Waking up...

For the past, oh say....25 or maybe more years, I have noticed that my body likes to "wake up" early. I've decided that this can be a good thing... like when I am wanting to exercise or go for a run early in the morning... and it can be a not so good thing... like when you get to bed at 2am, but for some reason still you wake up wide awake at 5:30am. I think I am part rooster. That and I really like the sun.

During my "moving" experience, I have noticed a shift in waking up though. Instead of 5:30am, it has been 4 - 4:30. (perhaps my body is trying to get adjusted to the new time change I will be experiencing in Arizona?) This has become the most frustrating. Luckily for me the past week I have been able to sleep in till about 5:30 though. But I am excited when Tuesday will come. Perhaps, eventhough I will probably still be waking up early. I may be able to take 1 - 2 or even 3 - 4 naps, as I am starting to feel a bit tired...

Utah Memories...

This is my last week in Utah, and I've been reflected the past few days of all that I have learned and been able to experience during this adventure in my life. I'm really going to miss this place. I've decided in this post to reflect on memories of when I lived in Utah before. I was born in Utah and my family we moved to Arizona when I was four. I don't have as many memories about living in Utah back then... just the basement, play room, dog house, indoor pool, the dogs, and for some reason my dad's office. It's interesting on the things we tend to remember.

Here is a picture of the first day of school (for my two older sisters)

Here we are in Vernal, Utah... I wasn't able to relive that memory again these past two years.. bummer

Here is, I think my 2nd Birthday, with cousins at my party! In Arizona we didn't have any close relatives nearby... or any relatives nearby. That has been one nice thing living here.

I think I'm 2 here and enjoying my birthday breakfast.

Easter in Utah, near a fireplace that we were able to actually use!

My best friend in Utah... my brother....

Sorry, there are no pictures of my sis, Lindsay. She wasn't able to join our family until after the move to Arizona.

Furntiure Stains Tip

As I am busily packing, I couldn't help but notice quite a few finger marks on my wood furniture that I have not been able to get rid of. No matter how much polishing or rubbing I did, it never seemed to get rid of any of it. I was kinda down about it, as this was nice furniture, and still fairly new. As I looked up information regarding this issue on the internet I found a site that wrote how to remove water stains on wood furniture you just place a medium iron on it with a soft cloth for a few seconds. Wipe and then repeat until it goes away. I decided to give it a try. I was amazed at how quickly it took the stains right out. Plus it was cheap and no chemicals were used to hurt me or my furniture! I'm going to be doing this on my coffee table tonight, so I'll try to take before and after pictures to show everyone. Here is the link to the website with the information I found.

Cool, Crisp, Autumn air

I am so grateful that I am able to experience a bit of autumn before I move back to Arizona. Fall in Utah is a much different experience than Arizona's Fall. Today was a great day to experience this. I was able to do my favorite thing this time of year. When I drive to and from work, I turn the heater in my car to high and roll down the windows. I know this may sound odd, but for some reason I really like the feeling of the warm heater and the cooler air all at once. In addition, we received a great storm during the day... and wouldn't you know it, this was the day work chose to go to the State Fair. So I was able to be outside for a few hours in the rain :) How else could this day be any better...

The Utah State Fair is a lot of fun, but a bit different than the Arizona State Fair. It's a bit smaller, or a bit, bit smaller than Arizona. But a good enough size to not feel overwhelmed with everything. We were able to see a good portion of the things during the time we were there.

Jicama and Spaghetti Squash

As life has become busier lately for me, I have begun to realize that I have a new "drug of choice" in my life.... jicama and spaghetti squash. It's been interesting for me to see, as I have been buying it more frequently, how many people are not aware of these vegetables. I am just stunned. Even as I type this blog entry I am amazed that my spell check does not even recognize the word "jicama." Generally the cashier says "what is that?" (with an unusual tone in thier voice). I tell them, then as they look it up, realize I need to spell it out for them, as it sounds different than the spelling (hikama). So perhaps I need to help in starting a new "drug craze" of jicama and spaghetti squash. Come on... try it... soon everyone will be eating it.

Wow! Do I need to catch up

So I realize that it has been awhile since I last blogged. I'm sorry to say that I will have to stop the "do something new everyday" entries as a lot of things are going on in my life. I will though continue to look to do new things continually though. I must say though, those who thought I couldn't last a month... I made it for 6 months!!! But here are some things that I have been doing the past 3 weeks (presented in bullet point form and sporadic pictures):

• Took work off just for a "mental day"
• Taught my supervisor how to do something on her computer e-mail without really knowing how to do it myself. (luckily it was successful)
  
• Decided the morning of to travel with my friend, Krystal, to Arizona for the weekend (plus a few more days) ... sorry no pictures of the trip, I forgot to take pictures... again!
• Stayed in Snowflake, Arizona for a few days... that is a beautiful and peaceful place, I've only been there once before and that was about 7 years ago for the Temple open house. That trip was just a quick trip as well.
• Bought a Universal Television Remote (mine has decided to choose when it wants to work and not work... became really annoying)
• Had 8 additional people (the amazing Sharp family) stay in my 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom apartment for a couple days (did I mention 1 bathroom). It was fun and everyone had enough space to sleep. I'm sorry I didn't get a picture of the sleeping arrangement.
• Went on a hike with the Sharps to Stewart Falls (here come the pictures... aren't you excited!)

the group on the Stewart Falls trail

There were some beautiful flowers, trees and bugs that we were able to see on the hike

The views on the hike were amazingSo was the group going on the hikeWe all felt like super heroes when we made it to the top

• Went and saw Kung Fu Panda with 6 kids! (I recommend this movie... it is hilarious!)
• Performed my version of opera for the kids as I drove the Suburban home from the movies
• Celebrated with my family my Grandma's 80th Birthday!!!! She looks amazing for only being 80. I'm glad we have the young gene's in our family :) - here come the pictures
  

I was able to see my newest nephew, Calvin, again after he's been away for 2 months!!! He's REALLY cute and talented :)

I think I may be retitling my blog "why my nephew, Calvin, is one of the cutest and smartest guys around" Here he is with his tigger. This kid is only 3 months old!!! yet another reason....Here he is again with is mom, my cool dad, and beautiful Grandma

• Went to my sister's ward to see my really cute nephew, Calvin, be blessed. He didn't cry at all, and in fact he laughed and smiled at his dad. After we had a family luncheon.

4 generations in the picture.. with 3 sets of great - grandparent's!The family after Church

• Made some sporadic yet INCREDIBLE nachos for a luncheon... by the way my brother-in -law, Trevor, makes some killer guacamole!
• Ran 10 MILES!!! - unfortunately it was only on the treadmill.... but I did it!
  
• Managed to go to work after spending the holiday break with family (aka: receiving very little sleep, in addition to the adventurous embarked upon during the past several weeks of little sleep).
• Bought an external hard drive
• Gave my 2 week notice at work
• Made a decision to move to Arizona in 2 weeks
• Accepted two job offers.. yes 2!
  
• Am slowly starting to pack my apartment and am wondering why I have so much stuff!
• Rented a moving truck... and was able to develop my bartering skills
• Am realizing that I am embarking on a new phase in my life as I am closing this chapter in my life and will begin a new one.