Time

Thank goodness for the passage of time. Going through some old pictures I ran across this photo from just 4-years ago. It instantly gave me anxiety.



Here is the same space earlier this year. Sooo much better.

Sumo Man

You never know what you may find when looking at an address through "Street View" in Google Maps:

Like "Sumo Man". Hmm. Not what I was expecting. Upon closer inspection, there is a guy filming Sumo Man:

Well, it is in San Francisco. What's your instinct ... Eccentric? Hollywood movie? Protester? Geico caveman commercial?

I bet there is a website out there for unusual things found on Street View. I think I'll check, because I have a submission!

Elephants

In conversation during the last few months, I have brought up the idiom of an "elephant in the room" a couple of times. I am constantly surprised that no one has heard this saying! People look at me with blank eyes searching for some meaning in my comment, and then I try to explain - unsuccessfully I'm sure.

Here's the wikipedia explanation: "The elephant in the room (also elephant in the living room, elephant in the parlor, elephant in the corner, elephant on the dinner table, elephant in the kitchen, elephant on the coffee table, and horse in the corner) is an English idiom for an obvious truth that is being ignored or goes unaddressed. It is based on the idea that an elephant in a room would be impossible to overlook; thus, people in the room who pretend the elephant is not there might be concerning themselves with relatively small and even irrelevant matters, compared to the looming big one."

For example: A relative has received bad news, which has trickled through the grapevine to the entire family. At a gathering, everyone is chatting about all sorts of subjects, specifically avoiding that one topic, although everyone in the room is aware and likely thinking about that information at one point or another during the gathering.

Ta-da!

Now you know ... and you can use it ... just make sure you don't say "white elephant in the room", because that has an entirely different meaning!

I wish ...

Today I wish I were as talented as this guy. Wow! Song and video!

Poke

Question: Why Facebook?
My Answer: It is interesting to have little mini interactions family and friends. Some I haven't spoken to in years! And it's honestly mind-numbing how many people are on there!

Question: Why not MySpace?
My Answer: You may not agree. I never joined MySpace, but I think it's the creepy version of Facebook.

Question: Is Facebook addicting?
My Answer: I've been told it is. Most evidence indicates so, such as people updating their status from their mobile phone. I'm too new to the process to know for myself. I think it may be fleetingly addicting.

Question: Do people like to chat on Facebook?
My Answer: It seems not. I see people are online, but no one takes the bait to chat. It seems the majority of Facebookers like to have a reminder that their friends and family are still out there plugging away; liking to see little glimpses of what they're up to that they can chuckle about. But, no chatting please.

Question: Why poke?
My Answer: I have no answer. I couldn't figure it out. I Googled it.
Online Answer: “A poke is a way to interact with your friends on Facebook. When we created the poke, we thought it would be cool to have a feature without any specific purpose. People interpret the poke in many different ways, and we encourage you to come up with your own meanings.”
My Second Answer: OK, so my own meaning if I poke you in Facebook is that I think you're wearing the coolest socks ever! And if you happen to not be wearing socks, then it means I like your hair today. If you happen to be bald, then it means that you should smile more.

Question: Biggest complaint about Facebook?
My Answer: If Google were involved, ease of use would increase through the roof.

Question: How can a person be slowly driven crazy?
My Answer: By a cat who is howling outside the door, and just won't seem to be quiet today!

Last Thoughts: It amazes me that all these online "find someone" sites like Reunion and Classmates are still running. Facebook does the job more effectively and for free. Their days are numbered.

Fluff

Hello! Not much really happening in our household, but thought I'd say hi to everyone. Some things that I'm excited about, that most people probably wouldn't think exciting:

I love to shop clearance, and have certain places I go to frequently to patiently wait for a bargain. This week I got some amphibious footwear on sale for $25!




They're impractical winter shoes, but will be fun for summer. I think the "drain frame" is so interesting how it directs the water away from your feet. So cool.

I added a Shelfari bookshelf to my blog! (Look left.) I was already on Goodreads, and a friend sent me an invite to Shelfari. I wasn't going to do it, but I love how adding books you've read actually put them on your bookshelf! It's fun! (Which makes me sound and feel like a 5th grader.) Speaking of books, I just finished reading this book:



And a bunch of others than you can check out on my bookshelf. (Look left.)

But, back to The Magicians and Mrs. Quent. I really loved it. Not sure if Olivia still checks out my blog, but I would recommend it to her since many of the books she's talked about on her blog I've also enjoyed. I think my mom-in-law would also like it - so check it out.

I have a renewed interest in my favorite band from my younger years. Don't laugh .... Oingo Boingo! Around Christmas I got a couple of my favorite albums of theirs off iTunes ... all of these I only ever had on tape!



I'm not much of a concert-goer, but I've been to two of theirs; one was their farewell tour. :(

Another of my favorite-ever albums is:



Over the holidays we watched Mamma Mia! at least five times! It has now been officially added to my list of favorite movies. To be added to the list means that I can watch it repeatedly and never tire of it. Here is the list, not in order of my favorite -- because I couldn't pick a favorite -- but in order of when they were added to the list.



"Dumb and Dumber" really doesn't seem to fit with the rest of the movies, does it? Can someone please buy me Nancy Drew's blue roadster?

Of the movies above, I have also read Pride & Prejudice, Marnie, and Random Harvest. You can find them on my bookshelf. (Look left.)

Other exciting things in my world ... Odwalla has new Monster Protein drinks that will keep you awake and energized for hours! Yeah! And they're so yum! I couldn't find a picture of the new ones, but here is the Chocolate Super Protein, which is also tops!



We went to the car show with our friends last weekend. My favorite car was the midnight blue Saturn Aura with the brown interior. It was a beautiful combination of colors. I couldn't find one that was similar online, but here is the interior:




That's the scoop on all the unimportant, yet exciting things in my world. The important thing that takes up the majority of the time (i.e. work) is about the same. The hatchet keeps threatening to fall, but so far I still have my neck. ;)

It's good that I have so much exciting fluff to engage my thoughts in troubled times!

Good things...

do happen in January!

Today we had our final inspection on our house, and we passed.

So our house permit is now officially closed and we can put things upstairs for real.

When Matt called today to tell me the result, I was so excited that I wanted to do a happy dance.

 

And at the same time I was so in shock.  It was hard to believe that it's real.  When you've lived with something in the back of your mind for so long it's hard to convince yourself that it has come to a close.

So, we took a gift card we got from my work and went to The Cheesecake Factory for a celebratory dinner.  Yippee!

And I can whole-heartedly recommend that place.  Wonderful food!

Hmmm ...

I just WORDLED my blog.

I didn't think I said "turkey" that much!  Or "things"!

Here it is ... you can click to make larger.

Elusive "I'm Done"

Something about myself that I like and also at the same time despise, is that I am constantly in search of the Elusive "I'm Done".

It sounds stupid, but that statement describes it exactly. When there are things to be done a few things I automatically do include that:

I make lists. I put it on paper so I don't have to keep it in my brain. In my mind it goes around and around. On paper, I can purge it from my mind and relax. I tick off each item on the list until it's FINAL, and I don't think about it anymore.

I start early. I won't give details, because I'll really sound like a freak. But, I always start brainstorming things way in advance. I pick up little pieces of the puzzle along the way until it's all put together. If I know an event, project, or deadline is on the horizon, I want to get it FINAL, and not think about it anymore.

I communicate. I tell everyone, up, down, sideways, who may need or want to know. I don't want anyone left out and I want all the questions to be answered way in advance. Then I can wrap it up in a pretty bow and say it's FINAL, and not think about it anymore.

I like that I can quickly organize and complete things. I don't like that I allow myself to be consumed by thinking and sometimes drive others crazy when I take them down that path with me! Sorry! I know some of you are reading this.

It's all in the quest for that Elusive "I'm Done"; the moment when I suddenly realize that I have NOTHING to do because it's all done! That's where the "elusive" part comes in because we all know that in that moment I would create something to do.

2, 4, 11, 16

.... 39!!!

That's the number of unread posts in some of my favorite blogs.  How long has it been since I've checked my Reader?

I feel very busy.  I've been working my hardest to be ready for the holidays so I can just sit back and enjoy.  And I'm only 2 ticks away!  Yeah!

My calendar says that I have been busy.  Most nights are filled beyond my capacity, and I'm shedding some commitments.  Sorry if you're getting shedded.

Results of this schedule include that my blog has been postless since October!  I bet a lot of you are already feeling this way with the upcoming holidays, and if you're not, probably will soon.

But tonight I escaped the cage I've built of busy tasks!  Thanks to Matt!  We went and saw Quantum of Solace, which is the first time I've watched any entertainment over 30-minutes in some time!  At least a couple weeks.

And I managed to squeeze in a post.  Don't get too excited.  This is it.

Sunday

Working backwards ... we're now on Sunday ...

which was the Primary Program. The kids did so great, and they knew the songs better than the two previous years that I've been involved. HATS OF TO KIRSTIE! I was so happy that we ended on time, which has been a yearly goal. All the pieces came together, and you could feel the testimony in their cute talks.

After church our neighbor Hayley came over and we made spaghetti and she dressed up in our Halloween costumes. It was fun. She's a cutie, and it was fun to hang out.

After lunch, we headed to Matt's aunt's home. They're getting packed up to move to North Carolina next month. We helped move some stuff, and she gave us an old Danish Bible that she wasn't sure where it came from.



Upon further inspection when we got home, we discovered it is Matt's great-grandmother & grand-father's family bible, listing births, marriages and deaths in their family.



Also inside we found a page with pictures, two of which I'm pretty sure are his great-grandmother and great-grandfather, probably around their engagement (top and bottom right).



And we also found a newspaper clipping with Matt's grandmother's picture, and announcing her engagement.



I've put on my "History Detective Hat" the last few days to see what I can find on the internet to support my ideas of who are in the pictures in the Bible, but no luck yet. I'll need to start asking those who knew them. Wish me luck!

I love this stuff!!! (If you can't tell.)

Patriot Day

Today is Patriot Day. We won't say to people in greeting, "Happy Patriot Day" - no, that feels painful. Nor will anyone have the day off, and the day before invite people to "Have a good Patriot Day."

No, it's not a "holiday", but I guess this is how they can start.

Memorial Day ... a day to think of deceased loved ones, or an extra day for a weekend vacation?
Martin Luther King Day ... we don't sit around thinking about this man's great deeds all day long, but gradually more and more companies are taking the day off. And furniture companies are advertising sales!

President's Day ...
Labor Day ...

I'm not complaining! I love to have the day off to spend with family, and yes the people that came before me helped to make that possible, and I'm sure that's what they would want me to be doing! So, I'm not bagging on our holiday activities one bit.

I just wonder what Patriot Day will be in 50-years or 100-years. Will it become a holiday? Or will it stay more like Pearl Harbor Day?

What do you think? Do you think on September 11, when I'm 80 years old that I might be sitting with family on a boat since everyone has the day off?

One Year

It's my One-Year Bloggiversary!
A few things to remember from this past year:

• My first post.
• Church stuff: Elder's Quorum Movie Night, Fall General Conference, Primary Program, New Prophet, Ward Talent Show, and Spring General Conference.
• 11th Annual Halloween Party
• Bollywood: Hrithik Roshan, Shah Rukh Khan, movie marathon with Matt & Steph, and the long wait for Jodhaa Akbar.
• Reconnected with my first old friend in Bloggerville.
• Discovered my first Bloggerville friend.
• Christmas season: Savior of the World play, Nutcracker ballet, and Christmas Utah.
• Family & Friends: Made quilts for family reunion in August, yearly visit to the Auto Expo with Matt & Steph, Nichols' house for dinner with the Shakespear's, my nephew Colton's baptism, Jeramy & Brandi came for a visit, and Heather & Jake's open house.
• Birthdays: My BFF Heather turned 30, my nephew Justin turned 18, my nephew Shaun turned 21, my dad turned 70, and we attended Kami's surprise birthday party ... Come on Kami! Get moving on your blog so I can link to it!
• Joellen: Our friend moved to London for the season (ha, ha --- for a one-year temporary assignment, but those who watch British movies will get the joke), we are watching her cats, and she's only come back for one visit. We miss her!
• Saw some fun movies in the theater: Nim's Island, Iron Man, and Enchanted.
• Went on some fun adventures: Arches in Utah, Maui in Hawaii, Rifle in Colorado, Boise in Idaho, Fish Lake in Utah, Angels Camp in California, Bear Lake in Utah, and Great Salt Lake in Utah.
• Remodeled: Worked on house, built a fence, and fixed a boat.
• New additions: Matt & Steph's son Xander is born and Andi & Justin's son Jet is born.

Next thing for me ... I want to do my Blog Book. I'm nervous and excited! Anyone done one before? Any hints for me?

Uncommon Goods

I love Uncommon Goods!

If I had loads of money, I would buy from them all the time. As it is, I mostly just look. I did buy the following "Desktop Dodgeball" set for Matt for Christmas last year. Wanna come over and play?



And I would really love the "Come In - Go Away" door mat.
Maybe someday.

What's The Buzz?

I have noticed a lot of things around me lately that buzz.

For example, today I walked into my boss Catherine's office, and her laptop was buzzing. It sounded like it was a plane getting ready to take off. Also:

• This morning the coffee machine at work was buzzing and we had to unplug it. Come to find out it was the heater element which was trying to heat water, and there was no water.
• My cute little fan at work is making a buzzing sound. I think from constant use that the little screw that holds on the tiny blades is loose. One day it will let loose and launch (reminding me of that scene in the movie Contact).
• And of course the queen of all buzzing sounds ... bees! We have a yellow-jacket infestation in our yard. We have traps (yes, plural) out, which are filling up constantly and we've sprayed and sprayed. Come on cold weather! (Not really, just to get rid of the bees and then we want it warm again.)

I am sure there are more examples, because it is standing out at this moment as a theme in my life. I'll keep you posted.

R U A Follower?

If you are a follower, pretty soon I'll know for sure!

Check out the Blogger Buzz and see what's coming to your Dashboard.

What's Happening?

We had our Primary Presidency meeting last night and Jenny told me that I'm not posting enough, and when I do that I'm mostly posting about the boat.

OK - with that in mind I've posted once today (about the boat) and here's the "what else is up" post.

This last weekend we had our monthly family dinner (Matt's side) and we were in charge. Since the weather was nice, we went to Flat Iron Mesa and had a BBQ and then flew our stunt kites. Wes and Lisa brought theirs and we had ours. The nephews and nieces had fun playing ...

Here's Jack with his air-conditioned hair-do. Air conditioning was provided by his father following behind Jack misting him with a spray bottle.


Here's Kendra after one of her 100+ rolls down the hill.


Here's Lily before FEARLESSLY going down the slide. Again.


And here's Jet, the newest addition, hanging out with his dad.


It was a fabulous evening and I'm so glad the weather has been so nice!

Now, look forward to my next post about some random topic, and while you're waiting, head on over to Jenny's blog and read her latest post.

Climbing the Charts!

Yeah! I just checked my Google Reader subscription trends and I now have 5 subscribers to my blog! Last month I was at 4!

I don't know who you are Number Five, but HELLO!
(Did anyone notice the subtle reference to Short Circuit?)

Now it's official when I post to "all my five readers"!
Woo-hoo!

I know I've been on this soap box before, but if you haven't tried Google Reader, you really should. It is the best way to keep track of all the stuff you want to read.

Summer is Crazy!

It is seriously difficult to make time to blog in the summer.


I know my five reader's aren't pensively waiting for the next entry, but there are a few people out there who I know are wondering what happened to me .... just like how I wonder when I don't see any updates from them. Here's a recap:

My dad turned 70! And we celebrated at Cowboy Grub.

We built a bridge and a fence.

We had guests at our house and partied on the 4th.

We spent a week in Boise.

We drove to California.

We fixed a boat trailer.

We towed a boat home.

We're updating our 1966 O'Day Mariner sailboat.

To date, it looks much prettier than above. I'll get some updates on here soon!