Birthday

I just spent the last week in Utah for my birthday.  It was fabulous weather; I don't think I've ever had a really warm birthday (in the low 60s/high 50s).  Anyways...

We meant to fly out on Wednesday evening, but flying standby can be awful.  We had to fly out Thursday morning.  I flew threw Atlanta and Jared flew through Detroit.  We both barely got on the flights to Salt Lake City by the skin on our teeth.  I'm just glad we were able to make it out.  Some funny things while at the airport: I had to take Gizmo potty outside in Atlanta.  Going back through security took forever and almost caused me to miss my flight.  Fact number two: a big snow storm fell over Wisconsin and Michigan (mainly Michigan).  Jared said he couldn't see the runway from the windows in the airport.  They had to de-ice the plane making his flight late (and I arrived in SLC an hour before him).

Wasatch Range in Salt Lake City.

Anyways, we spent most of our time in Utah visiting family.  We saw all of the new nephews.  And then we visited with some friends and saw their babies.  So many new babies, yeesh.  For those wondering when our babies are going to make an appearance: don't hold your breath.  It'll be another five years (I'm having too much fun spoiling myself).

Cortnie and I in an Outhouse at the Playhouse.

My mom did a girls' night at the Desert Playhouse.  We watched a Phantom of the Opera spoof.  For being a family-friendly non-alcoholic event, it was pretty fun to watch.  While I definitely enjoy the Comedy Club in Madison (with the alcohol), I could see this Playhouse being the Utah-version (clean-cut and modestly funny).

Our hotel room had a foosball table and a mini-golf green.  It was awesome!

We spent my actual birthday up in Logan.  We decided to stay at Anniversary Inn and took a tour of the rooms to pick the one we wanted.  We thought we'd try a hike in Logan Canyon, but the trails were too muddy.  We stooped at the university, ate some ice cream, bought some Aggie-wear, and wandered around campus.  For the most part, Logan hasn't really changed.  And I'm still glad I didn't stay there.

Mountain range in Logan.  I really miss my mountains.

It was kind of bittersweet going home.  I really enjoy not working, being lazy, and seeing family.  I definitely miss that while living in Madison.  And I've worked this weekend trying to pick up overtime (to fund the vacation we just finished).  I'm also really annoyed with the weather out here.  After being catered with warm weather, I can't stand the harsh winter that's still here (it's in the single digits still).

Just staying alive doing the usual.  And praying for warm weather...

Thanksgiving Feast

I know I haven't posted in a super long time...  But I thought I'd post about everything I cooked yesterday for Thanksgiving.  So here is what we had at our dinner table yesterday:

Deviled Eggs

Loaded Mashed Potatoes

(Yes, bacon makes everything taste better.)

Sweet Potato Casserole

I halved this recipe and realized that it's difficult to use half an egg.  Anyways, it turned out to be quite tasty.  Much better than what I had originally expected.  We let Jared be the guinea pig and take the first bite with this dish.

Baked Mac and Cheese

(My comfort food.)

Fried Corn Fritters

Probably my favorite surprise dish this year.

Rolls

I mixed the old rolls with the new; you can hardly tell the difference (okay so you really can tell the difference).

Dressing.  Stuffing.  Whatever...

Turkey

Yes, I buy the breast that's ready to go in the oven.  No messy turkey cooking for me.

It was Jared, Jared's cousin, and me at the dinner table.  As expected, we have a lot of leftovers.  Although I'm pretty sure all of the mac and cheese is gone now.  Oh, and our cousin supplied the pumpkin pie.  Yes, I also ate a third of the pie tonight.  And it's all gone as well...

Until next year...

Family

My mom and my sister are in town this weekend.  They've been here since Thursday afternoon.  And we've had a blast.  During our down time moments, we've been reading books.  I'll probably post more about what we've done this past week at a later time.  Not sure if there will be pictures since we haven't really pulled the camera out yet.

Family

This will be the very first Christmas that we spend without family.  It's also the first time I will not be around for my sister's birthday.  But she opened her gift while I was on the phone with her, and she seemed to like it.  I'm just a little sad that I won't see family tomorrow...

For Christmas Eve, we're spending the evening with friends from church.  We'll go to the Christmas Eve service tonight and then to dinner with our friends.  It'll be fun.  Also, a great way to remember the reason for the season.

So, I was ranting over the week about how I wanted a house to call my own.  And I've come to the conclusion that the first home we buy will not be downsizing from our apartment.  Since we live somewhere very cold, an apartment is super nice because I rarely go outside (except to take the dog out).  I go to the underground garage to my car and then to the underground garage at work (effectively never going outside).  So, my requirements for our first house which will probably be the next place we move into will require a two car garage and more than one bathroom.  And if that means I have to wait another five years before I can afford that kind of home, then so be it...  I will just be thankful for the nice apartment community I have now.

Gratitude

First off, I have to say I have the most amazing family members and friends.  They help me through life and make me want to be a better person.  My family has taught me about God and most importantly about forgiveness.  They really do make it look so easy to forgive someone's past doings.  And while I'm sure it's not easy, it helps make me to aspire to stay positive and happy.  There are some things going on in my life that have hurt me and made me cry recently.  I don't care to go into detail.  But I just hope I have the same kind of light my family has shown me when the time comes.

So...  Sorry my post is so vague, but it's best kept that way.  I just look forward to the greener hillside and a happy (although not perfect) family.

Update on the job hunt.  Both interviews ended well.  One has invited me to an onsite interview, and I have no idea how that all works out.  But I'm going to Wisconsin!!!  Funny how I've never been there, but I may end up living there.  The other job I've applied with interviewed with me today, so I won't hear back from them for another couple of days.  But I think I'll get another request for an interview with them.  Who knows?  We'll see how it all works out.  I'll just keep my fingers crossed that I have a nice career before the middle of this summer.

Christmas Happenings

So, Christmas was great.  On Cortnie's birthday (Christmas Eve), Cortnie and I decorated a ginger bread house and decided we didn't want to do that again any time soon.  We also painted some canvases that we bought  from Bed, Bath, and Beyond.

Jared switched shifts with one of our friends at K-Mart, so he didn't have to close.  It was nice driving down to West Jordan early rather than at eleven at night.  And then Christmas came.

We got quite a few gift cards from my mom for Christmas.  I vaguely remember a time when I told her that Jared and I were struggling to find us time and the money to have date nights outside of the house.  I think she took that to heart and got us four gift cards to restaurants.  I also have another vague memory of telling her life sucks, she told me she'd take me to get ice cream if she were closer, and I told her Jared just didn't understand the need for ice cream when life pulls you down.  I got a Cold Stone gift card from her also.  Yeah, my mom is the best ever.  And I love her.

From my dad, I got my annual Holiday Barbie (I've been getting them for 11 years now - and I love them).  He also gave us towels.  As much as Jared and I laughed, I think we really needed them.  Because all of our towels are four to five years old.  And I've been wanting nice towels for quite a while but could never justify getting them.  So, it was an awesomely useful present.  I have to say my dad's pretty awesome too since he has been cheering me on through school.  I'd have to say I do have the best parents, and all-around best extendedly-psycho family.

And then off to Jared's mom's.  I got Twix candy bars.  One word:  NUMMY!!!!!!  One of the funnier gifts that made me laugh silently was some make-up stuff that I got.  If you ever listen to Jared's thoughts on make-up, you'll know he doesn't care for it.  And if given the choice, he'll tell me to go without make-up.  And for the last year (or two), I just haven't had time to put make-up on regularly in the morning (probably because I prefer my sleep over make-up).  So, maybe I will have to get into the groove and start putting make-up on in the morning.  And I'll just not worry about what Jared says.  Although I do have to be thankful that I didn't end up with some full-of-it guy who requires his woman to where make-up and look her beauty-best every single waking day.  I just ended up with the guy who prefers the completely natural look (that must mean my face is pretty enough without the make-up).  Anyways, I also got a purse from one of Jared's sisters.  Funny thing is I've been nagging Jared about wanting to get a new purse for about a week now.  He broke my last one and super-glued it back together, but the wear and tear was finally getting to it.  Now the purse wasn't my style, but if you know me, I go for practical over style.  So, it quickly became my style anyways.  It's sad that we're so far away from our families.  It's always noticeable in the small things, but oh well (we're where we are at because we want to be here - therefore we'll deal with it).  Yeah, Jared's family is pretty awesome too.  I'd have to say I love them as well.

So, my Christmas was full of practical surprises.  And a lot of love from my family was involved.  I believe I enjoyed the day.  It was a little saddening to see it all end and have to drive back up to Logan.  And then I was back at work going back to my regular-day life.  Well almost regular, I have a week and a half until school starts up again.

Light the Night

Support my step-mom!!! Tammy is doing the Light the Night walk in memory of her mom, my grandma, who passed away thirteen years ago due to lymphoma. Honestly, Tammy's amazing, and I want to support her any way I can. So, I'm spreading the word...

On another note, my dog goes to the vet tomorrow. We're going to see a behavioral specialist. Apparently, Gizmo has anxiety issues that need to be dealt with. He doesn't like being left home alone and may need medication to deal with theses things. It just makes me laugh to think that a dog could be that psychotic. Anyways, Gizmo is one expensive and spoiled dog. Oh, and I doubt I'll opt to medicate him. Since he's only four pounds, I'd like to find other alternatives to help him deal with being home alone.

And more good news for Gizmo... We signed him up for more dog training classes. I'm sure he'll be happy to start those. It's awesome having a dog who does tricks. My little, three-legged, four-pound dog can roll over. Haha, I love it...