a call for excitment

Since 2008 is a big (and by big I mean dreaded) year for me I decided back in January I would do something exciting or unique every month. January was a weekend of snowboarding, February was a trip to Kauai, and March....eek I don't know! I need some suggestions. Help please! Keep in mind that I don't do heights and I'm on a budget. I'm open to all (most) suggestions so bring 'em on!

happy birthday

Today is my sister's birthday. She would be 36 if she were here with us today. It has been 17 1/2 years since she died. I can't believe it has been that long. There are many, many great memories. Hardly a day goes by that I don't think of her. There is always something that reminds me of her. It might sound sad to some of you but I'm actually very grateful for the reminders - it helps me remember what life was like when she was on earth.

This is one of my very favorite pictures of the two of us. I keep it in a frame in my room. Love our hair. Love our outfits. Classic!

Kim and I shared a room growing up. Our room was small so we had a day bed. I slept on the trundle. I think my mom and dad got the bed thinking I would put my bed away every day so we would have more space. That rarely happened but it was a good thought! At night we had a deal worked out where I would tickle Kim's back while she read to me out of the book I was reading and then she would tickle my back until I fell asleep. Our beds were close together which made it easy. It was so great. No fighting. Just time spent with my sister. I miss it.

Other things that remind me of Kim....chocolate chip cookies, Diet Pepsi, refills at Walkers, Peter Cetera, Chicago, REO Speedwagon, Pretty in Pink, Patrick Swayze, Sixteen Candles, sewing, gold station wagons (or any car that doesn't go in reverse!), Kenny G, Alabama, Dixie College, Storehouse Market, my brothers, Wet n' Wild in Las Vegas, Days of our Lives, mom, dad, Clearly Canadians, cheesy church music, sneezing just after putting mascara on....the list goes on and on.

Happy Birthday Kimmy Sue! So glad to have you as my sister. I don't come from a super mushy family but I know we all love each other. Such an awesome blessing. Love you all!

Now if someone would just tickle my back until I fall asleep..... :)

indecisive?

What do lime & chili almonds, frosted animal crackers, cherry laffy taffy and pepper jack cheese have in common?? Beside a wicked belly ache?

After a couple hours of snowboarding with friends, we stopped at a gas station to get a quick snack. I wandered around the store trying to decide what to get. I couldn't decide on one thing so I ended up buying all the above mentioned snacks. This illustrates a common theme in my life as of late. I may have a bit of a problem with making decisions - I think this realization is called an epiphany ;). From the tiny 'snack' decisions all the way up to the big 'life' decisions I struggle! Why is that? I thought I had a fear of commitment but now I think what I have is a fear of making the wrong decision. Earlier this week I was talking to a friend about her current relationship. My advice was that she can't live her life thinking 'what if...' (as in what if he isn't the one). Eventually you have to make a decision then pray and hope for the best. Things may or may not work out the way you thought but its better than looking back and regretting time wasted or a pile of missed opportunities.

I should probably take my own advice and stop worrying about all the 'what ifs'. Just might prevent a belly ache next time I stop to get a snack!

kauai 2008

Kauai was simply fabulous! I could definitely get used to listening to the sound of the ocean as I drift off to sleep. And 80 degree weather. And flip flops or sandals everyday. And the feel of island air. And the beautiful flowers. And the palm trees. And....I'll stop.

It was only 4 days but those 4 days were heaven. Thursday night was for exploring the resort & walking on the beach. Friday we went to Kipu falls. It is a really short hike to the falls where there is a rope swing. I was really nervous because the valet at the hotel told us a guy got hurt there the day before. Turns out he was more than hurt...he died. After reading the newspaper article I decided I wouldn't be taking any dives off a waterfall or rope swing. I changed my mind though :) It was scary but I knew I'd regret not doing it. After the falls I went scuba diving where I saw my favorite sea creature - the turtle and heard the symphony of the whales. Pretty amazing to hear! Saturday was a pontoon boat ride of the Na'Pali coast. AMAZING! I was in awe the whole time. It rained for part of the boat ride but I have to say that it made the mountains all the more beautiful. While on the boat ride we saw a couple of whales breech. So cool...especially after watching the Planet Earth movie on the migration of the whales. Dinner and ice cream Saturday night. Sunday was sacrament meeting in Ka'pa and then a drive to the north shore to Hanalei. Along the way we stopped at Wailua falls & a couple other random beautiful spots. The weather was great on Sunday. Perfect way to end a vacation...sun, sand & waves!

*One of many hammocks around the resort. The first morning there I woke up at 5 am and laid on the hammock for two hours. I watched the stars until they faded away and the sun came up. All while listening to the ocean.....*

*Yeah...I could definitely get used to this. Hanalei Bay*

*Sunrise at the hotel in Poipu*

*Na'Pali Coast*

*Wailua Falls*

Thanks for the invite brevans!!

minus one job

I am officially done with job #3. I finished just in time for my trip to Kauai. So nice! It was a little more than I had time or energy for. Hopefully now I can concentrate more on job #1 and school. Tonight I'm finding that I still have a list a mile long of things I need to do. Is there ever enough time?? I'm wondering how I can have too much to do when it is just me that I'm taking care of. How do all of you with spouses and kids do it?? I like being busy but sometimes wonder if I'm busy with things that aren't really all that important...hmmm.....

sick day

I took a sick day on Monday to go snowboarding with my nephew. It was rough but we managed to have a good time :0 T had his first lesson and did great!

I'm off to Kauai in 8 hours...better get to bed

old & dead? NO!

It is true that I am a little sensitive about what my 2008 birthday will bring. Turning the dreaded 2010 or as a friend of mine calls it -the dirty "th" word- is not something I am looking forward to. But what is a girl to do?? It's coming whether I like it or not. To ease the pain I've set some lofty goals for the year and am making sure I have at least one adventure a month! I have been doing a good job of reminding myself that I'm still plenty young...until I began receiving information about Medicare. WHAT?!?! I am not kidding, I get at least one advertisement in the mail a week for various "old people" products...Medicare insurance plans, hearing aids and then this week...this:Seriously?!?!?! I am not dead and not near death and I'm not old!!! Ew! I'll admit it may have set me over the edge a little bit. And I may have slapped the mailman if he'd been close enough. But really...how did I get on these mailing lists? Any ideas on how to put an end to this? Until I figure it out I'll have to keep repeating, "I'm still young, I'm still fun, I'm still in shape, I'm still young, I'm still fun, I'm still in shape...."