sign up at the same time in order for offer to apply. Some restrictions apply. Not valid with any other offer.

So if you are interested, gather your friends and head on over to the

WASHINGTON CITY COMMUNITY CENTER

350 North Community Center Drive

Washington, Utah

(435) 656-6360

and while you are there, stop in and say hello!

Forgetfulness

I am a forgetful person. It is hard for me to learn new things. It hasn't always been this way for me. When I was younger, I didn't have to study at all. I just remembered things that I had learned. If I didn't think it was important, or if I didn't like a particular subject in school, I just "pushed" the information out of my thoughts.

This "pushing" has come in handy for other things as well. Although, my body would tell you that there are consequences to "pushing" thoughts out of my head.

But now my problem is this.......

How do you retrain your brain to remember things when for 40+ years you have trained it to "forget"?

Lake Powell Bound

While most of my friends are scurrying around preparing to send their children back to school tomorrow, I am heading to Lake Powell.

My boys are grown.

It's weird to say that, cause to me they are still my babies. That is until they stand in a doorway and take up all the space. Then reality hits. They ARE grown.

So, as you send your babies off to school, think of me basking in the sun playing in the sand and cooling off in the water. (I just made myself jealous!)

Now I am going to pack my next book on my reading list...... I can't wait!

Calling All Judges

No it's not a new TV show, it is my life.

Apparently if I don't want to be judged, I just shouldn't answer the phone.

Or, if I answer the phone, my answer should be yes, and then I won't have to hear this on the other end of the line........

"Oooohhhhhhhhh......tsk.....(sigh). Alriiiiight then. Goodbye."

After all, no matter how much you may judge me, I am a much harsher judge of myself than you can EVER be. True story.

Teardrops on my Guitar

For those of you who missed it, the hubby sang karaoke at my work party Saturday night.

He sang under duress.

He is NOT a singer.

I signed him up to sing the song.

When he complained about me signing him up to sing the song I assured him he would have fun.

What I meant to say was that I would have fun watching him.

I did.

At first it was kind of sad. He really is a mediocre {bad} singer. The tune was so far off that you couldn't recognize the song. He looked forlorn standing up there on the stage. Kind of like he was going to puke, or kill me. But I just couldn't help myself.

I was doubled over in laughter. I had tears in my eyes.

Of course I have no photographic evidence.

My coworker however, has a video.

True story.

Flashbacks

Last week was a week of flashbacks.......then I read Crash's post on driving in a VW van and flashed back again. Only our family didn't have a van we had a VW Beetle.

The flashbacks are fading.

This is good.

This is a new week.

This is even better.

THE REASON FOR MY IRRITATION

HA! You thought it was because of all the postings about some wonderful lunch some of you got to got to at the OG the other day......didn't cha? HUH????

Ok, I have to admit, I was jealous that I wasn't there to try on Kristina's famous snuggie, or see Pat make her famous face {again}, or see Shelle's cute gap in her teeth, or smell the bread that Val made, or see those ruby red slippers that Barbaloot was wearing.

FINE!

I was irritated that I couldn't be there to see the ultimate dummy, Crash herself and her wayward brother! Who wouldn't be irritated?

But I am over that {almost}.

I have a BIGGER problem on my hands people!!!!

I have been sending messages through my wonderful message center to my not so wonderful mortgage company who I shall name!


Countrywide Mortgage was recently bought out by Bank of America. I am NOT impressed.

We refinanced our little piece of heaven {hell} that we have been fixing up and when we refinanced asked the powers that be to make sure that our HELOC was included in the new loan.

"No problem." "We can do that." "Is there anything else we can do for you Mr. & Mrs. E?"

And why would I think there was anything wrong? Everytime I logged into my account to pay, there was my HELOC. Showing my balance and when I owed my next payment of $0.

We have never used it. But we want to. We want to now! But we can't. Yet no one at the former Countrywide and current Bank of America can tell us why. Why our account shows that we have such and such funds there, but we can't use them.

So, after 5 months of asking nicely, I don't feel so nice any more. After 5 months of, "We'll have an answer for you next week." And then the phone never rings.......I am HOPPING MAD!

I have sent 3 messages over 3 weeks through my personal account to them on the matter. NOTHING.

Yet their message board says they will get to me in 1 to 2 business days. {LIAR}

Now they have wasted far too much of my time and energy. And they have promised me something they have not delivered on.

You don't want me mad Bank of America! Cause I have a blog. Now, I will write about you on my blog. And now I will label you on my blog. And when my friends go to refinance their homes, or purchase a home I know who to tell them NOT to finance through.

What would you do if you were in my situation?

The Things I Carry

This post is mostly true. It is an account of what I carry throughout a day..........

I am usually grateful when Sunday has passed as it is the hardest day of the week for me. Ever since I was a little girl, Sunday has been far from a day of rest.

I carry my scriptures -2.1 pounds- along with my binder for Young Womens which weighs about eight ounces. I sling my green leather purse-5 pounds- minus my cell phone -4 ounces- over my shoulder and slip on my glasses -4 ounces- as I head out to church.

Sometimes I leave the kitchen sink behind -20 pounds- and other times I tuck it in the corner of my purse because I never know when I will need it. I also take with me to church the guilt of not being a good enough mom-100 pounds-, not being a good enough wife-99 pounds- and being a horrible daughter- 1000 pounds. I carry along with that the worry that someone {anyone} will find out -1000 pounds.

After church is over I head home to take some much needed ibuprofen because I have just learned in class and through the talks given that what I am doing is still not good enough.

I am exhausted.

I don't know how I can carry this load home.

I am ready for Monday.

I am ready for a break.

My First Award!

Raders Out Loud has given the Premio Meme Award to my blog. I met Queen a couple of weeks ago when she was visiting the city I live in. We went out to lunch with Shelle and were instant friends. She is so fun and witty. She is my type of friend!

So, the rules of this award, is that I must tell 7 things about myself and then give this award to 7 people. Well, here goes nothing.....

1. I have lost over 60 pounds over the past 5 years. (Not as much as Queen, but we've seen each other's "before" pictures!)

2. I hate speaking in public (like at church or to large groups). My heart pounds and I feel like I'm going to faint or yak!

3. I am a Twix junkie (but would prefer an Aero Bar or Caramilk). Since I can't get my hands on Canadian chocolate bars, I eat two mini Twix bars every night.

4. I was born in Canada but have now lived in the States for longer than I lived in Canada. The rest of my family except for one sister still lives there. I eventually plan to take the test to become a US citizen....like my younger sister did.

5. I hate cooking. I love food, but I hate cooking, although, since my new kitchen has been finished, I am more apt to cook.

6. I used to own my own gift store.....and loved it! That was my dream, to own my own store. But it ended when we moved to Utah. Maybe again, one day.

7. I have only ever had one speeding ticket since I was 16 yrs old. I got it when I was 18, the day before I was leaving for college. And I do speed. Frequently.


So, I hope this wasn't too sappy for you Queen! :) Now, for who to choose to continue this on....hmmmmm.

I choose:

Serenity Now

The Hamster Wheel

livin' la vida utah

Ramblings of an Islander

The Papa's

Kazzy's Ponderings

You Asked For It

If I didn't hit you this time around....don't worry....I'll get you next time!

MY BEST FRIEND

My hubby is my best friend. That's why I married him.

He answered all of my premarital questions correctly.

I had a long list of them too! It wouldn't be easy but he passed with flying colors. Some of the questions were......

Will you change diapers? Check
Will you love me if I gain weight? Check
Will you get up with the kids in the night? Check
Will you do dishes? Check
Will you do laundry? Check
Will you love me forever? Check


Seriously, they were some qualifying questions that I had. I had my fair share of dating guys who said they would NEVER touch a diaper. GOOD-BYE.

Some said that dishes were women's work. SEE YA.

Then after a stormy relationship I met Drew. He was calm, quiet, sincere. He served others. He loved God. He honored his parents. He adored his mother. He had a good sense of humor.

He was exactly what I was looking for.

I have been blessed to have him in my life. He is my support. He is my rock. He is my love. He improves my surroundings just by being there.

Happy Father's Day to the father of my boys.

I LOVE YOU!

HUGE GIVEAWAY!!!

Remember how I have been fixing up my kitchen for what seems like FOREVER!!!!

Well guess what I came across today? A HUGE giveaway! It would be PERFECT in my new pantry. I don't know why I am even telling you this......oh ya, because then I get to have another entry!

So head on over to the Shelf Reliance Blog. HURRY! They are giving away their Harvest 72". True story! It holds up to 600 cans and retails out for $459.99.

It will rotate your cans so your canned foods don't spoil! What more can you ask for?

WHAT? You want me to win? You guys are AWESOME!!! ;]

THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING.....ERRR PICTURE

As I wrote on facebook page, I had my picture taken with Sione & Filipe from Season 7 of Biggest Loser. I love these guys! I loved them on the show! I rooted for them and was so sad when they were voted off by he who shall not be named.

Yes, that is me and Filipe! (With Sione in the background)

This pic is a little fuzzy.....camera phone quality can't be beat! Anyways, Sione, me and Filipe! (I can't stop smiling!)

Sione and Filipe made a special appearance at my place of employment on Saturday and are doing a "Boot Camp 4 Life" there on Mon, Tue & Wed.

I am giddy! I am star struck! I even got to see Sione's cute wife and daughter. (I'm starting to sound like Nutty Hamster Chick as she stalks the BYU football team!)

Oh, and did I mention that I had lunch this week with Shelle AND Queen this week? Two superstars in the blogworld!

I'm on a roll!

And Queen, we'll just keep our second lunch date to ourselves, K?

THE GRADUATE

Broc and me before commencement exercises.

Broc with his brother Chase, and with his dad showing a rare smile!

The family after graduation posing for the camera. Drew smiling as usual. :)

THE GRADUATE

(AND WHAT THIS MEANS FOR ME)

I never thought this day would come. Some days seem to drag on forever. Sometimes bedtime did not come fast enough. I was warned about this day. I was warned by moms who had "been there", "done that".

I am a step away from being an empty nester. I know, I don't look that old. (QUIT LAUGHING! I can hear you!)

Broc graduated from HS last week. We only had one minor incident with him at his graduation. The part where he glided across the stage on his heelies after he got his certificate. Other than that everything went off without a hitch.

Now, in the fall, he will go to the local college for a year. He's only 17. We have to keep him busy until he's 19. We have 14 months to go. Wish me luck. He's a flirt.

After that, Chase (our oldest) will be enrolling in college. He too will be moving away from home. He is working and earning money right now. The job he has right now already takes him away from home during the week and he is home on the weekends. We are almost there.

So, come next summer, my hubby and I will be in our mid to late 40's and have no kids at home. That is weird! The house will be quiet except for the dog freaking out every time we come home. So happy to see us after she has spent a long day napping.

Maybe one of the boys will take her with them. Can dogs go on missions? Hmmmmm.

The Shackles ARE Falling

As I was sitting at the computer this morning, I heard the following distinct phrase in my head....

the shackles are falling....chains of the bondsmen no longer are bright. (LDS HYMN #237, Do What Is Right)

Yes, it is true. Though the past couple of days have been rough. Some of the things I have been working through have been hard......the shackles are falling.

The puzzle pieces lay on the floor.

I have walked away.

My hands are free.

The shackles are falling.

I am "brightened by hope".

I am pressing onward.

I am worth it.

The shackles ARE falling.

It feels wonderful!

Not for the Weak

Change is not for the weak.

And right now, I am weak.

I am tired of change.

Tired of changing.

I am tired of putting my brain through one change after another.

Now I'm just whining. But you get my point don't you?

Change is hard.

Change for the better is good, but I feel like I've been through the ringer! You know the old ringer washer where you would feed the clothes through the two rollers. As the clothes go through the rollers the excess water is squeezed out.




I feel like a piece of clothing going through the rollers. I am being squeezed. I have nothing left.

I am trying to assimilate what I am learning into my life and trying to eliminate what I don't need. It sounds so simple.

Now picture yourself holding a jigsaw puzzle.

And imagine that puzzle you are holding represents your life.

As you are holding your life in your hands, you are told to drop that puzzle on the ground.

You know that if you do this that it will break into hundreds of pieces. You also know that you can't do anything while you are stuck holding a jigsaw puzzle. If you drop the puzzle, your hands are free. However, if you hold onto it, you are bound. The dropping of that puzzle represents the beginning of your freedom. So, you weigh out your choices.

What kind of life will you have walking around with a puzzle in your hands the rest of your life? Guarding it ever so carefully so that nothing happens to it. What kind of life is that? It is a safe life. It is a life that you may be comfortable with. It is a life that you know. But it is not the best life for you. It is not the best life for me. So out I step. Out of my comfort zone. The comfort zone that has protected me for so many years. Yet this protection has come with a cost. The cost is joy, happiness, friendship, love of self.

I drop the puzzle. I drop the life I know so well.


The puzzle pieces now lay on the ground. Some lay face up and some lay face down. When I chose to drop the puzzle and free my hands, I felt that I chose a monumental task for myself. I felt I would have to sift through all of these pieces to see what pieces were still relevant and what pieces were no longer relevant in my life. These pieces I would discard.

Day in and day out I have been racing through my thoughts, looking in the recesses of my mind for areas I may have missed. What if I missed this area? What if I forgot about that? I have been sorting through my mind as if it were the puzzle pieces that fell to the ground. I have been wasting my energies on "what if's" instead of focusing on the here and now. I felt life was getting in the way, instead of the puzzle pieces getting in the way of my life.

The puzzle pieces are on the ground. There they may stay.

I'm tired.

I'm hard on myself.

I don't want to look at any more puzzle pieces......maybe that's why I'm on day 2 of a migraine.

I want my life.

The Rest of the BBFF's Story (Not for the Queasy)

Tuesday was an AWESOME day!  I got to meet up with 3 blog friends!  I know you're jealous!  

I had already met Nutty Hamster Chick (Pat) last month when she won the WICKED ticket and we went to see it with Serenity Now (Robin -my sister) and my sister-in-law.  

On Tuesday I was to meet up with Pat, T (You Asked For It) and Shelle!  I was soooooo excited!

So, on Tuesday, I was sitting at my desk at work.  It was 11:50am.  I was to meet the girls in 40 minutes.  My cell phone rings.  I don't recognize the number, so I answer it.

Me: Hello?

Man: Hello, Mrs E?  This is Mr So & So at Such & Such High School.  We have your son Broc in the office.  His finger is bleeding pretty badly and he's in a lot of pain.  His fingernail is hanging by a thread.  He was in ceramics class and a door fell on it.  He'll need to be taken to the doctor to have it looked at.

Me: (Thinking to myself) Oh CRAP!  I can't go pick him up and take him to the doctor!  I have a lunch date in half an hour!  He'll have to find another way to the doctor's office.  Will he hate me?  Oh, I don't care.  I have a lunch date with 3 blog friends!  The fingernail will have to wait!

Me: (after long pause) Someone, either myself (fat chance) or my husband will be there to pick Broc up in a little bit.  I'll try to get hold of my husband.

So, I scrambled!  

I called my husband, praying he didn't have any pressing meetings or appointments!  After all, I didn't want Broc to have to sit in the Office for a couple of hours in pain, while I had lunch!

WHEW!   Drew had no plans!

I gave Broc strict instruction NOT to show his dad his fingernail!  My hero doesn't do accidents, blood, needles, hospitals, childbirth or anything that involves trauma.

If he tries to, this is what happens.......

Because Broc was having this removed.........this is your gross photo warning....see above photo as to what could happen to you if you are faint of heart......(there Youngblood and Kazzy...is that better? hehehehehe)

But, then again, I had no idea, because I was too busy laughing at Shelle's space in her teeth, T throwing forks and buns on the floor, and learning how to make Pat's infamous face!

I think I'm in the running for Mother of the Year....what do you think?  This face for my picture?

Next time......pedicures!  NOT!

My Lost Key

I found my key the other day. I didn't know it was lost. It isn't a key to any tangible door. I had an "AHA" moment, and then, right before me was the key.

My key.

A key that I had begged for. Cried for. Longed for. Hoped for. Prayed for. There it was, right in front of me.

I have been searching for control in my life. Control over my life. Control of my life. The more things I tried to control the less control I seemed to have. That was THE KEY. I was trying to control THINGS, while still allowing OTHERS to have control over me.

I have found my key. CHOICE.

I choose to take my life back. I choose to be responsible for my life. That means I hold no one else responsible for what happens to me.

I CHOOSE ME.

For those of you who know me, or of my circumstance, THIS IS BIG.

I have allowed others to have too much control over my life. I allow what others think of me to dictate what I will say, how I will act or who I will be.

I am good enough as I am.

I am worthy of love as I am, just because I AM.
I choose to be happy instead of indifferent.
I choose to love not just be loved.
I choose peace instead of anger.
I choose my husband and sons.
I choose joy.

By choosing my own destiny I am taking back my life. The life I have been searching for all these years.

I thank God for small miracles and ask for one more.

(I went to the doctor this week and received some not so great news. I will know more in July. You may get to see me glow again.)

I'm Not THAT Girl.....Or Maybe I Am!

We're Off To See The Wizard!

Me meeting Pat for the first time......and eating at Rumbi's.....yummy!!!

The show has ended....and far too soon! We have our programs...and I have my T-shirt!

I'm telling Glinda that she should send me more tickets! True story!



Me searching for my lost sister-in-law. She said she was BY the ladies' restroom, not IN the ladies' restroom!

There she is! Found at last!!!

We can't believe it's over!!! How rude!!

Ok, so, I FINALLY figured out how to post pics in the body of my text, so YEAH for me! I'm THAT girl. I just figured it out on my own!

I'm also THAT girl who got to see WICKED for the FIRST time! I was so excited to be able to see it. I have been listening to the music for almost 5 years! I read the book. I HAD to see the play!

And I'm THAT girl who got to meet my first blog friend! I got to meet Nutty Hamster Chick! She is an AMAZING person! We had so much fun, even if it was just for an afternoon and we didn't get to sit by each other in the theater.

I'm THAT girl who has an awesome sister who got us to the Capitol Theater in the nick of time too! WHEW!

I'm THAT girl who wants to see WICKED again!!!! Any takers?