Things That Must Go: Nickels

Did you know that I kind of hates touching money? ESPECIALLY coins. They are smelly and yucky and metally and SMELLY.

Well, the nickel is the WORST. For some reason unknown to normal human beings I have decided I hate nickels.

If I never saw one again...I wouldn't cry about it.

I mean, they are so random. They are bigger than dimes in both diameter and weight but they are worth less monetarily. Who decided that was a good idea....seriously!

BFAW - Chay used to need change for a dollar on occasion. I would give him all my nickels, then pennies, then dimes, then quarters (in that order until I had made change). Just ask him.

I always use nickels first to just get rid of them.

Also, I have been known to not pick up a nickel if it drops. Good Riddance.

Bye Bye to the Nickel.

p.s. I do understand that having 1 nickel is better than 5 pennies...but lets just decide to not have any reason to need nickels or pennies...and while we are at it dimes too.

Blessing: PEOPLE

I am surrounded by the most amazing people.
GOOD people.
People who are SPIRITUAL.
KIND people.
People who are trying to make the BEST of the talents they have been blessed with.
SMART people.
Super SMART people.

I have been so blessed.

3 Things

3 blessings I have received today:

1. To wake up and start a fresh new day.
2. Having dinner with friends that talk about important things and bear their testimony (sometimes is words, but more often in actions) to me each time I am with them.
3. Feeling the Spirit. Having Him as a companion is truly one of God's greatest gifts.

November 27, 2009

Hola Dad,

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope all is well. Dad, I really wish I could talk to you. I have so many things I want to ask you. Your sister Alberta passed away and it raised many MANY questions about past history.

Joe and I were talking the other day and we wondered out loud what you would have done if Alberta had passed away before you. We both decided that your reaction would have been close to Uncle Edwards. You would have been sad, and you would have wanted to be involved in everything. You wouldn't have mentioned at the funeral all the negative things that happened in your relationship, but instead would have just been a support. I think you would have been sad to see your sister pass away. I bet you were there standing in the wings when she arrived on the other side. Tall and silent, that's how I picture you.

I went with mom to Alberta's viewing and funeral, you would have wanted that. You would want your family to support hers. That's something you and mom taught us, family comes first, no matter what your relationship is or was. It was interesting to compare your viewing and funeral to Alberta's viewing and funeral. The differences having me pondering why they were there, I think I have it figured out...it wasn't really that hard.

The burning questions are about what was said at her funeral about her life and history. Some of the things that were shared about her growing up had some interesting parts left out from the stories you told...I wonder if she didn't know or if she didn't tell her children. Alberta was described as a kind, loving, caring, person with great taste. This is not how I viewed her or how she treated us. Do you think this was because of your relationship with her? Is this because of Grandma Gaer? It is all very strange. Very strange. I know you and mom tried to do all you could. I wish things could have been different, that the relationship would have been there. I think it would have made a huge difference.

Dad, when we see each other in heaven again and if there is a movie of your life...do you think I could watch it? I have all these questions. I would like to see for myself with you sitting by explaining what is going on...just to clear up all my questions.

Much Love,
D'Nell

p.s. Going to Alberta's funeral reminded me how much I miss you. Thank you for watching over me...I know you are. I love you.

Heart Full Of Thanks

Today I have a heart full of THANKS.

I am thankful for being a part of the Ardell & Dean family. I truly couldn't imagine better parents, or better brothers and sisters. For me, this was the perfect family, including all the ups and downs.

I am thankful for just best nieces and nephews. I went to see New Moon with two of my nieces last night, truly my nieces and nephews are some of my best friends (even the in-laws). It helps that they are about my same age.

I am thankful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which has taught me about eternal families. This gospel helps me to have peace each day, not only peace, but HOPE.

I am thankful to have a job. A job which I love...even if I sometimes complain...I still love it.

Today, I have a very thankful heart.

I Covet

I want this car, Audi Q5 2009 (or 2010). I want this car in gray, black, or red. I want it fully loaded. A woman I work with just got this car and I had the privilege of riding from Burley to Salt Lake with her. I WANT THIS CAR.

(hint hint: if you have lots of spare money laying around and don't know what to do with it...this would make a FABULOUS Christmas gift for me!)

For Tracie

Today after I left your mom's viewing I thought about something you said and how I responded. When you said "you know how I am feeling you have been through this" and then I said "yes". That was the wrong response.

On my way back to work I thought about my response and this is what I should have said:

"Losing my dad when I am relatively young was ALWAYS a part of my story. I always knew it and had already come to terms with it long before it actually happened. Because I knew this, I planned accordingly. While losing him was still really hard and I miss him everyday, and will not have him for yet to come important parts in my life, this was still ALWAYS a part of my story.
However, you losing your mom was NOT a part of your story. You still had many years and many memories that needed to be made. Conversations, arguments, hugs, and learning moments that needed to be shared. Laughter and crying. You losing your mom was NOT a part of your story. I have know idea how you feel."

I can't imagine how hard the next little while...or long while will be for you. I can tell you that nothing helps more than the Gospel. Finding strength through prayer and scripture study. Turn to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and feel their love. Talk about it as much as you need. Make sure you have fun and remember the good parts. Also, don't forget to laugh. I love you.

One Year Ago

One year ago today I saw my dad for the last time.
One year ago today I told him I loved him.
One year ago today I knew, I knew that this may be the last time I would see him in this life.
One year ago today my heart started aching.

As the one year anniversary of my dad death has gotten closer I find that I often have to hold back tears. His death seems like it happened so long ago, but yet I can remember the moment I heard he was gone as if it were 2 minutes ago. I have learned over the years that there are some moments that always stay crystal clear in my memory.

Tomorrow is the one year anniversary, 11/7/2008.

One year later I know, even more, that my Father in Heaven loves me.
One year later I have more compassion for those who have lost a parent, no matter their age.
One year later I still miss him and long for the day when I get to see him again.
One year later I know that he is my Guardian Angel. That he watches over me, that he also can't wait for the day when he gets to wrap his arms around me.

This I Believe: Stand Up and Be Counted

I believe I am surrounded by exceptional people.
I believe that they aren't in my life by chance.
I believe I have much to learn.
I believe that I am strengthened by how often those people I hold dear stand strong and are vocal about what they hold true.
I believe that the above mentioned people will be great leaders.
I believe that there can no longer be any "gray" areas. That the time is gone for "fence sitters".
I believe that one of the hardest trials we face will come from learning how to have "charity" while still standing up for what we believe.
I believe in the Atonement of Jesus Christ and it's POWER to help me overcome all doubts, sins, fears, and trials.
I believe that I am afraid of offending when I don't mean too and it curbs my true thoughts too often.
I believe that you should act, live, and speak what you believe all the time.
I believe I am surrounded by extraordinary people.

*I have been so impressed with one person in particular who writes on her blog exactly what she believes. She stands up and is counted. Her passion is inspiring. We need more passion like hers and less fence sitting. Although, I don't always agree with her points I like to read and bounce her opinions off mine (all in my head of course). Here is to more ffff (fight for freedom fridays) and other posts she writes with such passion.

All In Perspective

On occasions, like most people I am sure, I think that I have a really hard life. As soon as I get sad or frustrated I am quickly reminded that I have it pretty good.

I have had one of those weeks. A week where I realize that I am not where I wanted to be in life. A week where I realize that I may have to wait longer than I wanted for things to happen. A week where I feel more alone.

Today, however, I saw some amazing friends who love me for me.
I laughed, and then laughed more.
When I got home I did some chores while Ardell bossed me.
Then we just sat outside and chatted.

It was a great day. Simple pleasures that remind me that Heavenly Father loves me. That I have value, and that I need to keep things in perspective.

Pepper Perch on Etsy

My cute friend Ashley started an Etsy shop and I LOVE it. Check these adorable earrings and bobby pin. Best part...the price.

If you want to check this and the other things at her shop go to www.pepperperch.etsy.com.



One last thing, need a cute quilt for you or your children? She will have them on her site soon. She will also do custom orders.

Seriously, go check out her shop!

Things That Must Go: Sleeping In

Okay friends, it's time to make a confession: I have a problem. I have gotten back in the habit of sleeping in.

I know, I know...shameful. I am working on it. Two days last week, I was actually EARLY to work! WAHOOO! Let's not talk about the rest of the days.

I know where the problem is: SNOOZING. Seriously, I get the best sleep after my alarm goes off. It's like the alarm triggers my body to instantly fall asleep. Weirdest darn thing ever.

Here's the biggest problem with sleeping in: my reputation. I am not a late person...but this sleeping in is starting to make me look like one! Also, lots of great things happen when you get up early (Being at the Farmer's Market early, working out and then having the rest of the Saturday to do what you want, and the peacefulness of the morning.)

So, now that I have confessed, I am committing to only 3 snoozes (instead of my average of 10-20), I am committing to wake up early on Saturdays (and Sundays), and I will be to work on time everyday next week (and hopefully subsequent weeks as well).

Go ahead and ask me about it. The answer will be "YES, I did it!"

(((Opinion Poll))) - New Bedroom Colors

So, I am thinking of changing the colors of my room. I love the colors in the above pille (and I love style of the pillow.) Anyway, I am thinking fall-ish colors. Also, add in a gold-ish brown-ish yellow. I need opinions!

*if you want to get this pillow yourself, check out Pottery Barn. It's the "anne marie" bedding collection.

Kids Say The Dardest Things

I substituted Primary today, the 4 & 5 year old class. Oh, how adorable. Seriously, the cutest 3 girls. I love being in Primary, it feel so natural and lovely.

So, in class "M" volunteered to say the opening prayer, see if you can pick out my favorite parts:

Dear Heavenly Father
Thank we can be here today
Thank that my Aunt & Uncle live together
although sometimes my Aunt lives with her boyfriend
Thank that my Grandpa feels better
Thank that mine and my sister's livers are okay
(this is where I then whispered "thank you for letting us come to primary")
Thank you for letting us come to primary
(again I whispered "thank you for the prophet")
("M" whispers "I know how to say prayers by myself")
Thank for Jesus
In the name of Jesus Christ
Amen

I was laughing so hard...but only on the inside.

The rest of class made me want to record our conversations...
Seriously, so funny.

Oh, and I have been called as a PERMANENT substitute teacher in the Primary. Yay!

Thoughts of School

School, school, schmool.

I started my MBA program and already have one class done. YAY! Okay, so it's not really done, we will have several more assignments due throughout the semester. But still...I don't have to go to that class anymore.

Here are some things I have realized since I started my program.
1. I need to exercise a lot more if I am going to have enough energy to do school and work fulltime.
2. I love being back in school. LOVE IT.
3. I may not be as smart as I think I am.
4. I can study AND I can don't really mind reading textbooks. (This is HUGE because for my bachelors I didn't really study a lot and I think I only read 1 text book completely...the rest I may have read a chapter or so.)
5. Graduate level classes are completely different than my undergraduate classes...they are more about applying the concepts to work we actually do right now. I LOVE IT.
6. I may have forgotten how to juggle all the things I have to do each day...this could get really bad.
7. I am, surprisingly, okay with with the sacrifices I have to make right now to get through school.
8. I don't know if everyone affected by my sacrifices is okay with them.
9. I hate campus parking. I hate it, I hate it, I hate it.
10. I am one of those people who wants to share what they learned in class with other people. Which kind of makes me a little boring...I will try harder to only share interesting stuff.
11. I need to remember to not neglect my blog...I have millions of things stuffed in my head that I want to share.

All in all, even though school is kind of kicking my trash right now...I love it.

A Little Surprise!

Last time I was at my rental house I found a little surprise. I love being a landlord!

The Last 18 Months

It was my privilege the last 18 months to serve in the Relief Society Presidency with these wonderful ladies. One of the hardest things I have ever had to do was make the decision to move which meant that I would no longer get to serve with them any longer.

Lisa (the Boss, Lisa Pants): has an amazing rock solid testimony. She has many incredible talents and often shared them with us. Also, she has amazing style...seriously...AMAZING.

Ashlyn (Smashlyn, Ashpants, Ash): I wish I could have had 1/8 the drive and testimony when I was her age. So concerned for others and just all around one of the nicest people I have ever met.

Haylee (HayHay, Haypants): What a tender heart. Such a brave soul with sharing the gospel I wish I could be more like her. She says things that just makes me laugh and laugh and laugh. And the "pants" I love the pants.

I have grown and learned so much from these amazing women (all of which are single if you are interesting in dating them). We had so much fun forming a friendship. We laughed A LOT. Sometimes we cried (like we did in the picture above). We had hard moments individually, but at least for me, they made those times easier. Most importantly, we shared our testimonies of the Jesus Christ with each other. I believe no other act they could have done would have cemented my love for them more. In hearing their testimonies mine was strengthened.


Although, out time serving together is over, our friendship definitely isn't. I love you girls!

Confession

Confession time. I am a sinner.

I know, I know...who would have thought that such a perfect person would sin. But, alas it's true.

What is my sin? COVETING, as in "thou shalt not covet". To covet is to wish for earnestly or to desire what belongs to another.

What am I coveting? A Range Rover. I need one. When I see one driving around I almost can't breathe with how much I want one. Not want....NEED one.

I love automobiles. All kinds really. In my "D'Nell get's everything" world I would have 20 automobiles. I add and subtract automobiles from the list almost monthly.

Isn't she pretty? All shiny and new and clean and lovely? One day...one day.

New Adventure

I will officially be a University of Utah UTE on Saturday. I am excited and nervous and scared and happy. So many emotions and so many questions.

The biggest question: Who in their right mind thought having the first day of school on a Saturday was a good idea? 8 HOURS of school? Hmmmm.

**Important notice** In 2 years when I have completed my MBA you MAY be required to call me "Master D'Nell" Or "Master Delia". Just thought I would give you a heads up. You can start now if you really want.

What's Your Fortune?

Ssssshhhhh...
This is a secret.
Sometimes I still play "fortune teller" with my some really great friends.
I may or may not have played tonight.

Let's just say IF I did play...
Then I hope my fortune comes true!

Things That Must Go: Stuffed Animals in Your Car

In my mind this doesn't need any further discussion...but in case you are an offender...

Seriously, why do people feel the need to "decorate" their car with stuffed animals? LAME.

And really, if you are old enough to own or even drive a car...then aren't you too old to like stuffed animals enough to use them as decorations? YES YOU ARE.

Top 7 reasons you should not decorate your car with stuffed animals:

1. Car's don't need decorations of any kind.
2. Leaving stuffed animals in the sun fades them and thus ruining them.
3. No one will want to date you after seeing the offensive animals in your car. This is even more true if you are a male.
4. No matter how cool you look...the stuffed animals make you completely lame.
5. So, people like me don't make fun of you.
6. Stuffed animals are a breeding ground for germs and bugs.
7. If you have stuffed animals in your rear window you are more likely to get in an accident (because I may accidentally "bump" your car in sheer irritation.)

Exception: if you have a kid under the age of 10...then you get a pass...I guess.
Okay, enough said.

Sisters

This picture makes me happy! We have a family dinner/birthday party almost every month. The ones in the summer/spring/fall where it is good enough weather to be out side are the best. If you have spent time around my family you know we love each other a lot. And nothing is off limits. We like to talk, share opinions, laugh, and lecture each other all while watching the kids run around in the background. And my mom LOVES to be right in the middle of it all. I usually always leave with my spirit boosted and have a feeling of overwhelming love and acceptance.

Aren't my sister's beautiful? Seriously, looking at this picture makes me realize I am lucky to be surrounded by such amazingly beautiful sisters; they are beautiful on the outside and on the inside.

Sisters are great...but let's not forget that brothers are pretty amazing too.

My cute niece Megs took this picture...she commented that it was the crazy side and the sweet side. My question to you is which is which?

My Mom is Cooler Than Your MOM. Hi-YAA!

Ardell just finished the "Swim The English Channel" challenge at the local swimming pool. She came in 3rd place. She got a certificate and a t-shirt. She wore the t-shirt at our family party to show off. (She is such a bragger sometimes. It makes me giggle).

The day after they put up the bulletin board she called me at 8AM and told me to go take a picture of the picture of her because it was a really good one. I agree.

So, the point of this? Well, let's just say that my mom is COOLER than your mom. HI- YAA!

(((Opinion Poll)))

If you had to be a professional sports player, what would you be and why?

Father's Day

Happy Father's day! There are lots of great "father's" in my life and I love all of the very much.

I would be lying if I didn't admit I just wanted to cry today. I miss my dad. It's not fair that he isn't here...but life's not fair...which really is quite RUDE.

Truth or Dare?

Did you play "Truth or Dare?" when you were younger...or maybe still play it today?

I will be honest I really hated this game for a long time. I was to nervous to ever pick dare and to embarassed to want to pick truth.

Truth or Dare always gave me anxiety, that is until I played the Chinese version "Truce or Dare". (The Chinese have a hard time saying the "th" sound, it comes out as an "s" sound.)

My friend Jill that I met in China reminded me recently of our adventures playing "Truce or Dare". Wow, we had some really fun times! But let's just be honest...I think I like Chinese "Truce or Dare" so much was because Jill and Terusha generally always picked dare and I LOVED thinking up dares.

In case you haven't EVER met me...I have a slight mischevious side and love to get people to do things. LOVE IT. Some call it manipulation ("Terusha would do it"), I would say it is a gentle push into an adventure.

Thanks for the memories Jill. I am pretty sure you should blog about them.

Kindergarten

Can you pick me out of this picture? Look closely...

Yep, you guessed it. I am on the back row smiling at Noel Gale. If I remember correctly he was saying something funny and I was answering him. You think the photographer would have been so kind as to wait until we were done.

My friend Carrie is on the front row with her moon boots on...and I love it!

I think this picture says so much about me...What do you think?

Whew! I Dodged That Bullet

One of my dad's favorite stories to tell was about my blessing day. As usual he picked out my name but didn't really tell anyone what it was going to be, instead he joked that he was going to name me a Spanish name meaning "the ultimate end". In church he filled out two blessing cards. One with my real name and the above one.

My grandma Swasey was sitting behind him trying to get a glance at what my real name would be...but my dad had other ideas and would be holding the "fake" card. When the Bishop got up to announce the blessing's he could not pronounce my name and just said Dean & Ardell's new baby. It was then that whispering went down the row "he's really going to do it".

Lucky for me it was just a trick.

I loved hearing my dad tell the story of my blessing day, and finally finding the "faker" card made me squeal with delight!

I am pretty sure the fake name does not mean "the ultimate end" in any language.

For Good

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say id I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good...
(For Good, Wicked Soundtrack)

11:11

Do you ever make wishes? Wishes before you blow out the birthday candles, wishes on shooting stars, wishes on eyelashes?

I like to wish. Most of them are stupid wishes. I am not a great "on the spur of the moment" wisher. If I had a couple of days to think about the wish I think they would be much better. Most wishes for me are spur of the moment. I forget about the birthday wishes until right before I have to blow out the candles.

A friend of mince makes the wish when he notices the clock is at 11:11. It seems that at least every two weeks I a lucky enough to see the clock when it is at 11:11...and I can't help myself...I must make a wish.

If you are lucky enough to make an 11:11 wish...just do it.

Here are the rules (completely stolen from TRuss's blog) of the 11:11 wish:

"11:11. Now this is a particularly tricky one that I have attached a few personal rules to. It simply cannot be premeditated. You cannot wait and watch for the clock to turn 11:11 so you can get your wish in. You cannot realize it is close to the time and look at the clock every 20 seconds until it turns 11:11. The 11:11 wish, whether spoken or thought, must also be completed while the clock still reads 11:11 to be considered valid (you never know quite how much of the minute you have left because you have just caught the clock reading 11:11, so this is a rapid fire wish).

The cardinal rule: You cannot share the wish you make with anyone or it will not come true."

I have added one more rule: You can make as many wishes as you want before the clock turns 11:11. So for those of us who aren't great on the spot wishers...we can get a few extra's in to cover our bases.

2009 Mother's Day

I love my mom.
She is spunky, sassy, and a spit fire.
Words cannot express how lucky I am to have her.
She is the first person I think of with happy or sad news.
She tells the same stories over and over, and I never tire of hearing them.
I just love her.

Thanks for being the perfect mom for me.
Thanks for loving me, even though I tease you.
Thanks for teaching me how to be a better person.
Thanks for showing us what it means to "endure well".
Thanks for believing in me.
Just...thanks.

Inspiration

April is great (see her at the top of the blog list). Her blog is about real life, her real life. I like it. Last week she posted a quote that I quickly fell in love with:

"For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time to still be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life. " - Alfred D. Souza

Don't you just love it? Doesn't it resonate with you?

Confession

My Name is D'Nell (or Delia, depending on who you are...).

I am 25 (plus a few more years).

My hair isn't this blonde naturally...(still blonde...just a darker shade of blonde).

AND....

I have had a crush on Prince William for EVER.

Isn't he just dreamy? And as an added bonus if you marry him you get to be a princess...

Oh! If only THIS dream could come true...

Things That Must Go: Shopping Carts

I was at Albertson's the other day and walked out of the store behind a family of four. They were parked kind of close to me so I got to see them put their groceries in there car...and then they did something that just annoys me. They didn't put their shopping cart away, they just pushed it in front of their car and left it there. You want to know what was worse? Just right across thei aisle is the shopping cart return.

Seriously people, your mom doesn't work at the grocery store. Put your shopping cart away! Grr....

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

The Ugly: My computer got a virus.

The Bad: I have been computer-less for just over a week now. (This really hasn't been that bad)

The Good: My brother-in-law is fixing my computer and realized I haven't ever been able to access 30% of my memory. (We can talk off-line about the reason). He is going to wipe the computer clean and re-load everything...which means no virus and more memory!!!

Let's me just give a small shout out to Marc who puts up with all of us who get one ore more virus and also those of us who are or just choose to be technologically unsavvy. He really is very paitient and kind to help us out.

How Much = Comfortable?

On my way home tonight I was listening to NPR. Big surprise, I listen to it everyday. Tuesday nights around 7 or 8ish seems to be Canadian news. They did a survey and asked a bunch of people how much money they would need to make to be comfortable and not need or want anything. The answers varied as follows:

"$2,00 a month so she could take care of her animals" (equals $24,000 a year)
"$150,000 a year so he could have a nicer home, travel, dine out, and get a new car every couple years"
"At least $200 a week so I can always pay my rent, even pay it early, and always have food in my cupboards." (equals $10,400 a year)

At the end of the story the comment was made about the difference's in being "comfortable" means to everyone.

This is something I have been thinking about for a couple of months. How much money do I need to make to feel comfortable. And what does "comfortable" mean to me? I have decided that right now "comfortable" means being debt free. So, I either need to make bunches of more money or I need to scale back my current lifestyle to pay of debt more quickly. Once I am debt free I am almost positive "comfortable" will change for me.

So, here is my question to you...What does being comfortable mean to you? Is it associated with a dollar amount earned per year? Or does it mean you own a home? Being debt free? etc?

Birthday Gifts

Happy Birthday to ME! Happy Birthday to ME! Happy Birthday D'Nell...Happy Birthday to ME!

2002-One of the best birthday gifts EVER was the "package" I received in China. Above is a picture of the ladies I spent the most time with. Left to Right - Jill (she's 6'1" and don't let her deny it.), Kiley (her nickname was "mouth" for a reason...), ME! (I look slightly dorky), Terusha (It's always a party when Terusha is around. PINK ELEPHANT), and Sarah (the kindest, funniest, sweetest snuggle bug ever.)

These cute ladies sent me a package for my birthday, made me a birthday crown to wear around and were all around just amazing. Being in another country with out your family or friends could have been wretched, but lucky for me I made some of the best friends of my life...and they took care of me. Thanks Chicas!

2009-Worst gift ever? Expired drivers license. Doesn't the DMV usually send you a reminder? Well I certainly didn't get one. So if you see me driving don't tell the cops...I am going tomorrow morning to get it renewed...



On a side note, this is the face of a friend when he heard that I am MORE awesome than him. He looks scared huh! Sorry, friend...but it's the TRUTH. D'Nell = AWESOMEST, YOU = Not quite as AWESOME, but I love you anyway!

Is The Sun REALLY That Bright?

Last Friday I was at Ross with my roommate Nicole and I almost purchased an amazing pair of sunglasses. I mean, c'mon, EVERYONE needs a pair of sunglasses. I refrained from purchasing them because I am trying out this new "budget" thing. I figured I could suffer and just quint when it was bright out.

Right now as I am sitting in my room I can see no less than SIX (6) pair of sunglasses. All 6 pair are fabulous (did you expect anything different). So now my question to myself is: "D'Nell just how many sunglasses do you need? REALLY need?" I am thinking the answer is 6.

Well...until I see some new sunglasses that are fabulous....

Right This Minute...

Right this minute....
...my room is colder than an industrial freezer.
...my hair is curly, did you know I am starting to do it this way every week?
...I am sad I have to work tomorrow...I like having Friday's off...why did I trade this week? WHY?
...I am reminded that I had the best friends in China. Thanks for posting the pics Jill...I giggle everytime I look at them!
...my mind is trying to think of something exciting to do for my birthday!
...TEO needs water.
...I am surrounded by chaos.
...I am dreaming of getting a pedicure of Saturday!
...my credit card has enough points to buy a roundtrip ticket to NYC...that's what happens when you have a CC for 10+ years.
...Big Dave the Korean is dreaming of Grandma bringing "The Incredibles" when she visits in 2 weeks. (David called me today to tell me to send it to him.)
...I am STiLL freezing.

Hilarious

My friend Josh has sent me to very funny e-cards. Above is the one I received today. Don't be offendend...but this card may be talking about you and I. In case you may wonder...I am the slightly funnier person.

(the cards are from www.someecards.com)

Did Not Expect To Say This...

I was chatting with my roommates and my friend Heather. I told them I was really excited for church on Sunday because it is Ward Conference. I think they were a little taken aback and asked what "big thing" would be happening. Nothing big is happening...at least that I know about. I am just super excited for Ward Conference.

Is that lame? Seriously?

I am just really excited for it. So, sue me.

Book Report

A couple of months ago while I wandered into the young adult section at the bookstore and picked up "The Goose Girl" by Shannon Hale. I loved it! It is a fun, light, and interesting fairy tale. Just adorable.

In preparing for my trip to AZ I downloaded "Book of a Thousand Days" by Shannon Hale from Audible.com. I wondered if I would like this book as much as I did the last. I wasn't disappointed. I listened to it in the car on the trip down and back as much as I could and I listened to it every night before bed. I finally finished it today at work (after 5pm lest you think I ignored employees). This book is also a fairy tale, c'mon who doesn't like fairy tales.

If you read these (or listen to them) let me know if you like them. I plan on reading all of her fairy tale books. I just love them!

(p.s. I also read "The Princess Academy...and loved it too!)
(p.p.s. Audible.com is great for downloading audio books. The library is cheaper...but Audible has a better selection and takes less time!).

Wordle

So my friend did this on their blog and I loved it! You go to www.wordle.net and type in your own words, or you can type in a web address (i.e your blog address) creates a word picture for you. The bigger the word in the picture the more frequently it appears on your blog.

The big words in my picture gave me a lot to think about. Obviously there have been a lot of things on my mind lately.

Happy Valentines Day!

**please don't judge that this made me laugh really hard**

Happy Valentines Day to you! I love you all! (Well...except YOU...you know who you are.)

3 Things

3 things I love about Ardell:

1. She is her own person. She doesn't need to be hip, or have the latest or best anything. She is who she is and doesn't apologize for it. She taught her children the same values.
2. She likes to "party". Party in Ardell (and Dean) lingo is going out to lunch with friends, dinner with family, or socializing. I spoke with my mom just now and asked what she did today, her answer: "I partied. I went to lunch with my high school friends."
3. Her love of family. She loves her children unconditionally, which doesn't mean she always likes us, but she always loves us. Growing up I never heard "your dad's family" or "my family" it was always "our family" meaning she doesn't think of my dad's family as something less related than her family. She has always made my dad's side of the family feel like they are related a lot closer than just through marriage. She also gets just as excited to learn about my dad's family history as she does her own.

I just love my mom. She is the best ever and make me laugh often!

A Theme Found

I found a theme, but not a 2009 theme, a life theme...well really more of a life question:

"As you go through these tough times, you each have a simple choice to make. You can either choose to be bitter, or you can choose to be better. Which do you choose?"

I was thinking how I could introduce or explain why I chose this theme, and then when I was responding to an email about the theme, I thought "Why not just post my response to their statement."

My friends statement about my theme: "I am surprised to see this as the theme you have chosen. I just expected something with a more poetic rhythm from you."

Without further ado, my response: (with just a few motifications)

I agree...I was expecting something with more sass, pizzaz, etc. But, this just struck a chord in my heart. Death always makes you reflect. Reflect on the person's life, and on your own life. I have been thinking a lot about what I can learn from how my father chose to live his life and what I can glean from him to make my life better.

For most of his life, he chose to be bitter about wrongs, hard times, really just a lot of things that were tough to deal with and experience. I will be the first to admit, he had a really really really hard life. Choices by his mother, grandmother, and others that didn't give him the best start or help during some pretty important years in his life. I mean for goodness sakes his brother committed suicide. HOWEVER, he didn't let these experiences make him better...he kept some bitterness.

About a year or so ago I found a tape my dad talked on about his life, he was speaking of things from his childhood. 80% or more of the tape were bad things that happened to him. After the first time listening to it, I vowed I wouldn't listen to it again. I didn't need to be reminded of the bitterness. However, when my attitude towards helping take care of my dad changed...I found myself needing to listen to it again. Seeing him in the prime of his "BITTERNESS" on the tape contrasted with the "BETTERNESS" that I was seeing him display during the last year of my life affected me profoundly. Let me explain the "BETTERNESS" I am speaking of, experiences with my dad taught me that he could get grumpy or unpleasant in certain situations. My prediction was that his children taking care of his every need (and I mean even the most personal ones), would have made him even more unpleasant or grumpy. BUT during this time he was pleasant. He told us he loved us. My dad repeatedly told us he had beautiful daughters, that he didn't know how he got to be so lucky to have such great children. In, what I would have thought would be the hardest trial to endure, he let him make him BETTER. The bitterness that lingered from earlier years was almost non-existant.

The quote that I heard summed it up for me. I don't want to spend years or even seconds of my life carrying bitterness with me. I want to spend seconds and years carrying betterness with me. I choose to be happy. I choose to be optimistic. I choose to see the good in people. I choose to laugh. I choose to love, and to love with my whole heart. I choose to keep those I love (friends, family, etc) close to me. I choose to be better. That is my choice now and forever.

I don't think it will be easy, but I am going to try.

This is why it more of a life motto...so I need to still come up with a 2009 theme....any thoughts?

**final note, lest you get the wrong idea, my friend liked the theme."**

Right This Minute...

Right this minute
...I feel very blessed.
...I am sitting at my computer half dressed, not really unusual.
...I wish I could scream in your face "I AM NOT THAT PERSON AND NEVER HAVE BEEN AND NEVER WILL BE."
...Iam super excited for the talent show on Friday...it's going to be fabulous!
...Iam shivering, maybe I should put on some clothes.
...just purchased "1, 2, 3, 4" by Plain White T's and "Busy Being Fabulous" by The Eagles.
...I am thinking "Busy Being Fabulous" should be my theme song for a while.
...wish I could tell you that you are not funny, you are making me feel bad, and I wish you would think before you speak.
...I wish I was brave enough to go through with it, and not only it...but so many things.
...I wish I was back in China with "the circle". Life was easy and fun and glittery.
...I am going to pay bills.
...I am resolved to not let it bother me again without saying something.

New Header

Check out my new header! What do you think?

Theme's

We are picking a theme for our Relief Society Presidency for 2009, something to remember and try to model this year. Our theme is:

Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

Then Lisa told us her theme for the year:

Philippians 4:11 "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."

With all these great theme's for 2009, I have decided I NEED A THEME. And this is where you come in...

I have some ideas but would like your ideas of quotes, scriptures, etc for my theme for 2009. We don't want a repeat of last years theme's of:

"Trials make you stronger" or "I never said it would be easy, I just said it would be worth it" or "Doing what you have always done will get you what you've always got"

So let's hear your ideas!

Halloween 2008

I know, I know this is a titch late...but cut me some slack...will ya?

This year the weather was rather pleasant so Ardell decided to greet the trick-o-treater's outside. She had me set up her table and added a Halloween decoration and was good to go!

The treat's this year were a string cheese for each trickster AND they could have either a pack crackers and cheese or a twinkie. Rather awesome treats if you ask me!


As you can see, my mom loves Halloween! (And if you know my mom at all...she always has the phone hooked to her shirt. No else answers the phone if she is home...it barely even rings and she has already said "Hello".)

**Off subject: Isn't Ardell the cutest Mom/Grandma/Great Grandma ever? I just think she is great! And life is never boring with her around.**


Even Dean got into the spirit of Halloween with a glow in the dark wrist band. Okay, okay, it was my wrist band from the Halloween party I went to...but he wore it all night.

Don't be scared of the pictures of Dean...it was a bad camera angle...and I should have cleaned him up a bit...but he had just enjoyed a Halloween treat!


This was my dad's last Halloween...and by all accounts it was a good one.

Reflections and Looking Forward

At dinner last night a friend asked me what was the best thing that happened in 2008. I couldn't think of one thing. This question has been on my mind since then and I have an answer. The best thing that happened to me in 2008 was my testimony of Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ getting firmer.

2008 a year of trials and blessings:

*My mom has recovered amazingly well from her hip surgeries. She is more like a 60 year old than a 76 year old - Blessing
*My brother getting so sick he was in ICU for 3 weeks and almost passed away - Trial
*My faith in the power of the priesthood and of fasting and prayer grew when Joe was in the hospital - Blessing
*Feeling inadequate is so many areas of my life - Trial
*Finding out something that broke my heart - Trial
*Blogging - Blessing
*Father passing away - Trial
*Father passing away - Blessing
*The love I have felt from so many people after my dad died, I haven't felt that kind of love for a long time - Blessing
*Knowing that Heavenly Father loves me and having this reinforced over and over and over this year - Blessing
*Traveling - Trial and Blessing
*Kung Fu Joe, and the rest of my family - Blessing
*Turning 30 - TRIAL
*Having some pretty amazing friends that just love me for me - Blessing
*Sewing lessons, and then sewing an apron - Blessing
*Great Hair - Blessing
*My calling in the Relief Society Presidency, where I have been able to see and hear others bear their testimonies, I am able to share my testimony, and seeing the power of the Gospel change people - Blessing.

All in all, 2008 has been a hard, but good year. I have learned a lot and wouldn't trade that for anything.

So, what I am I planning for 2009?

1. No one dies. Sorry friends, I am done with that for a long time.
2. Getting my finances in order.
3. Finishing my landscape painting and then painting a "delia" original.
4. Clearing all sorts of clutter out of my life.
5. Temples, scriptures, prayer, and the like.
6. Starting my MBA.
7. Getting together with friends...a lot.
8. And maybe, just maybe a few trips (California, Arizona, New York, Connecticut, and maybe Oregan...)
9. and...well maybe a surprise or two a long the way...