all is well

I went to Utah for the second weekend in a row (although you wouldn't know it, unless you follow me on Instagram). My weekend was quite fantastic, for a handful of reasons.

*I had a fantastic phone conversation with Abby
as I drove to Utah Thursday night

*I spent time with family

*I got to see all 8 of my nieces and nephews

*I saw the Warren Miller 2013 World Premier

*I had a fantastic visit with Brooker (both before and after Warren Miller)

*I got to chill with my Ma while we babysat baby Derek
for several hours on Saturday

I headed out later than usual last Thursday because I'm in charge of a group of young girls in my church. (The group is called Achievement Days; we meet every other week, and last Thursday, we drove to a small community and toured a potato cellar. The girls loved it.) Abby called me as I was driving to Utah after the activity, and she made the drive so terrific.

This vision of beauty also helped my drive quite enjoyable.
I pulled over near the Rose/Firth exit to snap this picture.

Any time I get to see my family, life is good. If I happen to see all of my nieces and nephews, life is even better.

Janie chose her own outfit on Friday. I know she knows stripes are my favorite,
but I'm not sure if that's why she wore so many varieties...?

Aaaaand here we have Juliebug, getting into some sort of mischief or another.

Golly, I love these boys; Emmett was as cuddly as usual,
and Seth and I had a nice visit about Harry Potter.

I've gone to the Warren Miller movie probably 4-5 times in as many years; I usually nearly die of boredom, but I've gone anyway, because they have given ski lift vouchers to The Canyons in the past, and usually my friend Cameron can't make it, so he usually pays for the WM ticket and I go in his place so he can get the lift ticket for free. What a good friend I can be! But I digress: this year, I actually thought the film was kind of cool, because I started snowboarding last year. Turns out, if you actually care a little bit about skiing/boarding, it makes the movie much more enjoyable. Also, I got a BOGO lift ticket to Snowbird this year. And I get to keep it! Cameron can't have it!

On Saturday, my brother Ryan and his wife Janel took their older kids to the BYU homecoming game in Provo; Mom and I babysat Derek (their almost 7-month-old) in the meantime, and it. was. awesome. Derek is super chill and SO sweet and I adored every moment with that boy. And Mom. (My mom really is the greatest in all the land, you know...)

He was happy the entire time, until I prematurely took the binky out of his mouth:
then he showed us this sad face, and I gave his pacifier back real quick.

But I'm being honest when I say he was all smiles otherwise, even sans-binky.

We gave him tub time in the sink, and he was quite content splashing around.

This is how he smiles. Doesn't it just melt your heart?

I drove back to Idaho on Sunday morning, and the drive was kind of wonderful. I listened to some Josh Groban as I enjoyed the visual delights of my favorite season: heavy, dense, low-hanging clouds with occasional bursts of rain; the mountains and foothills alight with fading red and yellow-leafed trees speckled among the evergreens; and driving past the lovely communities near the freeway, whose trees glowed with gold and bright orange hues. Yes, I enjoyed my drive back to Idaho, absolutely.  

Breathe it in, baby! FALL!

As I sang along with Josh, I was overcome with the most spectacular feelings of peace, love, joy, and contentment. I switched the music off so I could revel in all the lovely feelings, and ponder a bit.

Sometimes I wish I could catch a glimpse or two of myself in the future; just little snippets to see what awaits, you know? To see who I'll fall in love with and marry, to see how many kids we'll have, and what they'll be like. To know where I'll settle, and other such things.

I realize, of course, that that's not the point of life. 

No. The point of this life is to live in the present. To find your faith and prove it. To allow life (your trials and blessings and everything in between) to mold you into a better version of yourself. To not get so caught up in the "what-ifs" or the "whys" and to quit asking, "when?" 

Life is what you make it, and there is joy to be found in every situation. Even in the seemingly depressing situations, if you'll just look up and around, you'll find something to smile at or laugh about.

I'm not at all where I thought I'd be at this point in life. I figured that by the time I was 31, I'd be married, chasing a toddler and cleaning baby's diapers and making a home with my own little family unit; my yard wouldn't be big, but we'd rake the leaves into giant piles the fall, shovel our little walkway and build snowmen in the winter, plant a garden in the spring, and grill our dinners in the summer. I'd be involved in my kids' lives; I'd wipe away tears when they fell, and I'd read them bedtime stories and tuck them in at night, and we'd go on family walks, and have dance parties on rainy days.

Isn't that a lovely image? It's what I've always wanted. And I think it will still happen...at least, some version of that little dream... 

I just need to keep living my life in the meantime. Make my own adventures, and travel and play and enjoy the heck out of this time in my life. I'm totally loving autumn, and although I'm not keen for winter to start before December, I'll try to take it in stride (because it will likely come by November) and try to trick myself into thinking that winter is the best season while it's in front of me, you know? I'll master carving on my snowboard, and I'll make a different soup every week, and maybe pick up a new hobby when I'd rather stay inside...

During yesterday's drive home, I felt that God is in charge. I mean, I've always known that He's in charge, but I felt with clarity that: God loves me, and things will work out, and I'm at a terrific stage in life and I need to make the most of it.

Anyway, I don't mean to get preachy on you, I just wanted to share my feelings of contentment and peace. All is well, you know?

more annoyed than i should be...

I've had a hankering for a salted caramel hot chocolate pretty much all day, so when I had a cancellation this afternoon, I high-tailed it over to Starbucks and ordered one.

After I'd paid for said beverage, and after Mr. Starbucks had made the cocoa and topped it with whip cream and drizzled it with caramel, he said to me, "Uhhhh...it looks like we're out of salt. Looks like I'll be going to Albertson's on my break."

Can I just say...?

"That is NOT okay, guy! The salt on a salted caramel hot chocolate is at least half the point! Make right thus wrong, mister!"

Of course I didn't say any of this to Mr. Starbucks. I just felt depressed. And then a bit angry. Because? Guys, I'm weird, but I do not care for caramel without salt. (My brother Aaron has called me un-American because of this...travesty? It's weird, I get it.)

No, instead of doing anything productive, or even complaining to the guy, I sulked. And blogged about it.

Badly done, Starbucks...

salted caramel sans salt makes me frowny...

PS I know my little blog isn't super popular (not complaining, just stating the facts), but boy howdy, my last post got a lot of hits within 24 hours! I'm lucky to get 30 hits a day (maybe 50 on a good day?). But you people! I got 152 hits on that one post! It makes me think you (my "friends") like to see me make a fool of myself on such a public forum. And it really makes me ponder my life...

I'm Not as Shallow as This Post Might Make Me Seem...

This post is about The Hunger Games.

I read the books...maybe about a year ago? (Okay, I'm looking it up on Goodreads, and it says...January 2011.) I kind of didn't want to read the books, because when they were described to me, I was slightly mortified; it sounded like Roman gladiator games for children, and I didn't want to read about such a horrific subject matter.

But then I caved; almost every person I talked to (and I surround myself with really terrific people!) recommended the Hunger Games series to me, and I caved.

Aaaand I believe I  read book one within a couple of days.

Before, during, and after reading that book, I was totally disturbed that I really enjoyed the story as much as I did. But I'll be darned if I didn't cry when Rue died. (If you haven't read or watched the Hunger Games yet, I'm sorry about that little spoiler; but you understand the gist of the story, right? LOTS of people die.)

But I digress. This post is actually supposed to focus on the movie (that just came to a theater near you a couple of weeks ago).

I had heard mixed reviews, but mostly good things.

I talked to my mama about it the day after she watched it, and the first thing she said was, "Gina! The guy Katniss leaves behind?! WOW!" Or something to that effect. So I had high hopes that Gale would be this knock out.

Anyway, I went to Utah to visit my family last weekend, and Abby and I went to Walker Cinema to watch The Hunger Games together. 

I know; it's not a terrific picture of me.
Maybe I'm trying to make a point that I'm not completely shallow.
"Look! I'm posting an unflattering picture of myself to show you
that I really realize that looks aren't what it's all about!"

So I was sitting in the theater, happily watching the movie, and do you know what? That first shot of Gale didn't quite do it for me. Please note: I know that most people in Hollywood are quite a bit prettier than me, including the fella who plays Gale. My point is that everybody had talked him up a LOT, and that very first shot of Gale made me scratch my head. Then I saw Peeta, and I was like..."Oh! That's what Mom was talking about." Because...guys, I'm totally Team Peeta; I was throughout the entire series, and I think he's one of the best characters in the books. But, that first shot of Peeta, with his hair all slicked back? It made me realize how incredibly handsome that Gale fella really is. You know?

The movie continued, and I realized that, when his hair isn't slicked back, Peeta's kind of cute, too. (For a kid, I mean. Gross. Stop judging me!)

Also, when Katniss and Peeta got to The Capitol, we were introduced to a whole new slew of characters. And then I realized...I'm actually Team Cinna...

Yes. Team Cinna, all the way.

In all honesty, I've always loved his character. Maybe it's just a little perk that he's so darn handsome in the movie...?

Anyway, I'll be back with a less shallow post nest time. Just thought I'd let you know how I feel about the men of The Hunger Games.

PS My mom may or may not have a little crush on Seneca Crane. (I'll never tell.)

PPS Donald Sutherland, from this day forward, might creep me out for the rest of my mortal life. He's such an endearing old fellow in Pride & Prejudice (Mr. Bennett), but he played President Snow a little too well. He totally gave me the heebie-jeebies.

Over and out.

my flirt is broken...

Recently, it seems, I've had a handful of conversations about flirting. These conversations always make me a bit uncomfortable, because I'm not a good flirt. I never have been. Somehow, every time I flirt, it comes out all...awkward. Which is not a good thing. Not good at all.

I guess I'm not always horrible at it; it seems to come quite naturally (so I've been told) when I'm around really good guy friends, or if the guy I'm (accidentally) flirting at is, like, gay or something. So basically, I'm a decent flirt when the fella isn't a threat. (Is "threat" the right word, even?)

Anyway, I truly am no good at the flirting thang.

I'm good at being sincere, though. And giving compliments and stuff. I hope against hope that one day, my sincerity will catch the eye of a tall, handsome man. Right? Because, heaven knows I'm not going to capture a fella's heart (or positive attention) with my broken flirt.

Sad, but true.

I've had similar conversations with a couple of my guy friends, Jason and Cameron (collectively known as "Jameron"). Specifically, I remember chatting with Cameron in Hawaii about how I'm quite certain my signal is broken, or badly damaged, or the wiring's all screwed up...

Want to know what Cameron got me for Christmas?

It's a signal light thingy.
If only this did the trick...
(Obnoxious, but FUNNY!)

Anyway, I've heard a quote that "the way God made you is the way you're most beautiful,"(Russell M. Nelson), and although that's probably more about actual looks, I'm going to make it work for me and my broken flirt. Honestly, my not flirting is more attractive than my trying to flirt. Right?

There's gotta be hope for me, right? Sincerity's gotta be attractive to some fine fellow, right?

RIGHT?

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...

swifter than swift...

Ever since I got my driver's license and forged my way onto the interstate, I've always felt a bit strange when I pass a Swift semi. You know the ones I'm speaking of...

(Like so...)

According to dictionary.com, swift means (and I quote):

–adjective
1. moving or capable of moving with great speed or velocity; fleet; rapid: a swift ship {or semi?}.
2. coming, happening, or performed quickly or without delay: a swift decision.
3. quick or prompt to act or respond: swift to jump to conclusions.

Seems to me, with a name like Swift, they ought to be the fastest automobiles on the road. I'm not wrong, am I?

I'm just sayin'...

no boys allowed...

I went up to Island Park with 8 other gals this past weekend, and can I just say? It was stellar! Our weekend included:

*staying in a lovely waterfront cabin on Bill's Island
*Macks Inn dinner theater
*playing poker and gambling with candy
*a lovely walk around the island (to walk off our excess dinner)...
*a bike ride in perfect weather with perfect company!
*munching on pretzel m&ms and other such stellar snacks
*giggling...and more and more giggling
*falling asleep on the dock while reading in the sun
*other stuff

Aren't you jealous? You should be! I was in desperate need of getting away from this town where I live, in the company of some of the greatest gals on Earth. So yeah...just what the doctor ordered!

T and B at the dinner theater...

Jen and Jeanna...

Jenn and Janae...

Keri and moi...

...aaaand Brookie!

POKER TIME:

I was totally winning...
I figure "Go big or go home" right?
(Mostly I just got lucky...staying in with a pair when others folded)
(And yes, that is a cheat-sheet in the top left corner. We needed that cheat-sheet.)

But other times I really got lucky...
Like with two pairs!

...Or else a flush!

But then we decided to go all-in; winner takes all.
Keri played on borrowed candy...
then she traded her whole hand (all 5 cards) and ended up with a full house!
What the what?! (Clearly, Taletha thought Keri was cheating.)

A picture taken on the bike ride...
(I told you it was a perfect day!)

Janae playing on the dock...

My view from the dock...
(falling asleep reading, remember?)

Ain't I artsy-fartsy?
(This is Brookie's lovely head)

Thanks for the fun time, ladies! (Especially YOU, Jeanna! Thanks for the invite!)