Being a stay at home person

I have been off track for 2 1/2 weeks now and loving every minute of it. I would love to be a  stay at home person. I am quite depressed that I only have a week left and I will spend that week worrying about all the things I have to do when I go back to work.

I thought I would take a few minutes and post a few pictures of what I have been up to lately. Over UEA, Jeni and I went to Cedar City. We stayed with her friends for a few days and then went to Vegas for a day. In Vegas we did the usual favorites. We went to the Bellagio garden which, as always, was beautiful. 

Jeni in the garden - it was raining inside, just over this pond and tree. There were tree people, like the one in the picture below. Their eyes and faces moved, and this tree even talked. There were leaf fairies and pumpkin patches. The garden there is like a piece of heaven. 

Of course we went to the M&M factory and the Coke factory to have Coke floats. Jeni kept me in check and discouraged me from purchasing any ridiculous items from either store. 

We shopped in Las Vegas until our feet were too tired to move another step. Then we rested at the Bellagio fountains to watch some of the water shows. This is Jeni's favorite activity, it was difficult to pry her away, even after 4 or 5 shows. 

Jeni, Sarah, and I went to Witch's Night Out at Gardner Village. The village is so fun all decked out in witches. Some people really get into it and have absolutely amazing costumes. We of course, are not those people that get really into it, but we do dress up a little. 

Jeni found these awesome glasses, now I wish she would have bought them. Sarah had the freakiest eyelashes. They made it kind of difficult for her to see - so she was not allowed to drive that night. We had a great time browsing, and believe it or not, we didn't buy a thing. Okay, I did buy a carmel apple. 
Other than that not much is going on around here. Jeni is crazy busy with work. Sarah is also busy at work and still hates her job. Jessica is chugging along with school with her fractured elbow and all. 

Crystal 

More PEI and stuff....

Yes, I am finally adding my input to some our summer's activities and give an update on my life. I won't be able to add any wonderful quotes from L.M. Montgomery or Anne Shirley as did Sarah and Jeni. So, I am going to be like Crystal and include pictures of my some of my favorite moments of us together--hopefully, ones that haven't already been posted.

Yes, we went out in public like this! On one of our lazy mornings, we went on a walk on the beach we could see from our cottage. This is only one of the several "posed" pictures we took--believe me they are all just as good. :-) Hopefully, nobody kills me for putting this on the blog.

We did lots of driving, a trait we inherited from our dad. Most of our scenery pictures were taken from the car window as we drove along. Occasionally, we stopped on the side of the road to take a picture of a church from the car window. You can't see it here, but we discovered a great thing called satelite radio and did lots and lots of singing in the car. It took us about 10 songs with no commercails to realize something was different. The other great things is we knew every song. Then we discovered that besides the hits from the 70's and 80's we could also choose an oldies country station or new country station. We tried a couple others, but these were our favorites.

Although Sarah was the driver on the rental agreement, Crystal was the designated driver and Sarah was the navigator. This arrangement worked fine with the rest of us. It is much easier for Jeni, Mom, and I to sit in the back seat with no responsiblity, although, Jeni became the official picture taker. Jeni and mom fought over who was to sit in the middle. The goal was not mom, but sometimes she was faster.

We did lots of walking, a trait we inherited from our mother. You cant see it, but underneath all the long green grass is water. This path leads to a beautiful sandy beach.

We walked on the beach, we walked on the sand, we walked through woods, and we walked on land. We walked on the street and occiasionally shopped. We were even chased by mosquiotos with our bugs spray in the car over a mile away.

We ate lots and lots--food never tasted so good. From the fish that sent mom straigth into Eurphoria to the ice cream at Cow's that we couldn't get enough of. We often played cards at the end of each day. Mom, Jeni, and Crystal took turns being the winner and Sarah and I just played.

We relaxed and we laughed in the great hotel robes in our posh Charlotte hotel room. I'd post the cute picture, but I think my 3 sisters might kill me. We were content with 2 supposed queen beds and the small cot mom slept on, until we caught a glimpse of the sweet next door suit with it's lavish furniture and three seperate rooms.

The Anne of Green Gables musical was enjoyed by all and the last planned activity of our trip. Little did we know we had yet to pent the night in the La Quardia airport. I didn't know I could sleep so well on a wooden bench, until I tried to sleep on the cold hard ground or play cards the whole night before. I'd post a picture, but the program will no longer let me move the pictures around any more and they get stuck at the top. I think we played cards for hours and hours just trying to pass the time while the second hand ticked slower. Sarah managed to sleep for a couple of hours on 2 of our suitcases set up in an L-shape.

Once we returned to home with some sleep, mom and I went to work preparing for me to move in less than a week. I should say mom prepared for me to move, and I tried unsuccessfuly to study and pass an online statiscs course before August First. My dad is my hero and packed up my moving truck (with some help from some other great men) and off we he went to Utah. Mom and I followed about 3 hours later we had some cleaning and errand to run before we were able to make our exit. We met up for the night in Ontario and only had a minor delay when the Uhaul blew out a tire. We made it to Jerome and waited and waited for a man and his truck to comee and fix it. In no time at all we were back on the road. We made it to Provo where Matthew and the girls (sisters and roommates) helped unload the truck. No, not your typical sabbath activity! It was over 90 degrees so we sweated and sweated.

In the next three weeks I finally passed the online statistics course, unpacked and organized my room, slept in a lot and read for fun when I could. The three weeks flew by as I prepared for school, attended our family reunion and figured out where to put all my stuff. I have finally grown use to the idea that my laundry basket just has to go be between the foot of my bed and the closet. The problem is that so do my gym bag and two--yes two--backpacks.

I made it through orientation and the practise interviews. On the first day of oreintation they told us "you will have more to do than is possible to complete." Oh, Boy, they weren't kidding! I found out the first week. They split us into three class sections and then into 10 study groups. I am in a group of 5. The other woman in my group is from China and a brand new mom. Her baby is now 5 months old. I don't know how she is surving. I guess we do what we have to do.

Although school is challenging and stressful, I love it. I've gotten over the fact that I just can't do everything, there is literally not enough time in a day or a week. I haven't opened my fiance book in over a week and now try to rely on the lectures and the fact that I've learned most of this stuff before. So far that plan is working okay and I'm hoping for B's. I go to bed early (around 10:30) because I was reminded the first week that I need more than 4 to 5 hours of sleep.

I've had three interviews for internships (yes, already!) with a couple more scheduled. But, I am seriously considering teaching college now instead of pursing another corporate career and teaching later.

My journal is lost (packed in a box downstairs, but cannot for the life of me figure out where) which is why this entry is lengthier than planned. So I'll conclude with one last story. A few weeks ago, a counselor in the bishopric asked me to enter a conversation about my schedule and consider being a den leader with my friend, Latrica. Yes, you read right a den leader! Latricia later said she'd been hit from the side, I said I had been hit from behind! I laughed and I grimaced and who knows what else. He said "Tell me about your reaction?" I responded, "I don't know anything about cub scouts. I don't know anything about little boys!" To myself I thought I don't have time, how am I going to do this! We ended the conversation with me thinking it over and wondering how on earth I was possibly going to add this to my plate.

I thought to myself, "What about us said den leader?" I promise you nothing about us says den leader. We told our roommate, Latricia's sister, Margaret and she said, "what?" I told my sisters they laughed and laughed. I told me my mom and she laughed. I told my dad and he laughed. Both of my parents said I don't think you should do it. I pondered and prayed and wondered what to do. I went to school the next day and knew I couldn't do it. No matter how much I wanted to serve the Lord, I knew I wouldn't be able to manage. I was barely surviving this new realm of school and knew I would not be an asset to Latricia if she accepted the calling--which she did. In my ideal world this story would be better if I'd accepted the calling and was able to serve better. But, through the peace in my heart I know I made the right decision. I've already recieved another phone call and know anohter calling is on its way this week, hopefully one that I can fill better. I only share this story, because who would have ever thought of me as a den leader!?!

Jessica

"Lookin' for a good time"...Utah State Fair!!!

The Utah State Fair!!! The event Crystal waits all year for.  We even went out and bought cowboy boots to help us feel a little bit more country.  
             

We went two nights, once for the rodeo and once for the Lady Antebellum concert. Jessica unfortunately decided to be responsible and stay home and do homework on the night of the rodeo. But we were all got to rock out together for the Lady A concert.  Which by the way was totally awesome!!!!

The rodeo was pretty exciting, although it's been so long I don't really remember what happened, except we had fun.These are our boots of course.  Now if we only had wranglers I'm sure we would have been mistaken for real cowgirls.

This is Mr. Yummy, as named by the ladies behind us, but better know as the Charlie Jenkins band. And if it wasn't for his CTR and wedding ring we might seriously have become his stalker. He was great.

Then, the concert we'd been getting ready for, yes, we'd memorized all of the words to their songs, and Sarah was even practicing her dance moves in the car.  We had so much fun dancing and singing to the music. The were so good!  The hot man with the beard even acknowledged our excitement.
Yes we even met them after, I know a little creepy, but seriously he's really attractive, you can't just pass that up.

The three models exiting the grand stand.  We of course also did all of the other fair activities such as eat greasy food, look at the junk/craft collection, see all of the art displays, but much to Crystal's dismay me and Jessica were really tired, and our feet hurt (most likely from the cowboy boots) so we went home without seeing the livestock or getting a carmel apple, and whatever else her fair traditions might include.  Sorry Crystal, but we did have a lot of fun. After all, we're just "lookin' for a good time"! -Lady A

Unheroic Salty Adventure

A few weeks ago some friends convinced me that I should go floating in the Great Salt Lake. The instigator is not originally from Utah, so I wasn’t sure that he realized exactly how gross this was going to be. But, dredging deep for my adventurous spirit, I agreed to go. In actuality it was more disgusting than I imagined. Those of us who live in a 20 mile radius of the lake can imagine what the undiluted smell of actually being in the lake would be like. But, I was not prepared for the brine shrimp carcasses, the sludge of larvae beds, and the little flies that literally covered the water.

When we arrived and walked out on the beach, I wasn’t sure that I would actually be able to make myself enter the water. I wish I could report that I went staunchly and without complaint.-- I didn’t. --I went, but I think I screamed the whole way through the black muck and then I murmured about the flies the whole time I was in the water. Really, if the flies weren’t there it wouldn’t be so vile. But, instead of being able to relax and enjoy the sensation of effortlessly floating on the water, I was too concerned about keeping the flies away from my face and mouth and keeping my chin above the water to really enjoy the experience.

But, as you can see from the picture, I lived through the experience and there was a beautiful sunset.

Sarah

Yet Another Post About PEI!

Okay, so I know Jeni and Sarah already took their turn writing about our fabulous trip so I'll try to keep it short. We were all supposed to write about our favorite part of the vacation, but really the whole thing was great. So I am just posting a few of my favorite pictures (no particular order). 

This is a picture of one of the many lighthouses on the island. I think this is the one at North Rustico. 

This is some broken down walkway (I'm sure there's a real word for it, but I don't know it). It was pretty fun to walk on it with the ocean waves crashing around us. 

This is at the lookout of a non-working lighthouse at Spinnaker's Landing. Spinnaker's was one of my favorite places. Fun shopping, nice people, and a pretty view of the ocean. Did I mention I love shopping? That was one of my favorite things. 

This is my favorite picture of Jeni. She looks like an angel. Her halo is just a bit crooked. 

Another one of my favorite things about the trip was driving. I have decided that my next vehicle is going to be a fully loaded - sun roof and all - Ford Escape. I loved driving it! 

Okay, this is was a really cool walkway through some sand dunes...mostly wetlands. The bridges were awesome. They were built in short segments that are anchored to the ground, but still float on the water. They were so cool to walk on, kind of scary at first. 

Okay, this is another awesome wood plank bridge that we got to drive over. 

The potato fields were so beautiful! They were everywhere and the potatoes there taste amazing! I hate to say it because I am an Idaho girl, but they taste better than Idaho potatoes. 

Allisun, this picture is for you. This is the Lake of Shining Waters. 

PEI has tons of little shops. Sometimes they are just in people's yards, like this sweater shop. I don't have a picture of the best shop we saw, but I am going to attempt to explain it. We were on the beach and there was a small white trailer with turquoise trim with a small shack built around it. They were selling homemade fudge from this interesting building. It seriously was not even as big as a one room apartment. 

Those were some of my favorite things about PEI. One other thing, no one was ever in a hurry to do anything - including getting out of bed. YEAH! Unfortunately it was one of the only times in my life I couldn't sleep past 7:30. 

Crystal

The Land of Anne

I had been looking forward to this vacation for a long time. I started planning it two years ago. This winter we finally said: “This is the summer. We are going to make it happen. The five of us are going to have a girls’ trip to Prince Edward Island.” It turned out to be good timing. This June was the centennial anniversary of the printing of Anne of Green Gables. So, I booked tickets and made lodging reservations to make the plans absolutely final. I spent a lot of time looking at the PEI tourism website and thumbing through vacation planning brochures. As it turns out, we only did a few of the activities available, but the planning was fun.

So with all of that anticipation I am having a difficult time deciding what my “favorite thing” is.
I loved spending time with Mom and Jessica and Jeni and Crystal, of course. I also loved the pastoral feel of the island, the slower pace, and the quaint ambience of an island protecting and preserving the past, particularly the past of Lucy Maud Montgomery.

While Jeni will probably have you believing that we did nothing but pay homage to Lucy Maud Mongtgomery, I really only planned one L.M. Montgomery or Anne of Green Gables activity a day. Actually, one day they decided we could do two.

We had a wonderful tour of L.M. Montgomery’s birthplace home at Clifton Corner. The docent there was excellent and gave us a good introduction to Lucy’s life. I loved seeing many of Lucy’s scrapbooks on display. It was interesting to see her collages of cats, flowers, and fashion plates and to read the stories she liked and had clipped out of magazines. There was one that told a legend of the first kiss. I couldn’t read it, but I wondered how much it had influenced her telling of the first kiss in The Story Girl. I was also intrigued by a video and display we saw later at Green Gables, “Imagining Anne,” that described how the pieces gathered in Lucy’s scrapbooks were later incorporated into the creation of the character Anne.


Later in the week we had a nice walk from the McNeil Cavendish home site, through the Haunted Woods to Green Gables.

“The peace and quiet of this dear old spot is very sweet to me. There is no place on earth I love, or will ever love as I do it.” – L.M. Mongtomery

“I can’t go through the Haunted Wood, Marilla … I would be sure that white things would reach out from behind the trees and grab me.” Anne of Green Gables, Chapter 20, “A Good Imagination Gone Wrong.”

“To the west a dark church spire rose up against a marigold sky. Below was a little valley, and beyond a long, gently-rising slope with snug farmsteads scattered along it. From one to another the child’s eyes darted, eager and wistful. At last they lingered on way away to the left, far back from the road, dimly white with blossoming trees from the surrounding woods.” Anne of Green Gables, Chapter 2, “Matthew Cuthbert Is Surprised.”

What girl wouldn’t have fun on a dream vacation like this? At the end of the day, we did Mom’s favorite thing: we went back to our little yellow cottage overlooking the ocean. The cottage was such a tranquil spot that Mom just wanted to sit on the porch and look around her all day long.

I’ve enjoyed every minute of the time. I don’t see how I am ever to return to common life again.

Sarah

Just us Girls!

It's been awhile now, but all of us girls just went to Prince Edward Island (P.E.I). Talk about fun!  We of course we're the loudest people in the airport and created quite the scene.  It's no wonder the boys didn't want to come.

"I think I would probably come to the conclusion that I'd like it for awhile...but in the end, I'd still prefer the sound of the wind in the firs across the brook than the tinkling of crystal." Anne ShirleyThis picture was taken from a moving vehicle...pretty good huh? But this was the view everywhere you looked.  The scenery was amazing.  I loved it when Sarah let us venture away from the Anne of Green Gable sights and see the ocean, sand dunes and wetlands!

I wish I were rich, and could spend the whole summer at a hotel, eating ice cream and chicken salad." Diana

I'm with Diana.  I love ice cream, and I'm pretty sure they have the best ice cream in the world, and believe me I've tasted a lot of ice cream.  Our favorite treat was Cow's ice cream. They had flavors such as Walnut Moople, Mooie Gooie, Wowy Cowy...this contributed to our 10 lb weight gain, and the fact that my pants no longer fit.  But it was so worth it!

"Ruby Gillis says when she grows up, she want to have a line of beaus on a string and make them crazy for her.  I'd rather have ONE in his rightful mind" Anne

Well, while we're still looking for one in their right mind I'm glad we took the time to be together, it is seriously one of the best places to visit.  And although our airport experience could very well have been "...the most tragical thing that has ever happened to me [us]." Anne (this could be blog all of it's own) It was super FUN!!!!

-Jeni

Disneyland, Wicked, and Shakespeare. What more can a girl ask for?

So the reason Jeni and I don't usually write anything is because we aren't usually up to much. We have been enjoying our leisurely summer. We took a break from our relaxing to go on vacation. Sarah had a work conference in Anaheim at the end of June, so Jeni and I tagged along to keep her company and, of course, go to Disneyland. We spent 5 days at Disneyland. Jeni kept reminding me that 5 days is a lot of Disneyland. Lucky for her, I got blisters on day 2, so I took it really easy on her. While we were there, the weather wasn't horrid. The temperature was in the 80's but boy it was humid! We felt like wet towels at the end of every day. Here are some of my favorite pics of the trip - at least the ones I know everyone will agree can be posted.

Jeni, Sarah, and I in the Beast's Library at the Animation Station in California Adventure. That ended up to be one of our favorite spots.

Jeni, Briar Fox, and I waiting to ride the canoe around the river.

The three of us on Big Thunder Mountain. This is Jeni's favorite picture.

Jeni and Sarah - don't know what we were doing.

These two pictures are awesome. This is of course us pretending to be Indian Jones, or at least pretending to wait to be rescued by Indian Jones.

Me and Jeni on day 1. This is the best we looked the entire trip.

Me in the Beast's Library, learning what Disney character I am most like.

Jeni at the Hollywood backdrop.

Jeni on the swinging cart of the ferris wheel. She did NOT like this ride at all.

Jeni and I did take some time out of Disneyland to drive to Hollywood. We were lucky enough to get incredible seats to see WICKED! It was awesome. I feel like I have been waiting forever to see it and I finally did and I was not disappointed. I highly recommend WICKED to anyone.

On our way home from California we stopped in Cedar and saw two plays at the Shakespearean Festival. Everyone should also see Taming of the Shrew. It was so funny!

So now Jeni and I are back to our relaxing. But we are preparing for our next vacation in 1 1/2 weeks. So maybe I'll have something to write again then.