Hello friend...

It has been almost two months since I have been able to work out!!! At the beginning of December I came down with a cold, than I had ear surgery with limitations that included 'no strenuous exercise' for about a month, and I am just now recovering from another cold.

Last night I began to think how much I REALLY missed exercising, and feeling so fabulous after getting a good work out. There's something having sweat all over you, and you can hardly move or breath that makes you realize that all will be alright in the world. Working out for me in the past had become a coping mechanism for dealing with the stresses in life, and defeating the winter blues.

When I came home from work tonight, my cousin, Holly invited me to go along with her to work out. I was so excited to FINALLY feel well enough to go to the gym!!! We worked out on one of my favorite machines...Satan's Machine (aka... Stair Master). My cousin, Molly, gave it this nickname, as you tend to get the best workout... it shows no mercy. This nickname has just stuck for us.

It feels good knowing that I have been able to overcome some life's hurdles over the past couple of months, and to be able to get back into my 'somewhat' familiar routine... hopefully I'll remember this when I am dealing with the soreness of todays workout tomorrow.

The Power of Color

Here is a picture of my sister, Jen and I at my sister, Lindsay's wedding two years ago. Back then, other people couldn't see that we were sisters right away....
Here is a picture that was taken of my sister, Jen and I this past Christmas. In case you haven't noticed, I dyed my hair brown... I'm going more towards my natural hair color. It was interesting for me last Sunday as I had the opportunity to go to her church. People were able to tell that we were sisters right away. It's amazing how by just changing the color of your hair allows you to look like your other family members. I love to hear this as my sisters are really cute!

You know you live in Utah....

My friend, Ale, just sent this to me. I know that several of you who read this live, or have lived in Utah before. You may just be able to relate to a few of them.

FORGET REDNECKS; THIS IS WHAT JEFF FOXWORTHY HAD TO SAY ABOUT UTAHNS!

If your local Dairy Queen is closed from September to May, you live in Utah.

If someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance and they don't work there, you live in Utah.

If you've worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you live in Utah

If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed the wrong number, you live in Utah.

If 'vacation' means going anywhere south of Salt Lake City for the weekend, you live in Utah.

If you measure distance in hours, you live in Utah.

If you know several people who have hit a deer more than once, you live in Utah.

If you have switched from 'heat' to 'A/C' and back again in the same day, you live in Utah.

If you install security lights on your house and garage but leave both unlocked, you live in Utah.

If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you live in Utah.

If you design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit, you live in Utah

If the speed limit on the highway is 75 mph -- you're going 80, and everyone is still passing you, you live in Utah.

If driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow, you live in Utah.

If you know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter, and road construction, you live in Utah.

If you find 10 degrees 'a little chilly' you live in Utah.

If you actually understand these jokes and tell your friends about them, you live in Utah

You Are What You Eat?

On the radio this morning, they talked about how researchers have come out with a way to figure out your personality based on what Girl Scout Cookie you prefer. This interested me. I started to do some research on the internet. I remembered when I used to LOVE Girl Scout Cookies, that I liked the thin mint. But as I was reading the other cookie descriptions, I realized that thin mints were the only cookies I have ever had. So I don't know how accurate this would be for me, since I've never tried any of the other ones. But here is the Girl Scout Cookie personality descriptions. Which one are you?

Trefoils: You thrive under pressure. Shortbread lovers are self-confident, organized go-getters who are energized by stress; the no-frills crunch of Trefoils appeal to your assertive nature. Loyal, True-blue, Honest

Thin Mints: You’re easygoing. Those who favor bold flavors like mint are easygoing types. You’re the one at home who doesn’t feel the need to make waves, and the one your co-workers find the most agreeable. Popular, Strong, Confident

Samoas: You’re brainy. Fond of this comparatively “complex” cookie with its many textures and flavors? You’re smart and focused. And since you set high standards for yourself, people are impressed by whatever you do! Brainy, Complex, Mysterious

Do-Si-Dos: You’re a kid at heart. Can’t stop at just one of these wholesome oatmeal-and-peanut-butter combos? You’re a little old-fashioned, with a big appreciation for life’s simpler pleasures. Your home is a place where others always feel welcome. Easy-going, Trustworthy, Friendly

Tagalongs: You have artistic flair. No matter what project your tackling, your creative streak always shines through. And you don’t like to be distracted---lovers of this cookie can seem shy, but often, you’re just deep in thought! Artistic, Creative, Dramatic

All Abouts: Considerate, Polite, Caring

For Good

This week, I assisted with a Memorial service at work for a dear patient who passed away unexpectedly over the holidays. It's been hard to not see them around the past couple of weeks, especially as they were involved in a lot of my groups during the past two years that I have been working at the hospital.

During the service, the song "For Good" from the Broadway musical 'Wicked' was played as a way to describe how we have felt about them. They had taught everyone they met how to live, especially when going through trials. This patient was always willing to be a friend to everyone, forgave easily and tried to make the best out of their present circumstance. I am so grateful to have known them, and to have able to have their life example teach me and make a better person. (side note: I have a new admiration for Donny Osmond, and am now listening to his music more because of it. He helped in making this person have a great Christmas this year.)

Since the memorial service I have been thinking about the song, and also how everyone I have come in contact with in my life, have taught me in many ways, either good or bad. But their influence has helped me become the person I am today. It's amazing the power we have with one another. I know that there have been some days when I may be struggling and just having someone I don't know at the store smile at me and say "hello" has helped me to move on, and realize that life is not as bad as I once thought. I created an "animated" slide show to say thank you. I am sorry that I was only able to include just a handful of people who have been a part of my life. But I want to say thank you to all who have helped me become the person I am today.

3 weeks!

It's been 3 weeks since my surgery. I can now lift at least 2 gallons of milk! (yea!)

This is one whopper of a story!

My red hots sister sent me a present...

I felt like an exploding starburst. She has already been my life saver by giving me mounds of support already. How could this pop rocks sister of mine give me any more almond joy in life?

The krackel of the tissue paper was too much to resist looking into the nutrageous gift bag that was decorated with stripes and not dots.

My butterfingers had a tricky time locating the gift at first. But before I turned my precious present into reese pieces, I had beheld the watchamacalit gift.


When I saw the whooper gift before me, I felt similar to cry babies. It looked like my sister had sent me chocolate soy ice cream! Was my sister expecting a pay day soon? She knew that I couldn't eat chocolate. This shock tart of a gift didn't last long though, as I soon realized that the smarties sister I have, had not sent me ice cream, but...
















a SOY CANDLE! It looks like something you would find on fifth avenue. So I was the real goobers in this incident. What twix of a sister, would send her sister something she couldn't eat? If I could give my sister one hundred grand to thank her for thinking of her junior mint of a sister I would. Instead she will have to receive this snicker type of thank you blog. Thanks for providing me with the good and plenty laughs and oompas of hot chocolate smells for the rest of this winter season.