tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71638914260692172922024-03-19T03:56:34.322-07:00life, well livedAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06073633715010492538noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163891426069217292.post-63773949423917661152016-01-29T14:48:00.000-08:002016-02-01T10:02:15.421-08:00Oregon: I'm Confused. And Frustrated. And Sad. And Reeling. What About You?<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m deeply bothered. Bothered by it all. I have watched the
video and I still don't think it's clear what happened. I have read the articles—both for and against the occupation. There is a
part of me that wishes I could choose sides as easily as the masses I see
around me. Applauding or condemning, at will, but I cannot. Maybe I know too
much. Perhaps too little? <o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m not here to argue or convince. Merely to try to make
sense of it all for myself. A man is dead. I didn’t know him personally, but I know folks
who did. And from what I can tell, he was a good man, if imperfect. It saddens me to witness
people who cheer his death, and tout that “he got what he wanted”. Probably
because I see it differently. While he may have said he would prefer death to
prison, it seems to me that what he really <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wanted</i>
was to stand up for a cause in which he believed, to support the healthy use of
public lands and to stem government overreach. Were his methods the most
reasonable choice? I don’t know. And I don’t think you can REALLY claim to know
either. All you can know is what you would have done and what you feel is
justifiable for yourself. Unfortunately, we see only a micron of what
is happening on both sides of the story. We see only what each side would have
us see, for that is their reality and all they can ultimately show us. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I concede that you are entitled to your opinion on the
matter, as am I, but when did it become okay to dismiss the life of a man with
complete disregard for the fact that he was a man? Where has our humanity gone?
Have we, as a society, become so incredibly selfish that the death of another
member of the human race is irrelevant? Or worse, a cause for celebration?!?
Can we not agree to disagree without exacting a death sentence? Can we not be
loving and accepting of one another, even when there are differences? And what
of moderation? Isn’t it reasonable that we find a way to use and conserve the
lands simultaneously? Every part of me believes there has to be a way to do
just that. Stewardship over the land has to be the answer. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Unfortunately, moderation doesn’t sell the people. Extremes
do. And if the masses can be polarized under the pretense that one side is wrong
and the other right, victory can be claimed and camp set up on personal moral
high ground. Ironically enough, each side will claim said victory and the right to be on that moral high ground. Go
figure, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Yes. I do know the leaders of the movement. They are cousins,
somewhere down the line. Men I have spent days with at our family
reunion. They are God fearing men who love the outdoors, ranching, horses, dancing, and family. They are tellers of stories and practical jokers. </div>
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To a certain degree, I understand their plight, if only as an observer. I know
the fight over public land usage in the West is tense. I have been privy to it
for as far back as my memory reaches. Whether it’s a fight over land use, water
rights, development, mining, air space, endangered species, or a myriad of
other topics, it has had a place in my life. Still, at the end of the day, he
who controls the water, controls the land out here. It’s just the way it is. Anyone
who tells you that water rights in the desert southwest is an easy matter is
either uneducated or incredibly naïve. There is nothing easy about water rights
out here. Even Senator Barry Goldwater is fabled for saying something along the
lines of “We’ll sell you our gold and share our women but if you come after our
water you’ll have a fight on your hands!”</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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This situation is not black and white from where I sit.
There is no clear right and wrong. There is so much ambiguity and bias that we
may never fully understand the truth of the matter. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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So, I suppose, at the end of the day, my plea is simply
this…<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Seek to understand the whole truth in the matter, not just the truth that
suits your fancy. Be moderate and reasonable as you form your opinions.
Understand that when someone disagrees with you, it doesn’t make that person
inferior, stupid, or evil. Just different from you. Stop the name calling
and belittling. Be willing to ask the hard questions and receive the answers
that come. But most importantly—see the humanity of the situation. There are,
after all, humans on both sides of this fight who are doing what they believe
to be right. <o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06073633715010492538noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163891426069217292.post-17050472960163106912015-09-26T19:41:00.001-07:002015-09-26T19:41:25.570-07:00Fun, Fall and College FootballI recognize that most of you will think I'm crazy for what I am about to say, and that's okay. I feel like it's time this was out there. I always liked being in school. Always. I remember crying the whole way home on my last day of first grade. School was great. We did fun things and I got to learn SO MANY cool things!<br />
<br />
Once I got to high school, I liked being in school so much that I participated in everything! I played volleyball and softball. I was in the madrigals, on the agriculture team, and I did drama. Granted, I always played the 3rd fence post from the left, cause I can't act and I don't really love to be the center of attention, but I was involved. I went to assemblies and pep rallies and football games. I was involved in clubs and I went to dances. I took honors and AP courses and could write a research paper in my sleep--which sometimes I did!<br />
<br />
When I graduated from high school and started college, I took 21 credits both fall and spring semester--and at that point I kinda burned myself out. I think I just did too much. I was working full time as well and trying to have a social life on top of my heavy school load...and I just couldn't keep up. I decided that I needed some time away from school.<br />
<br />
I knew that time off for most people was a lifetime sentence. Once you stopped going, it was hard to go back. But I was sure it was what I needed to do. So I took some time. After a year or so, I decided I was ready to go back and finish my Associates degree. If I pushed hard for just one semester, I could finish up. So that's what I did. And then I took some more time.<br />
<br />
Finally, in the summer of 2004, I decided it was time to go back and get my Bachelors degree. In January of 2005 I started school at the University if Utah--which in and of itself is quite the story, but I'll save that for another time. My first semester at the U was hard. I didn't know anyone, and my roommates were pretty much crazy. I spent a lot of time driving home to St. George. When summer rolled around, I wasn't sure I wanted to go back in the fall.<br />
<br />
But go back I did. And starting fall semester made all the difference in the world. I found some extracurricular activities to get involved in (a huge THANK YOU goes out to all my friends from Encore for making the 05-06 school year so memorable!). And I discovered University of Utah Football!!<br />
<br />
And now, every fall, when college football starts, and my Utes take to the field, I want to be back in college. I want to be on campus, in classes, and I want to be in Rice Eccles Stadium, screaming and cheering with the rest of the MUSS! There is something so energizing about being part of it! I'm not the biggest football fan out there (the NFL does nothing for me), but I love college football, and I am the biggest Utah fan out there! It takes 120 credits to get a bachelors degree, and at my last count I think I have about 226... and I would love to go back! For the sleepless nights spent studying and playing, for the professors who know an endless amount about the things they teach, for the friendships and the memories. And for the football. I would go back.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06073633715010492538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163891426069217292.post-55810678050926579632015-05-04T21:45:00.002-07:002015-05-05T06:26:32.274-07:00RainRain is beautiful. Especially in the desert. And since I have spent my life in the desert, there are few things I love more than a good rain storm. So what is it that I love about the rain? Lots of things!<br />
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First- Rain in the desert gives life. So many people operate under the misconception that there is no life in the desert. I am here to tell you that is incorrect! The desert is teeming with life, if you know where, and when to look for it! From unique wildlife to incredible wildflowers, rain is the sustaining factor for life in the desert. </div>
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Second- Rain is cleansing. I love the way the world feels after a good rainstorm-- as though everything has been cleaned and is fresh and new. The dust settles and the sky is a bit bluer, the grass a bit greener. The birds sing a bit louder and their song carries through the air a bit farther. All that was amiss gets reset when it rains. </div>
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Third- Rain has the power to transform the world. Don't believe me? Visit an area that has recently seen a flash flood. There are few sights more thrilling and more humbling than to witness a flash flood as it cuts a path through the desert, carrying boulders the size of apartments along as though they are weightless, carving and changing the face of the land. </div>
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Tonight. Tonight, it's raining in St. George. And I decided to go for a walk. </div>
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And there was something so therapeutic about it. Recently, feelings of worry, self doubt and inadequacy have been all consuming. My ever present companions as I attempt to figure out where my life should go from here. But something happened as I walked in the rain tonight. I got soaked. And as the drops hit my face, pooled together and started to run, I found myself letting go of a little bit of the troubles I have been holding onto so tightly. </div>
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As I walked, I thought about my Savoir, who suffered on a cross, not just for my sins, but for my sorrows. He can take the pain. He can take the worry, the self doubt and the feelings of inadequacy. He can, and he DID. Now, I just need to stop holding on so tightly. </div>
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I think one of my great limitations is that I tend to be afraid of my capabilities. I'm sure you are all familiar with the quote by Marianne Williamson that reads:</div>
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"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate; our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you NOT to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won't feel unsure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us. It is in everyone."</div>
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So my question is why? Why are we afraid to shine? Why are we afraid of the greatness that we possess? Have we allowed the world to beat it out of us? We all know that misery loves company and when we are down, the last thing we want is someone to make us feel better, right? I mean, if you can't join my pity party, you certainly aren't welcome to have a celebration of your own in my presence. I'm not discounting the value of mourning something lost. There is a time and a purpose to grief. But don't hold on when the time is past. Look forward to the future and remember to stay positive. Some of your best days are still to come!</div>
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So I issue this challenge--to myself and all who are willing. Stop holding on so tightly to the things that make life hard. Instead, give them to the Savior for He knows what to do with them. Forgive a bit more easily. Smile without hesitation. Offer a kind word. Stop worrying. And stop comparing. Surround yourself with those who lift you up and help you to be your very best self!</div>
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Funny, that all of that came from a 10 minute walk in the rain...</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06073633715010492538noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163891426069217292.post-29364426758416822562015-01-01T07:50:00.001-08:002015-01-01T09:12:10.785-08:00The ABC's for my New Year<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Just in
case you have been living in a time warp somewhere and missed the fuss, the
fireworks and the fun, it's now 2015!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Personally, I have never been much of a New Years
Resolutions kind of a girl. For the past several years, I have made a modified
attempt at it, wherein I decide on a focus for the year, rather than setting a
list of resolutions. A few years back, my focus was to simplify. The next year
I set my sights on serving others. And I am happy to report that I feel I have
been successful in this form of resolution setting. Is that to say I have been
perfect in my pursuits?? No way! I made plenty of mistakes. I got caught up in
silly things. I was sometimes very selfish. Still, at the end of these past
years, I could look back and say that I had done something right, and that was
what mattered to me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As I contemplated what I wanted my focus to be in 2015, I
came across a post on Facebook from President Thomas S. Monson that said:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">“At the advent of a new year, I challenge Latter-day Saints
everywhere to undertake a personal, diligent, significant quest for what I call
the abundant life—a l</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">ife filled with an abundance of success, goodness, and
blessings. Just as we learned the ABCs in school, I offer my own ABCs to help
us all gain the abundant life.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 11.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">A
in my ABCs refers to attitude.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 11.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">B
is for believe—in yourself, in those around you, and in eternal principles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 11.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">C
is for courage. Courage becomes a worthwhile and meaningful virtue when it is
regarded not so much as a willingness to die manfully but as a determination to
live decently."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 11.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.5pt;">
<span color:black="" mso-bidi-font-family:helvetica="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: '';" times="">...and it got me thinking. The
abundant life, as he describes it, is a great thing to strive for and I decided
that would be my 2015 focus. So I wrote his ABC's on the whiteboard I keep in
my room. And as I stood there, dry erase marker in hand, I found that the rest
of the ABC's came to me with ease. I almost didn't think about it as I jotted
them down, knowing that the things I was adding to my list would aid me in
achieving the abundant life.</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.5pt;">
<span color:black="" mso-bidi-font-family:helvetica="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: '';" times="">So, I share my 2015 Abundant Life
Alphabet with you now. Pick and choose from it as you like. Take it or leave it
in it's entirety if that is what suits your needs, but these are the things I
feel to be important for me in the coming year: </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.5pt;">
<span color:black="" mso-bidi-font-family:helvetica="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: '';" times="">A- Attitude</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.5pt;">
<span color:black="" mso-bidi-font-family:helvetica="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: '';" times="">B- Believe--in yourself, in others
and in eternal principles</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.5pt;">
<span color:black="" mso-bidi-font-family:helvetica="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: '';" times="">C- Courage-- to live decently</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span color:black="" mso-bidi-font-family:helvetica="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: '';" times="">D- Dedication-- to the things you know
to be right, to your health, to your family and to your friends</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.5pt;">
<span color:black="" mso-bidi-font-family:helvetica="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: '';" times="">E- Embrace the experiences that you
have</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.5pt;">
<span color:black="" mso-bidi-font-family:helvetica="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: '';" times="">F- Faith that good things are going
to happen in 2015</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.5pt;">
<span color:black="" mso-bidi-font-family:helvetica="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: '';" times="">G- Grateful in any circumstance (<a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/grateful-in-any-circumstances?lang=eng" target="_blank">Read President Uchtdorf's talk on this
here</a>)</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.5pt;">
<span color:black="" mso-bidi-font-family:helvetica="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: '';" times="">H- Humility and trust in the Lord
and His timing</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span color:black="" mso-bidi-font-family:helvetica="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: '';" times="">I- Increase your income</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span color:black="" mso-bidi-font-family:helvetica="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: '';" times="">J- Joy in the journey--it's all
about enjoying the small things in life</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span color:black="" mso-bidi-font-family:helvetica="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: '';" times="">K- Kindness matters (Thanks to John Dillon for frequently reminding me of this!)</span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.5pt;">
<span color:black="" mso-bidi-font-family:helvetica="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: '';" times="">L- Live a life worth emulating.
Love much. Laugh often.</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span color:black="" mso-bidi-font-family:helvetica="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: '';" times="">M- Make a difference in the lives
of the people around you </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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N- Never give up!<o:p></o:p></div>
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O- Overcome insecurity and open yourself up to life's
possibilities.<o:p></o:p></div>
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P- Perspective-- keep it positive, keep it eternal<o:p></o:p></div>
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Q- Quality time with the people who are important to you<o:p></o:p></div>
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R- Record your heritage<o:p></o:p></div>
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S-Spend less. Save more. Life is better when it is Simple<o:p></o:p></div>
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T- Time for Travel. It's fun and it creates worthwhile
memories<o:p></o:p></div>
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U- Use your talents to leave the people, places and things
you come into contact with a little better<o:p></o:p></div>
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V- Virtue-- it is important to have high moral standards<o:p></o:p></div>
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W- Wants--keep them reasonable<o:p></o:p></div>
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X- Cut gossip, vanity and selfishness from your life (I
know, cut doesn't start with an x, but let's get real here...what legitimate
word in my vocabulary does?!?)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Y- YOLO! Cheesy, I know. But it's true. Make this year
worth remembering!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Z- Zest for adventure<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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This certainly isn't an exhaustive list, and even as I was
writing I thought of things I could add, but I hope this helps you as you
decide what your resolutions will be in the coming year. Most of all, I hope
that this year is filled with an abundance of goodness, success and blessings,
because we all need more of that in our lives.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Wishing you a happy, safe, and wonderful 2015! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06073633715010492538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163891426069217292.post-19477165117074072932014-08-17T20:32:00.001-07:002014-08-17T20:45:11.210-07:00The Grand Canyon Escalade <div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">There's a never ending battle between progress and preservation
and it can be difficult to know which side of the battle is the right side of
the battle. Like a tight rope walker suspended in air with nothing but a wire
and my own balance to keep me there, I often find myself rocking back and forth
as I try to find the balance. I mean, let's get real here- there are some
aspects of progress and development for which I am incredibly thankful. Can you
say indoor plumbing and electricity? As much as I am an outdoor enthusiast and
love to spend time camping, I am ALWAYS thankful for the opportunity to take a
nice hot shower at the end of a camp out. And anyone who has ever had to take
care of business in the questionable conditions of some outhouses is likely to
sing the praises of a flushing toilet!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">But here's the thing...as mentioned in the
previous paragraph, I am an outdoor enthusiast. I love camping and hiking in
the back country. I grew up outside and I enjoy being able to be in the
solitude of nature. I feel such a sense of accomplishment when I spend a
weekend carrying everything I need to survive in a pack on my back. I know,
it's not for everyone, but there is a group that it is for. I belong to that
group.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">In addition to spending my leisure time
out in the back country, as many of you know, I spend my summers working in the
Grand Canyon. In my humble opinion, the Grand Canyon really is the last
"Great Unkonwn" of civilized America. Even with all the exploration
that has been done, the maps that have been created and the goal of bringing
the Grand Canyon into the "civilized" world (you can now explore the
entire length of the main river corridor via Google maps) the Grand Canyon has
been able to maintain its air of pristine isolation. Cell phones don't work in
the canyon. Neither do computers. A vacation to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
is still about getting back to basics, living in the moment, enjoying nature
and reconnecting to the more primal side of life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Grand Canyon National Park itself boasts
just over 1900 square miles. Add in the surrounding undeveloped areas in the
form of National Recreation Areas and tribal land and that number increases.
It's the type of place where a lifetime of exploration can be spent without
ever truly seeing all that it has to offer. It is a place where you can go to
reconnect--with nature, with your family, with yourself. It is a place where all that matters
is the here and now. It is a refuge for the spirited adventurer, yet still
accessible to the masses by way of a commercially guided trip. (And for my
money, that sounds pretty well balanced as it is!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">And now, the point of all my ramblings up
till now: A new development threatens the unique solitude that is Grand
Canyon. Proposed at the confluence of the Little Colorado River (LCR) and the
Colorado River itself is a project called The Grand Canyon Escalade.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The Grand Canyon Escalade is basically a
tram ride (similar to the Palm Springs Ariel Tramway) that would take
passengers from the rim to the bottom of the Grand Canyon at the confluence of
the LCR and the Colorado River. In conjunction with the tram, there is a
proposed amphitheater, shopping experience, and restaurant. Oh, and did I
mention the hotel that will be going in during the future expansion stage?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Just the thought of what something like
this will do the Grand Canyon breaks my heart. Allowing this to happen would be
a disservice to all who come to the Grand Canyon seeking adventure and solitude.
There are countless places where one can take in a show, have dinner and do
some shopping, but the number of places where one can go to truly experience
the peace of seclusion is rapidly declining.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I certainly don’t consider myself a
conservationist, but I do think there are times when it is important to protect
what we have. So I'm asking you this. Will you take a stand? Will you let your
voice be heard on this matter? Educate yourself and make your decision. I know
that I have made mine. If you would like, I encourage you to join with me in
signing <a href="http://grandcanyontrust.nonprofitsoapbox.com/escalade" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">this petition to stop the escalade.</span></a> If
it hadn't been for the opposition of people just like us, we would have lost
the Grand Canyon back in the 1950's and 60's to the Marble Canyon Dam and the
Bridge Canyon Dam. But the voice of America prevailed and preserved one of the
world's great natural wonders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I could go on and on about the Grand
Canyon, but instead, I will leave it to President Theodore Roosevelt, who in
1903 stated about the Grand Canyon, "Leave it as it is. You cannot
improve upon it, and man can only mar it. What you can do is keep it for your
children, and for all who come after you, as the one great sight which every
American...should see." (and we don’t need a tram to be able to see it!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">It's the age old battle-progress or
preservation. No matter what you decide on this one, shouldn't you at least
have an opinion?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihjzWd64ssM_KLeJJyK2h7JlN1EsC-tR-kJtAS_FbU6DOHOj4j17IRfzmyQ5setoyTUWcVUeIr6KYRRS_tK5wGUTD0kJNCxl5EzacNM95USFVWKXP-PFD3O9n8ZQeB57QHE-GNKlqb7Dk/s1600/1928291_14298750533_7708_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihjzWd64ssM_KLeJJyK2h7JlN1EsC-tR-kJtAS_FbU6DOHOj4j17IRfzmyQ5setoyTUWcVUeIr6KYRRS_tK5wGUTD0kJNCxl5EzacNM95USFVWKXP-PFD3O9n8ZQeB57QHE-GNKlqb7Dk/s1600/1928291_14298750533_7708_n.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
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Looking up the LCR from the confluence</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmAESeUl8UXSMU1m3ywlE6KQriO_avHqrTfPA-au1uOAMQrO8HSC9k5OpDLI3TFu53Kt-dPgI1sKWJVlO_sGVOASN0Bu-HHgPwT43S9zNMPYOJfKpsP6CGSjeZj4WhzYFcCQSDWaTzf7c/s1600/P5292962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmAESeUl8UXSMU1m3ywlE6KQriO_avHqrTfPA-au1uOAMQrO8HSC9k5OpDLI3TFu53Kt-dPgI1sKWJVlO_sGVOASN0Bu-HHgPwT43S9zNMPYOJfKpsP6CGSjeZj4WhzYFcCQSDWaTzf7c/s1600/P5292962.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Looking into the confluence from the the LCR</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06073633715010492538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163891426069217292.post-10669959573498660322014-04-18T18:37:00.000-07:002014-04-18T18:37:49.082-07:00I Have a Tip For You...Unless I ask, please, as my server, don't tell me how much to tip you!<br />
<br />
I get it. Serving at a restaurant can be tough. People ignore you in favor of their cell phones, they are disrespectful, they treat you as though you are less than human and like they are somehow better than you. It baffles me as well. Therefore, I understand the urge to stick it to your patrons, but, at least as far as my money is concerned, it's REALLY not the best way to get good tips!<br />
<br />
Tonight my mom and I went out to dinner. When we were seated our server came to take our drink order. I don't drink soda and my mom doesn't drink caffeine after lunch because it keeps her from sleeping. As a result, we both ordered water to drink. (Boring, I know, but read the vibe of your table, man. If, after several times of you asking I haven't flinched on the fact that I want water, please, quit trying to upsell my beverage choice!)<br />
<br />
Our meal arrived and we shared a very enjoyable dinner. It tasted great and we had fun chatting while we ate. As we were finishing up, I ordered a dessert to go. I don't often order dessert when I am out, but tonight was a fun night with my mom so it seemed like a good idea. When our server returned with our dessert and our to go boxes (cause let's face it, there was no hope of me ever finishing the amount of food on my plate) he dropped off our check. I put the $25 gift card we had in the check binder as well as my debit card to cover the small remaining balance. Our server left to run the cards. Now, this is where the night gets frustrating for me. When our server returned to the table with the receipt for me to sign he had circled suggested tip amounts on the receipt. I was so insulted! Do I really come across as the type of person who is an incompetent tipper? And even if I do, how do you justify such arrogance in yourself as to tell me how much I should be tipping you??<br />
<br />
Now, allow me to share a little of my own personal arrogance--because of the work I do, I tend to be a great tipper. I understand that tips play a huge role in the income of certain jobs and I do my best to take care of my fellow service industry workers. I also understand how a good tip can make a bad day good, and a good day great. I love being able to put a smile on someone's face in such a way. One of my favorite things to do when I have a gift card is to leave the entire amount of the gift card as a cash tip, because I was going to pay for my meal when I decided to go out anyway. It's just a fun thing to do! But I'll tell you, the second I saw those tip amounts circled on my receipt to call my attention to the "appropriate" amount for me to tip, the amount I had been planning to leave was significantly reduced. I really only left what I did because I know that as a server, you are required to tip out to the other people who assist with your tables- the bartender, the busboy, etc.- and those people were fantastic as far as my table went tonight.<br />
<br />
So while I understand the temptation to leave a "subtle" reminder for those you serve, especially if you have been stiffed a time or two, I beg of you, don't do it. Keep the beverages full, a smile on your face and be good at what you do. You will be rewarded for it. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06073633715010492538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163891426069217292.post-56943854693789943372014-04-10T15:52:00.000-07:002014-04-10T15:52:07.319-07:00Weighing In: My thoughts on the Cliven Bundy situation Imagine that you are living in a house that was built by your ancestors. You love this house. It is a piece of who you are, your heritage. It's a beautiful, one of a kind house, well suited to the needs of your family and the lifestyle you intend to live. It has been in your family for just under 150 years, passed down within the statutes of the law, from generation to generation. Each generation has maintained and cared for the house to the greatest of their ability. <br />
<br />
One day, a team comes to your house and informs you they are now in charge of managing your house. There are a lot of people on the team. They are powerful and influential, and in an attempt to keep the peace, you agree to let them become a part of your life and have occasional access granted to your home. (I mean, you're not unreasonable, and your mother did teach you to share with others.)<br />
<br />
Then, one day, this team shows up at your house and tells you that they are changing the scope of their management practices regarding your house, whether you like it or not. You are now going to be confined to living in only a portion of the house and the rest of the house will be given to some cats. Yep, I said cats. Naturally, you resist. Surely the management team can't just decide that you no longer have access to a portion of your house? Regardless of your resistance, the cats move in and you share your space. Still, you're not willing to give up without a fight. You begin seeking the help of legal council, you go to court, you do everything in your power to stop the management team from coming in and destroying your way of life and taking your home.<br />
<br />
Finally, a court order is issued. It's not in your favor. The management team is coming in to take your home. Supposedly, their action is to protect the cats living in your house, but the same group that is taking your house for the cats is also down the road killing cats because they just can't afford to support them. What is your reaction to the situation? How do you respond to the management agency when they arrive at your home?<br />
<br />
I'll give you a minute to think about it...<br />
<br />
Now, I realize this isn't a direct translation of events as they are unfolding in Nevada. It would be impossible for me to create a scenario that incorporates all the different facets of the situation, but I believe it hits the highlights. I've thought a lot about this situation over the past several weeks and this is my take on it. <br />
<br />
The Cliven Bundy family settled in the Bunkerville, Nevada area in the late 1800's. They established a ranching lifestyle and passed it down from one generation to the next. In 1946 the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) was established and began assisting with the management of public lands-already in use by a family that had arrived approximately 70 years earlier. Then, in 1993, this same management organization (the BLM) comes in and informs the Cliven Bundy family that they are no longer allowed to use the land because it is a habitat for the vulnerable (not yet endangered) desert tortoise. Never mind that the cattle and the tortoise have been sharing the land for the past 120 years without causing the extinction of the species? Never mind that this family's livelihood was tied up in the land? Never mind that just down the road in Henderson, Nevada, the same government forcing Cliven off his land for the desert tortoise was also planning to <a href="http://rt.com/usa/desert-tortoises-euthanize-nevada-024/" target="_blank">euthanize</a> hundreds of the same species due to lack of funding? He was just to succumb to the will of the government and walk away? Wouldn't you resist, if it was your way of life at stake? <br />
<br />
So now an unarmed family is being beaten and attacked. They have <a href="http://www.infowars.com/federal-snipers-train-guns-on-family-for-filming-cattle/" target="_blank">sniper rifles</a> trained on them and when they tried to question the BLM about their belief that the BLM had begun shooting and disposing of the cattle on the range land, one of the BLM officers grabbed a 57 year old woman and <a href="http://instagram.com/p/mmChBWjOkK/%20" target="_blank">threw her to the ground.</a> Oh, and heaven forbid you should try to help that woman up or come to her defense, because that gets you hit multiple times with a <a href="http://beforeitsnews.com/alternative/2014/04/must-see-video-feds-assault-bundy-ranch-protesters-with-tasers-and-k9-dogs-2935342.html?utm_source=http%3A%2F%2Fl.facebook.com%2Fl.php%3Fu%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fb4in.info%252FqXan%26h%3D7AQFsyW-ZAQHMsrVXh47NO8T24IRVzw__T1thknGuVpJ8rg%26enc%3DAZPT8W5vnJjdvU-Evk9fih_9NU7xtsq3AMvZoevSz0qKd0aCYdhKfrRj4bINmE4Vldbhf3jJ9Xe4x5V4ogJXA7iq%26s%3D1&utm_campaign=&utm_medium=facebook-share&utm_term=http%3A%2F%2Fb4in.info%2FqXan&utm_content=awesm-publisher" target="_blank">taser</a>, or at the very least, a threat of German shepherd attack dogs and "you'll be next". <br />
<br />
I'm fairly certain that this is bigger than cattle and range land. The government must stand to gain A LOT over this, because if they don't, I can't imagine them fighting this intensely. I think it's safe to say that the government may have forgotten that they work for the people of the United States, and not the other way around. Whether you side with Cliven Bundy or not, the actions of the BLM, on site in Nevada, are inexcusable. <br />
<br />
Now, for the disclaimer: Yes. I am a Bundy. I am related to Cliven, somewhere down the line. I believe my great, great grandfather is his great grandfather? Someone with better genealogy skills than mine can verify. I'm not claiming 100% innocence for either side of this situation-- such a thing rarely exists, but the BLM, the federal government, definitely crossed a line on this one. At least that's how the view looks from where I sit. Please, keep any posted comments clean and orderly. You are entitled to your opinions as I am entitled to mine. Discussion is one thing, but blatant disrespect for me or anyone else that may post here is not acceptable. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06073633715010492538noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163891426069217292.post-77937358785394303232013-11-12T21:37:00.002-08:002013-11-13T06:47:35.212-08:00PerspectiveI need to get some, I think! The past few weeks have been... tough, but I'm not quite sure I can put a finger on why. Stick with me while I try to figure it out?<br />
<br />
Yes, I recently lost a friend to cancer, and I am mourning that loss. Cole was an amazing person and he will be missed. He definitely went too soon. But there's more to my unrest than that. I'm fairly certain that EVERY person I know has something fantastic going on in life right now. Marriage, babies, promotions at work, vacations, buying a house...and I, I remain in a state of continual homeostasis. The most exciting thing in my life, of late, is the fact that I was able to drive a whole month on the same tank of gasoline.<br />
<br />
Hip. <br />
<br />
Hip. <br />
<br />
Hooray...<br />
<br />
Frankly, it goes to show just how ordinary my life really is. <br />
<br />
I think what's bothering me is the fact that my "ordinary" life is bothering me. I should be happy to be in a state of homeostasis. Who wouldn't want to have a life where they are able to "<span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;">maintain</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">internal</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">stability,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">owing</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">the</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;">coordinated</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">response</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">of</span> [the collective] <span id="hotword" name="hotword">parts</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">any</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">situation</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">stimulus</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;">that</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">would</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">tend</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">disturb</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">its</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">normal</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">condition</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;">function"? That sounds pretty dang great. I have a home, and a job, and a car, and friends and dinner plans next Monday night. And there are several other things that happen from day to day that may not be overly exciting, but are certainly positive points in my life. </span><br />
<span name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;"></span><br />
<span name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;">Unfortunately, we live in a world where it's expected that life should always be exciting. There should always be something major on the horizon. And I'm not sure from where this expectation comes? Is it self imposed? Or is it the byproduct of a social norm that is so focused on obtaining more that we are doing ourselves a disservice by making a simple, ordinary life seem less than desirable? </span><br />
<span name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;"></span><br />
<span name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;">Personally, I think it might be time to get back to recognizing just how great it is to be ordinary. There doesn't need to be some grand event ever waiting on the horizon for us to be able to enjoy what we are doing here and now. </span><br />
<span name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;"></span><br />
<span name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;">So- if you catch me complaining that life is ordinary and never really changes, help me gain a little perspective??</span><br />
<span name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span><br />
<span name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span><br />
<span name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span><br />
<span name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06073633715010492538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163891426069217292.post-69787951356737612812013-10-12T12:50:00.002-07:002013-10-12T12:50:29.937-07:00I Ran A Marathon!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvhFXnUXw6gyXsIdU6FINwv2WoS1VmsvWJrDxnz_TY1pC0u-KVabWekm5qbCguc7LqpOoHKqbdrp0LeV4OToachyuPfLN6Rjo4nk5kvSzK70QdsfYxH7-WfG4mkfDJ6Sg9sYZCuFEL8G8/s1600/1384153_10153325008110534_1508863281_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvhFXnUXw6gyXsIdU6FINwv2WoS1VmsvWJrDxnz_TY1pC0u-KVabWekm5qbCguc7LqpOoHKqbdrp0LeV4OToachyuPfLN6Rjo4nk5kvSzK70QdsfYxH7-WfG4mkfDJ6Sg9sYZCuFEL8G8/s320/1384153_10153325008110534_1508863281_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was 3:53 in the morning on October 5, 2013. As is usual
for me, I was awake a few minutes before my alarm started to chime. I could
already feel the excitement and nervousness in my body. I was going to run a
marathon and I was apprehensive before I ever got out of bed. It was something
I never thought I would do in my life. I never did like running. And who in
their right mind would subject themselves to 26.2 miles of it?? Nonetheless,
there I was-running gear on, lacing up my running shoes to take on a challenge
for which I wasn’t totally sure I was ready. My training had been severely
disrupted by river season and my longest run to that point was about 5 miles…Yikes!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I drove to the Recreation Center I noted
all the traffic on the road. Far more than is usual for 5:00 am in St. George.
I thought for sure I would have been better off to just walk from my house, but
it was cold outside, and I didn’t want to. I decided to risk finding parking at
the recreation center and I was successful. It was a small and simple triumph,
but it was the first one of my day.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I walked into the building I felt the warmth inside. Part
of it was simply the temperature difference from the cold outside, part of it
was the familiarity of the building (I have had an office inside for the past 2
years now), but mostly it was the friendly faces of the people inside. My
coworkers, who have become my friends over the past two years, were there,
sleep deprived and dead on their feet, to greet me and offer words of
encouragement. Brianna hugged me and said, “By the end of the day, you will be
a marathoner!” </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Because I work for the city (with races and events, in
particular) I was afforded a few special privileges at the marathon. Of note
was the ride to the start line. Rather than ride a bus to the start, I piled
into the lead vehicle with 8 other people and we drove to the start. On the way
up, Aaron talked about his running strategy and commented how far the drive
was. It took all my self control not to reach over and smack him for that! I
was doing everything I could to hold back my panic about the distance and the
most seasoned marathon runner I know, the guy who is responsible for this act
of lunacy in my life is saying it’s a long way!?! If it’s a long way for him, I
know it’s going to be considerably longer for me! I find the nerves weighing in
again.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finally, we arrive at the start line. It’s a crisp 38
degrees but the runners don’t seem to feel it. The atmosphere is charged with
energy and pumping with music. The excitement is contagious! My nerves are
still there, but I am finally starting to feel like this is something I will be
able to do. At the last second, my friend who had considered running with me
decides she isn’t prepared for the run, and she is going to ride back to the
finish line with Kami. I take off my warm pants and hand them to her before she
leaves and wander off into the mass of runners. From out of nowhere a pair of
arms is around me. It is my friend Amy! I didn’t know she was running, but
seeing her there bolsters my spirits and helps give me strength to do this! We
talk and laugh and sing along with the music until it is time to start. As we
crowd into the start line chute I think about my boss Aaron, starting with the
leaders. He is the reason I am doing this. He is an incredible runner and will
be finishing the race as I cross the halfway point. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As the sky begins to glow on the eastern horizon, the race starts
and a crush of crazy people make their way across the starting line and head
down Highway 18 toward St. George. I settle into an easy pace, knowing I have a
long way to go, and not wanting to kill myself before I ever get started. The
first miles go by easily. I have run this far plenty of times. I am prepared
for it and it feels good. I find myself enjoying the run. As I make my way down
the course my thoughts are everywhere! “It is such a beautiful day!” “St.
George has such incredible scenery!” “I am probably insane for doing this!” “I
wonder how Aaron is feeling (he was out of training with an injury for 6 weeks
but made a remarkable comeback just in time to run)?” “How many of my friends
are doing this?” “Will I ever do something like this again???” On and on it
went!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At mile seven, the course goes through Veyo. It’s a small
town but EVERYONE who lives there comes out to cheer on the runners! There is
music and food and fun. People make signs and I find myself laughing as I read
them. One sign reads, “If it was easy, I would have done it!” and I think about
how true that statement is about to become. Just south of Veyo is the first
major challenge in the marathon- Veyo hill! It is a steep climb for the first
mile, but that’s not what makes it hard. It’s hard because for 2 miles after
the steep climb, there is a more gradual, but steady continuation of uphill to
overcome. I haven’t run this stretch often, but I have run it recently. During
the Red Rock Relay, just a couple weeks before, I was lucky to run this stretch
at 2:30 in the morning. Knowing what I was in for, I began my climb. It was
tough-at the top of the steep incline, the wind was crossways and biting cold.
For the first time in 9 miles I found myself wanting out. But I had made it 9
miles already! I was on a good pace, I felt good and I was determined to keep
going. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So go I did. The next several miles passed in a blur. At 13
I was starting to really feel the ache in my muscles and stopped for some Icy
Hot on my quads. Then, at 15, it happened. I was running along when the muscles
in my calves started to ripple and cramp. I couldn’t run! I could barely walk,
but I knew I had to walk. Ahead of me I saw a tall figure I thought I
recognized. I fought through the cramping until I caught him, and sure enough,
it was Will! As soon as we were close enough he threw his arms around me and
asked how I was doing? He could tell I was hurting and passed me some salt pills.
Turd’l also passed me a piece of “magic gum” that was going to help with the
cramping. I knew it was all in my head, but it helped! Here was the support
system I would need to get me to the end of the race. Will said that as long as
I could keep with the group he was pacing I would be able to make the cutoff in
time and I would finish the race! He told Turd’l to keep me moving, no matter
what!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At 19, there is another hill to climb. Not as steep as the
one in Veyo, but by 19 you are way more tired than you were at 7! I wasn’t sure
I could do it, but Turd’l stayed with me and kept me moving. I ran through 20,
but at 21 the pain in my ankles was almost more than I could take. I wanted in
the shuttle van more than anything in that moment. In my moment of pain and
suffering, just when I thought I couldn’t take another step, 2 of the women
with Will’s group came up on either side of me. I was limping some and they
could see that I was in pain. They passed me some Advil and one put her arm
around me and walked with me (who are we kidding? She basically carried me…)
for the next half mile. When the shuttle stopped briefly to see how we were
doing, the whole crowd yelled at him to continue on because I wouldn’t be
needing a ride- I was going to finish!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I passed the cutoff point at 23 the Advil was kicking in
and I realized I really was going to make it. I still didn’t feel good, and I
still started to cramp every time I tried to run, but the finish was in sight.
The mental game was over and I knew I could finish. I turned the corner off the
highway and onto Diagonal Street to hear a very distinct whistle. It was my
family! They were down the road waiting for me with signs and support. Seeing
them there, cheering me on and supporting me through this brought me to tears!
My sister walked the last 2 miles with me and as we walked she told me about
how they had all decided to train and run the marathon next year! It was a very
exciting and proud moment for me. I couldn’t believe that my insanity had
rubbed off onto them, but it had! As we neared the finish line, Camellia told
me to pick it up and run it in. So I did. Cramping calves forced from my mind,
I pushed myself into a run to cross the finish line. As I drew near, Aaron was
there waiting for me and ran in with me. My name was called over the loud
speaker and I knew I had made it! Smiling wide, tears in my eyes, I crossed the
finish line to a waiting group of coworkers- Kami, Dawn, Melea, Brianna,
Michelle, Nikelle, Hollis, Jess, Aaron- all there to support me, most of us in
tears! I suppose that is the other advantage of working where I do. Every
person involved with the marathon is someone I know. Someone I work with.
Someone from whom I drew support. Once the hugs and tears were under control
there, I found my family for another round of hug and tears!</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Later that day as I talked with my family, my sister,
Belinda, asked me about my experience. “What do you take away from this?” she
asked. I’ve thought about it a lot since then, and my answer is this:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Running the St. George Marathon was absolutely the hardest
thing I have ever done in my life. But it is also one of the most incredible
things I have ever done. The running community is amazing. The atmosphere, the
camaraderie, the love and support- there is nothing else I have ever
experienced that is quite like it. I was carried down that course by more than
my own legs on October 5<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>. I was carried by the energy of the mass
of runners, by the people who believed in my ability to finish, by people who
stopped by in the days before the race to wish me luck and drop off gifts, by
my family, my friends, and by complete strangers, who saw I was hurting, who
saw I was in need and put their own pain aside to help me through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t set any records for time. In fact, I
was a lot slower than I thought I would be due to the cramping I experienced.
But I made it! And when I crossed that finish line I felt liberated, empowered,
like I could do anything! And at the end there was a powerful group waiting to
celebrate my accomplishment with me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On that day, and every day since, I have thought about this
experience and it has given me a perspective I am so thankful for. Everyone
should run a marathon because then you will understand what I learned that
day-about myself, about other people, about life. You will learn something that
only runners really know-it isn’t about how fast you get there. It’s about
who’s waiting for you at the end! </span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06073633715010492538noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163891426069217292.post-89158291019339924552013-09-17T07:59:00.000-07:002013-09-17T07:59:02.139-07:00At The EndSometimes things happen in life that can change the way a person sees things. These things make us better, stronger people, and in my case, give strength to keep going on those difficult days when you just want a pass card on life! <br />
<br />
On September 3, a man from St. George was killed in an auto/pedestrian accident. His name was Braydon Nielsen, and I really didn't know him. Through my job I had seen his name and probably his face, but we had never had a conversation. But because of my job, when Braydon passed, I had the opportunity to learn a bit about this kind and amazing man who inspired the people around him. He is the kind of person I want to be. I won't take the time to tell you his story, but if you are interested, you can learn about him <a href="http://www.ultraspire.net/blog_posts/a-beautiful-spirit/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2288bb;">here</span></a> or <a href="http://www.fastcory.com/2013/09/life-lessons-i-learned-from-braydon.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Suffice it to say, his story is worth reading. <br />
<br />
The significance of Braydon's story in my life came about a week after his passing. Lyndy Butler, a local musician, was commissioned to write a song for Braydon and thanks to the ever informing world of Facebook, I was introduced to a sweet and simple song with a powerful message. It is undoubtedly my favorite song right now. I listen to it multiple times a day. You can listen to it <a href="http://lyndybutler.com/track/at-the-end-braydons-song" target="_blank">here</a>, if you would like-and I recommend you do! It is applicable on so many different levels. <br />
<br />
I am often guilty of getting caught up in wanting what I want right now and I fail to see the world around me. It's incredibly selfish, and a trait I am not necessarily proud of. This song is a gentle reminder to me that:<br />
<ul>
<li>When life is difficult we need to keep moving forward with a smile</li>
<li>Everyone is facing a struggle we know nothing about and we need to be kind to one another</li>
<li>I am lucky to have amazing friends and family who are waiting to help me in my time of need</li>
<li>If we surround ourselves with people who love us, the hard things in life are a little less hard</li>
<li>Things happen on the Lord's timetable-not mine</li>
<li>My Heavenly Father loves me! (for those of you who don't know, I am LDS and you can learn more about what I believe at <a href="http://www.lds.org/">www.lds.org</a>) </li>
<li>You don't have to win to be a winner, just gotta be somebody's friend-</li>
<li>It's not about how fast you get there...It's about who's waiting for you at the end!</li>
</ul>
Even though the last few weeks have been tough, and I have faced some difficulties, I have found my way through by putting one foot in front of the other. I am incredibly blessed and thankful to each of you for your part in making me the person I am. I look forward to seeing you all, At The End. <br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06073633715010492538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163891426069217292.post-11353814306457447222013-03-10T14:57:00.000-07:002013-03-10T15:03:50.285-07:00Who Said Running Is Fun?!?! I am 31 years old and have never called myself a runner. Running was only something I did in high school because my coach made me. It was usually a punishment for something--missed serves, a lost game. Therefore, my conditioning the past 15+ years has been to think of running as a punishment. Add to that the fact that I have exercise induced asthma when I run and you can easily see how running has been a completely negative thing for me, right?<br />
<br />
Then, about a year ago I started the job I am currently in. Races and Special Events for the City of St. George. It's fun. Stressful, but fun. Though there are things about my job that make me crazy from time to time, there are also lots of perks. One such perk is working with my boss. We are polar opposites, he and I. I am all about order and organization. I like to get things done in a timely and often linear manner. A+B=C for me. Aaron, on the other hand, is totally random. He is all about having fun and has the attention span of a goldfish. But I love working with him. I have learned a lot from him. <br />
<br />
One thing in particular-- I have learned that running is not necessarily a punishment. It can be fun, if you do it right. So what does it mean to do it right?? Well, I figured that out this past weekend. A few weeks ago I decided to run the St. George marathon in October. It had a lot to do with Aaron. He is addicted to running (not to mention VERY good at it!) and has been telling me for a year now that I should run the marathon. I told him he was nuts. But recently I have felt like I needed a goal to work toward, and this seemed to make sense. Especially since I spend my days in close quarters with the best runner in the area. <br />
<br />
I'm sure you're wondering what this has to do with running being fun? Well, I'm about to tell you. Yesterday, I ran in my first race ever. It was hard. I had no idea what I was doing. I haven't been running enough to really be ready for what I did, but I did it. It was great! If you are familiar with Red Rock Relay, you will know what I am talking about. If not, let me explain.<br />
<br />
Red Rock Relay is a race series, kind of like Ragnar. They offer 4 different Red Rock Races. Park City, Moab, Zion (this is the longest and the largest, I believe) and, new this year, Dixie. That's the race we ran. Because we work closely with Red Rock, we trade race entries back and forth on a fairly regular basis. As Dixie approached, I mentioned to Aaron that it would be fun to run it. He could have said no. He could have put together a team of elite runners, like himself, who run 5 minute miles. But he didn't. He let my slow little legs take on a race they weren't prepared for, with a team that couldn't have been better. They were all so fun, so kind and so patient with me. Cheering me on when I was dying and laughing with me as we drove the course while other team members were running much more challenging legs. <br />
<br />
The weather wasn't perfect. It was cold and windy. There was snow on the ground in places. But there is something amazing about the camaraderie that develops during a race like this. It was just fun! So a huge thank you to my team from yesterday. Kyle, ConnaDay, Shiloh, Aaron, and Jill--I had a blast and because of your influence there has been a shift in my thinking. Running isn't a punishment. It can be fun! <br />
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Am I sore today? Yes. Would I do it again? In an instant. Who said running was fun??? That was me!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06073633715010492538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163891426069217292.post-30952182189900845732013-02-16T10:06:00.000-08:002017-01-02T15:57:49.334-08:00People Who Live At The End Of Dirt RoadsI split time growing up between St. George, UT and the Arizona Strip. I claim both places as home. My family was not then, and we are not now affluent. But we got by just fine. Not once do I remember going to bed hungry as a child-unless it was because I chose to throw a fit over what we were being served for dinner! I lived in a lovely home my parents built, where I shared a room with siblings until enough of them moved out that I was able to have my own room. I had a car in high school. A 1977 Pontiac Bonneville! It wasn't new, nor was it fancy, but I had one. I have been on fantastic trips to places many can only imagine. I was very blessed in this regard.<br />
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But I often feel I was more deeply blessed by my time spent on the Arizona Strip. I had the wonderful opportunity as a child, to glimpse what it might have been like to live in the olden days. I learned the meaning of hard work, even if I didn't appreciate it at the time. I know what it is to cook over open flame (and I'm not talking about a gas stove, here), to sleep on the ground, to be so cold you think you will never be warm again and so hot you are willing to brave the muck around the edges of the water in the cow pond as you run in, full speed! I've consumed water from cow troughs and eaten cold beans from a can when we were just too tired to care about warming them up.<br />
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Don't get me wrong. I appreciate the comforts of my life. There is a balance to be found. Nothing is quite so soothing as a hot shower when you have been on the trail for days, when the dirt is etched into the lines on your face and cracks in your hands. But sometimes I think that life is much simpler in the dirt. Sometimes, I really miss living at the end of a dirt road! Which brings me to this...<br />
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Years ago, when I was still working at the Bar Ten Ranch in the summer, there was a great old cowboy who lived on the ranch full time. We all called him Uncle Verdon. He wasn't really my uncle, but I suppose he may as well have been. He'd known me for as long as I was alive. He was a very unique person and I loved hearing his stories about his youth. He was a fantastic storyteller! One day when we were talking he passed me a paper with a story printed on it. The words sunk into my soul and every so often I think back on the message contained therein:<br />
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<strong>People Who Live At The End of Dirt Roads: We had better values when the roads weren't paved. By Lee Pits</strong><br />
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Do you really want to know what is wrong with American society today? <br />
Too many of our roads have been paved. <br />
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There's not a problem in America today--crime, education, drugs, the divorce rate--that could not be improved with more dirt roads. <br />
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Dirt roads build character. People who live at the end of dirt roads know that life is much more enjoyable when taken at a slower pace. They know that life can be dirty, boring, and jar you right down to your teeth at times. They also have a greater appreciation for what's waiting at the end of the bumpy ride--their home, their kids, a frisky dog and a loving spouse. <br />
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We wouldn't have near the trouble with our educational system today if more kids still lived at the end of dirt roads and had to take the bus to school. In the old days, buses usually wouldn't go down dirt roads, so the kids had to walk to the bus stop. In doing so, they got a lot more exercise than they would sitting in front of television for hours on end. Kids often learned more on the bus then they did in the classroom, too. Bus riders seldom became social misfits. Kids learned how to get along, how to make conversation, and often did their homework on the bus. Usually, the last kid to get off the bus at the end of the route was the smartest kid in the class. <br />
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At the end of dirt roads youngsters soon learned that bad words tasted like Ivory Soap. An older brother or sister took real good care of a younger sibling because often they were the only ones to play with--or to blame things on. The children knew that play time couldn't come until the chores were done; but they would secretly tell you that when the chores were done, so was a lot of the real fun. Bottle feeding the calves, collecting eggs and feeding the horse wasn't really work, at least not to a country kid. <br />
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There was less crime in our streets when most of them were dirt. Criminals just didn't walk two miles of dirt road to rob or rape, because if they did, they were apt to be welcomed by five barking dogs and a double-barrel shotgun. People peddling vitamin supplements and religion stayed away in droves. There were no drive-by shootings either. <br />
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We had much better values when the roads were worse. Grown-ups didn't cherish their cars more than their kids. Country folks didn't drive $50,000 foreign cars down roads that were like corrugated iron. Instead, they drove pickup trucks that pleaded in the dust on the tailgate, "Please wash me!" but no one ever did. Why bother? It would just get dirty again. <br />
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People were much more courteous in the days of dirt. Drivers didn't tailgate, because if they did, they would choke on your dust or get a rock through their windshield. Dirt roads taught patience. <br />
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Fancy folks didn't use hair spray or mousse gel in their hair in the days of dirt roads. If they did, by the time they got to the end of a road, their thirty-five dollar haircut would be a sticky, gooey, filthy mess. Butch wax was bad enough. <br />
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Most paved roads led to a dead end. Dirt roads, on the other hand, most likely ended at a fishing creek or a favorite swimming hole. At the end of a dirt road, there was no need to arm your alarm or lock your car, unless it was to keep the neighbor from filling it with zucchini. <br />
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Dirt roads were much more environmentally friendly, too. You just didn't hop in your car and deplete the ozone layer to run to town to get a quart of milk. Instead, you went outside and milked the cow. You walked down to the end of the driveway to get the mail--usually catalogs from which you ordered everything from china cups to calico. If it rained and the road was washed out, you just stayed home, maybe even had a family conversation. Remember those?<br />
At the end of a dirt road, there has always been extra income when a city dude got his car stuck and you had to pull him out. Usually you received a dollar or two; always, you got a new friend.<br />
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Now many of our roads have been paved over and some call it progress. Where do these roads lead? Mostly to trouble, I'd say. <br />
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This country was a lot better off when most of our people lived at the end of dirt roads.** <br />
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Now, I'm certainly not saying I agree with every word spoken in this story, but the overall theme, the feel of the message has value for me. Isn't it time that we rediscovered what is really important in life? Family, friends, love, service! <br />
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With cell phones and the internet, everything has become so easily accessible that we seem to be constantly living in fear that we are going to miss out on a better offer... Are we so ill-content with what we are doing that we cannot simply take joy in the moment? <br />
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So, turn off your phone, and take a walk down a dirt road. I know I will. <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06073633715010492538noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163891426069217292.post-39976008018019346242013-01-29T20:58:00.002-08:002013-01-29T20:58:34.760-08:00Vegetables Aren't Just For Diets AnymoreMy sister and her family live in St. Louis, MO, so I don't get to spend nearly enough time with them. One day, when I have access to my own private jet, I will be able to fly back and forth at will, but for now, I have to settle for phone calls and a visit every year or so...It's not enough, but I take what I can get. <br />
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So, earlier tonight, my sister and her kids were stuck in their basement due to a tornado warning in their area.In a state of complete entrapment and utter boredom, they turned to me for entertainment! I feel so special! I got a text message asking if I wanted to Skype. As I had some free time, I jumped at the opportunity to chat with my sister and her girls for a while. <br />
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Through the course of our conversation we discussed a variety of topics. I got to see my sweet nephew- who is nine months old now, and I still haven't had the chance to meet him. I'm really looking forward to getting him out here so I can spoil him rotten for a while! Anyway, as per the norm when a single gal is talking with her sister (and in this case her 14 year old niece), we got around to the current state of my dating life. It's always a source of entertainment for me to tell about the recent dates I've been on. The good, the bad, the ugly (and I'm not talking physical features here...!). <br />
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I generally share a few of the highlights, my sister asks what the future holds, I tell her I don't know for sure but that I am looking forward to finding out and then we move on to a new subject. It's pretty standard procedure. Tonight, however, we had a little variation in the routine. I don't think I have ever come out of a dating conversation laughing as much as I did tonight. (Well, maybe once before I did. Remind me sometime to tell you the "There's your hand!" story.) Anyway...as I was wrapping up one of my dating stories, my niece chimes in "You need a fresh vegetable from the garden. Not an old moldy one from the store!" It gave us all a good laugh!<br />
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First, let me just say, I am so thankful for a family who cares about my dating life. Despite the frustration that is sometimes connected with having an involved family, it is nice to know that they love me and care about who I date. They want me to be happy, to have the very best! I think that's pretty incredible. <br />
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Second, I guess vegetables aren't just for diets anymore. To all the single gals out there- it appears we need to be looking for fresh vegetables from the garden. Not old moldy ones from the store! It's good advice for diets and for dating. <br />
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Who would've guessed?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06073633715010492538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163891426069217292.post-11861021626920646282013-01-20T18:56:00.003-08:002013-01-20T18:59:07.446-08:00Deoderant and Dental FlossI would not really describe myself as a resolution setter. I always feel a little silly. Not to mention, most New Years resolutions are abandoned within the first 3 weeks of January. Instead, I have adopted the idea of setting a yearly theme for myself. It is generally a one word phrase that is displayed prominently in my room and a few other places I frequently find myself. Last year's theme was "Hope". The year before that was "Simplify".<br />
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This year I have decided to take on the theme of "Charity". It has already been a struggle in a lot of ways. I frequently catch myself being less kind than I should be or getting upset about things that are really of little significance. I know it's a yearly theme, and I can't expect to be perfect in the first attempt on this one (or the second or third or fourth or...you get the point!) Frankly, there is a lot of room for me to grow in this particular undertaking! But I find it a worthwhile goal and ask you to help me succeed as I try to progress in this. (And to forgive me when I fail!)<br />
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In addition to having a theme for the year I have also developed (well, in all actuality, stolen) a slogan. And I have set a few goals. I won't bore you with the details of all I am attempting as I do not wish to put you to sleep, but one of the goals I am working on I do wish to share. I decided that from now until June 1st, I will live without making any unnecessary expenditures. This goal was vocalized a few weeks ago as I went through my room and got rid of a lot of things I don't use anymore. As I moved more and more items from my room to the bag of donations I found myself thinking about how much money I spend on a whim. A shirt here, a pair of pants there. It's no big deal, right? I'm single. It's not like I can't afford it. <br />
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I recognize that "unneccessary expenditures" is a very subjective term and can, therefore be twisted to meet the wants of whomever may be making this attempt. And my goal here is cerainly not to deprive myself of everything. I just want to be more aware of my spending habits. When talking to one of my friends about my goal I told her, "Deoderant and dental floss- that's all I am allowed to purchase between now and June! Hold me to it!" Now, that really wasn't a realistic statement, but now, before I make a purchase, I ask myself, "Is this something I really need to fulfill an obligation or maintain my health and well being?" If the answer is yes, great! If, however, the answer is no, I return the item to the shelf, and move on. <br />
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It has been working out incredibly well so far. I have been much more conscientious of my spending and therefore have been able to curb the purchase of unnecessary items that do little more than clutter my life. And you know something else? As I have cut my spending habits I have found that the things I find myself wanting and needing have a way of finding me. It's actually pretty great! At the rate I'm going, I may not even have to purchase deoderant or dental floss! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06073633715010492538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163891426069217292.post-68887538057255724352012-12-11T18:26:00.000-08:002012-12-12T17:49:02.180-08:00Cup Size Does Matter!I had lunch with some coworkers today. We went to a little sandwich shop here in St. George. I ordered some soup and asked for a cup for water. I rarely purchase soda. Especially in restaurants. It's ridiculously expensive. Plus it's not good for you on any level. So I try to avoid it when I can. Don't get me wrong, I have my moments when all I want is a Diet Coke or a regular Pepsi- yep, has to be one or the other- but, in general, I try to stick to water as much as possible. <br />
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Which brings me to this. Why do restaurants assume that because I ordered water I am less thirsty than someone who orders soda? Have you seen the size of soda cups in comparison to water cups? Most restaurants don't carry anything smaller than 16 oz cups for soda, yet they hand me a cup barely larger than a shot glass as a water cup. I understand that the water I am drinking doesn't bring in revenue, but I'm also fairly certain that the costs incurred by giving me a water cup larger than a shot glass are covered somewhere in the cost of my meal. I can make an entire pot of chicken noodle soup for $5.<br />
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I guess I should be thankful for the tiny cups...they help me get in some extra exercise as I generally have to go from my table to the soda fountain to refill my shot glass 3-5 times per meal! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06073633715010492538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163891426069217292.post-56428800668043200192012-12-09T21:26:00.004-08:002012-12-09T22:19:54.330-08:00Wong Tong TartsI'm pretty sure it was the day before Thanksgiving that I was first introduced to the idea of won ton tarts. And I really don''t remember why we are calling them Wong Tong Tarts...I know there was a story, but I just don't remember it! I'm sure Mona could tell it though...<br />
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Anyway, last week I had a dinner thing to go to. One where I was asked to bring a dessert. As it so happened, my sister, Belinda, was also in need of a dessert for something she was doing at work on Thursday. So we decided to get together and make won ton tarts for our respective gatherings. They turned out great, and we received rave reviews all around. Thanks, Mona, for bringing such a simple and crowd pleasing dessert to my life! <br />
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But here is my wong tong tart funny story. It happened on Wednesday. I needed to go to Wal-Mart to pick up a couple items, and figured as long as I was there, I would grab the ingredients I needed for making won ton tarts later that night. Just one problem- where in the heck do you find won ton papers in Wal-Mart??? I had no idea where to start looking. So my mom, who was on this little outing with me, asks the poor guy stocking one of the shelves in the dairy section. <br />
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Mom: "Excuse me, could you tell me where I might find won ton papers?"<br />
Wal-Mart Employee: ... (seriously, I could hear the crickets chirping) Finally, he says, "Hmmmm, I'm not sure. Probably back with the Saran wrap and stuff." <br />
Mom: "Okay, thank you." <br />
Then she turns to me and says, "Maybe you should call Mona and ask her where to find them."<br />
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Okay, so maybe I had more of an idea of where to start looking than I thought. I, at least, knew to look in the food section of the store! <br />
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For the record, you can find them up near the front of the store, with the fruits and veggies and tofu. <br />
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I think they turned out pretty great. You should probably make some for your next holiday party. :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06073633715010492538noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163891426069217292.post-71694251583786443192012-11-22T19:31:00.001-08:002012-11-22T19:42:19.677-08:00The CoolestI know many of you are under the misapprehension that your family is the coolest, but unfortunately for you, it's just not true! Cause my family is the coolest. I hate (and by hate, I mean revel in the opportunity!) to be the one to deliver such news on this day of thanks, but it was time the world was informed!<br />
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Okay, so this is really just my way of saying I had a great Thanksgiving day with my awesome family. We are certainly our own brand of crazy, but that is just part of the charm. I am such a lucky girl, and sometimes I forget just how much I really have. I spent the day today with most of my family gathered around. The ones who couldn't be here in person were with us in spirit and we got the chance to talk, despite the distance between us. <br />
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On top of all that, I had the opportunity to stuff myself to delirium. Thankfully, I also had the good sense to stop before I got to that point. It only took me thirty years to learn that I don't actually have to consume my weight in turkey, mashed potatoes and noodles and pie when I sit down to Thanksgiving dinner. Who knew that the day is so much more enjoyable when you can move, post feast??? I blame you all- somebody should have found the kindness to clue me in years ago! ;) <br />
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Add to all this (I know, now I'm just sounding greedy!) the great friends with whom I spoke today and it's pretty clear that life is good. Thanks to all of you for your part in my life. You have each taught me something, helped me smile when I was down, and/or been in the hot seat next to me when I was in trouble (you know who you are!). Thank you for caring. I hope you all know how important you are to me as well! <br />
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Happy Thanksgiving, and God bless you all. Here's to another year full of gratitude, challenge, fun, family and friends! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06073633715010492538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163891426069217292.post-34556147614198245472012-11-11T21:33:00.002-08:002012-11-11T22:01:50.905-08:00Guilty. Thankfully, Not ChargedThe past couple weeks have been interesting. Lots of highs and lows to find my way through. From one day to the next I have been unsure what to expect, but by taking it one day at a time, I have survived to tonight. And tonight, I am incredibly grateful for a lot of things I am often guilty of taking for granted. The thankfulness I'm feeling didn't happen all in one eye-popping, jaw dropping moment. It wasn't an epiphany, or anything like that. As I have struggled through the last, well, year if I'm completly honest, I have tried to recognize the things I am thankful for. Tonight as I sat at a fireside that seamlessly combined Veterans Day with the Gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I felt inspired to list some of the things that I often overlook in my life, because they are always just there for me. <br />
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My day of thanksgiving began with a Sacrament meeting testimony by a woman visiting my ward from China. She spoke of her conversion and of the things she had to sacrifice for her right to be a member of the Mormon church. She spoke with such reverence about the opportunity to attend Sunday meetings in a chapel, with hymn books and a ward with so many members. Then, tonight, I attended a fireside where we were privileged to hear from the Gooch family. The daughters provided the beautiful music that touched my heart, the parents the message. The story they shared was a parallel of their lives- one an American, free to live as he chose. The other, Cambodian. Captured and enslaved in a concentration camp known as "the killing fields". As they related their story I was overcome with gratitude for all that I have. Tonight, I would like to publicly acknowledge some of the many things I often take for granted.<br />
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First and foremost, I am thankful for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It is true. The people of the church may be imperfect, but the doctrine is completely perfect. I am so blessed to have the knowledge that I do. The knowledge that I have of the Atonement and the way I have begun to see it work in my life is a blessing of the highest order.The knowlege of the covenants and blessings of the Temple and the opportunity to be with my family forever. A loving Father in Heaven, who looks after my needs, even when I don't necessarily recognize His hand in my life. The power of prayer and the feeling of the Spirit and I'll stop here so as not to bore you with my gushing :)<br />
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My freedom. Despite the division in the political arena, this nation is still privileged. We need to remember how blessed we are as a country and strive to be the nation that God would have us be. In addition, I am thankful for all who have, do and will serve. It is because of you that I enjoy many of my freedoms. Thank you for your sacrifice on my behalf. <br />
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My family. We certainly aren't a perfect lot, and there is a lot of truth to my dad's mantra that you don't have to be nuts to hang out with us, but it sure helps. The fact of the matter is that I was blessed with an incredible family. Through difficult times, they support me. When things are good, they celebrate with me. They are there when I need a shoulder to cry on, a helping hand, someone to go to lunch with, and any number of additional activities. I know very few families who are as woven together as mine. And it's not limited to my immediate family- though they are the base of my strength- the extended Bundy Family is amazing. A girl couldn't ask for more. <br />
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My job. It can be exhausting, both physically and mentally. But it's incredibly rewarding as well. I work with some amazing people who truly build me up and want to see me happy. I don't know how common it is to have coworkers who are sincerely concerned with one anothers happiness and well being, but I do know that I have been blessed to have some of the best coworkers over the years. You know who you are- my Bar Ten family, my ARR family, my St. George Recreation family. You all mean so much to me. I think it is a rare treasure to have so many close friends in a work setting, but I have certainly been blessed by each of you as you have come into my life. <br />
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My friends. I have some of the best. I have been lucky to have friends who consistently build me up. They do all that they can to help me succeed. They serve me when they are facing their own difficulties. They listen to me whine when I am upset about work, or dating, or life in general. I don't know if I am just incredibly lucky, or if most people have friends of the caliber I am blessed to have, but I really can't say enough about the amazing friends who support me through the good times and the bad. Who pick me up when I am down. Who are there even when I probably don't deserve them. I love you all. <br />
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The most amazing thing is that so many of these categories overlap in my life. And I could continue-<br />
technology allows me to see my family who are not nearby. My home, my car, the beauty of the seasons, diet coke when I need a little pick me up, the opportunity to go to school, my health, volleyball, music, laughter, tears, people who volunteer at special events, my fleece lined wool coat, books, photographs, seasons of the Gilmore Girls on DVD, the girl who cuts my hair!<br />
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Yep, at one point or another I have taken all of these things for granted. Tonight, I hope to partially rectify that error. I'm guilty, but thankfully, not charged. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06073633715010492538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163891426069217292.post-8771828991777577932012-10-31T21:56:00.001-07:002012-10-31T21:56:31.222-07:00Call Me Old FashionedI suppose I should start with a few acknowledgements: I acknowledge that I am single and have no children. I acknowledge that I cannot actually speak from experience on this matter, and that all I have are my opinions. If you don't want to know them, you should probably just stop reading now. That being said--<br />
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Call me old fashioned. I really don't mind, because I actually am quite old fashioned. I didn't necessarily think I was, but the older I get, the more I realize I am. So, I have noticed a disturbing trend in the world lately. Now, I should probably preface this upcoming rant a bit. Generally speaking, I am not a huge fan of most peoples' kids. I am largely put off by kids who have no respect for...well, anything. Their parents, other people, the world in general. I recognize that there are children out there who have been raised well and still have some respect and a limited sense of entitlement. But I digress....that is a different rant for a different time, and is not really where this particular rant is headed.<br />
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The rant begins here. Despite the fact that I am not the biggest fan of all kids, I am completely confounded by the increasing number of women who are abandoning their husbands, children and wifely responsibilities to reclaim the single life. It is beyond my comprehension how a mother could just decide that she is tired of being a mom and walk away. Maybe it's because I was raised by the best mom a girl could ask for, but I have to ask-are we really living in a society so selfish that we can just decide, on a whim, that the vows we made can be cast aside as if they never were? Not to mention the fact that, at some point, you made the decision to bring that life into the world. Where is the sense of responsibility? Why is it suddenly acceptable to simply decide that getting married and having kids is not what you really wanted so duty and obligation be damned? <br />
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Aren't women supposed to be caring and nurturing by nature? When did it become okay to just walk away from a family? What ever happened to working on it? My parents are coming up on 53 years of marriage in a few months and they never would have made it that far had they not been willing to work together through the difficult times. I am certain that on more than one occasion, one or both of them thought about how much easier it would be to give up, but I am thankful they had the determination to make it work. It hasn't been perfect. Real life rarely is. But it has been good. Very good. And the older I get, the more thankful I am for parents who committed to one another then continued to work on it, even if they didn't always want to. <br />
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I am a firm believer that a woman should be able to take care of herself, and she is certainly not defined by the man in her life, but when did it become expected for us to behave as though we don't need or want anyone else? Human contact and relationships are important for our health and well being. It's admirable to be determined and self sufficient, but it's equally admirable to recognize that we need help and support. It makes me incredibly sad that the only thing that seems important anymore is sex. Quite frankly, you can get sex anywhere. It's the actual caring that is hard to find. <br />
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Perhaps the time has come for us to get back to our old fashioned roots. We should put aside our expectations of perfection and our selfish tendencies and get back to the days when hard work and dedication were important. In work, in relationships, in life. <br />
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Okay, I'll step off my soapbox now. But I reserve the right to reclaim my position without notice :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06073633715010492538noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163891426069217292.post-8579912528094429922012-10-24T22:19:00.002-07:002012-10-24T22:19:30.258-07:00"The Old Lady Team"- revisitedIf you missed the story, you can read about it <a href="http://anileebundy.blogspot.com/2012/10/that-moment-when.html" target="_blank">here.</a> But, after last week's games, it's official. You know you are the the epitome of "the old lady team" when you fail to get your hands up fast enough to pass the ball, and as a result, take a spike off the top of three of your fingers. Luckily, they aren't broken!<br />
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This past week has definitely been a lesson in patience and gratitude for me. Have you ever tried to button up a pair of jeans using just one hand? How about put on a bra?? I always joke that my left hand is only around for aesthetic purposes-- it just makes my body look balanced. Well, after hurting it, I am here to tell you, I use it A LOT more than I thought. Being injured in such a way has made me incredibly grateful for my health and fitness. I think it is something I take for granted far more often than I should.</div>
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I would have posted this earlier, but I really don't type well when I can't use three of my fingers. Luckily, I seem to be healing well. They are still SUPER sore and kinda get swollen sometimes, but at least I can type again. Yep, I'm grateful for what I have! Hopefully I move a little faster tomorrow night. Otherwise, I may have to start pricing walkers, and I just don't think my fragile psyche could handle that this week!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06073633715010492538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163891426069217292.post-24099003638041159352012-10-20T20:28:00.001-07:002012-10-20T20:28:52.596-07:00When life hands you bananas...<br />
Make bread...er....muffins! Cause let's get real here, banana juice just isn't practical! Today I got bananas. Which is not to be confused with going bananas, though I have been on the verge of doing just that for the last several days! For those who don't know, my job is to plan and carry out races and other special events for the City of St. George. It is a really fun job, but takes a lot of time and energy. Today we had our Save A Sister 5K, 10K and 1 Mile Walk to benefit breast cancer research. It was a lot of fun, and quite possibly the best organized race I have yet to help plan-and that's saying something, cause I am a little bit CDO (which is similar to OCD, except the letters are in alphabetical order, as they should be!) <br />
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Anyway, at the end of the race today, we had some bananas left over at the finish line. And being the girl I am and raised by parents who never throw ANYTHING away, I couldn't bring myself to trash the left over bananas. So, I brought them home. But, ya know what? When you have that many bananas that have already been cut in half, you can't just deal with them tomorrow. You pretty much have to take care of them right now. So, what did I do all afternoon and evening? You guessed it, I baked banana muffins! <br />
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But there were SO MANY bananas, there was no way I was going to be able to bake all of them. So we sliced some for dehydrating, and froze the rest. I figure I can use those ones for smoothies, or later on for making more muffins! And I gotta tell ya- it's a good thing my mom and my sister are so awesome and helped me out with this undertaking, because without them, this project may have gone on forever! </div>
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When all was said and done, we had made somewhere in the neighborhood of 150 muffins. We also put 4 or 5 trays into the dehydrator and 2-3 cookie sheets in the freezer! We are gonna have bananas with everything for the next few weeks! :)</div>
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And I'm happy to report that as of the time I typed this up, I had only eaten 2 of the muffins. Unfortunately, I am about to head to the kitchen where I can exponentially increase that number! Happy Eating!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06073633715010492538noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163891426069217292.post-5307489233327288762012-10-09T17:25:00.002-07:002012-10-09T17:25:52.791-07:00That moment when...I play city league volleyball on Thursday nights. I played ball in high school, and I have kept with it, on some level, since I graduated. It's fun! Granted, my volleyball obsession isn't nearly close to what it was when I was in high school. Back then, there was a group of us who played religiously. Every Tuesday and Thursday night at the local recreation center from 7:00 till 10:00 pm. When the rec center closed we would go across the street and play until 2:00...3:00...sometimes even 4:00 in the morning. It didn't matter that I generally had to be at the school by 5:30 the next morning for madrigals. We were playing volleyball. And that was the most important thing! We usually played on the weekends, too. Once the sun went down (cause it was too dang hot to play when the sun was out) we automatically drifted to the courts at Vernon Worthen park. I have a lot of great memories from that time in my life.<br />
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But that's not really the story I meant to tell.... What I was getting at was this. I play city league volleyball on Thursday nights. And this past week, something dreadful happened at our games. It wasn't that we lost our first match. That happens. The dreadful part was that, at the end of that first match, I commented that I was proud of our team for how well we played. I said (and I quote), "Good job team! I am proud of us for keeping up with that team of seven foot tall, 20 year old girls. We played really well!" My older sister (they're all older, cause I'm the youngest in the family) agreed. <br />
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And that's when it happened. From behind me, Tayleigh said the saddest thing I've heard in a long time. She said, "It's happened, hasn't it? We are the "old lady" team in the league, aren't we?" We stood in the gym and looked across the 2 courts of girls playing volleyball, and her statement was confirmed. We are, in fact, the old lady team in the league. <br />
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I gotta tell ya, I didn't see this one coming at all. In my head, most of the time, I am still a seven foot tall, 20 year old--even though I'm only 5'9" and I haven't been 20 years old for a decade, now. I recognize that there are things that hurt now that didn't hurt when I was 20-mostly my shoulder. But somehow, I didn't realize that there were other girls out there, coming up behind me, turning me into a member of the old lady team. <br />
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I guess it's a good thing I have the wisdom of age on my side. Otherwise I might really be upset about this realization! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06073633715010492538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163891426069217292.post-37674612467240443212012-09-02T21:52:00.003-07:002012-09-02T21:52:55.726-07:00A Little Swimming Fun!Yesterday I went out to Peach Days with my mom, my sister and her kids. Peach Days is one of those fun little hometown festivals with vendor booths selling all kinds of deep fried goodies or homemade crafts. I love to go see what kinds of fun, new crafts are on the market, but mostly, I go for the Navajo taco. I love Navajo tacos, but they are a pain to make. You have to dirty every dish in the house, and the batch makes about a zillion scones (that I am then forced to consume smothered in delicious honeybutter!). So...when I can go to Peach Days and pick up a Navajo taco for lunch without having the threat of a million extra calories staring me in the face in the form of fried dough and honeybutter, I take advantage of the opportunity! <br />
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I'm sure by now you are wondering what this has to do with swimming?? Well, hold your horses, the connection is coming! As I sat and ate my Navajo taco, a couple sat down next to us at the table. It turned out to be Mayor McArthur and his wife, Bunny. We talked about a variety of things- he sang "Are You From Dixie" and recited a couple poems- and my niece and nephew played with the water weenies they bought at one of the booths. It was a very enjoyable afternoon. <br />
As the kids were playing with their water weenies, my sister and I were talking about how they have evolved since we were kids. Back in our day, water weenies were homemade. A piece of tubing that we filled out of the hose with a pen casing as the nozzle. You usually got so completely soaked in the process of filling the water weenie that it didn't really matter if you got sprayed with one later. It was just fun to run through the yard spraying one another! <br />
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As we reminisced about the good old days of our youth, I got up to throw my plate in the garbage can and was reminded of another thing we used to do as kids that I'm pretty sure was a Bundy family special. As I have mentioned before, my upbringing was pretty humble. We didn't have much extra money, but we did have a lot of creativity! And this is where the swimming finally comes in... We didn't have a pool. Nobody in our neighborhood did. But on hot summer days we loved to be in the water. Sometimes we would walk to the local city pool down by the high school-usually without shoes, on pavement that was hot enough to fry an egg, so we would run from one patch of shade or grass to the next till we got there. Still, there were times that wasn't an option either, so....we devised a more creative solution for our problem. We would take the fifty gallon barrels that littered the landscape of our back yard, find some duct tape to cover any of the holes that might allow the water to escape the barrel, then fill them with water and bob up and down in them. You can't really call it swimming because there's no way to swim in a 50 gallon barrel. But the bobbing was great! <br />
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I suppose I should probably contact Jeff Foxworthy about this one. "You might be a redneck if..."<br />
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But it was fun. And I think we get big points for creativity! Thanks to all my older sibling who taught me the ways of the Samurai! <br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06073633715010492538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163891426069217292.post-47912456470748410892012-08-26T19:41:00.001-07:002012-08-26T19:45:12.175-07:00I Love You-This Much!Sometimes in life there are things that will always and forever remind you of a story from your past. <br />
One such story for me comes from a time when I was working at the <a href="http://www.bar10.com/" target="_blank">Bar Ten Ranch.</a> I spent many summers as a kid out at the ranch with my dad and as soon as I was old enough, there was nothing I wanted more than to work out there myself. One of my favorite years of working out there was the second summer that I spent working with Addie, Laura, Maria and Crystal. Because it was our second summer together, we were a well oiled machine. A complete unit. We worked really well together and had a blast, even when the days were too long and too hot and all we really wanted was a nap!<br />
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Until you have worked a summer at Bar Ten, you have no idea how great a nap can be. I don't think I have ever worked harder in my life than I did out there. We started our days early. Usually up at 4:30 in the morning (5:30 if we got to sleep in!) and worked our tails off till the program ended around 9:30 at night. Somewhere in all the work, we managed to find time to play (usually a good water fight, or practical joke of some sort) and even snuck in the occasional, coveted nap! <br />
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Still, there were days when the naps were elusive, and the sleep deprivation took it's toll. One such day I will remember forever- Addie and I were in the kitchen. It had been a long day. A long work week, really, and I remember that I was washing a never-ending stack of dishes. Addie was at the counter getting ready to make some lunch. As I stood at the sink with my back to her, she let out a cry of frustration and dropped what I later learned was a butter knife, on the counter. Startled, I turned around and asked, "Pants, what is wrong?" She looked at me for just a second and asked, "How do you make half of a grilled cheese sandwich?" I don't specifically remember what ran through my head, but I do remember telling her just to cut the bread in half. She rolled her eyes at me as if to say, "Thank you, Captain Obvious", but she picked up her knife and cut the bread in half. <br />
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Every time anyone eats a grilled cheese sandwich I remember this day in detail. In our overly exhausted state, it was hilarious. It's still one of my favorite stories. So, this one is for you, Pants! I love you- this much! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06073633715010492538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163891426069217292.post-72828027527384181152012-08-20T19:34:00.002-07:002012-08-20T19:52:45.329-07:00Over The River and Through The...Four Corners Area?Yep, through the Four Corners area. That's how we got to Grandma's house. And boy was it an adventure. Why am I telling you this story? Well, I went to lunch with some of my coworkers today. As the six of us pulled out of the parking lot, Melanie asked us if we wanted to watch some TV on our way to the restaurant. (She has one of those fancy minivans with the TV screens built into the headrests so that when she travels with her kids she can put in a movie and lull them into complacency.) She was completely kidding- but I couldn't help but think back to when I was a kid and how things have changed since then. <br />
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Part of what I am about to tell you may be heresy. It is secondhand information that I don't have any specific memory of myself. But I have heard the stories often enough to believe that it really happened...and it is just too funny not to share. <br />
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When we were young, my mom's parents lived in Pueblo, CO. It was a thirteen hour drive from our house to theirs. We didn't make the trip often, but when we did we had to fit the whole fam-damily in our single cab pick up truck (did I mention there are nine of us???) and we liked to leave at 4 am and drive all day so we didn't have to pay for a hotel room. In fact, I don't remember staying in a hotel room till I was around 14 years old and went on tour with my choir. I do, however, have vivid memories of sleeping on the side of the road on more than one occasion... Anyway back to the story at hand.<br />
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If I'm totally honest here, I can't remember us ever taking the entire family to Colorado in a single trip. Mostly because my oldest brother is 21 years older than I am, and by the time I was old enough to actually remember going to Colorado the 4 oldest kids in the family had stopped going with us. Still, I got to hear the stories about when they would take everyone. <br />
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Are you wondering yet how they managed to take six kids on a thirteen hour trip in a single cab pick up truck? (If you're not, I haven't set the stage properly and my confidence as a writer will be shot- so lie!) The answer is fantastic. Are you ready for this? My parents would ride in the cab while the kids rode in the back of the truck! Put down the phone. There's no need to call child protective services. It's not as bad as it sounds. My parents would put the camper shell on the truck, load the kids inside and be on their way. It was actually quite perfect for the first few hours of the trip- while everyone still wanted to be asleep. But eventually the kids would wake up and the torture would start! I don't know the details of the torture, but I do know that when it started they would put a pillow over the camper window so that my parents couldn't look back and see what was going on. The thing I always wonder about is the bathroom issue. As far as I know, they were using a paper cup or a plastic bottle that they would empty when my parents would stop for gas. Maybe they would just bang on the camper window till my parents were forced to pull over and find out what all the fuss was about? I do know that we always stopped in Four Corners so that we could take awesome stinkbug style pictures of each of us. You know the one I'm talking about? With our tushes high in the air standing in four states all at once- one per foot and hand?<br />
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When I finally got old enough to remember the trips, it was usually just my mom and I going. I would spend the trip reading books out loud to her. Pollyanna, anything from the Nancy Drew files. I always loved to read to pass the time on a long trip. In fact, as it would get too dark to read I would wait with my book in hand till a car pulled up close enough behind us that I could use their headlights to illuminate my pages- it never occurred to me that there could be value in just packing a flashlight...<br />
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I never would've dreamed that there would come a time when DVD systems would be standard entertainment in the car. In a way, it almost makes me sad for those kids who are missing out on the fun of being trapped in a camper shell with their siblings while the windows are covered and mom and dad are blissfully ignorant of what is really going on. Sad that Pollyanna and Nancy Drew have been shelved in favor of something more visually stimulating. These were great times and great memories.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06073633715010492538noreply@blogger.com0