Not Quite Sure What to Title This One...

Wow, so my brain is a little fried right now. I'm not even sure why I'm writing a new post, other than for the sake of a new post!

I'm currently in Arizona. I'm here to take the 2nd test in the hiring process for the Gilbert, AZ police dispatch department. It's cool, I passed the first test and scored high enough to come back for the next step.

So as Earl and I were driving into town tonight, I got a call from some guy at PD saying that they are experiencing technical difficulties and that they need to reschedule my test. Really? Seriously? I'm not from around here, mister! I can't just reschedule at the drop of a hat!

So what did I do?

I rescheduled.

Same day, tomorrow, but 12 hours later. I was supposed to test at 0800, but now I'm scheduled at 2000. If the issues aren't resolved by then, the next available time slot is Friday at 1100. I can do that. It would mean getting into OC right at the peak of Friday night traffic, but what other option do I have?

So I'm excited that I get to sleep in tomorrow. Yay!

In other news, the CD that MCO (Mormon Choral Organization-OCMCO/EVMCO) recorded back in June is finally being released! It will be available on Tuesday, Dec. 13. Very exciting. You can go here to listen to clips from the CD. There were over 400 adults singing, 200 kids, and 100 piece orchestra. So amazing!

So I'm also having some weird shoulder issue that isn't really resolving itself. I woke up a week and a half ago with a sharp pain in my left shoulder and numbness and tingling down my arm with little to no strength.  The general sharp pain is gone, but if I don't take my anti-inflammatory, it really starts to ache pretty bad. So I'm on the anti-inflammatory as well as a muscle relaxer. I typically take the muscle relaxer at night to help me sleep. I haven't even taken it yet tonight and I'm already loopy! That's why I'm not altogether sure why I was writing a new post...

Good night!

Emotional Rollercoaster Anyone?

Wow! So last week Earl and I went to Arizona to visit with his brother and sister-in-law. It was great to see them again. While we were there, I took a test for the Gilbert, AZ police department dispatch. I'm putting feelers out for employment because let's face it, the California economy is going down!

So I took the test, hung out with family, and then hit the road back home. We left on Wednesday and came home on Friday. Super short trip, but I couldn't afford to take time off work.

I hear back yesterday that I passed the test! And I even scored high enough to move on to the next section!

So while this doesn't mean we are immediately moving, the chances are a little higher that we might move.

I'm bummed when I think about moving because I like the people here. I enjoy my work at BBTRC, and being next to both sides of the family is great. But if we move, the cost of living is significantly lower, gas is cheaper, and pretty much everything else is cheaper. So we would be able to pay off debts faster, and be more stable in the financial world.

I've also had some lows this last week. Almost had a full-blown panic attack at work on Tuesday. Not really sure what triggered it, but I overcame it. I've been beyond emotional, and the littlest things make me cry. No, I'm not pregnant. I'm just an emotional, sappy kind of girl.

So I'm not entirely sure where I'm standing today. The day started out rough, with a jackhammer at 0700. Then the cat got into the medicine cabinet and knocked one of my brand new earrings down the sink. Then as I was driving to my parent's house to get a funky long flexible magnet thingy (I know, very technical name!) I spilled my breakfast burrito down the front of my new fleece. And of course my back hurts, I think I have a pinched nerve because the pain is more of a burning all across the lowest part of my back/top of my hips. So I can't really do anything for that. Been trying to stretch as much as possible.

So that's my life in a nutshell at the moment. Here's hoping that my day goes better!

That Darn Cat

I'm trying not to be mad. Really I am. I don't like the feeling of regret. But last night was the first time that I doubted whether or not I wanted a cat.

We've had sage since June. Almost 5 months. She's been fun. She's been super cute. She's also been a holy terror.

As Earl and I were laying in bed, trying to fall asleep, Sage of course wanted to play. She went from the bed to the nightstand to the top of the dresser down to the tv stand. None of these actions are allowed. Unfortunately she doesn't respond to the squirt bottle. So we have no real way of training her what not to do.

So we chased her down from the tv stand and laid back down. Next thing I know, she went from behind the bed and tried getting up to the nightstand and/or dresser and well, let's just say she missed. She managed to pull down the clock, my old cell phone which acts as my alarm clock, my current cell phone, and my grandmother's lamp. The light bulb shattered, the lamp broke, and all of a sudden there was glass all right where I needed to stand. And of course my slippers were next to the front door since that is where I took them off yesterday afternoon.

Earl was such a trooper. I went and got him the dustpan and little Dirt Devil vacuum so he could clean it up.

During this time I put Sage in "time-out." Where is a place that a cat will stay for time-out?

The bathtub.

She doesn't like it in there. Not one bit. She probably woke the neighbors, or at least really annoyed them with her howling. But she was safe, and couldn't get into anything.

So why did I almost start crying last night? Was it because of the broken lamp that once belonged to my grandmother? Was it because that was the only item I have that connected me to her? Or was it pms starting to rear its ugly head? Probably a combination of elements.

The only good thing last night was that after all the excitement, I was able to chat with my younger brother last night. He's away at University of Utah right now. It's his freshman year. I love him dearly and miss his sweet cheesy smile. He's coming home in 2 weeks for the weekend. I hope that I'm able to see him for a little bit.

Well, I need to get dressed and eat some breakfast before today's events. It's Earl's birthday, and my parents' 39th wedding anniversary. Plus I am working with the horses this morning, as well as doing my normal stuff like get gas in the car and do laundry. Oh and I need to go pick up some things for the Open House we are having at the barn on Sunday. I have way too many things to do today and not enough time to do them all!

I keep telling myself that I love my life. I do, really, but there is too much to do today!

A Brief Testimony

I had the amazingly wonderful experience to share my testimony when I performed with the choir you hear in this video. I know the Book of Mormon to be true. I know it is the word of God. I believe it with all my heart. So watch the video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7-XVLs6u-c

If you are impressed and want to hear/see more, go here and buy tickets to our Christmas concert!

Who Needs Clothes Anyway?

I need to get this off my chest. I apologize if this is redundant to anyone, it's just on my mind right now.

I don't like to shop for clothes. Or shoes. This is mainly due to the fact that I am not a "normal" size. Technically, my girth is "average" per se, but my length is anything but. You know all those cute drop-waisted sweaters or dresses you see? They aren't drop-waisted on me. The hit at my waist. Or an empire waist with princess seams on a dress? (much like my wedding dress) Those seam lines hit right in the middle of my chest. No, I am NOT well-endowed, far from it actually.

The last time I bought jeans, I ordered them online because that is the only place where I can find extra long lengths. I love my jeans too, they fit great, and are super comfy.

I don't buy shirts anymore. I always have to buy a large or xl just to have extra length, and then I'm swimming in it every other way possible. Don't get me started on the whole modesty thing either. It bugs the snot out of me that in order to wear something even remotely in fashion (or even very out-dated) I have to wear an undershirt or some sort of cover-up. Why can't clothing designers make modest clothes? It's not that hard. It doesn't add that much fabric.

And shoes! Holy cow are shoes a nightmare! I can't buy shoes online because you never really know how they will fit. And shoes are only cute when they are a size 6-8. Heck, even 9's look better than my monstrous 11's. Not to leave out those who wear 10's, I feel your pain. I wore 10's my freshman year of high school. Half of my regular shoes are men's sizes and styles. I wear men's boots, pants, and jacket to work. So I like to feel like a woman at say, church, or on a date with my husband.

I haven't legitimately updated my wardrobe in years. I am still wearing skirts from high school. I just get really discouraged to look at clothes on the rack or online and know that the skirts that come to the model's knees would only go mid-thigh on me.

Here's where it gets a little mushy-gushy touchy-feely spiritual. After Women's Conference tonight, I know that I am not forgotten. Although it sure feels like it at times, I am remembered in Heavenly Father's eyes. Maybe when it was my turn to come to earth, I just got stretched during the transport.

I may be over 6 feet tall, but by golly, I love wearing my 4 inch heels to church!

Sleep, It's a Wonderful Thing

I can't begin to tell you how much I love sleep.

I love it. I'm obsessed with it.

It's one of my favorite hobbies.

And the last couple of nights, I've gotten some.

You see, for many years now, I have not been able to sleep throughout the entire night. Not that there were noises or other influences to wake me up. I would just wake up because that's what my body was used to from working 24-48 hour shifts on the ambulance.

But lately things have been getting out of hand. I would fall asleep like normal around 10pm. And I would be sound asleep until anywhere between 1 and 3am. I wake up for no apparent reason, and most of the time, I lay in bed, tossing and turning trying to fall back asleep. This would go on for weeks on end.

I can't tell you for sure what has changed within the last week. All I know is that I'm sleeping throughout the night. It is glorious. On days that I work, I'm not dragging my feet through the door and being a total grump the first 3 hours of my shift. And on days that I don't work, I have energy to get out of bed and actually do stuff around the house. Like laundry, or the dishes, or write about sleeping.

So it's good, this thing called sleep. I suggest you try it.


I even had the energy to get up and make pancakes for breakfast! Who knew sleep could do that?

Summer Activities So Far

I am forewarning you that there are a lot of pictures in this post. Finally got pictures from the camera and phone downloaded to the computer and will now be uploaded to this blog.

Starting with...Utah!! Wait, I went to Utah twice...Okay, this Utah trip was because the choir I'm in, Orange County Mormon Choral Organization, had the opportunity to perform in the historic Tabernacle on Temple Square. We also were able to record a cd at Abravanel Hall, the home of the Utah Symphony. We also had a concert at the hall, but I don't have pictures from that because my family went to the Tabernacle performance.

So here we go!

We drove up on Memorial Day and there was fresh snow on the mountains from the night before!

This is me before the Tabernacle concert. Holy hunking makeup Batman! I hated wearing that much makeup...but they made me do it.

That's me, almost to the very top, right in the middle. See me? I absolutely could not believe all the people who came to see us perform. It was amazing. Made me tear up a little.

Sage has continued to grow. She is about 5 months old now. Oh, by the way, this is our kitten, Sage! She's going to the vet for the first time today. Should be interesting!

She either stretches out or curls up to sleep. She's so stinking cute when she sleeps!

Earl is selling emergency food storage for a company called Daily Bread. This is one of the products they sell. It is a backpack (duh) with a 2 week supply of food for 1 adult (or 1 week for 2 adults, which is what we will be using it for), first aid kit, solar-powered radio-flashlight, tin cup, heat source, and filtered water bottle. They also have a la carte packs of food as well as monthly systems up to a year I believe. Almost all the food has a 25 year shelf life and tastes really good! I've tried it, it was yummy! So if you are interested in purchasing anything, I can help you out!

Earl and I went to the fair last week. We really enjoy the petting zoos. This little fawn liked me. Or at least liked trying to eat my shirt.

Earl liked the goats too.

Okay, I'm going back in time now. This was right after Earl and I did a session in the Salt Lake Temple from our first Utah trip. Such an amazing experience!

We got to sit in on the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Thursday night rehearsal. I was feeling silly, Earl was not.

So beautiful...

This is my best friend Samantha. This is from my second trip to Utah. We got to see each other on my first trip, but we both completely forgot to take pictures! I was so happy to see her and her family. They have a beautiful home in Nibley, UT with an amazing garden! We spent the night there before we trekked on to southern Idaho for my family reunion.

Blake decided to come join us for a picture. Nicole would have too, but she was napping.

Earl and Blake became best buds on our first Utah trip and cemented that bond on our second!

That is a hummingbird in the boys hand. A few miles away from our campsite in the Sawtooth National Forest, there is a spot where hummingbirds gather and this group comes out and weighs, measures, and bands the birds. It was amazing how still the birds were! I found out that hummingbirds do not have feathers on their belly. And they only weigh about 3 grams!

I think I will end things here and post more later!

An Addition to the Family!

We are happy to announce the addition of a family member!

No, not a baby. Well, not a HUMAN baby at least!

We have a kitten!

Her name is Sage. She is white with gray spots and a gray tail with just a little snip of white at the very end. Her eyes are green, hence the name, and is about 8 weeks old. She was rescued by my friend Sam G. a few weeks ago when her mama was killed by a coyote. Her brother, Dusty Bottoms, was also rescued and will be serving as a barn cat for Sam.

Pictures will be coming soon, I can't find the cord to upload stuff from my phone at the moment.

I will also post about my recent trip to Salt Lake City, but I just don't have the energy to do it right now!

Ramblings of the Night

I have many jumbled thoughts tonight. Please bear with me as I try to get it all out.

I will start by saying that I love my family. There have been ups and downs in our relationship. The downs were pretty low sometimes. But my family didn't leave me.

And I didn't leave them.

There were times that I wanted to. I wanted to this world. I used to think that my life was horrible and no one loved me. But then I thought of my family. Thought of how sad they would be if I left. I wanted my baby brother to know me when he got older.

So I stayed.

And the tables have turned slightly. I tend to have a "worst case scenario" mind sometimes. I think it just comes with the job. And I have worried about one of my family members leaving me. And I start to cry. So I think of something else.

A family that I know is going through this right now. Their son took his own life. While they are active members of the church, my heart aches for what they are feeling right now.

I know that families are forever. I am lucky enough to be connected to my family, my husband, and my husband's family. I know that we will be together after we die. This knowledge I think helps to ease the pain of a family member passing away. But there is still that sting right after it happens. I've seen it happen to people I love. To people I don't know. To people I will never see again.

What and how we feel makes us human. Sometimes the feelings overwhelm us and we aren't able to function. I believe that with the comforting arms of our Savior, Jesus Christ, around us, we can overcome any obstacle we come to.

When we made the decision to come to Earth, we knew we would face trials. But those trials would be worth it to have a body. Sometimes I doubt that I am strong enough to face what life throws at me. And sometimes I go crashing head-on into those trials.

It's all a matter of perspective.

Please, keep this family in your prayers. I believe they could use a lot of love and support right now.

And now I need to go to bed before I turn into a pumpkin.

Dreams and Lions

I couldn't sleep last night. So now I'm up and blogging. You guys get to reap the benefits of my lack of sleep! Aren't you so lucky?

So two nights ago I had some odd dreams. One was of a family reunion. We were in a very strange area and it was just weird. I won't go in to details because it wasn't that important.

The other dream I had was set back in Plano, in our old house. I was 9. Tyler was a baby. I was babysitting. And he had fallen asleep for a nap so I went to put him in his crib only to find the side railing was broken and I needed to fix it. So I put Tyler in the guest room on a mattress that was on the floor (to my memory, there was never just a mattress on the floor but a full size bed with a wrought iron (or was it cast iron?) head/foot board). I went about fixing the crib. And that's about all of the dream, I won't bore you with little details.

I believe that the reason I had this dream was because right before going to bed, I had texted with my mom that Tyler was going to be ordained an Elder this Sunday at church. I have a hard time coming to the realization that my little baby brother is growing up.

Well I WAS going to share some pictures of how big he's gotten, but they aren't working. So my baby brother is now about 6'4" and 215lb. This last year in football, he was a head taller than everybody else. He just passed his Eagle Board of Review, and in that picture is taller than all the leaders. Then I was going to share a picture from when he was like 12 or 13 and was a scrawny little redhead with glasses and so adorable! But you will have to take my word for it!

My baby brother is growing up. He's going to college next year. University of Utah to be exact. And then he's going on a mission. He isn't 2 and curled up on my lap like a little baby lion anymore (The Lion King came out about that age and we watched it 2-3 times a day). But I still love this kid. I'm happy to see that he is progressing in life.

And last night, who knows why I couldn't sleep. Woke up at 0230 burning up and had to turn the fan on. Tossed and turned the rest of the night. So I hope that tonight brings more sleep to me! I do love sleep. And food.