Good Reading

This weekend I finished the book "The Five People You Meet in Heaven," by Mitch Albom.

It is the second book of his I have read. The first being "Tuesdays with Morrie." Cody and I actually read that book together. I LOVED it...although I often felt foolish because during my turn to read I would occasionally start crying. haha.

"The Five People You Meet in Heaven" made me cry as well. While I didn't love it as much as the other book, it was still really good.

Both of which were based off of true stories.

Apparently the authors uncle was in a coma, went to heaven, and met up with 5 people that he had loved and influenced greatly in life. That was how he got the basis for the book.

Anyway, if anyone is up for a good, short, and fairly easy read, you really need to try these two books.

Round-Up Time

Its ROUND-UP week...

I know some of you might not know what that is, and if you do, you might not care. But I, on the other hand, LOVE this time of year.

I attribute it to the fact that I moved around A LOT as a kid, and Lehi was the first place we stayed for longer than a year or two. So, I love the little (well, now very big) town.

Tonight we are headed to the parade for my niece's birthday, and tomorrow we have tickets to the rodeo. After the rodeo there is a dirt dance. Mwha ha ha. My friend Jenn Johnson and I have a pact to go every year together with our families. I am all about random traditions, they make life so much more fun.

Well, there you have it. Now I am done.

Toe Update

Just in case anyone wondered about the toe twitching...it is still there. But I think my muscles are starting to get worn down so it is less intense. It did, however, keep me up until 4 a.m., which I was NOT happy about. And the skin in that area burns to the touch.

Seriously, why do I always get these funky weird problems with my body?

Oh well.

My Baby Toe

Do you ever have those days when your body is just angry at you? And nothing you do can make it feel better?

I have. And today is one of those days.

It actually started last night. I was watching Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and my leg got a shock wave through it. Since then my left baby toe has been in a permanent Charlie horse. I thought it would go away by the time the movie ended, but it didn't. When I went to bed my toe was still out of control. Try sleeping with a Charlie horse, it is next to impossible. So, I did what anyone would do in my situation, drugged myself with sleeping pills. haha.

Sleeping pills are evil, because when you wake up the drowsiness never seems to go away. But, in a moment of sleeplessness and desperation you forget/ignore that and take them anyway...or at least that is what I did.

So now I am drowsy, working, my leg is still twitching AND I have a Charlie horse toe. My body is very angry.

Hawaii Pictures

Cody said this was the BEST trip he has EVER been on.
He still talks about it all the time.
But you must know, we didn't shower regularly or get ready.
We left our cleansing to the ocean waves.
Hence our occassional ugliness.

The Weekend

Lately I have been in a non-blogging mood, which I am currently still in. We did, however, have a very eventful weekend which included:

*Going to youth conference (Cody and I both went, we did a ropes course. It was fun.)
*Playing Frisbee/reading at a park in Orem with a bunch of family.
*Going to 7 peaks.
*Having Cody's car broken into and CD player stolen...again.
*Catching the kid who did it.
*Not getting the CD player back.
*Running into the same kid later and offering him a ride. (its a long story)
*Going to a Rodeo with Rusty and Bobby Kay, whom I adore.
*Getting a washer and dryer that will actually work at our new house.
*Buying a window mounted air conditioner for the Inferno of Death.

I hope that was sufficient for any of you reading this. Once I surpass my somber mood and get into the groove of things, I will return to my old blogging ways.

Washer and Dryer UPDATE

Remember the post about our new washer and dryer? If not, scroll down. I was so excited to finally be a grown up. Cody even went and talked to the old people to get it, they were in great condition (the washer and dryer, not the old people...well, they were too), and all was well.

As a preface to the rest of this post, Cody and I know very little about the workings of a washer and dryer.

Apparently the dry was a gas dryer and apparently our new house does not have a hook up for it, unless we want to pay a couple hundred dollars to have one installed; which we do not.

So, we called the nice old couple to tell them our dilemma, asking for forgiveness and our money back. haha. At first the old man said no. We were a little disappointed, but what could we do, right? Then 15 minutes later he called back and said that he will just re-sell them for us and give us the money when someone else purchases them. That sounded a little better. Then, another 15 minutes later he called back and said he would just give us our money back. haha. YES!

My guess is his conscious was just catching up with him. It happens to me ALL THE TIME. I react to things so quickly and then immediately feel guilty, repent, and change my ways.

Needless to say, we are now right where we started...washer and dryer-less. If anyone knows of a good way to remedy this, please, let us know.

Anissa tagged me, that mean girl

I must say, along with forwards, I am anti Tags. Who invented such pointless things? They need to stop. BUT, Anissa, since I think you are totally awesome computers, this one is for you. Don't do it again.

Five Things Tag

Five things on my to do list:
1. Work
2. Buy some groceries
3. Cook dinner
4. Clean the bathroom and stove
5. Drive some kids to Youth Conference

Five things I will never wear again:
1. Button-up shirts, I just don't like them at all
2. Florescent colors, although back in the day I sure loved them
3. Two piece swim suits that show my belly, they just don't look good on me
4. JNCO (if that is even how you spell them) Jeans, the used to be so cool
5. Bare legs to church, they are just not classy

Five things I do for fun:
1. Go on walks
2. Play catch
3. Watch movies
4. Hang out with family
5. Swim

Five things I like(LOVE) about my husband(BOYFRIEND):
1. He is really mindful of my needs
2. He makes me laugh all the time
3. He is super responsible
4. He is the most reliable person I know
5. His knowledge of spiritual things and his spirituality

Five things I like to cook:
1. Enchiladas because I never mess them up
2. Desserts
3. New recipes with less than 10 ingredients
4. Things with chicken in them
5. I pretty much like cooking in general, but our over burns EVERYTHING despite my efforts

Five things I rely on:
1. God
2. Cody
3. My family
4. The sun
5. Technology

I tag no one.

A/C, or lack thereof

I have temporarily changed the name of our apartment from Motel 6 to the Inferno of Death.

We live on the top floor of an old house in Provo with NO air conditioning. First of all, heat rises. So any coolness that might have been there, after the 95 degree weather, is shoved out from below us.

Yesterday when I got home after work, I went to get a snack and noticed that the butter in our butter dish had completely melted. I was afraid to even open it because it would have went all over the floor...so i placed it in the fridge to let it re-harden. Then I went and laid down. I fell asleep, and when I woke up my entire body was drenched in sweat and I had the worst headache ever, I believe from dehydration.

Cody and I can barely stand to even be there. How sad is that? A person can't even be in their own house. Isn't it supposed to be a heaven on earth and not the complete opposite. We even went and watched "So you think you can dance" at Caleb's (that is Cody's brother) apartment just so that we didn't have to go home yet.

I guess this is just what we get for living in the cheapest apartment we could find. You get what you pay for. Luckily, we are moving in a few weeks. The new house is, be excited for me now, fully air conditioned. What a lovely treat that will be. haha.

Two Things

There are two things significant about today.

1. It is Cody and my 5 month anniversary. Yes, we are that awesome. He even called me this morning to remind me. What a cute, awesome, and wonderful husband I have.

2. I got a new phone, phone number, and...drum roll please...text messaging back. I have now regained my spot in the loop of life and all things technological.

That is all for today.

Thank you for reading.

Coffee Reading

My mother has this friend from Israel (or some place near there) named Bebe Ashkanazi. Occasionally she reads my moms coffee. Apparently it is some cultural thing where they believe that after you finish your coffee, the way grines lay portrays your future.

My mom doesn't actually like or drink coffee, so Bebe does it on her behalf and then reads her future. It is quite the experience.

Anyway, in the latest reading apparently my mother's coffee told Bebe that I was pregnant...and if for some reason I wasn't right then, I would be within the next three months.

Just so you know, this is not some sly way of me telling people I am pregnant, because I'm not. And for the record I do not believe in coffee readings of the future...but maybe there is something out there that I am not aware of. I guess in three months we will find out.

Kool-Aid and Retirement

Saturday morning around 10:30 I decided to go for a walk. I used to run, but since now my knee hurts all the time I have resorted to walking. On my walk I came across a little girl and a kool-aid stand. She was so cute. She picked her sign up and walked over and asked me if I would like to buy some Kool-aid. It was a screaming deal of only 10 cents a cup, but since I was just out walking I didn't bring any money with me. I told her that, sadly, and then heard a laugh come from behind her. It was the little girl's mother standing at the front door. After she laughed she said, "I told you no one would want your kool-aid." What kind of horrible mother says that?

I decided that I would prove that mean mother wrong and find a dime then come back and buy a drink from her. I figured I could just ask the next person I saw on the street, surely they could give up a dime to help out a little 6 year old, right?

The next person was a kid mowing his lawn, not wanting to bother him or get in the way of the lawn mower, I opted to talk to the lady in the next house down weeding her flower bed. I walked up to her, told her my mission, and to my surprise she said no...and very forcefully. I am sure she saw the disgust in my face from her rude response, and tried to explain herself. I then spent the next 20 minutes listening to the following:

1. How much money people get from retirement.
2. There is no way to live off of retirement alone.
3. She does ever carry change or ever have extra money lying anywhere.
4. The price of gas is way too high.
5. 150 new houses are being built in south Provo.
6. Porter's Place in Lehi is one of her favorite restaurants.
7. She hasn't been to Lehi in over 10 years.
8. She hasn't left south Provo in over 10 years.
9. She went back to the price of gas.
10. She can't afford to plant all the flowers she wants in her garden.

There was more, a lot more, but you get the gist of it. Needless to say I made a new friend by the name of Maggie (Margaret) Guzzler. They are the only Guzzlers in the area, or so I am told. You can even look it up in the phone book.

Anyway, back to the point...who can't even spare a dime for a little girl's kool-aid stand so that her mother will stop laughing at her? This world can be so cruel.

Vern Law

Yesterday we went to a softball game at the Orem Owls Stadium. It was a benefit for the Red Cross. They had old Major League players that live locally come and play with some local kids. Caleb (Cody's brother) was on one of the teams.

After the game was over, they asked for volunteers from the crowd to come down. Vern Law (click on his name to find out how awesome he was in his day) was going to pitch to them, and whoever hit the ball the farthest won an autographed baseball bat. Cody jumped out of his seat and went down, along with another man we know, some random stranger, and the batting coach for a local high school. Needless to say, Cody won.

I have to give props to the pitcher though. He is in his 70's and throws better than I do...and I played softball for 8 years and am way younger. haha. It was awesome.

Washer and Dryer

I am officially getting old. Today Cody and I bought our very own washer and dryer. This might not be a big deal to some people, but in my mind washers and dryers are for married people who are established and have kids and stuff...I am just still so young. At least I am in my head.

I asked my friends little sister a a few weeks ago (she is a senior in high school) if I seemed old to her. She laughed and said yes. I did not think it was so funny.

Olive Garden Flashback

Yesterday I went out to lunch with a few girls from my work. We were celebrating...well...I don't know what you would call it, but it was one of the girls last day. We decided to go to Olive Garden because it was close and because they have the all you can eat soup, salad and bread sticks for 6 dollars...you can't beat that.

While we were there, I began to reminisce about another time I spent at that same Olive Garden a few years earlier.

It was the week of Valentines day 2003. I had dated this kid all through high school and he was currently on his mission, so I was Valentineless and lonely. Knowing that I might be sad, my missionary boy asked his mom to take me out to lunch. So, she called and invited me. I gladly accepted and headed out to meet her and her two daughters.

We got to Olive Garden around the same time and waited for a table. As the hostess came and started to walk us to our seats I said, "I took Marc to Olive Garden once. It was his first and only time ever coming here." My tone of voice was that of 'can you believe he had never been to Olive Garden!'. His mother stopped, looked at me and said, (this is for real) "I am sorry that we don't have as much money as your family to go out and eat all the time." Ummmm...How do you react to that? I mumbled something to the effect of "We don't really have that much money," and kept the level of my eyes low to the ground the rest of the time there. I felt so stupid and picked on.

As soon as I left the restaurant I called my mom and told her about my horrific experience. She assured me that it wasn't a big deal and that people don't always mean the things that they say. She then told me that she would make an extra effort to be nice to his mom so that she no longer thought that way about our family. I felt much better and went on with my day.

Two days later I got a call from my mother. I had all but forgotten about the incident, until she told me this...

"Hanna, I am so sorry. You will never guess what happened to me today. I was pulling out of the bank where I had just withdrawn a couple thousand dollars (in 100 dollar bills), when I saw his mom. I remembered what you had told me so (in an effort to be nice) I sped up so I could wave to her and say hi. I pulled up next to her at the light by Wendy's. I honked my horn and waved my hand out the window. (at this point in time I was getting a little nervous, but didn't really see the harm in the incident) Hanna, I really am sorry. When I waved to her out the window I completely forgot that I had all that money still in my hand."

Instead of saying hi, my mother waved a wad of cash at her. She got a disgusted look on her face, so my mother said, and drove away. Just image the irony in this, a woman who is already bitter and thinks that we have so much money gets thousands of dollars rubbed into her face.

Needless to say, I didn't talk to his family for months after that happened. Oh, Olive Garden.

Gas Prices

I found this picture while reading the Washington Post this morning.
I think I might vomit. (The image is from Arcadia, California)

The Mia Maids

At church I am a Mia maid counselor. For anyone who doesn't know what that means, Mia maids is the class for girls at church between the ages of 14-15. I was really excited to be a part of this. My main responsibilities are to teach class on Sunday and to show up for their activities on Wednesday. Its pretty low key and I like that. Plus there is a girl named Hannah in the class that looks like she could be my daughter...same hair color and look...its pretty freaky, but makes things interesting.

ANYWAY, I had to teach yesterday. Normally this wouldn't be a big deal. I taught Relief Society (the class for women 18 and older) for almost 2 years, Gospel Doctrine (the class for all adults) for months, and served a mission teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to whomever would listen. Needless to say, I have no problem teaching. I actually really like it and feel super comfortable in front of people...or so I thought.

Yesterday, when I got in front of the girls, I froze. Then, when I finally compiled myself and began to teach my jaw and body started shaking uncontrollably. I was so intimidated and I couldn't figure out why. It may be because I remember being their age and hating being there. Or maybe, as my husband pointed out, it may be because I still view them as my peers...at least more than I do the older women in their 40s and 50s. Whatever the reason, I was terrified. I would have tried envisioning them naked to ease my anxiety, if that wasn't really creepy and morally disturbing.

After a few minutes of shaking, I started sweating profusely. I was a wreck, I actually had to pull out a chair and sit down. And the whole time this was going on internally, the 10 or so girls just sat in their chairs and stared, expressionless. I swear they didn't even move a muscle the whole time, their faces were blank. Their beady little eyes just penetrated into my soul. It was awful. Every question I asked and participation I sought after was overwhelmingly denied by silence...well, despite the one girl that always feels the need to comment. I guess there always is that one suck up know-it-all that thinks she has to say something about everything. I usually can't stand that type of person, but yesterday I was extremely grateful.

Eventually I made it through the 40 minutes or so alive. I calmed down, and even got like 3 or 4 comments after on how I did a really good job...yeah right. I am now traumatized and intimidated tremendously by 14 year olds. What will I ever do with myself?

I think the worst part is that its not like this was even my first time teaching. I have had the calling for a couple months. haha.

Scout Camp is Almost Over!

Cody comes home today and I am SO excited. I can't even tell you...well, I guess I just did.

ANYWAY, he has been gone since Monday morning with the scouts for scout camp. I fully support him in his calling with the young mens, but seriously why do they have to take him away for a whole week?

I guess I can't complain too much, it could be worse.

The only bad part is he told me last night that the coming home today was only a maybe...it might not be until tomorrow afternoon.

Regardless, I can't wait to see him. I really miss the old guy.

Google Reader

A few days ago my eyes were opened to the wonderful world of Google reader. This new internet device is amazing...for those of you who know what I am talking about, I am sure you agree.

Google reader aids you in your stalking of websites and, particularly for me, blogs. When my life gets boring at work, I blog stalk. I waste so much time jumping from page to page reading about people's lives and seeing pictures of their families and adventures. Now, with Google reader, everyone's updates are sent right to me. The extent of my laziness has grown...even my clicking/typing fingers are getting a break.

Google reader means, no more checking on stupid links where people haven't posted anything new. You have to admit, its always kind of a let down.

So, my friends (I can officially move it from 2 to 5...thank you Doretha) check it out. Don't be scared.

YAY!

I would just like to inform all 2 of you that read this that I am feeling better...and loving it.

Also, I attempted to put the pictures of Hawaii online last night, but didn't.

My Birthday

On Saturday we had a get together at the park. It was awesome. Cody even made a slip 'n slide by my request. We played a little frizbee football and ate some good food. It was awesome. After that we went with my side of the family to watch the new Cronicals of Narnia. I liked it...although I must admit I thought the whole guy formed out of water thing was a little weird.

As for my actually birthday...I woke up and the birthday fairy had decorated my apartment. I also got the seasons of the Office, which I love, and Juno. I was excited. The only downfall to these two activites was that I have been sick since Friday.

It feels like I have food poisioning. My stomach kills, I have a headache, and...well...lets just say I can't be too far away from a bathroom. We only made through part of church before I thought I was going to die. I am alright if I don't eat, but the being hypoglycemic(stupid blood sugar levels) makes not eating a real problem. Wo is me I guess. haha.

I have pictures of all of these activites...and the ones from Hawaii still. Maybe one day I'll stop being a slacker and post them.