goodbye, february...

Wow.Zer.

I'm here to tell you that I've had a very busy past few days. Very busy, indeed...
Friday: I ran errands like a crazy person. Got lots accomplished, but not nearly everything that I wanted to get done...

Saturday: I went to Rexburg. To listen to Julie B. Beck speak. It was mostly a question/answer forum thingy, and it was awesome! That lady is something else, I tell you. The forum went from 10am till noon, after which I ate some lunch with some of my favorite gals (Keri, Beffany and Lindsey). Then we met up with President and Sister Krupp, and we went to a Relief Society training thing, also put on by Sister Beck, from 1:30 to 3:30ish. This was also fantastic! That woman is so inspiring! After walking to Lindsey's car (parked what felt like 9 miles from where the conference took place) in the frigid wind, we drove back to IF, chatting and laughing all the way. (Again, "we" includes Keri, Lindsey, and Beffany.) I kept talking about craving frozen yogurt, so Beffany and Keri indulged me, and we went to Kiwi Loco to partake of a yococoa. (Fro-yo sounded stellar, but the weather was so darn cold we couldn't justify it!) Later that evening, the crew got together to chillax and play games at Jeanna's place. Didn't get to bed till nearly 1am...

Keri and Beffany and their yococoas...

The yococoa makes me smile so hard...

Sunday: Got up and made some frighteningly delicious raspberry cheesecake cookies. Then I had meetings, etc., from 10am-5:30pm. Came home and had a delicious chicken and asparagus stir-fry dinner, then headed out for a few more Relief Society duties.

Monday: Went to work. Got my hair did. Met up with some friends for a few minutes. Watched some friends play basketball. Going to bed...

that's how it goes...

I've been in contact with the stellar folks working on Handsome Rob (HR), restoring him to his former glory, off and on throughout this whole ordeal. They (Eaton Collision and Repair) have been so kind to both of us (me and HR).

Last week I was talking to Jessica (the gal who always answers the phone when I call), who told me that HR would likely be ready to roll by Monday or Tuesday of this week. (O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!)

I called Eaton on Tuesday to inquire after HR's progress, and Jessica told me some truly beautiful words: Mr. Fix-It was just finishing up the alignment, and that all that needed to be done was to clean HR up a bit.

Jessica called back that afternoon to tell me that my airbag light was flashing when Mr. Fix-It took him for a final ride--and that a flashing airbag light maybe isn't such a good thing (I'm ad libbing here). Ergo, Fix-It had to run HR over to Nissan to see what that was all about. Jessica told me she'd call me the next day (Wednesday) to let me know what they found out.

Yesterday afternoon Jessica called, as promised. To sum up a long, sad story: the folks at Eaton need a part to solve this final problem. The dilemma? It's going to take a few days for that part to make its way to Southeast Idaho. (BOO!) It'll be a quick-fix once Eaton gets the part, and then they'll run HR up to Nissan again to have them do something with HR's computer? This sounds about right...?

I know it didn't seem like I summed it up, but I did; Jessica used a lot of words to describe the current situation with HR. Lemme try this again: I DON'T GET HANDSOME ROB BACK UNTIL MONDAY. Verily devastating news unto me, as I was fully expecting him this past Tuesday. And further devastating because that means I have to drive around this toy-car rental I've got goin' on if I want to go anywhere this weekend. And I do want to go places this weekend! (I may have 3-day weekends all the time, but I keep myself busy, my people.)

HUMBUG, huh? My heart is bleeding a little bit over the situation.

In pleasanter news: I worked out last night, as promised (three cheers for Zumba!), and it felt good.

Something else that felt good was buying myself a frozen yogurt promptly after finishing up with Zumba. And I discovered white chocolate fro-yo! Did you know that white chocolate fro-yo is more than a little amazing?! Especially when topped with fresh strawberries, sugar cone crumbs, and slivered almonds? Well, did you?

So really...how can one complain when there's something as wonderful was white chocolate frozen yogurt in this world?

Question: what's your favorite fro-yo flave?

don't you judge me...

I got an email from Brooker this afternoon, and it totally made me giggle. Behold:

A WOMAN'S WEEK AT THE GYM

Dear Diary,
For my birthday this year, I purchased a week of personal training at the local health club. Although I am still in great shape since being a high school football cheerleader 43 years ago, I decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and give it a try.
I called the club and made my reservations with a personal trainer named Christo, who identified himself as a 26-year-old aerobics instructor and model for athletic clothing and swim wear. Friends seemed pleased with my enthusiasm to get started! The club encouraged me to keep a diary to chart my progress.

MONDAY:
Started my day at 6:00 a.m. Tough to get out of bed, but found it was well worth it when I arrived at the health club to find Christo waiting for me. He is something of a Greek god-- with blond hair, dancing eyes, and a dazzling white smile. Woo Hoo!!
Christo gave me a tour and showed me the machines... I enjoyed watching the skillful way in which he conducted his aerobics class after my workout today. Very inspiring!
Christo was encouraging as I did my sit-ups, although my gut was already aching from holding it in the whole time he was around. This is going to be a FANTASTIC week!!
TUESDAY:
I drank a whole pot of coffee, but I finally made it out the door. Christo made me lie on my back and push a heavy iron bar into the air then he put weights on it! My legs were a little wobbly on the treadmill, but I made the full mile. His rewarding smile made it all worthwhile. I feel GREAT! It's a whole new life for me.
WEDNESDAY:
The only way I can brush my teeth is by laying the toothbrush on the counter and moving my mouth back and forth over it. I believe I have a hernia in both pectorals. Driving was OK as long as I didn't try to steer or stop. I parked on top of a GEO in the club parking lot.
Christo was impatient with me, insisting that my screams bothered other club members. His voice is a little too perky for that early in the morning and when he scolds, he gets this nasally whine that is VERY annoying.
My chest hurt when I got on the treadmill, so Christo put me on the stair monster. Why the hell would anyone invent a machine to simulate an activity rendered obsolete by elevators? Christo told me it would help me get in shape and enjoy life. He said some other crap too...
THURSDAY:
Butt hole was waiting for me with his vampire-like teeth exposed as his thin, cruel lips were pulled back in a full snarl. I couldn't help being a half an hour late-- it took me that long to tie my shoes.
He took me to work out with dumbbells. When he was not looking, I ran and hid in the restroom. He sent some skinny witch to find me. Then, as punishment, he put me on the rowing machine--which I sank.
FRIDAY:
I hate that jackass Christo more than any human being has ever hated any other human being in the history of the world. Stupid, skinny, anemic, anorexic, little aerobic instructor. If there was a part of my body I could move without unbearable pain, I would beat him with it.
Christo wanted me to work on my triceps. I don't have any triceps! And if you don't want dents in the floor, don't hand me the darn barbells or anything that weighs more than a sandwich.
The treadmill flung me off and I landed on a health and nutrition teacher. Why couldn't it have been someone softer, like the drama coach or the choir director?
SATURDAY:
Satan left a message on my answering machine in his grating, shrilly voice wondering why I did not show up today. Just hearing his voice made me want to smash the machine with my planner; however, I lacked the strength to even use the TV remote and ended up catching eleven straight hours of the Weather Channel...
SUNDAY:
I'm having the Church van pick me up for services today so I can go and thank GOD that this week is over. I will also pray that next year my husband will choose a gift for me that is fun-- like a root canal or a hysterectomy. I still say if God had wanted me to bend over, he would have sprinkled the floor with diamonds!!!

I'm not sure where this email started, but holy crow, it's funny!

I used to go to the gym like 5 times a week. Mostly because I was getting ready to look good in a swimsuit for my Hawaiian vacation. But then Hawaii came and went, and then Christmas came and went, and suddenly my gumption was gone.

After Christmas comes the New Year; and with it came the resolve to keep going to the gym.

I did keep going to the gym, although it was only typically 4 days a week; and two of those days were with my trainer, Handsome Ben. When my training sessions ran out, it was everything I could do to make myself work out at all. (PS Let it be known that I don't think of Handsome Ben as "Satan" or anything like it; he's a good guy who actually gave me encouragement without waxing obnoxious.)

Anyway...yeah, my "workout regime" kinda took a hit and tapered off there towards the end of January (only one month into the new year! I rock!).

And then there was my dreaded accident. After that, I was sore for several days. Then I got sick. Now I sit here and I realize it's been nearly 3 weeks since I last worked out. I had full intentions of going today...but then my alarm went off at 5:30, and I promptly reset my alarm for 6:30 and fell back asleep.

Why does it take forever to get into the habit of working out, but getting out of the habit is so darn easy? (And, let's be honest, it's much more enjoyable NOT going to the gym as well.) It's irritating unto me...

Anyway, I'm here to make a vow that I'll hit the gym tomorrow. For real. Zumba at Gold's Gym with Lindsey. And so it was written, and so it shall be done.

In other news, it's been ridiculously cold of late here in Idaho, so I'm thinking pleasanter thoughts. Such as...

Springtime. And tulips.

Supposedly (if you live in a part of the world where the weather truly is governed by the seasons--unlike Idaho), SPRING should be here officially in a month...

happy birthday, presidents lincoln and washington...

Every weekend is a three-day weekend for yours truly. (It's totally one of the perks of being in charge of your own schedule at a private practice. I love it.) However...when a federal holiday lands itself smack-dab on a Monday (which is, like, all federal holidays, pretty much), I get four-day weekends.

Clearly, my life rocks.

I chillaxed with my family down yonder in Utah to truly appreciate and enjoy the extra long weekend.

And it was a terrific weekend, is what I'm here to tell you.

I packed up the Aveo (ugh!) and headed on down Friday morning.

You know I miss Handsome Rob, and that I'm not really a fan of The Banana. That's just a fact. My brother Aaron tells me that I'm being all sorts of snooty and whatnot, but the Aveo is what it is. And I made another discovery about this car: it doesn't have cruise control. Hmm. I like having cruise control.

I think not having cruise control should be illegal

Also, another something obnoxious about my drive to the land of my inheritance was an "oversize load" vehicle driving right ahead of me from the Malad Pass, all the way to the Utah/Idaho border, ranging in speeds between 40 and 60 mph. And when I say "oversize load," I mean that this fella took up two lanes. There was no passing him.

Behold the fatty...

Things got considerably less annoying once I reached my final destination...

Highlights from my 4-day weekend:

*I went on a handful of walks
*The weather was fantastic
*Two words: Huckleberry Bombs
(They're huckleberry chocolates. And they're delicious.)
*Dancing with Jane
*Watching movies with my family
*Eating Vance's famous Dutch-oven potatoes
*Rock Band: The Beatles edition
*Telling my mom "I get this from you"
every time I behaved ridiculously.
(Which happened frequently.)
*Waxing domestic with my mother,
which resulted in making:
two loaves of bread,
a pan-full of cinnamon rolls,
and a couple dozen oatmeal craisin cookies.
(They were each of them delicious.)
*Playing with and reading to Sethington
*Kissing Emmett's juicy cheeks
*Having a pillow-fight with Jackson
*Lying by the fireplace, reading

See? I told you it was a good weekend.

Jane's well-loved goofy smile

My Sethington

Jackson sandwiched between pillows

Emmett: So. Dang. Cute.

Goose, Janel & Co. (Marshall and Kaylee) were in Washington this past weekend visiting her family, so I didn't get to chill with them. Except that on their way home, they passed through my town and I met them when they stopped for dinner. So I totally got to love on their babies for a few minutes.

Behold:

Kaylee Bug
Don't you kind of want to nibble on her?

Funny-faced Gina and Marshall

That was my weekend. It was glorious.

How was yours?

who uses the word "putrid" anyway?

I got a phone call from a friend early this afternoon; a friend who works for a local news station.

Jessica was working on a piece about the crazy cold/flu season we're currently experiencing...which is where I come in.

Jessica called because she knows I've been sick. We go to church together, you see, and she noticed my total lack of voice this past Sunday. (I've had a nasty cold of late, after all...)

Anyway. Jessica came by my office during my lunch break and did a quick little interview.

Can I just say? I do not love video cameras on me. Not ever. Especially when I'm feeling all sicky, and my nose is raw and red, and...

It was an uncomfortable situation, for sure. But I'm glad I was able to help Jessica out.

We finished our little chat, and we both left (me, for lunch, and Jessica, for the newsroom, I suppose). I tried to forget it (successfully!) for the duration of my work day.

Then at 6:09pm, I got a text from my friend Keri.

Our exchange:

Keri:" You were on the news!"
Me: "How did I sound?" (I couldn't bring myself to watching it live)
Keri: "You said 'putrid'...I LOVED IT!"
Me: "I do not remember saying that word!"
Keri: "That's the part I walked in on. I didn't hear all. My mom told me you were on and you said that you felt putrid. I was kinda lost about what the story was on..."

After a bit, I got the courage to watch the piece online, and here's how it went down:

Gina O. found herself reaching for her box of tissues about a week ago and she's still got them close by.

“They've come kind of one or two at a time, the symptoms; it's kind of ridiculous,” she said. “I lost my voice completely on Saturday night, and it's just barely coming back.”

When the symptoms continued, O. decided to see her doctor.

“I actually took Thursday off because I was just feeling putrid,“ O. said. “So, I went to the doctor and fortunately it's not strep or anything.”

Who uses the word "putrid" anyway? Especially when they're being interviewed by the local news talent? I think a normal person would've used the word "awful" or something less...putrid. Gah!

I thought about embedding my 15 seconds of fame on here, but I didn't see that option on the news website.

Also, I don't quite have the courage to embed it, even if it were an option. (It wasn't.)

Aaaand now it's time to close my eyes.
A sick person needs lots of sleep, after all...

Happy Balentime's Day

We all know how I feel about Mondays in general, right?

I've been known to be fairly flippant over the years about Valentine's Day, too, and it makes me wonder...

How often does Valentine's Day land itself smack-dab on a Monday?

I haven't been looking forward to this day, like some of my twitterpated friends have been. But. I haven't been dreading it, either. I decided (at approximately 7pm yesterday) that I would embrace this Valentine's Day. Embrace it, baby! I adjusted my attitude accordingly, and I must say, I'm proud of myself. (Because V-Day landed smack dab on a Monday, of all days! A Monday!)

During my down-time at work, I wrote little notes of appreciation to some of my peeps. You know, to share the love. It helped me to forget the lack of a significant other in my life (once again), and to focus on the LOVE all around me.

This is a good thing.

Also, there were Valentine-y treats at work, including (but not limited to) chocolate mint truffles. I only ate one, even though they were mouth-wateringly delicious, and they called out to me like a siren. That's right, I further shared my love by not hoarding them.

Then there was FHE. Honestly, I didn't exactly want to go there, but I went (to give out my love notes, as well as to get out and be social on this stupendous Monday of Love!).

And afterward?

Oooooh! Afterward!

A group of us went to Kiwi Loco (a stellar frozen yogurt place) and got ourselves a yocococa. That's right, I said yococoa. Isn't that a cute word? It's where you get hot chocolate and then add in your favorite flavor of frozen yogurt.

And if I thought I liked the word yococoa...the culinary experience is quite splendid! Yum!

Thank you, Kiwi Loco,
for providing such a wonderful treat!

My yococoa had vanilla yogurt inside...

Everybody's Workin' For the Weekend

That song is in my head. And, darn it all, so is an image of Chris Farley dancing. (You're welcome for sharing that little slice of heaven, by the way...)

Last week (as soon as January fled and February presented itself), winter reared its ugly head, and Idaho weather reminded us (its lowly inhabitants) that it can do whatever it wants, whenever it wants.

Let me elaborate: last Wednesday (2.2.11), it was -18* Fahrenheit when I went to work. NEGATIVE EIGHTEEN, people! (That's -27* Celsius for those who were wondering.) It warmed up to, I think, 4* that day.

I've survived well enough; I live in a nice townhouse with working heaters. I own lots of blankets, sweaters, gloves, scarves, etc.--I bundle up appropriately and survive the subarctic temperatures.

Mostly I feel bad for my knuckles; they have cracked and occasionally they bleed. Poor, poor knuckles. (FYI: medicated lotion, although helpful, stings horrendously. Just ask me. I know.)

So yeah...I haven't exactly been thrilled with the weather of late.

However...last Thursday, Handsome Rob and I left for Zion, and the drive was truly glorious. The skies were blue, the sun was out, the heater was on, and I enjoyed some truly stunning vistas right there on I-15.

lovely winter

ah...breathe it in!

How can I hate winter when it presents itself so beautifully?

I spent some time on Thursday with Vance and Janie. Oh, that cute little girl has adopted a cheesy little grin. Behold:

What a sweet, silly girl...

I also got to play with Marshall and Kaylee (and visit with Janel and Abby). I sure love my babies!

Marshall and Jane playing with packing peanuts
(or snow, as Marshall liked to call it)

I love KayleeBug's crooked smile

On Friday, I headed to L-town to visit Aaron & Amy and their brood of boys. First on the agenda was a date with Seth. (I took him to lunch for a birthday date...almost a month late.)

Seth is one picky little eater, but he loves fries and ice cream, and he loves to play, so we went to McDonald's. (Note to self: if you ever take your other nephews/nieces to McD's, make sure you've eaten before going; if you go hungry, you'll end up eating something there, and it's...well, it's NOT satisfying!)

I missed Seth's birthday party, so I asked him about it. Our conversation is as follows...

Me: "Hey Seth. What did you get for your birthday?"
Seth: "Handy Manny fruit snacks."
Me: "Cool. I heard you got a robot." (This is true, my folks gave him a robot.)
Seth: "Did you hear what I said? I got Handy Manny fruit snacks."

Oh, to be 4 again...

Anyway, despite eating lunch at McD's, we had a fun little date, Seth and me.

Seth loves juice boxes

Seth loves ice cream
(Seth giggled good and hard over this picture)

Seth loves cars
(his Happy Meal toy was a real hit)

Later that day, I also got to smooch with and nibble on Emmett, in all his rotund glory. (Yes. My lips were planted on his juicy cheeks for minutes at a time. It was truly stellar.)

And don't think I didn't steal a kiss or two from Jackson.

I know, I know. Three boys in one day. (If only I could get that kind of adoring attention from fellas my own age. I may just figure it out one day.)

Hello, handsome!

His cheeks are so inviting!

Jackson: Upclose

I love this SethFace

Fattest. Tigger. Ever.

I stayed the night at Aaron & Amy's and chillaxed some more with the crew. Then. I got a massage. Oh, how I wish I could fit a weekly massage into my budget! (Aaron and Amy gave me a massage by Joleen Cullens for Christmas; she's got magic hands, is what!)

Saturday evening, I saw the BYU Ballroom Dance Company perform at BEHS with ma and pa. Wowzer! They are incredible! And, apparently, they are Undefeated National Standard Formation Team Champions. Every year since 1982! That says something profound, don't you think? I mean. WOW!!! It was definitely an enjoyable evening with my folks. And? To make it even better, there were a couple of older ladies who sat right in front of us, and after each routine, they would clap (loudly!) and yell "Yay!" with gusto. I kind of loved those ladies...

Anyway. That's what went down in Utah.

I love making memories...

I Miss Handsome Rob

An Update:

I really like my car--the one I wrecked, I mean. Not the ridiculous rental I've got in the mean time.

Behold:

2010 Chevy Aveo

My dad calls it The Banana. I guess if we're going to name it, The Banana is quite fitting, as I hate bananas and this car. (Perhaps equally?)

I might've liked this car in high school, but...I guess my tastes have matured since then. A lot.

Just because it's newer than my '03 Nissan Altima does not mean this silly Aveo is better or nicer than Handsome Rob.

I've been driving Handsome Rob for nearly 5 years and I've grown quite accustomed to his spacious niceness.

The Banana, let's just be honest, looks like a toy. And it's roughly the size of a Power Wheels.

It is a toy.

Yes, I miss Handsome Rob.

Wanna see the damage of Monday night's accident?

Handsome Rob in his former glory

Frontal view

Driver's side

Passenger's side

The messy tire situation

Yes. I miss Handsome Rob.

Good news, though! He's not been totaled! The swell fellas at Eaton Collision Repair can fix him! It's just rotten luck that I'll be driving The Banana for the remainder of the month.

Also, I'm gonna have to buy a new nose bra for him...

I Vomit on This Day

I had intentions of doing a fun little update about my fun little weekend this evening, after running here and there and getting some fun little things done.

But then I got in a stupid car accident, and that post was promptly flushed down the toilet. (Well, maybe not down the toilet; that post is still coming, but not tonight.)

Clearly, I'm okay. Physically, at least.

Mentally, I've been done with this day for...several hours, let's say.

It started out great, really, especially for a Monday. Because! We moved back to our original building for work this past weekend! I went in early to unpack and get ready for my first client, and things went well. Plus! All my clients (but for one) showed up! Which means I was busy! Which is good!

Yes, busy days are good. But today also had the distinct odor of a Monday. The stink hovered over everything, and I tried to ignore it.

Okay, so I'm venting, but I'm not going to go into detail. Suffice it to say that I got home later than I wanted to, had to get lots done before going to where I needed to be, and then was frustrated a time or two once I was there.

The icing on the cake, I'm sure.

I did have fun socializing with some good friends while there (including, but not limited to: Jami, Brooker, Keri, Kari, Skyler, Whitney, and lots of other stellar people). I love my friends, and they made the evening portion of my Monday suck a bit less.

And Jami (bless her soul!) had the idea to go to Jeff's house where there resided some cheesecake left over from last night. (Jami is a wizard in the kitchen, people! Her cheesecake was so good I very nearly cried.)

So. We left where we were and headed for Jeff's.

And blah, blah, blah: I got in an accident. It was scary and frustrating and my knees and sternum hurt, but I'm okay. And the other driver and his passengers are all okay.

Really, life is okay. When I think of how much worse the accident could've been, I'm so grateful! Plus, Jami noticed I wasn't behind her any more, and she came back to be my moral support before I could even text her to let her know what happened. Also, the other guy was super nice about it when he could've been a jerk-wad. And cars can be fixed, right?

Aye, there's the rub.

I hate car issues. I don't want to deal with a broken car. The other car and mine hit hard, and there are parts of Handsome Rob (my car) strewn about all over that intersection, is what. (Mostly the front fender, along with a headlight, my license plate, and half of the nose bra. I think that's it?)

But do you know the plastic part that goes up above the tire?

Well, do you?

I think it must be on every car, because Handsome Rob is a good car, and he had some plastic that used to be up above the tire.

It's now wrapped around the tire. Handsome Rob is in no driving condition. The kind, handsome officer called a towing service who came and took away my car. Prognosis: to be determined.

I think I'll take a bath and pray for sleep to take me quickly.

Here's to tomorrow not being Monday!

(This sweet little pouty face
belongs to my nephew Emmett.
It kind of captures my feelings at present...)

Breakfast of Champions

Looky what I'm eating right now:

YUMMMM!

Here's what you do:
-Cut up your favorite apple into bite-size cubes
-Dump on your favorite yogurt,
smothering the apples completely
-Add a splash of Cheerios

I used a honey crisp apple,
and today's flavor of choice is
Yoplait Light: Blackberry Harvest,
and the Cheerios are Cinnamon Burst.

(It would probably be better with MultiGrain,
but I don't have any on-hand.)

Anyhoo, with a breakfast like this,
I'm pretty sure my day is gonna be stellar.

I'm going to Zion this weekend to chillax with the fam,
so I'm sure I'll have all sorts of stuff to talk about
upon my return...

Ciao!