REASONS NOT TO MOVE TO IDAHO

So,the word is out! Stephen has been interviewing for a job with Aflac in our home state. He has been offered many other positions before-but for some silly reason, this one, he has really pursued. Dont ask me why, I never thought that I would move back home. Dont get me wrong, I love Idaho, and I love my family---but its not Utah, and I love it here. I love my family that is here, and I love Stephens family that is here too.
He just returned from Boise yesterday and all went very well. For those of you who may be wondering what were thinking, and where we are at with it all--we dont know yet. Pro-s and Con-s are not helping much because it is sixes. But it would be a great opportunity for Steve. For me and my job, it would be ok too-I have a large team there as well. BUT it is really hard for both of us to make a huge change when we have been here for 21 years. This is home and the roots run deep.

I must thank my friend Dean (Deanne) for her list of "Reasons to not move to Idaho". If you would like to read them, and add to the list--it may help in our decision. You can look on my blog (to the left and scroll down)under "my Peeps" and click on Darin and Dean. Thanks Darin and Deanne it means alot to us that you care and that you are such good friends to us!

We will keep you posted (no pun intended) on whats happening. As for me I would be perfectly happy if I stayed in "Happy Valley".

My Van--Home away from home

For me I spend as much time in my car as I do at my house. This past weekend we had to make an unexpected trip home to Idaho for a funeral. We had a great time visiting all of our families. Well "Old Green" hit a milestone. She rolled over 100,000 miles. Old Green has been a good vehicle. She has done many school runs, A million dance runs, soccer runs, and many trips to Idaho and Vegas. We are grateful for "Old Green". I tried to convince Stephen that we should retire her and get a new one. UM "NO" was the answer. So who knows how long it will be until I get another new vehicle. Until then I guess its me and old green!

**Only a true scrapbooker would scrapbook (or blog) this silly event!

I DID IT!

I have been working out faithfully (every morning I leave my house at 5:45) with my good friend Deanne and Maleen (and sometimes Kari). I have lost 8 lbs and I feel great! I am off the soda and TRYING to get off the sugar! GRrrrr! But one of the things I have found that I have,is a love/hate relationship with is "spinning". That workout kicks my rear all around the block! Seriously. It is so HARD! I hate going, but I LOVE the rush when I am done! It is kind of addicting.

I finally met my goal after 5 weeks of working out-to spin 3 times a week. I DID IT this week! I am very proud of myself because this 40 year old body wants to be 20 and have all that energy again, but unfortunately thanks to age and gravity it is twice as hard getting to this point.

Being the ding dong I am (am I blonde?), I was so excited at my accomplishment, that I didnt think things through. We had a gal in our class that coaches basketball, and since we were doing a "climbing ride", our instructor Audra asked this gal to run some basketball drills with us. Oh dang I havnt done these since High School. In my head, I am like "yeah, I can run these-no problem". Well it was no problem-(I actually still have that sprint in me)-until I was finished and now I will be babying my knee all weekend as it is now in severe pain. Nice huh!

So now I am making a note to self that there is a reason I dont run anymore. My knee's are trashed and I DONT want to have the surgery.I have seen first hand the recoup from the surgery from an old friend of mine. SO-- I spin and do water aerobics so that I dont have the impact on my knee!

But--its still a great day! I met my goal and I have 2 pounds to go to reach my doctors goal by December 1st. I am so hoping that the cholesterol is down, and that my thyroid is back in working order-BECAUSE I FEEL GREAT! And I feel like I am healthy! WOOHOO!

Halloween wrap up!

Can I just say that Halloween was a riot! The day was spent at the school with the kids, watching their parades, and helping with class parties. After school we went back to the neighborhood to pick up Liv,Erica, and Teague (all friends of the kids). We went down to Provo- and trick or treated the Center street. It was great fun and I loved seeing all of the cool costumes. We then mosied over to the church for "Trunk or Treating" which was fun for everyone. It was kind of strange to trick or treat in the light though. The weather was incredible. Nice and comfortable for everyone. Last year it was "butt nummin" cold. After trunk or treat some of our good friends Darin and Deanne and their fam, and Jason and Jamee and their fam went with us to our Uncle Evan and Aunt Kristels house to trick or treat and to hit their neighborhood. I think that fun was certainly had by all. Everyone has been on a sugar high for a week.

Halloween is HERE!

I love this time of year! All the holidays are upon us. Halloween, my Best Friends birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years--sheesh! Its great. I love all the festivities, traditions,sights, and smells, but most importantly I love the laughter the of my kids. We kicked off the season with our 2nd annual Halloween Party/Family Home Evening. We invited some of our great friends to join us. We had great soups, breads, hotchocolate and desserts galore! The kids all enjoyed the evening with a cupcake walk, a doughnut eating race, a fish pond, guessing jar and of course the monster mash musical chairs-in which Trevor won! The older kids kept the night going by playing "ghosts in the graveyard". The weather was beautiful, and great for an evening outside. Our back yard weas decked out with everyones pumpkins all carved and lit. I bought a fireplace just in case it was cold, but it added to the ambiance! Next year my friend Maleen said she was going to make us all hand warmers. I am keeping her to that offer, because last year--we were all FREEZING! It was a great night, and a fun tradition that I think we will keep on a doing.

Monster Mash!

Halloween Rules:

1. When it appears that you have killed the monster, "never" check to see if it's really dead.
2. Never read a book of demon summoning aloud, even as a joke.
3. Do not search the basement, especially if the power has just gone out.
4. If children speak to you in Latin or any other language which they should not know, or if they speak to you using a voice which is other than their own, shoot them immediately. It will save you a lot of grief in the long run. NOTE: It will probably take several rounds to kill them, so be prepared.
5. When you have the benefit of numbers, "never" pair off and go it alone.
6. As a general rule, don't solve puzzles that open portals to Hell.
7. Never stand in, on, above, below, beside, or anywhere near a grave, tomb, crypt, mausoleum, or other house of the dead.
8. If you're searching for something which caused a noise and find out that it's just the cat, leave the room immediately if you value your life.
9. If appliances start operating by themselves, move out.
10. Do not take "anything" from the dead.
11. If you find a town which looks deserted, it's probably for a reason. Take the hint and stay away.
12. Don't fool with recombinant DNA technology unless you're sure you know what you are doing.
13. If you're running from the monster, expect to trip or fall down at least twice, more if you are of the female persuasion. Also note that, despite the fact that you are running and the monster is merely shambling along, it's still moving fast enough to catch up with you.
14. If your companions suddenly begin to exhibit uncharacteristic behavior such as hissing, fascination for blood, glowing eyes, increasing hairiness, and so on, get away from them as fast as possible.
15. Stay away from certain geographical locations, some of which are listed here: Amityville, Elm Street, Transylvania, Nilbog (you're in trouble if you recognize this one), the Bermuda Triangle, or any small town in Maine.
16. If your car runs out of gas at night, do not go to the nearby deserted-looking house to phone for help.
17. Beware of strangers bearing tools such as chainsaws, staple guns, hedge trimmers, electric carving knives, combines, lawnmowers, butane torches, soldering irons, band saws, or any device made from deceased companions.

Follow the rules and have a Happy, Safe Halloween! -- Steve