*MONDAY MEMOS*
(If pictures are too small, just click to enlarge)
Weekly recap of my rather crazy, insane, but fun and rewarding life!
dear monday, today was a holiday (MLK day) and so McKay was home. Yay! Taylor went snowboarding. Not sure how, because we haven't had hardly any snow this year! I am so grateful for that! Makes running much easier! It was really chilly this morning and so I waited a bit before running. I headed to the track and found 93 cents in the parking lot. Much easier when there are no cars there. I only got in four miles, but I was still a bit sore. I should have probably pushed it more.
I counted the money left in my Pennies From Heaven jar and got about $16. I wish I could remember how many times I filled it up this year. Next year I am going to keep better track.
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| I have been waiting for this ↑ Boston jacket to go on clearance but it never has. When I was looking, I found some Boston Marathon 2017 shirts on Ebay and so I ordered one. The seller messaged me and told me they had another shirt in a different color (that I really liked) and they also had the exact jacket I wanted (even though they had no idea I was looking for one) and they told me if I was interested they would sell those to me as well as the other shirt for $52 total. Considering the jacket alone is still going for $100 online, I jumped at the offer. And all were in my size! I scored big time! Best part is I can run in the jacket as well as wear it normally. I love it when I get good deals! You would think 2017 stuff would be on clearance by now, but nope! |
I practiced the harp for quite a while. My goal for the day was to get my Mom's calendar done. No. Matter. What. Karen called me when I was running and invited me to Rainbow Garden's to eat lunch with her and Mickey. I was so tempted. If McKay hadn't been home, I am sure I would have gone. Lunch will always be there, he won't. Taylor also showed up after snowboarding. He brought me a Swig cookie. Ahhh! He gets Son of the Year award! Love those things!
I worked on my Mom's calendar like my life depended on it. Dave went and got Golden Spike for dinner so I could keep working on it. I just got a salad and realized after trying Taylor's and Dave's burgers that I should have got one of those because those things are good unbelievable! I would never eat a whole one (they are huge!), but heck, I would have at least ate half. Next time. Gotta love the aging metabolism. Not! I feel like the amount of running I do, I should be able to eat whatever I want. Who said life was fair? Sigh... I kept on working on the calendar and hit publish at 12:30 am. I had until 1:00 a.m. our time to get the discount. What a relief! Feels like I lost 50 lbs just knowing that is done! I ended up paying twice as much as I would have if I had got it done around Christmas when shipping was free. They charged me $25 for shipping! The calendars were 50% off and I ordered two but ended up paying more than if they weren't on sale and had free shipping. Ticks me off. $25 to ship two calendars? Hmm.... BUT....it's worth it to have it done! Celebrate! I did that by going to bed! I was beat.
I got two free gifts (guess that's how they justify $25 in shipping!) so I ordered some coasters and two 8x10's. Sorry so blurry.
dear tuesday, I got up about 5:30 a.m. after only four hours sleep. I need to figure out how to go back to sleep if I wake up. I try lavender oil but it hasn't been working as well as it used to. Sigh.... I practiced the harp and then headed to my lesson. I was a bit late, but got to listen to the announcement of the new President of the Church press conference on the way. President Russell M. Nelson is our new prophet. He will be great. Elder Oaks and Pres. Eyring are his counselors. I will miss Pres. Uchtdorf as a counselor. I have learned so much about Pres. Nelson. He may be the most amazing man I have ever known. He speaks five languages, has 9 daughters and one son, is 93 but acts like he's 60, his daughter's all say he is perfect, he is a world renowned heart surgeon, he helped invent the artificial heart, he eats very healthy, he takes the stairs instead of elevator, etc. etc. He is amazing. I look so forward to this presidency. They are all going to be great. And he is going to be a go getter.
My lesson was okay. I feel like I need to really focus on my technique so I can move forward faster. I went to Downeast and to some stores in Ogden. I was trying to find two baby shower gifts and two birthday presents. Dave had meetings tonight and I went visiting teaching. I was so excited I got my new partner Megan to come this time. She is darling. We visited Brenda. Her house is so cute. They bought Sister Hepworth's but have remodeled the kitchen and painted the house in 50's colors. She loves retro 50's and it does not look anything like it did before. We will catch Kim next week. We also tried to get another lady I have never been able to meet after only stopping by 100 times so far. I've met the husband, mother, child, and dog, but not her. And tonight she still was not home.
dear wednesday, I did hill repeats today.
The shadow... the one below looks like some kind of super hero. Batman or something with a long cape. It was really just my jacket tied around my waist. I know, I know.... but I need some kind of photo so my running posts don't completely put you to Zzzzzz.....
In the middle of my hill repeats I realized that I forgot to sign my boys up for the Boston 5K. Luckily, Taylor had text me about it or I would never have remembered! I got them signed up (with a little persuasion for Bryce) and I was so excited! I was thinking that they get to cross the actual Boston Marathon finish line, but now I think that info is wrong. Either way, it will be an experience they will not forget! And, of course, they get a medal and a shirt. It will be a once in a lifetime experience for them.
Dave was off. Carson came while Sarah was at the dentist. Dave watched him while I finished my run. Then we played in the playroom. I checked out a bit of Boston lodging rates and it's so frustrating. I can't hardly make myself do it but I need to get it done asap! When Sarah got back we went to lunch at the new Chinese place. It was really good. We then said goodbye and ran some errands. Dave had meetings as usual. I practiced the harp for a good 90 minutes or more, made lemon bars, and then tried to catch up this blog! I am so behind! I do this, WHY?
I am going to add my lemon bar recipe because it truly is TO DIE FOR! Well, that is only if you like your lemon bars deliciously gooey! Seriously, go make some! You will thank me with each bite you take! And, just a warning... be aware it's VERY HARD to not eat a bite here and a bite there and before you know it, you have eaten half the pan! You have been warned! ☺
Lemon Bars
2 c. flour
1 c. butter, softened
1/2 c. powdered sugar
4 eggs
2 c. sugar
4 T. lemon juice
1 t. baking powder
Heat oven to 350°. Mix flour, butter, and powdered sugar. Press into sprayed 9x13 pan, building up 1/2" edges. Bake 20 minutes. Beat remaining ingredients until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Pour over slightly cooled crust. Bake 25 minutes.
dear thursday, I got in my long run today. A 10 miler. Thankfully, it was the cut back week. I am tending Carson all weekend and so I knew I couldn't do it tomorrow and Saturday's out because I have a women's conference. The run wasn't too bad. I found some cute cowies and coins which always helps! Hah
I headed to Ogden to get some gifts and then to pick up Carson. I met Sarah at Hobby Lobby in Layton. I also had to pick up a leather jacket for Dave that Sarah found online but the lady wasn't home so I had to stall and wait for her to respond. After I got Carson, we went to Hooper to get it. I had to hurry because I had Stake YW basketball. I was late and I still had to make the medals. I took Carson and he was so cute. I think he had fun but after two games he wanted Dave to come get him, luckily he was done with his church stuff, so he rescued him.
We had a hoop shoot after the games were over for the 24th ward, who couldn't make it last week but only two girls showed up. Oh well. I got home and played with Carson for awhile. He made Grammy a card. We watched Dalmatians and he fell asleep about 10:30. Way past my bedtime! haha
dear friday, I got up and headed out on my run at 7:30 a.m. It was about 45-48 degrees while I was out! Yep, in January. In Utah! Felt so good! No jacket. No gloves. No hat. No ear muffs. Loved it! I saw Linda and Tanae walking but they were bundled up like it was 20 below. Hah I told them they were going to be sweating up a storm soon. I had to get home before McKay left so Carson wouldn't be alone. After he woke up I practiced the harp while he played in the playroom. Grammy came and we headed to see Tyson's friend Brooke's new baby. He is adorbs!
She now has four kids and has already gone back to work. The baby is only 8 weeks old. Not sure how she stands that. It would rip my heart out to leave him. We joked around that Tyson had something to do with all these babies she didn't plan on. She only wanted two. Maybe she will have more if Tyson has anything to do with it. She said Lincoln (the baby) sometimes just looks up and grins and smiles. She said she is sure he is communicating with Tyson. I have no doubt. Tyson would love him and all her cute kids. He LOVED little kids so much and they loved him back. Carson was having so much fun playing with Zion her two year old. We then met my Dad at the new Brigham House Restaurant. I had lasagna. Yum. They got the turkey and pot roast and loved it too. I think it will do well. We also shared a piece of chocolate cake. Yummy!
It was raining and started to get much colder. We said goodbye to my parents and came home and played in the playroom. We also put together a puzzle. Carson amazes me! He was better at it (or at least as good) than I was!
McKay was still here but still very sick. I feel like I have neglected him because I have been so busy. Carson wanted to watch Star Wars. We watched it in the family room. Dave was working until after 8 tonight. Troy invited us to dinner and to a movie in his new theater room. We had to pass on the dinner because Dave was too late. We headed to Troy's about 8:45 pm. We were going to cancel because it was so late, but Carson wanted to go. He loved Troy's amazing aquarium and fish.
The theater room is unreal! It's so cool! Stadium seating with theater chairs that recline. Popcorn. Treats. Blankets. You name it. A bed for Carson. We loved it so much! The Moyle's were also there. I just love them. They are such an asset to our ward. We watched Les Miz. We had to fast forward through a few parts cause of Carson. He was not tired at all! He finally came and climbed on my lap and fell asleep about 10:00. It was snowing when we left. And cold! What a difference 12 hours make.
dear saturday, I got up and played with Carson for a bit. Taylor showed up to tend him. How nice is that? Seriously. He is the best kid. Robin picked me up and we grabbed Julie and then I got a text from Taylor saying Carson was sad I didn't hug him goodbye. Broke my heart! I was in a rush to leave and he was busy playing and so I didn't even think about it. Crushed me! I sent him lots of panda GIFS hugging. The conference was amazing. The speakers for the first half were Brother Hipp and Brother and Sister Lemon. The best part for me was the musical number by a young woman who sang I Know that My Redeemer Lives. Wow! Just WOW! She was incredible! She couldn't keep her emotions in check and so she cried while she sang which was also amazing. The spirit was so strong. Just beautiful. We then broke for brunch and it was fun chatting with everyone. We had yummy breakfast burritos. I was starving. My stomach had been churning in the meeting and so I was grateful for some food to shut it up! Dave came and sat by us and then had to make the rounds, of course. The second half was also very good. Jen spoke about meekness and she did an amazing job. I was taking notes so fast because she said a lot of things I hadn't thought about before considering humility and pride and self esteem etc. Then Janica E. spoke. Her husband was the police officer that was killed a year ago who is in our stake. He was hit by a car while directing traffic at night. She has since remarried his brother. Her story was heart wrenching but she did an excellent job. It was very touching. She had everyone in tears. We then watched a video that had everyone in tears as well. Then Dave had to get up after all that and somehow pull it altogether. He did a great job until he told them I said that all the sisters are sad Pres. Uchtdorph is no longer in the presidency and that all of them are now old and bald. Gee thanks! Even though it's true, he should have stopped with the Uchtdorph comment because I know they all agreed with that. Yeah. Hmm... Lovely. Problem is I can't defend myself. He gets the last word. ☺
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| My snowmen decors. I found the missing snowmen! Well, Dave did actually. But he's the one who lost them, so he should have been the one to find them! |
When I got home Carson was very happy to see me. Taylor had left because he had a basketball tourney but McKay was here. I tried to keep Carson away from him though because McKay has been so sick. We played and then did a few things and then when I told him it was time for him to go home, he was the saddest little thing ever. I felt so bad. I wish he could have just stayed.
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| His sad face when he had to go home. He kinda likes me! ☺ |
I met Sarah in Roy. On the way I had on the video "Can't Stop the Feeling" and we both sang it. He sings it so cute. He was really tired and so I think he will feel better after he gets a nap. I ran to Big Lots because Sarah gave me a coupon for 20% off the whole store. I didn't need anything really but grabbed some things like extra toothbrushes, Dave's cookies, etc. I practiced the piano and then we headed to the new restaurant to meet the Singletons. There were a ton of peeps we knew...small town perks. I got the ribs and Dave got the lasagna. It is really one of the best lasagnas I've had. The manager lady waited on us because she is Dave's patient. We got really good service. When I got on FB the next day, I saw this:
Yep, that is us. Haha. Too funny.
dear sunday, I woke up at 2:30 a.m. feeling sick. I had body aches and a killer headache and head congestion. Great. I guess I am going to get what McKay had after all. I really hope Carson doesn't get it. I laid in bed but could not go back to sleep. So frustrating! I finally took some Tylenol Sinus and started to feel a bit more human again. My cute Boston friend Mitra sent me a long FB message. She just went through a divorce. She also has adrenal fatigue and so can't train hard for Boston. She is going to try to just finish it this year. Her doc said to not run it but she has invested too much money in it already to not to she said. I was always in awe of her speed (she's my age) and ran it last year in a 3:30 or something crazy! Found out she has this illness because of over training. She said it was because she was dealing with the divorce by running (literally) it out of her. But it took it's toll and now she has to stop running for a while. I am glad I didn't follow her lead in her crazy training because she sent me her plan and after reading it I felt like a slacker! She would train for over three hours a day! She would run and then go to the gym for a couple hours. No wonder. I'm too old for that. hah But I sure do love her. She is one of the most sweetest kindest persons I have ever met. I need to get on my Boston lodging. Stressing me out!
dear random, a picture of McKay and his roomies. They are all such good kids!
An oldie of Taylor with Kilo - so cute how he is sleeping on him.
dear throwback, (way back!),I am adding some really oldies on here because I have had some serious PC issues and I fear I am going to lose my pix. Sky has been working on backing it up, but I would never be able to retrieve these I am afraid. Also, WHEN I get around to publishing this into a book form, it will be fun to have these there.
Girl's camp (I think we were either in Jr. High or barely in high school).
(Lisa Elmer, Robin Christiansen, Jody Briggs, Me)
Trip to Lake Louise and the Calgary Stampede with the high school.
(Me, Jody Briggs, Pat Bryant, Barbara Piper)
Same trip ↓ at a Cockroach Inn in Canada or maybe Montana with some of the other peeps from the Lakettes or band.
Trip to Park City in high school
Lisa Hales, Jody, Pam Rippon, Tarbie Trimble, Me
Tarbie, Lisa, Me, Pam
A Friday night girl's night at Pam's.
Lisa Hales (Liza McGurk the Bizurk), Pam Rippon (Ella), Me (VD), Barbara Piper, Jody Briggs (JB)
Senior Trip to Bear Lake
Patti Clatterbuck, Gina Talbot (she has since passed away a couple of years ago from breast cancer), Pat Bryant, Bonzo, some boy, me, Carla Shreck, some other boy, Jody Briggs
Bear Lake Senior trip in condo
Me, Jody, and Lisa
At an Institute stomp. We were his wives. ;)
College trip to St. George.
Kirk Bitton, Robin, me, Lori Moore, ?, Jody, Teri, Sherrie Havertz
Jody Briggs, me, Teri Taylor, Lori Moore, ? , Sherrie Havertz, Bonzo
At my new house after we moved right after graduation. I was actually doing the splits but I cropped it off.
Robin, me, Pam, Lisa, Jody
Me and Jody in our high school marching uniforms.
At a wedding...Shauna's I think.
Sandy Gailey, me, Jody Briggs, Robin, Lisa.
Me and Jody performing our rifle routine at Weber State College right before we left to compete in an international competition in London. 1981 I'm on the left.
Trip to London with the Weber State Marching Band. 1981
I was the majorette and Jody was in the rifleguard.
At BIG BEN
At the Heathrow Airport in London. We were snowed in. There was just a skiff of snow. Hah
Can you see me (in purple sequins) twirling my baton across the Tames River Bridge in London. It was literally below freezing and my costume was like a swimsuit!!! Brrr....
Robin, Jody, and me in London at our hotel in London. We also toured Paris, Belgium (Brussels), Amsterdam, and other parts of France.
Me and Jody before our performance at Royal Albert Hall in London!
You can see my purple sequin baton costume underneath my rifle uniform. I did double duty for the trip (rifle and majorette) and after the rifle routine I had about 10 seconds to get it off to perform my solo baton routine. We won FIRST PLACE in the International competition we competed in while there!!! Pretty exciting!
