Fewer and further between

That's how my blogs seem to be shaping up. I have not had much time to write lately. I will do better in the future. Well, here's the recap on the month of November for Sarah and Zak in Cache Valley:
We sold our Mazda on the first of the month, thinking we would just drive Zak's 1990 Volvo with 230,000 miles. (That is the correct amount of zeroes behind the "23" in case you were curious.) We thought we were being good and getting out of debt, plus the Volvo has heated seats. Pretty killin', as Zak would say, except for the part where the Volvo broke down the same night we sold the Mazda. We got it fixed a few days later, and it ran like a champ -- for four days. At that point, we went shopping for another car.
We are now the owners of a 2000 Toyota Camry. It's a pretty nice car except for its squeaky brakes, which of course did not squeak during any of the test drives we took. Well, it's functioning fine and getting us from point A to point B, and that is really what matters. Luckily, we owe much less on our new car than we did on the Mazda. To sum up: what a huge learning experience! I miss my Mazda, but I think that we are going to be just fine. Also, I think that Zak will be getting his much longed-for scooter come spring, so we can save money on gas once the weather is a little warmer than it is now!
I think the next big point is Thanksgiving, which took place last week as you all know. Carolyn, Jake, and Nicole came up to Logan from Provo for the big day. We had a great meal, played a pretty fun game of soccer (post-meal... what were we thinking?), and enjoyed seeing Harry Potter 4: The Goblet of Fire. I rather liked the movie. We had a good time visiting and eating crackers and cheese. It was really fun to have them here.
We had our first snow of the season over the weekend. It was pretty light and had mostly melted off by Sunday afternoon, but we got a few inches of snow again yesterday. I fear the cycle will just continue for several months now. Sigh. That's Logan!
On Monday night, I finished my Christmas shopping and shipped off all Christmas presents to out-of-state destinations. I also learned that FedEx does not deliver to P.O. Boxes (DUH) because only the US post office has access to those. What can I say? I just didn't think it through.
In any case, Zak and I are happy and healthy, and couldn't ask for more as we continue through the holiday season. Work has been going well lately, and every semester that goes by is one closer to graduation. Zak and I are both very excited for that day to come!
Well, readers and loved ones, hopefully you are all well, too, and are enjoying your holiday season. I love you guys!

Shamefully overdue

It's been a few weeks since I last blogged and I have no excuse. Just lazy, I guess. Things are going great in Logan. Zak is finishing up the fall semester (well, kind of - there are five and a half weeks left) and is doing well in all of his classes. I am still enjoying work. Nothing too exciting to report.
I guess maybe that's why I haven't written - I have nothing exciting to say. I am looking forward to Christmas and almost have all my shopping done. My plan is always to be done by the last day of November, just so I can enjoy the Christmas season without having to shop during the month of December. I think I am well on my way to achieving that goal this year.
It has been quiet for the last week or so. Rhett, Candyce, Burke, Britt, and Kurt have been in Taiwan. They return late Friday night and Zak is excited to have his best friends back. (We have been enjoying hanging out with Spack, however, during the absence of the other best friends.)
I guess that's about all I have for right now. I'll try to have a more exciting life so that I can write more often.
Wait a minute - I forgot all about Halloween! Here's a little bit about our Halloween 2005: Zak and I carved a pumpkin (the first I can remember doing - Mom, maybe you can correct my faulty memory - did we ever carve pumpkins when I was a kid?) on Saturday night. I have secretly named him Arthur and am very proud of how he turned out. (Zak gave him some wicked cool eyebrows.) He is still sitting on our front porch, despite Zak's penchant for smashing pumpkins on Halloween night. Thank goodness. Halloween night was a fun night - we went to Zak's parents' house and then went to a neighbor's to get donuts. Yum! After that, we brought my bookcase back to our house! It is beautiful, and looks fabulous in our front room. (Thank you Larry and Barb!) I am so excited that I have been able to unpack my books and use my lovely bookends (thank you Zaky)!
As we were getting ready for bed Monday night, we remembered that Zak had signed up to close up the church that night, so we drove over to the church building (and because it was Monday, it was already all locked and we just had to check the doors - my clever husband was counting on that). We had a race to see who could check more doors. It was pretty fun. Hopefully that wasn't bad to run and be a little rowdy on church grounds. Well, actually, if they let young women play basketball inside the church, there's no reason we can't run around outside the church. There. My conscience is soothed. It was fun. Whew! Am I ever glad I remembered that story! I do have things to say. What a fun surprise.
You guys take care.

The Big 2-7, and still a scaredy cat

It has been a few days since I wrote anything in my blog. I had my birthday last week on Thursday, and it was a good day. Friday night there was a small surprise party for Burke (whose birthday was Oct. 15th) and for me, which was really nice. I was totally not expecting anything like that, so it was fun. We went to a haunted corn maze that night and I did NOT enjoy that. In fact, I was feeling a little sick, so Zak and I took the emergency exit and waited in a nearby building for the others to emerge. Yikes. I didn't like being chased by guys in masks who had chainsaws. Call me crazy...
Anyway, the weekend was nice. It was calm and quiet. This week at work has been busy and it's now beginning to slow down a little. I don't have too much else to report. No more falls or anything like that, which is good.
Hope you are all doing well and that you are happy.

The Weekend

Friday night Zak and I went to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and enjoyed it. There were some noisy kids in the row in front of us and I shushed them, as I am wont to do when someone is annoying in a public place such as a movie theater. Only after I shushed them did I realize that I closed a loan with the parents a couple of weeks ago while the kids ran around my desk screaming and shoved crayons down the vent by my desk. Weird. I guess you just never know, do you?
Saturday morning (well, okay, it was actually afternoon by the time we got up and got ready, but it's Saturday, right?) we went to the temple, which was nice. The afternoon was laundry time, which went surprisingly fast this time for some reason, and Zak played Halo with his brothers until about 10:30pm. I read my book until it was time to go. I was rather impressed at the time--usually when Halo is involved, it's the wee hours before I get to go home. They have a projector in the basement and use one of the basement walls for the screen. It covers the whole wall! Crazy. But fun for them.
Sunday I had a little adventure I like to call "falling down." I was trying to shave my legs (eww, gross, I know) and was bracing one leg against the wall. My other leg slipped in the tub and in trying to catch myself, I fell backwards out of the tub, bringing down the shower curtain and spraying shaving cream everywhere. It was a pretty loud thump, but Zak was asleep and so didn't think anything of it...I managed to get myself up off the floor and finish shaving and so on. It was actually kind of funny, now that there's a little time that's passed. I only have one small bruise on my shoulder and am otherwise unharmed. I was in a lot of pain on Sunday, though. Youch!
Yesterday was Columbus Day (celebrated on Wednesday the 12th) and so I had the day off. Hooray!! I slept in a little, got a few errands done, went to a movie by myself, and went shopping. The movie was great! I saw Just Like Heaven with Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo. It was a DPS, which in girl-language means it was super-fabulous.
I did a little birthday shopping with some bonus money from work and got a few things for work. My first pant-suit! You know, I had a little mini-epiphany the other day as I drove home from work: I am getting old. I listen to Q92.9 soft rock and I like it. And now I have a pant-suit. Woe is me.
My shopping finds also included one pair of sandals...I know they aren't for work, but they were on clearance for $14.99 (down from $44.99, as if that makes any difference - I sure wouldn't have purchased them at that price!). I have been looking for more dressy brown sandals (they are HARD to find, too--everything is black!) and so I was excited when I found these. It was lovely. Zak and I spent the evening hanging out. I also re-organized the closet and cleaned out some DI items. That's always somewhat liberating, I find.
So that's basically the weekend. I am at work today and feeling good. Not really busy, but that's okay. Tonight is Gilmore Girls and probably early to bed. I am feeling pretty contented with life at the moment. Hopefully you are all feeling the same.

Life

It's Thursday again! Work is quiet, as ever. Tonight is Alias night, which is always an exciting time. I watched the season premiere last week and couldn't believe that Vaughn died! There has to be a way for him to "come back." All the men in Sidney's life always die. How sad. Well...good thing it's not real life, huh? I'll have to invoke rule #4 on myself (which for those who don't know is this: The people on tv shows are not real, so stop talking about them like they are).
I got up this morning and made peach cobbler with some peaches from Larry and Barb's backyard. I didn't have a chance to sample it yet (no vanilla ice cream) but I will when I get home tonight. I also did a LOT of dishes. It's amazing how quickly they pile up and I am also amazed at how often I find myself saying, "I'll do the dishes tomorrow." Then tomorrow never comes (to borrow from Les Miserables). I kept meaning to make the cobbler, too, and it never got done when I got home from work this week or last--the peaches were just barely hanging on, they were SO ripe. I have decided that each day of sitting around doing nothing (or very little) saps all my strenth and motivation. What a sad story.
Anyway, had a little break there to take care of some things, and now I'm back. I don't actually have much more to say. My birthday is one week from today. That's fun! And Monday is a holiday, so I have the day off work. I am going to go see a movie, I think. It's been a while since I went and enjoyed a movie all by myself. If there are any suggestions, please add a comment and let me know!
Hopefully all is well with all of you. Love to hear from all of you....

Brrrrr....

It's cold here! I saw my breath as I walked to the car this morning to go to work. The thermometer in my mirror kept flashing "ICE" on the display this morning. I am not ready for the cold weather. It makes me sad. Why can't we have spring or fall weather the whole year round? That would be perfect!
That's all I have to say today.

Another day, another dollar

Well, it's Friday again. Boy am I glad! This has been a busy week. Last Saturday, Zak and I got up early and went to Taylor's football game in Morgan. That's about twenty minutes east of Layton. Or west. I forget which. Anyway, Tay played a great game, got three touchdowns (even though two were called back for penalties) and had an awesome interception (that led to one of the called-back touchdowns). It was a fun game to watch, and the team won, 28 to 6!!
After the game, we went to Britt and Kurt's for a barbecue (v.g.) and then several of us went rock climbing. I should clarify what I mean when I say "went" rock climbing. I "went" and watched everyone else climb...I decided to forgo the pleasure of actually doing it myself. Zak and I then took off for Provo so that we could be at Carolyn and Jake's open house. Let me tell you, it was junk food HEAVEN. (Translation: MY heaven) The selection of food was so varied and enormous, it was wonderful. There was pizza, Taco Bell tacos/chalupas/etc., Junior Bacon Cheeseburgers from Wendy's, another kind of burger from Wendy's, and loads of chips and cookies and soda. The only sad part is that I have some self-restraint, and limited myself to one burger and a handful of chips.
After we enjoyed the hospitality of Chez Wall... or Kiwanis Park... we met up with my old roommate Jamie and her husband Jeff. We played some games with them for a few hours, and that was rather fun. I learned how to play dominoes for real, keeping points and everything. I rather enjoyed it, and I think Zak did, too. It was also nice to visit with Jamie and Jeff.
Sunday we spent mostly at home, except for going to church, and it was so nice to relax and not do a whole lot. We did go to our ward's Linger Longer after the block of meetings (that was a momentous occasion, as it was the first time we have ever attended a ward activity...baby steps, right?). I had the day off on Monday because I am working Saturday this week. I got so much done! I cleaned my house, and did the laundry, went grocery shopping, and finished some projects I've been working on. I was quite pleased with myself.
That's about all there is to report for the weekend. I did attend the Taste of Home Cooking School on Tuesday night with lots of the girls from Zak's side of the family, and that was really fun. Lots of new recipes to try! It has been a good week, despite being busy. I am looking forward to going home tonight and putting my feet up.
Tomorrow is Taylor's last game of the season (Go, Mountain Crest!) and his birthday. I think it will be a fun-filled day! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

A little under the weather

I'm feeling a little bit sick today. Cold season approaches quickly... I had an IRA training yesterday in SLC and that was good, I guess. Work has been plenty busy today, which has been good, especially as it keeps my mind off of how yucky I am feeling. To all you moms who still get sick and still have to take care of your kids, no matter what, my hat's off to you! I can barely take care of myself when I'm ill, let alone several small kids who are full of energy. Zak just has to fend for himself, poor thing.
I have been eating lots of chicken soup and saltines. Yum. It does make me feel better, though. Well...as fascinating as it must be to read about my illness, I think I'll stop now.
I was going to share something else very important and interesting, I'm sure, but it's left me now. I should probably go help get things closed down. It's about time for that today.
Oh! I know what I was going to write. No one ever comments on my blogs anymore, and that's okay, but I'm wondering if it's because I started getting spam...so I put a secure thing on there so that comment spammers can't just throw all kinds of junk on my blogs. So not very important after all. Ah well.

I'm noticing a trend...

It seems I have the most time to write these blogs on Thursdays. Interesting.
I have had a really slow week at work. I don't know if it's just because school is now in session, or what.
Well, here's the update for the past week:
I can't remember what Zak and I did Friday after I got off work, but Saturday morning, we went to Taylor's football game and enjoyed that. As usual, Tay played well. Saturday afternoon was spent doing laundry. Nothing unusual there.
Sunday we went to church and went over to the folks' for dinner, which was very good.
I am really blanking out. I can't remember what we did on Monday night. I know that Tuesday morning, my parents drove up to Logan from Lehi, where they were staying with my brother Scott and his family. They spent several hours with Zak and me, just talking and enjoying being together. The only not-so-good thing about the visit was that they got a parking ticket! This was really my fault for not knowing that you need a permit to park on the street between 7:30am and 2:30pm. I should've had them pull into my driveway... Darn. Dad is appealing the ticket, so hopefully the Logan Parking Authority will let it slide. We will see.

And now I'm continuing this blog a day later... Kind of ruins my whole "trend" theory, but that's okay. Let me just finish up with a note about our plans for the weekend. Tomorrow morning Taylor has a game in Morgan, Utah, which is close to Ogden--so Zak and I are going to go spend the night at the Lewis house and ride down in the morning with them. Should be fun! I think we'll take our laundry tonight and get it done. That will be quite fabulous! I hope that everyone has a great weekend!

The Weekly Update

Today didn't start off really well. I put on a white shirt this morning, preparing to walk out the door to an early work meeting, and promptly spilled my Carnation instant breakfast down the front of it. If it had been the vanilla flavor, maybe I could've gotten away with wearing the shirt still, but alas, it was the rich milk chocolate flavor and very brown. Then I put on another shirt--this one was too small and I couldn't get it buttoned (time to clean out the old closet). The third shirt I put on was far too wrinkled to wear to work, Zak told me. So then I just gave up and pulled on a t-shirt so that I could get to my early meeting. While I was gone, Zak kindly ironed my shirt so that when I got back I could change quickly and get to work.
The past week has been rather quiet, but I have a few fun things to share from the weekend. Saturday night Zak and I went to the house of a couple in our ward, had a backyard BBQ (v.g. - very good, for those Bridget Jones's Diary afficianadoes out there), and went miniature golfing. This was my first experience with mini-golf, and I quite liked it. We had a good time with James and Juli, and Zak was almost par for the course! It was a par 49 course, and he got 50 (v.g.). I, of course, was more like 62.... (n.v.g.)
Sunday night Zak decided that we needed a little fresh air, so we went for a "walk" around Hyrum Dam in the south end of the valley. Apparently (and unbeknownst to us) the water had been so high earlier in the summer that the pathway around the lake was washed out. We exited the path before we got to that point, however, because anytime we are near a somewhat large body of water, rocks must be skipped. I stink at this, but Zak is very good at skipping rocks. We couldn't find the path again, so we continued our walk along the rocky shore - it has so many rocks that it can't be called a beach. It's just shore. We walked quite a ways around the water to a jutting piece of land called Big Toe. (Looks just like its name.) At this point, it was beginning to get dark, and thunder had been threatening ominously from the other side of the lake for about 20 minutes. We found a way up the back of Big Toe to the road. It was just about straight up, so that was fun and athletic. Good thing Zak has me keep a pair of running shoes in the trunk of the car for occasions just like these - I am almost always to be found in flip flops during warm weather.
We finally got to the road by walking through someone's back yard. Luckily it was pretty big, so no one noticed. As we began the trudge back to the car, it began to rain. We were next to a church building when lightning struck PRETTY close to us. I couldn't begin to estimate how close, but I could smell a burned smell in the air, so that's PRETTY close. We didn't realize the storm was moving so fast! We ran into the building and waited the storm out for a few minutes. Luckily, it was unlocked and we could use the restroom and get some water. Then we finished walking back to the car just as the rain let up. All in all, while not being something I care to repeat, it makes a fun memory.
On Monday Zak and I slept in very late. I love sleeping in, and get to very rarely these days. We went over to Zak's parents' house and did laundry. We also went back into town with Burke and Rhett for a few hours while the laundry was going. We test-rode some beach cruiser bikes (that's the kind I learned on - I'm sure many of my siblings will remember the green bike with the cushy white seat --or denim covered seat-- and pedal brakes) and enjoyed that.
That night, we all watched in amazement as Burke fit 5 (yes, FIVE) McDonald's double cheeseburgers into his mouth at one time. It was without a doubt, the grossest thing I have witnessed in person to this point in my life. But quite amazing, all the same.
Work has been very, very quiet this week. I didn't even close a loan until this morning. I just discovered that an old co-worker from a prior job has been hired at the CU, so I am excited to see her around.
That's about all the news...except that we got cable yesterday!! It's just the basic, ten-dollar-a-month variety, but I am pretty stoked. We haven't had tv at all this first year of marriage. So it will be fun to have that once more.
I hope all of you are doing well and that things are great! Love to hear from you when you have the time.

Gas prices

Gas prices jumped to $2.89 by the time I went home yesterday. I hear they will go above $3.00 a gallon this weekend. That is just too bad.
Work is really busy today! Lots to do, no time to do it all. I work tomorrow also, my first Saturday. I hope it won't be too terribly busy. Have a good weekend everyone!

Another exciting Thursday

Hello again, everyone. I hope all of you are well. It's Thursday and it's been pretty quiet at work. I have to find things to do to amuse myself. I'm not having a lot of success in that department.
It's September! I can't believe how fast the year is flying by. Next thing I know it'll be Christmas! Also, gas prices are making me positively sick. Maverik, the cheapest in the valley, is now up to $2.77 for regular unleaded. It's just not right.
Zak started school again on Monday, and we are both a little overwhelmed at the sheer amount of reading and homework that he has. Regardless, I know he will do just fine. He's such a smart kid! He has two psychology classes (then he's done with his psych minor) and two English classes, and also a general science class. I may have already shared this, I don't remember. The classes sound pretty interesting to me, but I guess that's because I don't have to take them.
It's time for lunch and I am going to have an egg-salad sandwich, courtesy of Zak. What a good husband he is!

Everybody's Working for the Weekend...

...including me! Zak and I had a really good weekend and we're already looking forward to the next one. We went to Taylor's football game Saturday morning (Taylor is Zak's little brother for those who don't know). Mountain Crest didn't win, but Tay played great as a running back. We did laundry on Saturday afternoon -- that's always fun.
We now have early church on Sundays. I really didn't think I would enjoy it, but I do! I like going to church at 9:30 and getting home by 12:45. We made lunch, took a nap, and took it easy. I talked to Nikkol and Janet Sunday evening. That was really fun! It's nice to stay in touch with family. We had some friends from the ward over to play Scattergories. They are a fun couple to hang out with.
Work has been very busy today, and I love it when it's busy. The time goes by so fast!
I'm talking to Zak on the phone as I write this, so I'm going to go so that I can give him my undivided attention...more later!

The Island: The Longest Commercial Ever

Zak and I went to see The Island at the cheap theater last night. While the story was somewhat interesting, the blatant product placement was a little disappointing. The first movie sponsor to show its face was Puma (maker of running shoes, for those of you who don't share my immense love of foot couture). Then came a string of additional sponsors: Aquafina, X-Box, MSN Search, Dodge, Honda, Hummer, Chrysler, and many others. There was even a part of the movie where I thought I was literally watching a commercial. Picture a close up of a blue and white bottle. You can read the label clearly (though I no longer remember what it said, so I guess it wasn't that effective) for about ten seconds, and then the actor comes along and picks up the bottle and the commercial's over.
Anyway, that was how we spent our evening--going to the movie and then to the grocery store.
Today work is very quiet (not unusual). I wish I had more exciting stuff to say! That's about all. I hope everyone's having a great day!

Back to Business

The wedding in St. Louis went well. I had a fun time hanging out with family, seeing friends, canoeing on the Current River.... It's also good to be back at home and at work. I missed Zak a LOT, so it is nice to be back. On both flights, the one out and the one back, it was SO crowded on the plane. That is never fun. I sat in the middle of the row both times and had to be sure I wasn't invading anyone else's space. I read a few of the books that Zak will have to read for his Young Adult Lit class this fall. They were pretty good.
This morning I have been busy at work, catching up on everything that needs catching up on. I am doing great on my quarterly goals, so that is a blessing.
Tonight will be a laundry and grocery shopping night. I am excited! I hope you are all having a good day.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

In just a few hours, I will be on my way to St. Louis! I am leaving work in just a couple of minutes. It was a quiet morning, which was wonderful. I am excited for the wedding and to see family and friends. It's time to go. I will try to post while I'm in St. Louis, but I don't know how much time I'll have. I'll miss those of you in Utah (especially my Zaky), and hello to those of you in St. Louis!!

One Down, One to Go

Well, everyone survived the wedding on Saturday. It was a really nice day. The temple was beautiful - I have never been to the Bountiful Temple and it was just gorgeous. And HUGE! I've never seen a bigger temple. The reception was also very nice. It was nice to rest and relax on Sunday. I leave tomorrow for St. Louis and I am very excited! I got a call last night and now I'm going canoeing on Saturday! I am really excited. It will be nice to get outside for a day.
Work is a little slow (knock on wood) and it's gloomy and cloudy outside. I love it! The rain smells so good! It's needed, too, since it's been so dry lately.
I don't have anything else too exciting to report, so I'll end for now.

6%

Yep, yesterday was a better day at work. I had my bi-yearly review and got a 6% raise!! Hooray! It was very nice.
Last night was the big pre-marital fireside with Britt and Kurt's families. Kind of a different idea. Everyone shared advice and we sang a few songs. It was a nice thing to do, kind of reminds us all of what's important--not so much if the napkins are folded right and the food is perfect. The temple ceremony is the most important.
Today is Friday, which is always a great thing! Happy Friday, everyone!

Addendum

Zak wanted me to be sure to mention that he got stung by a wasp during the whole secret fence-fixing operation. We have several little wasp nests on the fence, so it was inevitable that someone was going to get it from those darn things. Unfortunately, it was Zak. Poor kid. I think he will live.
The wedding is approaching ever more quickly. We are all excited for it, but I think we will all be glad when it's done, too. There's so much to do...and then I fly to St. Louis on the 17th for Carolyn's wedding. It will be fun!
That's all I've got for today.

The Secret Society of the Fence-Fixers

I think this title sounds like a Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys book, don't you? Let me tell you about the secret society of the fence-fixers. It all started, naturally, with a fence. We have a wooden fence on the east side of the half of a house that we rent, kind of by our "garden" area (aka the muddy patch on the side of the house). We think the fence belongs to the neighbors on our east side, but it's hard to tell, since we're just renters and not owners. It has been falling down and looking really junky since we moved in last summer. (Junky because their backyard is a plethora of garbage. Charmed, I'm sure.) It got significantly worse during the winter with all the snow. This spring, a few sections of it fell down completely and the neighbors put those sections on our lawn/garden area. Rude of them, I think. It's not our fence! Well, anyway, in the past few weeks, Zak has been saying that he's going to fix the fence. He's gotten tired of it being in our yard and so have I.
I didn't really think he was going to do it (sorry, Z) but he actually did! It's the manner in which he went about fixing it that is funny. He decided that it was best to do it under the cover of night, so the neighbors wouldn't ask questions if it really is their fence (we are pretty convinced it is). I thought it would be harder to do something like that at night instead of in the broad daylight, and if the neighbors don't like it, then they can fix it. Well, needless to say, the plan proceeded in the way Zak wanted and he secretly started fixing the fence last night. Our friend Spack came over and helped for a little bit, and Zak was nearly done when the neighbors came outside...dun dun dun! They did not, however, speak to him at all about the fence or anything else. They were just enjoying the cool night air and their Budweiser.
Zak came inside, very alarmed at this turn of events. He couldn't keep working if they were out there! I told him he could get up early the next morning and finish (the neighbors were sure to have hangovers the way they were drinking, and therefore sleep in--sound logic, right?). So that is what we did. He got up at 6 am I think, and I got up at 7 am to help him lift the last section of fence into place and to hold it while he used the drill to secure the supports. The fence is now back in place and we are not answering our door in case the neighbors come over to complain...
Happy Tuesday, everyone. ;)