Who's Who?

Finally, a picture of me and a baby born in the summer while I still look tan...

Baby Boy Butler 2

Baby Boy Butler!!

Peanut Butter Kisses

The Goldenrod

I'm having a craving.

Peanut butter salt water taffy from The Goldenrod in York Beach, Maine.

My mouth is watering just thinking about those golden kisses with peanut butter in the middle.

Every time we went to Short Sands in the summer, we would stop at The Goldenrod and stare through the big glass window and watch the taffy be pulled. A few feet over, in the next window, we'd watch every little piece of confection be wrapped in wax paper and go down a slide to join the other pieces of candy.

I'd buy a small box - half full of the peanut butter kisses, and the other half mixed with chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. Mmmm.

And I've discovered that you can order them online.

Here is how the taffy kisses are made - don't they just sound delectable?

The Art & Science of Salt Water Taffy: (from their website)

Cooking: Using the recipe created in 1896 by Edward Talpey, the taffy is cooked to a precise temperature in big copper kettles. Cooking time and temperature vary depending on weather conditions, and the secret of perfect taffy is knowing how to read the New England weather.

Cooling: After reaching the precise cooking temperature, the boiling taffy is poured onto special cooling tables. The taffy is cooled into sheets and when it has been cooled to the right temperature and consistency, it’s transferred onto the pulling machines.

Pulling: This process was once performed by throwing taffy over a hook mounted on the wall and then pulling by hand. Today the taffy is pulled and fluffed to twice its size by the Goldenrod’s highly-polished chrome plated, mechanical pulling machines.

Wrapping: After being pulled to the proper consistency, the candy is rolled and fed into the kiss cutting machine. 180 pieces per minute of chewy, bite-sized kisses are twisted into Goldenrod’s distinctive wrappers.
The peanut butter ones, right in the middle...

I think some drool just slipped out of my mouth.

How 'Bout Them Cowgirls

I need to get over my fear of horses. Especially since I've decided that I want to live in the country when I grow up. Acres and acres with horses and wooden fences and rolling hills. So I'll need to marry a farmer or rancher or something. Why does everyone laugh when I tell them that? Ha. They respond with "Um, but you like nice things" or "You won't be close to any shopping places!" etc. Ok, I do give off that impression I guess. BUT out of all of my shoes, (and I'll admit, I have a lot of heels and I like them all), my FAVORITE pair of shoes are my COWGIRL BOOTS!



And, there are some pretty well-off ranchers out there, right?

Every Mile a Memory

Kyle and I broke up one year ago last night. I can still recall it pretty well. I called mom at midnight, right after he left, and just cried and talked to her for a long time. It was probably one of the hardest nights of my life. The next day at work I didn't tell anyone, but I went into the bathroom a couple of times and just cried. I can't believe how fast time flies, though. He's had a couple of relationships since. I've had a couple of dates. I know there will be more falling in love, more crushes, more heartaches and breakups, etc. Some people can move right along, and others take years to get over a person. Most days I'm perfectly content with the path my life has taken. I am not perfect. I made many mistakes in our relationship. I'm trying my best to change and I feel that I have had a change of heart this past year. But, I also think I have been holding on to some grudges. I've finally forgiven myself. I've finally forgiven him. I think he's forgiven me. It's such a release to let go of those hurtful feelings. It's like the slate has been wiped clean, and I can finally move forward and be open to new things. I took the Marriage and Family Prep class at church this last semester, and I have learned so much about relationships and growing together with someone and becoming better together. A relationship isn't about one person. It's such an unselfish thing! It's about making the other person happy (which will turn around on you, and you'll be happy, too). I'm looking forward to putting what I learned into action.

Bouncing Back from Adversity

Every day, the president at work sends out an email (or sometimes three) with a thought by a certain public speaker, Lou Tice. Usually I read the title and delete it without actually opening the email. But the thought this morning caught my eye.

When adversity strikes, whether it be loss of your job, an illness, a natural disaster or when you take a big hit that really knocks you off your feet for a while, how fast you get up again depends on a number of things such as:

· How good your support network is,
· How solid your self-esteem is,
· The extent to which you believe that you can control your own destiny, and
· Your experiences of overcoming adversity in the past.

If you want to shorten the time it takes to get back on your feet, try this:

· Ask yourself how it will look when you no longer have your current problems.
· Spend time visualizing yourself in that picture and imagining how you'll feel.
· Do it over and over, day after day, week after week.
· List your strengths and past accomplishments and add to that list on a daily basis.

At the same time,

· Set and prioritize some immediate, short-term goals to improve your situation.
· Write a detailed plan of action for the top three, including day and time.

Once you've accomplished a few short-term goals, you may feel ready to do some long-term visioning and goal-setting. Finally - and this is important - no matter how much you've lost, take time to help someone else who is struggling. Even the worst adversity can be used to learn and grow.

I appreciate the line 'even the worst adversity can be used to learn and grow'. When the same negative experience happens time and time again, you'd think that we would learn from it. I think we definitely grow from it, but man! I have a hard time learning my lessons. Why do I make the same dumb decisions? How does the line go? "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." Like my post last week, I will try my best to stay positive and focus on the good. And to take the lessons that I have learned to heart...(again - because obviously they didn't sink in the first time).

As much as I would love to wallow and feel sorry for myself, listening to Patsy Cline and Celine Dion (and all of the other female crooners out there who sing about heartbreak/love/being a woman), last night was my night to do that. (Thank you, Elza and Megan, for listening to my hateful words and especially thank you to Megan, who puts up with my music and my crazy talk.) Time to bounce back and move on to bigger and better things.

Choices

Sometimes I wish I had a crystal ball that would tell me what I should do with my life. I have so many options and choices right now. School, work, move, etc. Right now I have a great job that I enjoy and I like the people I work with. The hours are great (7:30 - 2:30/3), but I'm starting to want something more. I've been thinking about PTA (Physical Therapy Assitant) school right now. PTA's start out making at least $40,000 a year, and the job openings outnumber the job applicants, so it's not too hard to find a job. The program takes about 2 years, and there are only a few schools around here that offer that program. The only problem is that they are both in the day time. I know some things have to change if I want to move forward with my life, but I'd hate to quit my job. Especially when the program starts in just about a month. That doesn't give me much time to decide. Plus finding a new job, etc. And what if I change my mind and decide that the program really isn't for me? And what if I can't find a part time job at night? I wish I could see into the future. I am grateful, though, when people don't push my about school. It drives me nuts when people always ask about it or tell me I need or should go, etc. I know these things, but I'll go when I want to. And now that I'm getting the itch to go, I still don't know what to do!
I've been in Utah for four years now. I've enjoyed my time working. But I've been living in my comfort shell for too long now. It's time to break out and do something more. I'll still stay in Utah - I love my ward and my friends and the people I know, and the convenience of where I live. Somebody just needs to invent a crystal ball or a modern-day liahona for me, or something...

25:38

Tonight, Emma made me a deal and said that if I could run 2 miles in 28 minutes, I wouldn't have to do a third mile. But of course John overheard that, and said it has to be 27 minutes. Well, of course I had to up John and I did it in 25:38 minutes. I shaved off 1:22 seconds! Haha, so about a 13 minute mile. Not great, but hey, yesterday I went 3 miles in 45 minutes. So it's a lot better. A 15 minute mile to a little less than a 13 minute mile. Ooooh yeeeeah. I'm nervous already for September, though...only 2 more months to get ready! Plus with obstacles? Man, my body already aches... :)

The Diiirty Dash

On September 25th, there is a 10k (6.2 miles) called The Dirty Dash up in Salt Lake City. Just take a look at that obstacle course! Man oh man!! I'm nervous but excited already! Emma, Elza, and I are going to do it! Bring your cameras! I started 'training' last night. 3 miles. 45 minutes. Not very good. I would walk, run, walk, run. But then again, that's only Day 1. I better start building up my resistance now, though. Emma was right - if you start out running, it's much easier to just keep going. Take breaks, but then start running again. When I stop and start walking, I hate starting to run again. So I'll try that next time.

Those obstacles are going to make it pretty rough! It's going to be muddy, sweaty, hard, dirty, long, and FUN! (At least, those are my expectations...)

Blondie

I got my hair cut and colored yesterday. I think this is the blondest I've ever been. I like it, but it takes some getting used to! Of course I didn't take any pictures of it yesterday after the stylist made it look so nice and straight...just my luck. So here's my 'signature' wavy look. :)

I Can Do It!

Have you noticed that I never finished up my 30 Day Shred saga? Well, that's because I still have 4 days left. I've had 4 days left for the last month or so. I haven't stopped working out, I just stopped doing that particular workout. I had no reason to stop. I've just been going to Emma's and using her elliptical more lately. (I have really made up my mind to buy one. I love it - so many different workout options and different lengths and strengths, etc.). Time to start saving my pennies! And I'd be saving gas to just have it at my house. Seriously. Why not spend money on something that will help me live a longer and healthier life? 45 minutes every morning sounds great. I feel so good when the timer hits 0:00. I did a Firm video yesterday - a strength training one. Man, the instructor was so annoying. And is it bad that I get annoyed when all of the girls behind her are so smiley when I just about want to die and I'm grunting like an animal? Oh well, maybe when I'm really in shape and can do any workout I will be smiling and happy, too.

So I had gained a couple of pounds back since my lowest weight. I knew I was getting lazy with the way I was eating, and even my workouts were becoming less and less. BUT I've been doing much better the past 2 weeks (hello, I even said no to banana splits at FHE on Monday. I had the banana...sans ice cream). And when I weighed myself this morning, I lost those few pounds I had gained back, plus one more! So NOW I am at my lowest weight in a long time. And it will just keep getting lower.

Because I can do it.

Being Loved and Staying Positive

I am loved. And I've been feeling it more and more lately. By people around me, by my family and friends, by members of my ward (especially the bishopric), and the love that Heavenly Father and Christ have for me. I don't think anything has changed drastically in my life. But I feel that I have had a change of heart. My heart has been full of gratitude and appreciation recently. In church, members of the Stake High Council always bring the love of the Stake Presidency when they come to visit our ward. The bishop always expresses his love for the ward members pretty much every time we see him. I think I always listened to the words, but I'm not sure if I ever really felt them before now.
I know the Lord loves me with an incredible love. I know He is always there for me and watches over me. I know that I am a daughter of God. I know that the Bishop cares for each member in the ward, and is interested in the ways we conduct our lives. He is there to help us and to give counsel and words of encouragement. He wants us to succeed.
I feel the love that family and friends have for me; helping me in the yard, fixing my car, letting me come over to their house all of the time, making me laugh, feeding me words of encouragement, giving me compliments, listening to my stories, allowing me to cry on their shoulder, inviting me to activities, telling me that I'm not crazy, hearing that I'm missed when I don't go to something, supporting my dreams, hanging out with me just to be with me, and so much more! There are so many good people in this world, and I think that too often we find or seek out only the negative in our lives.
A study found that for every ONE negative in our life, it takes ELEVEN positives to cancel it out. Can you believe that? About a month ago, I attended a conference where the public speaker spoke about 'self-talk'. (Words and thoughts we have throughout the day about ourselves.) He said to try to go just 24 hours without giving yourself any negative self-talk. You could only say and think positive words and thoughts about yourself. He then concluded "It's going to be a very quiet day." How often do we look at ourselves and think how awesome we are? Or how pretty or handsome we are? Or tell ourselves that we are smart and confident? I don't think that happens very often.
So here's to being grateful for everything in my life (even the negative experiences, because I grow from them = positive). It may be hard to be thankful for my bad experiences, but I know they only make me a stronger and better person in the grand scheme of things. This earth life is so short, why hang on to the negative experiences? Learn from them and move on. And try not to repeat the same mistakes. And that is just what I intend to do.

MoTab's Pioneer Day Commemoration Concert!

Last night I went to see a concert by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. It was AWESOME. I have never seen them in concert before; I've only seen them sing in General Conference. A concert is a lot different. There's a lot of clapping, standing, whistles, etc. Everything you don't do at conference. I'm not used to that in the conference center! They sang some great songs, including "It's a Grand Night for Singing" from State Fair (probably my all time favorite movie), Battle Hymn of the Republic, Handel's Hallelujah chorus, Amazing Graze with bagpipes, Look for the Silver Lining (I had never heard this song before last night, but I really liked it), and so many more great songs.
Since the choir is commemorating 100 years of recording, there were stories stories and videos of the choir's recording history in between every few songs. Very interesting facts about how they first started recording, and how they record now, etc. Also some stories about the organ pipes and the choir travelling all over the world.

Now I've just got to find a way to get tickets for their Christmas concert! I heard that's a sell-out!

Happy Birthday, Mumsy!

Happy Birthday to my beautiful, wonderful, awesome mom! Thanks for always putting up with my daily phone calls (I can't believe you still answer every time!), my boy troubles, my begging for a dog every few months, my calls at midnight to say rabbits, my usually late rent checks, my whining about lack of money, my shoe addiction (which leads to the lack of money...), my stories about work and fun and friends and weight and everything in between (and I'm sure a lot of boring stories are mixed in there, too. But you listen anyway).

You are a great mom, a loving wife to dad, a gardener, sewer, volunteer, an example, quilter, cook (can I request the zucchini and squash chicken pasta when I come home in a few months?), Otis-caretaker, friend, leader, pianist and organist, a hard worker, listener, teacher, a fun grandma, aunt, and sister, a puzzle solver, a lover-of-books, wise with money, you have great taste in music (Il Divo, MoTab, Eva Cassidy, John Denver, etc...), a chic dresser, one of the kindest people I know, a singer, a great public speaker (think about all of those talks you give in church!), and so much more!

Thanks for always being there, mumsy. You're amazing and I hope to be like you someday! I love you so much! Happy Birthday!

Rodeo

This past weekend, my friend Ashlee and I went to visit our friend Holly in Roosevelt, UT. Population: 50. (Ok, maybe a little more than that...) The drive was beautiful, I love the country. I've decided I need to to live there when I'm older. I love lots of land and great views. Anyway, Holly is Ashlee's roommate, but went home for the summer to 'ruff' (as Holly pronounces it), or 'roof' (the way I pronounce it). Her family has a roofing business and she goes home every summer to help out and work. She gave us the 5 minutes tour of her town when we first got there, and showed us the roofs that they have worked on. Man, some of those things are so steep and high, I could never do that job! It makes me nervous just thinking of people walking around up there, not to mention working on them! After the tour and dinner at Cafe Rio (mmmm pork salads...), we headed over to the rodeo in Vernal. I love rodeos. And when you see the picture of my future hubby below, you may understand a little why I like them so much...

Me and Holly. I love this girl, she's hilarious.

Mmmm. Cowboys.

On our way to the rodeo!

(Thank you, Emma, for letting me borrow your shirt)

Ashlee found us some great seats!

A bucking bronco...

The best part of the night.

My future husband.

Then again, I think I've seen 4 or 5 potential future husbands lately. I must be getting the fever.

Some for the Grandparents

So the first 3 pictures of Chris are old, but they are some of my favorites. I can't believe how much he's grown! Time needs to slow down...

Swimming (tanning) on Monday

Happy Birthday, Elza!!

Best cousins 4ever!

Elza's 21st Birthday!! Whoohoo! On Monday night, Emma, Elza, and I went out to Cheesecake Factory to celebrate Elza's big day. The food was delish, and we had a great time talking and laughing. Probably one of our favorite things to do. We ordered our cheesecakes to go (we were so stuffed), but ended up eating them in the car, since we were stuck in traffic on the way home. After dinner we walked around the mall, and tried on lots of shoes...

Happy Birthday, gorgeous girl!! We love you!!