Baby's, Puppys, and Dragons.

This last week, Mike and I have had a few interesting experiences, but over all have just had a laid back and relaxing week. My work is launching a new program and for the training, they issued us very high tech manila folders to keep all of our work in. They also said that we could decorate them as we each see fit. I don't think that any one really decorated theirs, except me.

It was last Sunday. I didn't want to do much. I didn't even want to leave the house. So I didn't. While Michael played video games, I drew on my folder. I have always wanted to learn how to draw Japanese or Chinese style dragons, so I did a little research so that I would know what they looked like, and sat down and drew. And drew, and drew.

About seven hours, and a horrible hand cramp later, this is what I came up with.


I think that it is hard to see all the detail, but everything (including each individual scale) is outlined by gold. I think that it turned out rather well and I am very proud of it. Looking back now, there are some things that I will probably change in the future, but over all I think it looks pretty freakin' cool.

Here is a close up of the top half. Everyone at work was very impressed. They wrote a side note in the daily meeting notes that everyone should stop by my desk to take a look. One of my friends, Luke even asked if I would draw a koi fish on his folder for him. I did that, and it didn't take nearly as long. I wish I would have taken a picture of that one too. Oh well.

Here is a close up of the bottom half. After I showed Mike he was all, "I use four folders at my work. Will you decorate them too?" I thought it was funny and agreed. Although I have not started on them as of yet. I will post pics of those when they are all done. Then I thought, man, I should charge for this!

This week is Spring Break. Marti and Jenny went to Seattle to celebrate Jenny graduating from BSU this spring. While they are away, Mike and I are dog sitting her baby pug Loo Loo. I don't know exactly how old she is but I would guess around 6 or 7 months. She is sooo cute. We picked her up last night and she was crazy hyper. Mike thought it would be a good idea to let her loose to explore her new surroundings and to get used to the smells. Not a bad idea, until we had to chase her around our cars in the parking lot trying to catch her again. How would that be? Um Marti we lost your dog on the first night we had her. Needless to say, I am glad that that wasn't the case.

This is Loo Loo. We have to dress her. I know, it is a little Paris Hilton, but it really is important. She gets so cold she will just shake and look miserable. All the clothes that Marti has for her, which include two sweaters, a polo t-shirt, and a raincoat, are all pink. My goal is to find her something that one, isn't pink and two, looks cool.

She slept in our bed last night. Some of you reading this might think that is gross, but I don't. She was so snuggly. The only down side is she is a snorer. Or in the words of Bob and Tom: "Pugs snore like a passed out drunk trucker." I thought that was funny and accurate.

Mike getting cozy with Loo Loo by the fire. So cute.

As most of you probably know from reading Amber's blog, we babysat Ella last Saturday. It was a very interesting experience. We took her to breakfast and then to the park. She enjoyed that.

Here is Mike giving her a "horsey ride". I was surprised that she took to him as well as she did. He hasn't seen her that much. Her right shoe wouldn't stay on her foot for the life of me. So we finally just decided to leave it off. It was a really weird experience to be in public with Mike and a baby since everyone just automatically assumes that you are the parents. I definitely got a taste of what it would be like.

Here we are just being silly. After the park we just took her to our house. To have to watch a child like that all day long, I have really come to the conclusion that I just don't want any. At least not any time soon. I can really see myself being comfortable with just being the aunt. Or if I were to have kids, I don't think I would want my own. I thing I would prefer to adopt one that was like three or four. Already out of the baby stage. I don't know. All I know is that right now is most definitely not the right time for me. But I must give props and recognition to all those parents who are doing that. Especially the single mothers or fathers. It really is hard work and I had no idea. I am just lucky that I got to give her back at the end of the night. :)

I know, I know, I know.

Quote of the day:

Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away. - Philip K. Dick

Ok, I have been getting enough grief from everyone about my blog not being updated so I am FINALLY updating it so people will stop complaining. :)

Part of the reason why I haven't updated in so long is that for awhile, Mike and I didn't have a secure Internet connection and then when we did get one the cable only allowed us to plug our laptop in at a certain position in the living room. You have to set the computer on a kitchen chair and then sit on the floor to use it. Not very comfortable. We have yet to get the connection routed to the upstairs office so I have to update at my parents for now. Not an excuse though, I know.

Let's see recently what has happened.... Let's start with work.

I was hired full time with Keynetics took all three of my "Milestone" classes. The last one was the hardest it was about 2 weeks of classes daily for about an hour a day. Then about another 2 weeks of just studying. The test consisted of two parts, the first being over the website and our edit pad responses. The second being over how every part of the company works together to make our business a successful one. Needless to say it was a ton of information to learn, and kind of complicated at times. Especially because it is information that I don't work with on a daily basis. My boss told me that No One passes these tests on the first try, so not to worry if I had to take it two or three times. Well I rock, and DID pass both tests on the first time!!! YAY for me! My boss sent out a mass email to all of the supervisors in the company saying that I was "her shooting star" and that I passed Milestone 3 on the first try and how proud she was of me. I felt very good and am now eligible for promotion when new positions become available. (not to mention the nice raise and bonus I received) Mike was very proud of me. I feel very fortunate to have landed such a cool job that I enjoy going to everyday. I never would have thought that I would be happy in an office job, but here I am.

On other news.... My house is haunted by a very nice entity.

So this is what happened. Mike had been telling me for quite some time that in the mornings after I leave for work he will hear noises, or items will be misplaced in the house. I kept telling him that he was imagining it or that it was our neighbors making noise, etc.

So a few Monday's ago I took the day off to get some things around the house done. It was a typical morning. I woke up, rolled out of bed, put the nearest thing on that I could find, jumped in the car heading for Starbucks. After I had my morning dose of caffeine I took a shower and was getting ready for the day. I was blowing my hair dry when I heard a noise. It was about 10:30, I thought, oh my neighbor is home making noise.

So I continue with my getting ready and I heard it again. I thought, wow that is really loud, kind of sounds like it is in the house. So I went downstairs didn't see anything unusual, go back upstairs to put some clothes on and in the bedroom all of my old books that my dad had given me were off the bookshelf scattered all around the room. It was weird for three reasons.

Reason #1, not all of the books had fallen off the bookshelf just the old ones from my dad, which weren't placed together on the bookshelf they kind of were just shoved where ever they would fit.

Reason #2, they weren't just in a pile on the floor at the foot of the bookshelf, they were all over the room, on the bed, under the bed, in the closet, everywhere.

Reason #3, only Oliver Twist was left on the shelf.

So I think, weird, and just put them back where they were on the shelf and didn't think anything else of it. I gathered up my laundry went downstairs to start a load, went back upstairs to change the sheets on the bed and they were all scattered around again. Same deal, just the old books, and just Oliver Twist was left on the shelf.

So I decided to test my new found friend. I put the books back, all laying flat stacked on top of each other with Oliver Twist in the middle of that stack. Thinking that I had either A. fooled my new friend or B. was totally imagining things.

All I did was turn my back and I hear a crash. I turn around and same thing. All the old books on the floor, Oliver Twist standing vertically on the bookshelf. So I said, out loud mind you, Ok, I will read Oliver Twist if you like. Then I put all the books back on the shelf, except Oliver Twist and that was the end of it.

I didn't ever get a weird uneasy feeling. I actually was just more irritated that I had to keep picking up the mess than anything. But needless to say that I did start the book and haven't heard from my new friend since. But I do feel that who ever or what ever it is, it isn't out to get me. A really crazy experience though, although not my first run in with the paranormal.

Ok guys that is all for now. I promise that I will keep it going and not slack off again. (At least not as bad as not updating for 3 months)

Word.

Christmas stuff....

Ok, so I will oblige Amber also....

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

Wrapping paper. I find something impersonal about gift bags. Also, I am the kind of person who enjoys wrapping gifts and seeing how pretty I can make them, and how funny too. But to each his own.

2. Real tree or artificial?

I have never had a real tree before so I don't have any other choice than to say artificial. I am sure their are pros and cons to both though. I would like to try a real tree someday though.

3. When do you put up the tree?

The day after Thanksgiving. I get very excited!

4. When do you take the tree down?

I try to keep it up until Newyears but for the past two years Mike has taken it down the day after Christmas un-beknownst to me. Scrooge :(

5. Do you like eggnog ?

NO! I have tried it and literally gagged. Gross and disgusting stuff.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?

I don't know. I do remember playing with my My Child dolls alot. So I will go with that.

7. Do you have a nativity scene?

No, nativities are really not my thing.

8. Hardest person to buy for?

Inlaws. ( I know that it isn't a "person" but whatever)

9. Easiest person to buy for?

Any of my family members. I guess I know them all well enough that I can at least guess what they would like. Plus they always give lists.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?

Mail. I think that emailing Christmas cards is just too impersonal, unless you are out of the country where it would cost a ton to mail out a lot of cards. Sending out cards is something I get really excited about and then end up never doing once I realize that stamps are like 58 cents each and when you send to about 100 people it gets a little pricey. Enough of me rambling on about the price of the postal system.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

I think Amber takes the cake on this one. When I was little I had a thing for gorillas. I thought that they were very cool and liked stuffed gorilla animals. Well, one Christmas Grandma Thurston thought that she was contributing to my gorilla phase. I got a stuffed animal. But not a gorilla, a chimpanzee that was huge. All I thought was, at least they are both primates.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?

A Christmas Story with Ralphie or Christmas Vacation.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

They day after Thanksgiving but only if my budget permits.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

Who are you talking to? Of course... I mean, of course not.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

Homemade Frosted Sugar Cookies and pie. Not together though.

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree?

Clear lights only.

17. Favorite Christmas song?

I really don't like Christmas music.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?

Stay home. That is where I am luckey to have my family and Mike's family so close to eachother.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?

Thanks to Amber I can. Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?

Only a Star! I wouldn't even consider anything else!

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?

Christmas eve you can open one present and it is always new pajamas to wear to bed for Christmas morning. Everything else must wait until Christmas!

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?

Traffic. Enough said.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color?

I like red and silver ornaments.

24. Favorite food for Christmas dinner?

Turkey, Homemade rolls and Homemade cherry or pumpkin pie with real whip cream!

26. What do you want for Christmas this year?

An Ipod. that is all I asked for and I probably wont get it. But not a big deal. Christmas is not about receiving presents.

Merry Christmas everyone!!

This weekend was a fun one for me. Friday Brook, Dad and I went to see Apocalypto. I thought that it was very good and worth a full priced ticket. It was kind of violent but I didn't think that it took away from the story line any. On Saturday night, after a long day of shopping, Sunny and I went to see Kelli's husband Jeremy's band play at the VAC. That was really fun. I was impressed with Jeremy or JDub (which is his stage name apparently) he was very entertaining and put on a really good show. Although I didn't feel very well, so I didn't totally rock out. Sunday morning Sunny and I went and had breakfast with Diane. That is always fun. I told her that we all will have to get together when Jen gets here. I did forget to bring my camera to any of the fun things that I did this weekend so no pics this time. :( Oh well. I think that is all for now.

Pretty Little Things.

Congratulations to me!! On Friday I was pulled into the confrence room at work and was officially offered the position. Of course I accepted. I am officially an employee starting December 29th and with that comes a lot of perks. I will be recieving a huge raise, health, dental and vision insurance and a hundred dollar bonus. Needless to say I am very excited. I called and told Mike about it on my break, he was very proud of me. So I went about my business and other than a duck being shot by an arrow on the greenbelt, my day went on as usual. Until around three, when I got an email to go to the front desk. So I went and what did I find? The most gorgeous boquet of flowers waiting for me. They were from Mike as a congratulations gift. So I got to strut around my office for the rest of the day will all of the girls oohh-ing and ahh-ing about my husband who is "so on top of things". I am very fortunate to have such a loving husband who cares about me and takes care of me.

Here are pics of my flowers. They have daisies, carnations, white roses, stargazer lilies (which are my favorite) and then Christmas berries and pine leaves and sruce leaves. It has the most beautiful aroma.

So pretty. I loved it, and all the attention I got from receiving flowers at work. We all know, I love attention. :)

I set up my Christmas decorations last weekend. They are the same as last year, but last year I didn't have a blog to share them with all of you. So, I have some pics of them with and without the lights on so you get the entire effect. I love Christmas. I love the lights and the gifts and the decorations and the family and the cooking and the snow but most of all I love the smells that are associated with Christmas. I get very excited and am esspecially excited this year, as it is my first year having Christmas and being married. In the past Mike and I always have spent the holidays with each other but mostly with our own families. This year, we are starting our own traditions and will probably go see our own families together but it will be more of our holiday. I am very excited.

Our fireplace with buddah all lit up. I really like the garland, its a little scrappy but what do you expect? I made it.

We re-arranged the living room and put the fainting couch by the window. The tree fits nicely right there. Our space gets a little tight with all of our furniture but I like it. Its our style.

Close up of the tree. I know the strings of beads are a little askew but once again what do you expect?

And my favorite part........

All Lite Up! A little blury but you get the effect.

Yay!!!

I will be anxiously awaiting everyone elses decoration pics. Merry Christmas all!!

Breakfast and Eleven 11

Saturday morning Jen, Isabelle and I met Diane for our monthly breakfast at Zeppole. It was really fun being able to see them. Baby Izzy is so cute and is growing fast. She was playing the ignore Kylee game like Ella used to do. Maybe it is the age. She did let me hold her for awhile though, before she started screaming. Diane seemed very excited to see Jen. They talked most of the time, but that is good. Diane was kind enough to treat us to the meal and that is most appreciated. Some of the pics below are a little mixed up, sorry.


Little Jen and Izzy. I think I am the only one who calls Isabelle, Izzy. I think it's cute though. And easier to type.

This is me at the Cactus, more on this later. Like I said, the pix are mixed.... Please note the color coordination between my lipstick, nailpolish and drink. Very clever, I know!

Of course, I took a self portrait before going out. Hey, It's like tradition now.
Any way, back to breakfast... Here is a pic of all of us at Z. I always love getting together with Diane. She is such a special woman and I feel lucky to have met her. And to be able to still keep in touch with her.

Later Saturday night, Jen Kelli and I met up for dinner at Mai Tai. I was kind of skeptical because I had only had drinks their before, but the food was fabulous. We had the privilege of sitting at one of the tables that are in the window. So everyone on the street could see us eating. Probably because we are all hot. After dinner we decided to go and get a drink at the Cactus.

Jen told the bar tender that she wanted something with coffee and kalua in it. First of all, it took about 15 minutes and then when she did get the drink, it was just black coffee with maybe a little sugar in it. And it tasted like it had sat in the pot for a week and then they just warmed it up. Gross! So I bought her a different drink and we learned a valuable lesson. Leave ordering coffee to the coffee houses.

After the Cactus. We went over to the Eleven 11 show which Kelli's husband Jeremy was in and actually helped plan. Very cool. Ta showed up with Aitor and we saw Mike R. their too.

I was so excited to see Ta. We had been trying to get a hold of her to join us and wasn't able to. I am glad that she just got the 8 messages and decided to come.
Here I am with the man of the hour, as one of the featured artists, Jeremy Webster! I am always just stunned everytime I see his work. It is just amazing. Not only are his paintings pleasing to the eye, they are so intelligent and there just seems to be so much emotion in each piece. I don't know how he does it. I will buy one of his paintings at some point when I have the money. I would be so honored and proud to have one of my friends art work in my home.

I was very impressed with the show over all. There were eleven artists (I think) and most of them I would have purchased from. If I had hundreds of dollars just to spend that is. They had a flying trapeze artist come who was awesome. She is from Switzerland I think, about 5'2 and can move her limbs in ways you really think that no one should be able to. But there it was. I tried to get a pic but couldn't due to the crowd.

They had this car in the center of the gallery that all of the featured artists added something to. And yes, it was for sale too. Over all it was a killer night. I had so much fun hanging with the girls and doing something fun. I was very glad to be able to see so much of Jen, I miss her! Props to everyone who put so much hard work into the show it was a total success in my eyes and I loved to be able to see all of the local artists work. I must say that I am a little jealous of Kelli to be surrounded by such amazing art all the time.

So in a quick summary: I had a killer weekend with my friends.

Le Fleur

Well, Jen and Isabelle came into town on Thursday so we decided to go out on Friday night. Jen told me that one of our friends, Mike R., was playing at the Nerolux with his band Le Fleur. We thought that would be the perfect outing since Izzy was being watched by her grandparents, thus the visit. So we went down to support our friend and have a good time. Now keep in mind that Jen was pregnant for her 21st birthday so this was her first outing to a real bar. I thought it was quite entertaining. I had to explain to her "bar etiquette". I think she had a good time.


Le Fleur playing their opening number. Le Fleur is french for the flower, I always thought that was funny because their is only one girl and three boys. They are really good though. Mike R. is the guitarist on the left. Ivy is the main singer, in the middle. I don't know the other guitar guy on the right or the drummer.

Me and Mike after the their set.
This is Hilary acting totally crazy. Sunny just recently died her hair that color. I like it very much.

Jen, Me and Luke.

A nice close up of Mike R. and Ivy. Don't you dig the lit up crown in the background. I think it is awsome.

This is my friend Netsy. She is Irish and has only been here for probably 4 months or so. I love the accent. Also, I love European style. She has the cutest clothes ever. Although, she pays for them. She said once that she hadn't ever bought a pair of jeans for less than 150 dollars. I don't ever spend over 40! Other than her outrageous shopping habits, we love her.

Mike R. and Jen. This was actually right when we arrived, so they hadn't played yet. I haven't seen most of these people since I left Zeppole so it was way cool to be able to get together with everyone and have a grand ol' time.

And Jen and I. We had a very fun night, mingled with a ton of people. Hung out with basically the old Z. crew. I am way lucky to be able to spend my time with so many talented people, and to call those people friends.

Additions

Everything in my life is the same as usual. Work is going well. Three temps myself included, were chosen to have a special training. It is a training that they usually don't let you take until you are hired on, but they invited us to participate. It is a three level training system that basically teaches you everything that you need to know about the customer service side of the company. Then level two and three get more into the websites and working with the publishers and affiliates. I am excited to learn more about that.

I don't like being a temp. I haven't ever been one before and it's a little weird because I interviewed and was hired just like a regular job, but after I was hired I had to go sign up with a temp agency. I know they just do it to weed out the people who wouldn't like that kind of work. They have already gone through two other temps since I started five weeks ago. So I see their logic. But it just feels a little weird to know that you aren't really employed by your employer. I know that I will be hired on though, by Jan. 1st I think. They seem to like me and I like what I do there and all the people I work with. Everyone is really cool. This job is so different from anything that I have ever done before, I am really excited to learn more and work my way up in the company, which I know is a possability. Enough about work though.

Jenny May is schedualed to arrive tonight. I am so happy to see her and baby Isabelle. We have plans this weekend so I will be sure to take pics for you all to see.

So, in addition to Mike and I's growing "electronics" we have purchased first and foremost: cable. For those of you that know us, we haven't had TV for two and a half years. Well, we had a TV just one that only played videos and movies. We didn't even get local channels. So we decided to go ahead and watch television again. Let's just say that neither one of us has left the living room all week except to go to work. And it is even the kind with Tivo and everything. I feel so fancy.

We also bought a record player. I posted pics. I know I am a total nerd. Bear with me.

I went to the guitar center and told the clerk that I wanted to see their selection of record players. To his dismay, he informed me that they "are no longer called record players, they are now called Turn Tables." I said that I did not want to make or mix music, I just wanted to listen to music that was already made. So that guy got someone else to help me.... Ok by me.

I then went to the record exchange and bought my first very own record. (I have quite a few records, 50 to 100 or so, but they are all hand me downs from my dad.) Good thing we like the same kind of music! Anyway, I purchased Death Cab for Cutie: Plans. Partly because I love the band. Partly because it has the song that Mikey and I danced to on our wedding day. So, sort of cheesy but whatever. I thought it was cool.

Another angle of the "turn table" because I know you all are so interested.