Snowy Christmas

Wow, we have so much snow!! Living on my own I though shoveling my own snow at my own house would be way fun. Well, it was way fun...until the other night. I was outside shoveling around 6:00ish, I wanted to get the walkway all shoveled before it froze. I got the cement walkway done and was creating my own little walkway along the grass from my car to the cement. I guess shoveling was pretty tiring because I decided to take a little unexpected nap in the middle of the snow bank! Yep, I passed out and face planted it in the snow. We later decided I was out for about 45 minutes to an hour. When I woke up I was SO SO cold!! I couldn't even move. I was literally frozen in place. Luckily I had my cell phone in my pocket and my hand wasn't too far from it, so in agony of pain I moved just enough to grab my phone and call my Bishop. He was on the freeway and couldn't hear very well, and I was frozen and couldn't talk very well, so it was kind of an odd conversation. All I really remember telling him was that I was cold. He hung up and called one of the counselors in the bishopric who lives not far from me. The next thing I recall Bro. Johnson is carrying me to his house. I got there and his wife stripped me down and stuck me in a tub of warm water. Wow, I thought it hurt being frozen and trying to move, but being unthawed hurt a TON worse! It was all I could do not to cry. However, the water did the trick and I was soon warm and able to move, talk, and breathe normally. I got dressed and ate some warm soup to help. It was a crazy night, and made me rethink this whole idea of shoveling the snow being fun....what was I thinking?!? Anyhow, I recovered and had a nice warm Christmas indoors wearing my warm pj's, wrapped in blankets, drinking hot chocolate!

I'm Back

Wow, I haven't written here since June?? Oh man! Sorry guys, life just got a bit busy I guess. Actually I moved out and haven't had much access to a computer, but I recently bought me a laptop and so now I can visit here more often. YAY! So basically that is my big news from the last few months. I moved out and am loving it. I live in a little hobbit hole in north ogden. It's fun. I have gone through a lot in my life the past few months but I think I've come out on top so it's all good. I've learned a lot and made a lot of changes to my life. I love myself a whole lot more now. I'm like a caterpiller who is making the transition to being a butterfly. It's not been the easiest thing ever nor do I think it will get any easier as time goes on, but I do know it's the best thing for me. I may grumble sometimes, but deep down I love turning into a butterfly!

Help! I'm Under Attack!

Ok, so I am currently house sitting for a friend of mine while she is on vacation in California. It's been great fun being here, but things are always a bit different when your out of your own environment and the things that your used to. Last night as I was sleeping I woke up around 1:00 am to a strange sound coming from downstairs. As I lay there listening I began to get very afraid. It sounded like someone was trying to break in through the back door! I quickly sat up in bed and contemplated what I should do. I headed over to an upstairs window to see if I could see the outside of the backdoor to confirm my fears. Unfortunately, I couldn't see clearly enough to tell. I sat against the wall huddled in fear for a minute or two coming seriously close to calling a male friend who lives nearby or better yet 911. Then I realized that if someone was really trying to get in they would have been in by now. I decided to investigate further...I tiptoed down the stairs ready to sprint back up them at a moments notice. As I reached the bottom of the steps I sat and once again just listened to noise. It was then that I realized the true source of my fears. It was not a burglar, nor was it some crazed maniac trying to break in. No, it was the stupid ice machine on the refrigerator!! Ugg! Upon my discover I rolled my eyes and headed back to bed feeling very grateful I had restrained myself and not called a friend and/or especially 911. Can you just imagine...

911 Operator: "911 what's your emergency?"
Me: "Help! The kitchen appliances are coming after me!"

They would have locked me away in a white padded room for sure!

I Love The Mountains!

I love the mountains, I love the rolling hills....

I just had to write today and say how much I love being outdoors this time of year. I went on a hike with some friends today and had such a fabulous time! It was absolutely perfect weather today, not too hot and not too cool. We found a secluded little picnic table and ate lunch. It was so fun as soon as we arrived at our little spot and I got out of the car I could smell nature all around me. I stood there for a minute just taking it all in, it was awesome! We spent some time relaxing next to a beaver pond and even got to see a beaver or two swimming around. The trail we hiked was beautiful! Everything was so green and colorful. We passed patches of yellow and blue flowers that were so pretty! At the top of the trail there was a little river, it was fun to sit and watch the water as it crashed against the rocks...so relaxing!! I could have stayed there all day! Unfortunately the time came when we had to pack up our stuff and head home. However, the fun of the day was not quite over...on our way out we saw a young moose! He was only about a year old, but he was standing out in front of a group of trees. It was so fun to watch as he noticed our presence and trotted away from us and up into the trees.

All in all I had a great day, and can't wait to spend more time in the mountains throughout the summer! Spending time surrounded by God's creations is one of my most favorite things to do. It makes me feel so happy and peaceful inside. The only place I feel closer to heaven than when I'm in the mountains is when I'm in the temple. They are both the most peaceful places on the earth!

Birthday Bash

Well, yesterday was my sweet sisters birthday. What a day it was! For the first time ever we threw her a surprise party. We rented out a couple of lanes at the local bowling alley and got pizza and pop, had cake and ice cream and just bowled for about two hours. It was so much fun! Tara was totally suprised! My brother and I met everyone at the bowling alley early and my parents blindfolded Tara and drove her around for a while then they walked her in and we stood there all quiet. Poor Tara hates blindfolds though and was pretty terrified not being able to see. Finally my mom stopped her, pulled off the blindfold and we all screamed surprise. She was so cute about it and just kind of said...Hi guys! It was funny! There were about 20 people who showed up. She got tons of great presents, she beat just about everyone in bowling with her score of 119, and she had a great time chatting with all her friends! All in all I think she had a great birthday. I heard her telling someone that it was the best birthday ever! It made me so happy to see the big smile on her face all night long.

Funny Travel Mishap

Ok, I just think this is so funny!! I had to share it with all of you! Remind me to be careful what I pack when I fly to Australia!!





hehe

Girls Night Out

What's more fun that a night out on the town with a bunch of your girl friends? I submit that there is nothing more enjoyable. What a good time we had, and I have photos to prove it!

We originally headed off to the Cheesecake Factory to enjoy some of that delectable goodness, but once we arrived we were informed that it was a 4-5 hour wait!! Yikes!! We ended up walking over to Macaroni Grill, the wait there was only about an hour and a half...much better!! While we waited we walked over to the bookstore for some frozen hot chocolate. Lisa and I approached the cute little worker girl behind the counter and asked if they had frozen hot chocolate...she had never before heard of such an item but as we described it to her she agreed to take on the challenge and create it for us...therefore, our treat became known as "The Experiment". I have to say that she did a great job at one point she offered us a taste test to see if it needed anything else...we told her to add a bit more chocolate, she did and it was perfect! She then gave our Experiment the full treatment topping it with whipped cream, white chocolate shavings, and a stick of dark chocolate! It looked so good I took a picture!

Finally after devouring our Experiment it was time to head back over to the restaurant for dinner. We still had to wait a little while for our table and were given Butterfinger shots and cheese bread while we waited. Yum! While several of us were contemplating stealing the ever so cute shot glasses the lights in the room started to flicker and we noticed some commotion going on in the center of the dining area. We soon discovered that it was the restaurant's 20th anniversary and they were celebrating by giving out free meals to different tables throughout the night. How fun is that!?! Speaking of fun, we were soon called out from the crowd and headed to our table where we found the tablecloth made of paper and crayons on the table!! YAY!! We get to eat and color at the same time, I like this place! As I was creating my masterpiece on the table the chef (cutie patootie Brandon) came over to the table and asked if there was a Tiffany at the table. I hesitantly raised my hand wondering how in the world he knew my name, he then showed me a drivers license for a 40-something year old named Tiffany and asked if it was mine...Um...nope... last I checked I wasn't 40 and blonde! Although this little encounter did lead to a nice bonding moment with the chef who told us he would try really hard to help us win the free meals. Throughout the night, we continued to eat, laugh, and enjoy ourselves. When the time came for the free meals to be given away he unfortunately didn't call our table number, but he did give us a little shout out..it was awesome! A few minutes later he came by and said he really had been pulling for us to win, but since we didn't he would give us the 2nd place prize and brought out free desserts!! Wahoo!!

Once again what is better than a night out on the town with a bunch of your girl friends, a cute chef, AND free cheesecake?? Nothing, I say, Nothing!