as of late

I have noticed that with guys. . .they are like parking spots. . .all the good ones are taken and the rest are just handicap.

Not really, but I am super excited for church tomorrow and so I should go to bed. Thank goodness I don't have to teach a lesson! For some reason I feel like I am more myself and am not down on myself. YAY for that!!!

I need company name ideas

It has come down to this. I am now, officially getting into the jewelry business. Beads at first and then eventually handmade silver jewelry. I have one, only one idea for a name. (My first name)'s Jewels which in my opinion sound lame and not very fun. Any one have suggestions? PLEASE!

For Ashley!

7 things I can do:
1- Play the Guitar
2- Play the Violin
3- Sew. . .yes sew, you would be surprised how many people my age can't!
4- Rock climb
5- Be a Cheeky Monkey :oP
6- Ice Skate/Roller Blade/Roller Skate
7- Make silver jewelry someone wants to buy!

7 things I can't do:
1- Ski (reason #1 why I snowboard and LOVE it!)
2- Tell a lie with a straight face
3- Play the piano in public. . .I have one and I actually play it sometimes but NEVER in public.
4- Play cords on the guitar (yet)
5- Have caffeine. . .in huge amounts. . .like in a coke. I really shouldn't even have chocolate
6- Sit still. I'm always wiggling or fidgeting
7- Chin ups

7 things that attract me to my hubby:
1- I
2- am
3- not
4- married
5-
6-
7-

7 things I always say:
1- "I'm not surprised."
2- "I'm sorry."
3- "I'm going upstairs PBS."
4- "I want a puppy!"
5- "I wish I had a hedgehog."
6- "I usually watch PBS"
7- "Do you want to know what I bought?"

7 things I love to eat:
1- fresh bread
2- Chocolate Oreo mint shakes
3- Cold cereal with frozen strawberries (ICE COLD MILK!!! YUM)
4- Take 5 Candy bars (ditto!)
5- Corn on the Cob with butter, salt, and pepper
6- Spaghetti Squash. . .mmm mmm good!
7- Fruit. . .except grapes, pears and apricots oh, and sometimes apples. . .ew.

Fab 5 Survey Friday?

Five things...

5 things I was doing 10 years ago ...
1- In my Junior Year of High School
2- Playing the Violin in a Youth Symphony
3- Not believing in myself
4- Sleeping in a TINY Bedroom
5- Watching my mommy receive cancer treatment and not being able to do anything to help.

5 things on today's "to do" list...
1- Make it to work [check]
2- Clean up the Reading Room [check]
3- Sleep
4- Pack up and go to b-town
5- Make a necklace I dreamed about.

5 snacks I enjoy...
1- Oranges
2- Carrots & Ranch dip
3- Sugar snap peas
4- Hot Chocolate
5- Peanut Butter

5 things I would do if I were a millionaire...
1- Get out of debt
2- Buy a house with a garage and separate workshop on an acre of land
3- Set up a jewelry shop and pottery studio
4- Save/Invest
5- Donate money for a New Special Collections and Archives building at work

5 places I have lived...
1- Sacramento California
2- Warrensburg Missouri
3- Titusville Florida
4- Asheville North Carolina
5- Brigham City Utah

5 jobs that I have had...
1- Pizza Maker at Papa Murphy's
2- Test Proctor
3- Receptionist
4- Project Researcher
5- Manuscript Processor

Rules: Each player answers the question themselves. At the end of the post the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, Let the person that tagged you know when you've answered the questions on your blog.

Melissa, Ashley, and 3 other random people who read my blog!

New "Toys"

I am addicted to jewelry making. . .especially silver smithing. I was lazing in bed this morning thinking of how I could get a torch for annealing and soldering and such. . . I managed to find one for under $100 (including shipping)!!!! How exciting is that? Of course I purchased it. Now all I have to do is get an oxygen tank and a propane tank and a soldering board and regulators!

I present you with my NEW TOY which will arrive in 2-5 business days.

Oh deer

I don't know if I have written about this before, but I am terrified of deer when I am in the car and especially while I am driving.

A long time ago when I was a senior in high school (1999-2000) I got hit by a deer on opening day of deer season. . . yes I GOT HIT, no not I hit a deer, but I got hit. . . I was on a dark country road lined with corn fields at about 8 pm after a photography club event. Technically I didn't get hit, but Buttercup our wonderful old, now passed on, dodge caravan got hit in the driver's side door. I was was the only one in the car listening to 89.1 fm. . .yes classical 89. . . they were playing Spanish dance music. . .probably classical guitar music. Needless to say, I was traumatized!

Fast-forward. . .October 30, 2008 Almost to the day I was hit last. . .I was driving to wal-mart at 6 pm on Thursday on a well traveled road, not even thinking about deer. I was the last car in a group of random travelers, the others were probably 50 to 100 feet ahead. No one to the the left. Out of nowhere a doe ( I think deer of the feminine persuasion have it out for me!) comes running from the right. I freaked and didn't know what to do. . .I was going 65 (the speed limit) and hyperventilating and adrenaline rushing all at once. The reason I don't drive on that road at night is because of the deer that like to cross it in front of cars! It wasn't dark so I thought it was safer. . .but it was almost dusk. (Duh cupcake, hey I was having a hard day as it was so I probably wasn't thinking clearly.) I swear that I did not even think to turn the wheel, but I drifted left as the doe slowed down and veered right a little. I didn't get hit but it freaked me out. I do realize that I was protected and am so thankful for it!!!

Return to sender

So, I didn't get accepted to the masters program that I thought I wanted to be in. . .

I was at work when I got the e-mail. I had been thinking about the program and wasn't sure I really wanted to go through with it. SO, now I am going to work on taking the GRE and apply to multiple universities for a masters in history. All I really want to do is teach college.

Amazing

I made it up a 100 ft climb today.
The Lord knows and loves me.
I FINALLY have a calling!!!!







More info to come later. I'm tired.

Revelation on post-it notes

I have been some-what preoccupied with how I am going to be able to afford to pay on my student loans which come due in November (an even start grad school in January [I'm still waiting to hear]). Scary! The reason why I am so worried is I will not have a raise this next year and I am not making tons of money.

This morning I woke up and there was a post-it note at the head of my bed with a quote from President Heber J. Grant quoted by Sheldon F. Child of the Seventy that I had written down. It is AMAZING how the Lord works. The quote is from the May 2008 Ensign article called "The Best Investment."

Here it is:

"President Heber J. Grant stated, 'I want to say to you, if you will be honest with the Lord, paying your tithing and keeping His commandments, He will not only bless you with the light and inspiration of His Holy Spirit, but you will be blessed in dollars and cents; you will be enabled to pay your debts, and the Lord will pour out temporal blessings upon you in great abundance. ' "

The two parts in red are what I had written down. I had completely forgotten that quote.

Jewelry Class

I started a jewelry class last night. I LOVE it. My teacher asked if I had ever done anything with metal like it before because I did it so well. YAY me!!! We were each given a scrap of metal to square up. I did it faster than the rest of the ladies in the class and almost had to start on another one. Yeah, our teacher is male and all of the class member are female. It is kind of funny but fun all at the same time.

We started a using copper to learn and practice making rings. I managed to smash my thumb. . .I would have had 2 blood blisters but one of them popped, so I bleed profusely and the other one stayed in tact. I washed the cut like 10 times last night because I was paranoid that there might be metal inside.

An now I give you pictures.








and the thumb

Life is an Adventure

Kip's comment on my last entry made me really think about how everyone is different and AWESOME in their own way.

Thinking of people who read my blog. . .or at least I think read my blog ;) my list is thus:

Kip: Awesome because she has the ability to love and CARE FOR animals. (and she loves books)

Laurie: Awesome because she is a stay at home mommy and webmaster for websites she created. She also is a wonderful cook.

Stewie: Care for family and work at home. . .that in and of itself would kill me. She is also great for letting us stop by when we are in the area.


Nasty Butler: Letting me bum around with them when she and Steph hangout randomly (and picking me up when she didn't have to). Also she is a really cool artist.


Steph: I'm tempted to say she is my sister. . .enough said. . .but I can't. She puts up with me when I'm stupid and end up putting my foot in my mouth. She is THE BEST designer I know. . .No, she is not the only one I know, but she is the BEST! The list is long long long. . .so "One and two should be good enough."

Missliza: She also puts up with my crap, and is the RS president in her branch (scary calling!). She is obsessed with Jane Austin (good for her. . .I tease her for it). When she wants to learn about something she is so "diligent" that she becomes obsessed.

Bossy McFlossy: Need I say more? She is my boss and puts up with my cheeky monkey-ness. She has never gotten mad at me when I really think that she could have. Patience. . .that sums it up.

Did I miss anyone?

Statement of Purpose, Rock Climbing, Beads

In that order. . .

After a LONG plague of writer's block I finally finished my Statement of Purpose and sent it to UW Milwaukee. . .overnighted it to be exact. Who knew that 2 pieces of paper would cause me so much stress and grief. . .and 16.50? I think historians are procrastinators at heart. . .I am trying to break that habit.


Rock Climbing. . .the class. . . To be truthful I have been hesitant about the class and that is why I waited to take it until it doesn't count for anything. I have gained weight since I went last and my biggest fear has been that there wouldn't be a harness to fit me. . .and my fat legs. . . I found one online for about $30 Sweet deal! It isn't fancy schmancy, but it fits me. I got to class yesterday and there were all of these sticks with boobs freshmen girls and some guys. . .I was the largest person in the class. . .until Dr. W walked in and I knew that I could rock climb if he could. . . he is not a small man and so it made me feel better. We spent time going over the syllabus and learning technical terms. . .and tying knots. . . sweet! At the end of class he said that despite physical/genetic make up ANYONE can climb. . .YAY!!!! I am pumped. . .I really wish that we had class next week though because I want to get started!

I am going crazy. I just want and need to sit down and bead some stuff to sell. The problem is that some of the things I want to do require sterling silver wire. . .that I don't have. So I went to Joanne's and Michael's to see if they had any in the gage that I want. . .no. . .Looks like I am going to have to just get it online. SAD!!! I did buy a wire jig though. . .I think I did at least. I also bought some more beads because several ideas came to mind when I looked at them. I should get an esty site or sell them on e-bay or something.

Stress, oye ve

Wow, I have a fabulous writers block, making it so that I cannot mail my Statement of purpose. . .pooh bottoms. . .it is due on Monday (I know that Monday is a holiday but still that is when its due). I am waiting for advice on how to proceed.

Last night I had to go to a guitar practice session with my trio that lasted for almost an hour and a half. . .not good. That combined with neglecting my sleep and stress has worn me down and I fell asleep at 10:00 hoping that the writer's block would be gone in the morning. . .nope. 6 am came and I still couldn't produce. It is DUE MONDAY!!!! What am I going to do?

On top of that I was a little disturbed last night by the fact that 1. I have now been playing the classical guitar for one year. 2. My friend from the class told me that she is bi. . .(honestly I had to make sure I knew what bi means because I was tired and stressed so when I got home I looked it up) I am not anti, she is what she is but I didn't know and it came up out of the blue. 3. The guy that is playing with us in the trio thought we both had husbands and children. 4. The biggest shocker is that she thought I am like 22. (What a surprise, people usually think I am OLD.)

So yeah. . .oh, and today ROCK CLIMBING! But I'm tired. . .good thing they don't do anything on the first day of class.

Death, Pimples & Change.

Before I left my parent's house I said bye to Gramps. He told me something like don't go too far. I kind of rattled me because sometimes people know when the time is short. I wanted to cry on the way home, but I couldn't because I know that everything will be okay, somehow.

Other news:

I have a pimple in my ear that hurts like the dickens. . .I'm going to blame that one on the hike I took last Monday since I fell and skinned my knee. . .and ripped a whole in my pants. . .good thing I was wearing pants and not shorts.

I'm moving. . .downstairs. I figure that I can save money and maybe the distance will help me and my sister. . .sometimes we get very impatient with each other. My current room just might be rented to the friend of a girl who is renting the other upstairs room.

hmm

I am very confused, and such. . . and I have no idea.

More later. . .possibly.

I was logged in and found this. . .It made me happy!

Class Standing:

Post Baccalaureate

Mis-directed rage and remorse that follows

The whole roommate thing has been a struggle and I wish earlier that we had talked to the culprit and not been angry at the person in the middle. Now I know things that I wish I knew then, like how much I really will miss Natasha if she leaves, and how much the things I did and said really hurt her, even the things that I never said to her but to others about her. I was wrong. I want to cry so bad it hurts. Why do I always let myself get this far only to realize that I have hurt some one that I love and still want to be my friend, but I'm not sure that will happen. We had some wonderful times, and some hard ones, but the good always outweighs the bad, and I wish with all of my heart that I had realized that before.

the case of the missing tampons

yes, missing. . . i had basically a whole box and it is now less than half full and I didn't use them all. . . If I ask about it I will most likely be lied to. Just fess up to it and don't do it again that's all I ask!

Why am I so stressed

I have been trying to figure out the reason that I am so stressed. . .I don't FEEL stressed, but my body is telling me otherwise.

I have come to a couple of conclusions. The first being that the past few weeks have been stressful because of the roommate situation. It has been nice this week because the 2 of them are gone. . .well the one roommate and the one guest are gone. I don't know how to take this but I don't want to be stressed while living here. What to do? I'm thinking about having the roommate make good on the promise that her guest will only be at the apartment sporadically until Jill moves out and we have another room available. I know she will probably go into a rage but I really can't handle the fact that it has been this long and I was walked in on in the bathroom on Sunday morning. . .the door was shut!!!!!!! (the lock on the door doesn't latch.) Communication is key and since there hasn't been any. But DUH!!!

The second stress conclusion is that I haven't been able to work as much overtime as I need to.

I'm not sure what to do about the first problem other than move which isn't an option. I have started to be better on the overtime though. Just thinking about the roommates coming back gives me a headache. . .What do you do?

Incredibly Amazing

I had THE BEST day at church today. I forgot to fast. . . :( but I learned so much and I know that the lessons were inspired, they were what I needed to hear. I know the people who gave them don't read my blog, but here is a shout out of a great big thanks to them!!!

Also I love the people in the ward, and I know that is where I am suppose to be. I had someone talk me into going to our super summer activity on Thursday through Saturday. . .YAY! I'm going, but going to come home early on Saturday so that I can make it to our family reunion at 11. I guess when it rains it pours in regards to things to do on the weekends.

I also told a guy that he has incredibly amazing blue eyes. Then he winked at me. . .(I was only telling him the truth)

Thats all.