Rubio's Free Food

Okay. I found out about this Beach Party that Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill is putting on this Saturday. I wanted to let ya'll know.

WHY: Rubio's is putting on the Beach Party to help out Best Buddies Utah. For every person who attends the Party they will Donate $10 to Best Buddies.

WHERE: The Downtown Rubio's 358 South 700 East Salt Lake City

WHEN: January 30th from 12 noon to 2 pm.

WHAT'S HAPPENING: Free Food, Live music, Games, Prizes, Kids building in the sand. What more is there to hide from the winter snow?

I hope you can all go and support Best Buddies. I think it will be a lot of fun. Hopefully I will not be there, but maybe I will be there(just HOPING that baby will come before the weekend).

Just To Clarify

Okay. I felt I needed to clarify something after my post yesterday.

My Hubby helps out. He helps out a whole bunch. He:

-takes out the trash (I can't get the lid on the dumpster open now that I'm fat and my muscles are dysfunctional. FYI-the dumpster is gross)

-helps me put my shoes on (I can't reach)

-scrubs the shower down WITH A TOOTHBRUSH

-makes me dinner (if he can find any food. I don't think I've really grocery shopped all month-this is how I starve him)

-rubs my feet

-snuggles with me

-helps me fold and then he puts away the laundry (if I ever get to it)

I just wanted to make sure that you all knew that My Hubby is really here for me. You just have to keep in mind that he is putting up with a very O.C.P.D. person and some things I don't LET him do. Not to mention I'm a little ornery sometimes. He's a gem right now.

Just needed to let you know

FIGHTING!!

I am fighting with the Sandman. He wants me to sleep ALL the time. I get up all motivated to get things accomplished during the day and by 10 or 11 am I just want to crash on the couch or in my comfy bed. This means:

-my house is a mess


-the laundry isn't done

-the dishes are piling


-I starve my Hubby because I don't want to cook dinner

-the baby's room isn't getting any closer to being finished

Any tips on how to defeat the Sandman?

Drivers License Division Nightmares

If you haven't been watching the news or needing to renew your drivers license lately then you haven't found out that there was a new law that went into effect January 1st about the information required to obtain and renew your license. I usually watch the news but had apparently missed this story. Let me back up.

Last week I went to the hospital to preregister. When I handed my license to the girl I checked my expiration date and about died. My license expires this Sunday! Crap. I have to go renew it. Renewal on-line and by mail is not accepted for an unknown period of time. You have to go into the DLD to renew in person and you have to take every document imaginable to prove you are who you are.

So, yesterday I went into the DLD to renew my license. Last time I did this I didn't need much and it didn't take very long. After waiting 30 minutes in line to receive a number and have them pre-check my documents and because I didn't know about the new law, I was sent home to bring my life back.

Here is what they sent me for:

1- Original or copies certified by the issuing agency showing evidence of your identity;
2- Legal/lawful presence;
3- Social Security Number or ITIN;
4- Two proofs of Utah residence address, if it is different than the address on your current Utah record; and
5- Evidence of name change, if applicable

Lets put this in preschoolers terms. You need:

1:
-drivers license
-birth certificate
(I was there and people with copies were being sent home to get originals. oh and they cannot be laminated and MUST be translated into English.)

2:
-social security card
(this is not just the number, you have to have the card in hand. again, not laminated.)

3:
-green card or visa
-passport

4:
-two bills in your name

5:
-marriage certificate

Every person must have all of these items. (except maybe #4 and#5. only with name and address changes) When I came back, I waited another 30 minutes in line to get my number, got my number and picture taken then I sat down.

I was there for 5 hours and 45 minutes. Waiting. I expected a wait, just not a 6 hour wait. The computer system went down twice while I was there. (this system is also brand new as of January 1st.) And I just had to wait for it to come back up. It made for a really LONG day.

I just couldn't understand why they kept checking people in and giving them numbers. There was no way that when I had been there 5 hours that someone checking in at 2 or 3 was going to get called that day. Which means they would wait until 6, not get called and then be angry they have to come back another day and start all over. This was my only complaint. They just needed to tell the people that they should go home, not waste their time today and come back tomorrow. (I also think they should be setting up an appointment system for this, but I'm not in charge. Even though I would like to be)

The workers were very nice. The kept their cool even with ornery people yelling at them. It is just a huge inconvenience for everyone.

I didn't want to rag on the DLD, I just wanted to make sure that if you have to go anytime soon that you were informed. Get a babysitter. Plan to be there for a good amount of time. Take food. (I didn't and had to have a friend bring me some. Thanks you much. saved my life!) Triple check your documents. Go early in the morning. They open at 7am.

Oh I just HAVE to Share.

This week I was feeling really crafty. I would have done more, but I have misplaced my magnet board that I was going to paint. Anyway, I hemmed my Hubby's pants and made these:


Those cute covers for the baby car seats.


AND. . .

basket liners. They will help me keep my baby toys and soothers organized. They make the baskets pretty cute too.


These didn't take very long. I had been thinking about them for a few weeks and finally decided that I would give it a go.

What do you think?

What Am I Dreaming About? Part 2

A few weeks ago I posted a quote by President Hinckley HERE. A quote all about dreams and visions.

What are mine?

Are there different categories?

Are these just Goals?

Maybe my goals and my dreams and visions can be the same things. I want so many things. They are allowed to be altered from time to time.

DREAMS:

-own a home
-read 100 great books
-get my bachelors degree
-get a Masters degree
-pay off ALL my school loans
-buy a brand spanking new car.
-be a marathon mommy
-swim in the ocean

VISIONS:

-run the original marathon in Athens
-be an IRONMAN
-climb a pyramid
-see the Sistine Chapel
-Master my physical and emotional self (to truly understand me)


I listed my Dreams and Visions. I did this in two different categories. They both sound like goals. I realized that the ones under Dreams are "more achievable" than those under Visions. I didn't do this on purpose. Maybe I should list them all together so as not to confuse my brain in thinking that I can't accomplish my Visions.

That's what I'll do. And we will see what I can accomplish this year.

What Have I Done? (with pics)

I never do these tag things, but today I thought it would be fun. It was wonderful going through all of my old pics and memories for this. I hope you enjoy. What things have you done?

The object is to copy and paste the list of "99 things" to your blog and bold the things that you have done! (I added pics for your visual pleasure, and commentary just because.)


1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars -many times
3. Played in a band -does Rock Band count?
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland -I love Disneyland!
8. Climbed a mountain



9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo -It's amazing the things you will do when you are young, but chicken out as an adult.
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch -I taught myself to quilt.
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill -I am ashamed to say I have done this
24. Built a snow fort -Of course, you can't live in Canada and not build a Fort in the snow. We used to make whole communities.
25. Fed a llama
26. Gone skinny dipping -oh yeah. You can't miss out on this freedom.
27. Run a marathon -soon.
28. Ridden in a Gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset -One of my favorite things to do with my Hubby


Regretfully this was not with my Hubby, but it is beautiful isn't it?

31. Hit a home run -I love Fastpitch Softball.
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors -Lets see, New Zealand and Canada
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David in person
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful Geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight -I've walked by sunset, not moonlight
46. Been transported by an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain -Oh yeah. Under a waterfall is next.
53. Played in the mud -I'll never forget the mud games at BYUI. Ande that was so much fun!


Mud Volleyball will turn into a mud fight, I promise!


54. Gone to a drive-in theater -It's been a while, but they are fun.
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Been out if the country
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen -I helped prepare Thanksgiving Dinner for the Homeless, but didn't get to serve. Does that count?
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies -No, but they go on sale this month. Halleluia!
62. Gone whale watching
63. Received flowers for no reason - I did once and never found out who they were from either. It was a beautiful pick me up.
64. Donated blood, platelets, or plasma -BLOOD; my goal all through college was to donate my body, not to sell it.
65. Gone skydiving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter -I've sat in the medicopter. never flown though
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy -Sally
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt


This isn't even my favorite one. I have done a whole bunch. I need to post about that one day.

73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the changing of the guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Have been published -I had my drawing published in the Magpie Magazine when I was in fourth grade.

81. Visited the Redwoods
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper -for athletics and school functions.
85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Years Eve
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had the chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous -working Sundance Film Festival is so much fun.
92. Joined a book club
93. Got a tattoo
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Ocean
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Used a pay phone
99. Been stung by a bee -on the bum. it hurts!

Look What My Mom Let Me Do. . .

I was going through my dad's camera this holiday and found the pics they took of my room while I was in High School. My parents, after 8 years, have finally painted over my walls. I don't know what they were thinking when they told me I could do this, but it was a lot of fun. I painted most of it, but received a lot of help from my girl friends.

I just thought I would share. They didn't take pictures of every piece of artwork I placed on the walls, but these were some of my favorites.








I painted these vines in between all of the roses and corsages that hung on my wall from the dates I went on in High School.






This one around my light switch was my favorite. I thought it was really pretty.









I have always been really into quotes. I collect them and used to hang them all over the place. They are so much fun.

I'm Melting. . . I'm melting

I feel as though I'm wasting away. I do my best to keep busy around the house. But not working is killing me. I have heard a lot of people say things like, "oh, I would give anything to stay at home and do nothing" or "you are so lucky" or "take advantage of it. This time will never come again."

BUT all I want to do is scream. I've become more and more irritable and ornery. (my poor husband)

I want a job - baby coming asap and it's probably just not a good idea.

I want to exercise - my favorite time of year to boost my exercise regimen and I can't. . .YET.

I want to be involved - again, I don't want to commit to something that in days or weeks I can't fulfill because I'm a recovering mother from the birthing process.


I know. I know. I "shouldn't" complain. "It will all be worth it" right? (I swear, if I hear one more person say that they will probably get a fist in the face.)

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I thought that I needed some lightening up. So, I changed the background of my blog. What do you think? Hopefully it will help.

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Maybe this orneriness is just hormones. Maybe it will go away. Do you think?

ROOTS

It is a fact of nature that when pine trees are given too much water, they become weak. The roots don’t need to dig deep into the soil to find nutrients, so they grow straight out- barely beneath the surface of the ground. It is very easy for these trees to grow quickly, and they often reach great heights in not very much time, but their root system is shallow and lacks the strength to support the massive tree. When a large storm comes, the frail roots can’t brace the tree against the wind, and it comes crashing to the ground.

On the other hand, a pine tree that doesn’t receive large amounts of water will become strong because of its deeply established root system. The roots have grown far down into the earth, working and toiling to find enough nutrients to sustain the tree. Its growth is slow but steady. When faced with stormy weather, these pine trees are able to withstand the wind, held firmly in place by their solid network of roots.

-Author Unknown

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I found this very true when I was serving in Virginia. When there was a big storm there would be many trees covering the roads and walk-ways. I never felt that the trees ever adapted to their surroundings. When in fact, they had. There is a lot of water and humidity in Virginia and so the trees didn't have to struggle to grow. It was an easy life for them.

Maybe that's why God guides me into the path of some of the leaders I come across. I'm not allowed to just grow up easily. I need the struggle. For what purpose, I don't know, but hopefully I will know someday.

I hope you have the opportunity to grow strong roots.

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picture by Craig Hanna Photography

I'm anxious

It's January. The beginning of a new year. At this time I will set new goals, re-evaluate my old ones. Check up on me. Clean the house. Rearrange the house. Make new things. Read a new book.

There are so many things that I tend to begin at this point of the year. BUT this year, I'm at a stand still.

I can't start or continue on weight loss goals that have existed until baby comes.

I can't even really plan for when I will start because I just don't know what my body will do after she is born.

I want to take a quilting class sooooo bad, but I just don't know when my body will be up to it or how baby time management will go.

I do get to clean the house. Sort of. I don't get to do anything that requires using a cleaner with too strong of fumes.

I do get to rearrange my apartment. This has helped with the sanity. (I will have pics of before and after of baby's room as soon as it's finished)

Making new things has been a little harder as well. Just because all the money goes to baby stuff AND it's pretty uncomfortable to sit for too long in one position. If you know of any cheap, cute, fun things to create please, let me know. I would love to learn to make a new thing.

I have started a new book. Eat. Pray. Love. So far, I am really enjoying the book. I will give you my critique when I'm finished.

Okay, so I've been able to do some of the things that I usually do. I shouldn't complain. I also shouldn't complain about the hours of the day my body steals from me for sleep. I know. I won't be sleeping much when Baby Phannie gets here. I just feel so unproductive. (most days. some I really do enjoy the nap)

This year there WILL be success.

Success never comes to someone trying to hang on. Success never comes to someone playing out her last hand. Success never comes to the “fat cat” living on past glories. Success comes to the one who plans best, works hardest, remains dedicated and stays totally focused on the goal. If you will not be beaten, you cannot be beaten.

Where we are today will not be where we are tomorrow. Nothing is for sure. If one stands still, one actually loses ground because others are moving forward.

~Author Unknown


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It's a new year. The time when we make resolutions to do better. It's really the time we take a second look at our resolutions from last year, right? Yet we still do it. Two years ago was the first time that I kept at a goal I made in January. (this was a lose weight goal) Then last year I made a running goal that I kept at for half the year. (just until I was too sick to move with preggie sickness)

This year I would like to share my goals with you. So, that you can keep me accountable for what I am doing or not doing. I am planning, and going to work hard, remain dedicated, and stay totally focused on my goals. Although some days will be harder or less productive than others, I will do it.

I have a whole year. I WILL remember that I don't have to accomplish anything this month. I have 12 months.

THE GOALS:

1- lose the 60 lbs. of baby weight I put on.

2- watch less TV. (if I'm at home all day, I don't need to be a couch potatoe.)

3- Run 3 races this year and one of those needs to be a 1/2 marathon.

4- Have fun FHE's.

5- Study Preach My Gospel with my Hubby.

6- Get up, exercise, shower, and get ready EVERY day. (I need to feel and look good for myself. Not just feel like a run down mommy)

7- Play outside with Baby 3-5x a week.

8- Quilt 2 blankets this year.

9- Sew the curtains for my house. (this will save me in my heating bill)

10- Read and Write more. (More books. More BOOKS!)

11- Save more. (I will find a way to be a young parent, just out of school with loans to pay off, with a beginning salary that can SAVE MONEY better than I already am)

Well, there they are. They are officially in writing. (that's what we are supposed to do right?) I will post them here and in my home. Please check on me every once in a while.


What is one of your goals for the year?

Savior Of the World

Today my hubby and I had the opportunity to attend Savior of the World in the Conference Center Theatre. I have seen the production before, but not since the first year it began. It was a beautiful production that I would recommend for anyone to see. A wonderful reminder of the meaning of Christmas.

It was a nice end to our holiday.

Recap 2009

2009 has been a really good year. Like every year, it started out with goods and bads and it is ending with goods and bads. (and when I say bad I mean, struggles)

I was introduced to blogging last January and have fallen completely in love. I'm totally addicted. I love reading your blogs and being able to communicate with others so far away. It truely brings us closer. (sappy I know, but it's how I feel) Thank you for all you put out there for me to enjoy.

Here are some of my memories of the year:

January- the beginning

February- Lent begins, Running Posts

March- Spring Cleaning, the R.S. birthday card that was 3 months late

April- the Ravenous Animal inside me, Easter, the Women's Merit Badge

May- Totalling my car on I-15, Mother's Day

June- Panic: I'm Pregnant

July- Oquirrh Mtn. Temple open house

August- Mrs. B Roth in Cheaper by the Dozen

September- Crafties, Food, Rainy days

October- General Conference, Sunday Thoughts

November- Rememberance Day, Books, Blind Side

December- Christmas Traditions, Behind the wheel with Phannie


I can't believe that it has been a whole year. You have definitely put up with a lot of sass from me. I hope you have enjoyed it and will continue to discover with me more things that we Don't have to do to get to Heaven.