HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GRANTY!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE CUTEST 4-YEAR-OLD EVER!

NOT SURE WHY, BUT MY COMPUTER IS DUMB AND MADE GRANT LOOK LIKE HE HAS A BLACK EYE INSTEAD OF JUST FIXING THE RED EYE. STUPID COMPUTER.

GRANT, YOU ARE SUCH A SPECIAL LITTLE BOY AND WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH! AND YOUR CUTE BIG SISTER, TOO!

GRANT GOT THIS SPECIAL LITTLE BIRTHDAY CROWN FROM HIS GRANDMA ROBERTS AND HE LOVES IT! HE WORE IT TO SCHOOL AND EVERYTHING.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LITTLE BUDDY!
WE LOVE YOU!!!

{Have You Ever Noticed?}

...that I am really good at making promises on this here bloggy thing and suck at keeping them?

{Have You Ever Noticed?}... Monday

... how freaking COLD it is in Roosevelt in January? So, obviously, I'm mostly talking to all you poor suckers who actually live here with me, but the rest of you can keep reading if you feel so inclined. However, instead of the long terrible rant I would like to go into today, I am going to try and live up to my "New Year's Goal" of complaining less. Thus, I am trying to see the sub-zero temperature for something other than the disgusting, unnecessary evil it is.

I am finding the beauty {enjoyed more from the warmth and comfort of my toasty living room, of course, rather than outside} of the frost and here are some examples...

No, that's not snow on the trees. It's frost. My driveway is also covered in about 1/4 in of the stuff that keeps falling off the trees. We should probably shovel it, but 1/4 inch hardly seems worth it.

If you click on this one and make it bigger, you may actually be able to see a little more detail. The crystalling {don't think that's really a word, but you'll just have to deal with it} pattern is really pretty.

That's right. We still have Christmas lights up. Don't hate us 'cause we're awesome.

These next few were taken before I went to work this morning {I know. It's a very cruel joke that I actually had to work on a Monday, but don't worry. I'll get over it.}, that's why it's dark. But you can probably see the frost better with that contrast of the black.

Again, don't be jealous because we still have our lights up and you don't.

The real reason is because it's too freaking cold to go out and take them down. So, we'll just play white trash and leave 'em up for a while longer.

There you have it. My pathetic attempt at not complaining. How'd I do?

Is it this cold where you live???

{Have You Ever Noticed?}

I'm going to start something new on this here bloggy thing and I hope you will all play along...
Every Monday I am going to post a (probably more than anything) random thought I've had during the week and see what you guys think; what your opinions are. Most of these entries will most likely display, even more, some of my quirks and tendencies toward OCD. I should probably apologize in advance.
Sorry.
There. Happy? Each post will start with {titled}... Have You Ever Noticed? Here goes nothin'.

Have you ever noticed that there are some people who have the ability {arguably, talent, shall we say} to snore while they're awake?

You all know who I'm talking about {and if you happen to be one of them, I hope you're not offended, but take this as constructive criticism and learn to BREATHE QUIETLY}. You know the guy... you can hear him breathing from 3 isles over in the middle of Wal-Mart during the busy Christmas season. I will make allowances for those with illnesses and/or a severely deviated septum. I may have to assume, however, that most of these people don't know they're doing it {by "it" I mean annoying the crap out of everyone around them - or maybe just me}, or no one has taken the time and consideration to point it out to them. Let me explain where this came from...

About 2 1/2 monts ago, you may remember the hubby and I taking a fun weekend getaway to Moab. You may also remember me blogging about the very romantic dinner we tried to have at the Sunset Grill that overlooks the whole Moab valley. Here's how it really went. We walked into the restaurant and our kind waitress seats us right by the window so that we can Oooo! and Ahhh! over the beautiful lights. We get our menus out and make our orders. The waitress brings us our drinks and a small loaf of homemade bread to share and we start eating. About this same time, the table behind us gets their food, and for the next 20 minutes until they left, THIS is a lot like what I had the privilege of listening to.

Romantic dinner ruined.

And obviously, I'm still bugged about it. Do you know anyone who can snore while they're awake?

More and Less

Here are those fantastic goals I told you I was going to write down so that I {hopefully} will be more accountable for them this year and will have more motivation to keep up with them.

For the year

2009

I will do...

... less of this ...


... and less of this ...


... and less of this ...


... and MORE of this ...


... and more of this ...
{I hope to run in my first half marathon this summer - good freakin' luck, huh?}

... and more of this ...

... on second thought, maybe I'll do more of this one. It looks really nice...


... definitely LESS of these ...


... and more of these ...

Alright. Not a really long list, but mostly just covering the basics. If all else fails, go back to the basics, right? Y'all keep me motivated and honest, okay?

Why are you giving me that QUIZZICAL look?

My friend, Fig, did this quiz on her blog and I thought I would do the same. Mostly just for something to blog about. By the way, we did have a slammin' good time in Monroe with K, J, and the Minivan Clan, and the Fosters over Christmas, however, I'm retarded and left my camera at their house. Thus, no pix for y'all {and by y'all, I mean all 4 of you} to gawk at. Please accept the answers to this quiz as my sincerest apologies for being a blog slacker.

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before? Ran 3 whole miles without stopping {some may scoff at that, but it actually is an accomplishment that I am very proud of}; did a mini triathlon and ran in the Ragnar Wasatch Back Relay; ate at Taco Cabana 3 times in about 24 hours; saw my super hot hubby in his 8th grade basketball uniform {I'm still laughing}; played matchmaker; went to my first real nursing conference; AND watched drill team competitions. I'm sure there's more, but this is going to take a while for y'all to read.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? Probably not. I didn't write any down. This year, there will be goals, not resolutions. That way if I only get half way there, I will hopefully still feel like I accomplished something.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Becky T., and Kelli W.

4. Did anyone close to you die? No, thankfully.

5. What countries did you visit? Texas. I think it should be it's own country. 'Cuz it's awesome. That's why.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? A kid. Too much to ask? Maybe. And a better self-image.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? May 29 - Baby brother came home from Brazil. Jan. 18 - Cole, Oct. 6 - Emree

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Probably the triathlon and the Wasatch Back

9. What was your biggest failure? Regaining 10 of the 15 pounds I lost running over the summer. I hate starting over, but here I go again. Also, not recognizing my blog's birthday on Dec. 9.
.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Only emotionally.

11. What was the best thing you bought? Seasons 1-4 of The Office, P90X, my end tables, ummm....

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? IDK

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? There's not enough time to answer this one.

14. Where did most of your money go? Freaking GAS!

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Scrap-O {who wouldn't be?}, Texas trips, California trip, So You Think You Can Dance, Bachelorette, The Office, and Grey's. I'm a nerd, I know.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008? Paramore's Decode, Leona Lewis' Bleeing Love, Coldplay's Viva La Vida, The Black Ghost's Full Moon, and One Republic's Apologize.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? About the same.
b) thinner or fatter? About the same.
c) richer or poorer? Maybe a little more of the first

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Exercising and scrapbooking

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Eating and complaining {it might not have been out loud, but I was there}

20. How did you spend Christmas? In Monroe with the Fosters and the Thornock's

21. Did you fall in love in 2008? I try to fall in love frequently. Most of the time with my husband. Also, I fell in love with Edward {Edward in the book, NOT the movie}

22. What was your favorite TV program? I have a bunch of favorites - The Office, Grey's Anatomy, ANTM, SYTYCD, Ace of Cakes, and The Bachelor/Bachelorette

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? Mmm, not really. I try not to hate.

24. What was the best book you read? I dunno.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery? I dunno.

26. What did you want and get? End tables for my front room!

27. What did you want and not get? My hot bikini bod that I've always wanted. No one's fault but my own. A munchkin.

28. What was your favorite film of this year? Dark Knight, or Kung Fu Panda - both awesome!

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I am now 26!

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Having a baby.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008? Less than mediocre

32. What kept you sane? Moki

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? No one in particular

34. What political issue stirred you the most? I don't do politics

35. Who did you miss? My brother and his cute family in Germany, my friends I don't get to see, family that has moved away, the parentals, the grandparentals

36. Who was the best new person you met? IDK, there's a few, but it would take too long.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008. Too many to choose from

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. No

Hope y'all enjoyed my new year's quiz. I'll be posting my new year's goals on here soon, too, so that they're in writing and public and so you can keep me on track.

Another new background.

Enjoy.

New postings to come. Please be patient with me.