A slice of life

A grim 30

2008-05-15T14:50:00.005-07:00

The ladies had a little too much fun decorating my workstation.

It's tradition at work to bring out the grim reaper and decorate in black for any birthday ending in a "0". I wasn't happy about it...

Friend's Wedding

2008-05-09T12:30:00.003-07:00

Me, Melanie (the bride), and Lisa... Interior Designer graduates Ricks College 1999

HALLOWEEN

2007-10-31T11:08:00.000-07:00

at the office

A picture can be worth a thousand words...

2007-10-24T13:15:00.001-07:00

this car was spotted in downtown Boise, I saw it with my own eyes.

Pooh Bear

2007-09-10T10:56:00.000-07:00

Quilt for Kara and Baby!

Completed September 8, 2007

Pattern designed by myself

Hand stitched together

(if you click on the picture it will give you a larger view)

My Space

2007-09-10T10:41:00.000-07:00

My new desk

In June when we re-arranged the office I had this lovely space on the panel to do something with. So each month I swap out differant memo samples. This month's theme was based on primary colors and basic patterns for back to school. I wish I had taken pictures of the other months... June was a purple palette. July was Red, White and Blue. and August was what I called "muted summer" but everyone else thought it looked like fall colors. It was a mix of muted oranges, golds, moss green, and shale blue.

This not only brightens up my day but provides clients with a visual of how differant colors and patterns can compliment each other.

Temple Square

2007-05-05T07:09:00.000-07:00

Jordan River Temple

2007-05-05T07:05:00.000-07:00

Our "Little Misionarka"

2007-04-21T12:54:00.000-07:00

March 12, 2007 - Orem, Utah

Jana Militka was baptized shortly before I was tranfered to Liberec, so I had the opportunity to teach her the New member discussions. She was 14 at the time and stated that some day she would serve a mission. She loved being around us and helping us share the gospel. At the beginning of the year she emailed us with the news that she had been called to serve in Slovenia. We are so proud of her.

Jana inbetween Higby and Chadwick. She was a hoot to be around. She refused to speak english which was fun to try to remember words and phrases. We continuely had to ask her to slow down :) And it was so good to see two of my good friends. I had served with Sandee Chadwick (now Miller) and JoDee Sherwood (now Leahy) who were the companionship that had found Jana and prepared her for baptism.

Visiting Utah for New Years 2007

2007-04-21T12:46:00.000-07:00

Stephanie and I at the Bohemian Restuarant in West Jordan, Utah

Dad & Bev's new dog "Rugger"

2007-04-21T12:36:00.000-07:00

Pictures take Christmas 2006

It was difficult getting him to look at the camera

So sad, that he doesn't get to come in and play.

He learned quickly how to open that door!

Quilt - Dec 2006

2007-04-21T12:23:00.000-07:00

We had a sister in the relief society getting married, and a couple of the girls had expressed that they wanted to learn how to sew a quilt. So I started a project where each person who wanted to participate would have an opportunity to. 4 Differant girls signed up to help and each was responsible for sewing a row of squares. I have to admit that having 5 differant people sewing a quilt is a bit more challenging then I had expected, for everyone sews a seem a little different. But it came together nicely and the colors were beautiful. The Bride and Groom loved the gift!

the Quilt was tied together with beads

A makeover!

2007-03-21T13:41:00.000-07:00

March 16, 2007
Before Pictures of Mom's Guest Bathroom:

After Pictures:

The youngest ham in the family.

2007-03-21T13:06:00.000-07:00

Triston - March 15, 2007

The Three Sisters...

2007-03-21T13:03:00.000-07:00

A flattering picture...

and a not so flattering picture!

March 15, 2007

Triston and Rugger

2007-03-21T12:44:00.000-07:00

Grandpa came to pickup Aunt Stephanie and Rugger became quite the attraction for Triston.

Giving a hug and trying not to get pinned between the dog and the truck.

March 15, 2007

2007-03-07T12:36:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't posted anything in a while. I wish I could say that I've been writing things down in my journal, but truthfully there is no account of anything from my life since Dec 16, 2006. I think I'm just going to use this blog to share photos from here out. I have personal thoughts and feeling that I wish to write down, but not to share with everyone and their dog. And I'm too lazy to keep up a blog and a journal.

Dance! Dance! Dance!

2006-12-16T08:22:00.000-07:00

Boy, did we surprise ourselves last night.

Nerves swirled around in our stomachs, the two of us had the whole stage to ourselves. They are either going to be looking at her or at me, and if you screw up it's going to be seen! So the pressure was on. My partner had only learned the end of the dance the night before, and I was nervous because I kept wanting to switch the order of steps during rehearsal. But we pulled it off. Both of us failed to execute the correct step only once, and to our surprise we totally nailed the step where we hit our taps together. I think a look of shock crossed our faces, and to be truthful I was so shocked that I almost forgot the last two steps of the dance.

I have missed the stage!

Solo Rehearsal

2006-12-11T22:53:00.000-07:00

Duet
danced alone
not much different from life.

Idiot drivers

2006-12-06T08:36:00.000-07:00

I was flipped off this morning for passing someone on the freeway. As I began to pass her I could she that she was approaching a slower vehicle, but she made no attempt to turn on her left blinker, and she had plenty of time to pull over into the passing lane before I got there. Now, if in passing her I had slowed down so that she was boxed in, then she would have a reason to flip me off. Unfortunately the thought had crossed my mind to do so because she had given me the finger, but I was late myself for work due to an alarm malfunction (and no I was not the malfunction this time) and didn't have time for games.

And another thing... Why does everyone slow down below the speed limit when they see a cop? THEY'RE NOT GOING TO PULL YOU OVER FOR DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT!!!

Anyways, this morning was not a good start to the day.

2006-12-01T22:27:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was our first major snowfall, and within one hour of the beginning of the storm we heard emergency vehicles three different times. It took an extra hour to get home. Luckily I had a book on the bus which had me totally captivated, so I didn't notice the slow drive home (except for the fact that I was starving). The snowfall was beautiful, but it sure caused havic and ruined schedules. Due to slick conditions this morning the bus was 40 mins behind schedule as well. I wonder how long this weather will stay. Is this the year that winter will return to the Treasure Valley? We'll see. It could be just a passing fancy. Here today, gone tomorrow, causing everyone to run over to Les Schwab and purchase expensive snow tires. When really they could save money, get a decent all-weather tire, and have them siped. And they should have done it weeks ago.

Winter driving tips:

1. Slow down, and keep a safe distance from the car in front of you. (But you don't have to drive 20 MPH to be safe, use good judgement for the current road conditions.)

2. If you feel the tires spinning, just give a quick release on the gas pedal and slowly regain your speed. (Do not break!)

3. If you begin to slide or skid turn the steering wheel into the skid.

4. Putting added weight in the back of your car only does you good if you have rear-wheel drive. If you have front-wheel drive you are going to continue to spin your tires regardless of how much weight you place in your trunk. If needed place weighted bags on the floor in the back seat of the car. (But they will get in the way if you have passengers.)

5. Have your tires siped. It gives you added traction without having to spend $200/tire.

6. Test the road each morning. As you leave your driveway press firmly down on the gas to test for spinning and then press firmly on your brakes to check for sliding conditions.

7. Take corners with added caution. Usually corners and intersections are the slickest.

Good Luck!

2006-11-27T15:19:00.000-07:00

Apparently I'm easy to make fun of, because it happens frequently at work. Luckily I'm usually laughing along with them.

Today's joke was about distance. The boss man had said that when he came in this weekend his computer was completely turned off which he never does, and another co-worker said hers was the same. I mentioned that there was a power outage over the weekend, paused for a minuete, and then added that it happened in Nampa. They burst out in laughter and cracked some joke about if Boston has a black-out then New York had to have had one as well. In my defense I battled back with "It's totally possible!" The laughter continued.

401k

2006-11-16T14:30:00.000-07:00

It's not as big of a monster as I had supposed it to be, and in learning more I wish I would have invested 4 years ago when the opportunity presented itself.

INVEST NOW! If your employer doesn't offer a 401k plan, then invest in an IRA (Individual Retirement Account). Do it as soon as you can. Set aside an amount you can afford each month. You will thank yourself when you find that you can retire 5 or even 10 years early because you decided to sacrifice a little now.

Helpful hint: Your goal should be to invest 15% of your gross wages each month. If you are unable to afford 15%, then start with a smaller percentage like 6-8%. Each time you get a raise instead of adding that money to your spending account, increase the percentage you invest.

Irritating

2006-11-16T08:35:00.000-07:00

Last night at 4:00am I woke to a dream of ballroom foot patterns going through my mind as if I were in class learning a new dance. Nothing too abnormal about that I suppose, we usually dream about things we're learning, however the irritating part was the music that accompanied the dance patterns. It kept playing over, and over, and over, and over... I just wanted to scream "STOP!" I even went as far as to try and convince myself to stop thinking of the songs, but as I repeated the advise I ended up incorporating it into the songs. By that point I was really irritated. Trying to change the dream content (which usually works) didn't pan out either. So I tossed and turned until by some miracle I was able to fall back asleep.

This has only happened a couple of times in the past and it followed a scary or disturbing (almost felt real) dream. I'm usually not irritated but fearful that if I fall back asleep I'll continue the unpleasant dream. But this morning was just plain annoying.

Song of the Day

2006-11-15T14:20:00.000-07:00

"Some days you gotta dance
Live it up when you get the chance
Cause when the world doesn’t make no sense
And you’re feeling just a little too tense
Gotta loosen up those chains and dance"

- Dixie Chicks

3 doughnuts and a Mt. Dew

2006-11-10T15:54:00.000-07:00

That's what I purchased this afternoon after struggling to keep my eyes open after lunch. Too bad drowsiness isn't considered a legitimate excuse to go home on sick leave. I so bad wanted to just sleep the afternoon away. But I didn't. I decided to purchase body alteration substances... sugar and caffeine.

I guess I could have tried some type of yoga movement or something, but they already think I'm weird at work. Although, if they think I'm wierd then I guess I shouldn't really care.

Saturn

2006-10-30T15:16:00.000-07:00

http://www.msnbc.com/modules/interactive.aspx?type=ss&launch=15435411,2&pg=15

Bravo for Boise!

2006-10-25T09:55:00.000-07:00

A friend emailed me the review of the Ballet performance "Carmina Burana", which reminded me that I had planned on writing about it. I attended the performance last Saturday night, and I have to admit it was one of the best performances I have ever been too. The combination of the Ballet, Symphony, and Choirs were absolutely beautiful and breath-taking.

I was surprised to hear that the performance was sold out, but excited to see the interest from the public. If I were to describe the city of Boise, you would not hear me say that they are big on attending the performing arts. In the past maybe only half the seats are taken. Hopefully this sold out performance is a sign that the trend is changing.

Below is a copy of the review written in today's paper:

Review: ‘Carmina Burana’ a sellout success
________________________________________________
Dana Oland
________________________________________________

Ballet Idaho "Carmina Burana" and "Still Falls the Rain"

Ballet Idaho didn’t just put on a dance concert Saturday night at the Velma V. Morrison Center. The company created an event.

The title piece, "Carmina Burana," brought together the Boise Master Chorale, Boise State University Symphony Orchestra, Capital City Children’s Chorus, soprano Leslie Mauldin, countertenor Correy McKnight and baritone Lynn Berg in addition to the dancers. It was a stunning mass of talent on stage that is an all too rare occurrence in Boise — so rare that it sold out.

The dance company is the strongest it has been in several years. Ballet Idaho’s season is off to a great start.

The Carl Orff’s score "Carmina" contains one of the best known themes in classical music, "O Fortuna." When the orchestra and chorus came in together, it was powerful and electric. Under the baton of Jim Jirak, who regularly conducts the chorale, the orchestra performed with an exactness of pitch and energy.

It was appropriately dynamic and delicate when called for and gave a performance that was a triumph for the BSU music department, which has been struggling for proper community recognition.

The vocal soloists Mauldin and Berg primarily were in fine voice. Mauldin was flawless with the lovely "In Trutina" and "Dulcissime." Berg, who performed several solos, gave a powerful and rich performance. McKnight has a wonderful voice, but it was difficult to hear on his solos.

Ballet artistic director Toni Pimble’s concept for the piece often was literal and frankly mundane, missing the universality of the piece’s themes, such as the conflict between religious faith and the secular world, carnal and perfect love and the randomness of fate.

Yet, she always pulls out several lovely choreographic moments, such as "Olim Lacus" ("The Roasting Swan") with Heather Wallace suspended from a spit, and a pas de deux between Hyukku Kwon and Yunkyung Kim in "In Trutina." But Lynn Bowers’ period costumes often hid the movement.

Artistically, the most satisfying piece of the evening was the opening "Still Falls the Rain." It truly is one of Pimble’s best contemporary works.

Inspired by a report she heard in 1997 about the Taliban in Afghanistan and the stoning of a pair of lovers, it deals with the rise of religious intolerance in the world.

Pimble chose a mesmerizing score by Patricia Van Ness and uses it to great effect with stylized thematic movement — such as windmill-like port de bras — that act as a thread to hold the sections that range from groups and quartets and duets and trios. Pimble’s knack for wonderful partner work shines here.

Amy Panganiban’s streamlined costumes and Lloyd Sobel and Kelly Baum’s lighting showcased the wonderful company of dancers and helped establish the world of the piece.

http://www.idahostatesman.com/

Chicago Trip: Oct 6

2006-10-24T11:51:00.000-07:00

Meyer May House

http://www.peterbeers.net/interests/flw_rt/Michigan/May_House/may_house.htm

Over the years changes were made to the original house, furniture was changed, walls were repainted, windows were replaced, and an addition was placed on the back of the home. Luckily there were enough photographs of the original house that Steelcase was able to restore the home to it's complete origin. The original windows were found in the cellar, along with a few of the furnishings. Other items were replicated or bought.

Prairie Style Home

We arrived at the house around 8:00 am to have breakfast in the dining room!

This is the coolest design. Frank had placed wood slats in two rows offset from each other creating privacy in the front entry, yet still allowing light to filter into the home.

Master Bedroom - the bed on the left is original, and the one on the right was duplicated to match.

Steelcase Wood Manufacturing Plant

Wood veneer has been placed on the outside of the car. (the car has never been driven)

One of the cleanest manufacturing plants I've ever seen. They have a vac system that circulates the air at a speed that sucks up the dust and sod particles, leaving the plant almost spotless.

The temperature in the wood veneer area must be kept at a higher humitiy level then the rest of the plant to keep the veneers soft and bendable. A water system was placed in the cieling that sprays a constant mist into the air.

Grand Rapids, MI

Chicago Trip: Oct 5

2006-10-23T09:23:00.000-07:00

Steelcase Presentation: Rethinking the Cube

This year, instead of introducing new product at NeoCon, Steelcase offered a presentation that took the ordinary 8x8 cubicle and showed an array of reconfigurations. (All cubes are 8'x8') Above was the first cube you came to and was developed to show how most people feel like cubicles are a maze.

Dual collaborative station

Again, a dual station.

Used an 8x8 cube as a small conference area.

Showed how varying the worksurface height not only introduces interest but provides additional surface for those who like to pile instead of file. This was one of my favorite layouts.

Chicago Trip: Oct 5

2006-10-23T07:54:00.000-07:00

The Poly Lounge from Metro - one of my favorites!

The Oom Stool from Brayton won a design award. Not one of my favorites, but we noticed when you sit down it lookes like you have horns on your head.

We flew on a private jet from Chicago to Grand Rapids, MI.

My very first Private Jet ride!

Nick making drinks at the mini bar on the jet.

Steelcase owns two, one seats 10 and the other seats 12 .

I felt like royality when I opened the door to my hotel room.

http://www.amwaygrand.com/

Steelcase Suite
On the top floor of the hotel Steelcase bought a 3 bedroom Suite.

Chicago Trip: Oct 4

2006-10-23T07:11:00.000-07:00

Merchandise Mart

Stopping for a quick snooze! We were surprised how far back they could recline. (Patrick & Rick)

Left to Right: Jerry (sales), Kara (designer), Rick (owner),

Me, Shelly (sales), Patrick (sales), and Tim (sales).

The front decor of one of the many vendors at the Mart.

Which one of these does not belong? Oh, it's me in the green sweater. I missed the black and white memo! (Me, Kara, Shelly, and Christy)

Clothing made from carpet. The backing has been removed to provide greater flexibility, but it's the real deal.

a month past

2006-10-18T12:46:00.000-07:00

I just noticed that I'm two days shy of a month from my last blog entry. Funny how when we are the busiest and have the most to write about, we tend to write less or none at all. I don't believe that it's because we don't have time. Anyways, I just wanted to mark for myself some of the events that have taken place.

Ran into a friend from college that I haven't seen in ten years.
Flew to Chicago on a business trip the first week of October.
Visited the Merchandise Mart (the second largest building in the world in square footage, the first being the Pentagon).
Attended the opening performance of "Cinderella" performed by the Joffrey Ballet Company.
Fell in love with Chicago.
Flew on the Steelcase company private Jet.
Added an adult tap class on Thursday nights, this makes three a week. Ballet Tuesday, ballroom Wednesday, and tap Thursday.
Finalizing a nightmare project at work, and it looks like all the pieces are going to come together nicely.

2006-09-20T13:52:00.000-07:00

Kids are way too honest. A week ago on Tuesday I attended the intermediate ballet class for the first time and felt so out of place. 'Freak' would be a good word to describe how I felt. I was twice their size and almost three times their age. I don't think the experience would have been so bad if they would've stopped staring at me. Their stars silently suggested "You don't belong here." They were right.

My technique may be above their level of dance, but the speed and flexibility my body can handle is very low. The instructor invited me to attend the advance class, but I'm afraid I would feel even more uncomfortable in there. Luckily the class last night was almost normal. There is one girl that seems to have taken a like'n to me. She was practically glued to my side for half the class.

2006-09-15T20:35:00.000-07:00

She goes with expectations
nervous and hopeful
he's there
friendly conversation
nothing more
disappointed
a vow to ones self
no more expectations

A fantastic weekend!

2006-09-09T15:22:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I spent 4 days on a trip over to the Oregon coast with my two roommates, Dara and Sarina. We had a blast, and the weather couldn't have been more perfect. We headed over to Portland on Friday night and woke Saturday morning to 80 degree weather and a clear day. Later in the afternoon our journey brought us to Cape Lookout, a 1.8 mile one-way hike down to the beach. There we unexpectedly learned of Sarina's greatest fear... creepy crawly things. It's the first time I have ever heard her scream like a girl. The creatures were actually quite interesting to watch. They would wash in with the tide and as the water began to sweep back out into the vast ocean these weird looking organisms would burrow themselves into the sand. I couldn't stay to watch for very long because the water was absolutely freezing, but it was fascinating to see. One of the creatures scampered over Sarina's foot, and gave us the pleasure of hearing her scream like a girl. (Unfortunately that would only seem funny to you if you knew her.)

The hike back up to the car felt like 4 miles, I was completely out of shape.

Cape Lookout

We headed down to Lincoln City to set up camp and find a crab shack for dinner. Those little buggers are expensive! Dara and Sarina ordered a full crab, but the idea of eating a crab right out of it's shell did not seem appealing, nor worth the time. So I opted to get a crab sandwich instead, where the work was already done for me :)

Sunday started off with cloudy weather and it didn't look like the clouds were going to break, but oddly enough they did for the short period of time we had planned to spend at the beach. I took "Jane Eyre" on CD down to the beach, while the other two braved the cold ocean water on boogie boards. I couldn't believe the amount of people I saw there in a tee shirt and shorts. It may have been sunny outside, but the wind just chilled you to the bone. I was wrapped up in two jackets and a blanket. Granted I was sitting still, while most were engaged in some sort of physical activity.

My favorite picture in the entire world! Sarina is the one striking the "I'm a Hero" pose in the front, and Dara is in the back with the wild red hair. We aren't quite sure why it's sticking straight up, but it sure made us laugh when we saw the picture.

Our next destination was to travel mid-way to Crater Lake and stay at my Dad's house in the Eugene area. Unfortunately Dad and Bev were also away on vacation so it felt like we were only there for the free lodging and hot showers. But I did get to meet their new cat whom I now adore. It is one of the prettiest cats I've ever seen.

We took advantage of the fact that we weren't on a time schedule and slept in Monday morning. After making sure everything made it back into the car we headed for Crater Lake, the place I was looking forward to seeing the most. I had been there twice as a youth and remembered the water being the most beautiful blue you can ever imagine. As we drove to the rim of the crater I was filled with disappointment. Smoke had blanketed the area from the nearby forest fire, and left little to see. We tried to purchase a boat tour, but they were sold out for the day, so we would try again in the morning.

To fill our time Monday afternoon we found a leisurely hike in the National park, Annie Creek. At the trailhead there was a box containing small pamphlets with information that corresponded with numbered posts placed throughout the trail. At each post you would stop and read the bit of information for that area. It was the coolest thing ever. Not only does it give you an opportunity to stop, take a breath, and enjoy the surroundings, but it was informative without giving you too much information that you would get bored with it.

We ran into Bambi and his mother while on the hike! The doe is in the middle left side of the picture and her two fawns are up the hill and to the right of her inbetween the trees.

The rest of the photos are of the boat tour at Crater Lake on Tuesday morning.

http://www.nps.gov/archive/crla/brochures/craterlake.htm

It's kind of hard to see but there is a grey squiggly line that goes down the middle of the picture, this is called a dike and is what was considered the plumbing (lava tube) for the volcano. Due to the eruption and erosion we are able to see the dike now. Below is another dike but of a much greater scale. It's called the Devil's back bone.

The picture doesn't do the view justice, but believe it or not the bottom of the lake you see is actually 60 feet below the surface. Crater Lake is the clearest lake in the world at a visual depth of 140 ft. Because of it's depth and clearness we are able to see the brilliant blue color that is reflected.

Wizard Island

the Phantom Ship

2006-09-08T15:28:00.000-07:00

8 signs you're ready to buy your first home
http://realestate.msn.com/buying/Article_kip.aspx?cp-documentid=858987&GT1=8588

No. 1: You have a budget -- and you know how to use it
No. 2: You have a sizeable down payment
No. 3: You have a reliable source of income
No. 4: You have an emergency savings fund
No. 5: You have your debts under control
No. 6: Your credit report is in good shape
No. 7: You can make a long-term commitment
No. 8: You are prepared to become your own landlord

2006-09-07T11:50:00.000-07:00

20 ways you waste money on your car
Don't spend a nickel without a darned good reason. Bone up, wise up and don't let anyone lead you astray.
By Des Toups

Cars make us irrational. We call them our babies and lovingly wax them every Saturday -- or we turn up the radio to drown out the sound of a dragging muffler. Either mindset will cost you money, sometimes a lot of it.

Walking the line between obsession and neglect means you never spend a nickel without a good reason -- and good reasons can include spending money on something that’s not broken.

Here, then, are 20 ways you waste money on your car.

Premium gas instead of regular. Buy the cheapest gasoline that doesn’t make your car engine knock. All octane does is prevent knock; a grade higher than the maker of your car recommends is not a “treat.”

3,000-mile oil changes. Manufacturers typically suggest 5,000 miles, 7,500 miles or even longer intervals between oil changes (many car markers now include oil-life monitors that tell you when the oil is dirty -- sometimes as long as 15,000 miles.) There may be two recommendations for oil-change intervals: one for normal driving and one for hard use. If you live in a cold climate, take mostly very short trips, tow a trailer or have a high-revving, high-performance engine, use the more aggressive schedule. If you seldom drive your car, go by the calendar rather than your odometer. Twice a year changes are the minimum.

Taking false economies. Better to replace a timing belt on the manufacturer’s schedule than to have it break somewhere in western Nebraska. Better to pop for snow tires than to ride that low-profile rubber right into a tree.

Using the dealer’s maintenance schedule instead of the factory’s. Of course he thinks you should have a major tune-up every 30,000 miles. Most of the tasks that we generally think of under the heading of “tune-up” are now handled electronically. Stick to the manufacturer’s schedule unless your car is not running well. If your engine doesn't "miss" -- skip a beat or make other odd noises -- don’t change the spark plugs or wires until the manufacturer says so.

Using a dealer for major services. Independent shops almost always will do the same work much cheaper. Call around, owner’s manual in hand, to find out, mindful that the quality of the work is more of a question mark. Some dealers may tell you using outside garages violates the car’s warranty. This is a lie.

Using a dealer for oil changes. Dealers sometimes run dirt-cheap specials, but otherwise you’ll usually find changes cheaper elsewhere. If you’re using an independent shop for the first time, you might inconspicuously mark your old oil filter to make sure it has indeed been changed. And don’t let them talk you into new wiper blades, new air filters or high-priced synthetic oil, unless your car is one of the few high-performance machines built for it.

Not replacing your air filter and wiper blades yourself. Buy them on sale at a discount auto-parts store rather than having a garage or dealer replace them. Replacement is simple for either part, a 5-minute job. A good schedule for new air filters is every other oil change in a dusty climate; elsewhere at least once every 20,000 miles. Treat yourself to new wipers (it’s easiest to buy the whole blade, not the refill) once a year.

Going to any old repair shop. At the very least, make sure it’s ASE-certified (a good housekeeping seal of approval from the nonprofit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence). From there, look for a well-kept shop with someone who’s willing to answer all your questions. Estimates must include a provision that no extra work will be done without your approval. Drive your car to make sure the problem is fixed before you pay. Pay with a credit card in case there’s a dispute later. Be courteous and pay attention. A good mechanic is hard to find.

Changing your antifreeze every winter. Change it only when a hydrometer suggests it will no longer withstand temperatures 30 degrees below the coldest your area sees in winter. Your dealer or oil-change shop should be happy to check it for free. Every two years is about right. But you also should keep your cooling system happy by running the air conditioner every few weeks in winter to keep it lubricated, checking for puddles underneath the car and replacing belts and hoses before they dry and crack.

Replacing tires when you should be replacing shocks. If your tires are wearing unevenly or peculiarly, your car may be out of alignment or your shocks or struts worn out.

Letting a brake squeal turn into a brake job. Squeal doesn’t necessarily mean you need new rotors or pads; mostly, it’s just annoying. Your first check -- you can probably see your front brakes through the wheels on your car -- is to look at the thickness of the pads. Pads thicker than a quarter-inch are probably fine. If your brakes emit a constant, high-pitched whine and the pads are thinner than a quarter-inch, replace them. If your car shimmies or you feel grinding through the pedal, then your brake rotors need to be turned or replaced.

Not complaining when your warranty claim is rejected. Check Alldata and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) to see if a technical service bulletin (TSB) has been issued about the component in question. Manufacturers often will repair known defects outside the warranty period (sometimes called a secret warranty). It helps if you’ve done your homework and haven’t been a jerk.

Not keeping records. A logbook of every repair done to your car can help you decide if something’s seriously out of whack. Didn’t I just buy new brake pads? With a log and an envelope stuffed with receipts, you’ll know who did the work and when, and whether or not there’s a warranty on the repair. And a service logbook helps at resale time, too.

Buying an extended warranty. Most manufacturers allow you to wait until just before the regular warranty expires to decide. By then you should know whether your car is troublesome enough to require the extended warranty. Most of them aren’t worth the price.

Overinsuring. Never skimp on liability, but why buy collision and comprehensive insurance on a junker you can probably afford to replace? Add your deductible to your yearly bill for collision and comprehensive coverage, then compare that total with the wholesale value of the car. If it’s more than half, reconsider.

Assuming the problem is major. If your car is overheating but you don’t see a busted hose or lots of steam, it might be the $5 thermostat, not your radiator. Or it may be that ominous “check engine” light itself that’s failed, not your alternator.

Not changing the fuel filter. Have it replaced as a part of your maintenance -- every two years or according to the manufacturer’s schedule -- rather than when it becomes clogged with grit, leaving you at the mercy of the nearest garage.

Not knowing how to change a tire. Have you even looked at your spare? Make sure it’s up to snuff and all the parts of your jack are there. Changing a flat yourself is not only cheaper, it’s faster, too.

Not keeping your tires properly inflated. Check them once a month; otherwise, you’re wasting gasoline, risking a blowout and wearing them out more quickly.

Car washes. Ten bucks for long lines and gray water? Nothing shows you care like doing it yourself.

Des Toups is senior editor at MSN Money in Seattle.
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/SaveonaCar/20waysYouWasteMoneyOnYourCar.aspx

2006-09-01T09:56:00.000-07:00

Fall is on it's way. The past two mornings I've actually needed a jacket with the weather being in the high 40's. My favorite time of the year is almost here!

2006-08-31T07:51:00.000-07:00

"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; ... call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; ... knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise." (Hebrews 10:23-36)

The above scripture reference was brought to my attention last night in class. The instructor posed the question, "How do we continually abide in him?" (referring to Christ, see Luke 15). My first impulse was to respond with the typical Sunday school answers of daily scripture study, praying, and keeping the commandments. Though they are not entirely incorrect I could tell the instructor was looking for something else. When the question remained unanswered he had us turn to Hebrews, chapter 10. "But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated..." When we remember the times when the Lord has enlightened us with truth, we find ourselves filled with the desire not only to do the will of the Lord but to Become. The doubts within us are hushed and we are able to move forward.

Is more required?

2006-08-27T21:29:00.000-07:00

As I sat in church the question came to mind, "Is more required of our generation? Is perfection demanded more of us then our predecessors?" If so, then why.

Later in the evening I posed the question to my roommate who is a lawyer, and has a great skill to argue both sides. She thought for a moment and made a few observations. Maybe more isn't required of us, our parents were asked to make the same choices, however, as time has passed on society and religion have grown further apart from each other in values. What once was considered immoral in society, is now a common practice on daily television shows. Fifty years ago the choices seemed logical. Society said it was wrong, which agreed with religious practices, and the decision appeared to be much easier to make. The choices today contradict what society has justified as being acceptable. Thus making it more difficult to stand up for what we believe to be true. Is more required of us?... Maybe in a small way. But truthfully the Lord has asked no more of us then what he has asked of all his disciples throughout history.

The reason this all came up was a girl in the class talked about making better decisions when it came to her music and movie selections. Those are two addictions in my life. There needs to be an "AA" meeting for people addicted to entertainment. For reals.

I'm not saying entertainment is a horrible thing, but like most things in life it should be in moderation. When you find yourself watching 6 movies on a Saturday, you might be addicted. There are so many better things I could be doing with my time, but I can't give them up. They have become an emotional outlet for me. When watching the movie I don't have to worry or think about anything, and for two whole hours I get to escape from my life.

The other dangerous part of this addiction is that the movie can give you a false ideal of expectations. In a way they often portray a fairytale which in real life is difficult to find.

Anyways, it's a habit I wish I could break, but am not prepared to do so at this time.

2006-08-20T21:01:00.000-07:00

"Anybody can become angry--that is easy; but to be angry with the right person, and to the right degree, and at the right time, and for the right purpose, and in the right way--that is not within everybody's power and is not easy." - Aristole

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have regressed this weekend. It's difficult watching myself take 2 steps in the wrong direction when I know how hard it is to take one step in the right direction. I don't know if being alone this weekend triggered the regression, or if it happened due to other circumstances. I watched myself begin to spiral in negative thoughts, mostly self-destructive, and I felt no desire to engage in social activities. It could be that I had a bad weekend, and I hope that is all it was.

It could also be the stress caused by the decision before me to either voice my concerns at work with my supervisor, or not say anything and hope that everything will work out. I tend to hibernate when faced with a decision I do not want to make. A habit I formed in hopes that the problem will just go away... but they never do.

2006-08-17T14:22:00.000-07:00

okay, so I gave in this mornings and had a doughnut, but only half! I've walked past the box multiple times today and not once opened it to see what's left. I am actually quite proud of myself.

Defeat!.......

2006-08-16T20:26:00.000-07:00

For three years now I have waged a war against my body, and this morning I surrendered! The white flag was raised and all efforts to fight were withdrawn. I have come to terms with the fact that I need to change my nutritional intake. So... I've given up sugar, sodie pop, extra grease, and white bread. Step 2, take vitamins, especially vitamin C. Drink more water. Get some form of exercise everyday. Drink more water. Sit my butt down and figure out what I should eat, plan meals, and drink more water. Did I say drink more water? Oh yeah, and drink more water!!!!!

This is not going to be easy. They are bringing doughnuts into work tomorrow, I should have waited till the weekend to surrender.

2006-08-14T08:36:00.000-07:00

I hate Mondays!

I had to smile...

2006-08-10T14:52:00.000-07:00

During my lunch break I purchased a book on nutrition, and on my way back to the office I stopped at McDonald's to order a Big Mac meal.

Truth be told I didn't know where I was going to eat for lunch. But my one hour break was coming to an end and no food had been purchased, so I quickly decided to grab something from the drive-through and head back to the office. As I was waiting to order I looked down at the new book in the seat next to me and let out a giggle.

tuesday

2006-08-08T11:11:00.000-07:00

It's only noon and it feels like it's 3pm. This is not good.

My 10 yr reunion was a little disappointing. Out of 400 graduating students only 20 showed up to the family BBQ, and 60 showed up to the cocktail party later in the evening. And out of those who were there, only one was a good friend of mine. Do I regret attending? No. I made some new friends and over all had a good time. I find it interesting that even after 10 yrs I'm still intimidated by those who were considered part of the "popular" crowd. I'm sure that if I would have just mustered up the courage to walk over and join in their conversation the intimidation factor would have disappeared.

The Past

2006-07-29T21:36:00.000-07:00

My 10 year Class Reunion is scheduled for next weekend. Today I got out the yearbook to see how many people I would remember. I remembered more faces then names, and sadly I remembered that I never really participated in high school. Sure, I received an education, and maybe that is the most important. But I never did anything more then attend class. I even ate my lunch in the math or science room, finishing my homework so that I wouldn't have to do it after school. I regret not getting more involved.

Everyone has said that the 10 yr reunion is more about showing off our accomplishments, but is it not that way every time we converse with friends we haven't seen in a long time? We share our endeavors in hopes that they will validate us, validate the belief that we are better then we were, and validate our worth. I am sad that this has become common practice, even in my own life, for it means that we don't really understand who we are and what we have to offer without those accomplishments.

Michael Buble

2006-07-27T07:30:00.000-07:00

His concert exceeded all my expectations. A brilliant entertainer. I don't think I have ever enjoyed myself so much in one evening. And I was glad that I got to share the event with 5 friends. Michael Buble was worth every penny we paid for those tickets. My only regret is that I didn't stand more and dance, regardless of the fact that no one else would stand. I could rave on and on about the concert, heaven knows my co-workers have heard a mouthful, but really it can all be summed up in one comment... I would pay anything to see him in concert again, he is that good.

Day Trip

2006-07-18T08:27:00.000-07:00

Last Friday was my first long distance day trip. The company I work for flew 7 of us over to Seattle to visit the Global Total Office showroom. We left Boise at 7:30am and returned at 9pm. I've never flown to and from a place in the same day, so this was a new experience for me. Makes for a long day.

The trip included a free lunch, so of course I indulged myself. A 12" Swedish meatball sandwich. Mumm, mumm, good. I have to admit that I probably should have stopped eating after 3/4 of the sandwich, but it just tasted so good.

They had a great showroom. Well designed and really good lighting.

I like day trips, especially ones I don't have to pay for :)

Expenses

2006-07-12T21:35:00.000-07:00

Registration Fee = $20.00
Class Tuition = $28.00 for July, $30.00 for Aug ($60.00/month starting in Sep.)
Ballroom Dance Shoes = $121.00
Misc. clothing for class = $21.00

This is becoming one expensive hobby. I don't know how my parents paid for 4 children to attend dance classes 5 days a week all at the same time. Plus the cost of clothes, shoes, and transportation. Puts into perspective the amount of effort my parents put forth to make sure we always had the opportunity to participate in whatever we desired. Karate, piano, cello, softball, dance team, college, trombone, swimming, and gymnastics.

Following a Passion

2006-07-10T22:25:00.000-07:00

I signed up for 2 dance classes this afternoon. Ballroom, which I know very little about and a non-performing ballet class which will not start until September. The second is mostly just for exercise, technique, and toning. The instructor was a bit hesitant to place me in the class due to the fact that all the other girls will be between 11-13 yrs old, but it doesn't bother me. I know where my technique level is at and am not willing to push it just to fit in. The advance class is too fast for my out of shape body. I haven't taken a ballet class in 10 yrs, and believe me the body loses speed and accuracy if not in constant practice, like most sports.

This will help my goal to exercise 5 days a week. I grow tired quickly of repetition, so throwing in a dance class twice a week will help keep the desire to continue working out at the gym. I am so excited to start the Ballroom class on Thursday, but I feel a little uncomfortable taking the class without a male partner joining me. Oh well, why should I miss out on all the fun just because I'm single!

It has also been a dream of mine to some day own a dance studio with my brother and sister. Whether or not they share in the same dream I'm not sure, but it is something I have always wanted to do. I have had a strong desire recently to look into what I would need to do to put myself on the right path to becoming a dance instructor. At this stage though it's only a dream, a thought, a desire.

too short

2006-06-27T21:56:00.000-07:00

The sunset was beautiful this evening. So beautiful but faded so quickly.

feelin' good

2006-06-27T07:32:00.000-07:00

I woke up alert this morning... It's a miracle! It was absolutely amazing to wake up and feel refreshed. My heart wants to believe that it's the cause of changing my allergy medication and cutting the dose of the other med in half. But... My mind believes that I'm still running off a caffeine high from the head ache medications I took yesterday. My roommate said I was bouncing off the walls last night. Considering the mood I've been in the past two weeks, I had to have been affected by drugs. I'm beginning to understand people's addictions to medications. If they make you feel good, then a natural tendency is to want to continue to feel good. Not that I was dismissing addiction before hand, just never understood for myself where the justification came into play, and now I know.

Stupid Moments

2006-06-26T09:46:00.000-07:00

Why is it that we remember more vividly our stupid moments rather then the brilliant ones? I had an embarrassing/funny one happen Friday night during intermission for "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum." A co-worker had gone to her car to get some bug repellent (the play was outside), and when she returned she had with her a plastic container that looked like a small version of a Lysol wipes container. As I pulled a wipe out a second one came with it half way out. I handed the container back to Ruthie,thinking that she was going to use one herself, and she responded "Push the other one back in." My first attempt to push it back into the container failed. The whole was not much bigger then the diameter of my finger, and the teeth were stiff. My second attempt involved pushing harder and ended with a finger stuck in the lid.

Oh my goodness, it looked hilarious. The harder I tried to pull my finger out the more the teeth dug into my skin. And after a couple of minutes the tip of my finger was beginning to turn blue. I think by that point my co-workers began to understand how much pain I was in. The couple sitting behind us offered some ranch dressing, a suggestion was made to use some soap in the bathroom, but that wasn't the problem. I was reaching the point of unbearable pain (I have a low tolerance) and decided to head for the souvenir shop for a pair of sizzors. Maybe we could cut the darn thing off.

The sizzors were too big and I was about ready to faint. I caught a glimpse of paper clips next to her register, a brilliant idea came to mind. There were five teeth encircling my finger. One of which was on my finger nail. So I proceeded to push 4 paper clips between my skin and the plastic teeth on the lid. As soon as they were in place, and with some help from the shop lady, we pulled the teeth back enough to slide my finger out. RELIEF! Luckily the plastic teeth didn't cut through the skin, only a few pinch marks remained.

Needless to say I learned a lesson; Don't push, open the lid and pull the wipe back through!

V for Vendetta

2006-06-21T13:00:00.000-07:00

"Remember, remember, the 5th of November."

I was so captivated by this film. The director and script writers were brillant.

Finished Quilt

2006-06-20T23:35:00.000-07:00

Hand Quilted

Completed April 2006

fear

2006-06-20T23:33:00.000-07:00

I have to admit, ever since I was laid off from a job over three years ago, I get uncomfortable when ever doors are closed in the office. Since then I have never been able to feel secure in any position at any job. I have often thought of it as a curse because I'm always preparing myself for the worst, jumping to conclusions, but maybe it is a blessing in some manner. Keeps me from getting too over confident. Strange how one event in our life can change our prospective forever. I never feared being fired or laid off until I actually was, and now it is a thought that crosses my mind everyday at work. I learned that no matter how good of an employee we may think we are, or how valuable we believe we are to the company, we are still expendable. Anyways, my point is that what once was never a fear for me, may haunt me for the rest of my life.

More skydiving pictures

2006-06-06T15:52:00.000-07:00

Group Photo - Sarina, Me, Scott, Robin, and I forgot the last guys name.

"I'm Off!"

cont...

2006-06-06T15:32:00.000-07:00

Sarina and Jeremy

Dena and Wade

Lesson # 10,952

2006-05-30T11:15:00.000-07:00

Always ask what the ingredients are when you order a smoothie or shake.

This morning I bought a Peach smoothie from Gold's Gym for breakfast. The thought never even crossed my mind that the ingredients would call for frozen banana. I felt fine until shortly after I arrived at work and I seriously thought I was going to die. Unfortunately I had ridden the bus and couldn't just turn around and go home for rest. So the next best alternative was to lay down at work under my desk. After 2 hours the pain had subsided and I realized that I just might survive the day.

I'm allergic to bananas, how odd is that. I know of only one other person who has the same allergy. Up until two years ago I was able to eat bananas. I truly am curious to know how I developed the allergy and why.

Determination

2006-05-25T10:04:00.000-07:00

Well, I've made a decision in giving up my lazy ways. Tomorrow at 2pm I'll have a membership to Gold's Gym. Why Gold's Gym you say? The only answer is convenience. The bus stop is right outside the front door. So.... the plan is to pack what I need the night before and wake up early in the morning:

5:50 am catch the bus
6:05 work out for about 40-50 mins
6:45 get ready for work
7:35 catch the bus into Boise from there.

It's a Party!

2006-05-18T17:08:00.000-07:00

Sarina, Dallas, the Birthday Girl, Carrie, and Jarrett

Office decorations...

2006-05-16T17:30:00.000-07:00

I came into work and found a surprise hanging up on my cubicle wall last Friday. It put a smile on my face.

A splash of color added to my cubicle.

OEC mascot

2006-05-16T17:11:00.000-07:00

Kara and Charley... Charley comes to work everyday with our boss and causes quite the stir around the office. He is just the cutest thing we have ever seen, and has quite the personality. He's a Portuguese something, some type of water dog.

Even though he has a bed in his kennel and a soft bean bag which you can see infront of him, Charley chooses to sleep in the bookcase. It's his favorite spot. He almost looks fake when he curls up on the shelf.

We joke that as he reaches his full growth of 55 lbs, that Rick will need to move the shelf up to accommodate his size.

Skydiving Pictures!

2006-05-15T17:50:00.000-07:00

Sarina being strapped into her harness.

It looks like I'm not quite sure about this whole harness thing.

Shuttle Van, it took a great deal of effort to get into the back of this thing. The harness was very constrictive to movement, especially when it came to lifting up a leg.

My instructor, Wade

This is the plane door that we jumped out of. You end up sticking one leg out onto the step and then lean out of the plane into the wind.

My last chance to change my mind!

Our pilot looks like he just barely graduated high school.

The larger plane they were using broke down, which could take up 4 tandem jumpers at a time. So they had to switch to the smaller plane which could only take up 2 tandem jumpers. Sarina's mom was going to join us up in the air (not jump, just fly up and back down), but once she heard that the larger plane had mechanical problems she revoked her request to go up and thought it safer to stay on the ground. It didn't bother me none!

Sarina was with the green parachute and I'm with the red one.

By this point I was really feeling sick and hoping that I wouldn't spew as we drifted over the group waiting for us on the ground.

I ended up on my knees as we landed, but the parachute caught some wind and quickly brought me to my feet and back a few steps.

No injuries!

A great afternoon!

2006-05-13T22:58:00.000-07:00

Skydiving was absolutely the greatest rush I've ever experienced in my entire life, and proof that I do get motion sickness. The free fall was my favorite part. We were crammed into this tiny plane like sardines, strapped to a more experienced jumper, and jumped out. You are falling about 120 mph but it just felt like flying, an absolutely incredible experience. The parachute opened and you glide through the air. I was loving it until the point where he decided to take the chute for a little spin. Then it was not so much fun. I diligently tried to keep anything from heaving up, and thought I was going to loss control near the end right before we landed. Luckily everything stayed where is should. The landing was a little rough. I was concentrating too much on how fast the ground was approaching, took a couple of steps, and landed on my knees. No broken bones, I'm still alive, and it was a great experience.

Would I go again?... Possibly, but I don't feel an urge too.

2006-05-12T07:13:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to Me!

2006-05-11T15:54:00.000-07:00

Birthday gifts from self:

New hair color
Flowers at work
Birthday party (with pizza and games)
and Skydiving

Useless Today

2006-05-05T15:42:00.000-07:00

I was practically useless today at work. All I was good for was taking out the garbage and making an ice cream run. I am just so excited. I found a funny picture on the internet of a tandem jump.

Bouncing off the walls...

2006-05-05T10:34:00.000-07:00

I am so excited! I just signed up with my roommate to go skydiving next Saturday. I can barely sit still. I have wanted to do this for a very long time. The jump will be tandem, truthfully it's the only way I think I could convince myself to jump out a moving plane... was if I was strapped to someone else who was willing to jump.

What a great way to celebrate my birthday. I am literally jumping around the office and getting some very strange looks. I have a smile from ear to ear.

I've been happy all morning even before I found out about the skydiving event. It's just a good day... a country song comes to mind by Travis Tritt, "... and it's a great day to be alive..."

Evite Addiction

2006-04-27T14:24:00.000-07:00

I'll admit it... I'm addicted. I can't stop. It's free and it's easy (that sounds bad, oh well). I was introduced to it through a co-worker, and found that it is the perfect way of inviting people to activities. There is no fuss with phone calls or flyers. You just fill out the info on the form, add email addresses, and click send. It asks people to respond with either yes, no, or maybe so you can get a head count (and I feel people are less pressured to say yes if they want to say no). I use it for everything now, and the response I've gotten from everyone has been positive.

It also sends out a reminder 2 days before the event to those who have said yes or maybe. It's an excellent tool.

http://www.evite.com

Adversity

2006-04-24T14:05:00.000-07:00

"Adversity is like a strong wind. I don't mean just that it holds us back from places we might otherwise go. It also tears away from us all but the things that cannot be torn, so that afterwards we see ourselves as we really are, and not merely as we might like to be." (Memoirs of a Geisha, pg 348)

Re-cap

2006-04-24T07:41:00.000-07:00

Last week was pretty uneventful; except that I completed a quilting project I started in January. That makes record time from start to finish. The colors came together beautifully and I can see my skills improving. I'm still far from being an expert.

I feel that one of the more difficult parts of life is having to accommodate those with clashing personalities around us. Co-workers, roommates, family, etc. For me the easy part is recognizing that there is a communication problem. The hard part lies in changing my reaction to that person. I have a friend who has one way of speaking, and it can come across as demeaning and brasive, though she doesn't mean to be. I am easily offended by her tone of voice and have recognized that I need to just let it roll off my back. (Easier said then done). She's a good person, just communicates differently then I do. It will take some time and practice.

We had a single adult fireside for 25 and older last night. The Stake President posed the question "How can the church help fill the needs in your life?" Unfortunately the session turned into a dating feud where the girls expressed that they want to be asked out, and the guys expressed that dating is too expensive, and they are tired of it. The only smart comment of the evening was made by a guy who finally said, "The Church is not a dating service, and if we aren't meeting people at activities and making new friends it is our choice, not the activity committee's fault." The Stake President tried several times to pull the conversation back to "how can the Church fulfill our spiritual needs?" but it always ended up back at the dating problem. It wasn't a very uplifting fireside.

2006-04-13T07:18:00.000-07:00

I love the funny things that happen during the day. Yesterday they sent Tim and I on an errand to pick up foam core. I asked for the largest piece they had which ended up being 4' x 8'. No problem, Tim had a truck. But what I didn't take into account was that he had a short-bed and a 4-wheeler in the back. We leaned the foam core up against the 4-wheeler but it wasn't stable enough, so I volunteered to ride in the back. Tim said I'd have to sit on the 4-wheeler, I laughed but figured I'd do what I had too, even with high heels on. As I was preparing myself to climb in he suggested that it would probably be a better idea if he road in the back while I drove the pick-up back to the office.

I would have given anything to have a camera with me, or even a cell phone to call the office and have them take a picture as we drove up. Tim said he got a couple of weird looks. I laugh every time I think about it.

When we finally reached the office (which was only about half a mile away) Tim said that the only thing he regretted was not wearing a coat. It gets chilly out when you are driving 20 mph with no protection.

weary body

2006-04-11T15:43:00.000-07:00

I do not feel good, but not bad enough to justify staying home from work. A sinus infection is taking over my head making it difficult to want to think. I'm also still having problems with the consistent pain in my left side. The blood tests came back normal, which means more tests. I'm tired of the doctor guessing what the problem is. I just want to know so that I can deal with it.

As close as I get to scrape booking

2006-04-06T17:43:00.000-07:00

I decided that I want to start collecting recipes that I enjoy to eat and would be willing to make. I don't like flipping through an entire cook-book, but rather liked the idea of making my own. Of course I can't just get a small box and throw 3x5 cards into it. I wanted to have some fun with this. I shopped around for a blank recipe book, but didn't find anything that suited me. So I purchased a photo album and figured I could cut 4x6 cards, print the recipe on them and they would fit perfectly inside.

Target has become my number 1 store lately and that is exactly where I found this baby. I also found multi colored paper that will look great inside. Now I just need to find the time to work on it. Maybe tonight. The stickers on the front and side binding are bubble letters. I think I am going to work on it tonight. Now I'm all excited about it again.

Really busy and tired

2006-04-03T17:15:00.000-07:00

Work has increased 3 times over, and has become a bit overwhelming. It is almost a feast or famine deal. Another item added to my stress list which causes me to grind and clench my teeth. However, looking back it makes me very grateful that I was hired during the slow part of the year and had time to learn about the product and refresh my drafting skills.

There is always a positive way to look at any situation!

It only took 5 years...

2006-04-02T20:55:00.000-07:00

I finally had the finishing touch placed on my mission album last month. I have wanted to do this for about three years now, but just never got around to it. I buckled down and found a business that embossed items, selected the font, and now it's finished. You can't tell from the picture but the embossing is actually in a copper color and looks fabulous against the blue-green canvas.

A fun project

2006-03-31T19:07:00.000-07:00

Dad & Bev's home

Living Room

Dining Room - Repainted to cover the sloppy job the contractor did. Bev was very pleased with the yellow. (I'm not sure what happened to the picture but when the film was developed the line on the left side appeared.)

Family Room - painted a celery green, the blinds are going to be replaced, and the color makes for a fun bright color.

My favorite room, the brown on the walls turned out so beautiful.

Bedroom- the walls are actually a grey green color to accent the red.

Work

2006-03-30T19:53:00.000-07:00

My cubicle, although of late it hasn't been this clean.

Sample Library, and lucky me... I'm the one that gets to keep it stocked and organized.

Task chair display

Display of System Furniture

First signs of spring

2006-03-29T18:53:00.000-07:00

It rained today and for the first time it was actually warm while it rained. The trees and flowers are beginning to bloom, one of my favorite times of the year. It was one of those days where I could have been completely content sitting outside all day listening as the rain splashed to the ground.

I have been useless at work so far this week. Not a good thing since it seems to be a busy week. I'm going to try, and try is the key word, to get up early and be at work by 7am. I know what you all are thinking, "yah right, Dena. That'll happen when pigs learn to fly."

Oh ye of little faith. If something is important enough to me I usually have the determination to do it. and this is really important to me right now.

2006-03-28T19:20:00.000-07:00

Bruised knees
sore muscles
the result of playing tag at FHE

A gift to myself

2006-03-21T19:15:00.000-07:00

I received my state tax return and did what any other girl would do... I went shopping! I am quite pleased with my purchase, even though I won't get to use it until I have a home to call my own. Pier 1 had a new dinnerware collection that I just couldn't resist. I love the blue and brown together. I only bought four of each, but figured I could add orange and red plates later on to increase the size of the set.

I also bought a small splash of color for my bedroom... Poppies! My goal is to redesign the room piece by piece. I love poppies. I want a garden full of them someday.

I finally got rid of my spare twin bed which has been taking up too much extra space and I plan to add curtains and a new bedspread in the next couple of months. Some time in the future the mixed matched dressers will all be the same color to help unify them without spending a crazy amount of money for new ones.

questionnaire

2006-03-15T14:11:00.000-07:00

This was one of those emails you get from your friends and then you fill if out and send it to everyone else that you know. I don't usually respond to them, but this one came from a co-worker, and because I'm still fairly new I decided to reply. I thought it would be interesting to document what my answers were, so I've copied them onto my blog.
---------------------------------------------------------------------

> 1. What color are your kitchen plates? Each plate is different, that's the way I like it.

> 2. What books are you reading now? Memoirs of a Geisha

> 3. What's on your mouse pad? Hawaiian Sunset at home, stupid one at work

> 4. Favorite board game? Balderdash

> 5. Do you drink coffee or espresso? Neither

> 6. What is the first thing that you think of when you wake up in the morning? Just 10 more minutes!

> 7. Favorite color? I really don't have one. I enjoy them all.

> 8. Least favorite color? Grey

> 9. How many rings until you answer the phone? 2

> 10. Future Childs name? Olivia

> 11. Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate, but I'm really more of a pizza fan

> 12. Do you like to drive fast? Yep

> 13. Do you sleep with a stuffed animal? Not that I'm aware of.

> 14. Do you like thunderstorms? Yes, I love the sound of the rain and thunder

> 15. What was your first car? Mazda space-cab pickup

> 16. What is your sign? Taurus

> 17. Favorite Ice Cream? Rocky Road

> 18. If you could have any job what would it be? Professional Student

> 19. If you could have any color hair, what would it be? Medium Brown, but when I dye my hair it tends to pull more red pigment from the dye then I would like it to.

> 20. Is the glass half full or half empty? Half full

> 21. Favorite movie? Do I just have to pick just one?.... "Pride and Prejudice", "Red Violin", "Singing In the Rain", "Sabrina", but the one I watched the most in the theaters was "Phantom of the Opera"

> 22. Do you type with your fingers on the right keys? Never. I was too lazy to learn.

> 23. What's under your bed? A bag with my nail polishes

> 24. Dream Date? To actually get asked out on a date!

> 25. Favorite sports to watch? Hockey

> 26. Your single biggest intense pain? Kidney Infection

> 27. Ketchup or mustard? Both mixed together over French fries. Ummm, Ummm, Good.

> 28. Hamburger or Hot dog? You know I love both!

> 29. What is your least favorite season? Probably the Summer time around Aug. It's just too hot for me.

> 30. The best place you have ever been? Oregon Coast

> 31. What screen saver/wallpaper is on your computer right now? Picture of a Lighthouse on a hill

> 32. Favorite Fast Food? McDonald's

My life is filled with stories

2006-03-14T14:24:00.000-07:00

I realized while talking with a co-worker that I can't just give a simple explanation for my actions. It's actualy quite funny. I always add a long narrative to everything. I needed to make a copy of my car key today, and instead of saying "I'm headed across the street to make a copy of a key" I said, "I am headed across the street to make a copy of my car key. I've bent it too many times and it's difficult to get it into the ignition. I haven't quite figured out the trick to opening the truck of my car, and each time I try I end up bending the key. Usually when you open the truck you have to keep the key turned to open it, but with mine it seems to get stuck and when I try to lift the door it doesn't open and bends the key. So I need a replacement." I'm probably one of those people that someone is thinking, "Ahhhh, I wish she would just get to the point."

I was a chatter box as a child... guess I never grew out of it :)

Books on my wish list to read...

2006-03-13T16:32:00.000-07:00

Michael Crichton: "State of Fear"

Ian Caldwell: "The Rule of Four"

Charles Dickens: "David Copperfield", "Nicholas Nickleby"

Mitch Albom: "Tuesdays With Morrie"

Arthur Golden: "Memoirs of a Geisha"

satisfaction

2006-03-09T16:35:00.000-07:00

Why is it that buying new clothes just makes you feel so darn good? I was hesitant to purchase anything new, I'm not really in a position to spend extra money, however I think my eating habits are catching up with me and my clothes fit snugger then desired. So it was off to the store. I bought a couple of new outfits... and now I need to find some new shoes to go with them :)

I'm almost finished with a book that I would highly recommend to read. "Between Two Worlds" by Zainab Salbi and Laurie Becklund. It is an excellent Biography. Zainab recounts her experience as a child growing up in Iraq, her encounters with Saddam Hussein, and how she escaped the war and dealt with the demons from her past. I have never been much of a biography reader, but this was an excellent book.

Wasted money

2006-03-06T16:12:00.000-07:00

I just paid for a dental visit today only to be told that I probably burned the tissue on the roof of my mouth. They asked if I ate anything hot, but the pain started 5 nights ago, and I have absolutely no idea what I ate that day. X-rays were taken to make sure nothing was wrong with the tooth, and they sent me on my merry way. If the sore isn't gone in another week, they asked that I give them a call.

I think I will try and stick to eating softer foods to make sure I don't agitate it further, and hopefully get the dare thing healed up. It's such a drag to have a painful experience every time I try to eat.

I'm glad I went in just to make sure nothing serious was wrong, but it is never a happy feeling paying for something that I didn't really need to pay for in the first place. At least it's not as bad as my co-worker's story. She paid $80 for a vet to tell her that the small lump on her dogs neck was just a zit.

I'm an odd duck

2006-03-03T17:53:00.000-07:00

I usually get motion sickness when reading on anything mobile. I have hesitated taking a book on the daily bus transit due to this fact, but was bored enough to try it. When I read in the mornings I have no nausea, but if I read in the afternoons on the way home I get sick. How strange is that.

2006-03-02T08:17:00.000-07:00

A couple of thoughts ran through my mind this morning.

a. I need a central cooling system installed into my body. Or maybe our bodies have one and mine just isn't working. I thought I was going to die from overheating yesterday on the bus, and that was after taking my coat off. No one else seems to complain about being to hot so I seem to think that the problem lies with me. I am almost always the warmest person in the room. Maybe I should start carrying around with me those portable fans. Oh gosh that brings back a memory. We were on a family trip to Nauvoo and traveling in the suburban. The air flow didn't quite reach the third seat in the back and our parents didn't believe us until they took a turn sitting in the back. So little portable fans were purchased and used as the cooling system for the third seaters. I found a way to prop it up so that I could sleep while it was running. Funny what we remember.

b. I got a really cool idea when I woke this morning to keep traffic from rubber-necking when there is an accident on the freeway. The emergency crew could use hologram walls around the scene of the accident. This way people would pay more attention to their driving and less attention to gawking as they drive by. May even prevent other accidents like fender benders from happening due to rubber-necking.

c. Spring is on its way - the mornings are warming up and getting lighter. I have had to remove the inside lining from my coat if I wear a long sleeve shirt to work. It gets kindof windy in the afternoons, but temperatures reach mid 60s each day.

a rush of Adrenaline

2006-03-01T18:59:00.000-07:00

I have to say that a natural high creates so much energy. I haven't felt this good from an accomplishment in a long time. I almost forgot how it felt. I was asked to design an office to fit 2 employees, the space was a bit small, but workable, and I came up with a great design. I was so proud of myself for putting it together without having to consult with my supervisor first. So far, I have only been able to mimic what I've seen done, so this was a huge step to come up with a layout from scratch. I was even complimented by my supervisor for the design. Gosh, it feels good.

Spirits Uplifted

2006-02-27T22:43:00.000-07:00

FHE was Kareoke night. I had no intentions on singing, but when I saw the song "Deep in the Heart of Texas" I couldn't resist. I totally butchered the song, half on purpose, and had the crowd laughing. It felt good, a high level of energy. A couple more songs followed throughout the evening. "Close to You" sung in a Kermit the frog voice and "Return to Pooh Corner" my favorite lullaby.

I had so much fun, my worries were forgotten... for the night. I am ready for a good nights sleep!

Mondays should be Outlawed

2006-02-27T13:31:00.000-07:00

Mondays and I do not get along. I woke up in a not so very good mood and almost came to tears this morning at work. I have been put in the middle of a project with not enough information or knowledge of what my duties are, and everyone seems to be getting tired of hearing me say "I'll have to call you back." I wish the sales person would just do his job instead of making me the middle man. The negative side of me wants to hand the project back to him and tell him I'm uncomfortable being a sales person, while the positive side of me says this is a good learning experience. Unfortunately my negative side wants to out weigh my positive side right now.

My emotions must be running high.

This weekend was spent dwelling on things I don't have control over, rather then things I do have control over, and I guess the mood has rolled over into today. Just one of those things that happens every once in a while.

Short Sleeve Shirt Weather

2006-02-25T22:23:00.000-07:00

It was so nice today. It was actually warm enough to wash the car myself. I couldn't believe it. I was even tempted to pickup all the garbage that has blown into the yard from the construction site nearby, but not tempted enough. The garbage is still there.

The high was around 55 degrees... so nice.
Almost sunbathing weather :)

one word

2006-02-25T11:17:00.000-07:00

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3842331/

You only need to take one glance at this to know why I pasted it onto my blog.

The Best Time to Do Everything

2006-02-23T14:20:00.000-07:00

http://health.msn.com/womenshealth/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100124484&GT1=7756

BD - Jew

2006-02-22T18:05:00.000-07:00

The name indicated first of all a man of the kingdom of Judah, as distinguished from persons belonging to the northern kingdom of Israel. Its first chronological occurrence in the Bible is in 2 Kgs. 16: 6, about 740 B.C. It has become customary to use the word Jew to refer to all the descendants of Jacob, but this is a mistake. It would be limited to those of the kingdom of Judah or, more especially today, those of the tribe of Judah and his associates. Thus all Jews are Israelites, but not all Israelites are Jews, because there are descendants of the other tribes of Israel also upon the earth. Cf. 2 Ne. 33: 8.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Something learned last night while studying.

Tue

2006-02-21T23:09:00.000-07:00

I so badly wanted to use an excuse to call in sick this morning, but I didn't, and I'm glad I didn't. We were busy and the day went by quickly.

15 Excuses for Calling in Sick

2006-02-21T17:02:00.000-07:00

By Rosemary Haefner, Senior Career Adviser for CareerBuilder.com

It's 6 a.m. and you are about to throw the alarm clock out the window. It's too cold out, you're tired, you had one glass of wine too many last night, you've really got to clean your house, and, most importantly, you haven't had some real bonding time with your couch lately.

"Just call in," you tell yourself. "They can get by one day without me."

So, in your best sick voice, you leave a near-death sounding message for your boss and throw in a cough just to make it believable. Ferris Bueller has nothing on you!

The art of playing hooky
CareerBuilder.com recently took a look at employees who call in sick with bogus excuses. Forty-three percent of workers said they called in sick when they felt well at least once during the last year, up from 35 percent in the 2004 survey.

The most popular motivator for missing work: good, old-fashioned rest. Almost 23 percent of workers said they just wanted to relax and catch up on sleep. Seventeen percent said they just didn't feel like going in, 16 percent attributed it to a doctor's appointment, and 9 percent said they had to catch up on housework and run personal errands.

Three-day weekend or mid-week break?
Thirty-eight percent of workers said they viewed sick days as equivalent to vacation days. The most popular day for calling in sick when feeling well was Wednesday, with 27 percent of workers getting over the mid-week hump by fabricating an excuse. While extended weekend absences were also popular, with 26 percent of workers calling in sick on Monday and 14 percent on Friday, those partaking may have put themselves at more risk of scrutiny.

Your boss is no fool.
Sixty-three percent of hiring managers said they are more suspicious of employees calling in sick on a Monday or Friday. The survey also revealed that some hiring managers were less tolerant of workers playing hooky, with almost one-fourth stating they fired an employee for missing work without a legitimate reason. While the definition of a sick day has evolved, with more employers including mental health and special circumstances in the description, workers should be mindful of company policies and their responsibilities as an employee.

"I was abducted by aliens..."
When asked to share the most unusual excuses workers gave for missing work, hiring managers shared some of their favorite examples:

"I'm too drunk to drive to work."

"I accidentally flushed my keys down the toilet."

"I had to help deliver a baby on my way to work." (Employee was not in the medical profession.)

"I accidentally drove through the automatic garage door before it opened."

"My boyfriend's snake got loose and I'm afraid to leave the bedroom until he gets home."

"I'm too fat to get into my work pants."

"God didn't wake me." (Employee didn't believe in alarm clocks and thought a higher power would wake her when she was ready.)

"I cut my fingernails too short, they're bleeding and I have to go to the doctor."

"The ghosts in my house kept me up all night."

"I forgot I was getting married today."

"My cow bit me."

"My son accidentally fell asleep next to wet cement in our backyard. His foot fell in and we can't get it out."

"I was watching a guy fixing a septic pump, fell in the hole and hurt myself."

"I was walking my dog and slipped on a toad in my driveway and hurt my back."

"My house lock jammed, and I'm locked in."

Rosemary Haefner is the Vice President of Human Resources for CareerBuilder.com. She is an expert in recruitment trends and tactics, job seeker behavior, workplace issues, employee attitudes and HR initiatives.