best day of 2009:

Frankly, I think 2010 is pretty (insert swearword here) overrated. Nothing but stress, if you catch my drift. If you disagree with me about the whole 2010 issue, then I'm happy for you, really I am. But so far, I don't love it.

And I know we're not supposed to, like, live in The Past, or look so far into The Future that we miss the beauty all around us in what is called The Present. I get it. And I'm searching, you know. Digging down deep to find Joy in the Journey. Very, very deep. There are little nuggets here and there. But do you know what makes me smile the very most?

Do you?

It's when my computer Screen Saver is on (for the sake of iTunes) and I see pictures of pleasant memories of yesteryear.

Especially when the pictures of Christmastime 2009 flash across the screen. A few days ago, this picture showed up:

Action Jackson playing with dirt.
(He's a handsome devil though, isn't he?!)

Anyway, that little gem was on screen when I looked up, and it took me back to Better Times. Christmas Eve 2009 is what I'm talking about. That's when we had our O-Fam Christmas party.

So I indulged myself. I came over to my computer desk and opened up my Christmas Picture File and looked at every single picture. And the videos too, we can't forget the videos! (OH, the videos!) I tell you what, all 4 days that I was in Zion with the fam for Christmas were stupendous!

Anyway, I meant to post these pix/flix earlier; I mean, I loaded 'em from my folks' computer onto my external hard drive when I went home for a visit 3 weeks ago. Alas, I've never gotten around to it until now.

Enjoy! (That's mostly directed to myself, as most of y'all won't care nearly so much as this ginabean does...) In no particular order:

Okay, this one was actually a few days before Christmas.
Marshall *not* helping Brent blow out the candles on B's birfday doughnut.

Playing outside on Christmas Eve:
Marshall and Seth on Goose's motorcycle that doesn't work...

Seth preferred having the bike to himself...

...but he let me sit behind him for one picture :)

A fuzzy picture of the cute one called Jane...

Me and my Seff...

And here we have Sethington the puppy...


Puppy Seth being chased by the Grampa Dog...
(His laugh is pretty awesome too...)


Jackson has the best laugh. Ever.
Seriously, any time I hear this kid laugh, I get a big dumb grin on my face.
(If only you could see me now...)


Janie got a bouncer for Christmas, and I love how she kicks her legs up,
one at a time, in quick succession.
Makes me laugh. Every. Time.

Marshall being his cute little self on Christmas Day...


And here's Marshall in all his braveness and glory, jumping off his daddy's shoulder.
Goose and Marshall always have fun together...

I just want to kiss Jane's little face right off...


And here's one of me and Jackson playing the game he loves best:
"CHASE ME!"
My problem is that it happened right.After.Our.Feast.
I was a little sorry afterward, but his interaction was so much fun while it happened!

If anyone actually looked at all the pix/flix, that's pretty awesome.

Oh, how I LOVE my family!

rainy days and mondays...

I kinda hate that song. No, I do hate that song. Officially: I do not like it. Alas...today...it expresses my feelings (if you substitute "rainy" with "snowy"); spot-on, Carpenters. Spot-on. Because snowy days and Mondays are the worst, you know?

I'd self-diagnose SAD but I don't think I'm quite to that point; I'm not depressed. But a healthy dose of sunshine sure would help...

Okay, I'm gonna flip this frown upside-down. Here goes...

On Saturday, on the spur of the moment, my roommates (the Brookes) and I decided to do a pot luck for lunch. We invited a few people over and dined and played games and chatted. Good times, really. I decided to make Zuppa Toscana, because soup is splendid on a bitter cold day, and also it's not super labor-intensive. Win-Win!

Guess what Ryan brought. I'll give you a hint: IRONY. That was your hint, the word irony.

Ryan brought Tuscany Soup. It's the same thing. But you know what hurts most? His soup smelled better than mine (a bit more spice and all that jazz). UGH, right?!

I laughed though, because what are the odds, really?! I told everyone "I don't want to know whose soup you prefer." I can't handle the truth. Most people mixed the soups; a ladle of each.

We both won, I suppose...

Mine is the one in the front...

Also, this past weekend we introduced Brooker to Lord of the Rings. She'd never seen any of them. Way back when they first came out, Brooker decided to read the books first. I think the story goes like this: she got halfway through The Hobbit and then lost all will to live gave up the idea of even starting the LOTR trilogy. Since then there hasn't been much opportunity for her to watch them. When we discovered this sad fact, Brookie and I gave her the chance she needed. Fellowship on Friday, and Towers on Saturday. So far, she likes...

During Fellowship, Haldir (a nancy-boy Elf whose name I very may well have invented just now) says, "Tell me, where is Galdalf, for I much desire to speak with him." At this point, Brookie and I started laughing because of this little gem:

After Fellowship, we showed Brooker the clip on youtube. And on Saturday when Legolas said, "They're taking the hobbits to Isengard!" all three of us laughed. I loved sharing that moment with my roommates.

Go ahead. Call me a nerd...

I guess we'll call it good right here. Happy Manic Monday...

smiling...

I finished reading The Screwtape Letters today on my lunch break. But I'm not done thinking about it. Oh, no. I seriously enjoyed that book. And guess what? When I get around to reading again today, I'll be starting Mere Christianity. And I'm very excited about it.

Today, it feels like Spring. Spring, people! When I walk outside, I can hear water trickling down rain gutters, because the snow is melting! When I ran to the store, I could swear that those huge mountains made entirely of snow (and a fair share of dirt), piled into ginormous masses in the corners of the parking lot...they look smaller! They really do!

Now, because of all this melting going on, the roads and sidewalks, where thick-ish layers of ice are thinning out, it's all sorts of slippery out there. And although I've slipped and nearly fallen a dozen times, I don't care. Because they skies are blue and the sun is shining!

I'm sure to be devastated when this little January thaw ends and winter comes back with a vengence...

I'm somehow surviving my battle against Coca Cola. I wanted it yesterday. I wanted it real bad. But I didn't give in. I think I'll somehow win this battle...

After today, my work week is half over. This makes me smile as brightly as the sun shineth today, it does.

I'm losing weight. Not enough that anybody can tell, but I can, and that's what matters. My pants feel a bit looser, and it's a truly liberating feeling.

This, I think, is all for now. Cheers...

think.thank.thunk.

I read three books between Jan. 1 and Jan. 4. Well...2.5, really; I was halfway through The Associate when the New Year pounced...

It was an interesting book, The Associate.

Then I read two little gems by Markus Zusak (author of one of my favorite books, The Book Thief). Vance and Abby gave me the two books (Fighting Ruben Wolfe and Getting the Girl) for Christmas.

Let it be known: I love Mr. Zusak. His books are interesting, and they make you think. I like that. A lot. (I've also read his book I Am the Messenger. So.Darn.Good.)

So yeah...I like to read. (Honestly, the two Zusak books I read this year aren't long or difficult to read. But that's not my point.)

When I finished Getting the Girl I decided to pick up A Wrinkle in Time. It's supposed to be a classic, right? I'd never read it before, and I bought it on sale a few months ago at Barnes & Noble.

Now...don't judge me too harshly, please, but I've been dragging my feet with this book; it started out interesting enough, but...I'm looking for something...more?

I bought The Screwtape Letters with a Barnes & Noble giftcard I got from a client for Christmas. And I've been eyeing it longingly on my nightstand, perched right under Wrinkle. I decided that Screwtape would be my "dessert" after finishing Wrinkle, you know? But apparently that resolve was quite worthless, because I chucked Wrinkle aside and picked up Screwtape last night before bed.

What a great choice! This book is, in a word, delicious.

I've only read the first four letters so far, but I am totally enjoying it. And all the thinking it stimulates. So clever. So witty. So deep.

Where have you been all my life, Mr. CS Lewis?! (Once again, I beg you not to judge me for not having picked up any of his books before now...)

I think I'm hooked...

More thoughts on Screwtape later...

run away home...

Last week got a bit stressful. I'm not going into detail on such a public forum, but let's just say things got hairy...or something like unto it. I was driving home from running a few errands when my daddy called, and suddenly I felt like my weekend would be best spent at home-home with my parents.

But first, I hurried home and changed, then went to the Temple. Because nothing soothes my soul as completely as the Temple. Just approaching the Temple grounds, I felt an absolute peace. Things were even better inside...

After my Temple Time, I went back to my place to change again, packed in a hurry, and drove to Zion, where dwell the pure in heart. (I'm talking about my family :)

I got to Utah whilst people were still at work, so I dropped by Vance's first thing. And I got to spend some quality time with this little angel:

Sweet baby Jane...
Jane is all about carrots these days; she loves 'em!

She was all smiles and giggles for about 15 minutes, is what. Holding a baby does something to this ginabean...it's almost like touching heaven.

As soon as my folks got home from work, we headed to Layton to babysit Jackson and Seth while A&A went to dinner with her family. Friday was Seth's birthday, and we celebrated with soft-serve ice cream from McDonald's, and playing and running around. (He's three, after all.)

This is what me and my Seff do occasionally...

I'm pretty sure we did this for something like 15 minutes.

Are you jealous?

I love this birthday boy,
what with his chocolatey eyes, his cherry cheeks, and his ice cream goatee...
(Suddenly I feel hungry...)

I also love his big brother, in all his handsome glory...

So yeah, Friday ended up being pretty good.

Saturday ended up being lovely too. I had a nice little visit with my folks, and got a blessing from my wonderful father. Goose, Janel and Marshall came over for a bit. I got my hair did by the lovely Lindsay. I chilled a bit with Vance, Abby and Janiebug. I ran some errands and test-drove some cars with my parents...

This was my favorite of the cars we tried.

I want this car...(in 4wd)

Now you know. It's a Chrysler 300.

My new 'do. Kinda dark, but I likes it...

And then I drove back to reality that very night, so I could get enough beauty sleep before church meetings started the next morning.

I love my family so much, and I'm SO GRATEFUL for their love and support. I'm also super glad I got to see EVERY MEMBER of my family this past weekend, especially on such a spur-of-the-moment trip. I loves them!!!

reflect...

Yesterday was a big day. I hit 100,000 miles on my car. On my way home from work.

That last part is a little depressing...it would have been lovely to be driving somewhere sunny, and far away, and awesome when the old odometer hit 100k. Alas...I was in Idaho. Like normal...

I purchased Handsome Rob with roughly 42,000 miles 3.5 years ago, and he (Handsome Rob) has taken me to a few cool places. (Namely: Zion NP, Yellowstone NP, and perhaps Teton NP...) But most of those miles were driven around rural Idaho, and taking me to and from the land of my inheritance to visit the fam. So I guess it's appropriate that Handsome Rob hit 100 thousand while I drove home from work, right?

Question: Do you know where I'm going with this? Because I'm not sure I do...

Maybe I'll get all reminiscent on you. Do you think so? I shouldn't get so reflective on life over something so silly as 100,000 miles on my car; for heaven's sake, I've only sort of thought about my New Years resolutions. Yet here I am, pondering my life because of said car situation.

(And I thought guys were weird about cars...)

I guess I'll raise a glass (or, rather, a water bottle) to 100,000 more...?

On a semi-related note (being reflective and all)...my resolutions for 2010 (and only one week late!):

1. Quit drinking soda. Really, Coca Cola is the only soda I care about, I guess I'm essentially quitting Coke. (Side note: I crave Coke when life is stressful, and this past Saturday--less than 48 hours into the New Year--stress slapped me across the face; I was tested, my friends. BOY was I tested. But. I. Won.)

2. Read scriptures daily. None of this "skipping because I'm tired" nonsense! I love the scriptures, and I know that the BoM was written for our day. No. Skipping.

3. Continue being brave and trying new foods; it's okay to try things once, right? (I'm talking specifically about food--not bugs and such. And if I know I don't like it, I'm okay to refuse. Got that Aaron?)

4. Continue bearing my testimony every Fast Sunday. (I think I'm going on, like, my 3rd or 4th year in a row on this one...)

5. Write in the old journal at least once a week. Starting...today.

Lord, give me strength...

What the 2010?!

Old news, I know. We're well into our second day of the new decade, but I just caught up with the rest of the world, and I'm left scratching my head, wondering how the devil the past 10 years have zipped on by so darn fast!

Moving on...

First and foremost, I finished my list; I tried crab (thanks to Kelly for sharing). I went to Red Lobster with a few friends on Thursday evening, and I partook. It wasn't that bad, actually; I really liked the texture, and the taste wasn't all that fishy. But then...things got out of control, and my peers pressured me into trying lobster too (compliments of Josh). When I fought my way through that (gagging thrice), I announced to my peers that my list went from 18 to 19, hooray for me! And do you know what happened then? Matt said, "You should try one more thing to make it an even 20." And I caved! I caved, because 20 really does sound better than 19. And the only other thing at the table that I had not yet tried was coconut shrimp. (I'm a total dummy. I already know that I don't like shrimp, and I've long held the view that coconut destroys anything that it touches. Is it obvious to anyone else that coconut shrimp could never be a winning combination in my book?) Anyways, I did it. My list is complete. I am a brave soul indeed...

The crab leg...

Trying the lobster...

The coconut shrimp...

Enough of that...

Do you remember the post where I tried to talk myself into being excited for winter (especially the snow)? Well, quite honestly, I've considered myself lucky, because although it's been quite cold, I haven't had to deal with snow much.

Up until the New Year, I mean.

We've kinda gotten dumped on since the close of 2009. DUMPED ON. I've shoveled 3 times in the past 24 hours. And this snow is HEAVY.

Yesterday morning, Bro. Jenkins showed up with his snow blower, and he took care of our fatty driveway (THANKS A MILLION, BRO. JENKINS!). So Brookie and I thought we'd kinda "pay it forward" and shovel a neighbor's driveway. It took us a while, but we did it. (That's ONE.)

The snow, lovely and serene, continued to fall. All the live-long day. So yesterday afternoon, I shoveled again. Solo this time, but it was okay. (That's TWO.) After shoveling, I met up with Cookie at the theater to watch Sherlock Holmes (which I highly recommend), and then chillaxed at home with the Brookes.

The snow stopped falling at some point...

But then it started up again during the night, because I woke up to another 4 inches of snow. So I got dressed and shoveled again. (That's THREE.) Somehow, it keeps getting heavier. If I had any thoughts of being charitable, shoveling other people's driveways, too...well, those feelings were obliterated within minutes of removing the snow from my own. Brookie came out to help after she got dressed and had breakfast, which is great, because otherwise I might still be out there...

(Pictures do it no justice...)

So now that there's buckets of snow out there, I'm being tested. I already know that being happy or excited about the snow is just not an option.

I'm working on tolerance without complaint...